This method's not for everyone, but I appendix-iwb carry a S&W 642 in a cheap nylon holster. It's completely invisible no matter how I move even in my most slim fitting t-shirts. It took a little while to get used to sitting down (and to the idea of having a loaded gun in such close proximity to my junk), but once I adjusted to that I haven't had an issue with it.
how do you guys actually conceal when you carry??
- Thread starter piece of meat
- Start date
- Status
ratt_finkel
Member
At 5'6" and low 160's (muscular build) I too have the same issues the OP mentioned. I know the single biggest difference for me lies in the shirt. I prefer snugger clothes, but I know that the smaller the shirt and tighter the pants, the harder it is to conceal.
32" waist and size large t-shirts. I'm too young to be wearing Hawaiian shirts or other old man garments
I'm only on my 2nd holster, a remora. But I love it. Still always looking at better options.
32" waist and size large t-shirts. I'm too young to be wearing Hawaiian shirts or other old man garments
I'm only on my 2nd holster, a remora. But I love it. Still always looking at better options.
Doogledog
Member
I also use an aliengear holster and carry a Kahr CW9 at somewhere between 4 and 5 o'clock. I'm 5'8" (on a good day) and 230lb. My age and lack of excersize has caught up with me. I also agree that us "thicker" guys have issues concealing because our thickest part is the waistline. Anything extra on the waist tends to be fairly obvious. However, you can conceal the right pistol, in the right holster, in the right place. You just need to experiment to find what works for you.
Vodoun da Vinci
Member
Body shape and "how much 'round the middle" can make a huge difference. 6' 3" and at 178 I have enough room to carry in an appendix holster a Glock 26, a Beretta Px4sc, or even a Colt Officers ACP easily.
I think we overlook the body shape - like different sized hands handle different guns differently not everybody can carry anything/anywhere.
Body shape is critical when you just must not print as is what you intend to rely upon.
VooDoo
I think we overlook the body shape - like different sized hands handle different guns differently not everybody can carry anything/anywhere.
Body shape is critical when you just must not print as is what you intend to rely upon.
VooDoo
piece of meat
Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2010
- Messages
- 179
Lots of good replies. Maybe a lot of it is in my head and its not as obvious as I think it looks
usp9
Member
I pocket carry, right front pocket, my Seecamp in a Hedley holster.
I use a Galco Concealable to carry my HK P2000sk at 4:00. I usually cover it with a shirt, even when I wear a jacket or coat in case I need to remove the jacket.
Editorial note; I've long quit worrying about printing, momentary flashing, or the holster poking out from under cover. I've never been stopped or asked about my guns. Learning to live with the gun and ignore it is a form of good concealment too.
I use a Galco Concealable to carry my HK P2000sk at 4:00. I usually cover it with a shirt, even when I wear a jacket or coat in case I need to remove the jacket.
Editorial note; I've long quit worrying about printing, momentary flashing, or the holster poking out from under cover. I've never been stopped or asked about my guns. Learning to live with the gun and ignore it is a form of good concealment too.
rick melear
Member
Kahr P9 in a Crossbreed Supertuck at 4:00. Untucked shirt, always. After 5 years I've never been made.
I'm around 6' and 175 lbs. I carry a M&P 9c in a hybrid iwb at around 3 o'clock. Like you I don't care much for real baggy shirts. One thing I have found that has helped is buying longer shirts. They are not any baggier but they bunch a little at my waist and help conceal. As several have said a good holster and belt will also help substantially. Also the more you carry the more comfortable you will be. Anyone that's honest will tell you they worried about "printing" when they first started carrying. Eventually you will get over it.
bigfatdave
Member
1 - nobody is looking for a gun on your belt.
B) a slim gun in a quality IWB holster, hanging from a real gunbelt makes this easier.
III. an untucked shirt that isn't tight and is perhaps a bit on the long side helps a lot, also ... if I can do it in a plain black or grey linen shirt, you can do it with a pattern and thicker material.
*four* really, nobody is following you, staring at your hip, and waiting to have a big panicky conniption if the grip pushes your shirt out more than 1mm.
#5} the above posts are correct, right behind your hip, there will be a point where the shirt hangs down from your shoulders loosely ... have the gun there.
last - If you have a good holster and belt, the grip will be held in very close to your body, which will minimize the printing that nobody is looking for.
B) a slim gun in a quality IWB holster, hanging from a real gunbelt makes this easier.
III. an untucked shirt that isn't tight and is perhaps a bit on the long side helps a lot, also ... if I can do it in a plain black or grey linen shirt, you can do it with a pattern and thicker material.
*four* really, nobody is following you, staring at your hip, and waiting to have a big panicky conniption if the grip pushes your shirt out more than 1mm.
#5} the above posts are correct, right behind your hip, there will be a point where the shirt hangs down from your shoulders loosely ... have the gun there.
last - If you have a good holster and belt, the grip will be held in very close to your body, which will minimize the printing that nobody is looking for.
JTQ
Member
Go to post #29 in this thread and see how forum member tmoore912 carries his 1911. All are IWB holsters, and you can see how close the grip rides to his body with all his holster options. Just about any cover garment will conceal his pistol.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=567867&highlight=tmoore912
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=567867&highlight=tmoore912
osteodoc08
Member
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2005
- Messages
- 1,261
IWB or OWB depending on garment. Usually OWB with a pancake holster.
420Stainless
Member
I usually pocket carry and don't really care if anyone notices a bulge or wonders if I have a gun in my pocket. However, in cooler weather I sometime carry a 1911 Commander OWB. I've found that a patterned shirt, plaid or some other kind of busy goes a long way in breaking up the outline of a bulge. Doesn't prevent it, just makes it harder to notice.
Inebriated
Member
G26 in a Nate Squared holster at 3:00... Works for me under even a fairly tight t-shirt.
JR24
Member
I can get a small pistol IWB under just a slightly loose tshirt just fine at about 3 oclock or just in front (SR9c, SR40c, something similar sized) when I want to only wear a tshirt.
For my bigger guns (1911, full sized auto) I still go IWB but add a button down shirt on top.
For holsters I prefer Milt Sparks Summer Special 2, or similar in style.
Edit: If you haven't tried, think about moving the gun just in front of the hip. I have a bit of a gut and that's the only place I can conceal a gun even with a larger shirt. Anything behind my hip sticks out like I've shoved a 12-gauge in my belt, even baggy sweatshirts bulge for me at 4 and 5 oclock.
For my bigger guns (1911, full sized auto) I still go IWB but add a button down shirt on top.
For holsters I prefer Milt Sparks Summer Special 2, or similar in style.
Edit: If you haven't tried, think about moving the gun just in front of the hip. I have a bit of a gut and that's the only place I can conceal a gun even with a larger shirt. Anything behind my hip sticks out like I've shoved a 12-gauge in my belt, even baggy sweatshirts bulge for me at 4 and 5 oclock.
Deus Machina
Member
I'm 5'7" and under 140 pounds, so some things can be a little difficult for me, too. Still, I wear 32-34 jeans (I'm appearently all leg) and XL shirts. They're loose, but I grew up in the late 80's through the 90's, so there I go.
The angle of the holster helps a lot. I use a FIST Inc. adjustable at 4 or 5 o'clock, and canting my CZ forward puts the grip and short beavertail into a sort of Y shape that 'cradles' against my lower rib instead of digging in anywhere.
The angle of the holster helps a lot. I use a FIST Inc. adjustable at 4 or 5 o'clock, and canting my CZ forward puts the grip and short beavertail into a sort of Y shape that 'cradles' against my lower rib instead of digging in anywhere.
The majority of people can't get the cell phone out of their face long enough to be aware that their hair is on fire. Despite this, carrying a concealed handgun in public can be a challenge for those of us who want to make sure it is as concealed as concealed can be. I'm familiar with Texas concealed carry laws and "brandishing" a weapon is easy to do if your handgun is not kept well out of sight.
I've spent almost as much for holsters as I have for handguns and I still have not found concealed handgun Nirvana. I'm a hair over 6 ft and weigh just under 250 pounds. I have a spare tire around the middle and no butt whatsoever. Anything I attach to my belt will pull my pants down several inches within a few minutes no matter how tight I cinch up my belt. I can conceal a full size SIG P220 in a Simply Rugged pancake holster fairly easily but the damn thing will slide down constantly. I can conceal various handguns in various IWB holsters but they are not comfortable and they also tug the pants southward a little at a time. I resolved these problems by buying looser cut pants and pocket carrying.
I now own only relaxed fit jeans and cargo or BDU pants and shorts. I buy tall or oversize T-shirts and I wear long tailed sports shirts untucked. Since I'm retired, I can dress casually every day and I do. I've also changed my carry guns to something I can carry in a pocket holster instead of a belt holster. With deep pocket, loose fitting Tru-Spec or 5.11 pants or relaxed fit Wrangler jeans, I'm able to carry a Glock 26, a S&W Airweight or SIG P290RS with a long shirttail covering.
Those with smaller frames and some degree of posterior should find it easier to adjust their wardrobe to carrying since they won't have the problem of looking like an aging, sagging hip-hop wannabe. The main point is that you can't really expect to adequately carry concealed in snug fitting clothing.
I've spent almost as much for holsters as I have for handguns and I still have not found concealed handgun Nirvana. I'm a hair over 6 ft and weigh just under 250 pounds. I have a spare tire around the middle and no butt whatsoever. Anything I attach to my belt will pull my pants down several inches within a few minutes no matter how tight I cinch up my belt. I can conceal a full size SIG P220 in a Simply Rugged pancake holster fairly easily but the damn thing will slide down constantly. I can conceal various handguns in various IWB holsters but they are not comfortable and they also tug the pants southward a little at a time. I resolved these problems by buying looser cut pants and pocket carrying.
I now own only relaxed fit jeans and cargo or BDU pants and shorts. I buy tall or oversize T-shirts and I wear long tailed sports shirts untucked. Since I'm retired, I can dress casually every day and I do. I've also changed my carry guns to something I can carry in a pocket holster instead of a belt holster. With deep pocket, loose fitting Tru-Spec or 5.11 pants or relaxed fit Wrangler jeans, I'm able to carry a Glock 26, a S&W Airweight or SIG P290RS with a long shirttail covering.
Those with smaller frames and some degree of posterior should find it easier to adjust their wardrobe to carrying since they won't have the problem of looking like an aging, sagging hip-hop wannabe. The main point is that you can't really expect to adequately carry concealed in snug fitting clothing.
mdauben
Member
Around 4:00 with a Glock 36 in a "summer special" style leather IWB holster. Easy to conceal with a loose fitting overshirt (hawaiian or camp shirt).
Cump
Member
Perfect concealment is important where I work. I have had no problems with appendix carry, compacts and smaller. I do prefer a safety with that method of carry.
MedWheeler
Member
JTQ writes:
This. ^
I carry everything from my Kel-Tec P32 to my Ruger P95 this way, though the holster is not actually worn inside the waistband. It is worn between the belt and pants, in a manner known as "inside-the-belt" (ITB) carry. It's a good compromise between IWB and OWB carry practices.
This. ^
I carry everything from my Kel-Tec P32 to my Ruger P95 this way, though the holster is not actually worn inside the waistband. It is worn between the belt and pants, in a manner known as "inside-the-belt" (ITB) carry. It's a good compromise between IWB and OWB carry practices.
I always carry OWB using a simple made for anything belt slide type holster. I removed the belt clip. No retention so I don't get to play basketball or footballl wearing it, but most other activities it works perfectly for. I use the same holster for my SR45, p229, or Shield. I even carry the 642 in it sometimes.
With the shield and a untucked T-shirt you have to look close to see any lines. I also sometimes carry an LCP in a fobus holster depending on where I'm going. I'll pocket carry the LCP if I'm not going to be out and about more than an hour or so, I can't stand weight in my pockets.
http://www.taguagunleather.com/new/iwh-inside-the-waist-holster-p27
It can also be worn like the poster above me states between the belt and pants or (ITB) with smaller / thinner pistols like the shield.
With the shield and a untucked T-shirt you have to look close to see any lines. I also sometimes carry an LCP in a fobus holster depending on where I'm going. I'll pocket carry the LCP if I'm not going to be out and about more than an hour or so, I can't stand weight in my pockets.
http://www.taguagunleather.com/new/iwh-inside-the-waist-holster-p27
It can also be worn like the poster above me states between the belt and pants or (ITB) with smaller / thinner pistols like the shield.
When I began carrying, I also thought there was a big blob that was obvious to everyone. After a little more than a year a friend who is also a local police officer asked why I didn't carry. I decided that it wasn't as obvious as I thought. Looser clothing, and as was mentioned earlier, being aware of movements like how you bend over, or not reaching high store shelves will help prevent printing or accidental exposure.
woodwrkr
Member
+1
The 2:45 position with a strong forward cant. Theis hybrid holster IWB, baggy shirt tucked or un-tucked. Full size 1911. I'm 5'-8" and 140 pounds.
This way I can bend, stoop or kneel down with almost no printing and only a tiny bulge below the belt of my pants when my shirt is tucked in.
I carry a G19 in the back, and I have the same problem with bulging. Fortunately for me, its winter right now and I wear a hoodie most of the time. If you need to hide it with a regular t shirt, wearing something baggier that should work, but I dont believe in having to dress around your gun. I usually carry something smaller like a bersa if I need to. Kidney carry in my experience conceals the best, and I usually do that option with double/single action guns, but I cant say I feel very comfortable with a glock 19 with no safety pointed at my junk.
- Status
