Tips for Conceal-ability

[MedWheeler]

JTQ writes:

I didn't read the linked article very thoroughly, but I think you may have missed the point of the article. Wearing a hoodie just happened to be his cover garment, the point was his shirt was the thing that brought the attention point up and away from the gun's position.

The article suggested using the hoodie to cover enough of the graphic on a T-shirt to draw the potential viewer's attention to trying to see the rest of it. The author didn't seem to place high confidence that an uncovered T-shirt would hold one's attention sufficiently (any T-shirts with graphics strong enough to do so would probably be largely inappropriate for me to wear.)

I agree that keeping attention from the belt line is the goal the author was recommending, but he only described one way to achieve it, and that way just isn't practical in the situation I had mentioned previously.

In my case, the cowboy hat that I wear pretty much everywhere seems to get enough attention that it may be fulfilling that goal without my having even thought of it, given the number of compliments I get on it around here.

 

[JTQ]

It does sound like you understand the concept.

For instance, simply wearing a t-shirt that says "Dolphins" in big letters across the chest would just require a quick look and easy identification of what it says. There is no need to spend time looking at it, especially if the shirt is teal or aqua or whatever the Dolphin's colors are, and they can move their gaze to the big picture of you. On the other hand, a polo or other shirt with a small, lets say "49'ers" logo over the left chest would probably require some time and concentration to read, especially in SE FL since it wouldn't be that common, and you may have to look at it trying to determine if it was a San Francisco "SF", or a Florida State "FS", thereby drawing the attention away from your gun. I don't think it's a conscious thing people do, it's just human nature to try and read those things.

Your hat probably does accomplish the author's point as you suspect.

After my previous post, I admit one of the first things that came to my mind was Carmen Miranda wearing a fruit basket headpiece. She probably could have danced around with a Thompson strapped on her hip as folks would have kept their gaze fixed to her head as they tried to figure out how she kept that pile of fruit from falling off her head.

 

[jar]

After my previous post, I admit one of the first things that came to my mind was Carmen Miranda wearing a fruit basket headpiece. She probably could have danced around with a Thompson strapped on her hip as folks would have kept their gaze fixed to her head as they tried to figure out how she kept that pile of fruit from falling off her head.

​

 

[AK103K]

If you want to draw attention away from your gun, get a nose ring.

I work with a boy who has one and its impossible to talk to him without staring at that stupid ring! Gun? Hell. I didn't know you had clothes on!

 

[Coal Dragger]

Thanks for the replies and tips everyone....

To clarify, I carry IWB, I should have said that first. I've tried Appendix and would be open to it but since I sit most of the day and carry a few *cough cough* or more extra pounds, my body pushes against the grip, shoving the barrel side into unpleasant positions. I wish I could make appendix work when sitting/ leaning forward because when standing I love having the pistol in front of me and it completely disappears.

Also, my office is very casual and small. Great because I can wear pretty much anything but I interact a lot with my co workers so the normal comfort of "most people don't look or notice" isn't there like in public because of the tremendous frequency of interactions.

It seems I'm on the right track, and just need some slight tweaks to my wardrobe (like more untucked button downs) to iron out the wrinkles... And like some have suggested, I might think more about a pocket option... the LCP II has perked my interest in the past.

The key to appendix comfort is a good holster and a few other tricks.

One is to make sure your belt isn’t too tight, that will make digging into the crotch area painful when seated.

Another helpful adjustment for bigger guys is to wear the gun deeper in the waist line so the abdomen has less leverage at the top to make the muzzle end dig into your nether bits.

Then there’s the wedge, or other cushioning device you can add at the muzzle end of the holster. Not only will one of these cushion the edges of the holster and keep them from digging into your junk, but will make the pistol conceal better by tucking the butt of the pistol in at the top.

Give it a try, something else you might find is that a longer holster is actually more comfortable than a shorter one in appendix carry.

 

[MikeInOr]

I have a coworker that likes to tell me how easy it is to conceal a 1911. Funny thing is he never has a gun on him even though he has a ccl... huh. Seems to me most of the people I know that preach 9mm or bigger carry guns don't seem to carry that often.

For every day "office carry" I carry a LCP or a KelTec P32 in my pocket depending on what pants I am wearing. My boss carries a S&W shield... in his back pack... which is within his arms reach less than half of his day.

Weight is generally a bigger factor for me than minor differences in dimensions.

 

[JR24]

Well I carry all day every day with a 9mm 1911. Rain, shine, work, cutting trees, working on my truck, etc.

My muscular thighs make pocket carry in almost any circumstance unfeasible if I have to sit at all, plus I hate shooting small guns.

 

[luzyfuerza]

^^^^ This.

I carry a compact 45 (full-sized slide with a slightly shorter grip...10+1 capacity) IWB in a quality horsehide holster at 4:00 every day all day. NOT because it's the most comfortable gun or carry position, but because it's fast to access and I hate shooting tiny pistols with tiny grips and little sights in less-effective calibers.

The compromises associated with CARRYING a concealed weapon became much less significant to me when I focused on what works best when a gun is actually needed...AND USED.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

@SCMikeyP

I'm a wee bit late to this conversation, but I'll put in my 2 cents in my own way.

Carrying concealed is a holistic activity. A lot goes into it and not everything is necessarily suitable for everybody.

Regardless of how you carry, a proper holster is an absolute must. A proper holster has a couple very important characteristics: retention and protection of the trigger. You want the firearm to stay put when you holster it and you do not want anything to get into the trigger guard while it's holstered. That last is exceptionally important for firearms like the Glock, which have no manual safety. (No, the Glock trigger is NOT a "safety", no matter what Glock and others may say.) A negligent discharge or dropped firearm is not a happy event.

However you carry, the suspension system is critical in keeping the firearm where you put it at all times. This is where a proper belt comes in. It aids tremendously in holding the holster where it's supposed to be and doing so with as much comfort as possible. Sagging cloths not only make for discomfort and added strain on the body from the weight, but it also adversely affects concealability.

Clothing: How you dress affects not only concealability, but HOW you can successfully conceal your weapons. Your dress code should be well considered accordingly. And remember...the varying seasons affect your dress, which in turn affects how you can carry.

Firearm: What you choose to carry makes a big difference, too. Revolvers vs. pistol, full size vs. smaller size, large caliber vs. small caliber, single stack vs. double stack, and more. People are absolutely amazed to find out that I carry a full size Colt 1991A1. And I do it year round.

Weight: This is a touchy subject for some, but weight has a lot to do with how you can carry a firearm, or at least carry concealed and comfortably. Therefore, managing your weight is a viable concern to achieve what you wish.

Body shape: Weight is only a part of this. Are you a big framed person, medium framed, or small framed? Are you male or female? Tall or short? Big hips or narrow hips? Heavily muscled or no? Some body shapes preclude some forms of carry, or limit some forms anyway.

Your movements: Sounds strange, but you should make some adjustments as necessary to achieve and maintain concealability. For example, in social situations how you hug someone is important. Perhaps you should get in the habit of ensure your arms go under theirs instead of the other way around...then incidental contact with your firearm does not reveal that you're carrying. "Checking" or "hitching" movements involved with your firearm. Stop those...they're visual cues.

Attitude: By this, perhaps I'm better served saying "comfort". You've got to become comfortable with the thought, as well as the act, of carrying concealed. When you are comfortable with the thought and act of carrying, you quit doing things like nervous checks of your weapon's placement, constantly tugging your shirt or jacket, etc.

The FUN part now is figuring out how to cope with all these various factors in order to come up with what works for YOU. And remember...you can, at any time, change anything about any of these factors as you see fit in order to meet your needs.

You can change your clothing, lose weight, carry a different firearm under different circumstances, whatever you wish.

 

[cougar1717]

They may not look like they are accessible, but in reality, they are, or can be.

But again, what works for me, may not work for you.

As an example, I dont pocket carry, and for a number of reasons. The main being, I already have to much other junk in my pockets to do it. The other, it limits me to second and third line back up guns, and in general, its slow and difficult to quickly get to the gun and get it out.

The Smart Carry on the other hand, has none of those limitations. It allows for the carry of a realistic gun, along with a reload, is easily and quickly accessed, even from a sitting position.

Heres a link that shows how they work ......



If you do a search, there are a bunch of others.


I work in heavy construction. We are subject to random drug tests all the time.

Anymore, many places require it when you are hired too. Just more "people control".

That time I got snagged, I was at the DR's office, just to pick up a script for a dreaded opioid, and the "supposedly" random drug test, is now part of the drill. That part of it is just another money making racket they have going on. They charged my insurance $650 just for the test, and billed me $140 for my part. We had quite the discussion too when I got that bill!

All that, just to keep some pain killers on hand, should they be needed. I simply wanted a refill on a 7 year old script with 35 of the original 40 still in it. They wouldnt give me more than 10 this time, and that was a major fight. The world is going crazy!

The jockstrap holster, along with the subsequent discussion about hand size and drawing from it is by far the funniest thing that I have seen today. Only gifs from Full Metal Jacket or Blazing Saddles could make it funnier.

On a serious note to the OP, there are a ton of ways that someone has devised to carry a firearm. It is important to be able to draw and reholster so that if you ever had to use it, you are not the guy holding a firearm (or frantically unzipping your trousers) as police arrive.