I IWB when farming not to conceal but having my shirt tucked in over the gun keeps it free of dirt, grease, and getting hung up on machinery. I end up ruining work shirts due to the butt off my gun wearing small holes in them. I have also trashed a few holsters by standing up and getting the butt caught on tire treads. I balance out the weight on my belt by OWBing a pair of pliers and flashlight on my weak hand side. My kids call it my "nerd belt", but I refuse to be shamed by it.

Eminently sensible methinks.

__________________
Come and take it!!

I've heard of the fireman carry, but the farmer carry was a new one on me!

I once read of a .32 S&W HE for sale that had belonged to the seller's
grandfather. IIRC, it was an I-frame with a 3" barrel. I do recall it wasn’t a snubbie. He said his grandfather, a farmer, carried it every day in the chest pocket of his overalls. Sounded very practical to me!
John

I thought farming was pretty safe without a carry. If I was a farmer and had a need to carry I would just put a carbine in the tractor or ATV and remove it when I was finished. Working with a side arm strapped is a PIA when a carbine can be a few seconds away.

__________________
That's just somebody talkin.

Not a PIA. I farm. I wear a variety of handguns. A holster that holds the gun gun close to the body works for me. And it doesn't get in the way. Never know when you might run up on a rattler or coyote. It' a gun of opportunity. Best shot I ever made while on the tractor was a crow at about 70 yards in my corn. He lit and I stopped an propped my 2" mdl. 63 across the steering wheel. At the shot he fell over.......Best shot I ever made with a 2" .22.

__________________
S&W Accumulator

SC Hunter, I have also have ran into several rattlers as well as rabid skunks. Some meth heads slow rolled me at 10:00 pm one night while I was running a tractor. Where I’m at it’s gonna be a least 20 min before back up/ambulance will show up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That makes perfect sense to me. No longer farming myself but on and off tractor, skid loader and utv daily doing maintenance and management of 200 acre family farm.

EDC is a 640P in a pocket holster strong side hip pocket. Slow, but secure, well concealed, comfortable and ALWAYS there for working around the farm and quick trips to the village for groceries, hardware store, tractor parts etc.

When I am required to go into the city I carry a G43X IWB and the 640P moves over to the support side hip pocket as a bug.

I carry a 4 in. M19 OWB and it's not any trouble. One day a group of people drove up on me and wanted me to give them some gas. Another day a person got in the truck that was parked about 200 yds. from me but when I started toward the truck they jumped out and ran. Both days that M19 was mighty comforting. There are also varmints that are not conducive for farming and even though there is a 30-06 in a rack on the tractor sometimes there's not time enough to get it out of the rack. Larry

I know a farmer in E WA. that carries an AR in his PU and on his tractors. It's pretty beat up and has no optics. Says he doesn't need them.

I suppose a sidearm of some sort would be handier but my preference would be a carbine when the shooting starts. I suck past 15 yds with a pistol. I can ring steel at 200 yds using nothing but iron sights on a carbine. I like the range advantage.

I suppose it's what you're comfortable with.

__________________
That's just somebody talkin.

I entered this thread thinking of Elmer Keith, that like him, you were going to be carrying a pair of Single Action Army Revolvers or maybe S&W Model 29s.

Come to think of it, that would probably be a great way to keep the carry weight of your belt balanced, and it would look stylish too!
Seriously, get yourself a pair of cheap SAA Clones that you won't lose any sleep over getting dirty/scratched up, then carry those around the farm looking like a proper cowboy!

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

*
1) One cannot assume that any occupation or location is "safe" without being armed. This is a fatal flaw in the thought process.
2) "A few seconds" is far too long when one needs a firearm. The research from the folks at WSU indicates that .25 second is a potentially fatal delay when it is appropriate to shoot.
3) One carries a pistol because it is convenient and does not have any specific reason to expect a problem. As Clint Smith says, one carries because it is comforting, not because it is comfortable.
4) If there is reason to expect a problem and you can't be somewhere else, that's when you need a rifle.

__________________
NHI, 10-8.

I farm and raise cattle. Usually carry a 2" revolver just in case if needed, under a jacket if cool enough, but outside of my tucked in shirt. Usually rides in a cheap cordura nylon, thumb-break Barsony holster (cheaply replaced). When fencing or in brush country gun usually rides in a leather flap holster and when in the tractor for extended periods it's usually in a pelican case, still in a holster in case it needs to be carried. Carrying a handgun on a remote farm is just good business, we deal with all kinds of varmints and predators.

I could just click "like" but I just have to say I love that somebody just went with the "it's an American tradition and it deserves to be embraced and honored" angle of the thing, even if or perhaps especially because it's a little ridiculous. Well done that man!

A big ol' leather flap holster is surprisingly practical for keeping your iron handy yet fairly well protected.

NAA 22 Mag (or 22 LR) in the front top pocket of the coveralls. A 38/357 mag J frame in front pocket. 22 Mag, 30-30, 308, or 30-06 in the truck (and sometimes a 12 ga just for fun).

Not much of a farmer, but still have to help cut & rake hay, fix fence, chase cows, and occasionally repair a cattle guard.

ETA - When it is actually cold, I carry the 38/357 in the inside wallet pocket of my Carhartt Jacket.

__________________
On the Oak Savannah

Apparently you've never spent any time in agricultural regions.

What if you need it unexpectedly? I once came across two snakes in the outhouse.

Then you didn't need the outhouse. Larry

I grew up on a farm in AZ in the 60's. Does that count?

I know, that was in a different galaxy a long time ago.

__________________
That's just somebody talkin.

I carry Les Baer 1911 .45 cal in OWB on tractor and horseback
unless I am carrying MOD 29 in flapper cowboy rig. we have wild hogs, wild dogs and occasional trespassers/poachers.

__________________
V/r,
Markham

This is from iron sights on a pistol at 220 yards.

Attached Images

silhouette trophy.jpg (121.3 KB, 238 views)

A similar story to the OPs, just not agriculturally related.

On a couple of overseas assignments, I often had to carry my 1911A1 and later M9 while wearing civilian clothing. In the tropics, I wore a polo shirt outside my trousers to cover up the but of the pistol in a strong side kidney carry. I generally came home with holes in the shirts where the pistol butt wore through while traveling on Third World rutted and bumpy dirt roads and trails.

My wife always asked me when I got back from those assignments: "Why do you always have a hole in your shirt there?" I just always told her that it was due to the seat belt mechanism in our contract vehicles.

__________________
Keep your powder dry.

A crow at 70 yards with a 2" revolver.
That's bragging rights in my book...

Some thoughts..............

S&W 60-10 3" micro-686

Ruger American 16" Carbine in 5.56..... uses AR mags.

CZ 527 carbine in 7.62x39 or .223/5.56

It's fascinating how folks interpret my words, especially when I typically take a lot of time choosing my words as carefully and precisely as possible so that it's as tangible as possible, yet everyone seems to interpret the message differently.

Honestly, I've experimented speaking in as few words as possible and with taking my time in order to be as clear as possible, but in the end, everyone seems to see something different in my posts.

It's remarkable how people can all read the same message, written with the same exact words, yet arrive at different conclusions when it comes to the message they've received. Scientists say that everyone literally views the world a little differently, that even what people see can appear differently in each individual's mind as their brain decodes and processes the data received by their senses, and based on the ways I have seen people respond to my posts on the internet, what they say appears to be undeniably true.

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

Lost in the ozone, if it makes you feel any better, my
“Ignore” list has increased by 50%. 😁. What is it that
Guy in the beer ads says? “I don’t always ignore posters,
but when I do, it’s because they’re jerks.” Have a good
evening, and maintain a happy attitude — THAT’ll irritate
‘em, for sure! 😃 👍

So far I haven't put anyone here on ignore. It's a pretty decent website. I can take a little ribbing but some new members seem to think it's a place to brawl. Not someplace I want to hang out at.

__________________
That's just somebody talkin.

Anything within 100 yards is in a heap o trouble with my handguns......Sometimes ever farther than that.

__________________
S&W Accumulator

Were they 2 legged or no shoulders?

__________________
S&W Accumulator

One nice thing about owning & working a farm is you're basically out in the middle of where no one pays attention to what you're doing. (No. I'm not a farmer, but I've known many.) So some ne'er-do-well comes up on you. Bad move! Farmers have a lot of land, a lot of power digging equipment. Think about it. I'll hang up and listen!

__________________
Waiting For The Sun.

One farmer I know has a pocket inside his bib overalls. Pretty much a chest carry rig in effect. He can stand and look like he is only keeping his hands warm.

So, just a couple of things I wanted to say here about a few comments others have made, and for the record, I'm trying to joke around and be funny here, but as previously stated, folks seem to make of my posts whatever they will, so I'm sure that someone will be along shortly to tell me how arrogant and condescending I'm being...

Regarding Construction Workers, I know that they're extremely hard-working individuals with tough jobs who have to work under some very harsh conditions, but I swear that whenever someone else is looking at them, they find a way to make it look like they're just standing around doing nothing. Seriously, they must get all of their work done while onlookers are blinking because I've stared at Construction Workers while stuck in traffic while road work is being done, yet the whole time they just look like their standing around, talking amongst each other, and occasionally gesturing at whatever it is that they're supposed to be working on. However, eventually the work gets done, so evidently they must be working, but I can only conclude that they must be doing so secretly when nobody is looking, because I have honestly never seen a Construction Worker who was visibly working in my entire life, yet whenever I'm not looking I can hear the sounds of jackhammers, trucks backing up, and the engins of heavy machinery.

As for Ignore Lists, the only users I have ever placed on my Ignore Lists were either blatant trolls (most of whom have either been banned or just quit posting here) or folks with a personal vendetta against me who seemingly were so angered by things that I said (or at least their interpretation of things I said) that they felt the need to follow me around, constantly putting words in my mouth, arguing with everything I said, and tossing around petty ad hominem insults regarding posts that I had made. It's a useful tool too, because after awhile of receiving absolutely no acknowledgement from me, they seem to have stopped replying to every single post I make, because they know that I'm not going to respond, and no one else is going to bother quoting their posts which are directly solely towards me either, so I'll never even see them.

On Topic: (and again, for the record...) I would never suggest that anyone do something that I would not, so if I were a Farmer, then you'd better believe that I would be working around my farm with a couple six-shooters strapped to my belt. It may sound funny, but it ain't no joke, and don't laugh, because my donkey is very sensitive and he might think you're laughin' at him.

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

For the past several years I've worn a Ruger LCR in an Uncle Mike's shoulder holster over a t shirt with a worn out work shirt over it. Keeps it out of the way, protected and doesn't interfere with what I'm doing. That same holster also fits a Ruger Wrangler and a 2.5 inch 66 S&W.

Back to the OP's comments...

You didn't mention what you carry? If keeping it out of harm's way at waist level is an issue, a simple shoulder holster (like a WW II - Vietnam US military version, one shoulder strap and a belt loop) would get it up and out of the way, and more accessible than tucked under a shirt.

As far as wearing through shirts, depending on the gun a set of less abrasive (smooth) grips or stocks might help lessen this.

And we need a photo of your carry rig, nerd belt and all.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Years ago Pap and I were out and about and stopped at a country store where he knew the owner. It was a dry county but there was a man in there wearing bib overalls and drinking beer and at that time there was no legal concealed carry. We talked awhile to everyone and the guy drinking the beer had a K22 underneath his bibs.
I was in a restaurant one time and the table next too me were talking about an old man they knew that wore a belt underneath his bibs with a .45 auto stuck in it. That was also before legal concealed carry.
There are times when one doesn't know who or what is standing next to them. Larry

When I’m “tractoring” I carry an M&P .22 compact in a crossdraw holster.
Not in the way and easy to get to when seated. So light that I barely notice it.

__________________
“Look life in its iron face”

mini 14 in the pickup and a model 351 S&W .22 WMR usually OWB or in a pocket holster, loaded half with solid rounds and half shot shells. perfect snake gun.

I know from personal experience that method of carry works well if, and only if, the pocket has a zipper or good flap closure ( and you remember to check it for full closure periodically ) so the gun does not fall out when you drop the front down to use the restroom (#2).

It also matters how fat you are. Skinny people have an easier time sliding in and out of tractor and vehicle seats wearing a holster without catching it on something or everything. Being somewhat of a fat person myself, I know that of which I speak.

Nerd belt. The pliers holster is new, but I've had the pliers for 15+ years.

Attached Images

IMG_4347.jpg (69.5 KB, 136 views)

Ah, a 1911 - not a round gun but it will do.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Back in the days on my time on the farm, growing up and into my 30's, I tended to carry a Colt 1911 or a BHP in a Galco (Jack AXX) Miami Classic shoulder rig and usually carried a underfolder Polytech Legend AK-47S underfolder behind the seat in the cab of the John Deere

__________________
Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

Basically, don't go running up on a working man out on his property when he's doing his work, thinking you're gonna cause trouble. I'm pretty sure the guns he's carrying are for 4 legged or slithering critters that can cause him or his own critters harm. But, rest assured he's been working his butt off a long time and he's gonna give you one chance to answer "can I help you?" or "what do you want?" The best answer to that is "directions to the nearest town, please?"
The bib overalls are probably the easiest concealment attire, from the guys I know.

__________________
Waiting For The Sun.

Pants on, gun on. All day. A Simpy Rugged pancake holster with 3" 686 around my little chicken ranch here in rural So Cal. In snake season a speed strip of snake loads in a cordura pouch on my belt. Coyotes are a constant problem too. It's just a handy tool that's always right there. A rifle is by far better, but when it's not in hand at the moment I need it puttering around home here then it does me no good. We have many critters here and rattlers get Zero Tolerance.

Having read most of the above, I am reminded of a incident I read years ago, I cant remember where, but the farmer was on his tractor, his gun was visible, apparently at some distance. Some perps just shot him dead from what ever distance. I agree, you are never safe. In this day of home invasions being more common than not, STAY AWARE !! JMHO

Little snubbie .38 cross draw has been the daily thing for my rancher friend. Haying, trucking, horse back, fishing ,walking around. Comfortable, out of the way, and easily drawn. When I've been to see him he always wears a long sleeve western shirt that covers the gun; not for concealment, but helps keep crud away from the gun. A requirement for dispatching ( or at least scaring) , dangerous big game creatures like skunks, porcupines, foxes, close in prairie dogs and the occasional rabid fence post.

__________________
John

My 2" Model 63 is usually in my pocket around my little farm. These squirrels multiply like you would not believe. This one was closer than 75 yds. (a lot closer, like 10 maybe)
Scott

Attached Images

20200916_111355[1].jpg (238.2 KB, 85 views)

Great little gun! That's the perfect pocket gun. My 4" 617 is quite often on my hip around home here for pests or rattlers. We have those same squirrels here. They steal the chicken or pig feed every chance they get.

I always carry something (pistol, rifle). On the tractor I have a leather scabbard that holds a lever action rifle or a 10/22. Someone standing near can't tell what is in the scabbard by looking. Also carry a S&W J frame or a Ruger semi as a daily habit.
One never knows what is out there, coyote, snake or two legged rascal. Our area has really changed in the last few years.

I have a imprint of a 340 pd on the font pocket of all my overalls.You never know what you will come upon or what will come upon you in woods of east texas.