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Old 12-17-2017, 09:35 PM
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Default Concealing a .45 Shield?

I need some advice for concealed carry of my Shield .45 acp. My job allows concealed carry but requires all shirts to be tucked in while at work. I want to carry my Shield because I am able to shoot it well. I tried a Galco tuck-n-go holster but it is very uncomfortable in the appendix position, and also behind the hip (it also prints). It sort of works in the small of my back but it is hard to draw effectively. I am of small stature (5’6”) so I don’t have a lot of room to hide a gun. Has anyone found a good holster solution?
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Old 12-17-2017, 09:43 PM
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I'm thinking that with a tucked-in shirt, you're pretty much limited to pocket-carry.
I'm a pocket-carry fan (usually an Airweight .38), but occasionally pocket-carry my Shield 9 in a basic pocket holster (coincidentally, pocket-toted the Shield to a distant family get-together, just yesterday.)
I don't know if the Shield 45 is any bigger than the Shield 9, but i assume they're nearly identical, and the Shield 9 isn't an uncomfortable or difficult thing to pocket-carry, at all (and I was wearing jeans yesterday.)
I imagine your next best option is IWB, but that's going to be awkward with a tucked shirt, in a work environment, so I'm thinking pocket-carry is the way to go.
So find you a thin, minimalist pocket holster (I've gotten perfectly good ones cheap on ebay) and start getting used to it.
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Old 12-17-2017, 10:25 PM
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The Stealthgear Ventcore Mini is one of the slimmest and most comfortable holsters I've got. It makes the Shield 45 very concealable and your shirt can be tucked in to hide it. Also, it helps to wear loose fitting shirts. I usually carry at about the 4 O'clock position and sometimes forget I'm carrying.

Stealth Gear USA | USA Made Concealable Holsters & Mag Carriers | Performance Concealed Carry Holsters Smith and Wesson M&P Shield .45 Mini Ventcore Holster - Holsters

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Old 12-17-2017, 10:49 PM
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The Shield 45 is a bit larger than a 9/40...not a tremendous amount, but a bit. If you have to wear your shirt tucked in, and can't open carry (like an OWB holster) then your option would seem to be IWB. With a tucked in shirt, though, it would be somewhat difficult to access, which may not be a big concern at work. You could try a shoulder holster under your shirt...same concerns with that.

Two things come to mind: one is to get one of those OWB holsters that look like a fanny pack or camera case; of course, if your state and/or employer don't permit open carry, then you could be in trouble with one of those if discovered. The second is to get some pants, like cargo pants, that have larger pockets on the legs. I am bigger than you (5'9" and probably a lot larger in circumference too) but I can't carry my Shield 45 in my jeans pockets...any of them. Fortunately, Texas allows open carry, so I can carry OWB, and even drape an untucked shirt over that if I want.
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Old 12-17-2017, 11:21 PM
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I regularly pocket carry a .45 Shield in a Desantis Super Fly holster. For me, very comfortable and not noticed by others.
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Old 12-17-2017, 11:53 PM
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I did concealed carry with my Shield .45 for a few weeks while my regular EDC M&P 40c was being overhauled by S&W. My Shield was easy to front-pocket carry in a DeSantis Nemesis holster. The Nemesis breaks up the already slim profile of the Shield, so there's no printing. The Nemesis stays put in the pocket while the Shield slides out.

Since drawing from a front pocket is difficult while seated, if I know I'm going to spend a lot of time on my seat, such as on an all-day drive, I carry in a 5.11 holster undershirt. It is made of tight-fitting Lycra, and has holsters on each side. The pistol is positioned under the arm, and is completely undetectable, unless you make the mistake of wearing a tight outer shirt and raising your arms a lot. The 5.11's holsters are fairly deep, and do a good job of restraining the pistol. For quicker access, you should wear a snap-button outer shirt. I also wear a cotton undershirt under the 5.11, to allow air to circulate between it and my skin. Otherwise, it gets too hot.

I hope this helps!
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Old 12-18-2017, 01:22 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larbike View Post
I need some advice for concealed carry of my Shield .45 acp. My job allows concealed carry but requires all shirts to be tucked in while at work. I want to carry my Shield because I am able to shoot it well. I tried a Galco tuck-n-go holster but it is very uncomfortable in the appendix position, and also behind the hip (it also prints). It sort of works in the small of my back but it is hard to draw effectively. I am of small stature (5’6”) so I don’t have a lot of room to hide a gun. Has anyone found a good holster solution?
You could try an ankle holster; not my first choice but it would eliminate the shirt problem. Something like this:



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Old 12-18-2017, 10:38 AM
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The ankle holster option ain't a bad idea, that never even occured to me. But if you went that route,you might consider a different pistol, like an Airweight 38, or maybe even that little Ruger LCP .380 (which I've been noticing Palmetto has had on sale lately at a pretty painless $169). Despite the predictable objections to even considering the puny 380, after some research (when briefly toting a G42), I found some rounds (XTP's) to be surprisingly effective.
Given the OP's criteria, I'm thinking this is a good option, that's at least worthy of consideration.
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Old 12-18-2017, 10:56 AM
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I think you should consider a 5.11 holster shirt or maybe even a belly band. The 5.11 works great for tiny 380s. For the Shield, you’d just have to see for yourself. In your shoes I’d live with it, but bending over becomes a problem with guns that size, so I use IWB untucked. In your case, I think I could learn to live with the 5.11 shirt. Note that it does make you hotter than a simple undershirt.
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Old 12-18-2017, 01:04 PM
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I strongly recommend the Crossbreed Belly Band system! I use this frequently, and when done correctly it is very comfortable, concealable, and quick. I was surprised how quick it was to draw from with a tucked in shirt. I usually carry my Shield AIWB, and this is a great system for it.
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Old 12-18-2017, 07:13 PM
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Crossbreed Mini Tuck. A slight pain to tuck in your shirt but it conceals well.
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Old 12-19-2017, 12:11 AM
bluelund79 bluelund79 is offline
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CompTac MTAC. I can easily carry my Shield 45 all day with a good belt and my shirt tucked in.
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Old 12-19-2017, 12:28 AM
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Alien Gear 3.0 with "C" clips. The outside of the clip is open, so there's a minimum amount of material to indicate there's something else there. And....it's tuckable, so you can tuck in the shirt and no one need be the wiser.

Another simpler option, is the Remora tuckable. It has a flap with a clip on it, so you can clip the clip over your pant top or belt, then tuck your shirt between the flap and the holster....it's inexpensive.
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Old 12-19-2017, 01:12 AM
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We don't know what your line of work is. Service related? Office, Clerical? What do other people there wear? You apparently don't wear s uit or jacket. Can you wear a sweater or a vest? Another option is to carry IWB cross-draw. I've carried this way for about 3 years. I have an Alien Gear 3.0 Tuck. I am no fan of carrying tucked under a shirt. But here the heat is so high that the other options are no available. I'm sure if you take your time you can work out a suitable option to dress to "carry". I carry a Shield .40 which is probably the same size as the .45. Crossdraw allows me better concealment as I can block the CCW view with my arm and forearm. This also prevents someone from bumping into me and noting the pistol. There is no printing.
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Old 12-19-2017, 02:11 AM
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Default Concealing a Shield .45

Basically, I work in an office setting. I usually wear a dress shirt and dress pants, but no suit or coat. Same for my co-workers. Sweaters would work in the winter time but not in the summer.

Many good ideas so far. Thanks all!
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Old 12-19-2017, 03:51 AM
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Thunderwear Medium Combo Holster

I have worn out five versions of Thunderwear over the past 25 years. I wear it with suits, but I want to take my coat off and not print. T’wear is Deep AIWB. Accessible with either hand with the shirt tucked behind it. Secure. Accessible when seated, although somewhat challenging with a seatbelt on. Reholstering is a challenge. Bathroom duties are easy. It really is a good system that is comfortable and worth trying.

I get the Combo and carry a knife, a spare hicap mag, a flashlight, some zip ties, a badge, and some folding money unobtrusively. I have never been “made”. Even had a deputy pat me down in a training exercise and missed the whole rig. A Shield Size Gun runs fine in T’wear. I like to keep my pull weight at 5.5#+.
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