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Old 03-21-2013, 10:51 AM
Der Biermeister Der Biermeister is offline
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Default IWB during deep summer

This will be my first summer with CC. I have an M&P 9 FS that has now been relegated to home defense. My carry gun is a Shield 40. IWB is very comfortable this time of the year when wearing it against a T-shirt with an outer jacket - but I am beginning to think about deep summer, when I only want to wear ONE very thin cotton T shirt and lightweight shorts. There simply is no way I'd ever wear two shirts. Also, I don't like wearing belts with summer shorts. Even though the Shield is relatively small, it still weighs enough that I feel it will drag my shorts down without a really snug belt.

So -- my first question is: If I am to still use an IWB holster (maybe with jeans with a belt), how comfortable are IWB holsters against bare, clammy skin?

Or, should I seriously be thinking about a smaller carry gun (BG or a small wheel gun) for pocket carry?
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Old 03-21-2013, 11:15 AM
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Beerman,

I'd try a sticky holster or use a Supertuck with a belt. Both are comfortable, but you'll need a snug waistband or belt with the sticky.
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Old 03-21-2013, 11:19 AM
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Default IWB during deep summer

I carry a bigger and heavier gun with just a t-shirt - leather against your skin is your friend. Something like a crossbreed should he comfortable in the summer
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Old 03-21-2013, 11:25 AM
fonejack54 fonejack54 is offline
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I struggle with the same dilemma as you. I even bought a Ruger LCP last November but sold it because it felt like a toy. I carry a M&P Shield 9mm.
I just sold a S&W 442 that I pocket carried. I am retired so I hibernate in the winter so my biggest chance of needing my weapon is in the warmer weather with walking and yardwork. I recently realized that I would be silly to under gun myself during the times I am most likely to need protection.
I can't wear belts tight because of back problems, so I have resorted to suspenders and pocket carry my Shield in cargo pants or shorts (dress around the gun).
IWB holsters against bare skin are not comfortable. I have tried just slipping a handkerchief in between the gun and skin and that works pretty good.
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Old 03-21-2013, 11:28 AM
P&R Fan P&R Fan is offline
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I can't stand to have a gun next to bare skin, so I always wear a T-shirt. You can do IWB in the summer, it just takes planning. One way is to wear a T-shirt and a larger buttoned shirt that is untucked. This is very common today, especially in churches. (Not for me, mind you, I still wear a suit). This allows you to carry a pretty large gun, and spare mag, easily.

I have another method that is VERY comfortable, and surprisingly fast. If you read gun magazines you see the ad for the Kramer Confidant shirt holster. This is a mesh shirt with a pouch under each arm. You can carry a handgun on one side and a spare mag on the other. I can carry an S&W J-Frame revolver or a Glock 23 or 27. Have done so all day many times and I literally forget it's there. I leave the top two buttons unbuttoned on my shirt and reach in and draw straight up. If I wear a suit I leave a button unbuttoned under my tie. You can even wear a sweatshirt and leave a couple of the buttons on your midsection unbuttoned. This costs about $60, and it is well worth it.

Concealed carry can be done in any weather. You just have to experiment and dress accordingly.
Jim
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Old 03-21-2013, 11:31 AM
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Default Re: IWB during deep summer

Comfort is a very personal thing. I carry IWB all the time. Our Pa summers are hot and humid and i wear a undershirt tanktop tucked in so that the holster isnt against the skin, with a t-shirt over it. Im perfectly fine with it and dont feel extra hot.

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Old 03-21-2013, 02:38 PM
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my fav.concealed carry is ankle holster...and i carry large guns as a rule...if in shorts i often times carry a M36 in a pocket holster...a shield will be an easy carry in the pocket
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Old 03-21-2013, 03:08 PM
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Hot and humid Pittsburgh weather in the summer.........if in jeans, no socks and sneakers or boat shoes

I carry IWB using a sleeveless t-shirt ( a colored "wife beater" is even better but my wife says no to them...LOL)covered by an untucked nylon "fishing style" shirt.. sleeves rolled up above the elbows ( held by that little flap thingie that buttons over the rolled up sleeve....... I explain it, if asked, which is rare.... that I need the pockets my reading glasses, phone etc.

hides my 3913NL in a milt sparks summer special and my Safariland horizonal Leatherman mini tool case (extra 7rd mag) nicely.

lighter colored ones also reflect the sun and being loose help keep you cool.

I use to wear a photo vest.....you know the "shoot me" vests... all the time but since I've gone to the Fishermans's shirts the vest only get used in the mountains at the cabin.

Last edited by BAM-BAM; 03-21-2013 at 03:22 PM.
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Old 03-21-2013, 03:50 PM
Pisgah Pisgah is offline
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I hate to say it, but if you are going to be serious about full-time carry you are going to have to make some compromises. You can hide a big gun under nothing but a T, but if you are uncomfortable with that the only answer is an over-shirt; if your gun is too heavy for beltless carry, sorry -- you need a belt, like it or not. Only thing else you can do is go down to a teeny gun.
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Old 03-21-2013, 04:28 PM
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There are of course other choices for concealed carry besides a typical holster or in a pocket.

Fanny packs, waist packs, purses, bags, packs, various belt pouches, pad folios, shirts and jackets with built-in gun pockets... Each with their own advantages and disadvantages, and some more appropriate in different situations than others. If you're an NRA member, you probably get the NRA Store catalog already, or check out nrastore.com. And of course, other companies will have similar offerings.
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Old 03-21-2013, 05:48 PM
Der Biermeister Der Biermeister is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pisgah View Post
I hate to say it, but if you are going to be serious about full-time carry you are going to have to make some compromises. You can hide a big gun under nothing but a T, but if you are uncomfortable with that the only answer is an over-shirt; if your gun is too heavy for beltless carry, sorry -- you need a belt, like it or not. Only thing else you can do is go down to a teeny gun.
Well - never let it be said that you don't zero in on the issue , which is why I posed it in the first place. Thanks for the advice and all the others too - this has been a good topic!

Regarding the undershirt -- I have never worn a tank top and therefore didn't it consider it. But will now.

As for belts - I go to the extreme to keep the holster (either IWB or OWB) in place. 1 1/2" wide and a 1/4 inch thick.
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Old 03-21-2013, 09:40 PM
Justin69 Justin69 is offline
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If you dont like wearing a belt, u dont have to. watch this!!TactiPac FusionPac IWB Deep Concealed Carry Holster - YouTube
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Old 03-22-2013, 10:30 AM
JSM&P9C JSM&P9C is offline
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Try the SmartCarry. I always wear two light shirts in the summer. I actually prefer it. I find I sweat less with an undergarment than without one.
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Old 03-22-2013, 12:47 PM
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For me as long as the holster has a sweat shield, I have no problem with it without an undergarment. I use leather holsters though, Kydex may not be so nice.
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Old 03-22-2013, 03:36 PM
amazingflapjack amazingflapjack is offline
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Cloth holsters. I like Uncle Mikes open top IWB.
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Old 03-23-2013, 12:36 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lost Lake View Post
Beerman,

I'd try a sticky holster or use a Supertuck with a belt. Both are comfortable, but you'll need a snug waistband or belt with the sticky.
I second this post... I personally have exactly the same setup as you... A M&P Pro Series 9mm and .40 Shield... I live in FL and can wear cargo shorts and a t-shirt with no printing or issues. It is all about the holster. Crossbreed holsters are amazingly comfortable and are great for concealment. I also have nothing but positive to say about Remora holsters... Both have their distinct advantages. In most of my cargo shorts, the cargo pocket will fit my shield in a remora holster and it isn't as comfortable to me as IWB since it is an extra weight pulling on the bottom of your shorts but it is pretty much invisible.

As for IWB I wear mine around the 3.5/4 o'clock position and it sits there for 12+ hours and have no issues with movement or comfort with the remora holster. I am still waiting on my crossbreed holster to come in for my shield but I have a crossbreed for my FS 9mm and it was always super comfortable for the size of the gun.

Hope this gave you some insight!
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Old 03-23-2013, 01:54 AM
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Crossbreed holsters look great! How long do you think one of these holsters last? Wearing it 8 + hours a day, every day. Thanks
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Old 03-23-2013, 07:20 AM
gmiller0737 gmiller0737 is offline
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I have never worn a Undershirt in My life! I have Carried a HK USP 9mm,Or a S&W 60-7 In IWB Holsters wearing Shorts & a Long T Shirt & it's not too bad My Holster for the HK is a Milt Sparks Summer Special II & The 60-7 is carried in a older DeSantis IWB holster,More often in the really hot part of the year I carry My Ruger LCP in a Pocket Holster
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Old 03-24-2013, 10:44 AM
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Crossbreed holsters have a lifetime warranty. I have heard they start to have a smell to them with the cowhide after a long time with you sweating on them a lot and to upgrade to the horsehide but I haven't ran into that yet and got the cowhide. Their customer support is excellent, too. I had my holster on (no gun) and was wrestling with a friend... the kydex that holds the gun got bent in... called their customer support and they said to ship it in and they would take care of it... the whole thing took under a week They even priority shipped it back to me.
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Old 03-24-2013, 11:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amazingflapjack View Post
Cloth holsters. I like Uncle Mikes open top IWB.
I'm also looking toward my first summer and carrying. I was thinking about a Sticky but this is another option.
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Old 03-24-2013, 02:55 PM
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Don't rule out the Galco Belly Band holsters. Nice leather and high quality fabric. Amazon.com : Galco UWKHMED Underwraps Belly Band (Khaki, Ambi) : Airsoft Stomach Band Holsters : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41zNy3lNpnL.@@AMEPARAM@@41zNy3lNpnL
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Old 03-24-2013, 06:02 PM
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Horsehide holster by Tommy Theis works against bare skin for me, carrying Kahr K40. Should be even better with the Shield. Crossbreed Supertuck would work as well.
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Old 03-24-2013, 10:11 PM
Tangoalphawhiskey Tangoalphawhiskey is offline
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Or you could try the N82 holsters...they are suede on one side and full grain leather on the gun side. The great thing about the N82 holster is that it has a piece of neoprene between the two pieces of leather so you wont sweat through it. Also, the entire gun rests against the leather so it doesn't touch your skin. The only down side that I've come across, is that you have to retrain with your draw stroke with this holster.
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Old 03-25-2013, 06:17 PM
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It's hot as hell down here and I'm very comfortable carrying my Shield in a DeSantis Cozy Partner holster. If it's going to be up against your skin leather is the way to go.
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Old 03-25-2013, 06:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Legacy1 View Post
Crossbreed holsters look great! How long do you think one of these holsters last? Wearing it 8 + hours a day, every day. Thanks
It will last for many years.
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Old 03-25-2013, 06:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lost Lake View Post
Beerman,

I'd try a sticky holster or use a Supertuck with a belt. Both are comfortable, but you'll need a snug waistband or belt with the sticky.
Get a Remora sticky holster, I can carry my Shield 40 in it wearing elastic band sweat pants with no problem. Get it with the sweat shield and the Kydex reinforcement at the top. holster stays put even without a belt. It does not even pull out when presenting your weapon.
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Old 03-25-2013, 06:57 PM
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If you are going to consider Crossbreed I would at least look at Old Faithful Holsters. Old Faithful Holsters - The Holster Store of Most Comfortable Gun Holsters

They are half the price and very high quality. I have one for a full size 9 and ordering a second for a Shield.
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Old 03-25-2013, 07:09 PM
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D/B,
I`m just west of you in Manakin. We just can`t wait for those 95* days and 98% humidity can we ? I just bought a Shield myself but my former summer carry was a Kahr. I use (and am fond of) Falco IWBs with the spring clip and the sweat shield. With the spring clip you don`t HAVE to use a belt but the holster will work fine with a belt if you want a belt. I also pocket carry and I think you will have to use a belt if you choose to go that way, as your shorts will want to follow your gun pocket down your leg,but that pistol conceals well. It`s just another option and won`t cost you much for an inside the pocket holster. Good Luck, John
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Old 03-25-2013, 07:13 PM
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Another +1 for Sticky Holsters. I rotate carrying a Shield 9mm and a S&W 1911SC E-series and I use a Sticky Holster for both. During the summer months here in Florida, I am usually in shorts and an untucked t-shirt and have never had any problems with printing or the holster moving out of place.

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Old 03-25-2013, 07:14 PM
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Google Thunderwear for an idea about holsters and also check out this link:

3 Speed Holster

They offer a free 30 day trial. Also, don't forget about Remora. There are a lot of good video's on the Remora line of holsters.

Good luck.
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Old 03-25-2013, 09:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JSM&P9C View Post
Try the SmartCarry. I always wear two light shirts in the summer. I actually prefer it. I find I sweat less with an undergarment than without one.
+1 on the SmartCarry. You don't need a belt or an inner shirt with it, although I hope you wear undershorts.
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