Concealed Carry Vests?

[drobs]

How about a bib holster.

Bib Holster

The bib holster now comes with the installation kit. With the use of stainless-steel snaps, this holster snaps discreetly into the back of your bib overalls. The holster can be moved easily from overall to overall. Stainless-steel snaps are required as you will be washing the garment. This...

alamedacustomholsters.com

Jump to about 4 minutes:

Bib Holster

MultiHolster- Company willing to think outside the box and make custom holsters.Long Snaps- Springfield LeatherShort Snaps (Tools included) - WalmartEmail- M...

www.youtube.com

 

[jmorris]

Some vests scream, “I’m carrying a firearm, shoot me first.”

To gun people. Not sure most people pay that much attention to things not on their phone. Watched a guy walk into a street sign the other day, he probably wouldn't notice anyone wearing a vest, even if it had flys stuck all over it and a rod and reel in hand...

 

[Armored farmer]

I have carried my LCP many days in the pocket of my bibs

 

[Jim Watson]

There was a guy here who just tucked his pistol into his bib. Then there was the guy who was wearing a gunbelt and holster over his overhauls but was walking around the range carrying a revolver in hand like a bucket of water. My friend would never go back to that range. I went back probably 20 years later and they had tightened up safety procedures.

 

[drobs]

Looking at CCW Vests - I'm just not a fan of holsters that attach with velcro. I just don't trust it. Here's the one Armored Farmer mentioned:

Shop Men's Concealed Carry Canvas Cross Trail Vest | Legendary Whitetails

Find Men

www.legendarywhitetails.com

These 2 seem more my style.

Concealed Carry Canvas Vest

Ready for the field right out of the bag, this rugged, broken-in feel vest has it all. Made from washed cotton canvas and quilted for extra warmth. Features twin concealed carry compartments at the chest for quick access to a sidearm or accessories. Additional storage includes magazine pockets...

www.venadoinc.com

Kennesaw Concealed Carry Quilted Twill Vest

Named after the city that once required every head of household within city limits to own a firearm with ammunition, the Kennesaw Quilted Zip Front Vest has 2 specifically designed interior pockets and a removable holster. Each model also proudly displays our 2nd Amendment lining graphic. Don't...

madisoncreekoutfitters.com

I'd want to use a kydex trigger holster with a lanyard on the Venado vest and probably an Alabama pocket holster for the Kennesaw vest.

Another one:

Men’s Cody Concealed Carry Canvas Vest

A rugged wear anywhere vest. • Cinnamon color shown

bucksworth.com

 

[entropy]

Exactly right, I don't need a cover garment that has all been hashed out and ten months of the year I have covered.
When it is 0 deg F and I have to work outside for 10 hours I will have on base layers, a heavy shirt, a 1/4 zip, and a heavy coat over my carhart bibs. Its a 3 step process to get to a gun on my belt. Traditional pocket carry doesn't work out great because carhart has made their pockets smaller on the bibs and coat pockets tend to fill with barn dirt quickly.
My interest in the vests is to have a dedicated outer layer with a dedicated pocket for carry.

Duluth pants, particularly the cargo style Firehose and Flex Firehose, have large enough hip pockets to easily carry an LCP, I actually can carry my Gx4 in them, if I take the red dot off. It fits well in the cargo pockets, too. I usually carry my TCP 738 in a Vedder pocket holster in my left front pocket of my Duluth pants. The pockets of the one pair of Carhartts will only fit it with the Vedder trigger guard cover, and it's not an easy draw.

You'd still have to deal with the dirt, but it is what it is

 

[redneck]

This is getting to be a good topic. Thanks guys.

The vests that originally caught my eye are these ones made by Cinch. I looked at some of them at a horse show last fall and the gun pocket opens at the edge of the zipper so that the gun slides between the lining and and the outer shell and it won't show even if the vest is unzipped. It seems like this opening would also catch less dirt. The building was posted so taking a gun in to see how the holster fits wasn't really an option

Cinch Jeans Men's Concealed Carry Jackets and Outerwear

www.cinchjeans.com

They are all bonded fleece and I feel like I would tear one up quickly. If I found a FR carhart type vest in this style I'd buy it for sure.

I wear a pair of bibs out every year. Carhart bibs do not have belt loops and this year the hip pockets got considerably smaller and so did the chest pocket. I can barely fit a folding knife and a flashlight in the chest pocket of the pair I bought this winter. It seems as if maybe I should be looking at other brands of bibs as well.

 

[drobs]

With that bib holster, you can swap it to your new set of Bibs each year.

I once bought a jean type jacket from the NRA store that was made for conceal carry. Only wore it once, was just too bulky and stiff. I felt like the kid in the Christmas Story where his mother covered him with so many layers of clothing he could not move. I would check out the NRA store and see if they sell jean vests made for conceal carry.

CCW vests from the NRA Store:

This one looks good - cotton canvas with 2 snapped interior gun pockets.

NRA CCW Dakota Ranch Vest

Material: 98% cotton canvas, 2% stretch Enzyme washed 80% polyester, 20% acrylic shearling-like liner Leather collar Dual customizable concealed carry compartments for left and right hand carry Includes universal, customizable holster Gusseted che

nrastore.com

Leather vest with similar snapped interior gun pockets:

NRA Coronado Laredo Concealed Carry Leather Vest

Genuine leather construction Western dipped front Western yoke back Cut without lapels Suede-lined hand pockets Front suede-lined pocketwatch pouch Handy watch-chain loop Dual concealment pockets for a left or right hand draw Includes universal

nrastore.com

Note the review on the leather vest:
"Rugged good looks receive compliments. P365X will not "print" if placed correctly in the inside pocket. Plenty of room for some spare magazines. Also nearly indispensable for carrying a credit card case, spectacle pouch, pen, and small note pad. Not a quickdraw option, but vastly more comfortable for day-long carry. That the exterior is easily maintained with quality automotive leather care products is a bonus, and it is worth mentioning that the closure snaps are much higher quality than those found on many other similar products/brands."

I'm pretty sure both vests have those cheap nylon / velcro strap holsters that fit inside them.
My goal would be to get one of my Alabama Front Pocket Holsters into that pocket. That would make for a faster draw. Once you unzip your vest then get past the snap on the pocket, drawing out of a Kydex Alabama Pocket Holster is fast.

I use this one with my Glock 43 and Ruger LC9S Pro in the summer with stretchy cargo shorts. I carry it in my front pocket.

Front Pocket Holster – Alabamaholster.com

I can get a full grip on both pistols and hit the thumb release on the holster for a fast draw:

 

[CajunBass]

I've got a canvas vest, I think it came from Wal-Mart, that was listed as a "Concealed Carry Vest." It's just a plain canvas vest with enough pockets to unload a small truck into. One of them at least I'm sure was intended to be used to hold a handgun. Some are inside, some outside. Some have flaps, some don't. There are inside pockets intended to hold magazines....magazines for a Tommy Gun, but magazines. I don't use any of them really except the ones in front that hold pen's and such. It's really a photographers vest with a different name.

I use the vest as a cover garmet. Does it scream GUN! Maybe, I don't know. I've never noticed anyone running and screaming "He's got a gun!" I've never carried a sandwich like Mas does, but I got a pocket for it. I call it my "goofy old man vest." My wife agrees with me.

It's great for this time of the year when I wear a pullover sweatshirt a lot. If it gets too warm for the sweat shirt, off it comes, and the vest goes on. It's light enough to wear in the summer too. Zips in front, but I never zip it.

Actually they call it a "cargo utility vest" now. About 20 bucks.

Wal-Mart Vest

Probably not what the OP is looking for, but it's out there.

 

[Buzznrose]

From what I’m reading, OP is looking for a work vest. Duluth Trading hasn’t let me down for good clothing yet..

https://www.duluthtrading.com/search?limit=18&q=Vest&refine=c_gender%3DMen&sort=best-matches

 

[Grunt]

Some vests scream, “I’m carrying a firearm, shoot me first.”

Or, do they say, “****, that guy’s probably carrying so I’m going to wait until he leaves so I don’t get capped.” Ever see a military base reduce their blatant display of force available when the threat-con goes up? I haven’t. Instead, the HUMVEE with an M240B pointing towards the gate is what you see when the threat-con goes up. We call it deterrence. You don’t know what kind of individual you’re going to run up against and won’t know if they’ll “shoot you first” or “go after a softer target” until it happens.

 

[Jimster]

Very true. And my statement was made in jest. Most punks are looking for weak, unaware sheep to victimize.

 

[dobedo]

t vestsSome vests scream, “I’m carrying a firearm, shoot me first.”

Yup they do I only wear my TAC vest when on a range however, what I have done is purchase several Carhart vests. Then I made a holster to slip in the inside pocket no seem is my way. I have a Kimber 9mm micro black ice and a Khar K40 both fit in the same holster. I can shoot a pistol right or left-handed so side or placement has never been an issue for me.

 

[ms6852]

With that bib holster, you can swap it to your new set of Bibs each year.



CCW vests from the NRA Store:

This one looks good - cotton canvas with 2 snapped interior gun pockets.

NRA CCW Dakota Ranch Vest

Material: 98% cotton canvas, 2% stretch Enzyme washed 80% polyester, 20% acrylic shearling-like liner Leather collar Dual customizable concealed carry compartments for left and right hand carry Includes universal, customizable holster Gusseted che

nrastore.com

Leather vest with similar snapped interior gun pockets:

NRA Coronado Laredo Concealed Carry Leather Vest

Genuine leather construction Western dipped front Western yoke back Cut without lapels Suede-lined hand pockets Front suede-lined pocketwatch pouch Handy watch-chain loop Dual concealment pockets for a left or right hand draw Includes universal

nrastore.com

Note the review on the leather vest:
"Rugged good looks receive compliments. P365X will not "print" if placed correctly in the inside pocket. Plenty of room for some spare magazines. Also nearly indispensable for carrying a credit card case, spectacle pouch, pen, and small note pad. Not a quickdraw option, but vastly more comfortable for day-long carry. That the exterior is easily maintained with quality automotive leather care products is a bonus, and it is worth mentioning that the closure snaps are much higher quality than those found on many other similar products/brands."

I'm pretty sure both vests have those cheap nylon / velcro strap holsters that fit inside them.
My goal would be to get one of my Alabama Front Pocket Holsters into that pocket. That would make for a faster draw. Once you unzip your vest then get past the snap on the pocket, drawing out of a Kydex Alabama Pocket Holster is fast.

I use this one with my Glock 43 and Ruger LC9S Pro in the summer with stretchy cargo shorts. I carry it in my front pocket.

Front Pocket Holster – Alabamaholster.com

I can get a full grip on both pistols and hit the thumb release on the holster for a fast draw:
View attachment 1193952 View attachment 1193953

If you buy a vest from NRA, they run small, so order a larger size than you normally wear. I'm basing it on the jacket I bought.

 

[Jim Watson]

There are a lot of vests here there and yonder. If you wish to carry in a vest pocket, shoulder holster or IWB they are ok, but few are long enough to cover a belt holster a la IDPA.

 

[JohnB-40]

I use one made of oilskin from Outback Trading Co,works well for me. Lined and the oilskin is waterproof. Good deal if you buy when they are sale.

Men’s Landsman Vest | Vests by Outback Trading Company

The Landsman Vest is lined in Fleece and features dual entry pockets and a concealment pocket with extended back coverage to keep you warm

www.outbacktrading.com

 

[.308 Norma]

Does it scream GUN! Maybe, I don't know. I've never noticed anyone running and screaming "He's got a gun!

 

[Show Me]

Exactly right, I don't need a cover garment that has all been hashed out and ten months of the year I have covered.
When it is 0 deg F and I have to work outside for 10 hours I will have on base layers, a heavy shirt, a 1/4 zip, and a heavy coat over my carhart bibs. Its a 3 step process to get to a gun on my belt. Traditional pocket carry doesn't work out great because carhart has made their pockets smaller on the bibs and coat pockets tend to fill with barn dirt quickly.
My interest in the vests is to have a dedicated outer layer with a dedicated pocket for carry.

Just like trying to use the out house. Ah, hold please. The young journeymen wear batt powered vests and socks so they can still look sporty. Less layers and my chesty puller rig is ready

 

[redneck]

Another one:

Men’s Cody Concealed Carry Canvas Vest

A rugged wear anywhere vest. • Cinnamon color shown

bucksworth.com

I like this one but the pockets seem very low, wish they had better pics. The others I think all leave the gun prone to flashing if I don't keep it zipped.

With that bib holster, you can swap it to your new set of Bibs each year.



CCW vests from the NRA Store:

This one looks good - cotton canvas with 2 snapped interior gun pockets.

NRA CCW Dakota Ranch Vest

Material: 98% cotton canvas, 2% stretch Enzyme washed 80% polyester, 20% acrylic shearling-like liner Leather collar Dual customizable concealed carry compartments for left and right hand carry Includes universal, customizable holster Gusseted che

nrastore.com

Leather vest with similar snapped interior gun pockets:

NRA Coronado Laredo Concealed Carry Leather Vest

Genuine leather construction Western dipped front Western yoke back Cut without lapels Suede-lined hand pockets Front suede-lined pocketwatch pouch Handy watch-chain loop Dual concealment pockets for a left or right hand draw Includes universal

nrastore.com

I was ready to order the NRA canvas vest until I saw the white fuzzy lining. That seems like a horrible idea when you live in a barn

I use one made of oilskin from Outback Trading Co,works well for me. Lined and the oilskin is waterproof. Good deal if you buy when they are sale.

Men’s Landsman Vest | Vests by Outback Trading Company

The Landsman Vest is lined in Fleece and features dual entry pockets and a concealment pocket with extended back coverage to keep you warm

www.outbacktrading.com

I think I am going to order one of these. It has the style of pocket I like, oilskin holds up well, and its already dirt colored

 

[redneck]

Just like trying to use the out house. Ah, hold please. The young journeymen wear batt powered vests and socks so they can still look sporty. Less layers and my chesty puller rig is ready

I have a battery powered vest. It works best as a bottom layer. Put it over a coat and you don't feel the heat. It also requires that I remember to charge the battery, which means its just a normal vest 75% of the time

 

[Rodfac]

I personally hate shoulder holsters, I find them uncomfortable on my neck and shoulders. However, it sounds like a shoulder holster over your clothing under your Jacket would be the best way to carry.

Yep...works for me and the add'l under layers help with the neck and shoulder irritation. This a good back up gun carry method for me when hunting with a rifle.

Tip don't buy a cross draw holster, just use a no cant / vertical draw holster worn on your off side / in front of your hip with a compact sized pistol.

This works too in my experience: relatively easy to access the gun through the front tails of most coats, works equally well in a a modern conveyance once you readjust the seat belt situation, but is a problem for me on horseback (reins in the left hand, the left elbow & wrist takes a beating from the hammers on my sixguns.)

I strongly suspect that's why US Cavalry carried their handguns, butt forward on the Right Side: same deal, left hand controls the horse, sabre hangs from the left side (cause ya can't dismount with it on the right), carbine slung with a cross strap on the right (but had to be lifted clear of the barrel thimble to dismount.)

​

As to vests...the usual type scream "GUN" to me...but I do have a holster sewn into the left armpit area on my fly fishing vest. Works well with my M-36 & 60 with +P .38 Specials. Down in the Smokies of TN, NC and KY, I load the first chamber with a #9 shot load.

Best Regards, Rod

 

[drobs]

15 years ago, I used to wear a black Northface vest as an outer garment around the office with a long sleeve button down shirt.

The only vests that scream "shoot me 1st" are those fishing / photography / tactical vests that 5.11 sells.
Western, canvas, leather, or nylon ski / hiking vests aren't the same thing.

 

[trackskippy]

Ive always gone with my normal day to day clothing and used an appropriate holster and gear to carry/hide the gun and accessories. The more natural you look the easier it is. Same goes for using good, proper gear, and that's even more important if you're active. The gun and accessories need to be held securely and in place and still readily available.

Most all of the clothing made as a "concealed carry" garment never looked natural/normal to me, and often looks "off" and is usually readily identifiable as such, especially if you know what you're looking at. They also tend to be overly expensive, limit you in what you wear, and cause you to handle the gun unnecessarily as you need to move the gun around if you need to take that specific garment off as you move through the day. This time of year, you need a layer between the gun and the outer garment so when you take that off, the gun is still covered.

This all takes a little work to figure out, but isn't all that hard to do. And its a package deal, and the gear is as, if not more important than what it is you choose to wear.

 

[tarosean]

The vests that originally caught my eye are these ones made by Cinch. I looked at some of them at a horse show last fall and the gun pocket opens at the edge of the zipper so that the gun slides between the lining and and the outer shell and it won't show even if the vest is unzipped. It seems like this opening would also catch less dirt. The building was posted so taking a gun in to see how the holster fits wasn't really an option

Thats who I was going to suggest. I own a few of their jackets (not a Vest person). I "pocket" carry a Kimber Evo in a sticky holster without issue.

 

[Old Dog]

The only vests that scream "shoot me 1st" are those fishing / photography / tactical vests that 5.11 sells.

You guys really gotta stop this. Absent wearing a tee-shirt with 4"words on front and back saying, "I am armed with a handgun, shoot me first!" there is nothing that one can wear that "screams shoot me first."

While a certain style of dress can certainly clue in the cognoscenti (those in the law enforcement, military, shooting communities) that one may subscribe to a lifestyle that includes either hunting, shooting or even carrying firearms, 99.9% of Americans don't pay attention to this stuff.

No one cares about what others wear, except for the extensive sub-culture of celebrity-worshippers who live to watch stupid events such as the red carpet arrivals of Academy Awards attendees.