How do I make a tucked IWB holster "disappear?"

[divedoc]

I have a DeSantis Sof-Tuck for my 360. When it's mounted at 4-5ish, I can make the gun disappear from the front, and look reasonably clean from the rear if I wear an un-tucked shirt.

Every time I try tucking, however, it's very obvious that there's something going on. My waistline has a very obvious "lump" to it, no matter where I mount -- cross draw, appendix, strong side.

What am I doing wrong? I can't imagine that anyone would see me walking down the street like this and think that I'm just oddly shaped.

 

[shield]

You really can't make it fully disappear. It's more a matter of making it less obvious. A form fitting shirt will be worse than a shirt loosely tucked allowing some room to sag around the gun.

 

[P&R Fan]

I don't have one of those holsters but I've had a Belly Band for years. Have concealed Glocks and J,K,L and even N-Frame revolvers in it with perfect comfort and concealability. The secrets are correct positioning, for me, just behind the strong side hip, and a "bloused" shirt. The shirt can't be too tight, it has to be fairly loose. If I can do it with a M29, you can do it with a J-Frame.
Jim

 

[cmort666]

The shirt has to have some looseness so that it can drape over the gun.

 

[Packard]

What kind of shirt? Tees make lousy cover garments. Camp shirts, denim shirts, chambray shirts and woven sports shirts work much better.

 

[Lost Lake]

You have to have a good belt that keeps the gun snug along your body and not flopping away....

 

[divedoc]

I did some more experimenting with this over the past couple of days. I even tried to take a photo of myself, and I figured out some things...

I definitely see the need for a "real" 1.5" belt, which would help keep things nice and tight. I think it will also do a better job of cover the top portion of the J-clip, which would make things look less obvious.

The main concern I have is that my waist outline seems so obviously distorted by having the IWB holster in there. I can see that a t-shirt is a pretty bad choice for a cover garment; maybe it would look better with an oxford. It's tough to see in the photo, but if you were walking behind me, there would be a pretty clear lump just behind my right hip.

 

[Badge54]

Try drawing attention away from the lump. Maybe leave your fly down?(kidding).

Hang your phone off your belt right in front and it will mask some of the protrusion. I carry at 1-1:30. Try to get it into a natural crease in the body. I can carry a Glock 23 in this position but can't tuck. I carry my 340 and can tuck in the same holster you have.

Having it in front means I can drape my arm over it to mask it. Even hang my thumb on the belt line when I think someone can see it. Can adjust it without reaching behind. Looks more like pulling your pants up or scratching yourself.

Thing is only a few people are really looking for a gun. In 20+ years of carrying everywhere I have never been caught.

Badge54

 

[Badge54]

To add to it... The lump is more noticeable when staring at it. When moving around there is more of the masking going on.

Tuck your shirt, then bend over reach up to the side and behind. I bet the shirt works out a bit and blouses more.

Badge54

 

[Packard]

With the possible exception of a wifebeater the tee shirt is the worst possible cover garment. Camp shirts, sports shirts, chambray and denim shirts work much better.

 

[Poodle Soup]

doesnt look like they put that clip in a very good spot. Does your holster have one or two?

And remember... you are looking and know WHERE to look to see your gun. It will never disappear for you.

I have a crossbreed super tuck with a full sized double stack 9mm and a slightly baggy Tshirt will stay loose around my waistline when tucked in. But when I carry it I almost never tuck my shirt in. The gun is not noticeable to anyone, but when I look in the mirrior or see my shadow I know that "random" lump is the grip, or the hammer, rear sites, what ever.

 

[pineappleshooter]

I'll summarize everyone's inputs and add mine last:

1. Loose clothes - blouse the shirt.
2. Proper gun belt to pull gun close to body.
3. Cell phone just forward of gun (I do this also).
4. GET A REAL HOLSTER - the soft tuck should be called the soft bulk! Check sideguard holsters for a proper tuckable holster. Most revolver holsters put the clip over the cylinder making for a very fat package to conceal. Sideguard holsters have offset clips that put the clip back under the grip thereby slimming the whole package. I did the same thing with a high noon holster - I cut the threads holding the clip over the cylinder and had my local cobbler rivet it back on where I wanted it - I had an excellent tuckable holster for less than $50.

My 2 cents worth.

 

[snubbyfan]

doesnt look like they put that clip in a very good spot. Does your holster have one or two?

And remember... you are looking and know WHERE to look to see your gun. It will never disappear for you.

I have a crossbreed super tuck with a full sized double stack 9mm and a slightly baggy Tshirt will stay loose around my waistline when tucked in. But when I carry it I almost never tuck my shirt in. The gun is not noticeable to anyone, but when I look in the mirrior or see my shadow I know that "random" lump is the grip, or the hammer, rear sites, what ever.

People generally aren't all that obesrvant. If you pass somebody on the street chances are they'll never look close enough to notice a lump.
The 360's a dinky little snubby, just get a pocket holster and you'll be able to wear and tuck any shirt you want. Better yet get a 340 and a pocket holster and you won't have to worry about hammer spur snag. During the summer months I pocket carry my 442 in the front pocket of my Dollar General cargo shorts. Quite often with no shirt at all.

 

[627 city hunter]

Wear a hat!!!

Seriously its a diversion from your waist!

 

[TrueTexan]

Moondawg had it right baggy clothes. I'm lucky I've hit the age I can get away with wearing tropical sport shirts and baggy kaki paints. Heck I could possibly carry my 686 6 inch and not be noticed. I do carry a Sig p220 and nobody can tell no printing. Carry at 4:30 using a KingTuk IWB. A good gun belt does help hold it up also wear a wifebeater to keep the gun and holster from rubbing the skin in hot weather.

 

[Chuck1217]

Don't think anyone has mentioned this, but be sure you have tuckable clips. Some holsters say 'tuckable' but to order the longer clips so there's more room to tuck the shirt in. The tuckable clips are longer than the regular IWB clips. I think.

 

[LL617]

My CCW instructor lives in Hawaiian shirts.

 

[cluznar]

Good belt and good holster, maybe wear a sweater or sweatshirt?
My Old Faithful holster holds the gun tight along the body and works well.