The difference between winter and summer concealed carry.

[oldrevolverguy]

I have, for professional and personal reasons carried a handgun openly and/or concealed since 1979. I live in Texas which means a few genuine days of winter weather, mostly just chilly damp days. Nothing like the bracing cold of Colorado, Michigan or the New England states, areas I have called home at one time or another.
In the summer in Texas, we often have little in the way of a classic spring and fall, the weather most often ranges somewhere between hot and damned hot.
In the Texas winter I most often pocket carry a Kahr PM9 or S&W 642 occasionally moving up to an IWB belt carried Glock 26 under a sweater or sweat shirt when the weather allows.
In the summer I most often wear Hawaiian style shirts over jeans, khakis or shorts. They allow a wide range of carry options including a Glock 19 or 17 with an OWB holster like the Glock Sports Holster.
I read on various websites how people feel more restricted in their carry options during the summer months. That is contrary to my experience. I would like to understand that perspective better. Your input is appreciated.

 

[entropy]

Because some of us live up where we could carry a 105mm howitzer under the coats we have to wear....
Seriously, most concealed carriers obsess about printing, and go way out of the way to avoid it.

 

[Steve_M]

In the winter I carry a Kahr CM9 in a Remora holster in my coat pocket since I rarely if ever remove my coat when I'm out in the winter. We I get home the gun and holster go to front pocket carry. In the summer time my dress is the same as the OP's and I OWB the Kahr under an untucked shirt. If I carry the Kimber .45 everything stays the same but I may make sure that I put my gloves in the same pocket as my gun to cover the butt of the gun in the winter.

 

[MedWheeler]

Your winter-carry habits seem similar to the summer-carry habits of many of us who are required to conceal any carried firearms.

For me, carry stays pretty standard throughout the year. Last year, winter here was on a Tuesday, and I was working that day, so I didn't carry (though once in law enforcement, I now work in EMS.)

I generally carry a subcompact 9mm pistol on the belt, worn between the belt and pants, using an IWB holster. This is a technique known as "inside-the-belt" (ITB) carry. Though it's usually a subcompact, single-stack riding with me, I've done it before without issue using a Ruger P95, and even a few times with a four-inch-barreled Police Service Six.

Also, I'm almost always carrying a second gun, usually a single-stack .32 caliber, in a front pocket.

I don't know why you would be surprised that many people "feel more restricted" in summer carry. Having to carry concealed is a restriction in itself, and concealment options do become fewer in number when coats and jackets get put away (in those environment in which they even ever come out.)

 

[CajunBass]

The only difference for me between summer and winter carry is I put on a sweatshirt over my T-shirt. I don't remember the last time I wore a coat really. I keep one in the car in case of a breakdown, but I never wear it.

 

[bannockburn]

For me, carry stays pretty standard throughout the year.

Pretty much the same with me though I live in an area that experiences all four seasons (sometimes but not always). I might go with something larger during colder months as it's easier to carry concealed while wearing multiple layers. During warmer weather months I prefer to go smaller, lighter weight, and more familiar like a DA revolver (S&W Model 638), or a DAO semi-auto (Kahr CM9).

 

[JTQ]

I read on various websites how people feel more restricted in their carry options during the summer months. That is contrary to my experience. I would like to understand that perspective better. Your input is appreciated.

Because people typically wear more and heavier clothing in the winter than in the summer. Most find it easier to hide a bigger gun under more and heavier clothing rather than less and lighter clothing (and often tighter clothing) that is typically worn in the warmer months.

 

[bersaguy]

I've found body type and carry placement seem to have more to do with how much gun I can carry. Its unintuitive, but the size of my carry weapon seems to be inversely proportional to the length of my belt, ie. the bigger I get, the smaller my gun has to be. Now, I also find the cut of my shirts has more to do than the bulk. An untucked shirt that comes down to just about my hip pockets does better than a longer heavy sweater, as it doesn't hug my body as much. Also, dark colors and/or patterns help. In the summer, I'm pretty much confined to micro 380s I a pocket holster, in fall and winter, I can just get away with an SR9c own. I suppose if I found a own that was comfortable, I could do a commander size 1911

 

[CDW4ME]

I carry the same pistols all year a 1911 IWB plus a Glock 43 in weak hand front pocket.
Started a thread that I thought was a creative way to present carrying same all year.
4 sentences, reading all 4 sentences was apparently too much for some. (TL/DR)
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/summer-is-coming-getting-hot-i-need-a-pistol.836669/

 

[FL-NC]

In NC (Fayetteville) I carry a Glock 19 under most conditions, , and a S&W shield during the warmer months. Fayetteville is an area where you are more likely to actually need your handgun than most others- anyone who lives in the area or has been stationed at Ft Bragg, chime in with your experiences. In Okaloosa County, Fl, you are much less likely to need a handgun, or jacket, or even long pants most of the year. Also, open carry is illegal in Fl under most conditions, and people have ended up in a bind for accidentally exposing their carry piece. Thus, my shield is my EDC in Fl, but larger Glocks do live in my vehicles.

 

[bullseye308]

Middle Tennessee I carry the same gun year round, the same way, every day. I’m either in cargo pants or cargo shorts with an oversized T-shirt on. Glock 17L IWB at 3:30 for me.

 

[Varminterror]

Not everyone can wear Hawaiian shirts every day, nor does everyone want to. A 60 year old man is bound to have different style choices than some 20-something kid.

Some folks carry under the radar at their job, where they might be fired if their pistol were revealed. Some folks might have active enough jobs such carrying a mid-sized pistol is a challenge. Some folks have lean builds and adding a 2lb ANYTHING is a challenge for printing.

In Kansas, it’s not uncommon to experience 100 degree swings in our daily high temperatures throughout the year. I’ve lived in Texas and Arizona, lived in Minnesota and Wisconsin (among a couple others), and have traveled nationwide for the last couple decades for work. I’m not a huge fan of varying my carry location, since my muscle memory is practiced for appendix carry, but one might imagine the attire fitting a high of 17 is a bit different than that for a high of 117F. The attire required when supervising an install on equipment outside can be very different than that required to sit around a conference room - hiding it is easy in the cold, accessing it isn’t always. Hiding it while active in the heat isn’t as simple, whereas accessing it typically is.

I prefer to carry a G19, more often my dress makes a G43 or even G42 more practical. I do wear a sport coat on a majority of workdays, but I’m often operating such it is coming off at some point in the day, and almost ALWAYS operating in an environment such if my pistol were revealed, I’d be looking for new employment. The long tailed, untucked button down isn’t an option for me. The Hawaiian shirt isn’t an option for me. Carrying OWB under my sport coat at 3 o’clock isn’t an option for me. I don’t own a “sweater,” and wearing a sweatshirt/hoody to work isn’t an option for me. I’m fortunate in that “business semi-formal” in my industry includes jeans, which can help hide a lot more pistol than slacks for me. I CAN conceal my LCP or G42 when I’m running outside in nothing but a pair of shorts and shoes.

I carry my G19 when I can, which isn’t a majority of days. My most well-practiced CC drawstroke is from appendix carry, when I’m dressed such I can hide the G19 on my appendix, I carry it. More often, it’s the 43 (soon to be p365) or LCP.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I read on various websites how people feel more restricted in their carry options during the summer months. That is contrary to my experience. I would like to understand that perspective better. Your input is appreciated.

I carry a HK P30SK in winter because it fits under my winter clothing nicely, prints minimally, and I shoot the gun well. I also wear a heavy leather coat in winter so a larger gun i san option also.

In summer it gets relatively hot and dry by me. I am an outdoors enthusiast and enjoy hiking and biking a great deal. As a result I tend to wear athletic clothing in summer that is somewhat form fitting. I do not like to wear Hawaiian shirts or other loose fitting clothing in summer. So at that time, I IWB carry a XDs 45.

Your clothing is having an impact on your carry choice, but is not necessarily typical of everyone.

 

[rbernie]

I’m either in cargo pants or cargo shorts with an oversized T-shirt on

This, only with a G42 in the right cargo pocket. Doesn't matter winter or summer - cargo pockets are my friend.

 

[Jack B.]

LCR pocket carry year round.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Not everyone can wear Hawaiian shirts every day, nor does everyone want to. A 60 year old man is bound to have different style choices than some 20-something kid.

Some folks carry under the radar at their job, where they might be fired if their pistol were revealed. Some folks might have active enough jobs such carrying a mid-sized pistol is a challenge. Some folks have lean builds and adding a 2lb ANYTHING is a challenge for printing.

In Kansas, it’s not uncommon to experience 100 degree swings in our daily high temperatures throughout the year. I’ve lived in Texas and Arizona, lived in Minnesota and Wisconsin (among a couple others), and have traveled nationwide for the last couple decades for work. I’m not a huge fan of varying my carry location, since my muscle memory is practiced for appendix carry, but one might imagine the attire fitting a high of 17 is a bit different than that for a high of 117F. The attire required when supervising an install on equipment outside can be very different than that required to sit around a conference room - hiding it is easy in the cold, accessing it isn’t always. Hiding it while active in the heat isn’t as simple, whereas accessing it typically is.

I prefer to carry a G19, more often my dress makes a G43 or even G42 more practical. I do wear a sport coat on a majority of workdays, but I’m often operating such it is coming off at some point in the day, and almost ALWAYS operating in an environment such if my pistol were revealed, I’d be looking for new employment. The long tailed, untucked button down isn’t an option for me. The Hawaiian shirt isn’t an option for me. Carrying OWB under my sport coat at 3 o’clock isn’t an option for me. I don’t own a “sweater,” and wearing a sweatshirt/hoody to work isn’t an option for me. I’m fortunate in that “business semi-formal” in my industry includes jeans, which can help hide a lot more pistol than slacks for me. I CAN conceal my LCP or G42 when I’m running outside in nothing but a pair of shorts and shoes.

I carry my G19 when I can, which isn’t a majority of days. My most well-practiced CC drawstroke is from appendix carry, when I’m dressed such I can hide the G19 on my appendix, I carry it. More often, it’s the 43 (soon to be p365) or LCP.

This is my experience as well. The seasonal temperature swing makes it more challenging to concealed carry because your clothing changes so radically. Going from -20 F to 98 F in one year makes it hard to carry the same gun in the same way. Something people have not mentioned much of is that during the winter you can conceal a bigger gun, but it's usually a lot harder to access when outdoors.

I carry a Sig P320 IWB with a tucked-in button-down shirt. The shirt is loosely bloused, so I look a little sloppy, but it covers most of the belt loops. With even a close-fitting t-shirt, the same carry setup is not a problem. Gun size matters less for me than holster setup. The most concealable for me is a single-loop, tuckable IWB holster, although a single loop does make it more difficult to carry larger and heavier firearms. The single loop can be obscured as to its purpose by running a key fob through it.

 

[bassjam]

My summer and winter carry is the same - typically either a sp101 AIWB or a 442 in my pocket. I don't feel the need to carry a larger gun, so I'd rather carry the same thing year round.

I guess my summer/winter clothing isn't that different anyway. Shorts with a belt in the summer and jeans with a belt in the winter. Either way I'm wearing a t-shirt. I overheat easily so when I have a coat I typically take it off when I'm in a store so I'm not really getting any extra concealment from winter clothes.

 

[JR24]

It usually doesn't change much for me. In the winter (North central Wisconsin) I wear a button down or flannel. In the summer I wear a button down most days , just without a t-shirt under it. Either way I can generally carry anything under it with little problem.

In late July/August when it gets real hot and humid I will occasionally just wear a t-shirt (well, all year I occasionally do) and have to go from a full size Glock to a Glock 26, same holster, mag carriers etc.

Did the same when I carried 1911s. Commander for 90% of the year, 3" Kimber Ultra Carry on the real hot days, or the days I felt like it for whatever reason.

 

[ancientnoob]

I opt for the SW 649 through our 4 seasons. In the colder months it goes in a IWB holster or in a jacket pocket. In the summer months which I am never adequately prepared for I have it in a cargo shorts pocket. Or IWB under the Hawaiian style shirt. I remember complaining to an old timer about the pain in the butt it was to carry. He informed me that I should quit my bitchen, that it’s meant to be comforting not comfortable. After all this time, I couldn’t agree more. It’s a pain but it comes with the territory. He still rags on my for not carrying an air weight. Having considered all kinds of avenues there is just no perfect way to carry a gun, unless you wear a duty belt all the time. Carrying a gun since 1979 I doubt their is little you can glean from my experience, I suppose I should be asking you for advice.

 

[huntsman]

I don’t adhere to the summer/winter carry rotation, I carry a small gun because I don’t want the feeling of a brick hanging from the belt, When it pleases me I carry a belt gun.

no special clothing as I wear 5 pocket jeans or jeans shorts and button down shirts(untucked) tall length.

 

[.308 Norma]

I read on various websites how people feel more restricted in their carry options during the summer months. That is contrary to my experience. I would like to understand that perspective better. Your input is appreciated.

I like your user name oldrevolverguy. I’m an “old revolver guy” too.

As others have mentioned about the temperature swings where they live, the temperature swings between winter and summer in one year where we live (in SE Idaho) can be extreme also. In fact, they usually are. It’s not out of the ordinary to see nighttime temperatures of 25 to 30 below in January, and daytime temperatures of 95 to 100 above in July.

However, it’s not the extreme differences between winter and summer temperatures here in Southeast Idaho that trouble me the most when it comes to concealing my carry guns. It’s those other two seasons, spring and fall that trouble me the most. During those two seasons here, it’s not at all unusual to see frost in the morning, which on occasion has made me wish I had not left my jacket at home that morning just because I knew it was going to be 80 degrees by 2:00 in the afternoon.

Spring and fall also present concealed carry problems for me depending on where I’m going and what I’m going to be doing. I’m long time retired, so problems with carrying at work don’t concern me personally. But there have been threads on these message forums lately about carrying at church. This time of the year (spring) my wife and I pull on jackets or coats when we leave for church in the morning. But of course those jackets or coats come off when we get there. And by the time church is over, it’s often too warm outside for the jackets or coats we pulled on that morning. It’s the same story on Saturday mornings when we usually go into town for breakfast or brunch before running our Saturday errands.

A relatively thin Smith, 9mm Shield in a pocket holster has largely eliminated my concealed carry at church problems. But as I said to start with, I’m an “old revolver guy,” so I naturally prefer my old Smith 38 snub-nose. And my preferred method of carry, concealed or otherwise, is OWB at 4:00 o’clock. Therefore, what I usually do on spring and fall Saturday mornings is wear my 38 snubby OWB, under a short-sleeved, loose fitting shirt (just like in the summer) and ignore the goose bumps – they’ll be gone by noon anyway.

BTW, I also have a couple of concealed carry vests – the ones with holsters in inside pockets. I don’t like to use them the way they are meant to be used because I don’t like the weight of a gun hanging in a chest pocket. However in the dead of winter, they work well as an extra layer under a coat, with the added benefit of being a cover garment that I leave on when I remove my coat at church or in a restaurant.

 

[bearman49709]

I carry a 2 1/2" S&W 66ND year round, no need to change anything.

 

[Tallball]

I live in North Central Texas and can't carry at work. During the hottest parts of the year I wear a sleeveless t-shirt and cargo shorts. I like to carry my LCR in the cargo pocket.

Most of the time in the cooler months I can just wear an unbuttoned long-sleeved shirt over a t-shirt. This winter I did that a lot with a Glock 43 OWB at 3:00.

When it's into the lower 30's or colder, I carry a CA Bulldog in my coat pocket.

Most winters it will get down into the teens once or twice, and many summers up into the hundred and teens once or twice. It's reasonable to have different carry strategies when the temperatures can vary by 100 degrees.

 

[Iggy]

Same old 45ACP in an OWB holster. Summer time 230 grain JHP, winter time 230 grain LRN. People wear a lot of clothes up here in the winter time. Mebbe them big holes in their clothes will cause some frost bite too.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Not everyone wants to wear big baggy clothes, thats your first wrong assumption. You won't ever catch me in a "Hawaiian shirt" unless someone plays a prank at my funeral.

In the summer around here it's a untucked tee-shirt for me. In the winter here I could and have carried a FS OWB with a Carhartt jacket. Can't even remotely do that with just a tee-shirt and not print.


So for me it this year round....keeps things simple.