CCW Wardrobe

[starling]

Not so sure that's sound advice. Only two sorts of people will notice your CCW if done right , neither of which wants to hear you say "Security".
They are cops, and the bad guys. I don't see that ending well either way.

I am speaking of your typical looney Karen or weasel anti gunner that has a freak out. If its a Cop you hand over your drivers license and Carry permit. If its a bad guy...... you dont even have the conversation. Best to just stear clear of conversations with bad guys.

I hear you though. Keep it covered and disguised while useing good manners and its a non issue for the most part. Walk around like Jason Bourne or acting like a jerk and non desirable things can happen.

Oh.. another thing. Dont fidget with your holsters if you can avoid it in public. I have seen that a few times.

Serioussly though...most people are looking at there phones all the time these days. Many dont notice because they too are looking at their own phones. I dont own one so I see a lot of strange (to me) behavior people have these days.

 

[.38 Special]

I think the sport coat is the best piece of CCW clothing out there. If not for the fact that our summer days often top ninety or a hundred degrees, the sport coat and OWB holster would be my standard. So in summer I look like the Tommy Bahama catalog. Silk pants, driving moccasins, and a loose silk shirt - either loud Hawaiian print or subdued solid color, depending upon mood and environment - over an IWB holster. At least in SoCal, it's informal enough to not look out of place, yet still formal enough to be good for anything short of a wedding or a funeral.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I am speaking of your typical looney Karen or weasel anti gunner that has a freak out.

Then YOU pull out your cellphone and call the police. Tell them someone is causing a disturbance.

Serioussly though...most people are looking at there phones all the time these days. Many dont notice because they too are looking at their own phones. I dont own one so I see a lot of strange (to me) behavior people have these days.

My experience is that you could be pulling a 155mm howitzer behind you, and no one would notice.

 

[starling]

Then YOU pull out your cellphone and call the police. Tell them someone is causing a disturbance.


My experience is that you could be pulling a 155mm howitzer behind you, and no one would notice.

Why even escalate the situation? Easier to smile and say excuse me while going about your task at hand. It may just be the way I go about things though. I tend to be an in and out type of person and the way things are currently stear clear from public hangouts as much as possible. People just too amped up right now and I dont like drama ( married with kids). I dont have bad encounters and am pretty good at de-escalation (again...wife and kids). A lot is our environment though. We dont live in an urban area.

The howitzer comment is funny.... I agree.

No worries on my end... whatever works for folks. If people want to wear a long coat I am fine with it. I would like to see the days come back eventually where people use manners and men tuck in there shirts and shave but we live in strange times. Opening a door for a lady, elderly person, or even fellow human would also be nice.

Carrying firearms is so common now its just a matter of time before this is all a non issue IMO.

 

[CapnMac]

I'm generally not okay with an untucked shirt.

One of the key issues--to my mind--is whether the shirt has a hemmed edge meant for being untucked. Like the classic guyabarra and similar shirts.
Those styles may not be appropriate for your climate.
But, button-down shirts meant for exposed wear are available, but, you'll probably have to sop for them.

Another option is a vest--and "regional appropriate" may be a key in if that will "fly," too.

don a sport coat

Go hit up one of the "suit places" when looking. It's possible to get lightweight jackets "off the rack" which will wear better in all sorts of weather. And, at the suit shop, they will often tailor the coat as part of the price.

Depending on your location, wearing your IWB to the fitting can assist in this (when I went to Men's Wearhouse not long ago, neither the sales guy nor the tailor said a thing about the EDC--but, this is Texas). If you need to be "more discrete" just tell them you need to have room for a bulky cellphone at [location] on your belt line.
Alternately, a person can often just go find a tailor to better fit such things. However, they may have less material to work with if you bring in off-the-rack unless you go oversize a bit.

The other thing that I have found is that, you need to wear the IWB a lot, until it's second nature. This will take a lot of the fidgets and adjustments out of carrying.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Why even escalate the situation?

Read the post I was replying to: "I am speaking of your typical looney Karen or weasel anti gunner that has a freak out." When someone is freaking out, they are close to a psychotic break and that certainly justifies calling 911

 

[starling]

Read the post I was replying to: "I am speaking of your typical looney Karen or weasel anti gunner that has a freak out." When someone is freaking out, they are close to a psychotic break and that certainly justifies calling 911

Gotcha. I understand what you are saying. I just stear clear. People are pretty moody these days so a lot can be subjective. I cant see myself calling 911 because someone is being rude or acting like a jerk. Thats a bit rediculous IMO. Someone threatening bodily harm with some sort of weapon may be different. As I said earlier though...de-escalation for me. Even if it means I have to pretend to conscede a silly arguement (thats why I am still married).

trying not to derail the whole clothing CCW thing too much. Vests are a nice option for many. Still allows you to dress neat and tuck in your shirt so you dont look like a slob. Covers IWB stuff nicely and doesnt get in the way of a draw as much as most methods. Even hides something like a should rig pretty well. Sometimes adding a little material to the shoulder and upper back area is helpful to hide any printing of a shoulder harness.

Ankle holsters are a no go if you wear skinny jeans or slacks (I dont). Normal pants you are fine though.

Hardest way to conceal I have found is if you carry while running. Guns tend to bounce around. Solution I found was double thick and double wide fat burning wraps with a layer of thick neoprene sewn on the outside in the shape of your carry pistol. Keeps it close and tight to the body and does not let anything bounce around. Belly band holsters doent have the width. Fanny pack styles bounce and dont really hide anything. You can cary a full size duty pistol on a fat burning wrap and it wont move. My carry for running is just an enhanced Keltec p11 for a multitude of reasons.

 

[DesertFox]

Try a diversion; keep wardrobe the same, get a different haircut (doesn't have to be a mohawk but certainly fun!) Everyone will be gawking at your new dew instead of that 629 8" klatcher...

 

[.308 Norma]

If you can't accomodate the preferred carry, then SOMETHING has to change. Either carry in a different location, change handguns, get a different holster, change clothing styles, change body geometry, SOMETHING.

I'm using the new IWB holster (that's still sitting on a shelf) I bought for my Glock G19 as a motive to lose some weight. I want to be able to use that holster without buying bigger pants, and I'm almost there. I bought the holster back in June, and I figure I'll be wearing it by the end of deer season next month (October).

 

[kje54]

No change. Just untuck your collared shirt if they allow it. Otherwise, layer with casual suit.

If they don't allow it find another church.........

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Try a diversion; keep wardrobe the same, get a different haircut (doesn't have to be a mohawk but certainly fun!) Everyone will be gawking at your new dew instead of that 629 8" klatcher...

Reminds me of an English joke: Why does (then) Prince Charles wear kilts?

So people will look at his knobby knees and not his jug handle ears.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Oh.. another thing. Dont fidget with your holsters if you can avoid it in public. I have seen that a few times.

I believe that is referred to as "telegraphing."

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Hardest way to conceal I have found is if you carry while running.

The last time I ran with a gun, it was an M16 and it was over my head. That'll teach me to use the 3 round burst function.

Besides, the two gyms I go to are both gun free zones.

 

[starling]

The last time I ran with a gun, it was an M16 and it was over my head. That'll teach me to use the 3 round burst function.

Besides, the two gyms I go to are both gun free zones.

HaHa. Guys like you use to drive me nuts in basic training. No worries.

I run at night in an empty park around 4 or 5 AM. Daytime I dont worry about it to much. Night time my main concern is a loose Pittbull. Been running since I was a kid and loose dogs are the worst. I carry a small canister of HALT (dog mace) as well. Dont really like the idea of shooting someones dog but I have seen Pitts tear people up when they get triggered from someone running. Had a Rottweiler run up on me many years ago before I carried and I punched him in the snout (very lucky) . Biggest threat most of the time is supprising a Skunk! Tons of wildlife (not a real threat) in parks that early in the morning... Deer, packs of coyote, skunks, snakes etc. Everything comes out at night.

 

[Stevel]

While the OP stated his carry gun is a single stack 9, for those revolver fans the Texas Heritage helps conceal vry well and comfortably.
https://tuckergunleather.com/texas-heritage-revolver-holster/

 

[Old Dog]

What's up with the current aversion grown men have against wearing sport coats? Especially since you can get nice lightweight fabrics, unstructured shoulders and generally, very good-looking jackets -- for moderate prices -- that you can wear comfortably even in very warm weather?

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I run at night in an empty park around 4 or 5 AM.

Sounds like the opening scene to a low budget horror film.

 

[starling]

What's up with the current aversion grown men have against wearing sport coats? Especially since you can get nice lightweight fabrics, unstructured shoulders and generally, very good-looking jackets -- for moderate prices -- that you can wear comfortably even in very warm weather?

They look kind of silly with shorts. Whats up with the current aversion grown men have towards razors (as in shaving once in a while) and tucking in shirts? Also... anyone remember the days when women wore dresses? We can do this all day.

I still wear a sports jacket BTW.... and cowboy boots with jeans.

 

[starling]

Sounds like the opening scene to a low budget horror film.

HaHa... actually its the most peaceful and calm time of the day. Pretty regular for me to run right by deer (within 20 feet) and they just go about their business. Park is also empty so no phoneheads to annoy me. Riff raff and criminal types are mostly all asleep or passed out so no real threat there. Suprising a Skunk on accident and a loose PittBull are the biggest threat.

 

[Anchorite]

"Whats up with the current aversion grown men have towards razors (as in shaving once in a while).

Hahaha
Right? Influence of modern country music and the global war on terror - so they want to look like stars/operators/homeless dirt-bags?

 

[luzyfuerza]

One other suggestion: you probably already know who is on the church's security team. Next meeting, observe them carefully. Is there a style of dress, an article of clothing, an action, or anything else that's immediately apparent that sets them apart from the rest of the congregants?

Try to avoid all those things.

Unless your assigned role requires otherwise, for a whole host of reasons, it is tactically wise to blend in with the sheep in the flock. Rather than to obviously be a guardian.

 

[trackskippy]

I'm using the new IWB holster (that's still sitting on a shelf) I bought for my Glock G19 as a motive to lose some weight. I want to be able to use that holster without buying bigger pants, and I'm almost there. I bought the holster back in June, and I figure I'll be wearing it by the end of deer season next month (October).

If youre wearing pants that fit now, you dont have to size up, nor do you really want to. The IWB will work fine, and actually work better, and still be comfortable, and if it is a little snug, it just reinforces your thinking about why eating those loudly Twinkies calling your name, probably isnt the best idea.

Reminds me of an English joke: Why does (then) Prince Charles wear kilts?

So people will look at his knobby knees and not his jug handle ears.

A simple little diversion really can go a long way.

What's up with the current aversion grown men have against wearing sport coats? Especially since you can get nice lightweight fabrics, unstructured shoulders and generally, very good-looking jackets -- for moderate prices -- that you can wear comfortably even in very warm weather?

Ive had an aversion to them since I was 6, and its only got worse as time moved on.

That said, if sports coats are the norm where you are, then you learn to like them. Luckily for me, Carhartts and "woodsy casual" is the norm here, and Im down with that!

The whole point here is, to adapt and "fit in". Dont be that guy that draws attention.

Wear clothes that blend in. Wear clothes that actually fit your body "now", not something that fit 40 pounds ago and you cant admit to yourself your fat AND cheap to boot. Dont cheap out on your gear and use an appropriate method of carrying that is comfortable and works.

Realistically, for any kind of deeper type cover, where you cant be found out, IWB, AIWB (both of which can easily be tuckable), and things like the Smart Carry, are the only way to go, and AIWB and the Smart Carry are your best bets there.

 

[luzyfuerza]

We spend a lot of time sitting in church. The type of seating affects concealment.

For example, a typical sport coat will not conceal a strong-side gun viewed from behind if you're sitting in an open-back, folding chair. A solid-backed pew, of course, would work better.

The larger point is to consider ALL body positions when you're selecting holster, gun position, and cover garments.

 

[The Night Rider]

I don't know if anybody has said this or not yet but we're heading into winter. I really don't think that anybody is going to notice you switching to a suit jacket as it gets colder (especially in Alaska). Then all you have to do is switch to a summer white one when it starts warming up again

 

[.38 Special]

What's up with the current aversion grown men have against wearing sport coats? Especially since you can get nice lightweight fabrics, unstructured shoulders and generally, very good-looking jackets -- for moderate prices -- that you can wear comfortably even in very warm weather?

I have always liked sport coats and began wearing them in my twenties. I have never done well in hot weather though, and honestly, once the temperature is in the 90s or above, I'm just miserable in even the lightest fabrics. If you really want to call attention to yourself, try sweating through the armpits of your sport coat!