Concealed Carry Options

[Oldguy]

This may not be the place, but I consider you ProArms folks to be about the ultimate authority on all things gun related.  I've been reading Mas' articles for what seems like 50 years or so, but I know he's only about a year older than I am, so I must be confused).  Despite the user name, my real name is Bill.

Anyway, I am a new CCW holder in the Peoples Republic of California (hard to believe, but it's true. The process took about 5 months, but it's done.)

Since I am new to CCW, I'd like to hear how all y'all (how's that for Southern) do summer concealment in Florida.  I'm in the San Joaguin Valley and it does get a little toasty here (106-108 the last few days-but it's a dry heat) which I'm guessing will make concealed carry a little more difficult.

A podcast would be great where you can discuss whatever methods have worked for you folks in sunny Liveoak.  OWB, IWB, fanny-packs, concealed vs. deep concealment-whatever.  I know there are a lot of options out there, and my guess is between all of your experience and experiences, have some suggestions.

I've downloaded all of your podcasts and listen to them making my weekly drive to San Francisco (yecchh) and back.  Kind of makes the drive OK.

Thanks for considering, and a special thanks for what you folks do.  We are all better for it.

[Chris]

Bill,
Thank you for the kind words, we appreciate them. As for carrying in a hot and humid climate... yup... Florida qualifies. I have also been to your area (was born in CA, stayed there until I was 18 and joined the Navy.. just found Florida more enjoyable after my service brought me there). My normal attire in Florida is a Large tee-shirt and Gentleman's cut Wrangler jeans. My primary is either a S&W M&P Compact 9mm, or a Glock 20. Both fit the same Bianchi Model 7 Shadow holster (this is a three slot pancake holster) worn on the strong side, just behind the hip. That holster comes with a thumb snap. I cut it off and make it a plain open top. A pancake pulls the gun is so high and tight that I don't feel the thumb break is needed. I've worn this bouncing around in a 30 foot boat... 30 miles offshore... and never felt the need for the safety snap. The Model 7 isn't expensive, and mine has lasted (so far) five years. That's daily use. It never leaves the belt... although sometimes ( like when I have a VA medial appointment) the gun may be left in the car. The holster rides high and tight and a loose fitting tee-shirt conceals it very well when it is tucked in just behind the hip, and after time it just melts into the body. But, it's always there. You get used to it. There are other pancake
holsters on the market, and they all work in about the same way.
Some places I travel to are "unfriendly" enough that I carry a back up. It's a bobbed hammer Taurus 85 stuffed with Speer 135 Short barrel Gold Dot +P .38 Special. That rides in my left (weak side) front pants pocket on my Gentleman's cut jeans, in a pocket holster.
Both guns can be worn comfortably and legally concealed under a loose fitting Tee shirt and a pair of "Old Man's" jeans.
The problem with anyone new to carrying daily is "The Gun". Initally you will be constantly aware of it... and wondering who else can see it. That, IMHO, is a problem of YOUR perception. The rest of the World could actually care less as long as they can't obviously see it. Stop and think about how many people have a cell phone carrier that looks a lot like a holster, and in the same position as your holstered gun is. Find something comfortable, wear it, and over time it becomes a part of you.
Chris Christian

[Steve]

Bill,

First of all, congratulations on a rare achievement in the formerly Great State of California.  (I can say that because I lived a significant portion of my life in both the LA and SF Bay areas.  It really was an extraordinary place to be, once upon a time.)  I'm glad you were successful with your CCW quest.  While Mas and Gail are in SF for the GRPC next month, they may want to meet you and get your photo as a rare and endangered denizen of Fantasyland.

I like your idea for a podcast and will recommend it to PrEditor Gail.  However, both Gail and the Mas-ter are on the road again until well into October, so a group podcast will be a while yet.  We'll keep it in mind, however.  In the meantime, if you can go casual, here's a tip:  Shorts (or light pants, if you have ugly legs), T-shirt and unbuttoned, untucked, lightweight sport shirt.  That covers a lot of gun/holster/and other "accessories" choices and doesn't attract much attention on the street.  Of course, business and more-than-casual requires other styles, but for the summer in the SJ Valley, that should be a good start.

Great to hear from you.  I hope this helps.

Steve

p.s. Chris was posting while I was tied up mid-reply here in the shop.  What he said, as usual, is also excellent advice.  If you are going to use an untucked T-shirt or polo shirt, which are also good choices, just get used to buying them a size larger than normal.  You'll also find that darker colors and patterns are better concealment fabrics.  There, now we have our podcast started already!

[Chris]

Bill,
Ya know something... we actually now do have a good round table podcast started with your thread... Thank You Bill! It's an overlooked subject and when Mas & Gail get back we can do it... along with some maybe before & after pix. It's actually a lot easier to conceal even a full-sized gun... in the casual "old man's" clothes I wear... than a lot of people think... Actually, it's not that hard to conceal two or three guns under a tee-shirt. A great time to do this podcast (pending Evil Princess approval) would be at the end of October... because some of us (JB, Terri, Norm, and me... at the moment) are driving from Live Oak to the Georgia State IDPA Championships outside of Atlanta at that time, and will all return in the same vehicle to LO. I smell a cookout/Podcast/fridge raid, and I get a chance to play with my favorite Rottweilers! A win-win. The concealed carry option subject has a number of differing opinions on the Pro Arms Team, based upon their normal mode of dress and body build. I think it would be a good subject for us to tackle. I'm looking forward to debating Steve on fabric swatches & colors. I'll be so... so.... California.
Chris Christian

[Oldguy]

Chris and Steve, thanks for your comments.  As far as a picture with Mas and Gail, all I can say is:  Hell yes!  I'm in San Francisco weekly, unless I have to travel out of town (which I do a fair bit of).  But if there are willing, count me in.  Let me know where we can meet and I'll be there.

Docker-type pants and a golf shirt is about as dressed up as I get anymore.  Gave up the shirt, tie and suit when we went on "business casual" several years back.  My carry guns will be a Glock 27 (most of the time) and and M&P 9 (standard size).  I'm getting a little more "rounded" as I get older mature, so comfort is very important.  One of the things I enjoy the most about your podcasts is that you folks don't agree on everything, and like everyone else, what works for one may not work for another.  But you all have opinions and are willing to share them.

[MasAyoob]

We'll look forward to catching you there, OldGuy. 

[Trailboss]

I escaped from the San Benito county five years ago, the Sheriff deemed me "not worthy" to carry even though I had gang bangers "dogging" me next door and actually had a gunfight on our street one night (Hollister). Thankfully I live where real lawmen run the show (Sheriff Joe Arpaio)...and I'm never looking back at Ca.


The advice given above is excellent, a T-shirt with a looser outer fitting garment with dark colors breaks up the printing pretty good.
I use a crossbreed super tuck deluxe which is an awesome holster for concealed carry.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/DaWyS3cTMHA&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/DaWyS3cTMHA&rel=0</a>
A pretty amazing rig!

While I'm not a fan of off body carry, When traveling, I like the wilderness safepacker as it fits in the web of the seat belt and makes for a quick presentation when seated, it also works great tucked in between the mattress and box springs when staying in a hotel, and provides a rugged yet secure method of carry when hiking or on the ATV.

Welcome to the club!

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/VJK4n1z29ag&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/VJK4n1z29ag&rel=0</a>

[Jeff]

Being a full figured guy, the only IWB holster that works for me is the Crossbreed, so thanks for posting the video, Boss.  With this holster, I routinely carry big guns in the upper 90s Kansas weather under untucked t-shirts and polos.  I also am quite fond of the tails out styles offered by EOTAC and 511.

http://www.eotac.com/discreet-clothing/discreet-shirts/mens-tropical-short-sleeve-shirt

http://www.511tactical.com/browse/Home/All-Products/Shirts/Covert-Shirts/D/30000/P/1:100:50000:50200:50206

And yes, I wear the vests that are so popular.  I prefer ones that don't look so "tactical".

I'd also like to mention Raven Concealment.  Think you can't conceal a gun with light attached?  Think again.

http://www.themalabarfront.com/

As the others said, welcome to the CCW club.  Be safe out there.

Jeff

[Tim/GA]

Coastal Georgia also calls for some serious hot weather carry.  Being on the larger side, IWB holsters are not the most comfortable.  When I carried a tiny Kel-Tec P40 in the hot weather the IWB was alright but now that it is either a Glock 23 or Glock 27 I save the IWB for when it really has to be out of sight.

I have been using one of Galco's new kydex belt holsters, the MX-7, for most of a year now and love it.  It is pretty much a kydex copy of their Side Snap Scabbard and other belt holsters, but made of kydex and only 30 bucks.  The wide spaced belt loops make it stable as can be and their snap loops are great for easy on and off without undoing the belt.  On me a reasonably tight belt keeps the gun but in tight and concealed.  Also, being an open bottom it works for both guns and would even work for a Glock 22 (or all of the 9mms).  Under an untucked button down shirt it is perfect for me and much more comfortable than IWB.  A plus, it is even accessible in the car with the seat belt on.  Just tuck the shirt behind the gun's butt when you get in and it is right there if needed.