How Do Pros Conceal?

[doctorj]

One of the recurring topics here is how to "carry concealed" with confidence. How do the professionals do it? How do undercover LEOs do personal business in robbery-sensitive places (gas stations, convenience stores, banks, etc.)-- places where the staff is alert to concealed weapons-- without being embarrassed all the time by "Man With a Gun" calls? Of course, in some cases, he/she may be personally known to the staff. But I'm not talking about that.

 

[Smoke]

The place where I train has several LEO's that train there. Some of them work undercover where being made with a gun is more dangerous to them than just discreetly carrying at a gas station would be. Most of them carry at about 5:00 o'clock. They can open their jacket and you still can't see it.

Local law enforcement (not undercover) carry off duty as any CHL holder would do.

 

[CWL]

"carry concealed" with confidence

You answered your own question. If you look uncomfortable, walk funny and go patting your pistola all the time, you give yourself away. Cops and BGs look for telltale behavior of each person to indicate if someone is carrying (especially if he shouldn't be). Printing is not as big a givaway.

With current weather trends, loose/baggy clothes in fashion and cell phones & other body gadgets, the average person can conceal quite a bit.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

The two previous posts gave the most important items; carry in a discreet location, and act normally.
For the 25 years I've been carrying in Illinois (I'm PD) where civilian carry is prohibited and therefore any gun gets a lot of attention, I've never been "made", as far as I know.
About half of the time I carry an Airweight S&W snubbie in my right front pocket (love those Dockers!), otherwise a Browning HP in an IWB (Kramer or Sparks) under a sweater or loose polo shirt.
As always, Your Mileage May Vary

 

[El Tejon]

Ex-LEO here. Carried G23 in Milt Sparks IWB, only spotted when took my suit coat off. Got made by a bailiff with a J frame bug in an Alessi ankle rig (girlfriend threw out my 2d "cover sock"--"what's this?").

Key is good holster AND good belt.

 

[Carbon_15]

CWL nailed it. Most people don't think twice about a gun that is printing. Now more than ever since practicly everyone is carrying a cell phone, beeper and/or PDA. Things like walking around with your strong side elbow perminatly pinned to your hip, constantly feeling and adjusting belt/holster/pants, or otherwise acting self-consious about the piece will draw more attention.

 

[JPM70535]

As a retired LEO, I have carried off duty as a matter of course. Dont think I was ever made. Confidence that your weapon is fully concealed and secure goes a long way in projecting a positive image, resulting in less pulling and shifting of clothing and readjusting of weapon, which are possible signs of a gun being carried. ( always piqued my curiosity )

With the proper holster and a good belt, any number of different pistols and revolvers can be easily concealed under a loose fitting T-Shirt worn with Jeans or shorts. My current carry gun is a Para-Ordnance C7-45 and worn with the attire mentioned is completely invisible.

Revolvers are a little harder to conceal than Autos, partially due to their increased thickness, but more due to the grip shape, and the fact that most revolvers today are equipped with Rubber grips that are prone to hang up on clothing (Printing). My solution to this has always been to equip my off duty revolvers with the thinest set of smooth wood grips I could find. Works even with an L frame Smith



BUILD A MAN A FIRE AND YOU WARM HIM FOR A NIGHT.
SET A MAN ON FIRE AND YOU WARM HIM FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE!!!

 

[Navy joe]

Carry the thing around a while and it will come to you. The biggest thing is the people around you that know you well need to know how to act, nothing like your kid running his head into your gun, your favorite waitress or something bumping into it and making some remark at the wrong time to get you killed. Can you imagine taking some family members somewhere and ending up in a holdup situation? Then your 5 yr old pipes up "why don't you shoot him dad?" Oops. Unfortunately, when you have a gun you have to train more than yourself.

 

[9mmepiphany]

we carry just like everyone else. many undercover guys don't go to great pains to conceal because they are expected, by the BG, to have a gun...the give away is too fancy a holster or a "tricked out" racegun...depending on the assignment.

it is mostly about attitude and confidence that your mode of carry is truely concealed. i started with a 1911 in a milt sparks "summer special" (slim and IWB) and have now graduated to OWB alessi or a fobus paddle holster for my L-frame or beretta 92/96

 

[Erik]

Actually, most "pros" I am familiar with are "lazy carriers," since they know there are next to no reprocusions if they are made.

Though to be fair, some are very good at concealing.

 

[j.wise]

"Actually, most "pros" I am familiar with are "lazy carriers," since they know there are next to no reprocusions if they are made."

Erik nailed it. I was MUCH more careful about concealing my handgun before Texas passed the CHL law. Now I'm a LEO, and have to keep motivating myself to conceal my weapon instead of just carrying openly (or just badly concealed.)

Neither in the Academy, at the department's in-service training, or with my Field Training Officers have I been "taught" how to carry concealed. I got all my training in the streets long ago.

 

[Serpico]

In winter I wear my "Handgun Control Inc." sweat-shirt....in summer my ACLU t-shirt....so far no one has made me but I did get hit in the head with a beer can thrown from a pick-up with Utah plates.....

as a side note, most LEOs (at least the ones around here) are not much into guns or gear and use whatever off the shelf holster the store owner reccomends....I've yet to see one deputy with a Sparks, delfatti, Alessi etc....the most custom rig I've seen on a dep was a Fist IWB clip on....

 

[9mmepiphany]

serpico - if you saw my beretta 96 in my alessi ACP while i was carrying, i'd be very disapointed

you're right though, i'm happy if i can get co-workers to even look as far as a galco, much less a custom maker

 

[Johnny Guest]

Mindset AND awareness,

NOT self-consciousness, seem to be the key.

I began carrying (ALL the time) some 35 years ago. In that time, I have NEVER been burned by a non-acquaintence. I have a couple of pals with whom I make a game of playing "Spot the pistol," and we can usually catch a glimpse that at least tips us off. Elder son, long before he started packing, would occasionally sidle up and say, "Dad, you're printing."

I know the theory of, "Carry the same gun, the same way, all the time." I also know what works for me, and it's NOT the same way all the time. For all the Galco, DeSantis, Alessi, Seventrees, Gaylord, and other custom and semi-custom holsters I've owned, I really like a Bianchi belt slide, and a couple of inexpensive side pocket holsters for everyday carry.

Best,
Johnny

 

[bad_dad_brad]

Pocket carry in loose Docker style pants using a soft Uncle Mike holster is pretty foolproof unless you are patted down.

For years in a non-CCW state, I carried a Kahr MK9 that way.

Nowadays, with lightweights like the PM9 or the featherweight KelTec P32, carry in this manner is pretty descrete. That P32, I swear, hide it in your underwear right next to your package, and nobody but a metal detector will find it.

 

[blades67]

Cover it and pretend it isn't there.

 

[Jedi_7.62]

Don't worry about it. The key is for you to get used to having it.

Just relax and you'll be O.K. When I first started carrying I did all the usual stuff and really worried looked nervouse adjusted when I thought no one was looking held the elbow tight against weapon. Absolutely rediculous but I guess we all learn. Never got made to my knowledge tho. The only time I ever got made was when I confided in someone. Mistake on my part She was married to a cop so I thought she could be trusted. WRONG!!!

I had my permit and all but carrying was against University policy. The %$^%#^ dimed me out. All they made me do was lock it up. However it was infuriating and embarrasing. And I was unarmed for the rest of the day scary considering where I was at the time.

Boss was cool he was a police wanna be and his 2 bosses were former police so it ended up all good. We setled on don't ask don't tell.

 

[badgerrr]

I find using a "barami hip grip" can aid concealment. Since it's just a different grip on the weapon, and not a true holster, there's less to hide.

This is the one on my M-65.

 

[SW9mm]

i read a post on packing.org once that stated he was open carrying for the first time in va. and noone in the supermarket even noticed. most people just aren't paying attention like we do.(people that are carrying). i do my best to conceal but i don't really sweat it anymore.

 

[bad_dad_brad]

Looks like a pro carrying to me. Hope the female moderator don't take offense.

 

[Greg L]

Sigh

You know that you are too much of a gun geek when you actually notice that the safety isn't on in that picture.

Greg

 

[Jim March]

At least in California, "undercover" cops are the WORST at concealment. They know there's no penalty for accidental exposure, and many seem to "power trip" off of letting people see their hardware right next to their badge. It's like "if ya got it, flaunt it" kinda thing.

Basic human nature, really. Throughout human history, you can spot the free men from the slaves by the presence or absense of arms. It's not any different today, and in a state with massive gun control such as California, NY/NJ/MA/etc the difference is all the greater therefore the greater the temptation to "flaunt freedom".



Anyways. Don't look to the "pros" for tips on proper concealment.

 

[agtman]

Smooth operators.


First, it's about having the right concealment gear that fits your chosen weapon and you.

That means, primarily, a high quality holster, designed with concealment in mind, AND a high quality gun belt, designed specifically to help hold and distribute the weight of the gun (including that added by the holster). They work together.

It always amazes me to watch a guy lay out a $1000 for a quality pistol and then put it into a $20 pancake holster he picked up at the last gunshow, which then rides on his regular dress belt. He's disappointed when it's not comfortable and almost offended when you point out how his piece moves around and/or prints against his cover garmets and is easily detectable, the same as if he'd just screamed "gun!"

In other words, resist the urge to go cheap on your concealment system (i.e., holster + belt).

The second part of it has more to do with attitude: self-confidence in your gear and wearing it enough times with a mix of different seasonal clothing that it becomes, more or less, second nature.

If it's true that "undercover" cops in California (or anywhere else) like to flaunt the fact they're armed, then shame on them. It may impress the homeboys and the little girlies, but if a gallery of "ooohs" and "ahhhs" from displaying their weapon is what they want, they should ask for reassignment to uniform patrol. Clear visibility on the hip throughout the duration of the shift.

 

[shootingfarm]

When I first started carrying I thought "everyone can tell" but they can't, after awhile you get comforable with it, Hell you'll even miss it when you don't have it with you.

I carry every day 10 to 14 hours and its a full size 1911, with a IWB holster.

The two things you need is a heavy gun belt and the right holster, you'll try some,but if you ask people on this fourm and others will help.

Well agtman and I were typing at the same time.



Paul

 

[cheygriz]

For many years in LE, I carried a Ruger Security Six with six inch barrel in a vertical shoulder holster.

Later, when the dept. allowed autos, I switched to a full sixe glock 17 in a Galco Miami special shoulder rig.

Since retirement, I often carry "cowboy style." A Sig P239 in a Galco summer special IWB.

If absolute concealment is imperative, a shoulder rig can't be beaten.

It works for me.