updating concealed carry wardrobe

[bunkshaner]

sorry if this is posted somewhere else but I just couldn't find it. I am going to try and do a pretty major wardrobe upgrade to help with concealed carry as well as try out a few different carry methods (different style holsters). I carry a full size .45 m&p.

I have been checking out the "bodyguard jacket". it doesn't seem like it is a typicaly jacket but more of a heavier short sleeve button down that stays put when you move and is long enough to keep you concealed but is very easy to access my gun. Seems like that will really work for me but wanted to know anyones input if they use them or have used them.

here's an example:
Bodyguard Jacket - Shabak

if not this type any suggestions? thanks in advance for your help. I do understand that everybody is different and what works for this one might not work for someone else. I am just trying to limit my errors in the "trial and error" faze lol.

 

[The Big D]

That garment fairly screams: 'I have a gun.'

You may wish to consider IWB carry instead of (apparently) your OWB. Or a smaller, more concealable, gun.

Be safe.

 

[Rastoff]

I don't think it screams "I have a gun", but I can't really see a good pic of it either.

I carry OWB all the time because I didn't want to buy all new pants. If I lose another 15lbs, I might start carrying IWB. I usually carry a 1911, but I have been known to carry a full size 45 M&P.

I found these shirts at LA Police Gear: Propper Short Sleeve Tactical Shirt

They aren't too expensive and I like the way they're cut. They tend to hang a little longer than other shirts I've tried. So, they cover just a little better. I wear one almost every day.

 

[SgtLumpy]

I found these shirts at LA Police Gear: Propper Short Sleeve Tactical Shirt

Looks like a police/sheriff uniform shirt. Complete with epaulets and badge tab. Might as well open carry and get one of those silly CCW badges.

...

Isn't the #1 rule of carrying to "always carry"? With that in mind, I suggest fitting the gun to the clothes rather than searching for some expensive garment that's marketed to CCW holders. Hawaiian shirts, sweaters, T-shirts, sport jackets, tuxedos, any of those can accomodate a conceiled gun. No need to go out of your way to find a "special shirt" unless you're something like a Secret Service protection agent trying to hide a sub machine gun.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[Rastoff]

Well, like I said, it works because of the cut. Doesn't look like a uniform shirt to me. Maybe a different color...

 

[RobzGuns]

You don't need specially marketed clothes, or buy a gun to fit your clothes.
As the OP tried to convey in the post, one simply needs to modify style a little.
A simple Google search will bring up articles by experts, and As mentioned in numerous conceal carry threads:
* If carrying IWB, you'll probably need to increase your pants by one waist size (Form Fit pants are out).
** If it's a "Tuckable" IWB holster, you need to learn to 'blouse' your shirt a bit.
**If it's not a Tuckable, you may need to start wearing untucked Polos/T-shirts made of thicker/heavier (non form fitting/tailored/clingy) material.
* Heavier material doesn't print like light/clingy/form fit shirt material
* Dark Color shirts hide printing better than light colors.
** Prints hide better than solids (like camouflage distorts hard lines).

* If carrying OWB, you need a cover garment that will completely cover the holster if you raise your arms. There's another thread here titled " outed for carrying " where in raising his arms to write something at a counter, someone spotted his pistol.
** Untucked shirt tails need to be long enough to still cover when you reach for something up on the top shelf, or bend over to grab something from the bottom shelf.
(Or learn to reach with your 'Off' Hand and stoop to not uncover)

With an Untucked (loose fitting, dark color) Polo, I've OWB carried my XDM9c without problem. With a MiniTuck, I can easily carry it IWB with a Bloused shirt.
With DeSantis PocketTuc, I can easily carry my Shield, either IWB or Front Pocket (with Wrangler Relaxed Fit jeans and Slacks).

I do have a couple of those 'Specialty' shirts, but it's for matches that require a 'Cover Garment'.

 

[Smoke]

If I saw someone wearing either one of those shirts I would assume they were carrying. It's been said but my preference is for normal street clothes over the "tactical" look.

 

[sipowicz]

It's not complicated. You don't need gimmick clothes. If you carry IWB, wear pants an inch or two bigger in the waist. If you ankle carry, get boot cut jeans. If you OWB, get your shirts a little larger. I have never bought "gun clothes" and don't know anyone who ever did.

 

[GerSan69]

There's only one reason to buy all those super-duper tactical undercover over-priced gun-clothes: if somebody else is paying for them (and they expect you to wear them.)
Otherwise, don't waste your money. Every gun guy out there will spot you a mile away and they will probably make fun of you, kind of like they do with mall ninjas.
All I'm saying is just be yourself. And spend that money on more guns instead!

 

[Rastoff]

First of all, I don't see $35 as over priced for a nice shirt. Neither do I see the shirt I posted, and wear all the time, as "super-duper tactical undercover over-priced gun-clothes". Like I tried to say, but seems to have been lost in the name, it hangs a little longer than most common shirts. So, it conceals my OWB better.

I wear these too:
Short Sleeve Work Shirt | Men's Shirts | Dickies.com

Same reason as above; cut better for concealment.

 

[SgtLumpy]

...Neither do I see the shirt I posted, and wear all the time, as "super-duper tactical undercover over-priced gun-clothes".

Really? Uniform shirt with zipper front placket, epaulets, badge tab, box pleat velcro pocket flaps, visible "Propper" tab and the word "tactical" in it's title. Looks exactly like the uniform shirts I wore at two different sheriff's departments. Looks exactly like the uniform shirts worn by every LEO I've ever seen. I can't think of anything that screams "super-duper tactical" more than that example.

My long shirts cost about $4 each at Savers or Goodwill. The one I'm wearing right now has coconut buttons and hula girl print. It doesn't look like a work shirt, dress shirt, uniform shirt that's sloppily untucked. I can wear it buttoned or unbuttoned, looks perfectly natural either way. Brushes or lifts out of the way quite easily so I can access anything from a J frame to an M9 Beretta. And best of all, I can wear it out to dinner or to a concert and not look like a mall security guard who just got off work.

All that and ten of them cost what one of those "Propper Short Sleeved Tactical Shirts" cost.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[Rastoff]

OK, I heard you the first time. The OP was asking for help with a jacket/shirt and I offered some.

 

[bunkshaner]

My question should have been a little more detailed. I have a problem finding shirts long enough or the right cut. I would prefer a casual style button down but one that is long enough and the right cut. I was looking for someone 2 say. ....I have had luck buying this style shirt from this store. I appreciate any input. I am going wardrobe shopping either way was just looking 4 opinions. I'm not trying 2 look like a cop or instructor every day just something that is comfortable and that helps conceal. I appreciate everyone's opinions

Sent from my VS950 4G using Tapatalk

 

[bunkshaner]

I think my biggest issue is finding a good belt 2 keep my holster up in place. Just left gander mt looking 4 a belt....they had a nice casual sturdy one but one had sizes for the little guys....none 4 the big boy club

Sent from my VS950 4G using Tapatalk

 

[MichiganScott]

You don't need specially marketed clothes, or buy a gun to fit your clothes.
As the OP tried to convey in the post, one simply needs to modify style a little.
A simple Google search will bring up articles by experts, and As mentioned in numerous conceal carry threads:
* If carrying IWB, you'll probably need to increase your pants by one waist size (Form Fit pants are out).
** If it's a "Tuckable" IWB holster, you need to learn to 'blouse' your shirt a bit.
**If it's not a Tuckable, you may need to start wearing untucked Polos/T-shirts made of thicker/heavier (non form fitting/tailored/clingy) material.
* Heavier material doesn't print like light/clingy/form fit shirt material
* Dark Color shirts hide printing better than light colors.
** Prints hide better than solids (like camouflage distorts hard lines).

* If carrying OWB, you need a cover garment that will completely cover the holster if you raise your arms. There's another thread here titled " outed for carrying " where in raising his arms to write something at a counter, someone spotted his pistol.
** Untucked shirt tails need to be long enough to still cover when you reach for something up on the top shelf, or bend over to grab something from the bottom shelf.
(Or learn to reach with your 'Off' Hand and stoop to not uncover)

With an Untucked (loose fitting, dark color) Polo, I've OWB carried my XDM9c without problem. With a MiniTuck, I can easily carry it IWB with a Bloused shirt.
With DeSantis PocketTuc, I can easily carry my Shield, either IWB or Front Pocket (with Wrangler Relaxed Fit jeans and Slacks).

I do have a couple of those 'Specialty' shirts, but it's for matches that require a 'Cover Garment'.

^^^^^^^^^
What he says.

If you buy your clothing at someplace with "Police" or "Tactical" in the title, they are going to look like cop clothing. If you need shirts with long tails, go into a man's clothing store and look at longs. I'm 6-3 and a long dress shirt comes down almost to my knees. It definitely stays tucked in.

 

[GerSan69]

My question should have been a little more detailed. I have a problem finding shirts long enough or the right cut. I would prefer a casual style button down but one that is long enough and the right cut. I was looking for someone 2 say. ....I have had luck buying this style shirt from this store. I appreciate any input. I am going wardrobe shopping either way was just looking 4 opinions. I'm not trying 2 look like a cop or instructor every day just something that is comfortable and that helps conceal. I appreciate everyone's opinions

Sent from my VS950 4G using Tapatalk

Ahh, yes. Now THAT makes sense.
Go over-sized. If you wear XL, buy XXL or even XXXL. Everybody's wearing their clothes bigger these days, so you'll fit right in. I can fit in large as a rule but I buy XL/XXL. They easily hide my K-frames in an outside holster. In pants, I'm normally a 42 waist, so I get 42 or 44.
Belts: Now here, go "tactical." Get your belts from any of the lines of gun belts out there. They're as expensive as a good holster, but worth every penny.
I'm sorry if I struck a nerve with rastoff or anybody else, but the idea behind "concealment" is to conceal the fact that you're carrying a gun. If you're wearing the stuff that tells every knowledgeable person that sees you that you're carrying, then what good does that do? I get the "comfort" part, but be realistic about how it looks to the rest of the gun-toting community.

 

[mcmar]

As for belts. Probably more important than the holster...DON'T go cheap here. I wear an Amerihide, black with basket weave pattern. I switch buckles from the one that came with the belt and my "cowboy" oval buckle. Does a fantastic job of keeping both my IWB and OWB in place and my pants up.

 

[Smoke]

I think my biggest issue is finding a good belt 2 keep my holster up in place. Just left gander mt looking 4 a belt....they had a nice casual sturdy one but one had sizes for the little guys....none 4 the big boy club

Sent from my VS950 4G using Tapatalk

Now that is an entirely different issue. Based on my experience you're better off laying out a little extra cash now and getting a purpose designed gun belt than trying to make something else work. I wear a wilderness tactical instructor belt that cost 55 bucks and works so well it's pretty much replaced every other belt I own except the leather belt I'm required to wear at work because of fire hazards

 

[Rastoff]

I don't know, I would recommend a belt, but they'll jump on me and say "it's tactical and scary!!!" I'll post it anyway.

I like this one: Uncle Mike's - The Leader in Shooting Accessories

Search a little and it can be found for about $35. It's nice because it has a polymer insert between the layers. This makes it super stiff and holds the gun up well.

 

[vito]

I think that the Uncle Mike belt also says "GUN" to anyone looking. Many good gun belts look just like regular dress belts, including the buckle but are just thicker and stiffer (usually double layered leather). A good gun belt should just look like a belt, period.