Carry Concealment

[Bill_in_TR]

I often see discussion about the ways people conceal their carry gun. I was just curious if anybody has used a particular t-shirt option for warmer weathef when a t-shirt is a suitable dress option. A few years ago I decided to try the Duluth Trading Company Long Tailed, Relaxed Fit t-shirt. I carry OWB and wear these t-shirts untucked. I find that I can reliably conceal any gun I choose to carry up to a Sig P226. They hang low and fit loose. Those who prefer a tight fit won't like them. I don't get any exposure or printing in virtually any position I can get my old body into. I am not a big guy at 5'8" and 160#. They come in a wide range of sizes and colors. They work great for me for carry concealment in warm weather. And they don't say "shoot me first".

For the cynics in the the crowd I have no affiliation with Duluth. Just a happy customer.

 

[Pistolay]

I wear L.L. Bean T-shirts, one size up, but Ima take a look at the Duluth. Thanks for bringing it up.

 

[unclenunzie]

I have many of those Duluth t-shirts and they are a nice offering that work well for OWB cover. These definitely work and are good quality, though I'm told I look not as nice as I should

For spring and summer I've recently taken a liking to "Amazon Essentials Men's Regular-Fit Cotton Pique Polo Shirt". I am 5' 11' 265 with a beer-like belly and wear XXL in this line. Lot's of solid colors and patterns available and made of cotton for about 20 USD. Wearing good IWB holster with 20% cant I have concealed a G19 easily, and a P365XL disappears. These shirts are designed to wear untucked and look nice in town as it were.

I wish I had and affiliation with anyone like Amazon or Duluth LOL.

 

[JTQ]

... I decided to try the Duluth Trading Company Long Tailed, Relaxed Fit t-shirt. I carry OWB and wear these t-shirts untucked. I find that I can reliably conceal any gun I choose to carry up to a Sig P226.

I'm perhaps a little jealous, and a little skeptical that you can do this, based on a quick look at these on line.

https://www.duluthtrading.com/men/shirts/relaxed/?limit=18&refine=c_collection%3DLongtail%20T&sort=best-matches&feature=lgt1

What OWB holster are you using with your SIG P226?

 

[jar]

I'm perhaps a little jealous, and a little skeptical that you can do this, based on a quick look at these on line.

https://www.duluthtrading.com/men/shirts/relaxed/?limit=18&refine=c_collection%3DLongtail%20T&sort=best-matches&feature=lgt1

What OWB holster are you using with your SIG P226?

Although the Duluth offerings are generally heavier than I like for much of the year they as well as similar t-shirts work well for OWB. For my P226/220 I generally use an Andrews Saddle style. Lessen it's to a BBQ.

 

[Bill_in_TR]

I'm perhaps a little jealous, and a little skeptical that you can do this, based on a quick look at these on line.

https://www.duluthtrading.com/men/shirts/relaxed/?limit=18&refine=c_collection%3DLongtail%20T&sort=best-matches&feature=lgt1

What OWB holster are you using with your SIG P226?

As pictured they probably look like an ordinary t-shirt. But the tail really is extra long. And they are loose fitting. The t-shirt material may be heavier than some like in hot weather but it is sturdy. I manage just fine in SC temps.

The holster I use for my Sigs is a Galco Avenger.

 

[bearcreek]

For the cynics in the the crowd I have no affiliation with Duluth. Just a happy customer.

I'm a big Duluth fan. It's all I wear for pants and shorts. Have you timed your draw with the longer t shirt? Generally, I find that a longer shirt has more of a tendency to get in the way and slow down the draw.

 

[Bill_in_TR]

I'm a big Duluth fan. It's all I wear for pants and shorts. Have you timed your draw with the longer t shirt? Generally, I find that a longer shirt has more of a tendency to get in the way and slow down the draw.

I haven't timed it but yeah I am slower getting a draw with any lengthy concealment garment. I practice to keep it to a minimum. It is one of those compromises we deal with. A shorter cover garment gives a quicker draw but it might have more of a tendency to reveal. But I personally can't stand IWB. I have never found it tolerable for comfort. And I have a drawer full of attempts.

 

[Anchorite]

I have many of those Duluth t-shirts and they are a nice offering that work well for OWB cover. These definitely work and are good quality, though I'm told I look not as nice as I should

For spring and summer I've recently taken a liking to "Amazon Essentials Men's Regular-Fit Cotton Pique Polo Shirt". I am 5' 11' 265 with a beer-like belly and wear XXL in this line. Lot's of solid colors and patterns available and made of cotton for about 20 USD. Wearing good IWB holster with 20% cant I have concealed a G19 easily, and a P365XL disappears. These shirts are designed to wear untucked and look nice in town as it were.

I wish I had and affiliation with anyone like Amazon or Duluth LOL.

I have a few of the same polos from Amazon. I‘m about 2 inches shorter and a hundred pounds lighter than you, but the shirts work, and if I’m packing anything other than my Colt Agent, I go OWB. No one seems to notice. I gave up worrying g about printing years ago. Alabama is a constitutional carry state now anyway.

 

[Anchorite]

Although the Duluth offerings are generally heavier than I like for much of the year they as well as similar t-shirts work well for OWB. For my P226/220 I generally use an Andrews Saddle style. Lessen it's to a BBQ.

View attachment 1208026

Dig the snake print holster! Boogee!

 

[ms6852]

I'm another Duluth fan, down to my unmentionables too. I carry a 686+ with 3" barrel owb as well. I do buy my t-shirts one size large for a more relaxed and comfortable fit. Also I make it a habit to wear shirts that do not require tucking, like Hawaiian type shirts without all that print that can camouflage vomit.

 

[CapnMac]

It is a bit counter-intuitive, but hear in Texas, my preference is a light, tight, moisture-wicking t-shirt next to the skin, then a looser, longer T as the cover garment. I will occasionally opt for a long-sleeve outer T as that give better sun & skeeter protection, which is an issue in our seven-month summers.

 

[JohnKSa]

That's what I do too. Something like a regular t-shirt/undershirt which I wear tucked in to keep a layer of material between the holster/gun and me and then a regular shirt, untucked as a cover garment. It's comfortable and does a good job of concealing.

As far as choices for cover garments, my experiences are the following--nothing especially revolutionary.

• Heavier material tends to conceal better than light material
• Patterns conceal better than plain colors.
• Dark colors conceal better than light colors.
• Looser conceals better than tight.
• If you want to carry for general purpose (sitting/standing/reaching/bending over, etc., as opposed to just walking around standing straight up) your cover garment needs to fall about 6" below the lowest visible part of what you want to conceal. If you're just walking to the mailbox, you can get away with a cover garment that comes down even with the bottom of your OWB holster. Try that when you're going to a grocery store and everyone's going to see your gun if you bend over for something on the bottom shelf or reach up for something on the top shelf.

 

[Bill_in_TR]

That's what I do too. Something like a regular t-shirt/undershirt which I wear tucked in to keep a layer of material between the holster/gun and me and then a regular shirt, untucked as a cover garment. It's comfortable and does a good job of concealing.

As far as choices for cover garments, my experiences are the following--nothing especially revolutionary.

• Heavier material tends to conceal better than light material
• Patterns conceal better than plain colors.
• Dark colors conceal better than light colors.
• Looser conceals better than tight.
• If you want to carry for general purpose (sitting/standing/reaching/bending over, etc., as opposed to just walking around standing straight up) your cover garment needs to fall about 6" below the lowest visible part of what you want to conceal. If you're just walking to the mailbox, you can get away with a cover garment that comes down even with the bottom of your OWB holster. Try that when you're going to a grocery store and everyone's going to see your gun if you bend over for something on the bottom shelf or reach up for something on the top shelf.

I am with you and can hit all of your bullet points with that Duluth t-shirt except for having a patterned shirt.

 

[Insignificant bill]

I'm too fat to wear a shirt tucked in. I pocket carry and all my shirts work for concealment.

 

[ms6852]

It is a bit counter-intuitive, but hear in Texas, my preference is a light, tight, moisture-wicking t-shirt next to the skin, then a looser, longer T as the cover garment. I will occasionally opt for a long-sleeve outer T as that give better sun & skeeter protection, which is an issue in our seven-month summers.

Same here. I live in the San Antonio area, during the summer, long sleeves are my friend.

 

[drobs]

I was just over at Bass Pro last week buying 3 more Cover / Carry shirts - plaid short sleeve button down. I have a Bass Pro credit card, used my points, and walked out with 3 of these shirts for $16 total.
These are great for when I want to carry OWB with an untucked shirt. I might or might not wear a tucked in undershirt under them.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/redhead-seersucker-short-sleeve-button-down-shirt-for-men

Wearing a T-shirt with shorts in hot weather, I will pocket carry my Ruger LC9s Pro.
I find most T-Shirts just print too much (OWB) for my preferences. Heavy Carhartt T-shirts are OK but not great.

 

[CDW4ME]

I wear thin, untucked, loose fit, "fishing" shirts that usually have a pattern; thin tank top underneath between me & gun.
I prefer long sleeves because it saves me putting sunscreen on my arms.

 

[wayneinFL]

I'm a big Duluth fan. It's all I wear for pants and shorts. Have you timed your draw with the longer t shirt? Generally, I find that a longer shirt has more of a tendency to get in the way and slow down the draw.

One of the news networks did a test of the effectiveness of concealed carry in a college campus shooting by giving a handful of college students airsoft guns. They gave them and the rest of the class large white t-shirts so the attacker wouldn't know who was carrying.

When the "attacker", a police instructor, entered, none of the kids could get their guns out of the shirts they were sitting on.

The news men "proved" concealed carry wasn't effective by making it ineffective.

 

[Bob Willman]

I'm using the Crossbreed Supertuck - IWB holster at 4 o'clock and their similar tuckable double magazine holder on the other side at 8 o'clock. My standard shirt is a T shirt "Tall" tucked in between the holster and belt. It is comfortable in all body positions. I know that draw times are slowed, but I do not travel in many of the places that fast draw folks apparently do. I am willing to accept the risk.

NRA Benefactor

 

[drobs]

I'm a big Duluth fan. It's all I wear for pants and shorts. Have you timed your draw with the longer t shirt? Generally, I find that a longer shirt has more of a tendency to get in the way and slow down the draw.

Practice how you carry.

I don't own a shot timer but my neighbor a local County Deputy does. When I shoot with him we shoot for time / hits on gongs. When shooting with him I practice drawing from concealment. Which for me means either starting with my off hand on the bottom of my cover shirt or with both hands at my sides. I then grab the bottom of my cover shirt with my off hand, pull up on it, while my strong hand grabs my OWB pistol.

He being a Deputy either starts with his hands at his side or hand on his gun using his duty belt / holster. He's faster than I am but isn't drawing from concealment.

 

[wayneinFL]

I don't own a shot timer but my neighbor a local County Deputy does.

Have you tried any of the shot timer apps on your phone?

 

[GEM]

In TX for casual dress, it was a quality warm weather t-shirt and a floppy cover shirt. I found Magellan or Columbia fishing shirts worked just fine and didn't scream - shoot me.

I also like the Duluth shirts and will wear them with a cover shirt and then since it's cold here a Jacket. When it's blizzard time - pocket carry - Duluth pants have great pockets for that.

 

[drobs]

Have you tried any of the shot timer apps on your phone?

I was just thinking about that the other day... There has to be app for that!

I want a phone app that has a shot timer, decibel meter, and a camera based chronograph all in 1.