CCW clothing 'tells'
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WeThePeople
Member
I think that I dress like a vast majority of the population. No fads, no gunnie clothes, no camo, etc. I don't think that anyone gives me even a first look, let alone a second look. Since I am almost always carrying, I like it that way.
No Tacticool pants, I dress in Jeans and button up short/long sleeve casual shirts, usually plad, Untucked, no larger than I would wear if I was not CCW. I am a 6' 1" 230 broad shoulders so I can hide my service xd very well. I am an large shirt guy and I am able to wear a large, sometime an XL with zero printing. I am self employed and like to think I look semi professional for my area/profession. My shoes are Docks and I do have a full mountain man beard and clean haircut.
So I guess I hide it pretty well.
I do notice you guys with the 5.11 pants and team glock shirts. I secretly admire you.
So I guess I hide it pretty well.
I do notice you guys with the 5.11 pants and team glock shirts. I secretly admire you.
TonyB
Member
As I've said on other posts,I often wear a vest(always actually)usually just a regular one.Lately though,I can only wear sweatpants,so I'm wearing a 5.11 vest..last week I'm hanging out at the gun store,when 2 cops walked in(Ispotted them right away,2 slightly overweight,white guys w/ short hair and suits,constantly scanning the room.)so my buddy who works in the shop starts talking to them,he knew them,and I start talking to them too.The whole time I'm thinking"I wonder if they know I'm carrying?"Not that it matters,as I'm legal.Then as I get off the stool to leave,my airweight,which is in the front pocket of my vest,clunks against the counter as my vest swings around.I guess they knew then,becasue they both looked at me,and then eachother,and smiled......I felt like such a dork.:banghead:
SniperStraz
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- Joined
- Nov 13, 2006
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- 871
HAHAHA
Zach S
Member
I dont really work hard at concealment. I'm 6ft tall, weighing in at a whopping 155lbs (fully dressed), and I carry a 5" 1911.
It not unusual to see me in a gun shirt (my peace through superior firepower shirt is my favorite). During the colder months, I wear Mechanix Gloves with the thumbs and index fingers cut off. Whenever I hold anything gun-like, I obey the four rules. Drills, impact wrenches, sawzalls, all get carried at low-ready.
I dont wear tacticool clothing. Most of the time, I'm wearing a tank top under a T shirt no matter how hot it is (one giveaway), jeans, and Altama boots, my second pair in seven years.
You'll probably see that I'm carrying. But no one else seems to notice, so I cant say that I care. Like previously mentioned, with the exception of CCWers, most people arent gonna notice squat.
Tell-tale signs to me are any type of clothing youll see advertised as "tactical." Take the entire 5.11 line. Photgraphers' vests. Two shirts in 90 degree weather. And carpenter's or painter's jeans (they give you a lot of room around the ankles).
I've made a very diverse group of people. From middle-aged men in german cars that looked like bankers, soccermoms driving minivans (okay, just one of them), and guys like me that dress like they barely make enough money to get buy, with a vehicle to match.
Have I been made? Probably. I'd be surprised if I hadnt. But they say the same thing to me that I say to them: nothing. A hello, or a nod, and thats about it.
It not unusual to see me in a gun shirt (my peace through superior firepower shirt is my favorite). During the colder months, I wear Mechanix Gloves with the thumbs and index fingers cut off. Whenever I hold anything gun-like, I obey the four rules. Drills, impact wrenches, sawzalls, all get carried at low-ready.
I dont wear tacticool clothing. Most of the time, I'm wearing a tank top under a T shirt no matter how hot it is (one giveaway), jeans, and Altama boots, my second pair in seven years.
You'll probably see that I'm carrying. But no one else seems to notice, so I cant say that I care. Like previously mentioned, with the exception of CCWers, most people arent gonna notice squat.
Tell-tale signs to me are any type of clothing youll see advertised as "tactical." Take the entire 5.11 line. Photgraphers' vests. Two shirts in 90 degree weather. And carpenter's or painter's jeans (they give you a lot of room around the ankles).
I've made a very diverse group of people. From middle-aged men in german cars that looked like bankers, soccermoms driving minivans (okay, just one of them), and guys like me that dress like they barely make enough money to get buy, with a vehicle to match.
Have I been made? Probably. I'd be surprised if I hadnt. But they say the same thing to me that I say to them: nothing. A hello, or a nod, and thats about it.
Although couldn't someone knowing your armed be a benefit in some situations.... like a less hardened criminal might be afraid to do anything to you? Unless they are specifically after you, I think they might move on to an easier target (not that I don't care about others but I'm talking about protecting you and your loved ones first, then others)
Also a related question, are their any places that allow a non-concealed carry? Like a holster on the hip? The reason I think of this is, for example, one time recently I brought a girl out to a restuarant and there was a bar attached and some guys were started to get too intoxicated at the bar. Me and the girl were sitting in the other area just eating and minding our own business, we weren't bothered but they bothered some other people. Now in that situation for me and my friend's protection might it have been better to have it visable as a detterent in case they became violent instead of having to actually pull it out if the situation became extreme?
Just asking these questions, I can also understand why you would want no one to know.
Also a related question, are their any places that allow a non-concealed carry? Like a holster on the hip? The reason I think of this is, for example, one time recently I brought a girl out to a restuarant and there was a bar attached and some guys were started to get too intoxicated at the bar. Me and the girl were sitting in the other area just eating and minding our own business, we weren't bothered but they bothered some other people. Now in that situation for me and my friend's protection might it have been better to have it visable as a detterent in case they became violent instead of having to actually pull it out if the situation became extreme?
Just asking these questions, I can also understand why you would want no one to know.
30 cal slob
Member
i've been known to wear 5.11 pants ... on laundry day. but otherwise it's jeans and a photog vest when i'm not at the office.
i have a safari outback vest from newport army and navy surplus ($40 - recommended to me by an LEO a few years back):
http://www.newportarmynavy.com/index2.htm
to the trained eye, a photog vest is a dead CCW giveaway nowadays, but i haven't had cops come up to me and demand to search me or anything.
i also have a sig-tac vest. now, if a photog vest is a dead giveway, a sig-tac vest is a bright neon sign that says "hey, i've got a gun on me." it looks too gunny. and it's got a visible "sig tac" emblem on the hanger loop on the back. i cut mine off.
funny anecdote - i got a compliment on my sigtac vest wrom a costco employee (the greeter who checks yer costco id at the door).
i know there are many vests out there, but i already have two and the ones i've seen (like concealed carry clothiers) look way too frumpy on me.
i have a safari outback vest from newport army and navy surplus ($40 - recommended to me by an LEO a few years back):
http://www.newportarmynavy.com/index2.htm
to the trained eye, a photog vest is a dead CCW giveaway nowadays, but i haven't had cops come up to me and demand to search me or anything.
i also have a sig-tac vest. now, if a photog vest is a dead giveway, a sig-tac vest is a bright neon sign that says "hey, i've got a gun on me." it looks too gunny. and it's got a visible "sig tac" emblem on the hanger loop on the back. i cut mine off.
funny anecdote - i got a compliment on my sigtac vest wrom a costco employee (the greeter who checks yer costco id at the door).
i know there are many vests out there, but i already have two and the ones i've seen (like concealed carry clothiers) look way too frumpy on me.
Rickstir
Member
cslinger +1
Most people walk around in a fog. They never make eye contact. That is one reason using eye contact is an effective marker. Let's a person know you are fully aware of what is going on. I've used it on a couple of occasions, one I was sure was going to go bad in a grocery store. The tip-off guy suddenly had second thoughts and they all left. I was not packing but I was aware of my surroundings. I was actually thinking of backing out of the check out line but the situation changed for the better.
I live in a rural area next to a large fishing lake. Vests are rather common place around here. I often wear my 5.11 vest on errands, until it gets too hot. I also work in a college town and carry a Maxipedition bag. Again, bags are a dime a dozen around town and no one makes a second glance.
Most people walk around in a fog. They never make eye contact. That is one reason using eye contact is an effective marker. Let's a person know you are fully aware of what is going on. I've used it on a couple of occasions, one I was sure was going to go bad in a grocery store. The tip-off guy suddenly had second thoughts and they all left. I was not packing but I was aware of my surroundings. I was actually thinking of backing out of the check out line but the situation changed for the better.
I live in a rural area next to a large fishing lake. Vests are rather common place around here. I often wear my 5.11 vest on errands, until it gets too hot. I also work in a college town and carry a Maxipedition bag. Again, bags are a dime a dozen around town and no one makes a second glance.
jeepman77cj5
Member
OT probably, sorry
Loucks? Which ubg holster did you get? I just ordered a Striker 1 for my XD40sc from him. 3-4 weeks out. Can't wait!!! aaaaaaargh
Loucks? Which ubg holster did you get? I just ordered a Striker 1 for my XD40sc from him. 3-4 weeks out. Can't wait!!! aaaaaaargh
bhk
Member
Although I hardly ever wear a photo/safari type vest, I don't think the 'give away' is as great as in might have once been. A quick walk around Bass Pro, Cabelas, and even regular department stores will reveal these types of vests available in all of them. I'll bet fewer than 1 in 10 is sold to a CCWer.
Byron Quick
Moderator In Memoriam
JShirley, one of the mods here(who will be coming home from Afghanistan any day now
) is 5'6" and weighs a whopping 130 lbs. He can conceal a S&W N frame under a T shirt. So can I even though I'm much bigger. I carry a 5" 1911. Concealed.People are not as observant as some of y'all seem to think. I carry open sometimes. Walked around a WalMart SuperCenter for an hour a few weeks ago with the 1911 in a Galco OWB holster and no cover. No one took a second look, folks...I don't think anyone noticed it.
Back in the '70's with shoulder length hair, tie dyed t shirt, and sandals, I opened carried a Browning HiPower. Once in a blue moon, I'd get a comment...most people assumed I was an undercover cop.
Cato the Younger
Member
- Joined
- May 6, 2006
- Messages
- 130
I wear old Navy cargo pants
I think most people my age (college/grad student) do this, therefore, I feel like I am not giving anything away by it. The side pocket fits a kel-tec in it pretty easily, so I don't feel like its a big deal. Although since I just got my CCW yesterday, I feel like everyone knows that I have a gun on me- and I did check every 5-10 minutes to make sure I was not printing.
I think most people my age (college/grad student) do this, therefore, I feel like I am not giving anything away by it. The side pocket fits a kel-tec in it pretty easily, so I don't feel like its a big deal. Although since I just got my CCW yesterday, I feel like everyone knows that I have a gun on me- and I did check every 5-10 minutes to make sure I was not printing.
Dorryn
Member
It's also a big tell if youre pushing a tactical wheelbarrow.
tydephan
Member
I have nothing of value to add, other than to wonder if I have witnessed one of the signs of an approaching apocalypse.
Boy George, quoted on a gun board. 
Boy George, quoted on a gun board.
CajunBass
Member
I don't have a beard. I don't wear a vest. I don't even know what 5.11, or however it's written, pants are. ( I don't guess they're Wal-Mart jeans?)
Besides I open carry most of the time, and I don't think many people "make" me even then. Or they just don't give a hoot.
Besides I open carry most of the time, and I don't think many people "make" me even then. Or they just don't give a hoot.
I was at a buddies Window Tint shop when to kids come walking in, I say kids cause they where late 20's. My buddy tells them the SUV isnt ready yet and he needed to keep it over the weekend. They decide since the SUV is staying they need to get their AR-15 and 870 out of the lock box in back. After talking they say they are US Marshals. So I ask one a handgun carry question. Before he even answers he starts looking me up and down trying to find out where my gun is. I happen to have jean shorts and a tucked tshirt with an unbutton short sleeve shirt. It sholda been obvious by the unbutton shirt that I had it at 4 oclock but he just kept lookin as he answered. I always carry at 3 or 4 oclock under a tshirt or un buttoned shirt. BUT in Tennessee we dont have to hide it if we dont want to, I just choose to hide it.
J
J
I am also not so sure the knife would be a reliable tell. At my southern college, every good ole boy has a folder in his front pocket. I'm talking like, 1/4 to 1/2 of the males on campus. And, living on campus, none of us are carrying, most aren't even old enough to carry.
deadin
Member
What is this? A game? "I know what you got and you can't see mine?" Or is it, in some cases, 'HE HE HE I can't show it to you, but I can give hints that I'm "packing". Ooohh, I'm Bad!".
You know, I really don't give a D*** if you're carrying, and I'm sure not interested in anything you may have in your pants. 
You know, I really don't give a D*** if you're carrying, and I'm sure not interested in anything you may have in your pants.
texas bulldog
Member
it's funny...
...coming from the retail biz, we usually see fanny packs and baggy clothing as signs of shoplifters, not concealed carry. don't see a whole lot of photog vests...
...coming from the retail biz, we usually see fanny packs and baggy clothing as signs of shoplifters, not concealed carry. don't see a whole lot of photog vests...
elric
Member
I have a friend that is diabetic, and carries his diabetes stuff around in a fanny pack, so that's one thing I tend to think of when I see fanny packs.
hankdatank1362
Member
Hell yes 5.11 tells! But only to us gunnies. One of my criminal justice professors was asking us "What makes you think someone might be carrying a gun?"
My response : "If they're dressed like you, sir!" Classic, b/c the guy had on the full 5.11 pants and boots, with the longsleeve shirt with his sleeves rolled up!
Me? I dress how any 22 year old male who lives at the beach dresses... T-shirts, baggy cargo shorts, and flip flops. I can hide anything in there. Although, those darn flip flops are gonna be the death of me if I ever have to run for some reason!
My response : "If they're dressed like you, sir!" Classic, b/c the guy had on the full 5.11 pants and boots, with the longsleeve shirt with his sleeves rolled up!
Me? I dress how any 22 year old male who lives at the beach dresses... T-shirts, baggy cargo shorts, and flip flops. I can hide anything in there. Although, those darn flip flops are gonna be the death of me if I ever have to run for some reason!
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