Weapon concealment options

[Big Daddy]

If it hasn't been mentioned before, take a look at Kramer products. I carry a 229 in a Kramer IWB#3. It was in the high 70's here this week. My manner of dress was a t-shirt and jeans. The 229 was not noticable. I have a box load of holsters as I'm always looking to improve. I always end up going back to the Kramer.

[The Canadian]

well I carry on a daily basis to class, so I favor a small of the back carry for deeper concealment. The slower draw might be a problem one day, but it is not worth the panic that flashing my sidearm will cause the other 364 days of the year. After not being able to find a suitable small of the back holster that I liked for my Beretta 8045 mini cougar I decided to experiment with other options. This is what I use to carry these days

http://www.rangerjoes.com/bdu-rigger-belt-p-4406.html with a ribbed tank top(does anybody call them that? a wifebeater for those that don't know what a ribbed tank top under shirt is.)

I simply put on the wifebeater, then put on the rigging belt around my belly. I use the elastic band that is to hold the extra part of the belt to insert the barrel of my sidearm and then tighten the buckle to my left side. I did numerous tests with an unloaded sidearm to include 45 minutes on a treadmill, jumping rope and other physical activity that I normally wouldn't do during a normal carry day and found it was comfortable for me and stayed in place. I have carried this way for almost a year now.

I still practice drawing every once and a while. I just have to remember to not bother pulling the shirt up just away with the other hand and get my hand up there and I can help the release by sucking in my stomach and loosening the belt.

I think of it this way. Someone who says that you should buy a holster made for the gun from a manufacture, probably also thinks I should buy my bullets for my sidearm instead of making them myself as well.

[nmap]

As always, I appreciate the concealment ideas.

For now, until I fix on a holster and devote significant practice time to it, I have gone with the swiss army pouch. One side has the firearm and some pepper spray, the other side has various harmless junk like a pen and some paper. A third area has a small first aid kit.

I've just added some Le Mas 9 mm to the mix, along with a 3.5 lb trigger connector. I'll probably add XS standard tritium sites sometime next month.

Not as quick on the draw as some here, so that's a trade-off, of course.

Again, thanks to all for the guidance.

[Sten]

Originally Posted by nmap

I've just added some Le Mas 9 mm to the mix,

How did you get your hands on Le Mas??

[nmap]

Originally Posted by Sten

How did you get your hands on Le Mas??

I got the civilian version of course...but they have a website, and a pleasant person who takes the orders.

http://www.rbcd.net/

20 rounds....just under $40 including tax and shipping...

[Anevolution]

Originally Posted by perdurabo

Comfortable IWB and appropriate-length shirt.
Practice drawing a lot (reach across your body with non-drawing hand, pull up shirt fabric near holster, draw weapon with drawing hand, release non-drawing hand from fabric and assume proper shooting positions). It's pretty easy and muscle memory comes quickly.

If your edc is a glock/xd it may be your printing because of the 2x4 feeling of the gun. A single stack will make your life a lot easer. Its also hot and sticky in my area I ware shorts and a tee all the time. My edc is a iwb kimber sis pro with two power mags in my left front pocket. I don't like having the mags on my belt I feel sorta like im Bruce wayne or something.

[alelks]

Originally Posted by Anevolution

If your edc is a glock/xd it may be your printing because of the 2x4 feeling of the gun. A single stack will make your life a lot easer. Its also hot and sticky in my area I ware shorts and a tee all the time. My edc is a iwb kimber sis pro with two power mags in my left front pocket. I don't like having the mags on my belt I feel sorta like im Bruce wayne or something.

Or you need to cant the weapon forward. The beauty of the CTAC, MTAC and the Crossbreed IWB holsters is that they have the ability to adjust the cant of the weapon. I personally use the Crossbreed but only because there isn't an MTAC version for my weapon yet.

[LarryW]

Re: your post of 03-31-2009; You ever decide how you were going to CCW the large frame auto? I carry a Bersa .380 inside an old 5x8 Daytimer leather binder. It conceals well and attracts no second looks at truck stops/coffee shops, etc. Looks like a bible. (BTW, bible cases might be a good method, too.
See http://www.internationalbibles.com/c...orld/index.htm)

You mentioned concern re: ease of draw from that sort of rig and I wonder the same. Haven't trained enough with the Daytimer case yet. I feel the same re: fanny-packs as being obvious concealment devices, and a holster (regardless of high-carry, in-the-pocket, etc) still doesn't conceal the weapon. Just wondered how you got on with your search for a CCW alternative and would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks, sir.

(Sorry, gents...just realized my potential for shear stupidity with this post. )

[nmap]

Yes, I've been carrying a Glock 19 using a Victronix tote ( LINK ).

The Bible and Daytimer are both good ideas, but I wanted two things those didn't provide. First, I wanted to carry some additional things such as pepper spray, a small flashlight, a Swiss Army knife, and so forth. And second, I wanted to carry things that would visually misdirect people such that they didn't think I had a weapon.

The tote has 3 compartments. The one closest to my body has the firearm and the pepper spray. The thick area on the outside contains a pen, some cards, a PDA, the flashlight, and the knife. I use that compartment frequently so the various people I interact with are used to seeing the tote, and used to seeing me access harmless items. The outermost compartment has a small first-aid kit.

I've obtained an HK USP 9 SD due to its reputation as a superior firearm. I will ultimately add a match trigger at 4.5 lbs and tritium adjustable sites. The firearm fits in the same area as the Glock.

A further advantage to the tote is the strap. I can carry it over the shoulder or across the chest, which makes it easy for me to have both hands free when necessary.

Now...can I draw rapidly? No. But I lead a quiet life, avoid dangerous areas, and try to maintain some degree of SA, so I hope I won't need to extract the weapon in seconds.

[Utah Bob]

The only problem with a pouch is that while it conceals the gun, everybody who knows much about handguns (including cops and bad guys) knows you are packing. That can be a bad thing or a good thing, depending on the situation.

[nmap]

Yes, it's a problem. An IWB holster is a better concealment option; and yet, the downside is that I don't have the option of carrying around the other junk I want. If I use a holster and have the pouch for junk, I haven't gained anything. And, too, I prefer the full-sized automatics. A smaller firearm would work better for concealability, of course.

Ah, well. It's a journey, I suppose. Unlike so many here, I haven't carried a firearm as a day-to-day event. I need (or at least, think I need) to develop a certain comfort level with the act itself.

(Caution: sensitive readers should skip the following, lest it prove distressing)
I've transitioned from having a pistol I haven't cleaned or practiced with in years to some more reasonable practices. I now practice once a month and keep the firearm clean. A friend urges me to practice daily, with dry firing or other techniques - I'm not there yet.(end of NSFW material)

That's one of the many benefits of the good comments that have been provided. I can learn, and at least begin the transition to some degree of comfort and (perhaps) proficiency.

Thank you for your thoughts, Sir. They're very much appreciated.

[El Cid]

Originally Posted by nmap

Yes, it's a problem. An IWB holster is a better concealment option; and yet, the downside is that I don't have the option of carrying around the other junk I want. If I use a holster and have the pouch for junk, I haven't gained anything. And, too, I prefer the full-sized automatics. A smaller firearm would work better for concealability, of course.

With a good IWB holster, a full size handgun will disappear under a t-shirt. I use mine to hide a G22 and an even larger/heavier Para P14-45. Yes, smaller guns conceal better, but don't rule out a full frame weapon.

What other "junk" do you want to carry? I see you mention the things in your bag such as OC spray, knife, light, etc. There are other ways to carry those items without using a bag. I have one or two knives clipped to my pockets. I carry a Surefire light on my belt next to my spare mag, cuffs, badge, creds, etc. I also use house keys that have LED lights built into them. Not great, but better than nothing. I don't carry OC because I don't have to and my agency has a great policy where if I can use OC, I can use deadly force.

The thing about the bag that bothers me is you have "all your eggs in one basket" so to speak. If you get separated from the bag, or the strap gets cut, or the clip fails (this does happen), you have lost all your tools.

Another option I didn't see in the threat is a J-frame in your front pocket for times when your dress won't allow an IWB holster. Just some food for thought. Be safe!

[kawika]

I have an MTAC for a fullsize USP 45. It conceals as well as my USP compact with a CTAC. With a untucked shirt you can't tell. And you can't tell standing, sitting, bending over ETC. Somone on the team has one for his berretta and it even hides that gigantic thing.