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Tips on concealing the Shield

FLSwampy

FLSwampy

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Jan 27, 2014
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Hey all,

I am a beginner at concealed carry. I purchased a Shield due to its thinness and I absolutely love the M&P line (plus can't beat American made).

Anyway, I am about 5'7'', 155-160lbs. I typically wear fitted clothing and didn't want to sacrifice how I dress too much. A local gun range nearby makes good quality holsters and I bought a iwb/tuckable one they custom made for the Shield. After trying it out at home I am slightly concerned. I was told that the Shield should conceal perfectly in almost any clothing, so the problem is probably either me (how I wear it), the holster itself, or the belt.

Right now I am experimenting with the 3-5 o'clock positions. I do not have a belt dedicated to holster support...something on my "to get" list. Right now I wear a regular average joe belt. The issue I'm having is that the top of the gun/holster creates a very clear and apparent print. I'm not sure if its the holster itself, the Shield, or my shirts. The holster is a straight-drop, not angled which might have something to do with it.

For those who are similar body type as me, could you recommend a good holster that is a "deep concealment" type? My goal is to be able to carry without really sacrificing (too much) how I dress. I really appreciate the input for those of you with more experience than I!!
 
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One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they start carrying concealed is not altering their style of dress. The problem you are having concealing it is possibly the holster, but more likely you.

IWB holsters typically require one size larger pants. If it is a OWB holster, you may require a jacket or shirt one size larger or at least bloused more and made of heavier material.

It's been said by pros in the field that a gun is supposed to be comforting, not comfortable. The object is concealment. You aren't, I hope, an 18 year old female that is attempting to wear clothing where you can read the date of a quarter in the pocket through the jacket.
 
I am definitely different than you ... 5'10" & 195# ... tend to wear loose fitting clothing, especially for concealment. I have a N82 Original {https://n82tactical.com/holster-options/original-holster/) that I love. Although I have used it with an everyday casual belt, I prefer to wear my leather gun belt. Much more sturdy and supportive. Love the holster. Comfortable worn at 3:30 position.

I have a Remora (Remora Series 5MPART Holster (IWB)), but have yet to wear it. So can't say anything about it, except that it is inexpensive.
 
A quality holster and dedicated gun belt should keep the shield close to your body. I wear an OWB leather holster in the 3:30 - 4:00 position and cover it with a fleece vest or plaid shirt with no problem. My holster has a 15 degree cant and brings the butt of the gun a bit higher. It is so comfortable I almost forget I am wearing it. No problem standing, sitting or driving. It sounds like your holster, with no cant, and your belt are the problem.

Classic Collection Leather Holsters | Wright Leather Works LLC

Even it you print, almost no one will even notice. Put it on an don't bring attention to yourself by always touching your gun.

Now if by deep concealment you mean IWB, perhaps someone else can help you as I have never tried it or thought it was necessary since you are still going to have to wear something to cover the gun anyway unless you are getting one of those tuckables

11877162006_429859108b.jpg
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. And no, I'm not an 18 year old female, but rather a 23 year old guy. My jean/wait size is around 32 depending on the brand, and generally a small/medium sized shirt. I'm primarily looking at IWB carry to be my primary method of carrying. I'm not super concerned about comfort as much as concealability with my regular clothing style.

The problem likely is with myself, as I have never carried before and am still trying to learn the right ways to do it. I still need to get a belt dedicated to supporting a firearm for concealed carry. I may or may not try to get a different (better?) holster that holds the Shield closer in to my skin, so far the majority of the bulk I am noticing is not from the Shield itself but from the edges of the holster.
 
IWB carry requires you to go up a size in the waist when buying pants like jeans. Ever notice most tactical pants have a elastic waist that gives you that extra room but still fits if not carrying. Woolrich Tactical pants are outstanding as well as 5.11.
 
Loose pants or shorts and put it in your pocket. I've always pocket carried , and have done so for many years. Allows fast and easy access to the gun. The safety is off and the laser is on, before it gets fully pulled out. Also helps to be ready, as a guy standing with his hand in his pocket does not put anyone on alert.

Bob
 
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Concealed carry is not about finding a pistol that fits your style of dress... It's about SLIGHTLY modifying your style of dress to conceal your pistol and it doesn't mean one needs to wear fatigues or camo to carry concealed.

There are multiple articles on the web dealing with dressing to conceal.
Here are a few Bullet Points (some already mentioned by others):
* If you end up 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).
** 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.

Wherever on your body you decide to carry, you need to NOT be self-conscious about it.
* People acting self-conscious gets them 'Made' more than printing.
* People DON'T actually look for printing, but they DO notice people who act self-conscious.
 
I'm 30, 6' and 195lbs. I like to wear "fitted" clothing too(medium and large polo's with 33-34 waist bootcut jeans) and I prefer not to dress around the gun. I have found that low ride height holsters with extreme forward cant work best for me. I'm currently using a Kusiak Leather canted iwb holster for my shield and it disappears under just a t-shirt. It's also comfortable and cheap at $35. I've also heard good thing about remora/sticky holsters but have no first hand experience. Good luck with whatever you choose.
 

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Try your gun in your pants at different positions and angles without a holster. If you cant hide the gun without the holster you will need a smaller gun. If you find a good spot you will know what holster to buy.
 
Take a look at the Foxx Hybrid IWB for your Shield. I am 5'6", 190 and this holster conceals nicely, is comfortable and it is only $40.
 
I'm just about your same size. I tried 3-5 first, and it didn't work for me. I now carry appendix every day with an LCP. If I'm feeling like having a 2nd,I will carry a M&P9fs at 5oclock IWB, but I'm always going to have a coat or vest to cover up the print.

Give appendix a shot. I also like being able to visually confirm a safe reholstering. I frequently use the LCP out on the farm to do some invasive species mitigation, so I get lots of opportunities to reholster.

- The Carrot
 
What RobzGuns said. Changing the rake of the holster might make a small difference, but it's a clothing issue.

With such a slim gun , you shouldn't need to change much , and I'm sure you would still present a suitably professional apearence to 99% of observers , but you've got to loosen up a little (pun intended).
 
Im 6 foot 185 i used to carry at 5 oclock until I lost a bunch of weight, I used to be 250. Now i carry appendix at the 12:30. I bought a Tagua gun belt for 39 bucks and it makes a huge difference. If you can fold the belt from top to bottom its not stiff enough. The stiff belts distribute the load well and you will thank yourself for it. I make my own holsters and i find the kydex skeleton holster from phlster to be one that I would buy if i had to. He does a really good job and uses raven injected molded clips. This also allows for the shirt to be tucked in. Kydex clips will eventually break. He takes his time and polishes all the edges. I know alot of men dont want to point their firearm at their groin area but if you know anything about your firearm its perfectly safe. When I sit down in the car my legs push the holster ride height up. I pull my shirt inside the grip so i can get to it faster, and make sure the seat belt doesnt get in the way. But I can wear my shirt over it or tucked in, its up front at a fast place to get to, i notice right away if it becomes unconcealed.
 
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First you need to analize what your daily routine will be. Do you sit a lot. Are you standing a lot. What type of clothes will you be wearing: casual, business, etc. if you plan on wearing your pistol somewhere inside the waistband pants one size up or stretch waist dress slacks are almost mandatory. Appendix carry is the easiest to conceal but can be slightly uncomfortable for constant sitting. Anywhere else on the waist is going to show a bulge unless a loos fitting shirt or jacket is worn. Being a respondpsibly armed citizen requires changes in attitude. One of these is in attire. In my 27 years as a police officer and almost as many as a firearms instructor this is where I've seen the most resistance the young and slim want to dress the way fashion dictates, but you must dress the way the handgun dictates. Foxx holsters as well as Cook's holsters make good ones for appendix carry. What ever holster you decide on make sure it is thin and secure.
 
I'm 5'7" (150lbs). I wear tight fitting clothing and I'm not an 18 y/o girl either. My main holster is an Old Faithful hip holster. I have no printing issues at all. You need to get yourself a good gun belt also.

As a couple others have already said, try not to be self-conscious of it and keep your hand off of it. You'll eventually realize that you are the only one aware that you are carrying.
 
Try a tuckable IWB like a Raven concealment or Harwell (what I use). These allow you to adjust with 4-5 different positions how much of the gun shows above the top of your pants. You obviously don't want it so low that you have trouble drawing, but the adjustments are nice to have. Also, a gun belt is a MUST, in my opinion, especially with IWB. The better your gun is supported, the better it will feel and more importantly, draw out of the holster.
 
For your size body, an Appendix holster would probably work best.

First thing is to get a good gun belt. Beltman is one of the best.

As far as the holster, I recommend JRCHolsters.com. The AIWB-CDA is a good one.
 
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