Concealed Carry Comfort

[elm_creek_smith]

Due to advancing years and the fact that I wear a 4 inch L frame on a duty belt with all the other, ah, equipment I have to carry during the day, when I get off work, I carry a 2" round butt Model 12-2 in an old Bucheimer Concealer on a good belt and my backup Model 642-2 in a Don Hume JIT Slide on the off-side or in a pocket holster. I'm very comfortable with a Hawaiian shirt or vest over a tucked-in T-shirt. (Retired after 20 years in the Army, I have to wear a T-shirt!)

 

[Mainsail]

One of the Gurus has said your concealed weapon should not
be comfortable. It should be comforting. I have always thought
why can't it be both?

I think that when he wrote that concealed carry was more difficult to do. Few states were 'shall issue' and most required some immediate 'need' that you had to demonstrate before they would issue a concealed license or permit. Concealed in those days meant undetectable, and undetectable isn't comfortable.

Today, with almost all the states being 'shall issue' and without 'need' requirements, as well as recognizing open carry, most people (police officers included) aren't going into a tizzy over the sight of a poorly concealed handgun. In Washington our courts declared that a police officer cannot stop someone and demand to see their CPL merely because the officer or someone else observed a poorly concealed pistol (the rationale being that concealed carry pistols are legal, and thus insufficient grounds to conduct a Terry Stop). Concealed means what the word means; obscured from view. Comfort and concealment are no longer mutually exclusive.

Which is all to say that yes, you can have both....now. If you wanted to conceal under a tight white t-shirt beneath which the gun can be easily discerned (not sure why you would), you're still legal. Given this liberty, if one is carrying uncomfortably it is by choice and due to their own insecurities. They'll blame it on things like "the law says..." or "I prefer to surprise the bad guy" or other similar nonsense, but in the end in most states it isn't necessary or even desirable to carry with deep concealment in most situations.

EDIT to add: I'm 5'8" and medium build. My EDC is a 1076, 1911, Sig P229, or Sig P320 OWB as comfortably as one could, and concealed as much as is necessary. I don't carry a .380 or other tiny gun because I don't believe they are suitable for much other than bad-breath distances, and I don't want to be prepared for only that scenario.

 

[Wise_A]

Well, I think you're on the right track. It wasn't what "concealed" meant, it had more to do with the weapons of the day. Modern firearms are smaller, more powerful, and more reliable than ever. Ammunition is more effective than it's ever been.

 

[Whitwabit]

The last 2 home invasions in my area consisted of multiple perps kicking in the door and beating or shooting the occupant and robing or stealing items from the home ..

One man was beaten then shot and killed 3-4 perps in that one .. the other happened to a woman where she was threated and beaten and a shot was fired by her head while her 2 small children clinged to her legs they believe there were 3 people in that .. none have been apprehended ..

So those advocating smaller autos and wheel guns would have had to have been mighty good shots and hope they didn't miss and hope that their shots were on target where 1 or at the most 2 shots stopped each of the perps or they would find they were in serious trouble ..

That's why I carry a pistol that carry's 12+1 and that ever present extra magazine of at least that many or even more ..

You can carry a medium size carry auto pistol that holds 12 or more rounds very comfortable .. All you have to do is get a quality holsters ..
Those who say there aren't any haven't tried to find one that fits their build and method of carry !!

 

[Wise_A]

Bit of a strawman argument to equate home defense with CCW. Same thing with spot-picking incidents from "where you live" and generalizing across all needs.

Besides, if you think that you're going to shoot down three attackers before they reach you, you are soundly mistaken. Best you can hope for is that your level of awareness and body language convey your level of preparation, and they decide it's not worth it.

 

[Motorsporting]

Do you have a link to a source for something like the shirts you describe? I live in Southwest Florida and I'm always looking for concealment options.

5.11 shirts are like this.

5.11 Performance Covert Concealed Carry Shirt | Official Site

Also, over the years I've collected several "snap" button shirts from REI that are durable, lightweight, and affordable. Blackhawk also makes CCW shirts, but I haven't tried them yet.

Sent from my SM-T377V using Tapatalk

 

[Mainsail]

The last 2 home invasions in my area consisted of multiple perps kicking in the door...

The door bar that jams up under the knob and angles down to the floor can significantly slow down a kick-in entry, and costs $15 in most stores. It's foolish not to have one if you don't have or cannot afford a hardened entry door. It may not stop a determined thug, but it will slow them down and let you get your wits and HD gun together.

 

[Rastoff]

The door bar that jams up under the knob and angles down to the floor can significantly slow down a kick-in entry, and costs $15 in most stores.

This is by far the cheapest security upgrade anyone can do. In fact, it's far more effective than most other front door hardening devices. If you have a solid core door, and have 3" screws in the hinges, a battering ram will just dent the outside. This won't just slow down the "smash and grab" guy, it will stop him.

Further, it won't slow you down at all if you need to get out in a hurry. Just kick the side away from the door and it will fall right out. So, you can use it at night and not be afraid you can't get through the door in the event of a fire.

 

[Wise_A]

Agreed. A lot of people have lots of fun opinions on what to use in a home defense fight.

Very few consider the ground that fight's going to happen on. Most walk around their houses, eyes shut and ears closed, most of the time with doors unlocked.

 

[therewolf]

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Rick_A]

I like to carry a big one with a little one.

Whatever works.
20140728_154830 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr
20160718_074717 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

 

[Gpsman]

I like to carry a big one with a little one.



Whatever works.

20140728_154830 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

20160718_074717 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

Is that a Benchmade AFCK?
If so, it's the only one I've seen besides mine!
Not very common

 

[Newburydave]

Thanks for the links on the hot weather holsters

I checked out the links and they look interesting; but north of $100 on Amazon, yeah pricey.

I'll keep them in mind if i ever start carrying IWB. Right now I'm looking for the "Perfect" (I know, ain't no such..) pocket carry holster.

I've got a Galco horsehide front pocket holster coming. Almost bought a Barsony concealment pocket holster; but the reviews scared me off. Seems like their quality has gotten inconsistent.

I experimented using Kydex formed so my 638 snaps into it. I may use that to customize my new Galco when it arrives; but it's part of a larger exploration of using Kydex to roll my own holsters.

I haven't found many "good" pocket holsters for my 638, so I'm working on a design to synthesize a Safariland style inner Kydex pocket, thermo-formed for an S&W J-Frame, with a larger/"square-ish" bottomed leather concealment layer; and just enough neoprene against my leg to make it comfortable. I like my Safariland pocket holster; but it's too narrow to work in a lot of my pants and shorts pockets.

You're right about hot weather, it is the most challenging holster weather for Pocket carry too. Come to think of it, I've got some Amphipod runner's pouches that have a good ventilation material against the skin....hmm, may explore that.

thanks for the ideas too.

 

[Newburydave]

I like the idea, but all my doors have glass panels in them or next to them. Like most people out in the country, we built for the view, not defense.

 

[Newburydave]

Semi-auto's are too fiddly for me (hey I never learned to run one in my youth and now I'm old) so I got an Airweight double action J-frame.

If I need to use more than 5 and a stress reload I'll probably be rotated home to God's presence anyhow so I'm not stressin' about it.

The way I've related to semi-auto's, the few times I've used them on the range, I'll get more rounds on the target with my little wheelgun than I'm likely to ever get fired with an auto-loader.

So, I'm working with the tools I have. S&W 638-3 in a pocket; Canister of OC spray clipped into my off hand pocket; NRA-ILA imprint Case Folder in my back pocket; 50 Lumen mini-tach light clipped to another pocket and two Stress reload speed strips in a pouch on my belt on my strong side.

I also frequently carry my Cane Masters cane, which is a better defense inside of two arms length anyway. (I need that for my trick knee sometimes too)

This gives me layered, less than lethal to lethal defense options. In my state if you use lethal force for anything less than a lethal or serious bodily injury threat you're up for murder. If you show a gun that you don't use they get you for assault. Therefore, I think minimum force to stop the threat.

A gang-member buddy of mine, many years ago, told me that if I was ever assaulted by a group (not a hypothetical in his neighborhood), I'd better take down the leader or the biggest one inside of the first minute or I was toast.

I expect that kind of combat psychology still holds true in the criminal element. I don't have to take em all down, only decimate enough of them to prove that I'm not prey. Their inherent cowardice should do the rest.

 

[Horn]

Carry Shirts

Do you have a link to a source for something like the shirts you describe? I live in Southwest Florida and I'm always looking for concealment options.

Try lapolicegear. ( LA Police Gear) You don't have to be LE or retired LE to purchase. They should have a shirt to your liking.
You'll find prices are great too____for quality items.
Stay Safe
Poli Viejo

 

[michaelt]

My 1911 LTW Commander or Defender in a IWB UBGholster with a good belt . Easy to carry and hide under a T-shirt Iam 6'2" and 280 all I wear are jeans and a T shirt . Cold days a jacket of course. Bennies of being retired I can dress as I want.

 

[kstud]

I used to carry a Shield and it was quite comfortable but not comforting. Then I went to a MP9 FS and it was extraordinary comforting with 17+1 rounds...I shot the FS like a sniper and felt I was prepared for most situations. Unfortunately it was so uncomfortable digging into my groin when sitting.

I then got my hands on a MP9C...it was perfect. The compact look and felt like a combat pistol with a decent round count of 12+1. It was just as comfortable to carry as my Shield as I'm insensitive to width and weight. With a little practice, I shot the compact as well as my full size. It's now my go to pistol for HD and carry.

EDIT: was thinking about picking up a S&W 1911 to play with but decided against it since it'd be too much of a hassle to maintain with my range addiction...usually only clean pistol after 500 rds.

 

[dandyrandy]

I agree with the OP on this one.. That Ruger is all you need! Ill be honest i dont really care for that little guy but to each is own. I got this ole bitty that I carry. She is very light and packs a punch! She is surprisingly accurate! The funny thing is this is probably the cheapest pile of garbage in my collection. I thought this thing was going to be an up close smell the bad guys breath gut buster but Creepy McGee is Dead McGee at 10 yards with this thing. In reality thats all these CCWs are for anyway. Placing accurate shots as you scream in terror running away because you AINT the swat team or the A team or James Bond or whatever fantasies that are in peoples head.. A light small gun that you carry everyday is the name of the game in my opinion because believe you me Im not going to walk around like the trench coat mafia with these big pieces of iron strapped to me especially in the hot and humid south that I live in.



She is like that girl next door. Always there for you. Always hangin around the neighborhood. Gives you the best loving but not the prettiest face and a knock out body!

 

[BC38]

Effective July 1 here in Idaho folks over 21 can carry concealed with no
license required. 18 if their Sheriff thinks its ok. God help us.
Some will still recognize that they need some training.

I live in Spokane, less than 10 miles from the WA/ID border.
I'm also a regular on the most active local gun forum.

In the 3 months since they passed constitutional carry I haven't heard of a lot of lawlessness and gunplay erupting over there in Idaho.

So how has it been going? Were the critics and dedicated public servants right about their fears of unfettered concealed carry?