How do you guys conceal your self defense tools? Living in South Florida, I wear shorts or jeans and a tshirt most of the time. I'm trying to decide on a CCW, leaning toward a J frame S&W (probably the 642) or a small semi auto like the Kahr K40. But I don't want to buy a gun and then find out I can't really conceal it. Could you carry something like a K40 in an IWB holster concealed under a tshirt, or will it print too much?
Concealing CCWs
- Thread starter Alex45ACP
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glockman19
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2007
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J-Frame, pocket carry, DeSaints Nemisis.
RNB65
Member
Use an IWB holster and long length tshirts.
Or pocket carry.
Or pocket carry.
Fn-P9
Member
IWB a Browning Pro 9/ FN-P9 with only a tee shirt and shorts. My GF never notices until she huggs me. Sometimes it will print if I bend over but one could easily pass it off as a cell phone or PDA or whatever.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
I wear fashionable vests . . . .
I'm 6' 1" and 190 (for whatever dif that makes) and carry an xd-45 service in a Blade Tech IWB. I wear shorts and t shirt regularly and don't have any problems with printing. My newest acquisition is a SIG p220 Carry SAS with DAK and I've got a Versa Max ordered for it. Prior to the XD I carried a Glock 21 in a Versa Max (IWB) and it didn't print. The belt and holster make all the difference in the world. Invest the money in a good holster and belt or end up with a box full of cheap junk that ain't so cheap once you add it all up. Point is, with the right set up, you'll be able to carry pretty much any handgun you want (within reason) and not have any problems with printing, etc.
Piedmont Plinker
Member
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Yep, that's what the firs C is for
You should dress around your weapon,don't try to fit the weapon into your current style of dress.I can carry a Sig P226 IWB all day in shorts and a T-shirt,as long as that's my intention when I get dressed in the morning.If you just start as usual and try to "fit" the gun in,you'll be disappointed every time.It really doesn't take that much of a change,mostly a change in your mindset...
WeThePeople
Member
Saying "concealing CCWs" is kinda like saying "ATM Machine" or "PIN Number"
Mad Magyar
Member
I wear your described leisure attire quite a bit...It certainly will reduce your options in terms of size/weight & caliber....I experience your heat, but not the humidity....
I purchase collared golf shirts (1 size larger) that have the square bottom (not tucked in) in case I want to cover a waist area holster...Most of the time I stick a PPK, HSC, or slim-Undercover .38sp in my Levi's pocket, mostly cut-offs in the summer..There are two LEO's, in our neighborhood; we talk a lot, I never bring it up and they have never said anything in terms of whether I'm printing, carrying etc...If they know; they don't say anything. In strolling in our shopping Mall, hasn't been a distraction...
With all the things people carry & stick in their pockets; like cell-phones, game-boys, etc., I doubt you will have a problem or arouse suspicion...
Of course, with more formal attire; the carry options are greatly enhanced....
I purchase collared golf shirts (1 size larger) that have the square bottom (not tucked in) in case I want to cover a waist area holster...Most of the time I stick a PPK, HSC, or slim-Undercover .38sp in my Levi's pocket, mostly cut-offs in the summer..There are two LEO's, in our neighborhood; we talk a lot, I never bring it up and they have never said anything in terms of whether I'm printing, carrying etc...If they know; they don't say anything. In strolling in our shopping Mall, hasn't been a distraction...
With all the things people carry & stick in their pockets; like cell-phones, game-boys, etc., I doubt you will have a problem or arouse suspicion...
Of course, with more formal attire; the carry options are greatly enhanced....
rantingredneck
Member
Another member of the muggy south checking in. I carried IWB for awhile until I found the Bianchi Minimalist belt slide. A Ruger P345 (no subcompact here) rides high and tight and out of sight. An untucked T-shirt or polo and shorts (with belt of course) is no problem.
If I absolutely have to downsize I'll slip an NAA Guardian in a pocket holster.
If I absolutely have to downsize I'll slip an NAA Guardian in a pocket holster.
Rumble
Member
I'm a large guy, and I found that IWB almost always makes concealment under a typical-length T-shirt very possible. I tend toward heavier-weight shirts, though, so they drape and fall smoothly without hanging up on the gun.
I usually conceal OWB in a pancake-style holster, though. I really don't like IWB's, since I don't find them to be very comfortable. In those situations, I like camp shirts or untucked button-shirts as cover garments.
I also occasionally ankle carry, but that's only when other options are not available.
I usually conceal OWB in a pancake-style holster, though. I really don't like IWB's, since I don't find them to be very comfortable. In those situations, I like camp shirts or untucked button-shirts as cover garments.
I also occasionally ankle carry, but that's only when other options are not available.
scurtis_34471
Member
I often pocket carry a Bersa Thunder .380 CC in a Galco Pocket Protector holster. This works well with cargo shorts, but does not work well with Jeans (the pockets are too tight).
I also carry an XD-40 Service both IWB and OWB with an unbuttoned hawaiian shirt over a tucked in, nice quality, solid color T-Shirt. It looks nice and can hide just about any gun you want to carry. Being Florida, nobody thinks a thing of it.
You can hide a small gun under an untucked T-Shirt with an IWB holster, but you've got to stick with subcompacts to avoid printing. I've tried it with my full-sized XD and its pretty obvious. I suspect an XD-40sc would conceal just fine that way, due to its shorter grip.
One other comment on carry. I find that large guns are more comfortable OWB than IWB, at least for me. My XD tends to dig into my side a bit when I sit and it gets annoying after awhile. Smaller guns with shorter grips don't do that, which is why the next gun I buy for myself will probably be an XD-40sc.
I also carry an XD-40 Service both IWB and OWB with an unbuttoned hawaiian shirt over a tucked in, nice quality, solid color T-Shirt. It looks nice and can hide just about any gun you want to carry. Being Florida, nobody thinks a thing of it.
You can hide a small gun under an untucked T-Shirt with an IWB holster, but you've got to stick with subcompacts to avoid printing. I've tried it with my full-sized XD and its pretty obvious. I suspect an XD-40sc would conceal just fine that way, due to its shorter grip.
One other comment on carry. I find that large guns are more comfortable OWB than IWB, at least for me. My XD tends to dig into my side a bit when I sit and it gets annoying after awhile. Smaller guns with shorter grips don't do that, which is why the next gun I buy for myself will probably be an XD-40sc.
RNB65
Member
Belly band is another option but it's probably going to be a bit warm in the summer time.
Hawaiian shirts are good for summer concealment as they are usually worn untucked and the complex pattern hides printing.
Hawaiian shirts are good for summer concealment as they are usually worn untucked and the complex pattern hides printing.
1911 guy
Member
Shirts for CCW.
The only reason to wear a shirt hanging to your knees is if your handgun hangs to your knees, also. Heavy weight T-shirts, hawaiian shirts, solid color button downs with straight hem (so I don't look like a bum) and polo shirts enable me to carry a 5" 1911. The key is finding what fits you to allow more room at the waist, shirts cut fuller or buying one size larger.
The only reason to wear a shirt hanging to your knees is if your handgun hangs to your knees, also. Heavy weight T-shirts, hawaiian shirts, solid color button downs with straight hem (so I don't look like a bum) and polo shirts enable me to carry a 5" 1911. The key is finding what fits you to allow more room at the waist, shirts cut fuller or buying one size larger.
Mainsail
Member
When it gets too hot for an over-shirt, I just open carry.
Being a slim guy, I have trouble concealing even small handguns under a t-shirt alone. I usually wear a t-shirt tucked in, then some sort of loose shirt over that hanging down below my belt. I've been able to locate some reasonably dressy shirts that are square cut on the bottom. If I need to go with just a t-shirt or a tucked-in dress shirt, I carry a very small semi-auto in a pocket holster or a belt pouch.
BADUNAME13
Member
30 min from New Orleans right now, S&W .357 in pocket.
1911 in Milt Sparks Summer Special(IWB) just like every day.
Tuck T-shirt in in the house, and untucked in public.
1911 in Milt Sparks Summer Special(IWB) just like every day.
Tuck T-shirt in in the house, and untucked in public.
GotGlock
Member
I conceal a sig p220 carry everyday under a tshirt, i live in pinellas county. Shorts and tshirts are my uniform. All you need is a Great belt and a great holster, and remember people are oblivious, they won't notice a buldge or a bazoka under your arm. Now for beach carry a kahr pm9 in a pocket holster fits the bill.
p85
Member
I manage to carry full size 10mm in an IWB holster at 3:30 position wearing shorts and tee shirt. I like to wear the tee's a little baggy (not to my knees). As mentioned above, most people around you are oblivious to what you are wearing much less that you are hiding something unless you draw attention to yourself by tugging at your clothes or constantly re-positioning you holster. Surprise yourself, act natural have fun, you will find that it's not hard to conceal your weapon.
S. Fla. too
I find that a short grip hides easier. I can put my PM9 or my M&P9c on IWB, at 4:00, under a 1 size up tee shirt. I am 5-8+ and around 160 and fairly trim. If the barrel is long, pants help hide the lower part of the gun. I found I needed to rake a full sized grip a lot for it not to stick out too much. When I did that, I needed an under-under shirt to keep the texture on the grip from chafing my ribs, so I stopped doing that.
I find that a short grip hides easier. I can put my PM9 or my M&P9c on IWB, at 4:00, under a 1 size up tee shirt. I am 5-8+ and around 160 and fairly trim. If the barrel is long, pants help hide the lower part of the gun. I found I needed to rake a full sized grip a lot for it not to stick out too much. When I did that, I needed an under-under shirt to keep the texture on the grip from chafing my ribs, so I stopped doing that.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
IWB holster, pants a size larger in the waist and a loose untucked shirt with a square-cut hem (often called a "camp shirt"). Or a smaller gun in a pocket holster.
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