Concealed carry for the average citizen.

Slugthrower

New member
When people carry concealed they need to be proficient with their chosen handgun. Accuracy and control is very important. The handgun should be small enough to conceal relatively easily for the clothes that you normally wear. I prefer that the pistol I carry is as large as possible for reasons of control and accuracy.

Truthfully, I can only speak for myself as to the best methods of carry. So in an attempt to convey my ideas on concealed carry. I will describe my personal methods of said carry.

The clothes that I normally wear are very casual. T-shirt and jeans. Personally, I find that vests and many other forms of equipment tend to scream to those with decent SA "gun guy". The idea is to be able to do all the things with a gun that you would do without. I would find it very strange if a man wearing a suit in very hot weather wouldn't remove his jacket. Double mag holders, speed loader pouches, ammo dump pouches and many of the other odds and ends that a person may carry are not really good for concealed carry, unless you have a vest or jacket to hide them. If a person just happens to see any of those things on you. You will have been "made".

The worst thing IMO is to either use a fanny pack or have a belt so full of equipment that you begin to look as if you are either a cop , wannabe cop, or a weirdo wearing a urban "Bat Utility Belt".

In order to cover a lot of issues of concealed carry. We need to have other less lethal ways to deal with differing threat levels in addition to weapon retention problems. I avoid the "Bat Belt" by limiting the number of accessory pouches to two. I do not use the common pouches used to carry these items as people tend to recognize them as such.

I use an old 4" folding knife pouch to hold a extra magazine. Looks to all the world as if it was a pocket knife. The second pouch is a flash light pouch. Both have external cover flaps, BTW. If I decide to carry the snub nose I have no need of the knife pouch, leaving only one pouch on my belt. I keep 7 or so spare rounds in the little pocket above the right front pocket of my jeans. This pocket keeps lead contamination to a minimum in addition to being where it is easiest for me to reload a revolver, also it keeps other junk in my pockets from getting in the way. Speed loaders are too bulky in my mind. During the day I carry OC spray in the flashlight pouch. By night a flash light is in that pouch. At night I am not going to bother with the OC spray. If I think that I need to up the load out. I can carry the auto pistol have a extra mag, plus the revolver with extra ammo. I keep a knife clipped to my right front pocket right beside the cell phone. If some one wants to use the cell I will reach for it while keeping aware of their movement. If they act strangely I can go for the knife instead. The snub is carried cross draw. This allows me to retain the handgun and deploy the pocket knife for retention, as well as allowing a draw while seated in the driver seat. The auto is carried in the 4 O'clock position in a IWB holster. The snub is in a IWB holster also. OWB concealed carry may not always cover the hand gun. If the cover you are wearing rises a little too high someone may see the muzzle of your CCW.

I see no reason to carry the equivalent of a box of ammo on me. Unless I am going into harms way, then a homeland defence rifle or a nice shotgun is just the ticket. If you do use the handgun for SD. What is the jury going to think of a person carrying so much ammo on them?

What are some of your reasons for the equipment and methods that you use to conceal them? Hopefully this thread will help others in there decisions on what they may need to carry.
 
Two observations:
, I find that vests and many other forms of equipment tend to scream to those with decent SA "gun guy".
1. Most people don't look at other people let alone try to assess whether they are carrying or not. This is something that we do out of habit or at the spur of the moment. No one assesses everyone they see regardless of how much SA they have.

2. For most people, concealed carry means carrying the gun. I carry my 1911 in a Desantis IWB holster that has a mag pouch built in. That's it, nothing else. No flashlight, no oc, nothing. I see no reason to weigh myself down with all the other unecessary stuff.
 
I carry my Kahr P-9 in a Galco Ultra Deep Cover most of the time. Or my Colt Agent in a ankle rig. I live LLLooowww threat and can often be found w/o a reload. Based on the threat in my area I am comfortable with the risk I am assuming.

I consider knives as a back up to the back up, not a less lethal tool. I had better be prepared to shoot some one before I resort to a knife. Most likely the courts would agree.

First defense is the mind has a private citizen.

In contrast if I was a sworn LEO or working a protective contract my Kahr would move to a on the belt rig or be upgraded based on the role required. Less lethal and lights would be viable options.
 
Slugthrower

Very good and well written post.

I personally dress around the gun. I carry an N-Frame Revolver with a 4" tube and a little J-Frame as a BUG when I'm off-duty. I may even have a third, my Kahr PM9 in my pocket. I carry one reload per weapon, a Surefire, my CRKT and a cell phone.

Having been in a couple of "situations" one off-duty, I find that when I am on my own is when I would need more not less equipment. Working Police Officers have the advantage of summoning "Back-Up" Non-Leo's and Off-Duty Personnel don't get the immediate "Back-Up" that on on-duty car would.

If I could only have one of my many options it would be the cell phone. If nothing else I can call "Dial A Prayer" (also known as 911). I don't find it hard to conceal in casual clothing. The "trick" is to use a well made belt and holster. I'll post my review when I get my Garrity Incognito later this year.
By the way, I maintain a very low "profile" and live in a very low crime area, but in my years I've learned a couple of things. One, there is no safe place. Second, bad things can happen to good people at any time without any warning.

Take care and stay safe.

Biker
 
Thanks Biker.

My method of carry is designed to be for all seasons. Coats and other things work in the cooler times. The snubbie and a reload. A pocket knife and cell phone are the only main stays for carry in general for me. OC is primarily for dogs, I wouldn't want to have to shoot a customers dog. The flash light is to check around my vehicle before driving in general. Never know if you have a coolant leak, flat tire, oil leak or other problem. Good for my back alley drive way too.
 
I carry a P89 in the winter. It is a bit large but conceals nicely under winter attire with my Don Hume open top IWB. I carry just behind my left hip. I weigh 230 and stand 6'1". You can't tell I carry with a sweater or XL long sleave T. With jacket on forget about printing of any sort.

Summer I carry a 649 S&W bodyguard in a right hand open top IWB clip style holster. This allows me to move it to my right hip in the car. If carjacked I look like I'm reaching to unlock the seatbelt but come up with the snubby. When I am out of the car I use the righty on my left side between my belt and clipped on my waist band for a strong side draw. Clothing is usually a short sleave safari type cargo shirt over a white muscle tee. Even unbuttoned the snubby isn't seen.

Godbless...
 

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This might be a good place for me to drop this hint.
I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry 1911 in a DeSantis #85 belt holster, and if I have a backup its on my ankle, either a P11 or Taurus 651. I don't carry a second magazine or speedloader for the backup, but I do carry 2 extra magazines for the Kimber.
I had a hard time with the extra magazines though. I'm a t-shirt and jeans guy when not at work, and I wear a tighter fitting shirt. Belt pouch was out of the question. I didn't want them getting banged around in my front pocket with my keys ond other stuff, and they were akward to carry loose in my back pocket, poked me in the butt when sitting, afraid of tweaking their shape when sitting on them.
The solution I came up with was simple, I got a duty-style double mag pouch and cut the flaps off right about the double-stitched area. Then I used 180 grit sandpaper to rough the back of it up and drilled out the rivits on the snaps. It fits perfectly in my left rear pocket in jeans or pants, the roughed area keeps them retained when I grab one out, and they don't print at all, just looks like a second wallet or notepad.
 
The fleece vests don't scream gun. However, in south Texas - they will melt you faster than the Witch in the Wizard of Oz.

I see very few tac vests or fish or photo vests on the street. I can manage a t-shirt and a light brightly colored over shirt. That is not uncommon dress and doesn't scream gun unless you consider the zillions of other folks wearing similar outfits.
 
I carry a Steyr S9 OWB @ 4'oclock with 2 mags in the left ft pants pocket, bottom up with ammo facing fwd. I can reach into the pocket and remove the mag in the right position for insertion. Also, a .38 snub in rt ft pocket (usually) with S&W tactical folder in rt rear pants pocket. Alternate: canvas vest with .38 snub in each pocket.
 
I have a stupid question for all you who carry...

How in the world do you sit down when carrying with an IWB holster? I have never tried any, but it just doesn't seem like there is any comfortable way to do it. I can't even carry my cell phone on my belt without taking it off when I get in the car.

Is there a good reference that explains each type of holster (type, not namebrand) and what the pros/cons are for each?
 
2. For most people, concealed carry means carrying the gun. I carry my 1911 in a Desantis IWB holster that has a mag pouch built in. That's it, nothing else. No flashlight, no oc, nothing. I see no reason to weigh myself down with all the other unecessary stuff.

Couldn't agree more. I don't even carry a spare magazine.

Revance, with a good holster and a good belt I don't change anything when I get into the car. This probably varies with the size of the gun though. I don't know what "type" of holster you would call them, but I use both a Milt Sparks VMII and a comp-tac IWB with no problems.
 
The fleece vests don't scream gun. However, in south Texas - they will melt you faster than the Witch in the Wizard of Oz.

Ahh, those San Benito summers. :eek: Good point, though, I can get away with a vest until well into June up here in Yankeeland...Heck, all summer, as long as I don't spend too much time outdoors.
 
I usually pocket carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II which means I am limited to one front pocket as the right one is occupied by the pistol. I also carry a cell phone, reading glasses, several meds, pen and small notebook, Rosary and a spare magazine. Way too much stuff for a pocket so I use a "Pock-it" pouch on my left side. It has many internal pockets for stuff and keeps it organized and on the outside there are two pockets perfect for the cell phone and magazine. This pouch is 9"X5"X2" and looks like a personal electronic device pouch. It's a tad ungainly but works great and once I got used to it wasn't very much of an impediment.
 
Cheap camoflauge WalMart t-shirts, down here in thedesert, usually break up any outline showing, Also, a guyabarra, or Mexican dress shirt, is a solid fabric, is an excellent covering garment. Add a good IWB, and I easily conceal a CZ PO1 and two spare magazines.

companion.jpg
 
How in the world do you sit down when carrying with an IWB holster? I have never tried any, but it just doesn't seem like there is any comfortable way to do it. I can't even carry my cell phone on my belt without taking it off when I get in the car.

I'm with you, I don't like IWB at all, I've tried a few different holsters, from leather to nylon and just don't like it. I'm sticking to hip/belt carry.


I usually pocket carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II which means I am limited to one front pocket as the right one is occupied by the pistol. I also carry a cell phone, reading glasses, several meds, pen and small notebook, Rosary and a spare magazine. Way too much stuff for a pocket so I use a "Pock-it" pouch on my left side. It has many internal pockets for stuff and keeps it organized and on the outside there are two pockets perfect for the cell phone and magazine. This pouch is 9"X5"X2" and looks like a personal electronic device pouch. It's a tad ungainly but works great and once I got used to it wasn't very much of an impediment.


Why wouldn't you just holster the gun and carry your stuff in your pocket?
I'm not trying to be a smarta**, just wondering why you would carry what is essentially a bag holster on your belt when it would be easier, more comfortable and convienent to carry the gun on the belt, allowing for faster draws too?
 
Well written post!

While I think the idea of carrying an extra mag "hidden in plain view", so to speak, is a nice touch, has anyone ever asked you if they could borrow your knife?? You know, the one in that pouch on your belt? ;)
 
Yes but then I tell them that I broke the blade this morning and ask them what kind of knife should I buy thats durable. Changes the subject somewhat.

IWB uncomfortable? Huh. I love my IWB setup. It's very high ride and rides close to my body. Every once in a while if I'm not careful I'll get a clunk when I sit on certain types of chairs.

My full size pistol conceals very well with my 'standard workingman outfits'. Jeans, shirt & a flannel hanging loose, cell phone and batman pouches all around. It screams working man. Even to cops.:D
 
I am with Glenn...other than fleece or down I simply don't see vests as normal wear...so while they may not scream gun they would be cause for added scrutiny by anyone that is observant

As for choice of carry weapon...a lot depends on how likely you feel you are to need it

If you feel that it is unlikely then it is easy to feel comfortable with almost anything...or arguably...nothing at all

However....I agree with Scott Reitz that a "full sized" weapon is the right choice if you are betting your life

I also believe in reloads....and probably the best reload of all is a second weapon

I just saw a post on another board where a shooter had his bushing break...no warning

Glad it didn't happen when he needed it:eek:

And since most problems with autopistols are related to bad mags/ammo

Is just the one mag in your pistol really enough???
 
I also believe in reloads....and probably the best reload of all is a second weapon
And since most problems with autopistols are related to bad mags/ammo
Is just the one mag in your pistol really enough???

+1 on a BUG
+1! on at least one more mag, I carry 2 extras. Wouldn't feel right if I didn't.
 
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