Winter Coat Suggestions For Concealed Carry ?

[Walter Rego]

I am in need of a new winter coat. It does not need to be very heavy, temperatures rarely will be below about 40. I do not want one with any type of hood. It should be somewhat stylish, I don't want to look like Eb from Green Acres.

I am looking for one that has exterior pockets deep enough to carry a J frame in a Mika pocket holster and they should have a way to be securely closed, with a snap or zipper if desired.
I also would like several interior pockets to carry a phone, wallet or a spare magazine if I am carrying an autoloader. I occasionally will be wearing a mid sized handgun on an OWB holster so I would like the coat to be long enough to conceal a gun in a pancake holster for example.

I have seen some coats that are designed for CCW use with interior pockets for handguns and magazine loops but I don't want anything that will appear "tacticool" or would be a giveaway that I am a legally armed citizen.

I'd like to stay below about $200 if possible. Suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Echo40]

I was also in need of a new Winter Jacket and ultimately ended up getting a Propper M-65 Field Jacket. It's a Cold War-era U.S. Military Field Jacket made of a 50/50 Cotton/Nylon shell with a button-in liner made of 100% Quilted Nylon, a hood that is stored within the collar, and four huge pockets on the front.

The M-65 also runs large in order to accommodate Body Armor, which makes it ideal for layering.

Some folks will say that it's too light for Winter Weather, but it really depends on how cold the Winter gets in your region. Most folks say that it's GTG as low as 30°F with the liner installed and can easily work in Sub-Zero temperatures if you layer it.

In addition, the M-65 is made by a large number of companies who offer them in an array of modified configurations using more modern lightweight materials that are better for insulation, additional pockets/pouches, and more. So even if you don't like the classic Military configuration, there are updated versions of the jacket available.

For your needs, I would recommend checking out the Helikon-Tex M-65, which has been updated with CCW in mind.

 

[oldiegoldie]

Carhartt makes jackets without hoods, well within your price range. been wearing them forever. you can't go wrong with Carhartt.

 

[Rustyt1953]

There is a plethora of hoodless cold-weather coats capable of secreting a snubby.

Throw a dart.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I could conceal and carry a J frame in athletic shorts, so I imagine literally any coat will do just fine. J frames are easy to conceal in pretty much any attire.

 

[crc4]

I have two London Fog all-weather coats with zip-out liners. One I keep without the liner in. Both have the deep pockets you need.

In cooler weather, I always have a M49 Bodyguard in a Mika holster in the strong-side pocket. It's so easy to have your hand on the grip without anyone knowing you do. I also have a CZ P-01 in a cross draw, but in close quarters like an elevator or tight crowds it's easier to have the M49 in hand in the pocket.

Other jackets that work are an old Navy pea coat with deep pockets, a denim 'jumper,' and I had an old leather below-the-waist coat re-pocketed with deep pockets just for the reason to conceal my j-frame (cost $30.00 for extra strong material).

You might also check thrift stores like Goodwill. I've seen excellent jackets that would work for about $15-20. Get them dry cleaned and you're good to go.

 

[crc4]

I could conceal and carry a J frame in athletic shorts, so I imagine literally any coat will do just fine. J frames are easy to conceal in pretty much any attire.

It depends. Some jacket and coat pockets are not deep enough nor angled properly. I have a jacket with pockets just this way and it's easy for the pistol or revolvers to fall out if bending over or moving briskly.

Other pockets can, by their design, prevent the hand from easily entering the pocket. Too tight a pocket restricts an easy draw.

Ideally you want a long, angled deep pocket to both hide your gun and allows you to have your hand on it. Anything less than that is a real compromise.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I am in need of a new winter coat.

I occasionally will be wearing a mid sized handgun on an OWB holster ...

M-65 Field Jacket in Woodland camo. With that jacket I concealed a six inch 44 Magnum in a shoulder holster or a four inch 357 Magnum OWB.

 

[Aggie1906]

M1951 field jacket. No inside pockets, but no hood either. Just cotton. Ask me how I know. Try not to overnight in a chilly deuce and a half if you can avoid it without more gear.

 

[URIT]

Take a look at the offerings at Duluth Trading Company.

I live in an area that experiences similar winter weather on the other coast. I have a DTC Fire Hose Flannel Jacket and it works for me. I needed a jacket with a hood when walking my dog with the strong winds we have here.

There are plenty of options in jackets and overshirts without hoods.

 

[Smoke]

I don't like carrying in a coat pocket unless I'm going to be outside for an extended period of time.

In the winter I try to dress in a way that I can go from inside to outside and not look too out of place either way.

In Colorado Springs there are a lot of people who dress in "Outdoor Fashions".

In the Fall and winter I tend to layer underneath with long underwear, a flannel shirt and then a fleece vest over that.

If I'm going to be outside for an extended period of time I switch out the vest for a fleece jacket.
Either way I carry as usual in an OWB holster.

In Colorado Springs I could throw a rock and it would hit someone dressed like me. I don't stand out from the crowd at all

 

[686Wheeler]

Bern Makes a good one

 

[Shibadog]

Bern Makes a good one

I had a Berne cow coat. I was built like a tank and would conceal Anything-but, the one I had weighed like a tank as well. Very heavy coat-too heavy for me. As noted, an old M65 with a liner will work great. Drop the liner if it’s warmer. A J will live nicely in one of the front pockets.

 

[luvsmiths]

Hi-

I think you may find something you really like right here. I have a few of theirs and like them, and the quality is good too.

Mens Coats & Jackets - Outback Trading Company | OutbackTrading.com

 

[Farmer17]

The classic bomber jacket would seem ideal for pocket carrying since it's cut short and the pockets are a little higher and you could also get one in leather that would make it a little dressier. I know of a few old police officers that mentioned when they were doing traffic stop their hands would be in their pockets and one would be holding a J-frame pointing right at driver of the vehicle.

 

[BB57]

I also like the M-65. I still have jackets that were issued to me in both OD green and Woodland camo, as well as a civilian version sold by Eddie Bauer, that doesn’t have the buttons inside for the cold weather liner.

“Bomber jackets” don’t always work. The leather USAF A-2 and USN G-1 jackets don’t have convenient hand pockets nor do the nomex CWU jackets. No matter how practical the military frowns on walking around with your hands in your pockets.

However the civilian versions of those jackets, and the civilian version of the older nylon MA-1 jacket do have outside hand pockets and can work really well.

Here in eastern NC where most winter days are 40 degrees F or above, I usually wear an Ariat concealed carry vest. On colder days it goes over a wool or fleece jacket.

 

[Imissedagain]

Navy Peacoat.
Lotsa pocket variations available these days.
Collar great if a cold breeze blows.

 

[31FordA]

Barbour makes some nice coats. Not too heavy, very comfortable, don’t look tactical. Orvis makes some nice coats too. I also have a copy of the blue WWII USN deck jacket. Mine is from a company called “At the Front”. Pockets fit a J frame, and the jacket is very comfortable.

 

[WR Moore]

I am in need of a new winter coat. It does not need to be very heavy, temperatures rarely will be below about 40. I do not want one with any type of hood. It should be somewhat stylish, I don't want to look like Eb from Green Acres.

.............................................
I also would like several interior pockets to carry a phone, wallet or a spare magazine if I am carrying an autoloader.

Ah, you really don't want your magazines to be in an interior pocket. !. A magazine in a pocket collects lint like you can't believe. The lint can cause failures to feed. Fortunately, I learned this on the range, not the street. 2. If the coat is fastened and your spare ammo is inside the coat, this is not a good thing. Granted, reloads are rarely needed by private citizens, but rarely isn't never.

You probably already did this, but make sure your gloved hands will still fit inside the trigger guard. With J frames, this pretty much limits you to isotoner style or unlined capeskin gloves.

 

[crc4]

Find a coat that doesn't scream 'tactical.' No camo, no patterns, subdued colors.

You want to blend in, not stand out. This is not the time to be a fashion plate and draw attention to yourself.

Clothes can make you a target as much as a Rolex on the wrist or a gold necklace hanging around your neck.