Concealed Carry Tips...

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RugerRon

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I know people are often looking for proficent ways to carry concealed, so I thought I'd share what I've found works for me.

My magic ingredient is a cell phone holster. I wear my cell phone in a holster on my strong side about 1-2 inches in front of a IWB holster (I carry a Ruger LC9 at approximately the 4 o' clock position) w/ shirt untucked and bunched over, but tucked behind the cell phone holster. This eliminates printing by lifting the shirt just before the gun while still hanging to cover it. Tucking the shirt behind the cell phone holster also secures it fairly well. I can sit, ride, and bend over without worry. I just occasionally tug my shirt tail to make sure the shirt isn't riding up. This works with t-shirts, polos, button-ups and all. Best of all you don't need to spend big money on an expensive holster. Virtually any small IWB holster will work.

I do not however, tuck my shirt in unless some one has died or is getting married... in which case it's the S&W Bodyguard in the pocket.

What works for you?
 
My system is a good, strong belt and holster that hold the gun close to my body, and an untucked shirt. Depending the shirt, I can conceal a 1911 under a t-shirt if I have to. I can always conceal a j-frame under any shirt. I use a "Montana sling" and Bianchi Pistol Pocket holsters. And cargo shorts for the summer, baggy shirts in the winter.
 
I have a TCP 380 and when not in my pocket, its in the little camera style case that came with it. I've carried other smaller caliber guns and slightly larger 9mms in camera cases that have belt loops. Its easy to find a case to fit the gun, even have an old folding Polaroid camera leather case that easily holds a 1911. It doesn't matter whether the shirt tail is in or out as the cases completely cover the gun, therefore its fully concealed and pretty accessible by snap fasteners or Velcro (on the newer cases). And to top it all off, hit the camera booth at the local flea market or Big Lots/Wallymart and they are next to dirt cheap. The factory provided Taurus case is quicker to draw from than a gun in the pocket.
 
Pocket carry works for me.
I always have my derringer in my pocket (holstered).
Just one of those niche guns, toss in your pocket and go.
 
One of the great things about living in the Southwest is that you can get away with Hawaiian shirts for 3/4 of the year. :) I can carry anything up to a 1911 under them, but usually just a couple of Airweight .38s.

I have a KelTec .32 that I think might fit behind an ear, but I haven't tried the Hume Ear Holster yet. :)
 
Some thoughts...

Cover garments.
  • Thicker material is better than thin.
  • Darker colors are better than light.
  • Patterns are better than plain.
  • The garment should extend 6" below the lowest point that the weapon would be visible to insure coverage when seated, reaching upwards, bending over, etc.

General
  • For IWB, a holster with belt-loops the same color as your belt is a good idea.
  • Your holster should be made to fit a specific gun, not a range of models.
  • Your holster should be made to fit a specific belt width, not a range of belt widths.
  • Start smaller than you think you actually need to when choosing a carry gun for concealment. Moving up in size is relatively easy once you get comfortable carrying something small. Start with something too big and there's a good chance you'll get frustrated and give up.
 
I too found out that with Hawaiian shirts, I could basically carry any kind of pistol up to 5 inch barrels, with 18 round capacity, and not get noticed. The only downside is that when the wind blows against my shirt, you can obviously see the imprint of the shape of the gun. That scares me a little especially when I'm walking straight into the mall, but yet a big breeze hits my shirt, and there's like 30 something people hanging outside. That's the big downside.

Other than looking cool, I personally think Hawaiian shirts are awesome for covering up your conceal carry pistol.
 
My normal work attire requires a tucked shirt, and no carry while at the facility but having one in the car is perfectly okay. Those two things pretty much negate my ability to carry IWB when I'm dressed for work. I keep a Radom P-64 and pocket holster in my vehicle and if I run errands to or from work I toss it in my pocket. If I'm going on a road trip I usually wear an untucked shirt and either a Taurus 709 Slim or a Taurus 24/7 Pro C .45 in IWB rigs because pocket carry is awkward to access when belted into the car.
 
BLACKHAWK! number 7 in the waist band under an untucked t-shirt. So far it has given me zero problems. I carry a CZ P-07 Duty in that set up. The only time I don't have it is when I'm going to and from work.

For those that don't know a P-07 is between a Glock 19 and 17 in size. It isn't a small pistol. Most people ask me, "you actually carry that big thing." Yep a good belt and a decent holder is all it takes. Taking time to figure out the right position makes a world of difference.

I might change holsters. The BLACKHAWK! isn't reinforced. It means loosening my belt to holster the gun. Not something I'm worried about if I have to use it. It is irritating when trying to practice your presentation though.
 
bigfatdave said:
How so?
Does work forbid an empty holster under your shirt?
Click to expand...

A lot of people don't like the "tuckable" holsters. They really don't give you enough space to tuck the shirt properly. So, you end up with a weird bundle of fabric right over the clip. It isn't as bad as a neon sign. It is a little too obvious for some though.
 
.

I like the concept of the Cellphone carrier/gun holster but with the advent of the new Smart Phones wearing a cell phone on your belt is no longer in vogue. Perhaps if you are older that is ok, but not for most of the younger crowd. It just looks really poor.




So I carry my SW Bodyguard .380 in a Galco pocket holster. The only downside is I lose a pocket, and I put my car keys, cellphone and wallet in the other pockets.

.
 
Either a SP101 or XDsc9mm in a crossbreed holster at 3:00. usually a patterned button down shirt untucked works best, but I can make a loose fitting t-shirt work as well. it prints a bit, but considering that my arm is almost always right in that same area, it's a distraction from whatever printing there is. also makes it easier to sit down or pick something up.
 
After carry OWB with just a t-shirt hanging over it, running around tossing a football on the beach, and realizing that not one of my friends had any idea I was carrying, I don't pay attention much to how I carry. The reason is simply, nobody else pays attention either, because they don't know you are carrying.
 
A quality belt, a quality holster, and a quality firearm that you are comfortable with and have trained extensively with. That's what you need. It doesn't hurt if you take along a couple of extra mags as well.
 
Untucked shirts are more effective the infamous "shoot me first!" royal robins 5.11 tactical concealment vests.

I don't really care if my gun gets accidentally exposed. If called on it I'm able to show them my badge and ID.
 
I'm with Bonesinium. I carry OWB in a good holster with a strong belt. The holster holds my 4" 1911 really close to my body. I just wear whatever. I usually wear button-ups though; the shirt tails covers the holster better and I can reach and bend without the butt of the gun poking out.

I usually don't get too concerned because the sheeple aren't in a state of awareness and aren't looking for guns, like we sometimes are.
 
Loose fitting (but not baggy clothing), a good belt (my walmart $12 re-inforced nylon belt is awesome) and a good holster is my method for CC success. I also wear an undershirt as a barrier between the gun and my body. It feels awful and chaffs my skin if I don't. I also pocket carry when I have to, but prefer to carry my M&P9 IWB. I prefer to carry my favorite gun.

It is really not complicated, or all that expensive to successfully conceal carry a handgun (even a big one).

Only tips i could give would be use what works for You, practice live fire CCW sessions, and don't carry mexican style..........WVleo
Click to expand...

No sir, don't want to end up like Plaxico.
 
In Seattle, WA, you can only legally carry a firearm if it is under 6 feet in length. Random CCW fact for you. (Any idea how my 5'6" self would do this?)

I wear cargo shorts, so I can fit my keys/wallet in my left-lower pocket, cell phone and pens in my right-lower pocket, and then my LCP in either upper pocket (leaving the other upper pocket free for papers). It's kind of OCD, but I rarely forget anything, because everything has its place.

If its cool enough that I can wear a hoodie, I have an IWB holster that I wear. I usually wear a black hoodie over a black t-shirt, so a black gun is hard to see even if my shirt does go too high.
 
That's the ONLY advantage to having a leftover beer gut. I have a few guns I can carry in a Serpa or belt slide Tagua that don't show much with the shirt out. But I'm losing weight so the guns have been getting smaller as well. It took me awhile to learn that a good belt was essential for carrying.
 
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