Well guys and gals I am at the age in my life where my narrow waist and broad mind have switched places. I carry a Commander size 1911 for my CCW and I am finding it increasingly uncomfortable to carry IWB. So I thought I would give OWB a try. My question is as the title states. I live in the south and it gets HOT here in the summer. Even with my now less than stealthy profile, I still dress down in the summer. I.e. shorts, tee shirt. Etc. So, do you find it is difficult to carry OWB and stay concealed?
How do you carry OWB and stay concealed
- Thread starter kikilee
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Due to my lifestyle and the way I dress, I can generally only ankle carry. As such, I can't usually carry my weapon of choice, the G23. For the last 5-6 years I've carried a Taurus 450. The carry method makes it slow to accsess and I only have 5 rounds, but it's always with me and they're 5 BIG rounds!
On ocassion I also carry an AMT 380 Backup in my hip pocket.
Biker
On ocassion I also carry an AMT 380 Backup in my hip pocket.
Biker
Black Snowman
Member
Long coats or jackets. My duster can conceal some really big stuff. Even my gut. 
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
I cannot ever manage IWB - too much bony contact - does not work for me.
So - all year - OWB 3.00 to 3.30.
Once real hot (and believe me - I sweat - buckets) I resort to a Smith and Alexander vest in denim. It keeps me covered with my SP-101 and this summer I think I might still manage to keep SIG 226 on board.
Length is well adequate and when biking - I do up two front buttons - it works very well. Some folks will say - vest = ''shouts, I carry''. So what I say!! Let folks guess - does not bother me - concealed is still concealed and prefer that to fanny pack. Used all last summer - no hassles.
This vest goes over T-shirt - which may well be untucked over shorts. It works - no printing either. Works for me.
So - all year - OWB 3.00 to 3.30.
Once real hot (and believe me - I sweat - buckets) I resort to a Smith and Alexander vest in denim. It keeps me covered with my SP-101 and this summer I think I might still manage to keep SIG 226 on board.
Length is well adequate and when biking - I do up two front buttons - it works very well. Some folks will say - vest = ''shouts, I carry''. So what I say!! Let folks guess - does not bother me - concealed is still concealed and prefer that to fanny pack. Used all last summer - no hassles.
This vest goes over T-shirt - which may well be untucked over shorts. It works - no printing either. Works for me.
I carry a Colt Combat Commander in a Ross Leather M7 OWB, my usual manner of dress is just a t-shirt and blue jeans.
Does it print? yea somewhat, but most folks dont seem to notice and those that would are probably only other CCW'ers or LEO's.
To me concealed means - out of plain sight, as to not upset the sheeple, not crammed deep within one of my orifices.
Does it print? yea somewhat, but most folks dont seem to notice and those that would are probably only other CCW'ers or LEO's.
To me concealed means - out of plain sight, as to not upset the sheeple, not crammed deep within one of my orifices.
Kamicosmos
Member
I am going to be finding this out myself this summer. I was planning on carrying my SP101 in a tuckable IWB under a t-shirt when it's hot. But, I too have found out that boney hips and dense metal gun is UNCOMFORTABLE!
I currently use OWB, and my plan is when I can during the summer I'll go with a baggy tshirt or my normal cover garment, which is an unbuttoned shirt over that. We'll see how it goes, otherwise I'll have to get used to the IWB, maybe move it back to about 5 oclock so it's more over my skinny butt instead of smashed into my hip...
I currently use OWB, and my plan is when I can during the summer I'll go with a baggy tshirt or my normal cover garment, which is an unbuttoned shirt over that. We'll see how it goes, otherwise I'll have to get used to the IWB, maybe move it back to about 5 oclock so it's more over my skinny butt instead of smashed into my hip...
longtooth
Member
try something IWB
I live in the South too. Deep East Texas. It is hot in the summer & warm in the winter. I wear an under shirt to soak up the sweat and keep my holster away from bare skin. Try buying one pair of pants 2 inches larger than your waste size & wear a high quality, all elastic, wide pair of suspenders. Put your undershirt or t-shirt on. The suspenders over the T, then a cover shirt sush as a polo. If you tuck a shirt in then the suspenders are worn regular & use a vest to cover with. Even in summer a light loose vest w/ several pockets is quite popular here & does not, as some think, cry gun. I think suspenders are CC's best friend. I have always worn them from youth to now. (55). My thoughts. Hope you get comfortable.
I live in the South too. Deep East Texas. It is hot in the summer & warm in the winter. I wear an under shirt to soak up the sweat and keep my holster away from bare skin. Try buying one pair of pants 2 inches larger than your waste size & wear a high quality, all elastic, wide pair of suspenders. Put your undershirt or t-shirt on. The suspenders over the T, then a cover shirt sush as a polo. If you tuck a shirt in then the suspenders are worn regular & use a vest to cover with. Even in summer a light loose vest w/ several pockets is quite popular here & does not, as some think, cry gun. I think suspenders are CC's best friend. I have always worn them from youth to now. (55). My thoughts. Hope you get comfortable.
Football and basketball jerseys are great for OWB carry. They are extra long so you won't have to worry about them riding up and get them one size larger so they will fit baggy on you.
I also look for extra long pocket tee shirts one size larger. The ones in various colors do a better job of concealing the handgun than the white ones. That is one good thing about the kids style today. They love the big sport shirts and every store sells them now.
I also look for extra long pocket tee shirts one size larger. The ones in various colors do a better job of concealing the handgun than the white ones. That is one good thing about the kids style today. They love the big sport shirts and every store sells them now.
Bear Gulch
Member
Long shirts are good. Jackets are anothe option. Fortunately, Idaho stays cold for a long time, making concealed carry easier.
Randy in Arizona
Member
Sad to say but, as I age the heat of summer feels good!
Osteo Arthritis hurts most of the time but heat & Naproxin Sodium make it bearable. :banghead:
So wearing more than light summer clothes allows for better concealed carry.
Osteo Arthritis hurts most of the time but heat & Naproxin Sodium make it bearable. :banghead:
So wearing more than light summer clothes allows for better concealed carry.
My mode of carry only changes* when the wife makes me put on "slacks" to attend some law-firm function.
Otherwise, I carry with IWB holsters (Alessi Talon, Don Hume H715), worn OWB, in between my belt and jeans/shorts with an un-tucked, square-bottom, button-up, short-sleeved, casual shirt as a cover garment.
For around town I can carry various small autos in 9mm (Glock 26, Kahr K9, Kel-Tec P-11) this way in complete comfort and concealment... or I can switch to one of my Bersas .22s or (most often) one of my Walther P-22s for around the place, cuttin' the grass, carry.
*Those other times I carry a Kel-Tec P-32 or P-3AT in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster, modified to also carry one spare magazine, and carry it in my right front pants pocket.
Otherwise, I carry with IWB holsters (Alessi Talon, Don Hume H715), worn OWB, in between my belt and jeans/shorts with an un-tucked, square-bottom, button-up, short-sleeved, casual shirt as a cover garment.
For around town I can carry various small autos in 9mm (Glock 26, Kahr K9, Kel-Tec P-11) this way in complete comfort and concealment... or I can switch to one of my Bersas .22s or (most often) one of my Walther P-22s for around the place, cuttin' the grass, carry.
*Those other times I carry a Kel-Tec P-32 or P-3AT in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster, modified to also carry one spare magazine, and carry it in my right front pants pocket.
I carry a Commander owb in a Hume yaqui or a galco paddle. docker or equivelent shorts. A BIG hawaian or camp shirts over a miracle fabric t shirt, the underarmor loose tees or coolmax tees are fabulous when it is really hot and sticky, working in southern missouri and norther arkansas last summer made me a believer. I am looking for a paddle holster now that has that "comfort" strip that goes between sights/end of slide and body.
ulflyer
Member
If you're getting long in the tooth, big in the middle, and it takes about 3 minutes to bend over to your ankle (like me) , then you might consider getting pouch to fit your gun that goes on your belt. I have one with quick "rip open zipper" with a holster inside. Its sorta rectangular in shape, has an outside zipper pocket for extra mag, or whatnot. I like it on my left side for the rip open aspect, with a right hand draw. Wear it with shorts and t-shirt in hot weather and you'll look like any other tourist with his fanny pack.
Ain't the fastest thing in the west but when an IWB or OWB isn't satisfactory its another option.
Ain't the fastest thing in the west but when an IWB or OWB isn't satisfactory its another option.
One of the ways I carry my P229 is OWB in a High Noon Slide Guard. I usually have a baggy pocket tee covering the weapon. A light vest works wonders too. If I must switch to IWB I wear trousers a bit bigger and with my High Noon Closing Argument I can tuck or not as desired.
Our clothing choices make concealed carry as easy for each of us as possible. Choose wisely.
Our clothing choices make concealed carry as easy for each of us as possible. Choose wisely.
Jeff Timm
Member
Sounds like a job for the classic Hay'why'an Flower'dy shirt.
With darker colors near the waste and an "intense" pattern to disrupt the outline near the waist. Another reason for dark colored firearms. Trouble is I already carry a Blackberry and a cell phone on the belt.
Geoff
Who is studying the matter.
With darker colors near the waste and an "intense" pattern to disrupt the outline near the waist. Another reason for dark colored firearms. Trouble is I already carry a Blackberry and a cell phone on the belt.
Geoff
Who is studying the matter.
Old Dog
Member
I submit that the "camp shirt" is the greatest boon EVER to handgun packers. These are the "Hawaiian shirt" style shirts that now come in solid colors (for us conservative middle-agers) and a variety of materials (instead of rayon or silk).
Our local Fred Meyer's, Macy's and Mervyn's up here all call 'em "camp shirts" now. They can look dressy (worn with slacks) or casual (worn with jeans or shorts).
I can easily conceal a full-size 1911 in either a Milt Sparks Watch Six (awesome rig), Kramer Belt Scabbard (my other favorite) or a Galco Concealable (a decent budget holster that does conceal quite well, though not as sturdy as my Kramer's).
I like to wear a mesh or silky tank top underneath, but over the holster (yeah, it slows the draw, but keeps the shirt from sticking to the butt or grips). This works well for me even in the middle of an Arizona summer (the folk's homestead).
I just don't think one needs a jacket or a vest to conceal even a full-size pistol or revolver ... Although I do like my Columbia and Banana Republic vests with all the cool pockets, and no, I don't think these vests scream "shoot me first" ... too many yuppies and tourists up (at least up in this area) wear 'em also.
Our local Fred Meyer's, Macy's and Mervyn's up here all call 'em "camp shirts" now. They can look dressy (worn with slacks) or casual (worn with jeans or shorts).
I can easily conceal a full-size 1911 in either a Milt Sparks Watch Six (awesome rig), Kramer Belt Scabbard (my other favorite) or a Galco Concealable (a decent budget holster that does conceal quite well, though not as sturdy as my Kramer's).
I like to wear a mesh or silky tank top underneath, but over the holster (yeah, it slows the draw, but keeps the shirt from sticking to the butt or grips). This works well for me even in the middle of an Arizona summer (the folk's homestead).
I just don't think one needs a jacket or a vest to conceal even a full-size pistol or revolver ... Although I do like my Columbia and Banana Republic vests with all the cool pockets, and no, I don't think these vests scream "shoot me first" ... too many yuppies and tourists up (at least up in this area) wear 'em also.
bpisler
Member
A decent belt and holster helps a
lot in carrying concealed.They will
keep your piece from moving around
and attracting attention to you.
I carry a 3" 24-3 in 44 spl using
a kydex holster and a nylon belt.
At 3:30 on my waist it's very
well hidden under a loose shirt.
lot in carrying concealed.They will
keep your piece from moving around
and attracting attention to you.
I carry a 3" 24-3 in 44 spl using
a kydex holster and a nylon belt.
At 3:30 on my waist it's very
well hidden under a loose shirt.
RRTX
Member
I carry a full size 1911 OWB in a Galco Yaquis slide at about 3:30-4:00 with hawaiian style shirts and an undershirt. The only times I ever have to watch out for exposing it is getting out of the truck and if I bend way over instead of squatting to pick something up.
Coltdriver
Member
I like a high ride forward cant with a thumb break.
The problem for summer clothes is that you need a pretty decent belt, I don't know how that works with shorts. But a pocket tee shirt works great for me to keep a pistol at 2:30 or 3:00 pretty well concealed.
Take a look at a Galco Fletch to get the style. Every major holster maker has a version of this style.
The problem for summer clothes is that you need a pretty decent belt, I don't know how that works with shorts. But a pocket tee shirt works great for me to keep a pistol at 2:30 or 3:00 pretty well concealed.
Take a look at a Galco Fletch to get the style. Every major holster maker has a version of this style.
moby clarke
Member
I am a big guy also. I carry a Glock 19 in an OWB at about 8 o'clock (left handed). In the summer here in MN, I wear a "wife beater" shirt and then a larger t-shirt and go. I am strictly a shorts and t-shirt guy so this fits my look and I have had no problems. It prints some, but as others have said, most people do not notice. FYI, I have a high ride holster, which helps keep the bottom from showing when you reach up or bend over. Just something to consider.
Shootcraps
Member
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- Jan 18, 2004
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Polo shirts work well for me. Maybe half size too big. I've been carrying my Springfield V10 Ultra Compact in a Fobus Kydex Paddle holster. The kydex paddle is one of the most comfortable holsters I've ever used. I love it.
Deputy25
Member
I stick my Glock 31 in a Don Hume JIT and wear a big shirt.
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