how do you carry concealed?

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wingnutx

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I'm new to having a concealed carry license, and am trying to determine my options.

I'm thinking of going with a Fobus paddle holster, but then I can't tuck my shirt in.

One other thing I'm considering is a pocket holster for my cargo pocket, with the buttons replaced with velcro.

This is Phoenix, Az, btw, so it's hard to wear a whole lot of concealing clothes this time of year.

I'll be carrying a Firestorm .380, nice and compact.

Any suggestions?
 
I have two IWB Tuckable holsters by High Noon that I am very happy with. One for a S&W "J" frame and the other for a S&W 4513TSW, They both stay well hidden with a tucked in t-shirt. There are other makers that have the tuckable type, some even with a key chain holder built into the belt clip. I also have a paddle style as well as OWB belt holsters, but really like the tuckables best for summer. Jim.
 
I'd look seriously at a .38 snubbie (preferably aluminum framed) in a pocket holster.
If your Firestorm .380 is a lightweight and a pocket holster is available for it, that's a way to go to.

If you get a good holster, it's set well in your front pocket.
 
It'll take you a bit to find the spot on your body that conceals well.

For me, its my right hip, IWB, butt-forward cant. I just let one of my normal shirts drape over that and I'm all set. Nobody sees a thing. And that's with a full-size double-stack .40.

But like I said, you have to figure out where the gun fits on you.
 
I carry my 3" 65-3 in a Desantis belt holster with
a untucked shirt over it.The same for my 640-1
except in a fobus paddle holster.If my shirt has
to be tucked in i have my 642-2 in my front
pants pocket.I don't use a holster for pocket
carry,i have the outline of the 642-2 stiched in
the pocket.It works very well with no added
bulk and no worries about drawing your holster
along with your gun.
 
I live in south florida, and it's pretty hot here most of the year. I carry a stainless snubby owb in a bianchi black widow or iwb in a high noon bare asset or uncle mikes cheapo, which I find more comfortable lately. Either will conceal under a loose t shirt or polo with no problem. Just got a don hume jit for my model 10, and it works great also, even though the 3in barrel sticks out the bottom a bit, but for a two inch it would work great.
 
I'm new to having a concealed carry license, and am trying to determine my options. (Firestorm .380, nice and compact.)
Click to expand...
I've had a S&W 442 Airweight for years in a Mitch Rosen "pocket softy" pocket holster. About as large for the pocket as I would want to handle. I've got a CZ P01 that I am testing with a few holsters, including a K&D Laredo OWB high/cant rig. Of course, this sort of unit requires covering clothing, either a loose-fitting shirt that's not tucked in, or a vest/sweater over the top. In the heat, pocket holstering might be your best bet, else a belly band, or a light shirt that you don't tuck in (for IWB, OWB, SOB carry). You can take some recommendations, but in the end you'll need to test several, including possibly buying/discarding some, until you find the one that works for you.

Tips: It's got to allow relatively rapid and safe accessibility. It's got to be comfortable, or you might not carry it everywhere. It's got to conceal well, or you might find yourself on the receiving end of some unwanted attention.
 
I'm fond of carrying a .38 snubby in a front pocket holster when the weather's hot. Works even with shorts and t-shirts. Kramer makes a great horsehide pocket holster for snubbies. In cooler weather I usually carry a .40 IWB.

I feel undergunned when carrying only a .380.
 
I carry OWB.

Full size 1911 in a Galco OWB, strong side. Formal wear, a jacket covers it. Ratting around on the weekends, an untucked shirt works. Most days, a Polo shirt one size too big keeps me covered up. YMMV.

ccw9mm said:
You can take some recommendations, but in the end you'll need to test several, including possibly buying/discarding some, until you find the one that works for you.

Very true. If you don't have a drawer full of failed attempts, you're not trying hard enough!
 
It really depends on what you like and what works for you specifically.

If I need to tuck my shirt and want to carry IWB, I use a Comp-Tac CTAC to carry either a G26 or G23.

If I want to carry my G23 OWB, I use a Galco Concealable Pancake.

If I want to carry my G26 on my ankle, I use a Galco Ankle Glove.

If I want to carry my S&W 642 in my pocket, I carry it in either a Galco Pocket Horsehide or a Desantis Nemesis.

If I want to carry my S&W 642 IWB, I carry it in a Galco IWB Clip On.

Those are my methods of carry for that guns that are in my regular carry rotation.

I hope it helps....good luck!
 
I like the Comp Tac C-TAC for my Kahr K9. It's about the same size as your Firestorm. It's tuckable so you don't need a cover garment. I use this same holster for IDPA and it's held up nicely to countless presentations.

A J frame in a pocket holster is good in t-shirt and shorts weather. I use a S&W hammerless J frame in a Mika pocket holster. I like that setup enough that I just bought another one (ccw9mm's 442, coincidentally) as a spare.
 
Seeing I live in a warm climate....

I wear shorts/t-shirts mostly, so I use a man-purse, which I call my gunnie sack if someone asks. Get weird looks that way. Or, I just stick a smaller pistol in my pocket. Quit wearing fanny packs a long time ago......chris3
 
I was in a haste to CCW and bought into one of those Triple K holsters (Hate it with a Passion!). Anyways I have it at my hip, but the holster's so damn low quality that it often shifted on my belt moving the gun forwards or backwards. To fix that situation, I just tucked the bottom of the holster in my front pocket.

Repeat after me:

"Stay Away from Triple K."
 
I usually carry my KelTec P11 in a Fobus paddle and it conceals real well untucked. I used to be concerned with "printing" but since I've been carrying for awhile I don't worry about it. My weapon is covered and no one really notices anyway. If I'm tucked I use an IWB High Noon Hidden Impact. I hate to wear IWB because, as one of my CCW instructers put it, "my pants fit". A good pocket holster would be great in tucked situations I just haven't seen one I like yet.
 
I have nothing but good things to say about FIST holsters, www.gunnersalley.zoovy.com, I have bought several. I carried a Glock 20 in one of their IWB ultra-thin kydex rigs while working as an electrician without any problems. I don't know if they make one for your pistol but if they do, they are very comfortable and...well...ultra-thin! Seriously though, they're the thinnest holsters I can find, and tough too. After a couple of years you will likely have a whole box of holsters.
 
Mostly I wear loose clothing...........

Down on the Tex-Mex border I tender to carry a J frame in a nice pocket holster made up for me in the Neuevo Laredo in a prehistoric era. I no longer have a J frame, but I still have the holster, in all of it's floral carved beauty. Right now I'm thinking again about pocket carry again for five months of the year. With this Northern heat wave nothing really conceals well under a T-Shirt.....Essex
 
Unless you use a tuckable IWB, you'll have to adapt to wearing a shirt untucked or a pocket holster will have to suffice. I carry a G19 in a side armor IWB and it disappears
 
I'm thinking of going with a Fobus paddle holster, but then I can't tuck my shirt in
Click to expand...

Why not? :confused: I wear a paddle holster all the time carring my Sig P226 or Colt Official Police under my sportcoat. I can tuck my shirt in no problem. I live in Houston, Texas. Wear a light colored sport coat. The heat won't bother you near as much as you think it will. Talk about how it is too hot is more your imagination than you. The only way the heat will really irritate you is if you are standing out in the sun for 30 minutes to an hour, but then it will do that even if you aren't wearing the coat.
Men wore sportcoats and even full suits all over the country in all climates 50 years ago.
Besides, the gun is far easier to get to if it is simply concealed under a coat and you don't have to pull up shirts go into your pocket.
 
My current rotation is either a Sig P229 in .357 Sig, a Sig P225 in 9mm, a Walther P99 9mm or a Glock G32 in .357 Sig. These are carried in a one of my 4 IWB Milt Sparks VMIIs. After much holster trial and error I feel that this are one of the best IWB holsters made. I live in Florida and am in shorts and teeshirts all summer long when not at work. I leave the shirts untucked. You can get the VMII with spare kydex clips that allow you tuck your shirt in.
 
I carry a 4" 1911 in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2. This is my most comfortable holster so far for IWB carry. I carry my Ruger SP-101 revolver in a Tucker Heritage IWB and should be getting in my Broomeland Max Con V to IWB carry my 4" Springfield XD-45. I use Galcos for all my OWB carry. I carry my BUG, a Taurus PT-145 in an Uncle Mikes Pocket Holster, in my right front pocket. I also have double mag pouches for all the holsters.
 
I've carried a G-26 in a High Noon IWB nearly every day for nearly 4 years. The entire rig will conform to you quite well after a few hot sweaty days.:D

In the colder months, I switch to a High Noon "Need for Speed", for my 1911 and the G-26.

If none of that works, I go with the custom leather pocket holster for my Taurus 650. It was hand crafted by THR's own "HiWay Man".
 
Here in GA it has been oppressively hot here this summer. its been 100 degrees almost every day for two weeks now with the humdidity ay 60% plus. I always carry IWB with a Bare Asset holster from Highnoon. It has a 15 degree forward cant which really helps in my opinion with concealment.
 
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