how do you guys actually conceal when you carry??

[StrikeFire83]

I'm 5' 10" and 220 (fatter than I should be). I've been pocket carrying my G26 for almost 2 years now, and I manage it just fine. Nobody's ever "made" me and when I ask friends to guess where I'm carrying they usually say ankle holster.


One front pocket has my wallet & smartphone and the other one has my gun.

 

[CDUDE762]

6' 245lbs I conceal a M&P9 pretty well in the 4-430 position in a LAG holster with about 15+ degree of cant. If my style of dress that day doesn't help in concealment I'll opt for the S&W 442.

 

[Captains1911]

With a good holster and belt I can conceal a G19 with regular fitting clothes, no problem. However I usually carry something smaller. I wear an IWB hybrid with two offset belt clips, at 3:30 to 4:00, and with a lot of forward cant. The cant makes a big difference. After a while, carrying becomes second nature. There are certain movements, like bending over at the waiste, that will cause any gun to print. Learn to eliminate or minimize those movements, and realize that most people have their heads so deep in the sand it doesn't really matter.

 

[peacemaker45]

My "Texas carry," approach, when I was carrying down there, was an A-shirt (sometimes called a wifebeater) between me and the gun, a 1911 in an pancake OWB holster, covered by a short sleeve wrangler type pearl snap shirt, worn open and untucked. It looks normal, the shirts are light enough not to suck, or at least no more than anything else sucks in Houston, and it's quick. A G26 is kinda thick for no longer than it is, but with reasonable clothes and good leather, it should be simple enough.

 

[rodinal220]

Clothing choices,style of holster and quality. Type of firearm,body shape all dictate how concealable you can become. I can conceal a BHP or 1911 style pistol in a Milt Sparks EXC or other quality holster,proper belt and a size bigger t-shirt or possibly a t-shirt and outer lighter shirt(weather related). My pants are 1-2 inches bigger than my waist for IWB use.

A lightweight snubby in a pocket holster in a cargo pocket is pretty much invisible. Choose the correct combination of gun,holster,clothing to blend with your environment and you become "lost in the crowd" No need for the tactical Tommy 5.11 model look.

Some of my buddies refuse to learn and buy cheap gear and use them incorrectly and it looks like "Quato" or liver disease under their shirt.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I carry a full-size M1911 in a tuckable holster of my own design. Basically, it's a pancake holster with two holds punched near the toe -- one on either side of the slide. Kydex reverse J-hooks are attached to the holster with Chicago screws.

 

[C0untZer0]

I just ran across this on Facebook and I think its hilarious:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...4037921870.291416.214691331869&type=1&theater

 

[armsmaster270]

I carry a Sig 226, a can of pepper spray and an extra magizine under my T-shirt or polo shirt. I just go a size bigger.

 

[S&Wfan]

I just put mine in my pocket holster, toss it in my front jeans pocket and go. Right now it is kind of warm outside here in Georgia and I'm just wearing a tucked in t-shirt. No problem ever being "made."

Heck, when mowing the lawn with my push mower I use the same DeSantis synthetic pocket holster in elastic band shorts with a t-shirt.

WHAT GOOD IS HAVING A CONCEALED LICENSE IF YOU CAN'T HAVE YOUR GUN WITH YOU?

Sure, if weather is real cold and nasty I'll tote (concealed) a big N-frame .45 revolver or 5" 1911 auto under layers of clothes, but everyone needs a capable gun that is light that can ALWAYS be on you when trouble comes without warning.

Uh . . . I could show you a photo, but you wouldn't see it.

 

[PawDaddy]

I am 5'9" tall and weigh about 165lbs. My shoulders are not all that broad. I have health issues that contribute to my small stature. I find it difficult to carry anything much bigger than a 3" 5 shot revolver. It either prints or is just too uncomfortable. I carry my revolver iwb at about 10 o clock. (I am left handed.)

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

A good holster and belt are a must. While my Hi-Power was being worked on, I bought a Glock 26 to be my "conceal carry gun". I also ordered a nice leather holster and belt from. Milt Sparks. When I got the Hi-Power back, I discovered it was easier to conceal the full-size, steel frame Hi-Power than the Glock 26 (which had the first model Galco Deep Cover holster) - and the holsters were almost entirely responsible for the difference.

 

[Alberforth]

Find your hollow spots. Check things out in a mirror from not too close--as close as we are to our reflection most of the time, people aren't going to be looking at your belt. From farther away the bulge isn't so noticeable since one is not looking at it from above so much.

Look at how your holster positions your gun--is it making the most of your body's hollows? What would improve things? Look at the evolution of appendix carry holsters for ideas about how wedging in different areas can improve concealment.

I'm 5' 11", 160, medium shirts, 36" waist. I carry a G26 IWB inside a tucked shirt. There's a bulge but a stiff belt makes it gradual and no one seems to notice. Friends who know I carry look at me and aren't sure I'm armed on a given day.

I used to carry a subcompact 1911 in a Null shoulder rig under a tucked shirt. There was a bulge so I moved my centerline to even things out a little: shirt and pants closures shifted to the left 1/2" or so and no one looked twice. Only limitation was I couldn't reach out with the left arm and lean without printing badly.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Unless your wearing clothes so tight you see a silhouette, no ones gonna notice a bulge.. Esp. Now a days where everyone's nose is buried in a smart phone

tarosean, I have tried to carry as you do behind my right hip at 5 oclock but I print terrible there. I wanna try it again but I gotta ask:

Can you drive with that arrangement or do you have to ungun to sit in the driver seat? I drive *a lot* and I cannot imagine sitting with my pistol in that position.

VooDoo

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Anybody ankle carry? I have seen some very sweet ankle holster arrangements and I'm gonna try ankle carry with my Glock 26....not as slow to draw as one might imagine and nobody is looking there if yer wearing Dockers or dress Business Casual like I often do.

I can hide a tank on the inside of my left leg down low.

VooDoo

 

[orionengnr]

A glock is a thick gun. A 1911 is much easier to conceal due to its thinner width.

What he said. When I first got my TX CHL, I tried carrying my G23. Went through four or so different holsters--never could get over that brick, so I sold it.

I've carried 1911s of 3", 4 - 4 1/4" and (occasionally) 5" far more easily. The width of the grip is the key--the grip is the part that causes the bulge at the shirt line. A holster that keeps the grip snug against your hip, plus a narrow grip (like a 1911) makes concealing a lot easier.

That said, a j frame in the front pocket is about as discreet as one can get.

That is a good combination; however, a j-frame is not the easiest handgun to shoot well...combine that with the low capacity/slow reloads, and this may or may not be a good choice for you.

 

[mugsie]

I'm a big guy, although trying to lose weight. I have a muffin top - 5'11" 225lbs. I carry a 642 at the 4-5 o'clock position in a Desantis holster and it totally disappears. I also carry a Sig P250SC 9mm in a N82 holster, same position, and it too disappears. They're both tuckable and when the shirt is tucked in no one ever notices, not even my wife nor my kids.
It takes a little time to find the right holster and position, but once you do you'll become Merlin!

 

[Onward Allusion]

A lot of folks say "dress around the gun", but this is easier said... If you're slim (sorry, but 5'10" and 200 lb is not slim) and an office worker, it's pretty hard to do so w/o wearing one's suit coat or sports jacket. It's even harder in an office casual environment. A tucked polo or shirt with a pair of slacks or khakis will offer little concealment capabilities. I think that's why P3AT's, LCP's, P-32's & other pocket pistols are so popular. All one needs is a decent pocket holster and they can back pocket carry.

 

[Indigo22]

I've found that since I got my wallet holster there has been not a day since my LCP hasn't been in my pocket when I head out.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

With a tuckable like I make, it's easy.

Start fully dressed. Unbuckle your belt and put the gun and holster between pants and body, hooking the J clips to the belt.

Then pull your shirt out from behind the gun, drape it over gun and holster, and tuck it between holster and pants. Reach inside your pants and pull down on the shirt material to be sure it's fully tucked in.

Next, position the gun and holster where you want them and cinch up your belt.

Finally, "blouse" your shirt -- pull out two or three inches of slack all around and let it hang down naturally.

 

[tarosean]

Can you drive with that arrangement or do you have to ungun to sit in the driver seat? I drive *a lot* and I cannot imagine sitting with my pistol in that position.

No i do not remove my gun while driving.. I really don't notice it unless I lean on my right side reaching into the rear seat of my truck. The furthest I've driven like that is around 6hrs (one way) my typically drive for errands, shopping, etc. exceeds an 1hr each way. So I may not drive as much as you as I don't commute to work..
I think I've tried 100's of combinations in various locations IWB/OWB and it seems to work the best for me.

 

[Sam1911]

Finally, "blouse" your shirt -- pull out two or three inches of slack all around and let it hang down naturally.

Exactly! That blousing is MORE effective at hiding the butt of a gun than a shirt hanging untucked.

 

[junglebob]

+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.

How many folks carry under a tucked in shirt? I'm used to wearing buttoned shirts tucked in. I'm working on just how to carry my handgun, I've got an IWB Kholster. Since Illinois has just passed concealed carry this year and CHLs won't start being issued til probably March of 2014, I've got a little time.

I appreciate all the posts on this subject. How many people find cant on the handgun helps?

BTW, Illinois now allows someone with a CHL from their state to carry while in their vehicle in Illinois. No reciprocity except for that.

 

[Sam1911]

I've pointed out a couple of times here that I do just that, as the situation dictates.

I can easily conceal a full-sized 1911 with the holster pictured above, and a tucked-in polo shirt.

A bit of forward cant does raise the butt into line with your body's posture a bit more, thereby reducing how much the length of the butt projects behind you. So, yes, that is a useful thing in a concealment holster.

 

[piece of meat]

I've found that while they conceal great in that 6 o clock small of the back position, it makes sitting down/driving difficult because the gun digs into your back. If I just lean back and ignore the discomfort, my back hurts the next day. Also if one needs to draw quickly from that position, the draw is extremely slow and awkward. Sl
So while this area offers the best concealment, I've found it to be very impractical for daily activities.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I've pointed out a couple of times here that I do just that, as the situation dictates.

I can easily conceal a full-sized 1911 with the holster pictured above, and a tucked-in polo shirt.

A bit of forward cant does raise the butt into line with your body's posture a bit more, thereby reducing how much the length of the butt projects behind you. So, yes, that is a useful thing in a concealment holster.

I make the J-hooks for my holsters out of Kydex -- staring with a strip 6X1/2". Since two are used for each holster, I make them of different lengths to produce the proper cant, and drill them with two mounting holes. This makes them quite easy to adjust for the user's preferred cant.