Full size carry weapon - they don't seem so concealed

[AK103K]

That was my point. You dont need, nor do you really want the oversize clothes if youre thinner.

Unless of course, its part of the culture.

 

[Sam1911]

Also, IMO and IME, most of the people who claim to, aren't always concealing from anybody who is observant.

In the real world you have to move around, sit down, stand up, lean forward, reach for things...it's not too hard to conceal standing upright motionless.

Fortunately, that really doesn't matter to most folks. Most new gun toters tend to worry FAR too much about whether they're "printing."

Sometimes, every once in a while, that makes sense. If they're going to be in a sensitive environment where even the remotest chance of discovery is very bad news. Or if for some reason you actually will be observed by someone specifically looking for concealed weapons. (Not to get into questions of why that might be appropriate or lawful...)

The anecdotal evidence of almost everyone who's carried a gun for more than a few months is overwhelmingly that no one notices. Given how much junk people carry on their belts these days, and all the different clothing styles that are acceptable, a "mysterious" lump on your hip doesn't seem to indicate "gun" to the folks around us.

In fact, as many people have attested, you can open carry a lot of the time and many people don't even notice THAT.

Us gun guys tend to get jollies out of watching other people and trying to spot concealed weapons. That's just us. Nobody else does that.

So unless you've got a very specific reason to go "deep cover", don't fret. Wear something that hangs over your pistol and practice acting natural.

 

[pcgunner]

Thanks all - aside from the comments on my weight and body dimensions, there are many useful suggestions of which all are greatly appreciated

That being said, I've been carrying my Black Label IWB and that's uncomfortable for me - I tend to wear tighter pants rather than loose (yah I used to be 5' 8" 145 lbs before I quit smoking 4 years ago).

I think a belt and belt holster is going to be better for me for my full size carry. I have lots of shirts that I don't tuck in anymore LOL

And yea, I'm always checking out people to see if I can spot a carry - can't help myself.

 

[AK103K]

and practice acting natural.

Attitude and behavior makes a major difference, and is an important aspect of carrying a gun.

If you look guilty, or act squirrely, or like youre up to something, people will pick up on that pretty quick.

 

[MachIVshooter]

That being said, I've been carrying my Black Label IWB and that's uncomfortable for me - I tend to wear tighter pants rather than loose

What position? As has been mentioned, the right holster choice matters. I also wear tighter pants, and handguns that have pronounced edges (especially 1911 beaver tails) are not gonna be very comfortable IWB if your holster doesn't flank the gun against your body. The holster I built for my Witness Compact extends up beyond the gun on the inside, as even with no "muffin top", the beaver tail tended to dig in when sitting, especially in a vehicle. I carry 4 O'clock pretty much always.

aside from the comments on my weight and body dimensions, there are many useful suggestions of which all are greatly appreciated

If you don't want those comments, probably best to not volunteer your dimensions. That said, while I initially mentioned that I don't feel a person's body fat has anything to do with ability to conceal, shape does; a person with a waist line that cuts in from the hips will have an easier time comfortably concealing a gun carried on the belt than those with the apple body shape.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Thanks all - aside from the comments on my weight and body dimensions, there are many useful suggestions of which all are greatly appreciated

Please keep in mind the spirit in which the weight and body dimension comments were made. They ARE factors we can all affect, albeit over a longer period of time. And these factors have a great amount of influence over the carry options available to us.

 

[Flfiremedic]

Honestly, if you commit to dressing around the weapon, concealment isn't as hard as it's made out to be...I'm of average height and weight, and am easily able to conceal a Glock 29/23/32 or even easier a full size 1911.
In my opinion the barrel is easier to conceal than the butt. Double stacks are a bit more challenge, but easily done.

 

[the duck of death]

pcgunner

Look at Glock 27, lots of fire power (40 SW) in a small package.

 

[strambo]

Never had any problem hiding them, although it is a lot easier when youre thinner.

When youre heavier, you can get away with the "frumpy" look a lot easier, and wear things you probably wouldnt if you were thinner.

These two points seem to contradict themselves.

For instance, a heavy guy wearing oversized clothes would be expected, while oversized cover garment on a slim guy would look out of place.

I think they are both correct, but for different reasons. Heavy, as mentioned, you can get away with bigger clothing.

When you are thin, clothing drapes down off your chest and shoulders leaving room at the waist (that is devoid of large love handles).

Well-fitting clothes when thin wouldn't be easier IMO, but most shirts aren't cut that way, they are a little loose and hardly anyone gets things tailored (if you do, have them tailor while wearing the gun!)

 

[ROCK6]

Also, IMO and IME, most of the people who claim to, aren't always concealing from anybody who is observant.

I don't know if it's good news or not, but 99.9% of our population are not observant and more self-absorbed and focused on their phone than their surroundings. People only observe to avoid someone else or if they find someone attractive; those observances rarely consider "bulges" in unlikely places. Very few people actually observe other people let alone know the tell-tale signs of something concealed.

ROCK6

 

[flphotog]

Concealment is more about the way you dress than it is about the gun. Also be aware that most folks do not even notice if someone is open carrying a gun today. They're too busy looking at their Facebook to see anything that is happening around them.

Agree, I carry a full size 1911 or CZ most of the time with no issues at all and I live in FL and wear shorts and a t shirt most of the year.
Well the last couple of months I actually got to wear long pants most of the time, a nice change, but still mostly a t shirt.

Edit: I carry at about 3:30 - 4 o clock, don't like AIWB at all, not a good place to be pointing a gun

 

[Warp]

I don't know if it's good news or not, but 99.9% of our population are not observant and more self-absorbed and focused on their phone than their surroundings. People only observe to avoid someone else or if they find someone attractive; those observances rarely consider "bulges" in unlikely places. Very few people actually observe other people let alone know the tell-tale signs of something concealed.

ROCK6

I don't know if this is good news or not either, but those people aren't really the ones you need to worry about knowing you have gun in an open top holster that can probably be grabbed from outside your line of sight.

That is, if you worry about such things as a potential gun grab on an open top holster that requires nothing more than a grab and a pull to defeat, while you are walking around under the assumption nobody can tell it is there

 

[GoPappy]

On slightly more formal occasions, when I need to go tucked in, I use this . . . . This is probably the most comfortable holster I own. It is actually MORE comfortable than some of my OWBs.

Who makes that holster and which model is it?

 

[Sam1911]

That was made by forum member Joel, a personal friend of mine. He's had a few other, much fancier holsters featured here but I think he's on a bit of a hiatus these days.

It is somewhat similar to a milt sparks versa max, but with deep tucking cuts. Not exactly sure who makes one like it.