Deep Concealment

[CAPTAIN MIKE]

It seems to me that those of us who carry at a workplace need to have at least a couple of different methods of Deep Concealment. I have tried a couple of things out and I wanted to get your suggestions ideas.

First of all, my normal CCW carry is a Kimber 1911. However when I need to do deep concealment, I use the Galco SkyOps holster which works pretty well or I go with ankle carry. The problem (for me) is that because of its size my 1911 was uncomfortable, so I went with a smaller version - the Para Ordnance Warthog in .45 - and that seemed to help. The next challenge was finding an ankle holster that is truly comfortable and secure. So far I've gone through three different ones, and none of them has been both comfortable and secure. Any suggestions ???

 

[Rexster]

Alessi makes a truly wonderful ankle holster, with a felt pad to cushion the leg. IIRC, Ken Null uses a similar method in his, and other makers of this type include Kramer and perhaps Bulman and Rosen. This method of making ankle rigs is not cheap. I use my Alessi to carry an SP101, which is not a lightweight. One hint: wear boots that cover the ankle, about the height of chukkas; the ankle rig can be worn above the boot, and the top of the boot can take some of the weight, meaning the holster's strap need not be so tight. Another MAJOR hint: Smartwool socks, or other high-quality socks with a large percentage of Merino wool in them. Such socks can be quite thick for the cushioning while being comfortable in warm weather. If there is consideration of wearing the holster over the boot shaft, that will work, but a thick holster, plus being worn over the boot shaft, will be a lot for the pants to cover. I do wear my Alessi over the shaft of my Danner Acadias at work, but it's not really all that well concealed. I need to order another pair of Danner Patrol Boots, with lower tops, so I can go back to wearing the holsters just above the boots. I have also worn the Alessi in that manner with my Danner Mountain Lights, above the boot, when not in uniform. All of the makers mentioned have a backlog; one dealer that stocks Alessi lists his stock on Ebay, as an "Ebay Store."

 

[Alphazulu6]

If you insist on such a large weapon for a deep concealment peice then please consider a bellyband or pager pal. The idea that you are going to kneel down infront of a BG is bad news as he will most certainly kick you in the face, or worse. It is also unnatural to dig around your bottom pant-leg and most certainly anyone would know what your doing so it isnt easy to get at. Belly band is good, pager pal is ok (though I have never really used it the CCL instructors I have seen like them). Just a thought as it is very expensive finding the right holster if the ones you pick do not work or are not applicable for the real world.

Otherwise you may have to go with something smaller like this little guy

Calibers : .380 AUTO
Weight unloaded lbs. : 8.3 oz.
Loaded magazine : 2.8 oz.
Length : 5.2"
Height : 3.5"
Width : .77"
Sight radius : 3.8"
Muzzle Energy Max : 250 ft lbs
Capacity : 6 + 1 rounds
Trigger Pull : 5lbs


Good Luck!

 

[Bravo11]

As soon as I saw this thread I thought about that "Concealed carry in a nudist camp" thread that was posted a couple of years ago.

 

[AK103K]

I dont really consider an ankle holster "deep" concealment, they are actually flashed more than you think, and pretty easily seen if your looking.

The one method I've found to be the best, especially for larger pistols, is the Kramer Confidant undershirt holster. I've actually carried my Combat Commander under one arm and a double reload under the other, all under a tucked in, oxford dress shirt. While you can carry large pistols, fairly comfortably all day, two smaller guns actually work better.

The next, which also works very well, but with smaller guns, is the Smart Carry. Certain pants work better with it, and depending what your wearing, gun size can vary quite a bit. Its VERY comfortable for long day wear, and its amazing how the gun disappears. The boy in their ad actually carries a full size 1911 in his in a pair of jeans. My P230/P239 and Seecamp are what I usually carry in mine.

Both these methods are very comfortable for long days carry and in most positions.

Skip the Pager Pal, they are really uncomfortable, even with small guns, and are hard to get at, sometimes, even standing. Forget about sitting. The first time I tried mine, I ripped the fake pager right off (we were still using them then).

I had belly bands early on, back when Bianchi was the only game in town. They do work, but mine always moved around a lot, and was not very comfortable. Smart Carry is sort of the next generation belly band, and the improvement is instantly noticeable if you've worn the belly band.

 

[Bobo]

Have you considered SmartCarry?
www.smartcarry.com

 

[rantingredneck]

I too would suggest a smaller gun for deep concealment. My personal choice was a NAA Guardian in .32NAA. I carry it in a pocket holster made by Ron Graham when I can't carry something bigger. The Guardians are temporarily out of production but if you can find one they are great BUG's.

 

[T. Bracker]

5.11 Tactical makes a undershirt with built in holsters on either side, like the Kramer Confidant, but the 5.11 appears to have more support for the holster pocket. I have not bought one (yet) but I am thinking hard about it.

 

[AK103K]

I also have the 5.11 undershirt holster. So far, I still like the Kramer better. The gun is just in a pocket of sorts on the 5.11 and doesnt feel as secure or hidden to me. The Kramer holds it more securely, more or less vertically, the 5.11 more at an angle. The Kreamer allows you to wear any color tee shirt under it(or none at all if you can deal with it), making it more natural. The 5.11 comes in black or bright white. I got white, and it looks like I'm in the military and just got out of boot with it on. Its also made spandex. Kramer does suggest, and I agree, that you should order a size smaller than you normally wear. This keeps things snug and movement to a minimum. Its not so tight that you have a "bra print", if you know what I mean.

 

[Ready2Defend]

Pager pal did not work for me. It really was uncomfortable sitting down. Maybe it is just my body build but it hit me just where I bend my leg. A front pants pocket carry has worked for me but some of my pants I've had to have taylors lengthen the pockets so the butt of the gun would not be visible to someone behind me or to my side. Get a pocket holster tailored to your gun.

Ankle carry did not work for me as I don't like to wear boots at work and had to keep the strap very tight. A close friend of mine got made at work while using ankle carry.

Whatever you do has to be comfortable and fit in with your body build.

 

[CAPTAIN MIKE]

I Like These Ideas and Have Another

These are pretty good ideas. I do also have a smaler 1911-- the Para Ordnance 'Warthog' in .45 caliber. They say it's the world's smallest .45. Fits in my hands nicely. I got it as a replacement back-up gun to my .380 Colt Mustang.

The idea of the Smart Carry sounds pretty good, but there's something intuitively contradictary about carrying a firearm with the muzzle pointed in the direction of my Family Jewels. I say that without every having tried it, so maybe I should withhold my opinion on Smart Carry until I give it a go.

The ankle-carry seems fairly logical to me, though my attempts at it have not been comfortable since the ankle carry rigs I bought at gun shows didn't seem to provide my leg and ankle area with much padding for comfort and to avoid chaffing and scraping against my ankle.

Pocket carry is another option, but I have yet to try any of the pocket carry holsters that seem to help avoid 'printing' of the firearm's profile. Since I have replaced my Colt Mustang .380 with a Para Ordnance Warthog .45 any ideas on good pocket holsters would be appreciated.

 

[orionengnr]

For pocket carry I have the best luck with the DeSantis Nemesis. The one sized for a mini-Glock works for me. I have carried everything from a j-frame to a 3" 1911 in that same holster. They are cheap ($15) and reasonably easy to find. Not as durable as high-end stuff, but they hold up pretty well.

 

[DogBonz]

When I lived in a free state...

And had a carry permit I worked for a company that had a verboten policy, but the company that I worked for (company X) had recently acquired the company Y and left every thing (building, employees, etc) intact. Company Y had no official policy one way or another, so a lot of us carried because most of the employees and all of the managers were left over from company Y. It was under stood that you still had to be discrete, but no one (well almost no one) would rat you out. I usually carried in a “customized” aka “Bubbaized” day planner unless I was wearing a jacket or sport coat, then I would use a small of the back holster. My friend had modified a lunch box to hide his SIG245, and another guy that I worked with just kept his CCW in a brief case. Just be discreet and get a little creative if you have to.

 

[nemoaz]

For pocket carry I have the best luck with the DeSantis Nemesis. The one sized for a mini-Glock works for me.

I cannot imagine that a G26 or 3" 1911 conceals in a any pocket.

 

[dav]

-- the Para Ordnance 'Warthog' in .45 caliber. They say it's the world's smallest .45.

Precision can be important. Para does NOT say that, exactly. They say there is "no 1911-style, ten-round, semi-auto in the world smaller than the Warthog".

The restrictions to 1911 style, 10 round and semi-auto all make a difference in what the Warthog can be compared to and still be considered "small". The grip feels huge in my hands (I'm used to single-stacks).

(not a big thing, hope you don't mind the clarification)

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

This gun is really small ...



... but this goes too far.

 

[IMTHDUKE]

The little mouse that roars, works for me.

And a 9mm stoping power

 

[badgerw]

I use a Ken Null ankle holster for my Colt Mustang Pocketlite. It's great. I fully endorse the "wear good socks under it" suggestion.

I've also carried that gun in a SmartCarry. Good concealment, but my "successful life" body makes for a slow draw.

I've used a Galco Underwraps belly band for both my Kimber Ultra Carry and my S&W 642 under a tucked in shirt.

YMMV one hell of a lot.

Bill

 

[Alphazulu6]

Originally Posted by CAPTAIN MIKE
-- the Para Ordnance 'Warthog' in .45 caliber. They say it's the world's smallest .45.

I believe the Kahr PM45 is the smallest .45 caliber auto available. Check it out

 

[WVMountainBoy]

Check out Bianchi, I have one of there ankle holsters for my .38 and its never given me any problems I'm not sure of the exact model, but its the one with straps not just elastic

 

[rockstar.esq]

If I could find a lead on an ankle holster for my .44 bulldog I'd be a happy person.

 

[Baneblade]

If you are worried about being made an ankle holster is not a good choice. They work MOST of the time, but your pant leg only has to hike up once to be in trouble.

My father has carried a full sized handgun (the gun changes every couple of years) in an attache case with a built in holster. Pretty sure it is a Galco model, and also pretty sure it was pricey. However, he has carried at a suit job for about 10 years now without being made.

 

[Cosmoline]

I prefer Ken Null's shoulder holster. It's based on the original deep concealment system for J frames, but he has variants for a lot of different sidearms. You can set it up under your basic work shirt and unless you take that off you're not going to flash. Ankle holsters are not *deep* concealment unless you're a wee little man with skinny legs and bell bottoms.

 

[PH/CIB]

http://www.handgunholsters.net