Tricks of concealed carry: enlighten me!
- Thread starter Pond James Pond
- Start date
As someone who just started carrying this week, I have limited experience, but I'll pass along what I've learned. I am of the opinion that I don't dress around the gun, but find the right setup for me. I may be fortunate because I had no trouble adding my chosen gun, Ruger SR9c, to my current wardrobe. After 3 minutes of trying things with my girlfriend advising me, we found that IWB at 5o'clock I am good to go. This was with just a normal t-shirt.
I then got a Remora holster; they are clipless IWB or pocket holsters, and they work. I can't suggest them enough. Everyone should have one, and at $24.99 there's no reason not to try. I could go on, but you get the idea. Anyway, the Remora is just physically much smaller and thinner than ANY holster I've seen, since there is so little to it. Now I am using that, and conceal even better. Today was the first coldish day since I started, and now that I'm wearing a hoodie over my t-shirt, I feel extremely confident that I am concealing well.
I will say I do have the tendency to brush it with my hand, just to make sure its still covered. If I bend over it does catch on my shirt a little. Getting into and out of cars is probably the worst, but I can casually pull my shirt down without it looking strange. The rest of the time I just have to tell myself not to or do it very casually. Checking for my wallet seems to work if I really just have to put my hand back there
I then got a Remora holster; they are clipless IWB or pocket holsters, and they work. I can't suggest them enough. Everyone should have one, and at $24.99 there's no reason not to try. I could go on, but you get the idea. Anyway, the Remora is just physically much smaller and thinner than ANY holster I've seen, since there is so little to it. Now I am using that, and conceal even better. Today was the first coldish day since I started, and now that I'm wearing a hoodie over my t-shirt, I feel extremely confident that I am concealing well.
I will say I do have the tendency to brush it with my hand, just to make sure its still covered. If I bend over it does catch on my shirt a little. Getting into and out of cars is probably the worst, but I can casually pull my shirt down without it looking strange. The rest of the time I just have to tell myself not to or do it very casually. Checking for my wallet seems to work if I really just have to put my hand back there
My rules, such as they are.
Rule 1: Do not skimp on carry gear. A belt that flexes and allows the gun to flop around will be uncomfortable, and amplify perceived weight, and it will also make the gun much more visible to others. A holster that collapses too easily may allow foreign objects to impact your trigger or safety... obviously not desirable. The ideal system keeps the gun tight to your body, minimizes its movement, and prevents inadvertent contacts with parts you don't want contacted.
Rule 2: Dress around your gun. It's entirely possible to conceal a full-size 1911. On some occasions, I've concealed a S&W 29 without much difficulty. T-shirts under structured outer shirts is my usual method, but there are any number of options.
Rule 2b: Recognize that there may be some circumstances where you will realistically have to make do with a much smaller gun. I can't hide a HiPower or 1911 when in shorts and a t-shirt or tank top; if I feel a need to be armed while participating in an activity where athletic clothing is the norm, then I carry a 442 in my pocket.
Rule 3: Don't fixate. Most people will not notice at all; if they do notice printing, most will assume cell phone, etc, not gun. Most people who do notice a holstered gun seem to assume off-duty or plain-clothes LEO. In other words, act normal.
Rule 4: Carry every day. If you do, it becomes much easier to behave in a normal manner when carrying.
Rule 1: Do not skimp on carry gear. A belt that flexes and allows the gun to flop around will be uncomfortable, and amplify perceived weight, and it will also make the gun much more visible to others. A holster that collapses too easily may allow foreign objects to impact your trigger or safety... obviously not desirable. The ideal system keeps the gun tight to your body, minimizes its movement, and prevents inadvertent contacts with parts you don't want contacted.
Rule 2: Dress around your gun. It's entirely possible to conceal a full-size 1911. On some occasions, I've concealed a S&W 29 without much difficulty. T-shirts under structured outer shirts is my usual method, but there are any number of options.
Rule 2b: Recognize that there may be some circumstances where you will realistically have to make do with a much smaller gun. I can't hide a HiPower or 1911 when in shorts and a t-shirt or tank top; if I feel a need to be armed while participating in an activity where athletic clothing is the norm, then I carry a 442 in my pocket.
Rule 3: Don't fixate. Most people will not notice at all; if they do notice printing, most will assume cell phone, etc, not gun. Most people who do notice a holstered gun seem to assume off-duty or plain-clothes LEO. In other words, act normal.
Rule 4: Carry every day. If you do, it becomes much easier to behave in a normal manner when carrying.
Dragline45
New member
You cannot find a more concealable package than a J frame revolver with a Barahmi Hip Grip or Desantis Clip Grip. It does not require you to change how you dress or go up a pants size. There is also zero printing, and I mean absolutely no printing what so ever. I am only 5'8 and about 185 pounds so any holster I have ever tried has left me with a noticeable bulge sticking out of my side. I have gone through about 5 different IWB holsters, 2 cheapo and the other 3 were expensive leather holsters, and nothing was as comfortable or concealable than the clip grip. I carried a Barami and Tyler T combo for a couple years and just recently got the Desantis Clip Grip which I prefer.
SwampYankee
New member
I completely disagree. I find a weapon that fits my wardrobe. Kahr P380 in the back picket of my jeans disappears and feels like a second wallet.
I do have other weapons I can conceal with normal clothes but this is my favorite, particularly because in a gun-unfriendly state like mine, printing or a related slip-up is going to get half of the closest state police barracks on your case very quickly.
SwampYankee
New member
I completely disagree. I find a weapon that fits my wardrobe. Kahr P380 in the back pocket of my jeans disappears and feels like a second wallet.
I do have other weapons I can conceal with normal clothes but this is my favorite, particularly because in a gun-unfriendly state like mine, printing or a related slip-up is going to get half of the closest state police barracks on your case very quickly- regardless of comfort...
Dragline45
New member
Same here, I live in a state where almost no one is issued a concealed carry license so I cannot afford to print in public. I am surrounded by yuppies who would like nothing more than to call the police on me than go to the local news to brag about it.
Kevin Rohrer
New member
A J-frame in a pocket holster is great for year around carry.
My pocket holster is a Mika.
My pocket holster is a Mika.
I had a LT who wore the most godawfully BRIGHT Hawiian shirts when he was off-duty...I mean they'd make your eyes barf!!
Hi-Viz Orange & Red...talk about instantly making people look away!!
He was about 5'8" tall...little fella, but he liked to be noticed when he was out in normal society...lol
He could have hidden ANYTHING under those shirts...it was simply too painful to look at him directly without sunglasses on!!
If you have kids, a diaper bag or duffel or shoulder pack helps you hide all kindsa things...
I made one of my cop friends almost die laughing when he saw that I was using my range bag as a diaper bag!!
Then I showed him the Glock 20SF with 5 mags hidden inside...strategically placed under the diapers for the Twins
Decided not to mention the Calico Liberty 3's in the side pockets...figured he'd think I was out to get someone...LOL
Snobs
I teach Dressage to a few girls, one of them came on an off day and saw me in shorts and a Ugly Hawaiian shirt and asked
"Who the heck are you?"
She had never seen me without the Dressage gear that we wear.
Big Shrek;
I knew a father whom used the old "diaper bag" trick, Worked every time.
