Best ways to CCW in business-casual office environment?

[ColtMember]

I'll be switching jobs soon. At my current job, I am permitted to wear pants with an untucked shirt. As such, I am able to cover J-frames up to L-frames pretty easily, with only a t-shirt or polo shirt as a covering garment.

At my new job, however, I will probably have to tuck in my shirt. Besides a SmartCarry, what are my other options? For the SmartCarry, the largest sized gun I can carry without obvious bulges (w/o resorting to pleated pants) is a .357 J-frame. Anything larger, like an SP101 or 2" M10/64, it looks pretty obvious something is going on down there.

So, again, what are my other options? I usually prefer IWB. Are there really IWB holsters that I can tuck my shirt into without clips showing on my belt or needing to blouse my shirt into weird shapes? I also have a great ankle holster (Renegade), but I was kind of hoping for something faster on the draw.

Lastly, I don't usually like wearing a jacket or sport-coat in the office. Makes me hot... And, I also don't like off-body carry (briefcase, planner, etc.).

Also, I put this in the Revolver Forum because I tend to gravitate towards revolvers, and my guess is I'll have to go smaller in order to achieve this. With my current normal dress, I am able to conceal full-size autos (P220/1911), but I'm guessing that'll change with the need to tuck in my shirt.

Thanks!

 

[duckjihad]

I use a galco pocket holster with a 32 tomcat. Sorry, I know it's an auto. Even it is a bit bulky. Not sure how guys hide anything bigger in a pocket although guys say they carry j frames the same way frequently. Maybe they're bulkier people who can hide more. I'm medium build average height. I carry this combo in shorts/slacks with my shirt tucked in. No one seems to notice.

 

[ALHunter]

I carry my J-frame in a pocket holster. Certain circumstances dictate an ankle holster.

 

[Socrates]

Thunderwear.
S

 

[obiwan1]

+1 on Jframe in pocket holster.

 

[pax]

Get a belly band (I like Galco brand). Position it low on your hips so that the gun rides in the same spot it would if you were carrying in your normal IWB location.

Or take a look at Comp Tac's CTAC holsters with V clips.

pax

 

[rockstar.esq]

IWB with a L frame is comfortable for me. I bought a Hoffners mirage holster http://www.hoffners.com/min4a.jpg

And although it's not a "tuckable" holster, this friggin holster frustrates me something fierce. The design allows a fast draw sure enough but it also lets the gun fall out if you stumble down a step or two (it's happend twice). You can't tighten it enough to prevent the tumbling out. Add the three months I waited for it and I'm not too happy about the whole thing. Now all of this might be less of a problem with a barrel longer than mine (2") but should you be looking towards these for concealment, you've got to wear an untucked shirt or a jacket all the time. Plus you've got to make sure you don't stumble which in my case is more difficult that I'd have figured...Frankly I'd be carefull about any IWB design that puts the cylinder at or below the beltline because that puts a lot of pressure against the hips, plus it prints like crazy. As much as I love my bulldog, the fact of the matter is that it sucks for tucked shirt carry. I'm considering ankle carry but since my Sig P220 hides beautifully with my C-tac holster I'm happy to pack it instead. All depending on how tightly fit your shirts are, a shoulder holster like the Miami Classic might work. I'd love to hear from someone who packs a bulldog with one to see how they like it.

 

[charby]

You know with all the crap people carry in their pockets, i.e. cell phones, PDA, MP3 players, etc. Most people will over look a buldge in a pocket.

I carry in my front pocket a j frame in a pocket holster and I have yet to be made by anyone except my wife if hugs me in a certain way.

-C

 

[TMM]

how about wearing a vest? they don't get too hot and look sharp.

~tmm

 

[ColtMember]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Right now, I'm thinking of leaning towards an airweight J-frame in a pocket holster. I have done this before, with good results. I think I just need to get a bit baggier pants so the gun doesn't print as much.

I'm also thinking of carrying another airweight J-frame on the ankle as back-up.

 

[Coronach]

Pocket holster or ankle holster.

Ankle is rarely the best method of carrying as far as a rapid draw is concerned, but rule #1 of a gunfight is have a gun. In an office environment you're probably worried most about a deranged employee shooting up the place, or some random nutjob wandering in off of the street. Unless you're unlucky enough to be the first guy he sees, you'll have enough of clue that a workplace shooting is going down that draw time probably won't matter. Plus, if you're seated at a desk (or in a car), ankle holsters actually work very, very well.

I would ditto a J-frame, in a quality pocket or ankle rig.

Mike

 

[dbarale]

I remember that little thing called a "pager pal", seemed like it would work in your case...

 

[carpettbaggerr]

if you're seated at a desk (or in a car), ankle holsters actually work very, very well.

Beat me to it. At your desk, or behind the wheel, the ankle holster is quicker than pocket carry.

Probably quicker than a tuckable or bellyband too.

 

[epijunkie67]

I know it isn't a revolver but I frequently carry a Kahr PM9 in a smartcarry holster. I've also used it in an ankle holster but you have to be careful. When you sit down your pants tend to pull up a bit and it can expose the bottom of the holster. Not a problem if you're in a restaraunt but if you're in an office around other people eventually someone's going to notice it and wonder why you wear a "leg brace".

Another option if you need to go really light would be the P3At, another semiauto. But it is crazy small, crazy light, and is a .380. It's also crazy to shoot but at least you know you'll always have it.

If you're set on a revolver then I'd go for a 5 shot airweight to minimize size and weight. In the close confines of an office where you see the same people all day long every day eventually someones going to notice a bulge in your belt even if it's tucked in.

Another option might be to wear a sweater vest every day. I used to work under a guy that would wear them every single day, even during the summer. We all thought he was crazy but looking back maybe he was just trying to stay concealed!

 

[VHinch]

At my job I typically wear jeans with a tucked in polo or oxford shirt. If I'm wearing khaki pants I will occasionally carry my Tomcat in a pocket holster, but the vast majority of the time its a j frame in an ankle holster. I just use my pockets to much to carry a gun there diring the day.

V

 

[stellarpod]

I'm one of the thousands who bought PagerPals when I first received my conceal carry license. It does NOT work as advertised - at least for me. I could not get that rig to fit in any fashion that was even remotely comfortable.

I have heard many comments about them, none of which were positive.

stellarpod

 

[Erik]

I've found luck with both small autos and revolvers in the pocket, on the ankle, and around the waist via belly bands in NPEs.

I prefer a J frame at the appendix or in the pocket depending on my dress. I'll go ankle if its to serve as a back up.

 

[Hawaiian]

Kahr PM9 in a FIST Kydex pocket holster is my favorite. The Taurus 905 works well also if you like 9mm. Dockers have large pockets.

 

[blackedoutharley]

Do what I do....

Wear the dress slacks (I prefer Dockers brand dress) and a polo shirt tucked in. Then a pull over golf sweater with the shirt collar pulled out overlapping the sweater... very professional look and easy to conceal nearly anything (including my CZ75B full size).
I carry a belt slide holster with either my 3" 1911 or the aforementioned CZ.

Don't forget a good, double thickness belt!

 

[gregwalter]

I like...

carrying my ruger sp101 (a little heavy but its all I have right now) tucked up front. I wear a button up shirt and open a lower button, tuck my piece up front for right hand draw and close the button. If the sh%$ hits the fan I should have enough time to pop a button and pull it out. Dark colored shirts help hide the shadow, and I'm skinny so I can get away with it.