Guys and Gals, and concealed carry

[Tom Bri]

Here's a thought, it is my impression that women are generally a LOT more aware of other people's clothing than men are. Reading a recent thread one guy said that the pistol in his pocket looked like he had a paperback book stuffed in there. Another guy responded asking when the last time he had looked at anyone's pocket was.

So my question is to the ladies. Do you think women notice unusual bumps and bulges under the clothes (ha ha, I know some of you are snickering. You have dirty minds!) more than men are likely to? I know, as a guy, that I hardly ever pay the least attention to another guy's clothes unless they are pretty outlandish. (I do tend to notice what some women are wearing, though......)

On the other hand, guys might be more likely to think 'gun' if they do happen to notice something, but I would probably think 'nerd with telephone in pocket' than gun.

 

[CraigJS]

Just as an experiment the last 4 saturdays I've carried a Taurus M85 in a IWB around the house under colored tee shirts and sweat shirts. NO one, man or woman has ever said anything about seeing anything out of the ordinary. I think most people see what they expect to see. People in higher risk activities, good or bad would tend to notice that strange bulge more than "the average" person.. Last night I finally stepped back and said do you see anything out of the norm? Her/their answer, no. Should have seen their faces when I lifted the shirt! Really looking at people is kind of a lost art now days, much like real conversations. Pitty...
CraigJS

 

[HighVelocity]

I notice people's ccw printing all the time. Even my wife can easily point out people packing in public places.
99% of the general population are oblivious though. I could probably use two 870's as crutches and walk through the mall and not get noticed.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I pay attention to what men wear, especially on the trains. We get situations when young kids shoot innocent bystanders on the subways so I always check people out as they come in. The one thing that never fails to catch my eye is how some of them never pick the right pants. I always see the crack of their behind when they bend over. Don't you guys ever notice a draft?

Laura

 

[armoredman]

Draft? That's a VENT!

 

[pax]

Some people pay attention, most don't.

But if a woman is wearing a blouse cut low enough, no man will ever notice anything else about her.

pax

 

[sm]

Some people pay attention, most don't.

+1

*ahem*

I do notice other things besides low cut blouses-like the mini-skirts, tight sweaters, and tight jeans. I really wish they would fix the steps at College, they have a tendency to move , get shorter, and cause me to stumble. Must be the bifocals - huh?

I think some folks just more observant about some things moreso than others.
Guys have a tendency to look at tires as they approach a vehicle, notice low pressure, or a nail. Gals notice other things that guys don't. Ladies note quality eyeglass frames, if you have bifocals - if yours has the hidden or lined version.

Folks in various professsions notice certain things. Various age/genders are more focused on some things.

I still contend for a CCW-er one of the best things after dressing around the gun is how they carry themselves. Attitude and persona if you will.

A LEO, a Doctor, Lawyer or name a Professional, even dressed "down" into jeans, tennis shoes and 'grubby clothes' - not Professional attire - one can tell that male or female is a Professional of some sorts.

 

[GlenJ]

With so many people carrying Ipods, cell phones and other personnel electronic devices I don't think lumps,bulges fag bags or fanny packs get a second look anymore.

 

[Bobo]

Some people pay attention, most don't.

But if a woman is wearing a blouse cut low enough, no man will ever notice anything else about her.

pax

Of course -- it's a matter of priorities!!!

 

[Ramius]

CCW with a full size .45

I've been CCW for about 6 years now, and at first was very 'shy' about doing so, as I do not own any small CCW weapons. I either carry a very old S & W model 66 (4" barrel) or my preferred S & W 4506- neither are what I consider small pistols. So I made it a point to watch for any type of reaction when I started carrying, starting slowly at 'friendly' places at first, like the gun shop, family visits, etc. and worked my way up to Wal Mart on Friday night. Dispite being a rather large person, 5' 8" or 5' 9" in boots, and 230 + pounds, I have never noticed anyone looking scared, or in fact paying much attention to me at all. Usually wear jeans, and a loose fitting sport shirt- almost never wear a t-shirt when packing, I try to look harmless and clean cut- no sense looking like Charles Manson, or otherwise giving anyone reason to want to call the cops!

I agree wholeheartedly that 'attitude' is a major part of blending in. Make eye contact, smile, wear your 'white hat' to show everyone you are one of the good guys. This will keep you from drawing attention to start with, and then even if you do garner some unwanted attention, you are not likely to cause the sheeple to panic that way. I've even caused a few- very few, but a few- normally gun-fearing sheep to admit that hey, perhaps it's not such a frightening idea, if a nice guy like Ramius carries, and we never noticed, perhaps it's not such a bad thing.

As always, YMMV.

Interesting thread, look forward to hearing other experences.

R.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I carry IWB at 3-4 O'clock. My normal dress is 33x34 wranglers with a tucked-in tee and a light vest. Only thing I have to watch is when I bend down. At 5'11", 180 lbs., I am about 9" or 10" front to back, so if I bend too far the grip protrudes clearly. Being conscious of that and watching that particular motion, I have never had a problem. I seriously doubt I have ever been made, even by LEO's. On days that are just plain too hot for the vest, I carry IWB at 12 O'clock with an untucked shirt.

That said, I really don't worry too much. Even if it is noticed somehow, I am perfectly legal, so.....who cares? Don't get me wrong, I do my best to be discreet with no follies thus far.

 

[EddieCoyle]

I could probably use two 870's as crutches and walk through the mall and not get noticed.

Make sure the barrels are the same length (28" is probably best) and get some of those rubber things so that the muzzles don't get all messed up.

A lot of it depends on what you're shaped like and what you carry. I'm 5'9", about 200 lbs, and have broad shoulders and a 33" waist. If I wear a big shirt or a jacket, you'd never know when I'm carrying a J frame .38 in a high ride pancake holster on my hip at 8:00 (I'm a lefty). On the other hand, I'd need a tent to hide my 4506 in a low-ride G&G retention holster.

EDIT: Just for the record, nothing hides a gun like an Italian suit. Coincidence?

 

[Otherguy Overby]

Tactical poser

My favorite commentary on being (not) made:

Gear Ho': Tactical poser.

It's an absolute truism in the CCW community that if you wear a covering vest of some kind, especially one festooned with pockets, then every member of The Great Unwashed will divine the fact that you are carrying a pistola. This view is so entrenched that the garments are frequently referred to as "Shoot Me Vests".

I think most folks give entirely too much credit to the perceptive abilities of their fellow h. saps.

I was in line at my local inconvenience store the other day, waiting to pay for petrol and cancer sticks, and dressed to go to work. I was wearing a black 5.11 Shoot Me Vest, so as not to spook the straights with the pistol on my hip. I was wearing a Coal Creek Armory baseball cap, Adidas GSG-9 boots, and a black nylon rigger's belt. I was sporting a T-shirt from the local DOE SRT team, complete with butch-looking logo and lots of hooah-sounding Latin over the left breast. I was idly twirling my keychain, which is a Monadnock Persuader, and the pocket clips of knives were visible in both my front jeans pockets. I was wearing Wiley X SG-1 shades, fergawdssake, and the guy next to me in the line looks at me and, in an attempt to chat me up, asks...

..."Are you a photographer?"

"No, sir, I'm a tactical poser."

This answer left him puzzled, and so he plowed on in an attempt to land a date by regaling me with his days as a photographer for his college paper.

I'm beginning to think that you could walk through the middle of the mall with a neon-pink STI Open Class racegun in a drop thigh rig, wearing a tee-shirt that says, in four inch fuschia letters "I AM CARRYING A GUN", and maybe one in ten people would pause their cell phone conversations long enough to notice...
=================
From our very own Tamara:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2005/09/gear-ho-tactical-poser.html

 

[Standing Wolf]

I'm beginning to think that you could walk through the middle of the mall with a neon-pink STI Open Class racegun in a drop thigh rig, wearing a tee-shirt that says, in four inch fuschia letters "I AM CARRYING A GUN", and maybe one in ten people would pause their cell phone conversations long enough to notice...

Is this a great country, or what?

 

[brokendreams]

At work, I carry a big ol' stainless Ruger P90 in a jacket-slot exposed holster. Nothing covers my sidearm at all. I also carry an ASP and pepper spray.

I have had so many encounters of "wait, you're carrying a GUN?" that I can't even count.

Alternately, a co-worker of mine doesn't carry a gun. Same uniform. He gets told constantly "What're ya gonna do, shoot me with your gun?"


Now, this is California. Maybe all the anti-gun talk has done us some good. All the talk about how guns are evil has apparently conditioned people to think that NOBODY carries guns except for cops and bad-guys (which is mostly true). Now, if CCW ever becomes common, nobody will ever notice.

 

[Phaetos]

I just think everyone should walk around with the thigh-strap type holsters that police use when they aren't in regular uniform. I like those much better than waist band holsters anyway.

 

[carebear]

Eddie,

All my favorite concealment wear says "Armani."

Heck, now that it's cold and the overcoat is out of the closet I'm good to go "Road to Perdition" style.