Conceal OWB Possible/easy?

Open Carry failed in Florida; the concession that allowed some semblance of a compromise was that brief, inadvertent displays are no longer considered criminal offenses, or grounds for CCW revocation.

Edit: Might as well talk about OWB options, too.

First, if you are using a vertical holster, try an FBI cant instead (about 15deg). This will reduce the vertical height of the holster, and possibly prevent the muzzle end from sticking below your shirt hems. It also positions the grip so as to be less likely to snag shirt fabric, thereby reducing printing.

If you are already using a canted holster, you could look for a high-ride holster. The mouth of a high-ride is higher, relative to the belt slots, which also raises the muzzle end relative to your shirt hem.

If that doesn't work, you need to find longer shirts.

Second Edit: While a good gun belt is always important, it is more important with OWB holsters, as the waistband of your pants is no longer holding the holster in place. It's even more important with high-ride OWB, as the gun's relatively higher position in comparison with the belt will give it more potential torque and moment with which to twist the belt.

In other words, you will want a strong, stiff belt that resists torsion.
 
I carry OWB, no matter which of my carry weapons I happen to have. For me OWB is the most comfortable mode of carry for me. All of my carry holsters are leather. It seems to hold closer to the body than any other material that I have experimented with.
 
I've actually become quite a fan of the OWB carry. It works well for my Springfield EMP, and my Kahr MK9 practically disappears underneath the covering garment. I use Galco Stinger holsters for both of them.

Obviously, the untucked shirt thing works, but for those who prefer to not go that route, wearing a blazer or sport coat works very well indeed. For more casual circumstances, a sweater or sweatshirt also works well, as does a fleece vest like this: http://www.rei.com/product/803179/the-north-face-apex-bionic-vest-mens (which I often wear to work because of the convenience of all the pockets.)

I thought that when I purchased the EMP that I would immediately switch to IWB carry...but given that OWB has worked well enough so far, (coupled with the extra expense of having to buy a new holster and possibly some larger pants,) I haven't really felt the need.
 
I'm 5'7" and thin. I can carry OWB with the right clothing. Of course, I don't try to hide anything huge either. I usually carry my cz PCR this way or a commander size 1911. Have also carried my detective special OWB quite easily.
 
First, a good belt and holster that holds the gun high and tight to your body. After that, an untucked, loose fitting shirt with a pattern on it will pretty much do the job. It doesn't have to be a floral pattern, but any pattern will tend to break up any outlines that may form.
 
If it's got a paddle, it's more comfortable—period.

I started out with inside the waist holsters because that's what it seemed everyone else had. I tried a cheap plastic $24.95 model just out of curiosity, and haven't worn the expensive inside the waist models since.

I admittedly have the advantage of living in Colorado, where concealment isn't a requirement, but even a light jacket is enough to conceal a pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 629 with a three-inch barrel with ease.
 
I carry a 4" Ruger Security Six (K-frame a little beefier than an equivalent S&W) OWB, usually covered by a rugby shirt or a sturdy tee-shirt. The most important thing is a good belt.
 
I live in central Texas, where we have weather very similar to that in FL ... I'm retired and live in cargo shorts 8-9 months of the year, so pocket carry solves my IWB-OWB issues. When it's cool enough to wear a jacket or fleece pullover, I use a kydex paddle holster for my PM9 or Kimber UCII.

I don't like IWB carry; anybody else hate the feel of the holster or gun against bare skin? Wearing a tank top or t-shirt and overshirt kinda defeats the purpose of dressing cool when it's 110 outside. For the same reason, I don't use the OWB paddle holster when it's hot.
 
With a loose-fitting T-shirt, I have little trouble concealing my 2 1/2" barrel S&W Model 66 in an El Paso Saddlery #88. I've never been able to comfortably carry anything IWB and thus I abandoned that carry method long ago. If circumstances are such that OWB isn't practical, I resort to pocket carry with my 1 7/8" barrel S&W M36.
 
bikerbill said:
I don't like IWB carry; anybody else hate the feel of the holster or gun against bare skin? Wearing a tank top or t-shirt and overshirt kinda defeats the purpose of dressing cool when it's 110 outside. For the same reason, I don't use the OWB paddle holster when it's hot.
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Yes. It's very annoying. I also dislike the fact that I'd have to buy new pants to accommodate the IWB holsters.

For times when I need to carry and have to be 'ultra-concealed', I have a pocketable pistol for that purpose.
 
dabigguns357 said:
I do it every day with no problem,i don't see what the big deal is.My wife does it and even did it pregnant.

What i don't see is people who buy range guns but never carry them and then buy carry guns that never shoot them,because they aren't made to be range guns..
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I agree. I think the whole carry a lot shoot a little practice isn't a very good one.
 
IMHO, the secret is in the holster.
You spent good money on your gun. Comfortable OWB carry requires a quality holster.
I have tried more than my share of holsters. The one that I have found best is an Alessi CQC-S. It's a leather holster, with one way snaps, that holds my Defender high, and tight to my body. The one way snaps allow me to install/ remove the holster without loosening my belt.
 
^^ This. Spend the extra money. Make sure it's a holster designed for your sidearm, not one of those "fits all semi automatics with a 3" to 3-1/2" barrel" holsters.
 
Nomenclature question

I'm new to a red state by way of NYC so CC is very new but welcome to me. What exactly is printing? Is this a situation where its obvious you're carrying? I think I got the idea of peeking. Be nice to the noob now.
 
"What exactly is printing? Is this a situation where its obvious you're carrying? "

It's when your ccw outline is visible through your clothing.
Welcome to the forum.
 
I've been trying all of my button down shirts but all of them are just slightly too short. The front half inch or so of the barrel peaks below the edge of the shirt.
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The trick is to buy longer shirts. When I buy shirts I specifically search for shirts with longer tails. I have discovered that really nice dress shirts can be longer than the average shirt as well as those print shirts designed to be worn outside the pants.

As most of have discovered, when you carry concealed, you have to dress around your gun. Unfortunately it requires spending funds for some new clothing but the good news is that you don't have to replace your entire wardrobe.
 
If you are worried about someone seeing your gun you must dress around it. Don't bend over in the store to reach something on the bottom shelf. Don't reach up to the top shelf with the arm that's on your gun's side. When concealing a gun fashion goes out the window. I could care less what people think of my clothing choices. Avoid "tactical" IDPA photographer vests unless you enjoy having cops watch you very closely. It screams "GUN" just like the fanny packs used to when they were popular. In hot summer weather I will place a folded up bandana between the holster and my body if I'm using a IWB holster. Makes for more comfort and absorbs a lot of sweat. It's like a diaper, gotta change it when it gets wet.
 
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Not a problemo

holstersk.jpg
 
Like most gun owners, I have a box full of failed holsters. I finally settled on 2. One is IWB and the other goes between the trousers and the belt. The IWB one is a Bianchi that rides comfortable against the skin. The one item I find that is absolutely essential to Cw whether it is IWB or OWB is a really good belt. I wear a Bullhide belt from

http://www.bullhidebelts.com/

Holds the gun tight against the body without any sag. :cool:
 
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