Self limited concealed carry

[George P]

My boss did something interesting last year. I work for a uniformed law enforcement agency and have usually come to work in full uniform and armed. He issued button down, black shirt to all officers to wear over our uniform when in transit to and from work. I picked one that is one size larger than what I normally wear and wear a t-shirt underneath. I pack my duty gun or one of my own guns in a pancake holster on my strong side with a mag carrier on the opposite side.

I tried an ASKINS Avenger style of holster, which pulls the grip of my pistol close to the body, but found it uncomfortable unless the holster had a piece of leather going up the body side of the holster to keep the hammer or rear end of the slide from coming in contact with my side.

A scabbard type of holster has also proven comfortable.

Even in Florida weather, it is comfortable. At least, so far.

It has worked out so well, then I have ordered some shirts for myself. I would recommend a dark color and a heavier cut of material in order not to print through.

Oh and check before you leave the bathroom or home in the morning that everything is in place. In Florida, even an accidental display could be considered brandishing.

It works better for me than wearing silly looking pants! LOL!

Jim

Not true; legislation was passed years ago about that

 

[golden]

George,

Which part was not true?

Jim

 

[George P]

The part about accidental flash being brandishing

I bolded that part, but it doesn't show unless you expand the quote

 

[Zendude]

I think many people self limit themselves over fear of printing. I am not as self conscious about it as I used to be, but being in a big city, I still like concealed to be concealed.

 

[gonoles_1980]

I pocket carry because I prefer it, I wear cargo pants when I carry, I wear a longer shirt to cover my pockets. If I wanted I could wear a belt holster, but I just prefer having my weapon in my pocket.

 

[FL-NC]

I guess it depends on the size of your pocket. I live in Fl., where what most people consider is "summer wear" is year-round wear, most of the time. I cc a shield 9, most of the time.

 

[IdaD]

My problem is I spend 9-10 hours a day in work clothes (dockers, tucked shirt, shiny shoes) five days a week. Weekends and vacation days are easy to carry other ways, but a huge chunk of my waking hours are spent in work attire. In that clothing there's really no good way to carry other than in a pocket with a little 380 or similar. Although when it's cooler out and I'm wearing a jacket, it's pretty easy to throw something IWB under the jacket on my way out the door.

 

[AK103K]

My problem is I spend 9-10 hours a day in work clothes (dockers, tucked shirt, shiny shoes) five days a week. Weekends and vacation days are easy to carry other ways, but a huge chunk of my waking hours are spent in work attire. In that clothing there's really no good way to carry other than in a pocket with a little 380 or similar. Although when it's cooler out and I'm wearing a jacket, it's pretty easy to throw something IWB under the jacket on my way out the door.

Check out the SmartCarry holsters. www.smartcarry.com

You'd be amazed at how big a gun you can comfortably carry, and in nothing more than a pair of shorts, with no shirt.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Work attire not included.
When someone posts they can't conceal bigger than a pocket gun.
Whats not being said is reluctance to dress for carry:

I am asking this question with all due respect. In general I agree with your theory about dressing to accommodate an appropriate gun but it seems like you do this same thread over and over and over and over again.

What makes this topic so interesting to you?

ETA: here's my standard post on this topic:


I live in Colorado and I live in an area where a lot of people do all their shopping at REI.

I wear Wrangler Cargo Pants and Red Head or Cabela's camp shirts. In the winter I wear a flannel shirt and a fleece and I blend right into the crowd.

I didn't realize HOW MUCH I blended in until last year when I had an appointment with an audiologist and I noticed that with the exception of the color of the pants every guy in the room was dressed EXACTLY like me.

I looked like a bean in a pile of beans.

 

[doubleh]

Im not exactly "skinny", but skinnier than most these days. Im about 170#, and wear a "large" shirt, and my pants are a 34.

Gotcha beat a little bit. I'm down to 165. If I lose any more a large shirt is going to be hanging off my shoulders and 34" wrangle slims look kinda like relaxed fit jeans now.

 

[George P]

I guess it depends on the size of your pocket. I live in Fl., where what most people consider is "summer wear" is year-round wear, most of the time. I cc a shield 9, most of the time.

Before I gained some weight, I did the same thing; cargo shorts year round.

 

[dodo bird]

Nothing wrong with pocket carry guns. You just have to practice more.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I won’t/can’t/don’t carry unless it’s pocket carry. I won’t/can’t/don’t carry unless it’s at a certain comfort level that I choose or choose not to tolerate.

YMM(an most likely will)V

For some reason it has become cool to stigmatize pocket carry. Check your ego and get over yourself.

I’m ok with playing the odds. Millions and millions of people go unarmed every day and survive to old age. I pocket carry. I like those odds.

 

[JR24]

Nothing wrong with pocket carry guns. You just have to practice more.

Unless you need to draw fast, or while seated in a car, or while laying face first on the ground.

Unless you walk around with a hand in your pocket all day, then you're good. Odd, but good.

 

[Ernie Bass]

I have been shooting Pocket guns steadily for over a decade. Here is a fact, train with them often and you can do a heck of a lot more with them than the internet leads you to believe. Yes, it requires a lot of practice and diligent training, but fast head shots at 15 yds is very attainable. I carry a Pocket gun about 90% of the time the rest a Mico 9mm. Last week I took a road trip. A few times I had to go back to my car in the parking lot at night. It was so easy to carry a Pocket gun IN my hand concealed. And a gun in the hand makes for a very fast draw.

 

[JR24]

My problem is I spend 9-10 hours a day in work clothes (dockers, tucked shirt, shiny shoes) five days a week. Weekends and vacation days are easy to carry other ways, but a huge chunk of my waking hours are spent in work attire. In that clothing there's really no good way to carry other than in a pocket with a little 380 or similar. Although when it's cooler out and I'm wearing a jacket, it's pretty easy to throw something IWB under the jacket on my way out the door.

Can't say I understand that myself, a tucked holster under a dark dress shirt is pretty much the easiest way to conceal for me, do it for church (back when we could go to church) and my wife is constantly surprised when I take off my dress shirt after and she sees I was carrying. Toss on a suitcoat and it's even easier. Not the easiest to get to but some practice and a draw from tucked isn't all that slower. Though, I carry in front of the hip, so that's part of it I'm sure.

I will say sitting in an office chair all day would be a lot less comfortable than my more mobile day, so pocket carry would certainly be far more comfortable.

 

[CDW4ME]

"Cant" is such a negative word.

And this isnt about "cant", its about "want". If you want to, youll figure out a way to get it done.

The problem, of course, is you can't predict when that other 1% of the time is going to occur.

 

[dodo bird]

Unless you need to draw fast, or while seated in a car, or while laying face first on the ground.

Unless you walk around with a hand in your pocket all day, then you're good. Odd, but good.

Sometimes a pocket gun is the only thing someone can carry. This is due to many reasons. The decision remains carry a pocket gun (or ankle) or nothing at all. I choose the pocket gun when I can’t carry on my hip.

 

[JR24]

Sometimes a pocket gun is the only thing someone can carry. This is due to many reasons. The decision remains carry a pocket gun (or ankle) or nothing at all. I choose the pocket gun when I can’t carry on my hip.

I'm not saying they aren't a viable option, I just listed the disadvantages, in responce to the comment of nothing being wrong with it, clearly.

Same with ankle carry, there are certainly some issues with it, but if it's what ya need to do it's what ya need to do.

 

[defjon]

.

 

[buck460XVR]

The problem, of course, is you can't predict when that other 1% of the time is going to occur.

Don't feel the need to predict. The solution is to avoid. I just avoid situations where a J-Frame and ten rounds of ammo is not enough. I rely on my observation skills and a small amount of intelligence to ensure that 1% doesn't happen. If I don't feel confident I can do that, then a 1911 with 21 rounds is my carry and I do dress appropriately to carry it, either open or concealed. With my lifestyle and where I live, those places my EDC are not enough, are places for the most part, I can't legally carry anyway. But for the most part, I feel confident with the 637 and my skill with it. With it I dress for the scenario/situation/activity, not the gun and I am comfortable with it and confident in it.

Check out the SmartCarry holsters. www.smartcarry.com

You'd be amazed at how big a gun you can comfortably carry, and in nothing more than a pair of shorts, with no shirt.

The trend lately seems to be to carry the biggest piece of iron you can with at least a box of ammo and not just two....but three knives. While the gun is poorly concealed, the lockblade sticking out of every pocket just screams something. Can't imagine a N-Frame anything hanging in my crotch over my manhood in a purse. Others are free to feel differently. Here's a interesting comment from SMARTCARRY.COM themselves........

Recently we've noticed responsibly armed citizens are ordering larger holsters for larger concealed carry handguns. A larger gun is more likely to leave an imprint and may not be comfortable, especially driving or sitting. In a confrontation, the quickness of a surprise draw depends on your skill level and the bulk of the gun. You want quickness.

There are three considerations: comfort, concealment and a surprise draw. The SmartCarry holster meets all 3 requirements. While the SmartCarry holster is designed to smooth any imprint, a smaller gun will conceal better than a larger one. Finally the smaller the gun, the less bulky and quicker the draw.

SmartCarry recommends compactness over a heavy weapon for concealed carry. Every responsibly armed citizen needs to be armed with knowledge and practice first and last. So carry smart!

 

[Armybrat]

Lotta David Copperfields around here.

 

[buck460XVR]

Lotta David Copperfields around here.

or maybe Uriah Heeps?

 

[Ernie Bass]

Last Christmas, I received a Christmas present. A Urban carry holster. Man, my first thought was there is no way I will wear it. I felt sorry for the person that bought it for me know they spent so much money on a holster I would not use. However, later in the week I got on the website and was thinking of returning it. I then watched the video and said what the heck, Iets at least try it out. I did so with a heavy pistol. The first thought was wow, I will say it is the most comfortable holster I have worn and for someone that will never carry IWB, this was different.
So, I started practicing drawing with it. I was actually surprised at how well I could draw this. I practiced over and over to the point that I could do this as fast as the shooters in the video. This turned out to be one of those things that you do not knock it until you try it. I will use this this winter. It is the MOST comfortable IWB I have ever used.No more feeling so uncomfortable with something inside my waistband.



Watch the video. It does a good job of explaining why I felt so uncomfortable before. I really like this holster.


<iframe title="vimeo-player" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/365906545"

width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[buck460XVR]

I am asking this question with all due respect. In general I agree with your theory about dressing to accommodate an appropriate gun but it seems like you do this same thread over and over and over and over again.

What makes this topic so interesting to you?

I wonder too......He's got the same thread, same picture/Meme on another forum. Maybe a pocket gun stole his girl?