Concealed Carry in South Florida (and other hot areas)

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mrtom762

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Ill be getting my ccw here in Florida in the next few months and was looking for advice from people in Florida or other hot areas on the best way to carry without getting overly hot and sweaty. My normal everyday attire is pretty much beach bum clothes.
Any input or advice would be appreciated.
 
Well I'm not from a place that gets terribly hot, but the summers up here can get pretty warm.

I have a buddy who carries a full size XD 40 during the summer with just a loose fitting un-tucked t-shirt.

The t-shirts that I wear are not so loose fitting so I resign myself to pocket carry with an SP101 (it is somewhat weighty but it works for me) during months I can't wear a button down shirt.

All forms of belt carry require me not to tuck in my shirt, which I usually don't do anyway.

If you want to belt carry, I highly suggest inside the waist band. At first it sounds uncomfortable, but with a semi auto (flater then a revolver) it works great for me. A good quality holster is important.

Suggestions for a carry weapon will be very varied, at the moment I am using a S&W M&P45 compact. Suggestions for caliber will be just as varied, but it would help to know what level of experience you are at.
 
I live near you and I am 99% of the time carrying a J-frame in a good pocket holster. Make sure your pants and shorts pockets are generously cut. Depending on circumstances I will sometimes add a Glock 19 in a OWB pancake holster. I used to carry IWB but as I get older it becomes less comfortable due to expanding waistline. If you carry on your belt you will need to wear an untucked shirt and will probably get sweat on your gun. Look for a holster with a sweat guard and a gun with a durable finish (like a Glock). You won't be able to wear light colored shirts because the gun will print. Wear darker shirts with a pattern to break up the outline of the gun.

Smaller guns like a NAA Guardian, Kel-Tec P32 and the Ruger LCP are all good choices for Florida carry and disappear in a pocket easily. However you are trading ease & comfort for an effective caliber.
 
I use a smart carry and a set of knee length shorts two sizes larger. A fat TEE with a square edge over size covers everything up nicely in the summer. It gets hot where we are sometimes. But not until August.

In any case, Im more concerned with getting burned by the hot metal than anything else related to concealment LOL.
 
I lived in South Florida most of my life and have recently moved to Central Florida (not much different heat wise).

I pocket carry a hard chrome Kel-Tec P3AT in a Desantis Nemesis holster. Before that I carried a parkerized Kel-Tec P32 in the same holster.

Incredibly comfortable (really can't tell its there at all). I've never had an issue with sweat nor a problem with rust. Just have to clean off the pocket lint every once in a while.

I wear shorts and sandals every day (except Sunday morning).
 
I carry a KelTec P3AT in an Uncle Mikes #3 pocket holster in my back pocket. I pretty much forget that it is there. I will belt carry an Airlight S&W 38 or a Glock 26 in a Fobus paddle when a jacket or coat is needed. However I will still have the KelTec in my pocket too.
 
I carry a .357 magnum 4" on the hip or at 4 o'clock. A good holster can conceal any reasonably flat hand gun. If your gun has a long barrel, buy a high-riding holster. I'm looking into a 1911.
 
To expand on gwillys' entry, don't try to make the gun fit the pocket. Instead, re-make the pocket to fit the gun.

In other words, use a patch-pocket inside your regular pocket to position and secure the pocket holster.

It's easy to do, makes for a consistent presentation, minimizes printing, and keeps the gun out of the stuff that winds up at the bottom of your pocket.
 
I am on the west coast and I carry a PT111 Mill Pro inside the waist at 3:00. Don't stay outside carrying to long in the summer though. AC is wonderfull!
 
I'm in southern Florida. I usually carry an S&W 640 J frame in an IWB holster. It hides well under any untucked shirt. I also sometimes carry the gun in a SmartCarry holster. My G23 hides well also. Don't worry about a little printing. In the years that I have carried here no one has ever screamed gun or called the cops. It is not an issue.

I carry against the skin with no undershirt. A stainless steel gun will rust eventually especially under the grips. If you wipe the gun down with an oily rag once a week including under the grips, if they are removable, you will not have any problem.

Bill
 
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Central Florida here. During the winter months I (IWB) carry a HK P7 in a Spark VM2 but in the summer months I pocket carry a Seecamp LWS32 in a Desantis Nemesis - works like a charm.
 
Another Kel-Tec vote for you, Lived in Ft. Myers for many years and carryed a p-32 w/ beltclip. I have up-graded to a PF-9 w/ beltclip. I dress the same as you bum shorts Tee and flip-flops

;)
 
ccw for fl. = kt p3at w/ crimson trace laser in your pocket , unless you wanna go for a larger piece , then you can wear a fanny pack ??
 
My normal everyday attire is pretty much beach bum clothes.
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I used to live in Phoenix. It is plenty hot over there, too. :)

You can easily carry the "compact" versions of full size service sidearms under a larger untucked shirt in a IWB holster, as I did. Wear an undershirt - at least an A-shirt, preferably of a moisture-wicking material other than cotton, which gets soaked - between the gun and your skin, as the butt rubbing up against your skin can be quite uncomfortable. (The gun's butt! ;)) This will also keep much of your sweat off the gun.

You don't mention what kind of gun you have - or are about to get - but the Glock 19 is the epitome of the compact gun described above. Honorable mentions: lightweight 1911s (very slender and flat for their caliber), S&W 3913, CZ PCR Compact, Kahr K9.

Alternatively, a small pistol or revolver in a pocket holster. My favorite for this is the Kahr PM9, in a Mika holster. This is a little large for tighter jeans pockets, but carries beautifully in a larger pocket like those of cargo pants.
 
I used to live in Phoenix. It is plenty hot over there, too.

I do live in the Phoenix area and, pretty much, I pocket carry all year around.
Soon, it will be well above 100 degrees and when the monsoon hits in mid July and August, it will be humid too, only the temps won't get above 108 or so!!! :evil:

The only thing I change is what I carry in the pocket.

Right now, it's a G26, but as the temps climb, I'll opt for something thinner like my MK9. For deep concealment, I'll go with the P3AT, although with Phoenix being the kidnap capital of the world, I feel more comfortable with a larger caliber.
 
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