1911 5" ccw w/ proffessional dress

[qwert65]

Hi I just got my VA ccw permit, and plan on buying an IWB holster for my Springer GI. Since I'm finishing up my DVM at Virginia Tech(and thus cannot carry regulary) I plan on buying some cheap holsters to try out different styles.
My question is is there anyway to conceal a fullsize pistol with your shirt tucked in sans jacket or do I need to look for a different gun in the summer?
Also any good place to check out holsters near blacksburg? thx

 

[ichiban]

IMHO cheap holster are just so, well, cheap. I'll recommend the "Silent Thunder" from Tucker Gun Leather. It is a leather lined Kydex IWB and it is "tuckable." I carry a commander size 1911 in one all the time.
http://TuckerGunLeather.com

 

[General Geoff]

Smartcarry.

 

[bigfatdave]

Custom-molded tuckable IWB with the clips spread out, NOT on top of the gun
Holster riding high on a real gunbelt. Not the "stiff" belt you got at the department store, not a military web belt, not the work-belt from the work-wear shop (although some of those come close for structure) ... a real gunbelt will improve the comfort of a mid-price holster dramatically.

You will need shirts of just the right length to tuck into an IWB setup, because the tuckable spot will be a fixed length. Or you can have a cutout put into your shirts to fit around the clips (not actually that expensive, talk to an alteration shop or your dry-cleaner)

Here is my favorite example of a tuckable IWB
Here is an example of a good gunbelt that looks dressy

Except in the realm of pocket holsters, generally cheap is not good enough.
A smartcarry is a last resort, when you are so paranoid about being exposed that you are willing to sacrifice accessibility. Remember, nobody is paying attention, the few that might notice will be defeated by good concealment, the very few who do notice mostly don't care, and the one jerk who notices and cares won't say/do anything out of laziness/apathy.

 

[mljdeckard]

Crossbreed supertuck.

When I carry with these kinds of clothes (which is rare,) I use a shoulder holster and keep the jacket on.

 

[Iggy]

You can blouse your shirt tail over the weapon and holster. That's what we did before they came up with this tuckable stuff.

Link: http://www.holsters.org/iwb-holsters.htm

 

[qwert65]

Those all look like nice suggestions, for the shirts do they have to have extra long tails? also I find lots of pictures of guys wearing them in jeans. Will wearing dress slacks cause it to print more?

 

[CWL]

Those all look like nice suggestions, for the shirts do they have to have extra long tails? also I find lots of pictures of guys wearing them in jeans. Will wearing dress slacks cause it to print more?

I think that slacks will help to conceal better since they are meant to fit looser than jeans. You should buy one size-up for CCW pants as a rule of thumb. Good quality shirts will have long-enough sides and tail for 'tucking'.

As for the "try out cheap holsters", save your money, you won't learn anything from cheap. They will not help you to decide how quality, well-made holsters will fit or conceal a pistol.

The classic tuckable is the Milt Sparks VM-II, but I am giving Comp-tac a try right now. Comp-tac is kydex, but they can turn an order around in 8-days v. 5 months for Milt Sparks.

 

[bigfatdave]

qwert65, it matters on the fit of the slacks. Shirts don't need to be incredibly long, but a bit on the long side for untucked cover shirts is helpful. Like I said above, for a tuckable IWB, you have to worry about having a big lump of shirt jammed into the holster's body-to-clip gap, unless the shirts are either just the right length or you have a slot tailored into the shirt's hem to fit around the holster's shape.

 

[sohcgt2]

Cheap holsters are not necessarily bad, I've used my fair share and if you are not intending to carry full time a cheap holster can help you decide how you want to carry. If you do intend to carry full time then once you decide on how (shoulder rig, IWB, tuckable IWB, etc.) it is worth the extra front money to get something that will last for many years and be comfortable all day long. I've never sold a used holster so I have a big box of stuff that didn't work for me. If all those holsters were $100 or more that would be over a thousand dollars waisted on figuring out where to carry each firearm for best concealment and comfort. Get a really good belt and add cheap holsters to it until you know what and how you want to carry, then invest in a quality holster.

 

[AK103K]

Theres always the Kramer Confidant undershirt holster. I've carried a Combat Commander on one side and its double reload on the other in its belt carrier under a regular cut oxford shirt. Two P230s are a lot more comfortable though.

I also have one of the 5.11 undershirt holsters, but it doesnt work as well, and if my collar is open, I look like I just got out of boot camp.

One thing nice with them over the tuckable belt holsters is, you can still look "neat", and you dont have to worry about coming untucked.

If you go with a slightly smaller gun, the Smart Carry works very well, and is very comfortable.

If you looking for holsters to try, check out EBay. I've got a few good, brand name holsters off there for cheap. Sold a bunch too.

 

[emb]

I carry a CZ Rami in a belly band. There is no reason that it wouldn't work for my 1911. I have the belly band on my hips and outside of my shirt, cross draw. It then rides at the belt line and under the belt line. I wear a suit all of the time, but I do not wear the jacket in the office or even most of the time. Too hot! If I carry a larger weapon, I just put it under the shirt. I tried the tuckables and just didn't care for them. In my profession, I regularly go in and out of places where weapons are not allowed. With the belly band I just remove the weapon and cinch up my belt.

A good belt makes all the difference in the world. I had one custom made by Andrews Leather for about $65. IMHO you cannot comfortably carry any weapon with an inadequate belt.

 

[loop]

I work in Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City, Az. The two hottest cities in the U.S. My job demands that I dress for business so I've dealt with this problem for some time.

Seriously, when the mercury tops 115 you just carry a backup somewhere and hope it is adequate.

But, above 105 you are going to sweat all over everything and you won't print - your grips will be so tightly wrapped in your shirt folks will not only know you are carrying, but will be able to read the logo on the grips.

Because of where I live and work I can sometimes wear a baggy polo or other untucked shirt for work during the warmer months. Then I carry, as usual, in an OWB rig.

When weather cools to 100 or less I am expected to wear a dress shirt and tie (it is in my contract). Then I carry a full-sized 1911.

No matter what you've heard about cheap holsters or what you've heard about real good holsters, call Milt Sparks and order a Versa Max II. If you're lucky you'll have it in time for next summer.

Tony Kanaly and his crew have made me several rigs. Nothing else comes close. You can order the holster with a plastic liner between the layers of leather to keep sweat from penetrating to the gun.

I once passed muster by the Secret Service and was seated next to Dirk Kempthorne at a ball game with a 1911 on my right hip and two spare mags on my left wearing a Sparks rig. I wore the same rig and had lunch with Janet Napolitano and wasn't "made." (I broke no laws either time.)

Go with the best. Call Milt Sparks today and order your rig. Order it the way you want it and order it with a belt. (What the others have said about the belt is really important.)

If you order today you might have it in time for next summer. For a full-size 1911 you may get it a lot earlier. If there is a cancellation they move to the next guy on the list. 1911s are popular so chances of a cancellation are higher.

If money is holding you back - buy a cheap holster.

I own one holster that is worth less than $100. It is the pocket holster that carries my backup. A gun is worthless if it is in a worthless holster.

 

[orionengnr]

A lot of people are giving you good advice here. Cheap holsters are cheap for a reason. Do a search and find out how many people have a box (or a drawer) full of holsters that just did not work out--most of us have been down that road.

I had a box of them, but I discovered that on eBay, there is always a bargain hunter who will pay to convert your mistakes into his...I believe Al Bundy once called it the "bigger idiot theory".

You can go about it either way, but skipping the pain, expense and idiocy involves buying quality from the git-go.

Plus side is, if you buy a Milt Sparks holster and don't like it (fairly remote odds) you can sell it easily for what you paid (or more; the premium due to the fact that lots of people don't want to wait 5-6 months for delivery).

BTW, I own and occasionally use a Smart Carry. But certainly not for a 5" 1911. Works great for an LCP or Kahr PM9 or a snubby revolver. Works okay for a 3" revolver, or a 3" 1911. Works, but barely, for anything that is double-stack...too fat in the grip gives an interesting and unnatural bulge. I guess if you have a large gut, that may help. I don't, and the Smart Carry is more of a curiosity, and I only use it a few times a year.

 

[nathan]

Glock 23 with tshirts during summer time, spring and fall. Winter with the OWB holster with full size 1911 soon. I cant wait ...

 

[hak]

another vote for comp-tac

i have one for a G19, and one for a full size H&K USP.

and yes, 7 day turn around time, just ordered one for my HK P7. shirt-tuckable and shaped, but leather against the skin for comfort. The kydex is thinner than 2 layers of leather on the outside of the gun. the black clips pictured here come in different colors (and styles if you want to have them only 'behind the belt' but OWB)

 

[Onesiphorus]

I use a DeSantis Insider. $30 aint bad and they are comfortable.