Concealing a gun in a fitted suit
- Thread starter wamj2008
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Yo Mama
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Go with a p3at instead of that lcp 
......really, to answer the question, a pocket carry in a suit is only good for the smallest of pocket pistols. I have worn a .45 on IWB with a suit, and had the jacket covering the whole time. If you have to take the jacket off it's harder, and I'd be looking at something like a 5.11 shirt with holster. It goes under your suit shirt, and it iches like the dickins, but is one real option for you.
......really, to answer the question, a pocket carry in a suit is only good for the smallest of pocket pistols. I have worn a .45 on IWB with a suit, and had the jacket covering the whole time. If you have to take the jacket off it's harder, and I'd be looking at something like a 5.11 shirt with holster. It goes under your suit shirt, and it iches like the dickins, but is one real option for you.
Glockman17366
Member
Any suit should give the OP many options. Fitted suits mean tailored, not tight. However, you do not want the buttoned suit coat to cinch around the waist. One can wear a sports coat unbuttoned, but a suit coat should be buttoned unless one is sitting.
If the OP carries a compact (Glock 19) or full sized handgun, he'll want a forward cant to his holster (so there is no obvious bulge when leaning forward).
Although pocket carry would seem to be a good method, it probably wouldn't work unless the trouser material is pretty thick. Pleated trousers would help, but a bulge in the pocket would still be noticable.
Also, darker suits would work better then lighter suits (for concealment). Darker suits are also classier, IMHO.
So, wamj2008...what kind of gun do you intend to carry?
If the OP carries a compact (Glock 19) or full sized handgun, he'll want a forward cant to his holster (so there is no obvious bulge when leaning forward).
Although pocket carry would seem to be a good method, it probably wouldn't work unless the trouser material is pretty thick. Pleated trousers would help, but a bulge in the pocket would still be noticable.
Also, darker suits would work better then lighter suits (for concealment). Darker suits are also classier, IMHO.
So, wamj2008...what kind of gun do you intend to carry?
kingpin008
Member
Have the suit fitted to you while wearing your CCW?
Other than that, I agree w/ Glockman - fitted or tailored suits aren't going to be skintight - there should still be plenty of concealment available. If all else fails, something along the lines of a SmartCarry type holster might be in order.
Other than that, I agree w/ Glockman - fitted or tailored suits aren't going to be skintight - there should still be plenty of concealment available. If all else fails, something along the lines of a SmartCarry type holster might be in order.
zombienerd
Member
Thunderwear?
Belly Band?
IWB tuckable? I can wear my Bersa 380 under "tight" clothing IWB tucked, and don't print unless I bend over.
Belly Band?
IWB tuckable? I can wear my Bersa 380 under "tight" clothing IWB tucked, and don't print unless I bend over.
Mike OTDP
Member
Kingpin is right. If you're spending the money for bespoke, have it tailored to accomodate your CCW kit.
The other option would be off-body carry. You're a businessman, you can carry a briefcase or something similar without exciting comment. Notebook, cell phone, and gun.
The other option would be off-body carry. You're a businessman, you can carry a briefcase or something similar without exciting comment. Notebook, cell phone, and gun.
chuckusaret
member
I normally don't carry my primary CCW when attending a function that requires formal wear because of the possibility of an inadvertent bump or a hug from a lady friend. I ankle carry a LCP.
Quite possibly the best answer. If you're tailor has been in the business more than a year or two, you won't be surprising him when you make this request. Perhaps someone can recommend a good dress gun belt for IWB...
Another option, for which you would have to sacrifice speed is to go ankle carry. I've never used a Smart Carry before, but they get many positive reviews and the manufacturer stands by their product.
Vern Humphrey
Member
First of all, buy your suit with the intention of carrying concealed. I normally either wear my gun, or stick my hand into the waistband to force it out (once I did that and the lady taking my measurements remarked, "Oh. You carry a gun.")
Next, consider a tuckable IWB (and learn to use it) so you can take your suit jacket off. Be sure you buy your shirts a size larger when you use a tuckable.
Finally, get belt loops suitable for a gun belt -- 1 1/2" is about right.
Next, consider a tuckable IWB (and learn to use it) so you can take your suit jacket off. Be sure you buy your shirts a size larger when you use a tuckable.
Finally, get belt loops suitable for a gun belt -- 1 1/2" is about right.
Glockman17366
Member
Not a damn thing wrong with an LCP! Got one myself...
But a suit can conceal a considerably larger handgun, so why not take advantage of that?
You know, an LCP is one hell of a nice BUG when one is carrying a larger handgun!
I have been using a Smart Carry for my Sp101 and like it a lot. It's comfortable and conceals well. The draw from standing is faster than I thought it would be, But from a sitting position in a car it can be difficult. The biggest draw back I have found is if I have to remove my gun to enter a area that is illegal for conceal carry. Re holstering discreetly is difficult and I don't think it would be possible to do while sitting in a car.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
Some suggestions:
Have your suit fitted while wearing your holstered gun. Try to find out what tailors your local plainclothes LEOs use, so the tailor is comfortable working around the gun.
(a little offbeat) Sew some small fishing sinkers into the lower hem of the coat, to give it some weight when sweeping it aside in case you have to draw your gun.
Get a dress gun belt. Makers like Beltman and others can make a belt that looks as if it will belong with an expensive suit, yet be stiff enough to support the weight of a gun.
If you cannot leave your coat unbuttoned, consider a small pocket pistol as a backup or even a quick first resort. The tailor can come in handy here as well, to deepen or even reinforce the pant pocket as necessary.
Have your suit fitted while wearing your holstered gun. Try to find out what tailors your local plainclothes LEOs use, so the tailor is comfortable working around the gun.
(a little offbeat) Sew some small fishing sinkers into the lower hem of the coat, to give it some weight when sweeping it aside in case you have to draw your gun.
Get a dress gun belt. Makers like Beltman and others can make a belt that looks as if it will belong with an expensive suit, yet be stiff enough to support the weight of a gun.
If you cannot leave your coat unbuttoned, consider a small pocket pistol as a backup or even a quick first resort. The tailor can come in handy here as well, to deepen or even reinforce the pant pocket as necessary.
Missed a chance to get a good CC tailor
I once met some guys in New Jersey who were wearing expensive suits and I’m certain they were carrying. Their attire was dark pin-stripe suits, pointy-toed shoes, dark sun glasses, expensive rings, Rolexes all around, and black, black hair combed straight back.
It was at a motel I had grabbed late at night and on the job next day I expressed concern but was told, “You’re in the safest motel in New jersey. No one is going to bother that place.”
I learned they were “horse trainers” and were there to see that everything went right. I did not pursue what was meant by right. I had some amusing thoughts, which I kept to myself, about a horse trainer in the saddle at the track while wearing a three piece suit.
What’s that you ask? Sure I’m sure they rode them there horses. You think they’d lie?
I stayed at that motel for the next three months until I finished the job and had not one thing stolen nor did I ever see a mugger. The police could take some tips from those guys.
Anyway, when the OP asked about CC in a suit I suddenly remembered that job and motel. Too bad I never asked who was their tailor; I probably couldn’t have afforded him anyway. And ya know what? In all that time they were some of the nicest guys I ever met, but I did make sure my conversation was never probing, nor did I ask who was going to win in the fifth.
I once met some guys in New Jersey who were wearing expensive suits and I’m certain they were carrying. Their attire was dark pin-stripe suits, pointy-toed shoes, dark sun glasses, expensive rings, Rolexes all around, and black, black hair combed straight back.
It was at a motel I had grabbed late at night and on the job next day I expressed concern but was told, “You’re in the safest motel in New jersey. No one is going to bother that place.”
I learned they were “horse trainers” and were there to see that everything went right. I did not pursue what was meant by right. I had some amusing thoughts, which I kept to myself, about a horse trainer in the saddle at the track while wearing a three piece suit.
What’s that you ask? Sure I’m sure they rode them there horses. You think they’d lie?
I stayed at that motel for the next three months until I finished the job and had not one thing stolen nor did I ever see a mugger. The police could take some tips from those guys.
Anyway, when the OP asked about CC in a suit I suddenly remembered that job and motel. Too bad I never asked who was their tailor; I probably couldn’t have afforded him anyway. And ya know what? In all that time they were some of the nicest guys I ever met, but I did make sure my conversation was never probing, nor did I ask who was going to win in the fifth.
W.E.G.
Member
I just wear an anke rig.
Clip an old pager from the 90's to the outside of the holster, and if anybody notices it, just shrug and say "electronic monitoring."
Clip an old pager from the 90's to the outside of the holster, and if anybody notices it, just shrug and say "electronic monitoring."
glock36
Member
Have you looked in to the Cross Breed supertuck? When used with the gunbelt made by the same people you can nicely conceal a large gun. Nothing fancy but well worth looking into.
Good luck and God speed
Good luck and God speed
another vote to just have the suit tailored to your carry rig.
two things to consider
1. location of the belt loops to accomadate how your holster attaches
2. the drape of the sides from the armholes down
two things to consider
1. location of the belt loops to accomadate how your holster attaches
2. the drape of the sides from the armholes down
steveracer
Member
I ankle carry in a suit. J-frame on the laft ankle, reloads on the right.
Steve
Steve
Glockman17366
Member
For those of you who ankle carry...
When I set, I hike the trouser legs up a bit (I think this is to prevent the trousers bagging at the knees).
Anyway, the cuff of the trouser leg is normally 3-5" above my ankle when setting. Wouldn't most, if not all, of the gun be exposed at that point?
When I set, I hike the trouser legs up a bit (I think this is to prevent the trousers bagging at the knees).
Anyway, the cuff of the trouser leg is normally 3-5" above my ankle when setting. Wouldn't most, if not all, of the gun be exposed at that point?
I don't think mine ride up quite that high. However, even if they do the combination of black socks, black ankle holster, and darkness under the table can provide coverage. The Apache Ankle Rig by DeSantis is meant to worn not on the ankle anyway, but at the lower to mid calf.
HeXeD775
Member
"Hey chuckusaret,
I normally don't carry my primary CCW when attending a function that requires formal wear because of the possibility of an inadvertent bump or a hug from a lady friend. I ankle carry a LCP."
My brother taught me a neat trick if that happens...force the other person to "hug high" (so your arms below theirs). It's kinda something you need to train yourself for but if you shoot in with your arms hugging around their waist/midsection area, most females will hug high. It's kinda weird when you start doing it to people...it works pretty much every time.
I normally don't carry my primary CCW when attending a function that requires formal wear because of the possibility of an inadvertent bump or a hug from a lady friend. I ankle carry a LCP."
My brother taught me a neat trick if that happens...force the other person to "hug high" (so your arms below theirs). It's kinda something you need to train yourself for but if you shoot in with your arms hugging around their waist/midsection area, most females will hug high. It's kinda weird when you start doing it to people...it works pretty much every time.
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I just got a 4" 1911, I don't know if I'll be carrying that in a suit or not. I may carry a Keltec 9mm in an ankle holster, or perhaps an airweight. I never really tend to think of ankle as an option, but it sounds like it would be. A form fitting suit and a gun on the ankle.
Cosmoline
Member
I'm looking into the unorthodox combination of thunderwear and suspenders. It's crazy, but it just might work!
you know, you didn't mention which gun you're looking at carrying, but a Ken Null SMZ holster was designed for "suit" carry...very discreet
not recommended for the 1911 or other SAO guns with a thumb safety
not recommended for the 1911 or other SAO guns with a thumb safety
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