I remember about 5 years ago, the smart carry was pretty popular. Since around '11 I havn't been able to find much on this carry fad. Does anybody still carry this way? I've gained interest in buying one to deep carry my lcp at work but the holsters are very expensive. Just curious if anyone still uses this. If so what is your opinion on carrying this way?
Does anyone still use the "smart carry" and "thunderwear" style holsters?
- Thread starter elano
- Start date
turkeestalker
New member
Typically when I'm dressed I wear jeans and either a long or short sleeve button up collared shirt which aids in concealing my primary method of carry which is a Kangaroo Carry Air Marshall holster under said shirt.
When the weather warms and I'm inclined to don a t-shirt and shorts, I've used the Thunderwear holster for the last two years and it works very well.
Neither method is going to win a 'Quick Draw McGraw' contest, but with a little practice they are both pretty effective means of carry that conceal very well.
I've no problems recommending a Thunderwear holster.
When the weather warms and I'm inclined to don a t-shirt and shorts, I've used the Thunderwear holster for the last two years and it works very well.
Neither method is going to win a 'Quick Draw McGraw' contest, but with a little practice they are both pretty effective means of carry that conceal very well.
I've no problems recommending a Thunderwear holster.
I'm wondering if the Smart Carry owner is still around. I met him at a gun show many years ago and he was pretty old then. I got the feeling that it was a very small company. I did buy one of his holsters. It doesn't get much use but I keep it for special occasions when I need to dress up and can't carry normally.
scottycoyote
New member
when im dressed up for something like a night on the town and especially in warm weather i will time to time still use the thunderwear knockoff i bought from ebay. While its not the fastest rig to draw from its still a highly concealable way to carry...especially if i want to carry a little larger weapon. I rotate between that, ankle carry, pocket carry and iwb
I use a SmartCarry pretty much daily and have for a number of years now. They work great, and especially in a NPE. No need for any kind of cover garment or anything special for that matter, just your normal attire, and you dont even need a shirt. I have a number of them, and find they are one of the most versatile holsters I have/use, and wont be without at least one.
They may not be a quick draw holster, but they are not at all slow (on the draw) once you get used to them. They are the quickest and most comfortable of any of the other deep concealment type holsters Ive used. Even when seated, they are readily accessed, something pocket carry doesnt usually offer.
I picked up a Thunderwear version off EBay last year to try out, and I wasnt impressed at all. Im not sure if it was a knock off or not, but it was marked with the Thunderwear logo. I did email Thunderwear inquiring about it (twice), and never received a reply, so Im assuming it is one of thiers. The one I received was not in the same quality league as the SmartCarry's, and I was easily able to trip the trigger of one of my Glocks through the fabric, something I have not been able to do with the SmartCarry's I have (I normally carry a 26 in mine).
I would definitely recommend the SmartCarrys if you havent tried one. Like anything new, they do take some getting used to, but I think once you do, you wont want to be without one.
They may not be a quick draw holster, but they are not at all slow (on the draw) once you get used to them. They are the quickest and most comfortable of any of the other deep concealment type holsters Ive used. Even when seated, they are readily accessed, something pocket carry doesnt usually offer.
I picked up a Thunderwear version off EBay last year to try out, and I wasnt impressed at all. Im not sure if it was a knock off or not, but it was marked with the Thunderwear logo. I did email Thunderwear inquiring about it (twice), and never received a reply, so Im assuming it is one of thiers. The one I received was not in the same quality league as the SmartCarry's, and I was easily able to trip the trigger of one of my Glocks through the fabric, something I have not been able to do with the SmartCarry's I have (I normally carry a 26 in mine).
I would definitely recommend the SmartCarrys if you havent tried one. Like anything new, they do take some getting used to, but I think once you do, you wont want to be without one.
I live in Florida, kinda have to use 'em...
switch back & forth regularly to keep things Fresh & nice-smelling
Appendix is do-able, but being an active dad, means bending in ways that
tend to either make you print, or accidently expose...
IWB is decent also, but same as above...
SOB, that's a total no-go...if you've ever fallen backwards on your piece...
you know what I mean...
Pocket carry is my other main means, DeSantis & Uncle Mike's have a buttload
switch back & forth regularly to keep things Fresh & nice-smelling
Appendix is do-able, but being an active dad, means bending in ways that
tend to either make you print, or accidently expose...
IWB is decent also, but same as above...
SOB, that's a total no-go...if you've ever fallen backwards on your piece...
you know what I mean...
Pocket carry is my other main means, DeSantis & Uncle Mike's have a buttload
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
They don't look friendly to the portly.
I've had one for years. I use it now in the winter as a chest carry rig under my button shirt. I typically wrap it around my chest just under the nipple line and have a strap that goes over my shoulder to keep the SC from sagging down. then all I have to do is discreetly unbutton a couple of buttons and reach in with my right hand and it's a fast draw. makes it much easier to get to under a heavy winter coat. in the summer I usually carry IWB.
v-fib
v-fib
Pietro Beretta
New member
I went from 190# in January to 155# today and I have had to completely adjust how I carry - its gotten much easier to say the least and I now understand how people can appendix carry comfortably.
This SmartCarry looks interesting but gosh... I hate putting another holster in the drawer of mistakes.
This SmartCarry looks interesting but gosh... I hate putting another holster in the drawer of mistakes.
carry\iwb\sob etc
My very good friend carries a 380 in thunderwear, I tried did not like it at all. sob, very uncomfortable, especially in vehicle. Pocket or strong side works for me. Every bodies different, do what works for you.
Artillery King Of The Battlefield
Know your target, before you squeeze the trigger
My very good friend carries a 380 in thunderwear, I tried did not like it at all. sob, very uncomfortable, especially in vehicle. Pocket or strong side works for me. Every bodies different, do what works for you.
Artillery King Of The Battlefield
Know your target, before you squeeze the trigger
A pause for the COZ
New member
Hey I have one of those also.
I use one daily and have for about 8 years (for work; dress code is slacks and tucked in shirt). It works well for me and I am still using the first one I purchased, although the outer fabric has worn through in a couple of spots it's still sound. Picked up a spare here a year or two ago just to have a backup on hand. Definitely feel I've got my money's worth out of that first one...
David L. Smith
New member
I am looking at the "UnderTech UnderCover Men's Concealment Tank Top Coolux Single Shirt". It is a "holster shirt", with a compression type weave and holster built into the shirt. I would be using it for concealed carry of a Sig Sauer P250, 9mm, full-size.
Living in Texas, I am not all that concerned about "printing" - I knew that getting a full-sized weapon would make that almost a certainty. But, I have big hands (12"-13" around a closed fist; 4.5" across my knuckles; size 13 ring finger, right hand). I'm 6'1" tall, 200#; wide in the shoulders. So, I wanted a full-sized pistol. Plus, there is potential for carrying, in open-carry, as a uniformed Security Officer.
I can carry left or right handed, under either arm, since I shoot ambidextrous.
Has anyone tried the "Undertech" holster shirt? I'm thinking of getting the "tank top", because 100+ degree weather is very common in Austin, TX, during the summer. The web site shows $60 for the shirt.
Any other suggestions?
Living in Texas, I am not all that concerned about "printing" - I knew that getting a full-sized weapon would make that almost a certainty. But, I have big hands (12"-13" around a closed fist; 4.5" across my knuckles; size 13 ring finger, right hand). I'm 6'1" tall, 200#; wide in the shoulders. So, I wanted a full-sized pistol. Plus, there is potential for carrying, in open-carry, as a uniformed Security Officer.
I can carry left or right handed, under either arm, since I shoot ambidextrous.
Has anyone tried the "Undertech" holster shirt? I'm thinking of getting the "tank top", because 100+ degree weather is very common in Austin, TX, during the summer. The web site shows $60 for the shirt.
Any other suggestions?
I'm aware this is a 47 day old thread but the holsters on the market we are discussing have all been selling for more than a few years - so I'm bumping it.
Are Thunderwear holsters still selling? Sure.
What has happened in the marketplace are other holsters that do the same thing, and more. I just bought a Trump Card CCW holster from Pistol Wear and it's capable of being worn that way. It's also a chest/shoulder holster which can function the same as an "airline" holster.
What's happened to the deep conceal holster market is not being limited to just one specific method of carry and having a product that is more versatile. Reading the reviews on the Trump Card around the net there is very little negative comment. It's mostly based on expectations of sizing - which we all get wrong now and again. Once the system is adjusted the main comment I've noticed in most reviews and comments is that you DON'T have to "get used to it." It feels right with no further break in, like really good shoes or underwear.
Being on the somewhat portly side late in life it makes a difference how you carry and I choose the Trump Card precisely because it can be worn in different ways - and with ANY gun that fits in the size holster I bought. It's not limited to just one because it was cut, boned and only fits a single make. Heaven help you if you add a laser, another holster would be needed. Not the Trump Card.
There's a lot of restriction involved buying the typical belt holster these days because of the custom fitting and enhanced fit that seems to be necessary. What it really does is keep you from using it with any other gun or if you add a bulky accessory. I'm not seeing that as something user friendly - more like maker friendly as it sells another holster.
There's also the constant drumbeat that you MUST be able to draw quickly to save your life. Yet in most of the encounters we read in the press or analyze the threat was a lot more obvious and certainly presented earlier than thought. It was the victim who was behind the curve and who wasn't aware. If speed of presentation is the only thing keeping us alive it then goes to needing a competition speed holster worn openly - because, ya know, a split second could mean life and death. Makes the No Open Carry argument seem less responsible in that light. It could get you killed! if you believe in speed of delivery. We should ALL open carry for the fastest presentation possible.
Not so much. And a holster that is cut and boned to only hold one specific gun in one specific manner? It's no wonder we have a drawer full of Bad Choices. We aren't prioritizing what is more important. They say you carry to be comforted but I'm not comforted with the tales of hundreds of dollars being wasted on show and tell holsters that look good on the range but don't work in a suit OR swimtrunks.
Just one good holster seems a better choice.
Are Thunderwear holsters still selling? Sure.
What has happened in the marketplace are other holsters that do the same thing, and more. I just bought a Trump Card CCW holster from Pistol Wear and it's capable of being worn that way. It's also a chest/shoulder holster which can function the same as an "airline" holster.
What's happened to the deep conceal holster market is not being limited to just one specific method of carry and having a product that is more versatile. Reading the reviews on the Trump Card around the net there is very little negative comment. It's mostly based on expectations of sizing - which we all get wrong now and again. Once the system is adjusted the main comment I've noticed in most reviews and comments is that you DON'T have to "get used to it." It feels right with no further break in, like really good shoes or underwear.
Being on the somewhat portly side late in life it makes a difference how you carry and I choose the Trump Card precisely because it can be worn in different ways - and with ANY gun that fits in the size holster I bought. It's not limited to just one because it was cut, boned and only fits a single make. Heaven help you if you add a laser, another holster would be needed. Not the Trump Card.
There's a lot of restriction involved buying the typical belt holster these days because of the custom fitting and enhanced fit that seems to be necessary. What it really does is keep you from using it with any other gun or if you add a bulky accessory. I'm not seeing that as something user friendly - more like maker friendly as it sells another holster.
There's also the constant drumbeat that you MUST be able to draw quickly to save your life. Yet in most of the encounters we read in the press or analyze the threat was a lot more obvious and certainly presented earlier than thought. It was the victim who was behind the curve and who wasn't aware. If speed of presentation is the only thing keeping us alive it then goes to needing a competition speed holster worn openly - because, ya know, a split second could mean life and death. Makes the No Open Carry argument seem less responsible in that light. It could get you killed! if you believe in speed of delivery. We should ALL open carry for the fastest presentation possible.
Not so much. And a holster that is cut and boned to only hold one specific gun in one specific manner? It's no wonder we have a drawer full of Bad Choices. We aren't prioritizing what is more important. They say you carry to be comforted but I'm not comforted with the tales of hundreds of dollars being wasted on show and tell holsters that look good on the range but don't work in a suit OR swimtrunks.
Just one good holster seems a better choice.