Where To Carry Concealed

L

Larry $

Inactive
After reading the "Do Not Carry Center Of Back" thread (and that's where I carry), my question is - where can I carry concealed safely without exposing bulk, etc.? My CW is a Kimber .45. I'm talking about warm weather, no jackets, etc.
 
I used to carry small of back but quit because of comfort reasons before they started warning about back injury. I found I couldn't sit in the car without taking it off or bend over without the grip sticking way out. I now carry in the 4:30 to 5 o clock position. Right behind my hip. Or in the 3 oclock position if I wear something like a hoodie or jacket. I can conceal my xd45c in the 5 oclock with just a t-shirt or polo shirt.
 
I wear a Keltec PF9 in a scabbard style holster on the back of my strong side hip and it completely dissappears under a t-shirt. I've never been happier with a BUG purchase in my life! When on duty I wear it in a pocket holster in my cargo pocket on my uniform pants, no one has ever guessed where my BUG is either. On a personal note, I'd never trust a Kimber to start with, but you can see my post in the recent 'least favorite' handgun thread for that rant...
 
I carry at the 3:30 Position (8:30 for you lefties).

It's more in how you dress. If you wear "skin tight" clothing you can't even hide a Raven 25 acp effectively, sorry to say. Now this morning, before work, I'm wearing Cargo Shorts and a one size too large un-tucked Polo Shirt. It's hiding my IWB 3" GP100. The other day I was dressed the same and was carrying my 5" 1911. I carry my 4" N-Frame Revolver dressed the same way.

I'm not a big guy either, 5'06" and 140 pounds. Another big help in effectively concealing a wapon is to use high quality gear. I'm partial to Milt Sparks, Ted Blocker, Greg Kramer, Matt Del Fatti and Mitch Rosen. The money spent on good gear is worth it's weight in gold as far as comfort and concealability, IMO.

99% of the time I use an IWB Holster. That too aides in concealment. It may take some time for you to find what works for you, but it can be done. The old saying is, "Learn To Dress Around The Gun." I'm lucky in that I've had good teachers in the past to teach me this. Thank you Vic and Don, RIP.

Biker
 
In colorado, the weather is such that there's only ~4 days per year where it's hot enough that some type of overshirt may look out of place. then there's always Bulldogs & bellybands...
 
I just started to carry concealed (and first post here ;-) ). I live in Florida, and anything but a t-shirt wouldn't work. An oversized polo shirt or button down short sleeve shirt helps.

So far, I used two holsters: The bladetech ultimate concealable holster: Works well, but I don't like the hard plastic against my skin. The only adjustment you get is two options for the kant.

The Minotaur MTAC: The leather makes a big difference, and it is nicely adjustable. The holster itself is quite wide, and it doesn't work for example in the 1:00 position. 4:00 works ok. I use a cell phone holster (either semi-concealed under the shirt or above it) as a bit a distraction to "explain" the bump on that side.

SOB carry works well IMHO because you don't see the gun ;-) Its kind of like a kid hiding behind a pillow. But if you look in a mirror, its easily exposed. Also, its hard to reach and hard to defend if someone would try to grap it.
 
Went I carry IWB I carry at the 3-4:00 depending on the jeans or shorts I'm wearing. I too used to carry SOB, but with traveling alot it was VERY uncomfortable.
 
Fanny pack! Carry whatever you want for concealed carry plus a spare mag, wallet, change, receipts, etc. I have been told that I would look strange without it by family who have grown accustomed to me wearing it. I have several sizes from a couple of manufactures for different occassions.

Positives
easy to wear
fast deploy
allows discreet access to firearm
can be carried reguardless of attire
allows full size gun carry in hot climates
allows access even in car with belt attached

Negatives
looks
 
It's a compromise between "most concealed" and "easiest to draw". I'm a big man and wear my belts tight so IWB is out for me. SOB is out for the same reason. It's hard for me to reach around back there. I'm currently carrying a Keltec PF9 in a strong side pocket holster. I'm planning a strong side hip holster (belt slide or paddle) and a "day planner" holster for my Steyr S9. I'd love to find a speed scabbard or Yaqui, but for the Steyr? Forget it! DeSantis used to make a belt slide for this gun, but it's OOP now. Oh, more problems, I'm a lefty, too!
 
We see this question alot, how about some of us start posting pics of how we carry.
Click to expand...

Ask and shou receive. :D Me taken about 5 mins ago...HK P2000SK 9mm in Milt Sparks VMII at about the 3:30...most comfortable setup I've found yet (well besides the Seecamp in the pocket).
 
As I read the various replies and observe the folks around me when in town, I now notice that it seems that wearing an untucked shirt (either a T or button down over a T) seems to be in vogue so I suppose that is an option for concealment. It looks like it works well for Hoytinak at least.
 
I carry in about the same place as hoytinak and I carry either a Ruger P345 IWB in a Desantis Tuck This or SP101 IWB in an AKJ Concealco IWB rig.

If I switch to OWB I go in front of the hipbone and carry the P345 in either a Bianchi Minimalist or Black Widow.

Then there's the LCP in the pocket thing too.

Typically I wear an undershirt and either an untucked polo or buttondown in the summer.
 
I carry in the 1:00 position. Due to a shoulder injury anything else is out of the question. Also like it there due to front pocket carry. When the shtf my first instinct will be to go for the front of my body whether it's in the pocket or iwb.
 
I'd love to find a speed scabbard or Yaqui, but for the Steyr? Forget it! DeSantis used to make a belt slide for this gun, but it's OOP now. Oh, more problems, I'm a lefty, too!
Click to expand...

Two words.......Bianchi Minimalist
 
"Two words.......Bianchi Minimalist"

Three words......."No matches found" from a search for the Steyr S9 on the Bianchi website. That's the one they USED to make, but it's OOP now.

Thanks anyway!
 
IWB or Pocket

I usually carry with an IWB holster. I carry both my Kahr K40 and my Taurus Ultralite 38 special IWB. I have a cheap holster for the 38, and a Galco Horsehide holster for the Kahr. I have carried my XD40 IWB as well, but usually in the winter. I need to get a better holster for it to continue carrying it.

I have purchased a paddle holster for the XD as well, and have carried it that way, but it is only good when wearing a winter jacket and only if I do not remove it.

I have a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster for the 38 as well, and often use it when carrying while wearing my cargo shorts, or to carry in the pocket of my winter coat. I have carried it in my jeans pocket as well but it does show some. It is OK if you are wearing an overshirt or very loose jeans.
 
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