How do you carry concealed in t-shirt weather?

[Raguleader]

So, whenever I picture myself wearing a concealed weapon, I invariably picture a handgun in a holster on the small of my back, with my jacket or a coat covering it up (for concealment purposes, I think a gun on my hip would tend to be noticed, as that's where I also keep my pocket knife in it's belt pouch, not to mention that it might get exposed while I reach into my hip pocket for my keys.

Anyhow, assume I'm somewhere where I don't want to broadcast that I'm packing heat, or perhaps even in a locality where openly carrying a gun (as opposed to concealed carry) might be considered illegal. Now assume that it's a refreshing 95 degrees outside in the typically damp weather that we get in this part of Texas. Needless to say that wearing a leather jacket would look odd, not to mention being remarkably uncomfortable. How would I carry a concealed firearm in this case? Would I be limited to an ankle holster underneath my pantleg?

 

[palerider1]

i carry a full sized colt with a pancake holster made by Galco. i wear and extra large t-shirt that is long enough to go below my jean pockets. you could never tell that i was carrying.

 

[Taurus 66]

My shirt is never tucked in my pants first of all. I go for one or two sizes bigger than I should be wearing. Though the attire is somewhat out of fashion for a middle aged guy, but then why should I care about fashion? The extra hang cloth is my CCW while positioned at my waist line. Now if I happen to reach up high for something, this causes the shirt to lift and tada! that's probably going to reveal my sidearm.

 

[palerider1]

taurus,
are we middle aged? guessing from your screen name you'll turn 40 this year. i got ya beat im 41.......the big t shirt thing really works. my wife hates guns and unless she huggs me she can never tell i always carry. sent you an email to go shooting.

 

[Mad Chemist]

Ankle rigs can be very awkward and slow to access.
If I lived in your climate my choice would be S&W J-frame in a pocket holster. I've thought about a Keltec for the summer but I've never owned one.
I can hide a G19 in an IWB holster under a baggy t shirt but if I bend at the waist it prints. I usually wear vests in the summer. I try to find ones that look more Old Navy and not tacticool.

Best advice I can give is get a good belt.

JH

 

[LiquidTension]

Here in SC it's constantly tshirt weather. I never tuck my shirt in unless I'm at work, and a simple tshirt is plenty to cover my 4" 1911. As long as you have a good belt and holster they will keep the gun close to your side so the drape of your shirt will cover it. Well, that's the case with my body type anyway. Some more portly people would have a hard time doing this, but could easily conceal a jframe or keltec in a pocket.

 

[Preacherman]

I go to pocket carry in warm weather (heck, in cold weather too, for my backup gun!). I carry a Glock 27 or S&W J-frame, and am busy testing a Taurus PT145 - so far it's stone cold reliable and very accurate, and since it's the same size as a G27, but in .45, I'll probably add it to the carry rotation soon.

A word on pocket carry if your trousers or shorts have small pockets. It's very easy to lengthen the pockets, so that your gun and pocket holster can be concealed. I do this all the time with jeans pockets, etc. Just cut open the bottom seam, add the length of material you need (usually one to two inches), stitch them together, and then close the new bottom seam. You don't even need to use matching material, since it's hidden within the pants.

 

[neoncowboy]

I hate jacket weather. Great for concealability, terrible for presentation.

T-shirt weather solves a myriad of CCW problems, since it's the only clothes I wear that doesn't look silly with the shirt untucked. I have a bunch of long sleeve Ts just so I can take advantage of more T-shirt days per year.

 

[Biker]

The only sure way for me to carry constantly is ankle carry. Slow? Sure, but it's always there.
Biker

 

[1911 guy]

Full size 1911, Galco holster.

In T-shirt weather, OWB right side behind my hip, reload behind my left hip. Tank top under t-shirt so I won't chaffe or rust up my pistol in a long day. Polo shirts also work over a tank top.

 

[Technosavant]

Hawaiian style or camp shirts untucked over a T shirt. Hides anything, IWB or OWB, and also has the nice side effect of hiding sweat spots. It is comfortable to wear (St. Louis sees 95 degrees with high humidity, and I am very sensitive to heat), and doesn't look bad. You can even wear this with shorts, something ankle carry does not lend itself to.

These shirts can be had for $10 each at Wal-Mart- stock up on shirts and ammo at the same time.

 

[ID_shooting]

One phrase, KelTec P3AT.

Clip it into the front pocket of my Bermuda shorts and out the door I go.

 

[benEzra]

Untucked shirt (T, camp shirt, golf/polo shirt with the elastic bottom that's designed to be untucked) and a THIN (Galco something or other, floppy suede) IWB holster at about 2:00--forward of the hip, not behind it. This only works if you have a fairly flat abdomen (I do), but if it works for your body type, it's the best way to go. Uncle Mike's spare mag carrier in left rear pants pocket. In the winter, you can do the same thing with a sweatshirt. Be sure your shirt doesn't have such thin fabric that a headwind makes you print. 100% cotton rules; polyester is awful (from a comfort standpoint). Wear an undershirt (regular or Under Armour) if you have problems with chafing, but I generally don't. Fast access requires two hands--one-handed is feasible, but much slower--but it's still much faster than an ankle setup, less size/weight limited than an ankle or pocket holster or Thunderwear, and more comfortable than a bellyband.

Anything behind the hip prints like crazy when walking, when the wind blows from the rear, or when you bend over to pick up something.

 

[Manedwolf]

Baggy cargo or raver pants (If you're of the right age group!) are perfect for some sorts of pocket holsters. Some have a thigh drop-in pocket meant for a cellphone that a small Kahr will vanish into, and the velcro-closed or snapped pouch-pockets lower down the leg are perfect for a padded-holstered S&W airweight or the like. They're also very good at completely hiding an ankle holster from printing.

About a year or two ago, Aeropostale made cargo jeans with a perfect carry pocket, the way it was cut kept it from printing or from letting the pistol slide or bounce around with stride. Unfortunately, they don't sell them anymore.

 

[Old Dog]

And one more plug for the "camp shirt," which I submit is the single greatest boon to the concealed pistol-packer ever ... Collars, front pocket, drape nicely, casual enough for anything, yet dressy enough to wear out to a decent restaurant or night on the town ... I can wear a full-size 1911 in a OWB under one of these shirts, though typically use a Commander in an IWB.

The micro-fiber or rayon shirts hang better than all cotton (although cost a bit more); I normally find 'em for about $20 bucks (on sale) at Macy's or Fred Meyer stores up here ...

 

[Old NFO]

One word... HAWAIIAN... Actually I agree with the size larger and patterned. If I'm wearing slacks, an ankle holster for the Kahr P9 is the alternative.

 

[roo_ster]

So, whenever I picture myself wearing a concealed weapon, I invariably picture a handgun in a holster on the small of my back, with my jacket or a coat covering it up (for concealment purposes, I think a gun on my hip would tend to be noticed, as that's where I also keep my pocket knife in it's belt pouch, not to mention that it might get exposed while I reach into my hip pocket for my keys.

Anyhow, assume I'm somewhere where I don't want to broadcast that I'm packing heat, or perhaps even in a locality where openly carrying a gun (as opposed to concealed carry) might be considered illegal. Now assume that it's a refreshing 95 degrees outside in the typically damp weather that we get in this part of Texas. Needless to say that wearing a leather jacket would look odd, not to mention being remarkably uncomfortable. How would I carry a concealed firearm in this case? Would I be limited to an ankle holster underneath my pantleg?

I live in Texas and manage to carry concealed.

Tucked Shirts
If I must tuck, I go pocket carry. Depending on the pocket, I can pocket carry a Kel-tec P40, snubby, or KT P32. Mostly, I pocket carry a snubby.

If I do go ankle carry, it is almost always in addition to a pocket carry and is larger than what I carry in the pocket.

Untucked Shirts
Untucked shirts are easy and allow me to carry my favorite CCW, my all-steel, full sized SW1911 in .45ACP.

I prefer IWB. Note, I am not some skinny-as-a-rail cowboy. I am a moderately overweight confed fellow born in Iowa.

To successfully carry IWB, the following are helpful:

• Cotton undershirt
  T-shirt or wifebeater, your preference. I like the t-shirt, as I am a heavy sweater. But, if you don't want the undershirt to be seen (if your cover garment is another t-shirt) a wife-beater may be the answer.
• Pants/Short one or two sized larger than minimum
  Stuffing a holster & CCW inside pants already fit to burst is setting yourself up for failure
• Quality GUN belt
  Must be rigid and match the holster loops
• Quality IWB Holster
  This means quality leather. The Milt Sparks VM2, HBE COM, others fit the bill.
• Cover Garment
  Something long, substantial, and opaque (color or pattern) enough to conceal you heater
  • LOUD HAWAIIAN SHIRT
  • Not as loud polo shirt
  • Camp shirt
  • Flannel shirt
  • T-shirt

95deg/95% humidity still is hot, but no more uncomfy given the right mode of dress and quality CCW gear.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I carry a full-size M1911 under a t-shirt in an IWB holster of my own design. The secret is the holster has a full leather backing, which keeps the butt of the gun from touching the skin (and getting really nasty.) The same backing also provides a place for a "button" or leather cam which engages the safety lever and keeps it positively on safe.

 

[wmenorr67]

I usually wear a tucked t-shirt with an untucked button down shirt over it.

 

[EghtySx]

I carry a commander. Lately it's just in a yaqui.

I just let the t-shirt hang down over it. If you know what you are looking for you can tell but most people don't notice. I've never had a problem with it.

 

[benEzra]

The micro-fiber or rayon shirts hang better than all cotton (although cost a bit more); I normally find 'em for about $20 bucks (on sale) at Macy's or Fred Meyer stores up here ...

Forgot about those. Yes, they work well.

 

[Rockrivr1]

When I first got my CCW last summer I ended up getting a J-Frame S&W for my summer carry. The 642 in a pocket carry holster concealed real well and it was easy to get to if I needed. But, I alway thought that when it turned cold I would change my carry piece. Because of that I bought a G26 with an IWB and OWB holster. To me the IWB Tuckable holster is the most uncomfortable way to CCW. I even bought a new belt from Thebeltman.com, but still the holster shifted. OWB, i only use if I have a large sweatshirt on. Otherwise when I take my coat off, my CCW can be seen with what I currently wear.

Finally I accepted the fact that the IWB and OWB methods were ok, but couldn't come close to the ease and comfort of my 642. I now exclusively carry the 642, summer or winter.

 

[pax]

Denim shorts (because most have good belt loops), and ...

... tight tank top tucked over tuckable holster, loose unbuttoned cotton blouse.

... tight tank top under loose cotton blouse, buttoned halfway.

... loose cotton blouse, fully buttoned and untucked.

... loose cotton tee shirt, untucked.

... cotton blouse, tucked over tuckable holster. Sometimes with a pretty, lightweight cotton vest.

Usually with a Glock 26 in an IWB kydex holster in appendix carry position, on a female body.

pax

 

[PCGS65]

taurus,
are we middle aged? guessing from your screen name you'll turn 40 this year. i got ya beat im 41.......the big t shirt thing really works. my wife hates guns and unless she huggs me she can never tell i always carry. sent you an email to go shooting.

I don't hear too often about people bragging "I'm older than you". That's the good news. The bad news is I live in democratically controled anti-gun CCW Illinois!!!:banghead:

 

[Car Knocker]

Pocket carry, Kimber UC .45ACP in an HBE pocket holster.