My wife needs some concealment options for surveillance in a hot van

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JLStorm

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My wife will start a surveillance contract for a few months next week and she has pretty much given up on all traditional concealment options. The dress is a tank top, shorts, and flip flops due to the heat inside the vans. They have fans in the vans, but the heat will be around 90-95 outside and the less clothing the better. The only thing I can think of is a fanny pack or a purse with built in holster. She doesnt like the fanny pack idea, the belly band is too hot, ankle holster wont work, her shorts material is so thin that printing is an issue with any holster, and shorts any thicker will trap to much heat and some of her shorts dont even have pockets big enough to conceal anything. I hate the idea of off body concealment like that of a purse, but Im running out of ideas. She is working in some bad areas and she will really need a weapon. Open carry is not an option due the the nature of the job and the importance of blending in with the masses while outside of the vans. The weapon will be a s&w 640. I was thinking of a tank top holster, but we tried my kramer tank top holster and it just doesnt work for her when worn under a tank top.

I would like some good concealment purse manufacturers and also any other ideas you can come up with.

Thanks.
 
what about just buying some shorts that will work with pocket carry?

instead of working around the fact that she doesn't have the right shorts, how about just getting shorts that will work? They don't have to be thick, just loose. Try some of the Under Armour shorts (I think they make some for women) and get a size above what she'd normally wear. If she's working in bad areas where baggy shorts are typical, then nobody will notice. The mens' version has a drawstring to tighten it, I assume the womens' version does too. Pocket carry is probably easiest in her situation as it won't get super uncomfortable in the heat and over long periods of time (in fact when I pocket carried in the past I forgot it was there often).

Also what about Thunderwear or similar?

ETA: Oh yeah, also check out Galco's Underwraps.
 
If she does decide to do off-body carry, she should probably have a BUG for pocket carry. P3AT? Baggy shorts with a "wallet"-style holster for BUG in pocket?
 
Im trying to get her to go the bigger shorts route, but she is supposed to look fashionable for the job (part of the customers requirements) so while she can get away with a tank top and shorts they have too look fitting and in fashion. I dont know what the current fashion is, but she assures me that its not shorts with pockets big enough to fit a gun....What do I know..my shorts fit my P2000SK in the pocket :scrutiny:
 
maybe I am misunderstanding you. If your in the van cant it just be on the seat or in a glove box.

Pocket carry is good option. Depending on the size of your wifes mmm..... "Assets" I have seem some Bra holsters for small auto's.
 
If she is working an area where she really might need a gun, it's time to dress for the occasion.

www.smartcarry.com

.38 revolver in pocket carry (cargo shorts look CUTE on women)

Fanny pack (very fashionable, and they do NOT scream "gun" to the public, as some have said)

Belly Band

Some sort of purse/attache carry.

There are many options.

Carrying a gun that is not powerful enough to stop an attacker, however, is a terrible idea.
 
A starbucks coffee cup is part of the requirement for the fashionable girl out and about. Could keep one in there and still meet her stylish persona. And the likelyhood of someone stealing your cup of coffee is pretty darn low. Instead of a purse, a messenger bag might also work well. Guess is depends what she is supposed to look like and where she is.

A fanny pack is not fashionable. My wife wears shorts and tank top all the time and would NEVER, and I mean NEVER wear a fanny pack.
 
I'd go the double-route. Kel-tec or Seecamp in a pocket, and the 640 in either a fanny pack (only worn when outside the van) or hidden in the coffee cup.

That way, if she's caught without the coffee cup, she'll still have something physically on her. It's too easy when carrying "off the body" to get lax and not keep that pack/cup/whatever close.
 
She refuses to make any concession to carry it on her body, and I hate the idea of a purse that can be left behind, not to mention I just dont see her spending a ton of money on a holster purse. So seeing as it wont be going on her body and wont be going in a purse, I believe that she has convinced me as well as herself that she wont be carrying. Normally I would argue my point with her, but she knows the risks and its her decision to make I suppose. :banghead:
 
Just have go go nekkid....the gun won't be concealed, but who would notice!?!?:D
 
She's not even willing to, say, have a button down shirt she can put on when leaving the van? Seems like a OWB holster would work fine, since concealment in the van isn't an issue, and when she gets out, then the heat isn't an issue.
 
Let's see now. Your wife won't wear clothing that would conceal a small pistol. She won't wear a fanny pack. Won't wear a concealment belly band. You don't want to spend the money for a PROPER purse made specifically for women to carry concealed. She must wear shorts and a tank top which won't conceal a firearm....

Seems to me when you get down to it, she isn't really too concerned about self defense even though she is "working in some bad areas."

Maybe making a fashion statement is more important than self protection. (???)

JMO.

L.W.
 
Let's see now. Your wife won't wear clothing that would conceal a small pistol. She won't wear a fanny pack. Won't wear a concealment belly band. You don't want to spend the money for a PROPER purse made specifically for women to carry concealed. She must wear shorts and a tank top which won't conceal a firearm....

Seems to me when you get down to it, she isn't really too concerned about self defense even though she is "working in some bad areas."

Maybe making a fashion statement is more important than self protection. (???)

JMO.

L.W.
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Just to clarify, I dont have a problem spending the money for a holster purse, but I know she wont spend that much money for one unless I lied to her about the price. As far as the fashion statement, its more about staying cool and complying with specific requirements than being fashionable, however, I am sure if she wanted to she could buy looser shorts with bigger pockets. She bought the gun, she practiced with the gun, she wanted to carry the gun, and now I too get the distinct feeling she has had a change of heart if the gun is going to be on her person. Again, a full explanation I got out of her finally today is in a related thread http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=3478580#post3478580
 
She has made the choice of fashion over function so you might as well keep the insurance polices paid up and hope for the best.
 
No matter how hot it is, a short sleeve COTTON shirt worn out will conceal just about anything IWB up to a Glock 21. The cotton shirt is just as cool as a tank top, not as fashionable. I been doing it daily for a long time. Joe
 
Seems to me when you get down to it, she isn't really too concerned about self defense even though she is "working in some bad areas."
Click to expand...

She has made the choice of fashion over function so you might as well keep the insurance polices paid up and hope for the best.
Click to expand...

Absolutely agreed. Your wife is knowingly setting herself up to be a victim of a violent crime and, IMHO, is being completely unreasonable. This is victim mentality at it's finest.

Are you really sure she wants to actually carry a gun? Actions speak louder than words.

Steve
 
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