Cover garments for OWB

[Wayne02]

I've been experimenting with owb carry lately and am finding that a good cover garment is kind of important.

I am tall and long in torso, and I'm finding even the tall version of shirts are often not long enough. In addition there does not seem to be many options for button-down flat bottomed shirts that are designed to be worn untucked. There are some safari type shirts, but again I'm not finding many that are long enough.

I am finding some shirts that are intended to be worn tucked. These have the long tail and long front which is good, but they have the high cut on both sides which exposes the gun, not to mention they really don't look right when worn untucked. I have also found a polo type shirt that is just barely long enough but I find the polo style tends to ride up on the holster easier than a button down shirt for some reason. It doesn't seem to drape as well as the button-down type shirt.

I've got a couple flannel shirts that work just great. They have good length and are heavy enough to hang well. These work good for working around the house, weekends etc, but many times I need something with a bit more style than a flannel shirt.

What do you guys use for owb cover shirts?

Thanks

 

[Wayne02]

I've been experimenting with owb carry lately and am finding that a good cover garment is kind of important.

I am tall and long in torso, and I'm finding even the tall version of shirts are often not long enough. In addition there does not seem to be many options for button-down flat bottomed shirts that are designed to be worn untucked. There are some safari type shirts, but again I'm not finding many that are long enough.

I am finding some shirts that are intended to be worn tucked. These have the long tail and long front which is good, but they have the high cut on both sides which exposes the gun, not to mention they really don't look right when worn untucked. I have also found a polo type shirt that is just barely long enough but I find the polo style tends to ride up on the holster easier than a button down shirt for some reason. It doesn't seem to drape as well as the button-down type shirt.

I've got a couple flannel shirts that work just great. They have good length and are heavy enough to hang well. These work good for working around the house, weekends etc, but many times I need something with a bit more style than a flannel shirt.

What do you guys use for owb cover shirts?

Thanks

 

[bigt5150]

I'm a pretty big guy 6'1 365lbs. I usually carry a glock 23 in a Mitch Rosen 5JR-DL leather holster from Dillon Precision, yup the same Dillon that makes reloading equipment. As you probably figured out I shop at the Big and Tall stores. The bright side to this is that the cuts are usually very generous length wise. In the summer I can get away with using a plain pocket T shirt in a Extra tall size.Of course there are other more stylish fashions, but in the 100+ degree summer heat of south texas this works great. I don't know your physical stature but if you're in the XL range. You might want to try shopping at a B & T shop. Sizes usually start at XL or 2XL and are usually very stylish. That's my 2 cents hope it helps.

 

[dirtygrunt95]

I'm 6'4" and 275 and I took am afflicted with a long torso because at my height I only wear 32" inseam. But I have been using polo shirts bought from J.C.Penny's tall section do a great job covering my 386 night guard in an owb holster. Also I've found some columbia flat bottom shirts in tall sizes that work well to. I tend to clothes shop at the end of season sales so they're not trendy but then neither am I, but they are much cheaper 4 shirts for $42. Hope this helps.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Either a photographer's or similar vest, which most folks on this forum view as a "shoot-me" vest, or a sports jacket or an actual suit. Apparently my shoulders are reasonably outboard of my waist, since I have never had trouble with a jacket with any firearm OWB. Almost the same with the vests, which don't seem to attract unwanted attention around here (or anyplace else that I've worn them). I've never felt comfortable with just a shirt as concealment, although I know that it has worked well with some people.

 

[Guest]

I have found that Cabela's offers an excellent "Vest" from their 'Safari' line and that is sized as 'Tall' or Regular. I have found it has a few too many pockets than what I really need but that isn't a big issue because I can always remove a few of them. I manage to wear it most of the Year and most people think I'm a Photographer.

I find I have no trouble carrying a pair of Glock 27s in Galco SOB Holsters worn in the "Strong Side Carry" position. I've been teaching for Years that the fastest "Reload" is drawing another gun. I didn't actually start this until just recently but then the "Arthritis" has slowed my reloading down a bit, so I'm finally taking my own advice!

 

[OHIOUP]

I carry OWB on the right hip. In the cooler season, I generally cover with a long cut fleece vest. It's pretty nondescript, just a couple zippered pockets. In summer, which is shorts and sandals weather for me, I wear a short sleeve button down shirt over a tucked in T-shirt. I prefer a straight cut hem on the shirt to the long "tails." Typically, I leave the shirt unbuttoned or if buttoned, leave the bottom couple buttons undone. I ran into our county sheriff at the grocery last summer and after chatting for a few minutes informed him I was carrying a 45. He responded by stepping back, looking me up and down and asking, "Really?...Where?"

 

[ladder13]

I see a bulky vest, fanny pack, Hawaiain shirt or tent-like garment, it SCREAMS gun. I get a kick out of those who say even a "gun person" can't pin em'. Yeah, riiiight.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Sport coats - tell your haberdasher that you carry a gun and he (or sometimes she) can tailor yours appropriately. Leather jackets also work well though then you're stuck with not taking your coat off.

Mostly untucked shirts work for me these days, but past experience still left me a big believer in blazers/sports jackets (remember, technically they are casual wear).

 

[flop-shank]

This time of year I rely on a leather jacket (gun #1 in the inside breast pocket) with an untucked button down shirt underneath. Under the shirt is THE CANNON (#2). Whether I expect to or not, loosing my jacket is no big deal.

 

[cmort666]

I briefly tried to OWB my Glock 22 in a belt slide with a sweater or sweatshirt as a cover garment. I finally gave up and went back to IWB. NOTHING besides a winter coat I had would cover the bottom of the slide poking out below the bottom of my garment for more than a minute or two.

I've gone back to IWB 100%.

 

[HD Rider]

Seeing how I have a slight build,I have problems covering as well (.40 sigma) For the most part I just wear a straight tail shirt out and a few bottom buttons buttoned up and I carry up front. Not the best but it works for me, when I have to wear business casual I carry a Kel Tek PF9 with no problems.

 

[The Big D]

Camp shirts work very well for me. (These are often referred to as "Hawai'ian" or "Tommy Bahama" shirts.)

As some have noted, sport coats work very, very well. No, no need to wear a tie, too; slacks, open collar shirt, and a sport coat serve well to conceal plus they are acceptable just about anywhere. (Sub a dress shirt and tie and you ARE good to go everywhere.)

Be safe.

 

[walnutred]

RE: Sport coats. IF you look around for a tweed or similar type material in a natural fabric you can even find one that looks good with jeans. As someone once commented here, how often do you see guys in sport coats being taken down on COPS or other such shows?

 

[2na]

For shirts you're going to leave untucked, if you're tall, stay away from LL Bean. I'm 5'8, and need a "tall" shirt. I don't know what non vertically challenged people do...

 

[sumo61]

I've just given up on OWB carry. I will carry my Kimber Custom II in the waistband by a clip that attaches under the grip. It fits very well and cannot be seen just by wearing a T shirt or regular shirt loose. If not that I will carry inside belt in small of back with a Uncle Mikes holster. Usually it's my SW99 or Sig P6. It's so comfortable I usually forget it's there.

 

[RobO]

I was at Old Navy the other day, and bought two clearance items, and ccw was on my mind at the time. First, a hooded sweatshirt that wasn't too thick, and was long enough to cover. The second was a black "moleskin" sport coat. The hoody was about $5, the jacket was about $13. Here I am showing a concealed N frame revolver on a crappy belt.

 

[ladder13]

RobO..629 in a Kramer?

 

[Wyatt Earp]

It depends. If I am carrying a J or K frame or semi auto OWB, I can get by with a loose fitting camp shirt or sweat shirt in colder weather.

If I am carrying an N frame, it's almost impossible to conceal unless I am wearing a sport coat.

However, if I am carrying IWB, I can hide an N frame under a loose fitting T shirt. Semi autos give me the most trouble, both inside and outside the waist, due to their blocky and long grip. My M&P9c is relatively easy to hide but my full size M&P rarely gets carried because the butt is so damned hard to hide.

The only time I have ever been made, I was carrying my full size M&P in a Raven Concealnment Phantom OWB under a sport coat. I leaned over a little to reach a sink in a theater's bathroom and I saw the eyes of the guy behind me suddenly get huge.

 

[RobO]

657. Desantis Speed Scabbard.