Very newbie CCW question.

[longrifleman]

As most of you know, Missouri just recently approved concealed carry and I would like imput and experience with the best way to carry. I'm not sure how most folks handle it in other places. My main question is with the type of clothing that works the best. I never wear sport coats (very blue collar kind of guy) and I always preferred to keep my shirt tucked in. The gun inside your shirt in a belly band holster is concealed but so slow to draw it would probably be more dangerous than not carrying at all.

I've seen several types of vests advertised but I'm not sure that will be practical all the time. Also, what do you do in hot weather? Most of the discussions I've seen deal with the more gun oriented aspects but ignore this. A lot of discussion about holsters which is important, but we are talking about "concealed".

My first inclination for location is a cross draw with gun on left hip as I am right-handed. This is a compromise slightly but is much better than strong side if you are in a vehicle, in my experience. I carry a pistol in a conventional holster here on the farm sometimes for coyoyes and such so I have some experience. I could be talked out of that if more seasoned folks disagreed.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[sanchezero]

IMO, strongside hip carry is the best overall carry method providing a good blend of concealment, retention and speed. If you're dead set on tucking your shirt there are quite a few tuckable holsters available (search for 'tuckable') that totally conceal the gun, yet keep it relatively available.

I routinely conceal a full sized handgun (FN Hipower) in shorts and a Tshirt using a good IWB rig. You'll probably need to upsize your shirts and pants a bit, depending on your wardrobe. Nothing crazy; I'm a medium but wear large Tshirts and all is well with the world.

As far as car carry, I don't worry about it much. I can get to my gun easily with a strongside carry. If it doesn't work for you there are products (Fobus comes to mind) that allow you to mount a holster pretty much anywhere in your car pretty cheaply.

 

[Josey]

I also carry a BHP in a IWB strongside. I wear T-shirts one size larger too. I can be found in Birkenstocks, cargo shorts and a T-shirt in the summer. I carry extra mags in Case knife sheaths on my belt. I am looking at those wild tropical shirts to wear with a mesh sports jersey for the warmer weather. I suggest a trip to Goodys or Wallyworld and try on some shirts. Carhartts shorts in carpenter style and denim shirts work too. I tried a leather CCW vest and hated it.

 

[strambo]

Colder days, jacket or sweater
Most days, T-shirt tucked in and collar shirt (flannel etc..) unbuttoned as concealment
Hot days, undershirt, IWB holster and untucked T-shirt over it.

For nice attire, slacks and sweater, or a tuckable IWB holster (mine is horribly uncomfortable so I've only used it a couple times.) -and of course sport coat would work as well.

Pocket gun/carry would always work, but then you have only the type of gun on you that fits in a pocket to protect yourself with.

Like the others, I carry strong side, cross draw sticks the butt out and it is a lot harder to conceal in my experience...maybe I just don't know how to do it right! Unfortunately it is a trial and error process for everyone, it's more about attitude and body language than type of carry though. Think of shoplifters and the type of crap they can conceal and look natural!

 

[Diggler]

I carry a full-size 1911 in a Milt Sparks Versa-Max II IWB. You can get the tuckable clips with it. I can conceal it with no problem under a tshirt, and have worn it a few times with a polo shirt tucked in over it. Works great!

I prefer the leather belt loops for ease of putting on/taking off the holster, and if possible I'd rather have the shirt NOT tucked in, but when you have to do it, it's worth it to have the option.

About wearing a vest, I know a lot of people do, but to me you might as well just hide your gun behind a sign that says "Ask me about my concealed weapon!"

 

[sturmruger]

Since it finally started getting warmer up here I have been trying to come up with my plan for carrying this summer. I have a nice strongside holster for my S&W J frame. It is possible to hide this gun under just a plain t-shirt. It is small and very light. There is a little bit of a bulge when I wear it but not very much. I think most people would assume I have a cell phone under my t-shirt. I also have an IWB rig for my Smith, but prefer to have the gun on my belt then in my pants. Just remember a small gun is better then no gun.

 

[eyz]

you asked my opinion so here it is, based on almost 10yrs civilian chl experience.

I like,

Pocket - easy, convenient, comfortable

fanny pack - comfortable, noticeable, looks like your carrying, good for the really bad neighborhoods.

Smartcarry - easy, convenient, comfortable, totaly discreet, best way to carry.

I don't like,

holsters - got more than a drawer full of them, they dig, have to wear a belt, have to wear an overgarment, have to watch how you bend and move, have to dress for the gun.

belly bands - better than holsters but uncomfortable

 

[MrMurphy]

I've been carrying in Texas for four years. Generally I'm a tucked-in-shirter too, but I'd rather look a bit messy and be armed than neat and unarmed.

Generally I wear a button-down shirt untucked (one size larger) www.cabelas.com or Burlington Coat Factory has a good supply of square-bottomed ones that work good. Wear the gun WHEN trying them on or you return a lot of shirts. I carry in a strong-side IWB holster almost exclusively, specifically a Glock 30 in a Comp-Tac Gurkha (The newer C-TAC is even better, and you can tuck the shirt in over the holster without looking armed) www.comp-tac.com. Gregg makes great stuff. I wore my G30 comfortably for over 20 hours straight (including five hours in a very cramped car) a few months back. With an IWB holster a good gunbelt (The Wilderness, Aker, Galco, Alessi) is just as important as the holster.

If the untucked shirt thing won't do it, I wear a Tropic vest made by Concealed Carry Clothiers (www.concealedcarry.com) which doesn't scream "GUN!" like some do. They're highly favored by some members of the president's USSS detail on casual days, which got me some extra attention when working for my NBC affiliate I wore my Tropic (no gun) for the extra pockets one day when he arrived in Waco and two of the agents were wearing the same vest. Needless to say I got a double-thorough scanning and patdown even though they knew me well.

For over 95 degrees weather, a small pocket gun (Keltec P3AT, or S&W J-frame like a 642 or 649 .38 special) is the way to go for me. You may look happy to see someone, but you're armed. Smartcarry/Thunderwear can reduce that too.

 

[The Rabbi]

I carry a full size Desert Eagle .50AE in my shorts. Not only is it great protection but its a real chick magnet.

No seriously. I always wear a jacket so concealment is pretty easy. I also like to have a small gun in my left jacket pocket so I can surreptiously stick my hand in if I sense trouble and in a pinch up close can fire through the jacket. My current LH gun is a Smith lemonsqueeze .32S&W. I think an airweight .32H&R would be good too.

 

[Ryder]

Really hot weather? Hawiian shirt.

 

[johnz]

It seems to hold true what so many say that it is more important how you act than how you carry. In the beginning I found it to be far less obvious to the public that I was carrying than I had expected and even less so the more comfortable I became with it. I had expressed concern to the detective locally where I got the CCW about how to carry to avoid being noticed (concealment is stressed greatly in my county/state and I didn't really feel like being embarassed in a store or dragged into a conflict I had no business or interest in) and he told me to not worry so much about it, if you don't act like you have a gun, most people will not even look or notice and in the rare instance someone does notice most bad guys just don't wear holsters. I see the gun because I know there is a gun under my shirt. My wife sees it because she knows it is there. I notice guys with fanny packs because I carry a gun. But, unless you are a cowboy and are blatent about it the general public just doesn't seem to be thinking about looking for guns. I typically can sit for hours with family or friends in levis and t-shirt and it is not noticed, but I have also made it a point to tell only a very few that I carry and pay attention to my body movement, contact, etc. This is not to say I could carry a Desert Eagle unnoticed, my firearm choice was based on my personal size and climate. I am fairly small framed in warm climate and dress very casually so I carry a Glock 27 with +1 extension in either a Galco Jak holster (slips under belt between belt and pants) strongside or Galco IWB in small of back. The Jak holster is by far the least noticeable I have found even in just levis and loose t-shirt, and it all but disapperars without the firearm if you have the need to leave the gun behind for whatever reason and it is inappropriate or attention getting to undress at the moment to remove a holster.

 

[obiwan1]

You haven't

said anything about your body type/size and what weapon that you prefer. Your mode of dress during work (if you will be carrying at work) as well as your casual attire must be taken into consideration.

I have been carrying, with various degrees of legality, for over 35 years. FOR ME, it comes down to either pocket carry (off duty) or strong side carry under a hawaiian style shirt (also off duty). Usually I wear a colored t-shirt and keep the hawaiian shirt unbuttoned/untucked and worn as a jacket. By the way, Saks, Nordstrums and other high end stores are selling colored pullover shirts and hawaiian shirts. Go as high end as you choose. Definitely stay with a gunbelt from a holster maker.

I've been considering a tuckable, but there's no pressing need to switch.

Also I believe that you need (at least) two guns that you would consider carrying. One will be the 95% of the time gun, the other gun would be the 5% gun. Example- Glock 23 and S&W J-frame. The Glock is a great holster gun while the J-frame is excellent for pocket/ankle/smart carry. There are times that it is just impractical to carry your main armament.

Also remember, concealed means CONCEALED! Situational awareness counts for as much, or more than a super fast draw.

Welcome to the gang.

 

[Valkman]

Really hot weather? Hawiian shirt.

There ya go!

I've always been a t-shirt and jeans guy, but when I moved to Vegas and got a CCW things started to change. First, I found I loved cargo pants and shorts, and I like Royal Robbins 5.11 pants even better. So I normally wear a tank-top/t-shirt (depending on temp.) tucked in a RR pants or cargo shorts. Covering up my Brommeland IWB holster/belt/mag-flash pouch is a flowery unbuttoned short sleeve shirt. This outfit has worked for me since September, and around here with a shirt like that you just look like one of the millions of visitors and blend right in.

 

[longrifleman]

obiwan, I'm average ht., average wt., average IQ, average looks and an average shot. I can't carry at work so a car gun would take care of 90% of my needs on a daily basis. On the farm, I can strap on the biggest hogleg I can carry without falling over .

At this time I will use a 9mm S&W auto but asap I will upgrade to a .45. The only .45 I currently have is a Llama I picked up cheap to plink with. It isn't the POS a lot of you think it is but I still don't want to trust my life to it. I haven't decided on a model yet. I have a small frame wheel gun for a back-up. I figured on an ankle holster for that most of the time and for the times when it won't be possible to keep it on my waist without a problem. That should be rare.

Thanks for all the imput guys.

 

[Dex Sinister]

Really hot weather?

Pagerpal works fine even with shorts and no shirt. I love mine, which I bought at an NRA convention several years ago and wear it daily with a Kahr K40.

OTOH, there's a bunch of seriously negative comments posted on their website about an utter lack of customer service, so beware a lot unless you happen to catch them at a gunshow, I guess.

The product itself is well-made, though.

Dex }:>=-
[edited for clarity]

 

[MrMurphy]

I've yet to meet anyone who's bought a Pagerpal for anything bigger than a .32 who used it more than half a dozen times.

 

[eyz]

your carry style has to fit your lifestyle, if you try and live a lifestyle based around the firearm it's not gonna work. for example i'm just under average height am likely to go for a jog, ride a bike or play tennis when i'm off. i couldn't do those things comfortably concealed in thick leather belts and holsters. if my lifestyle included a lot of sitting, driving, television etc.. hosters would work fine. take stock of your lifestyle and the figure out a firearm and carry method that works for you. try several styles of carry and think compact and below firearms (unless your a big guy, they can hide anything).

firearms

small
Para Ordnance Para Carry 45acp
Kahr 9mm, 40
smaller
Beretta Tomcat 32
Keltec 380,32


Holsters

IWB
OWB
Ankle
Pocket
Shoulder


Unconventional methods

Belly Bands
Smartcarry
undershirt holster
belt clips on firearm
south of the border style
fanny pack

 

[Drjones]

Some thoughts in no specific order:

1) You can drive home and get your gun faster than ripping your shirt out of your pants and drawing your weapon?

2) Smartcarry is a simply wonderous method of carry, probably one of the best if you like your shirt tucked in with no jacket.

3) You will probably have to try several different holsters to see what fits you best and what works with different clothes. Honestly, Smartcarry is the closest I've ever seen to a truly "universal, works with any clothing, anywhere any time of year" holster. (NO, I don't work for them! )

4) Read. Use the search function, both here and on TFL. You will learn far more than you ever could in one single thread.

Good luck,
Drjones

 

[Dex Sinister]

I've yet to meet anyone who's bought a Pagerpal for anything bigger than a .32 who used it more than half a dozen times.

Well, you've "met" me, so there'd be the exception, however there are several perfectly good reasons for what you say to be true. It is probably only because I met the inventor and his wife and got some tips that I wore it enough to love it:

• First, you have to wear your belt "upsidedown" to keep the belt end from tangling in the holster. It's a crossdraw, so if you wear it on the left, your belt end has to wind up on the right for things to work.
• Second, both the inventor and his wife are both skinny as rails. The fake pager comes with a "spur" on the top-inside, meant to aid you in hooking your thumb around it as you draw the hoster upwards to reveal the gun butt. This @#$%^%$# spur thing hits the damndest nerve plexus (on me) when I sit down or bend over - maybe it's a "doesn't bother you if you're really skinny thing" - but I had to remove the spur before I could wear it with the pager. It was fine after that. You still have to draw from the clip (hook thumb inside the belt,) not just grab the pager, but you can do that without the spur.
• Third, the horizontal cell-phone belt-clip works much better (IMO) because the cell phone holder is 8/10ths of an inch thinner ("shorter"?)vertically and presents less of a problem when bending over - IOW, you're bending around a 2" high cell phone horizontally on your belt instead of a 2.8" high pager - and that's what I happened to start with.
• Fourth, after being broken in - which it has to be because the leather bends when you sit down or bend over - the holster is utterly comfortable, completely disappears from notice, and I in fact have to stop and check to see if I'm wearing it before I go out, and often find myself sitting at my computer at 1am wearing it without noticing. However, until you break the leather in at the "hinge," it doesn't want to bend, and you wind up with your pistol jammed into your leg when you try to sit down. If you wear one daily for two weeks, you'll wear it forever - but a half-dozen wearings isn't going to break it in. The thing to do is to take the pager off the hoster and bend the leather double at the hinge and leave it that way for a week or so, before you wear it for the first time.

Having broken mine in, I've worn it with a (30 oz in weight) Kahr K-40 every day for 2 1/2 years, so I can verify that it is actually a comfortable (and utterly concealed) rig once it's broken in. The advantage is that one can dress exactly like the original poster mentioned - shirt tucked in, no jacket or vest, or in fact without a shirt at all.

I'll see if I can post some pics later.

Dex };>=-

 

[Dex Sinister]

You will probably have to try several different holsters to see what fits you best and what works with different clothes.

Boy is that true. Expecting to buy a couple of perfectly good holsters that work great for other people but that you never use because you personally hate them is probably the best advice of all for a new CCW'er.

Dex }:>=-

 

[jdege]

I'm doing something like Andy Arratoonian's "TJM Holster":

http://www.holsters.org/deepconceal-holster.htm

Except that the belt he sent me didn't fit, so I replaced it with one I bought at a men's clothing store, and I didn't like holster, so I'm using a FIST K1, with velcro.

Despite that, the approach I really like.

I can position the gun IWB over my shirt tail, or IWB with the shirt tucked over the gun (without any of the usual hassles of getting the shirt-tail to tuck nicely, while holding the gun, and my belt, and my pants).

Or I can position the gun below the belt line, as a deep-concealment. Which is how I usually wear it, at about 2:30, just behind my pants pocket where any printing wouldn't be noticed. (I carry a Kahr PM - which is small, and very flat).

It only takes a second to push the grip above the belt line, if I anticipate the need. I can remove or replace the entired holstered pistol in a fast, inconspicous movement, which I've done in parking lots on several occassions.

And it stays in place when I'm using a public toilet, instead of falling off my belt and rolling into the next stall.

 

[Dex Sinister]

I carry extra mags in Case knife sheaths on my belt.

I like this too, except that I use SOG's generic knife sheaths, because they mount horizontally on the belt.

Dex }:>=-

 

[Dex Sinister]

PagerPal Pics:
Stainless Kahr K40, tritium sights

In holster, various angles

Note that the interesting feature of this holster is that the curved leather "shield" faces outward, so that all that can "print" is a smooth round surface that looks like thigh.

Dex }:>=-

 

[Dex Sinister]

What it looks like with shirt tucked in

Draw, beginning to grasp grip

[visit KWOON, because my 1/2 brother-in-law is weird.]

Sans shirt

Dex }:>=-

 

[strambo]

Dex Sinister, your picture of that "K40" is messing with my head. It looks like a MK frame and magazine with a K slide?? Is it an MK and the slide just looks longer than it actually is in the picture? Did you have the frame of your K40 custom shortened to MK length and put MK grips on it? (that would be way cool )

I went to the Kahr site and clicked on K40 and MK40s and and more confused...I have a K9 myself.

EDIT: I found an article on the Kahr site that refers to a K40 covert that they used to make. I thought the coverts were polymer only...I need to brush up on my Kahr history. (that is a K40 covert right? )