5.11 Tactical Holster Shirt

Thanks. I will also say for certain activities like you mentioned, jogging and other active situations this is good as it keeps the gun tight to the body and concealed due to activity that might otherwise cause your shirt to fly up exposing your firearm or have the firearm fall out of its holster. I guess my main point is that this is good for certain types of situations but for best results if your handgun was ever needed in a defensive situation then I would suggest a IWB,OWB or pocket holster for ease of draw with normal everyday carry.
 
"...tactical holster shirts..." There's no such thing as a 'tactical' anything, never mind a shirt. The term is a marketing thing only.
 
I have both the 511 and the Kramer, and I prefer the Kramer.

The problems I have with the 511 are, the gun isnt held securely and tends to move around a lot, the shirt is hot in warmer weather, and the color (mines white) is too white, and doesnt look right.

The Kramer on the other hand, has pockets that are more like a holster, and hold the gun more vertically, in one position, and have a retaining strap. The shirt is made of an open mesh, that can be worn over your normal cotton undershirt, and is not visible when worn, so all you see is what you normally wear. The 511 in white makes you look like you just got out of boot, and doesnt look right in that respect.

With either, the smaller the gun, the more comfortable and concealable its going to be. I have used my Kramer to carry my Commander in one pocket, and its double reload in its belt carrier on the other, under a full cut oxford shirt, and had no trouble doing so, but a SIG P230 in each pocket is much more comfortable, and easier to do.
 
T. O'Heir, The company's name is 5.11 Tactical. The product is called The Holster Shirt. We know that "tactical" is a marketing term, thank you.


AK, Very cool. I'm not familliar with the Kramer brand holster shirt. It sounds like they may have put a little more attention to the smaller details? How does the price compare to the 5.11 @ $50.00?
 
Kramer is showing them now at $45-55, depending on the type you order. I have the full length, which allows you to tuck in in, which I think gives more stability, but to be fair, I havent used the half length to really say for sure.

If you do decide to try one, they recommend you buy it one size down so it fits a little snugger. I did, and I can see where your normal size might tend to want to be too loose, and move around more than you'd like.

Heres a link if you havent already found it....

http://www.kramerleather.com/productDetail.cfm?productID=65&categoryID=21

Another alternative you may want to look at is the Smart Carry. I used to use the Kramer shirt a lot more until I got my first Smart Carry. Depending on your style of dress and gun carried, you'd be amazed at what you can get away with, and you can even go with just a pair of shorts and no shirt. Its very comfortable too.
 
Thanks for the link AK. I definately see what you're talking about; it certainly has more of a defined holster, as opposed to a pocket. One ting that stands out to me is the lack of anything to prevent printing. I think I have to give a point to the 5.11 for the "foamish" lining of the outside and inside of the holster pocket. I think it helps cusion your body from the firearm and helps to break up any hard lines from the firearm that may show on the cover garmet. But of course, that all depends on what your cover garmet is.

I really thank you for bringing that info to the thread. Cowboy, OP, has posted questions on the 5.11, and now he has info AND options. Aint TFL great? :D
 
I know what you mean about the printing thing, but isnt as bad as you might think. You do need to wear a full cut shirt with it though, or at least I do. Tapered shirts with either probably isnt a great idea.

The thing I dislike the most about the 511 is the way the gun moves around in the pocket. I never had one come completely out, but close. I find that movement to be very distracting and makes me a lot more self conscious about the gun. With the Kramer, nothing really moves or flops around, and its a lot more secure overall. Its sort of a trade off between better security and possibly printing, or the constant movement and wanting to settle or secure the gun all the time and the ''printing" or "pointing" effect generated in that respect.

Your best bet, if you can afford to do it, is buy one of each and see what works best for you. We're all different, and have different lifestyles, and what works well for one, may not work as well for another.
 
First of all I'd like to say thanks to all. As qcpunk said, I now have info, options, and opinions. The Kramer shirt also looks interesting. I agree that the only way I can decided for myself is to try out both shirts, which I probably will do.

I also agree with those that say in most situations, a good IWB holster will be much more advantageous. I will also find a IWB holster and use it when able. I guess the reason I am so interested in the 5.11 is because I often find myself wearing athletic type pants (or sweat pants) and a T-shirt, where a belt fastened holster is impossible. I know some of you will say the easy solution is to just wear a good pair of pants with a good belt holster....which is true. I just like to know that are options for me to carry, even when belt carry is not an option. To me, using the 5.11 (deeper concealed & harder to get to) is still better than not carrying at all.

I am not by any means saying that this is the best method of carry, every situation is different. I am just looking at my options.
 
i love the 5.11 holster shirt for deep concealment. i carry my lcr and p2ksk in it and it does very well at not printing
 
If your wearing sweat pants, then by all means, look into the Smart Carry holsters. I think you'll find them to be much more comfortable, and much easier to access, especially if your wearing just a tee shirt. No belt is necessary.
 
I’ve given up on 5.11 shirts here in Arizona. The so-called ‘covert’ styles are poly-rayon that makes you sweat like a pig, and their cotton shirts all scream ‘cop’ or school janitor. I've had better luck with snap-down shirts from a western store which are better quality, and actually less 'redneck' looking than 5.11 styles.
 
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