IWB during deep summer

[Der Biermeister]

This will be my first summer with CC. I have an M&P 9 FS that has now been relegated to home defense. My carry gun is a Shield 40. IWB is very comfortable this time of the year when wearing it against a T-shirt with an outer jacket - but I am beginning to think about deep summer, when I only want to wear ONE very thin cotton T shirt and lightweight shorts. There simply is no way I'd ever wear two shirts. Also, I don't like wearing belts with summer shorts. Even though the Shield is relatively small, it still weighs enough that I feel it will drag my shorts down without a really snug belt.

So -- my first question is: If I am to still use an IWB holster (maybe with jeans with a belt), how comfortable are IWB holsters against bare, clammy skin?

Or, should I seriously be thinking about a smaller carry gun (BG or a small wheel gun) for pocket carry?

 

[Lost Lake]

Beerman,

I'd try a sticky holster or use a Supertuck with a belt. Both are comfortable, but you'll need a snug waistband or belt with the sticky.

 

[repawn]

I carry a bigger and heavier gun with just a t-shirt - leather against your skin is your friend. Something like a crossbreed should he comfortable in the summer

 

[fonejack54]

I struggle with the same dilemma as you. I even bought a Ruger LCP last November but sold it because it felt like a toy. I carry a M&P Shield 9mm.
I just sold a S&W 442 that I pocket carried. I am retired so I hibernate in the winter so my biggest chance of needing my weapon is in the warmer weather with walking and yardwork. I recently realized that I would be silly to under gun myself during the times I am most likely to need protection.
I can't wear belts tight because of back problems, so I have resorted to suspenders and pocket carry my Shield in cargo pants or shorts (dress around the gun).
IWB holsters against bare skin are not comfortable. I have tried just slipping a handkerchief in between the gun and skin and that works pretty good.

 

[P&R Fan]

I can't stand to have a gun next to bare skin, so I always wear a T-shirt. You can do IWB in the summer, it just takes planning. One way is to wear a T-shirt and a larger buttoned shirt that is untucked. This is very common today, especially in churches. (Not for me, mind you, I still wear a suit). This allows you to carry a pretty large gun, and spare mag, easily.

I have another method that is VERY comfortable, and surprisingly fast. If you read gun magazines you see the ad for the Kramer Confidant shirt holster. This is a mesh shirt with a pouch under each arm. You can carry a handgun on one side and a spare mag on the other. I can carry an S&W J-Frame revolver or a Glock 23 or 27. Have done so all day many times and I literally forget it's there. I leave the top two buttons unbuttoned on my shirt and reach in and draw straight up. If I wear a suit I leave a button unbuttoned under my tie. You can even wear a sweatshirt and leave a couple of the buttons on your midsection unbuttoned. This costs about $60, and it is well worth it.

Concealed carry can be done in any weather. You just have to experiment and dress accordingly.
Jim

 

[Arik]

Comfort is a very personal thing. I carry IWB all the time. Our Pa summers are hot and humid and i wear a undershirt tanktop tucked in so that the holster isnt against the skin, with a t-shirt over it. Im perfectly fine with it and dont feel extra hot.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[kennyb]

my fav.concealed carry is ankle holster...and i carry large guns as a rule...if in shorts i often times carry a M36 in a pocket holster...a shield will be an easy carry in the pocket

 

[BAM-BAM]

Hot and humid Pittsburgh weather in the summer.........if in jeans, no socks and sneakers or boat shoes

I carry IWB using a sleeveless t-shirt ( a colored "wife beater" is even better but my wife says no to them...LOL)covered by an untucked nylon "fishing style" shirt.. sleeves rolled up above the elbows ( held by that little flap thingie that buttons over the rolled up sleeve....... I explain it, if asked, which is rare.... that I need the pockets my reading glasses, phone etc.

hides my 3913NL in a milt sparks summer special and my Safariland horizonal Leatherman mini tool case (extra 7rd mag) nicely.

lighter colored ones also reflect the sun and being loose help keep you cool.

I use to wear a photo vest.....you know the "shoot me" vests... all the time but since I've gone to the Fishermans's shirts the vest only get used in the mountains at the cabin.

 

[Pisgah]

I hate to say it, but if you are going to be serious about full-time carry you are going to have to make some compromises. You can hide a big gun under nothing but a T, but if you are uncomfortable with that the only answer is an over-shirt; if your gun is too heavy for beltless carry, sorry -- you need a belt, like it or not. Only thing else you can do is go down to a teeny gun.

 

[Robotech]

There are of course other choices for concealed carry besides a typical holster or in a pocket.

Fanny packs, waist packs, purses, bags, packs, various belt pouches, pad folios, shirts and jackets with built-in gun pockets... Each with their own advantages and disadvantages, and some more appropriate in different situations than others. If you're an NRA member, you probably get the NRA Store catalog already, or check out nrastore.com. And of course, other companies will have similar offerings.

 

[Der Biermeister]

I hate to say it, but if you are going to be serious about full-time carry you are going to have to make some compromises. You can hide a big gun under nothing but a T, but if you are uncomfortable with that the only answer is an over-shirt; if your gun is too heavy for beltless carry, sorry -- you need a belt, like it or not. Only thing else you can do is go down to a teeny gun.

Well - never let it be said that you don't zero in on the issue , which is why I posed it in the first place. Thanks for the advice and all the others too - this has been a good topic!

Regarding the undershirt -- I have never worn a tank top and therefore didn't it consider it. But will now.

As for belts - I go to the extreme to keep the holster (either IWB or OWB) in place. 1 1/2" wide and a 1/4 inch thick.

 

[Justin69]

If you dont like wearing a belt, u dont have to. watch this!!TactiPac FusionPac IWB Deep Concealed Carry Holster - YouTube

 

[JSM&P9C]

Try the SmartCarry. I always wear two light shirts in the summer. I actually prefer it. I find I sweat less with an undergarment than without one.

 

[Tbags]

For me as long as the holster has a sweat shield, I have no problem with it without an undergarment. I use leather holsters though, Kydex may not be so nice.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Cloth holsters. I like Uncle Mikes open top IWB.

 

[lone-wolf--]

Beerman,

I'd try a sticky holster or use a Supertuck with a belt. Both are comfortable, but you'll need a snug waistband or belt with the sticky.

I second this post... I personally have exactly the same setup as you... A M&P Pro Series 9mm and .40 Shield... I live in FL and can wear cargo shorts and a t-shirt with no printing or issues. It is all about the holster. Crossbreed holsters are amazingly comfortable and are great for concealment. I also have nothing but positive to say about Remora holsters... Both have their distinct advantages. In most of my cargo shorts, the cargo pocket will fit my shield in a remora holster and it isn't as comfortable to me as IWB since it is an extra weight pulling on the bottom of your shorts but it is pretty much invisible.

As for IWB I wear mine around the 3.5/4 o'clock position and it sits there for 12+ hours and have no issues with movement or comfort with the remora holster. I am still waiting on my crossbreed holster to come in for my shield but I have a crossbreed for my FS 9mm and it was always super comfortable for the size of the gun.

Hope this gave you some insight!

 

[Legacy1]

Crossbreed holsters look great! How long do you think one of these holsters last? Wearing it 8 + hours a day, every day. Thanks

 

[gmiller0737]

I have never worn a Undershirt in My life! I have Carried a HK USP 9mm,Or a S&W 60-7 In IWB Holsters wearing Shorts & a Long T Shirt & it's not too bad My Holster for the HK is a Milt Sparks Summer Special II & The 60-7 is carried in a older DeSantis IWB holster,More often in the really hot part of the year I carry My Ruger LCP in a Pocket Holster

 

[lone-wolf--]

Crossbreed holsters have a lifetime warranty. I have heard they start to have a smell to them with the cowhide after a long time with you sweating on them a lot and to upgrade to the horsehide but I haven't ran into that yet and got the cowhide. Their customer support is excellent, too. I had my holster on (no gun) and was wrestling with a friend... the kydex that holds the gun got bent in... called their customer support and they said to ship it in and they would take care of it... the whole thing took under a week They even priority shipped it back to me.

 

[CJ_mp40c]

Cloth holsters. I like Uncle Mikes open top IWB.

I'm also looking toward my first summer and carrying. I was thinking about a Sticky but this is another option.