CCW in Texas: ease of concealability?

[N3rday]

I plan on getting my CHL when I turn 21...Only problem is, I usually don't wear more than a t-shirt or button-up shirt with a pair of jeans or khakis, as I'm in Texas and it's relatively warm most of the year. I'm 6'0" and 145 lbs, or around there.

Is concealing something like a p229, CZ 75 Compact or similar sized 'compact' pistol going to be too difficult? Should I consider something smaller, like a XD subcompact or a p239?

edit: to clarify, I almost never tuck my shirts in.

 

[doberman]

It gets hot here too in Minnesota believe it or not! I've carried the P239 with an untucked t-shirt just fine. I don't know if I'd go any bigger though. Than again I usually have a 642 in the pocket for "summer carry".

Just my 2 cents.

 

[bill larry]

I would recommend going with something very small...like a Kel-Tec .380 or some such. I carried a Firestar 9mm for a while, very small, but all steel and heavy.

Since then, I have switched over to carrying a S&W Model 60 revolver...I would highly recommend this as an alternative to a large semi-auto.

 

[strat81]

Khakis should hold a j-frame just fine, as do cargo shorts/pants. Since you're tall and thin, you might want to go with a slimmer pistol (single stack) if you wear fitted shirts. If you dress with loose clothing, then a G19 or XD Compact would be fine. A G26 or XD Subcompact would work too, and you can use the bigger mags if you want.

 

[browningguy]

I carry a BHP, IWB holster, t-shirt or camp shirt not tucked in works great.

 

[tank mechanic]

Go to the store and buy a shirt that you would typically buy and put it on when you get home. Throw the biggest fire arm you have IWB at 4 oclock. "Model" your new shirt to your girlfriend and ask her what she thinks, making sure she looks directly at where the fire arm is for a few moments. I guarantee she will not notice. I usually wear just a dark or black t-shirt during the summer. Darker colors tend to hide any printing and any shadows from the printing. So to answer your question it will not be difficult. It is just a matter of practice.

 

[wooderson]

I'm finally going to take the time for my CHL class in a couple of weeks, planning on pocket-carrying a S&W 642.

Like you I exist in a t-shirt and jeans ten months out of the year, so the only other option I consider feasible is the less-than-ideal ankle-carry.

 

[Monkeybear]

Start buying your T-shirts a little on the thick side, no more of those really thin ones. Start buying your button ups with stripes or patterns, no more solid colors. Make sure your shirts go at least 2-3 inches below your belt. Make a habit of noticing when its really windy outside, especially if you are wearing a button up, and its not buttoned up. Make a habit of squating or kneeling instead of bending over.

I am getting my CCW in a month or so and I plan on carring a PK2000SK, which is a subcomact. I am using a Mitch Rosen Uncle Sal's Decision which rides low, even for a IWB. I would reccomend a SW CS9 or Kahr MK9/MK40 to anyone who wants to carry in the hotter parts of Texas. Check the MK40 out first, its dense but with a good holster and belt I bet you wouldnt even notice it. Its small enough to carry if you wear any kind of loose jean and you can get it in a .40sw.

 

[JLaw]

All of the above are good replies with sound advice in them, especially this:

""Model" your new shirt to your girlfriend and ask her what she thinks, making sure she looks directly at where the fire arm is for a few moments. I guarantee she will not notice."

He's right, she won't notice! So don't worry about carrying the smallest, lightest firearm out there unless you know that's what you want. I carry a 2 1/2" K frame Smith concealed year round. It's all about the right belt, holster, and choice of shirts. Button-ups and polo styles work well, as stated earlier buy your t-shirts with thicker material and maybe one size larger than the size that normally fits you well.

JLaw

 

[kokapelli]

All of the above are good replies with sound advice in them, especially this:

""Model" your new shirt to your girlfriend and ask her what she thinks, making sure she looks directly at where the fire arm is for a few moments. I guarantee she will not notice."
JLaw

I would like to offer one caveat.
Make sure your wife is not home when you model the shirt for your girlfriend.

 

[Geronimo45]

Question: When you put the firearm on, can it be seen? Printing's okay - what you want to do is make sure that normal actions won't display the thing to the world. Not print, but uncover the gun for all to see.

Printing will probably not be noticed by anybody but the Secret Service, anyhow.

 

[mec]

"Printing will probably not be noticed by anybody but the Secret Service, anyhow."

YES!

All splendid advise. If you can use an IWB, your shirt tails don't even have to be very long. You conceal just about any gun you like with a little attention to wardrobe and holsters.
Congratulations on not being fat.

 

[pac-man-10]

A Glock 26 or 27 would both be excellent choices. Or if you want something slightly bigger get a Glock 19 or 23 and buy a comp-tac Inside the waistband holster and don't tuck in your shirts. I've carried a Glock 22 in a comp tac in the summer wearing an IWB holster with my shirt not tucked into my shorts and I'm only 5'9" and 170 lbs. No one noticed, no even once. But carrying a Glock 27 in a cargo pocket would have been a lot easier.

 

[DMK]

I carry one of my 1911s IWB with solid color t-shirts and jeans or shorts all summer long. No problems except the full size one gets heavy. I get t-shirts a little loose and a little long, they should at least cover the top of your jeans pockets. They are more comfortable anyway. It actually conceals better than the J-frame in the pocket.

On windy days wear a light nylon windbreaker, also a little large and long.

Make a habit of squating or kneeling instead of bending over.

Excellent advice. It's much better for your back anyway.

 

[bigmike45]

N3rday,

With the right holster, you can conceal just about any gun. I wear strictly IWB (Inside the Waist Band) holsters covered by a pullover or button up shirt yearound. I carry fairly large guns and I am a very large guy. 6'-6" and 300lbs.

My Springfield XD45 in a Brommeland Max Con V Holster is one:
.

 

[Texas Colt]

I'm another Texas string bean (6ft. 160 lbs.) that carries all year long. A good IWB is one of the best ways to carry when wearing lightweight clothing. I usually carry either a Colt Commander or Officers model with no trouble.

I suggest wearing a "wife beater" type shirt under your T-shirt just to keep the gun from rubbing. It will also help keep sweat off the gun in hot weather.

Also, be mindful of how you move. When you have to bend over, bend at the knees, not at the waist. Bending at the waist is a sure fire way to "print" even with heavier clothing.

 

[bill larry]

Also, be mindful of how you move. When you have to bend over, bend at the knees, not at the waist. Bending at the waist is a sure fire way to "print" even with heavier clothing.

Unless your kinda fat like me....my gut swallows my j-frame. No worries there!

 

[tank mechanic]

I would like to offer one caveat.
Make sure your wife is not home when you model the shirt for your girlfriend.

ROTFLOL!

 

[RandomMan]

Revolvers work quite well. I hear people say they're "bulky" around the cylinder and it's simply not true. I'm 5'7" 160 pounds, and a 4" square butt K-Frame disappears. If I switch over to a 2" Colt D-Frame, it's even easier to hide. Summer? No problem. Admittedly, I wear two shirts fairly regularly though, I tend to wear a lightweight, light colored (stripped) shirt on top of a darker t-shirt which I tuck in. This makes keeping sweat off my gun in the summer, easier and carrying more comfortable.

-Rob

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

I'm 5'10" and 155 pounds. I carry a P229 in a Comp-Tac C-TAC year round without any problem, let alone discomfort.

Sometimes I trade off for a P220 or BHP. The trick is getting enough belt and an excellent holster. Mind you, an excellent holster is not always the most expensive, by any means. My waist size in jeans is really a 32, but I buy a 34 just for the extra room and tuckability. Try to buy a good belt from someone who specializes in fine leather; holstermakers usually know a thing or two about this. Stiffer leather is better. Floppy belts are like trying to push a rope.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[Prince Yamato]

A polish P-64 makarov:

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg142-e.htm

is nice and thin, and packs a good punch. It's all steel, so it's heavy, but not unreasonable. It's cheap (~$150) Also, it's thinner than a Glock 26.

 

[El Tejon]

The secret to comfortably concealing a pistol is the platform--holster AND belt.

Get a quality holster and belt (same maker). It will solve most of your problem. A "flat gun" like the 1911 can help too.

When I am in Tejas I carry what I carry up here, a full sized 1911 in an Executive Companion and belt, both made by Tony at Milt Sparks.

No one has said boo to me when carrying this from Dallas to Fort Worth to Austin to San Antonio to Kerrville. The only LE attention I have received was at a gun shoppe in Kerrville (Broken Arrow guns or something on 27) when a Sheriff's convention was going on in my hotel (Inn of the Hills).

I had on a OWB holster with a baja shirt over it. You could probably tell I had a pistol. The cops looked at me asked if I was staying at the hotel and why I talked so funny D) and what deer hunting was like in Indiana. They nodded at my response and then left me alone.

 

[kokapelli]

IWB carry is not an option for me. The last thing I need is a holster rubbing against my body when it's 110º here in Phoenix.

I pocket carry 99.9% of the time and my choice is the P-3AT or my PF-9 that is the flattest and lightest 9mm made. The Kahr PM9 would be a good chioce too, because it is almost as thin and flat as the PF-9.

If I'm going into what I think is a dangerous area, I am carrying a Para Hawg 9 that is heavier, but almost as thin as the PF-9, but it carries 12+1 rounds.