Kramer Confidant: How big/heavy a handgun can it handle?

[ddc]

I've been intrigued by the Kramer Confidant for deep concealment purposes.

Here is a link to the website.

It is hard to tell from the pictures just how substantial the fabric and the over all construction of the garment is.

For those of you who have tried this method of concealed carry have you been satisfied?

Also: How large a pistol/revolver have you been able to carry comfortably?

Thanks!

 

[mpthole]

I used to use one to carry a USPc in 9mm. Worked pretty well, but occasionally would have to adjust throughout the day because it would begin to sag on the gun side. I think sewing closed the offside pouch and sticking a magazine in there might have cured the problem, but I never tried it.

If you decide on one, get the full-length. I couldn't tuck in the 3/4 length and it took some getting used to. Overall, I think the construction is good and it has its place for deep concealed carry.

(FWIW... its also better to have wider shoulders than your waist when using the Confidant shirt or shoulder holster.)

 

[jem375]

I have a confidant shirt but so far haven't used it to carry....tried it on and a S&W Model 66 2 1/2" 357 mag fits ok.........I will have to try it with my G26 and see how that fits.....Hopefully it won't sag with a heavy revolver in it after wearing it............

 

[Alan Fud]

The S&W4513 is about the upper limit that I feel comfortable carrying in the shirt in terms of size & weight. My Para P13.45LDA (which is slightly larger but much heavier because it's all-steel instead of having an alloy frame like my 4513) start to weigh it down and makes the gun less concealable. The weight of the 4513 still hugs the body.

Not sure if that helps.

PS: It's great for my Pocket Nine and my 3913TSW. Actually, my 3913TSW mostlikely fits the best.

 

[XD40Assassin]

Are these made out of horse?

 

[mpthole]

What?! Um... no. Click on the link in the first post and then on the Confidant shirt.

 

[another okie]

I have one. The shirt itself is still fine, but the pocket is coming loose after some hard use. Neither the material nor the stitching is very heavy. I have carried a lightweight snubbie and a Glock 26 in mine. (Carried the Glock with no round in the chamber due to the complicated gyrations necessary to draw.) I think 30 ounces loaded is probably about the practical limit.

The Confidant does work for deep cover unless you are going to be hugging people. The draw is very slow. If you are wearing it under a dress shirt and a tie you can leave some buttons under the tie unbuttoned to speed up the draw a little.

I use my Galco ankle glove for deep concealment now.

 

[Intune]

I used one for my G27 for awhile. It works for deep concealment but like ao said watch the hugs. Mine was an earlier model with the high neckline that would show above most shirts except a total buttonup dress shirt. It has such an identifiable material that anyone who knows about them knows you're carrying. I think the new ones fixed this problem.

 

[happy old sailor]

informative replies. it is noted that some posters "used to" this or that. are they the berries at first, then the new wears off? they also look hot to me, as in summer wear, not "cool". however, each time i see the ad, i am tempted. could work for the wife. no one ever looks at her armpit, they stare at her chest. good camo. i have, mostly, satisfactory means to carry, but, until someone posts that they have used one for X years and are happy with it, i will wait. when the pocket sags, do you just buy another one?

 

[snubby]

Consider the Smartcarry as another option for deep concealment carry. Though also "slow" to access, the Smartcarry can hold heavier guns better. Based on type of pants/belt you're wearing, with practice the draw can be relatively quick (a stretchy waistband with elastic belt works well for faster access).

 

[mpthole]

informative replies. it is noted that some posters "used to" this or that. are they the berries at first, then the new wears off?

Its not that... at least not for me. IMO, they are just one of those pieces of equipment that has its place in certain circumstances. The time that I used mine most was when I was traveling for work and had to work in an office environment that had a very strict dress code. The only way to carry, comply with the dress code and have no possibility of being made was the Confidant shirt.

Since then, I don't travel anymore and have more options at my disposal - mostly because the way I have to (or don't have to is more like it!) dress for work; or just going about my daily activities.

To me, they are like having a Thunderwear/Smartcarry, bellyband, shoulder holster or cross-draw option in your bag of concealed carry equipment. Sometimes, those options just work better under the circumstances. That said, I prefer strong-side IWB or a nice Comp-Tac FBI paddle, but sometimes they just don't work with the clothing.

That's just my $.02

 

[TheFrontRange]

Hey, I'm weighing-in a little late on this one. I've been using a Kramer Confidant for nearly two years now, first with a SIG P239 and now with a P228. I usually wear a medium- to heavy-weight tshirt under the Kramer, then a button-up outer shirt.

I do still prefer belt-carry, but living in the humid south I'd gotten tired of always slipping on one of those fabled photographer-style vests. The Confidant's really freed me up garment-wise. One does just have to keep in mind, as some of the previous posters have alluded, this rig is definitely built with stealth in mind first, speed a very distant second.

I've carried in all weather and for as much as 16 hours per day in this thing. Mine is need of replacement as some of the shirt material just below the holster pocket is eroding where the slide of my pistol is rubbing against it. A good post-carry weapon wipedown becomes even more critical with the Confidant as you will definitely get sweat on the weapon. Depending on how frequently I'm actually wearing the Confidant, I can keep it smelling "mountain spring fresh" with a toss in the washer and an overnight hang-dry.

As the Kramer site suggests, buy a Confidant smaller than your normal tshirt size. I normally wear XL or even XXL shirts, but my Confidant's an L and works great.

"Yes and Amen" to the comments on no-hugging while packing in the Confidant. I'd recently posted over on www.SIGforum.com how, at last, I may finally have been "made" while carrying with this rig. My wife and I were attending a very interactive comedy-murder-mystery-dinner-theatre show, and when part of the show called for audience and cast members to dance, I was unexpectedly grabbed around the middle by a classic "sweet little old lady" who wanted to boogie. If she even noticed the press of the SIG against her, she didn't react...maybe she thought I had a medical device strapped to my ribcage or, heck, maybe she's a CCW-holder like myself and was already wise to the ways of the Confidant.

Anywho, I am curious to try a good IWB tuckable rig, too, but the Confidant's continuing to serve me well. The thing does have TWO holster pockets, so maybe that's the justification I need to get myself a second P228!

 

[JNewell]

SIG P239, works OK. I am not a heavy sweater, and I live in the Northeast, but even so, I advise not carrying a gun that is easily corroded. These are only good for a BUG unless you have no other alternative for primary carry. Otherwise, nothing to add to the comments above.