Non-LEO, CCW for Professional Office Environment

[brett30030]

I am looking for recommendations for CCW for Non-LEO's who work in a professional office environment (i.e. no casual clothing, untucked shirts, windbreakers, etc) and how you carry. This is an atmosphere where people are not looking for a CCW, but your attire cannot look odd (i.e buldges, etc) or out of place (i.e. dressing for the gun). I ask for non-LEO, only because under most circumstances, they will not be in a compromising situation if their carry is discovered (except under cover). Thanks!

 

[browningguy]

Ankle holsters work well in an office, you are often sitting and all of my regular IWB holsters wear on me a little. Some guys claim to carry a Glock with no problem in one but that seems awfully big to me, I like a slim PPK/Bersa 380 size pistol in the ankle holster.

If you carry a small gun then pocket carry usually works ok. I often keep a Beretta 21 or Browning .25 in a front pocket holster thoughout the day, even forget it's there.

 

[Cueball]

I am a CPA and by nature of my occupation, I am in office environments most of the time. I have found 2 combinations that work well for me.

First, a SIG P230 or 232 in a IWB Don Hume holster is very comfortable and is easily concealed by a suit jacket or sport coat. In the winter months, a sweater vest can be used to cover the small portion of the gun that sticks out. I also carry a H&K USP Compact in an OWB holster when my attire allows it. (suit or casual days when I can wear untucked polo or tshirt. The H&K is bulkier so you have to be more careful about that one.

Second, in warmer weather I often carry a Kel-Tec P3AT in a Don Hume pocket holster. It's lightweight, easily concealed, and works with any clothing down to just a pair of shorts and t shirt.

Some people like the tuckables and pager pals, but they don't work too well for me since I'm a big guy and they just aren't comfortable for me personally.

Hope that helps!

 

[Leanwolf]

As a "professional" worker, I suggest first and foremost, having your suits tailored by a fine tailor so that your "piece' does not print. Any top rate tailor can do it.

L.W.

 

[Geronimo45]

Shoulder holsters'll probably come up... but how many people wearing a suit coat to work keep the thing on?
The ankle holster idea is a good one - the Ken Null model seems to have a good reputation for staying put. His SMZ shoulder holster might do, as well - one idea is to stick it under the oxford shirt. Replace a few of the top buttons with velcro, have buttons sewed on the outside to make it look buttoned. Might want a whitish gun - stainless or something of the kind that would match the white holster and a white shirt, so that people wouldn't see through it.
Pocket carry's another option... and the good thing is, with an office, you can carry a briefcase with trauma plates to deflect the .308 rounds while visiting the mall.

 

[XavierBreath]

SmartCarry with a short barreled gun. The short barrel is more comfortable while sitting.

Pocket carry of a J frame works well with pleated dress pants.

 

[Handgun Midas]

What about a deep cover holster where the entire holster and gun are inside the pants? Only the belt clip is visible.

I spotted the belt clip my CCW instructor (but I had cause to look, eh?) but I couldn't see any printing so I figured he had a mid to small frame revolver. Turned out he had a full size Les Baer at about 1:30, and it didn't print even though he was wearing blue jeans.

 

[10-Ring]

I am in same basic boat. I have found for most applications, my model 60 or my little Beretta work the best. Depending on attire (slacks or Dockers, shirt & tie or polo) I can carry pretty well in the pocket & not have to worry about

 

[BullfrogKen]

Brett, what is your office's normal attire? Can you feel comfortable in a suit?

 

[obiwan1]

I'm assuming that the jacket comes off once you get to the office. When I was a stock broker, the best ccw mode for me was pocket carry of PPK, J frame, or KT P11 using a quality pocket holster. Belly bands (I have 3 of them) or Smart Carry (I have a Thunderwear) would work also. Ankle rigs could work if you don't sit in an open environment where your pant leg rides up exposing the holster or sock pulled over the holster. You'll obviously have to moderate your weapon choice. Forget full sized. Go with compact or sub compacts. I've never been made in carrying for over 35 years. I do not use mouse guns. I don't even own one. It can easily be done!

 

[strat81]

At the risk of stating the obvious, be sure you are carrying legally. The Nebraska CCW law states that an employer (or any property owner) can bar people from carrying on their premises. Check your state statutes and check your company/employee handbook. It'd suck to lose your job and possibly get arrested.

http://uniweb.legislature.ne.gov/LegalDocs/view.php?page=s6924041000

Nebr. Rev. Statutes: Section 69-2441
"(2) If a person, persons, entity, or entities in control of the property or an employer in control of the property prohibits a permitholder from carrying a concealed handgun into or onto the place or premises and such place or premises are open to the public, a permitholder does not violate this section unless the person, persons, entity, or entities in control of the property or employer in control of the property has posted conspicuous notice that carrying a concealed handgun is prohibited in or on the place or premises or has made a request, directly or through an authorized representative or management personnel, that the permitholder remove the concealed handgun from the place or premises. A permitholder carrying a concealed handgun in a vehicle into or onto any place or premises does not violate this section so long as the handgun is not removed from the vehicle while the vehicle is in or on the place or premises. An employer may prohibit employees or other persons who are permitholders from carrying concealed handguns in vehicles owned by the employer."

 

[jamz]

This describes my work environment pretty well. I wear Khakis and a tucked in collared shirt of some type.

My carry at the moment is a 3" 1911 in a smartcarry that is swiveled around and riding high such that the grip is above the belt line. I tuck my shirt in over it all and there are no telltale bulges, and it is very stable. I've tried a lot of IWB holsters, including the VMII, and I've never found any comfortable until I invented this method.

It is slower on the draw due to being under a tucked shirt, but I also have a j-frame in my front pocket if speed is necessary.

 

[brett30030]

Bullforg,

Rarely a suit, occasionally a jacket, but most often dress pants and button down.

 

[Bill2k1]

I suggest ankle with a small revolver. It works for many and you can wear it 365 days a year.

 

[BullfrogKen]

PM sent Brett.

 

[earplug]

Try A tailer made vest?

I use suit vests, remake the pockets with leather to fit your weapon. Mine is a J Frame.
I don't work in A office but my vests work under suit coats, with shorts and a T shirt. Worked as a courier. I never knew where I was going to go.
Make a pocket to hold your cell phone,wallet. keys, knife, pen etc. Have a good seamstress fit it so the weight won't bind around the back of your neck.
Make the pockets deep enough that stuff won't fall out.
With the vest your don't have to unholster to sit on a toilet. Hate dropping a heavy pistol on the floor.

 

[crunker]

Ankle holster, if you're not wearing a jacket.

If you're wearing a jacket then try a shoulder holster, or maybe a vest.

 

[MountainBear]

I agree with the possibilities of both an ankle or a pocket holster, but keep in mind the cut of your khakis or trousers. If they are too tight around the calf, the ankle holster will print, especially when you sit down. If they are close fitting around the seat, the pocket may get uncomfortable (like carrying a thick wallet).

 

[rich52us]

Pocket holster

I detest ankle holsters. It is too difficult to get to your gun if you need it in an emergency. I carry a Kel-Tec P-11 in a Jagwear pocket holster with a non-print panel. It carries 12+1 9mm comfortably in the front pocket of Docker style, or dress pants. If you perceive a potential threat, you can just slip your hand in your pocket and be ready to draw your weapon without drawing any attention to your action. It's pretty normal to have a hand in your pocket. If you need to go smaller and lighter, there's the P3AT.

 

[browningguy]

You may detest ankle holsters, but if you try one you may find they are faster to draw from when sitting at a desk than trying to get into your pants pockets.

I know, I tried both.

 

[rich52us]

You may detest ankle holsters, but if you try one you may find they are faster to draw from when sitting at a desk than trying to get into your pants pockets.


Well, I've tried both as well. I've been carrying handguns for about 37 yrs. 20 of those as a LEO. I've seen too many guys have to go to a knee to get their weapon before going into a dangerous situation. I think it's easier to loose a handgun from an ankle holster than most other conventional carry methods, and I've seen guns come out when someone is running.

I think sitting at my desk is one of the least likely places I'll have to draw my weapon. I hope I'm aware enough still to be able to get up from my desk if I perceive a problem, and I am able to draw my weapon while sitting at my desk from my pocket holster. I know because I've tried it.

If you choose to use an ankle holster, that's fine with me. I just choose not to because I'm aware of the many downsides, from my limited experience. I think whoever is asking the question should have as much info as possible. Just my $.02

 

[MountainBear]

First, thanks for protecting and serving Rich. Honestly, ulike some other members around here, I think most LEOs are good hardworking people, not government drones looking for rights to trample.
On topic, in a proffesional environment, he may spend more time at his desk than you do as an LEO. Also, his activity level would be less, so losing a gun running is probably less of a concern. And sitting at my desk, I would rather be able to draw while sitting than have to stand up to draw, as I would with a pocket holster (I am a bigger framed individual though).
Like you Rich, just my $.02...

 

[mrshish]

I'm in the same boat as you. I carry an officer size 1911 in a Tucker "The Answer" holster (www.tuckergunleather.com). It's a tuckable holster and I use it with both button down and regular tee shirts without a problem. It's really comfortable and I can get to it in almost any position. Tucking does slow the draw down but it works for me.

 

[Alan Fud]

I use to be in the same situation. Worked in a professional office (dressed pants, no untucked shirts, etc.), could legally carry but if discovered, it was bye-bye job.

Carried the NAA Guardian in an inside the waist belly band. The .32ACP isn't the best caliber for self defense but it was better than nothing. Eventually upgraded to the Rohrbaugh R9 when it was introduced and even though it didn't take +P's, I still felt better armed with a 9mm than a .32ACP. The R9 was also carried in a belly band and nobody ever noticed.

 

[GEM]

With the right cut of trousers, one can pocket carry a J frame or smaller Kahr quite easily. Put a speed strip in another pocket or the extra Kahr mag. They are quite small.

IWBs if you have to wear a sports jacket at all times will work. The risk is having to take it off. There are the tuckables. I tried one and didn't like it. Too slow even with practice.