I do commercial/industrial HVAC for work and do after hours calls (on call) in some real bad areas of Springfield. Ive been debating on carrying, but due to the elements (weather)wasnt sure which method would be the best.

If theres anyone else on here that does this type of work and can lend some ideas or whats worked for you, Id like to hear them.

Thank you.

I do commercial/industrial HVAC for work and do after hours calls (on call) in some real bad areas of Springfield. Ive been debating on carrying, but due to the elements (weather)wasnt sure which method would be the best.

If theres anyone else on here that does this type of work and can lend some ideas or whats worked for you, Id like to hear them.

Thank you.

Hi Brian. Your story sounds familiar to me,I've done about 15+ years of hvac work myself in South Carolina. I didn't have too much trouble over going into bad areas and rarely wished I'd been packin any heat.However,a guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do to make a living without dying in the process.Maybe a snubbie in a ziplock bag inside your toolbox would be something to think about.Be safe and good luck to you with your work. Jim

Yea, ya never know when someone will sneak up on ya. Ive had people follow me and just ask for a dollar, people grab me or try and get into my work van and even have had the opportunity to be in the middle of a 17 and 19 yr old shooting at each other after school...

I thought about a ankle holster, but we just got a foot of snow... and in the summer theres a chance its going to pour... leaves me with limited options. Its mostly for after hours, even though the mentioned has all been in the daytime and quitting my jobs not an option...

During our summers here in southern Colorado the temperature is frequently over 100 degrees. Outer garments just aren't very comfortable then. I frequently use a fanny pack with a velcro closure over a compartment large enough for a 1911 pistol, also handy for the checkbook, flashlight, spare magazine, cell phone, etc. Reasonably good access to the handgun; not the ideal solution but I still have the handgun with me instead of it being at home or in the car.

It occurs to me that a HVAC man might consider a tool belt. A pouch to carry screwdrivers, nut drivers, pliers,flashlight, other small tools, and an inconspicuous rectangular pouch with a flap to carry and keep the handgun concealed. I doubt anyone would ever think twice about seeing something like that on a service man. I've seen iPod cases that would conceal a small revolver or auto, and nobody thinks anything about someone with an iPod case on his belt.

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Life of the party until 8:00PM

My dad is in the HVAC business and he carries his Bersa .380 Thunder daily in a IWB holster. Some days he carries his Para LDA or Glock 23 in an OWB, depending on what kind of job he will be doing that day.

When I did HVAC work in St. Louis some years back, I'd sometimes carry a "pocket pistol" in a shoulder rig, under a jacket (back before Missouri had CCW). Now, I carry a Sigma in a Kholster tuckable holster (LINK), even though I don't do much HVAC work any more. If you have a dress code that demands a tucked in shirt, the Kholster is THE way to go. It is also so comfortable, you can wear it all day.

I would much rather have the gun on my person, than in a tool box that is not accessible when you need it most.

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NRA Pistol,PPITH,PPOTH&TASER

A airweight j-frame in a pocket holster is my suggestion. It's light enough to be almost unnoticeable, and if you're wearing work clothes, who is going to question a bulge in one, or both, of your front pockets? If you're walking from your truck to the site, you can have one hand in pocket and your tool box in the other. Again, who is going to recognize that you're carrying.

+1 On Lobo's 'tool belt' suggestion, IF you use one... if not (don't think you mentioned a specific gun) consider a light-weight J frame & in-pocket holster combo. Works pretty well for more folks than you can guess.

Regards From Colorado,


Tony

You can’t go wrong with a lightweight J-frame in a Kramer Pocket Holster.

Emory

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Hard To Kill

Pocket carry or thunderwear/smartcarry might be an option.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

I don't work in your field, but I do maintenance work in a tool & die shop. I put a P3AT in one front pocket (with a couple shop rags hanging off my belt right over it /Uncle Mike's pocket holster) and a NAA Black Widow in the other (homemade/duct tape holster, my keys in the bottom of the pocket break up it's outline).

Brian,
The biggest step is commiting to carry. I own a sign business, and can be on a ladder one minute, and at a desk the next.

My everyday carry used to be a j-frame in a pocket, but i realized, depending on body position, it can be tough to get a fistfull of handgun out of a pocket in a hurry.

I decided to carry IWB, and although it takes a week or two to get used to, it's easier to access if necessary.

Hope this helps.

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Eric

Thanks so much everyone! All of these ideas have been very helpful... I know I forgot to explain what I have for carry purposes, it is a j-frame 32H&R. I have the pocket holster now, but I always have things in my pockets and OWB is definitely out due to rain, snow, etc. I think the IWB would be best, I just need to find a comfortable one.

Again, thanks a lot... I appreciate the help!

I carry my 642 in a crossbreed super tuck.After it gets broke in it is barley noticable, sitting or standing.

For IWB carry with a J frame, appendix carry is the way to go. At least for me it is.

M36 or small auto (Colt M1903/08)in a pocket holster. Or any holster that will allow you to cover it up with rain gear. A cautionary note-if you carry next to your skin-some nylon holsters will absorb sweat! It only takes a couple of hours in 90 degree heat to do damage. With my pocket holster I have a double barrier-but I still watch out for mositure. Then again I'm getting older sooooo..but that's another problem.

Brian, while you are debating a firearm, I might suggest, if legal in your area, to also carry some strong pepper spray. I mention that since you gave an account of being grabbed. Being grabbed might not be grounds for responding with a firearm, but maybe pepper spray would motivate someone to leave, but then if not, they might meet your little friend.

In your business you might be able to get some kind of leather pouch similar to what you would carry a voltage meter in and wear it on your belt. When you are laying down and crawling around, an inside-the-waistband holster might get uncomfortable, and a pocket holster might even be annoying in your hip or front pocket. If you had cargo pockets on the side that might work well, but the leather pouch on your belt would be like open carry.