Gun color and concealed carry?

[cluttonfred]

With the many two-tone guns out there today, and pistols with a choice of colors for the grip frame or the whole gun (black, olive, dark earth or pink frames for the Nano, for example) are there any colors or combinations of colors that offer an advantage in concealed carry? Perhaps to reduce printing or break up the gun's silhouette? Cheers, Matthew

 

[kBob]

One of the "gun rags" did an article on this in the way back about the time Teflon coating became available. Since most guys in jackets in those days wore a white shirt they opined that a white pistol would show less.

Actually when I was a kid and some of the very old men still carried little break tops the nickel and mother of white stuff grips were less noticeable than a blued and bakalite griped gun against a white shirt to me, and I looked for them.

It seemed like a semi interesting thought.....now if I could just find a Mac Gregore, Campbell, or Stewart pattern coating.......

-kBob

 

[Zaydok Allen]

In regards to printing, no.

Printing is where a corner, impression, or shape of a gun can be seen through what ever article of clothing you are wearing, so I don't think color would have an impact if the gun is properly concealed.

On that note, if the gun is properly concealed, it shouldn't be seen at all, so again, there is no practical benefit to the different colors available that I can see. I suppose kbob's example is a bit legit, but I for one dress to conceal.

So IMO, this question makes very little sense. The color has no effect on how a gun prints. Your carry method, position of carry, gun size, holster, and body shape are what dictate printing, not color. Breaking up a gun's silhouette would only be relevant if open carrying, and if you are open carrying, then why would you be concerned about this to begin with?

IMO the only function the color of a gun has for a civilian carrier is personalization and preference choices. It does not aid in concealed carry in any practical way if you are concealing properly.

For a soldier firing from cover, having a gun that blends in with your surroundings makes sense, as it will break up the soldier's silhouette, making them possibly harder to hit.

 

[Rule3]

If it is concealed then what difference does color make? If you clothing is so shear that the color shows through then you have other issues

 

[JTQ]

Conversely, I read a Massaad Ayoob article, where he observed black was a color that was least obvious.

Whenever I look at pictures or video of training classes at places such as Gunsite, or Thunder Ranch, or any place you can find on the net, I always notice the gear the folks are using. Even when you know it is a holster and gun on a guys belt, it is much more difficult to make out what it is if it is black.

Of course if your gun is concealed, the color really makes no difference.

 

[BSA1]

Been discussed here;

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=768774&highlight=ceracoat

 

[19-3Ben]

I can't imagine any color breaking up a gun's silhouette. The only thing I'd think you could do there is like how snipers hang burlap straps/foliage/other stuff from their rifles to break up the outline. Obviously not applicable to carry gun. No matter the color, it will still be a certain shape, and print just the same. At least, intuitively, it's what makes sense to me.

There are certain colors that are more eye catching. If the wind blows your jacket back and you temporarily flash, a bright pink gun would likely be more noticeable than black or grey, just because the color is more eye catching. Of course, people don't associate pink/bright blue/red, etc... with guns, so it might not even register that they just saw a gun.

It's an interesting thought and one that does come up here every so often. Usually though, it comes up in the context of what color gun will have more visual impact once drawn. (ie. would something like a bright chrome be more visible once drawn and act as more of a deterrent than flat black). I'm not going to personally get into that can of worms, but it does make for an interesting discussion.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm a revolver guy and I like Blue and Walnut. (or Rosewood)

I doubt any color gun would hide better in my front pocket.

 

[Fiv3r]

Well I will say that some guns simply hide in plain sight a little better than others due to their colors.

When I was on vacation some years back, we traveled through a couple of states that did not recognize my IN CCW. However, they did allow open carry without a permit. I brought along a black nylon pancake slide holster and my LCP. I snugged it up right to the front of my belt so that it was in plain view. Between the black on black and the diminutive size of the gun and sprawl of the holster, it barely registered as a gun. With my phone hanging next to it in a similar ballistic nylon case and my camera bag slung over my shoulder as to rest to the other side of my belt bucket, the tiny little LCP was just white noise on a a tourist's belt of junk.

Had the LCP been cranberry or pink or one of those new limited edition ones that look like a bag of Skittles, it would have stuck out more.

 

[herrwalther]

If it is concealed then what difference does color make? If you clothing is so shear that the color shows through then you have other issues

This.

I am more focused on finish strength than color. By coincidence the durable stock finishes such as Tennifer are black. After having some bad experience with the durability with "blued" guns I doubt I will get another again. But not based on color preference.

 

[BobWright]

Tennessee is an "Open Carry" State. So I don't worry too much about concealing my sixgun. But I do feel nickel or stainless call more attention to a gun that the blue of mine.

Bob Wright

 

[BYJO4]

If the gun is properly concealed, you will be the only one who knows what the finish is. Buy whatever you like best.

 

[Field Tester]

Been discussed here;

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=768774&highlight=ceracoat

That thread is completely different from this one.

 

[RG7X]

I find a rich mix of semi gloss and matte black with a splash or nickel boron works best for me.

 

[OregonJohnny]

Usually though, it comes up in the context of what color gun will have more visual impact once drawn. (ie. would something like a bright chrome be more visible once drawn and act as more of a deterrent than flat black). I'm not going to personally get into that can of worms, but it does make for an interesting discussion.

I overheard an old gun shop owner talking to a customer one time who was trying to decide between a black S&W 442 j-frame and a silver 642 j-frame. The shop owner said something like, "I personally carry the silver 642. If I'm pulling a gun out of my pocket and pointing it at someone who wants to do me harm, possibly in a dark setting, I want them to KNOW it's a gun."

It seemed like reasonable advice to me.

 

[Field Tester]

Kodiak,
How about a Summer day when a light shirt is worn? Sometimes cotton is partially see-through.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

That thread is completely different from this one.

I agree, it is totally different. The thread I started was based purely on personal preference. This one is based on utility.

Kodiak,
How about a Summer day when a light shirt is worn? Sometimes cotton is partially see-through.

That is a legit point, but I would still consider the gun to be improperly concealed in that scenario. It is a matter of philosophy I think. My personal concealed carry philosophy is that concealed means TOTALLY concealed. That means , to me, choosing a firearm that you shoot well and are proficient with, choosing a carry method and holster that facilitates concealment, but also dressing appropriately to conceal that gun completely. Now that is of course easier said than done for some people based on your body shape and more importantly, the normal weather where you live.

It gets to be over 100 degrees where I live regularly and staying cool can be difficult. It is relatively dry here though. I have also lived in a high humidity area that gets rather unbearably hot. In the Southeastern part of the country it is both extremely hot, and humid. However, modern moisture wicking clothing can greatly alleviate the humidity issue, and help keep you dry. My point is that even in summer in a hot and humid place, clothing choices can be made to fully conceal a gun.

Now, that is simply my philosophy and I don't expect others to share it. But based on what I've said, you can see why gun color would make no difference to me. If I'm carrying concealed, then I do it seriously and completely. BUT, I do realize not everyone cares to wear moisture wicking clothing, or to dress like me, so if a particular color gun helps someone carry concealed, then that's great. But to me, it indicates a lack of commitment to actually concealing your firearm.

It's a bit of an engineers answer I guess. A half filled glass is not half full or half empty, it's that the glass is twice as big as it should be. In regards to the question at hand, it isn't that a particular color is more or less easy to conceal, it's that if it matters to you concerning concealment, then you aren't concealing properly.

Sorry, long winded answer. The bottom line is this is JMO. so do what you like.

 

[cluttonfred]

There are a couple of neat points in here--visibility and recognizability (is that a word?) of the gun if open carried, ditto when drawn, and visibility through light clothing (which is what I was trying to get at in my initial post). No matter how perfect someone tries to dress to match carrying concealed, there are likely to be times when an unusual situation or body position causes the gun to become at least partially visible. My question was whether or not the color of the gun would impact the perception, "hey, that's a gun" in a fleeting or partial glimpse.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I overheard an old gun shop owner talking to a customer one time who was trying to decide between a black S&W 442 j-frame and a silver 642 j-frame. The shop owner said something like, "I personally carry the silver 642. If I'm pulling a gun out of my pocket and pointing it at someone who wants to do me harm, possibly in a dark setting, I want them to KNOW it's a gun."

It seemed like reasonable advice to me.

I don't agree with the old gun shop owner. If I have to pull my gun out and point it at someone it won't matter if it's Black or Silver because the only thing the bad guy is going to see is the muzzle flash. If you don't have to shoot you should not be pointing a gun at anyone. IMO of course...

BTW, I had a M642 and sold it off to buy a M442 when they came out.

 

[Deus Machina]

If I have to draw, my body language will communicate my intent whether he notices before anything or not.
As for concealing it, my CCW's are black or blued. Most of what I wear is black. No issues. But the fabric also goes over it, so I don't much care.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

If you don't have to shoot you should not be pointing a gun at anyone. IMO of course...

I agree completely. Your gun shouldn't leave it's holster unless you intend to shoot. If an attacker disengages during your draw and tries to retreat, then you must restrain yourself. Honestly though, if the attacker makes that decision because of your draw, it probably means you need to work on your draw speed. Though not having to shoot is certainly preferable to having to shoot. Anyone want to start a thread on the philosophy of brandishing rather than reactive shooting, and the merits of both? That would likely be a big old pot to stir, hey?

My question was whether or not the color of the gun would impact the perception, "hey, that's a gun" in a fleeting or partial glimpse.

That's not really what you asked in your OP. You asked

With the many two-tone guns out there today, and pistols with a choice of colors for the grip frame or the whole gun (black, olive, dark earth or pink frames for the Nano, for example) are there any colors or combinations of colors that offer an advantage in concealed carry? Perhaps to reduce printing or break up the gun's silhouette?

My, and other folks, answer is no. If concealing properly, the gun color should have no effect on printing or breaking up it's silhouette.

That is different than what you are asking now. Now you are asking about the perception, or noticeability of a gun if it becomes accidentally exposed to other people's eyes. Like if you reach a top shelf and your shirt lifts up, or you bend over and a grip sticks out, correct?

I think if you are worried about that, then there is a definite advantage and merit to choosing a gun with a grip and frame color that most closely matches your undergarments, or if you are not wearing any (like a t-shirt), then something that may blend in with your skin. I typically wear black t-shirts under a moisture wicking athletic shirt, and thus my choice for carry involvers a black framed semiauto, tucked into a black hybrid holster. Now I do like a stainless slide on my carry gun to resist sweat induced corrosion. So there is a risk of the back of that stainless slide glinting some light. But as I said earlier, I dress in a fashion to limit that possibility as much as possible.

 

[bannockburn]

The color or finish of a gun really only matters to me in terms of rust resistance and durability, especially when it comes to a concealed carry gun. Stainless and hard chrome plating, both silver colored in appearance, work well for me in hot, humid weather. For a much darker color I like Glock's Tennifer treatment as well as SIG's Nitron finish. I like a traditional blued finish as well but I know its limitations in terms of rust resistance and durability and take care of it accordingly.

 

[Zerodefect]

Our eyes and brains are designed to spot contrast shapes first, colors and complex shapes second. Black contrasts with anything that ain't black very well.

So I always wear a black under shirt and black holster for black pistols in the summer when I have no jacket for cover.

A simple sand, green, and flat dark earth spray paint job make a pistol drasticly harder to spot. Even when it makes no sense. Like a desert painted rifle up against a brick wall. It should stick out, and it does because the camo doesn't match, but it still blends a ton better than a black rifle.

But who doesn't have black phones and whatnot on their belts. So maybe it'll not grab anyones eye if it flashes.

It does make sense to match your holster and gun to your pants color somewhat in case your shirt rides up. Either match your undershirt to the gun, or your pants to it. Overkill, maybe, but it's value added when you can.

 

[skt239]

I like my carry guns in the blackest black that sticks to steel and polymer.

 

[armedwalleye]

For a range gun beatiful, accurate, fun.
For a carry gun, accuracy and stealth. If they see it coming, that would be in poor taste, as well as having a total, albeit short, loss in the element of surprise.

All black for my carry guns unless we're going to a BBQ.