Which CCW for hot FL weather?

[stevekalch]

I am deciding on my first CCW pistol and really like the Glock 19, but to me it seems like it would be hard to conceal in the hot weather we always have in FL. I have also been looking at a Kel-tec PF9 which is alot smaller and could be used for pocket carry, which sounds like a good solution to a carry method. I know a Glock is in a different class than Kel-tec, but I just want to know if the 19 is going pose a concealing problem.

Thanks

 

[Seven For Sure]

Kahr P9. Like a mini 19.

 

[Dave P]

Kahr K9, and wax/polish.

 

[wow6599]

A really nice pocket 9 is going to cost you.....a lot.
Kahr PM9 - $650 +/-
Rohrbaugh - $1000 +/-

A really nice pocket .380, like a Sig 232 or 238 - $550-$700
Or you could go with a pocket .380, like a Kel-Tec P-3AT or Ruger LCP for $275 +/-
YMMV

 

[jon86]

Have you considered a glock 26?

 

[Houser52]

Kel Tec P32, Kel Tec P3AT or Ruger LCP ( not pictured)
Either pistol in a Bear Creek Holster fits perfectly in my pocket for lightweight and comfortable all day carry no matter what I'm wearing.

 

[speaksoftly]

I have also been looking at a Kel-tec PF9 which is alot smaller and could be used for pocket carry, which sounds like a good solution to a carry method.

This has been a lifesaver in Texas heat. Temp was 108 yesterday...PF-9 wasn't noticable.

 

[harmon rabb]

I carry a Taurus PT709 a lot. I used to own a Kel-Tec PF-9, which I got rid of after getting my Taurus. The PT709 is just a better gun. Much better trigger, handles recoil much better, higher build quality, same approximate size and weight.

Shooting the two side by side at the range... the difference was laughable. The PF-9 was thoroughly outclassed. It wasn't even close.

That said, everyone needs to own a true pocket gun (i.e. a pocket .380) as well. You just can't beat something like a LCP for pocket carry in hot weather.

 

[CamoCustom]

It really just depends on the attire and the person and the actual comfort of what you are hiding

Up here north of Tampa, sure is hot, But I still can manage to completely conceal my full sized M&P .45, in my CompTac MTAC IWB:

Its really at my 3 o'clock, just looks a little forward:


Now you see it, Now you dont:


Just finished taking these pics:, This is how I am dressed today, Denim shorts, XL tshirt, with "A shirt" style tank top(wife beater) My gunbelt is a blackhawk Tactical kydex reinforced webbed belt.

 

[FLAvalanche]

Do a search on posts by my username. There are a few out there with what I do during the hot months.

 

[Jimmy10mm]

I'm in the Lake Worth area. In the 90s today as usual. I alternate between a Kahr P9 and a Sig P238. Both have preformed flawlessly for me though I've read others haven't been as fortunate. I wear t-shirt and shorts mostly with a Bandara Leather Co "Beltster" and find it to be the best CCW holster yet if you don't mind wearing your shirt outside the trousers.

 

[Sapper771]

I 2nd the Glock 26. If you already have looked at the G19 and you like it, it probably won't take much for the G26 to win you over. The G19 can easily be concealed with a proper belt, holster, and clothing. A polo shirt , in one size larger than I normally wear, is one of my preferred hot weather cover garments with a IWB holster.

Your weather is much like my weather, hot and humid......just plain miserable most of the time. This means sweat. Sweat and humidity can lead to rust , if your pistol is not protected in some way. Even worse if you live near or on the coast. Glock's tenifer finish is probably one of the best at corrosion resistance. Several coastal PD's down in FLA chose Glock for the same reason. The Coast Guard chose to carry Sigs, which is another one that does well against corrosion.

If you do not choose a pistol that has some sort of protective coating or tenifer, then you will have to keep the pistol rubbed down with oil or protectant.

 

[JDGray]

Now you see it, Now you dont:

But you still feel it!! And having to wear an undershirt really stinks in hot, humid weather! I'll take my LCP any day over a fullsize in the heat.

Your summer carry looks like my winter get up

 

[gym]

Just picked up a G26 from "going Quiet"and it's perfect. Being an almost 4 decade carry guy, I can testify to the pure perfection of the 26 with, great deal and nice guy, 100 grain powerball ammo. It's not much heavier than my pf9, in real world "feel" the 19 just was too much to say I would carry it under any conditions.

 

[Impureclient]

The entire Kahr line is worth a look. I went with a CW9 due to it's small size(especially width) and weight, caliber, and nice DA trigger. It's one of if not the lowest price gun by Kahr.
Turns out I can shoot it very accurately and hear the same from others with most small Kahrs.
It fits my hand perfect although I cheated a little by using a Handall Jr. slip on grip($10). I wear a white t-shirt(not homie-g size but normal size which ends couple inches
past waist line) and elastic waistband type shorts 99.9% of the time at work and home. I carry it at about 2 o'clock in a IWB holster and it is not visible even when I ask
people if they can spot it. I also live in the fires of hell, I mean Florida and couldn't imagine having to dress any heavier than I do just to accommodate for the carry.
I also looked at the Keltecs in the beginning of my search for a carry gun but decided to spend a little more for a better gun in my opinion.

 

[Vonderek]

I live in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area and after 20 years of trying different guns, holsters, and methods of carry I carry an Airweight J-Frame in a pocket holster 90% of the time. For travel or if I know I will be going to questionable areas for work, I carry a G19 IWB.

 

[CDR_Glock]

I live in NE Florida. I conceal a Glock 23 and 27 in a Shielded Holster IWB. I wear Tommy Bahamas style silk shirts.

You don't need a pocket gun in the summer. The right belt and holster system will take care of you. I don't limit myself on caliber. I was doing two revolvers but that was a pain. The 27 is so easy to handle and carry. However, I have even carried my 5" 45 1911 in a Galco Summer Comfort.

The right gun, right holster, right belt and right clothes.

 

[Salty1]

I have found out that it is not really the gun that causes problems in the heat but how you are carrying it and in what holster. In the Texas heat I tend to carry a Ruger LCR in a small IWB hoster at 1:00.

 

[Babarsac]

Kel- Tec P32 in a Desantis pocket holster.

Served me well while living in central Florida, and it still does here in Virginia. Oh look another heat advisory today.

 

[33-805]

Glock 27

I agree with the Glock 26 guys, the 26/27 is a great platform. I just prefer the bigger bullet. Caliber is your choice, but this "family" of guns lets you hide an easily shootable, serious caliber firearm.

There have been a lot of good carry methods mentioned here. I prefer the 511 pants and shorts and a DeSantis pocket holster. This lets me carry a reload on the off side to balance the weight a little. With a tee shirt or a loose button type shirt untucked concealment has never been an issue. No one has ever "made" me for carrying it.

 

[easyg]

Believe it or not, but I've been carrying my Glock 27 in this holster, inside the waistband of my shorts.
It's actually rather comfortable.
And it works with or without a belt.

http://www.uncle-mikes.com/products/inside_the_pant_holsters.html


Cheap, but effective.

 

[MedWheeler]

I carry a Kel-Tec PF-9, and live in southern Florida.. No issues, and didn't want to pay nearly three times the price for the Kahr..

 

[WRGADog]

my favorites

Kahr P380, Kahr PM9, or S&W 340PD. I prefer pocket carry. If you like IWB carry I would also consider the Walther PPS.

 

[Impureclient]

Kel-Tec PF-9 - $275 avg.
Kahr CW9 - $400 avg.
Taurus PT709 - $400 avg

These three 9mm are small and slim unlike a Glock which is also at least $100 more than all these above. Slim is required much more if you also are a slim person and wear t-shirts.
I would have ponied up the extra loot for the Glock 26 for my first carry gun but it stuck out off me like I was carrying a fanny pack. Also the Kahr felt best in my hands.
Going to a gun shop/gun show and trying to conceal whatever you intend to buy is probably step number one before even researching on what is best on paper.
If you determine that you want a G26 but can't conceal it, what's the point?
Also with the size of these three 9mm, why even go .380 or .32? Unless you are going to pocket carry it, then that's different.

 

[Holgersen]

I got a kahr pm9 with a crimson trace laser on it for summer carry. It replaced my bersa thunder cc .380.

Last summer I carried a xd-45 compact all summer and it was terrible.

The kahr is awesome. I can pretty much wear anything and it's still concealed in a iwb holster. Even wearing really thin t-shirts you can't even tell I have it on.

You can pocket carry it if you like, but I never do. I always have to much crap in my pockets. You definitly need a holster with a sweat shield for it to keep it from rusting.