Deep Concealment of a Handgun

[Mphstiger1981]

There are times in life, when although it is "legal" for a person to be in possession of a gun, that there may be some situations with serious consequences if a handgun is detected. For example, I work for a large nationally recognized company. My work frequently takes me into some of the worst parts of our city, which is one of the most violent in the U.S.

I am personally aware of at least two incidents, involving friends of mine in this same part of our city. Both were approached by multiple assailants with the declared intention of robbery and/or car jacking. One of the fellows was armed with a Kel-Tec P32 and the other was unarmed, but extremely lucky. The armed fellow had to resort to pulling his handgun and threatening to shoot the suspects in order to escape the area. While the suspects did make snide remarks such as "who are you gonna shoot with that little pea shooter?", none of them was willing to step up to the plate and get shot in the face first, thus giving my friend time to exit the situation. The second guy was fortunate enough that a neighbor saw what was about to happen, came out of his house and invited my buddy in and called the cops. The thugs left the area before the cops arrived, twenty minutes later.

Needless to say, the armed person never mentioned his situation, while the other did file an incident report. The company's response to the report was to make sure everyone was being aware of their surroundings, and not to take any unncessary chances while out working alone in the area. I don't fault the company, they certainly can't condone armed people in the field in our line of work, its just too much of a potential for them from a liability perspective.

However, as I find myself in the very same areas of town every day while working, I realize it may only be a matter of time and opportunity until I may have some sort of chance encounter similar to what these fellows experienced. With this in mind, I have given a great deal of thought about and research into deep concealment of a handgun, but I'm yet to find a "comforting" solution. The question I now pose is, if you choose to go armed in this manner, what do you carry and how? Is a small caliber pocket gun like the Ruger LCP, or the Kel-Tec P3AT, P32 a better option than something larger? What do you carry and how do you carry it? If you carry a large handgun, and you do so without anyone ever knowing it is there, how do you conceal it?

 

[kraigwy]

642 in my pants pocket, no one ever knows, no one thinks anything about it when I walk around with my hands in my pocket.

It's fast too, I practice a bit, and using a shot timer it takes me about .5 seconds to draw and fire, hitting the "A" zone at 3 yards.

 

[venomballistics]

well .. the deeper you plant your piece .. the longer it'll take you to get it into action and the greater the odds of blowing a new hole in yourself fumbling for it under pressure ....
While I enjoy deep thought on subjects, dont think too deep on this one.

 

[badge 851]

Captain Stuart has provided you with very sound advice. I follow the same philosophy and procedure, the only difference is; I carry TWO 38's. You can find another job; proctect yourself at all costs.

 

[OFT II]

Badge, I had to switch back to the old format in order to read your reply in blue.

 

[Stu Honea]

Company rules are company rules,but I'd rather CYA and be fired than bleed on the asphalt.And... the thugs do run in packs these days,at least two or more.
It's a personal decision that everyone has to make.If you do carry,makes sure it's something substantial enough to lay out one or two of them.The rest may get the message and vamanoose.
At least a J frame with a good short barrel load or a small 9mm.

 

[StatesRightist]

642 in the pocket and a CW9 in an ankle holster is my deep concealment choices. I also utilize a Galco Miami Classic and an M&P .45 in the winter under a sweatshirt etc.

A company will not replace you for your family. I agree with Stu, they can get bent. Those rules are made by some useless twit who never ventures from their office.

Every man is responsible for their own safety, preparation, prayer and awareness are all you've got.

 

[C Islander]

When I was in a similar situation as you, my 442 was always in my pocket. Losing my job would have been better then losing my life.

 

[Stu Honea]

642 in the pocket and a CW9 in an ankle holster is my deep concealment choices. I also utilize a Galco Miami Classic and an M&P .45 in the winter under a sweatshirt etc.

A company will not replace you for your family. I agree with Stu, they can get bent. Those rules are made by some useless twit who never ventures from their office.

Every man is responsible for their own safety, preparation, prayer and awareness are all you've got.

Glad to see you're a shoulder holster fan. The Galco is excellant.Not many people that I am aware of use them these days,and I am recently rediscovering them,so to speak.
The right one is superb for many situations.They work well for dress occasions also.

 

[TACC1]

If you have either a P32 or a P3AT, with the clip, you can
carry either almost anywhere on your person without it
being detected. As far as company rules, no one's supposed to
know anyway, unless you need it. At that time, company rules
won't save you anyway. You've got the choice of maybe getting
fired, or waiting on your knees to see what it's like to be
a stepped-on worm. You've got the common sense to ask this
life-alterring question; go with your common sense.
JMHO, TACC1.

 

[dinooch]

My best friend is an insurance adjuster and always carries because he is in some very questionable areas on a regular basis. He carries a S&W 469 or a Kel-Tec P11 usually. I work indoors but always have something in the truck usually a semi auto of major caliber but sometimes a P32 with the 10 round magazine. For regular street carry in the unsavory parts of town I like to stick with a revolver in the right front pocket either a 442 or a 340sc (sometimes both). I like the reliabilty of the revolver and the fact it doesn't spit empties on the sidewalk.

 

[P&R Fan]

I came across one of the best deep concealment holsters I have ever used in almost 27 years of carrying a few years ago. If you read the gun magazines I'm sure you've seen their ad. It's the Kramer Confidant shirt holster. It is a mesh undershirt with a pouch under each arm that will hold a J-Frame or a semi-auto the size of a Glock. I use it a lot in the summer. I can carry my Glock 23 or 27 in it in total comfort, with a spare mag on the other side. If I'm wearing a polo shirt I can leave the buttons open and reach in and draw fairly quickly. If I'm wearing a suit I leave one button about midway down unbuttoned, with my tie hiding it. I just slip my hand in and draw. This is amazingly comfortable and unless the shirt is skin tight, totally undetectable. Cost is about 50 bucks if memory serves. Give it a try, I'll bet you'll like it.
Jim

 

[Old cop]

Good advise here and I'll add my two cents for a J frame .38 in your pocket or IWB. Ankle rigs are iffy and can make the gun very difficult to draw when face to face w/imment danger.

 

[pjpjr]

My choice is a Seecamp 32ACP for everyday carry where something bigger is not appropriate. The little Seecamp simply disappears in your pocket and mine has proven itself to be absolutely reliable and deadly accurate at close range. I know .32ACP is questionable as a defensive round but the current offering of self defense ammo really makes up for it's inherent shortcomings.
I carry my Seecamp everyday regardless of anything else!

 

[Mphstiger1981]

Good advise here and I'll add my two cents for a J frame .38 in your pocket or IWB. Ankle rigs are iffy and can make the gun very difficult to draw when face to face w/imment danger.

Thanks Old cop, and to others who have contributed thus far. I agree the ankle rig is hard to get to without a great deal of fuss outside of a vehicle, but getting to a pistol in the pocket, especially with the seat belt across you is no picnic either while sitting in the car. The anke rig does have some advantage of being able to be accessed while being seated. Just more food for thought.

 

[chp]

As previously stated, the deeper it's concealed, the slower it is getting it in action - which is a pretty important concept IMO.

The nice thing about a J Frame or Keltec in a pocket is that it allows the carrier to put his hand on the gun proactively (and thereby eliminating 1/2 of the draw stroke) without raising serious suspension.

The J Frame is heavier and thicker than a Keltec 380 or 32 and slightly more bulky in the pocket. However, I shoot a J Frame much better than my Keltec 380. YMMV, of course.

 

[sourdough44]

Yes I like my LCP in 380, but it does have limitations. Then there's my H&K P2000sk in 40 with 12 +1 when it's time to step things up a bit.

 

[Arik]

Im in a similar situation. In fact as I sit and type this I'm just a fance away from a crack motel! Not picky about looks? Need a hooker and some blow? Walk 15 feet! I carry every day...PERIOD. My boss knows, my co workers know. We are not a corporation, just a small business but I flat out said "if you want me to keep working here and especially making bank drops I'm gonna be packing.

What do you consider "DEEP CARRY"? My is a IWB holster with a Kahr CW9 and a shirt over top. Thats as deep as I get.

 

[spearcrow]

I, like several others, usually carry a J frame 38, specifically a M442, or an LCP in my front pocket. Unless your wearing BDU's and have ultra deep pockets, it's not so deep you have to dig a well to get the gun out, but is plenty concealed and comfortable for all day carry, without being paranoid about someone noticing your gun...which is sometimes the case when you first start concealed carrying.

 

[Lost Lake]

I sometimes carry a BG380 in shorts and it isn't noticeable. I usually carry a M&P9c in a Supertuck or an OWB. I ordered a clip on IWB for those times when I am in the office all day and I can leave my weapon on my desk in front of me and just need to wear it on runs to the shop or to the store.

A small 9 is easy to hide and easy to carry. I don't have a 642 yet, but when I find one of those I'd love to carry that in a Sparks IWB or even pocket carry.

There's a video of a gal that shows how she carries her handguns.... If this gal can hide a gun, anybody can!!!
Concealed Carry Holsters & Outfits for Women - YouTube