Concealed Carry Techniques & Tips?

[Dreghorn]

I carry a 1911 in a Crossbreed SuperTuck at 2:30 on strong side, and my cell phone at 3 on weak side to help balance out the look. Haven't had anybody make me yet, at least no one that's said anything.

[Chasbo00]

Like many who have been carrying for sometime, I have a box full of holsters. My favorite for concealed carry is the Crossbreed SuperTuck.

[Kotar]

OK, I now have a few months experience, and I thought I would add my own thoughts.

Thanks, by the way, to everyone who replied to my original question.

I ended up purchasing a Crossbreed Mini-Tuck IWB holster. I seriously considered several, and I doubt this will be my last.

I wear the holster as often as possible, but some days it simply does not make sense (usually due to my destination). I wear the holster at about 3:30. I've learned that I cannot get to the point where I can make the gun and holster completely invisible based on how I used to wear my clothes, so I have adjusted.

1) I wear a V-neck undershirt all the time. This keeps the holster off my skin.
2) I tuck in a polo shirt (I now buy darker colors) and then untuck a couple inches so that the extra material partially folds over my belt (and, consequently my holster clips and the bulge caused by the weapon).
3) I wear my "relaxed fit" slacks and shorts, or the 5.11 shorts and slacks (thanks KaosDad!) that (yes) have a partial elastic waistband.

A couple more thoughts/wishes:

* I love the 5.11 Tac-Lite Pro pants and shorts. The extra front pocket is PERFECT for hiding an EDC knife or an extra clip. Check out the pricing at chiefsupply.com
* I wish I could find a v-neck t-shirt that is affordable, moisture wicking, and not prone to melt if exposed to high temperatures (I'll keep looking).
* I think one reason I carry more now is that I've taken on more of the position mentioned by cigarmanva and others in different threads. Namely: who cares?

Finally, although I know some people say "it screams 'I am carrying a gun'" I think I will try a fanny pack. I like to carry more than a gun, and I frequently have a pack with me anyway... why not make it more multi-purpose?

Thanks to all, and see you at the range.

Kotar

[KaosDad]

...
3) I wear my "relaxed fit" slacks and shorts, or the 5.11 shorts and slacks (thanks KaosDad!) that (yes) have a partial elastic waistband.
....

Kotar

And I bet you're STILL missing the Early Bird 4PM Senior Dinner at Cracker Barrel, right?

[Pocono]

+1 on the Kholster for IWB hip carry.

I stay away from SOB - if you fall on the ice or are in a confrontation where you go to the ground you can crush your spine.

I suggest you try appendix carry if you have not already. A lot of guys like the Dael Fricke Archangel kydex - supposed to be very comfortable. Comp-Tac has a very good reputation for service and people like their Minotaur MTAC (with leather) and the 2 o'clock isn't bad either depending on your body. High Noon also has some reasonably priced IWB holsters.

[jrswanson1]

Did you know the bulge from a concealed 1911 looks suspiciously like the bulge from a Droid smartphone?

Jim

[Mindflayer]

Someone told me that since I'm part Asian, people will assume any printing is a gadget or camera.

[chfaunce]

Did you know the bulge from a concealed 1911 looks suspiciously like the bulge from a Droid smartphone?

Jim

BG: "Give me your wallet or I'll kill you!"

Jim: "Oh yeah, I've got an app for that...."

[jrswanson1]

Did you know the bulge from a concealed 1911 looks suspiciously like the bulge from a Droid smartphone?

Jim

BG: "Give me your wallet or I'll kill you!"

Jim: "Oh yeah, I've got an app for that...."

Back when pagers were popular and cell phones were rare, this was one of those excuses I had for the knife I carried. A LOT of people mistook the clip-on knife for a pager. And some of the guys I worked with carried and if anyone asked it was a pager. Funny stuff!

Jim

[TBob]

I have used two modes of carry for my short M1911 for over a decade that have covered all situations. Primary is IWB @ 4 o'clock in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 w/2 extra mags in a Milt Sparks IWB dual-mag holder at about 8 o'clock, all on a heavy Milt Sparks belt or a Frequent Flier belt. Although the VM2 supports it, I never tuck my shirt. That just never worked out for me.

I wear mostly polos untucked in the summer, or a loose Florida/Tropical print shirt. Leather holster/mag carrier against my skin doesn't bother me at all. In winter, either a untucked rugby shirt, loose sweater or and untucked flannel shirt on top of a black t-shirt. I even have a few long-sleeve polos. Pants are usually elastic waist, which is more practical in my opinion than pants that wind up being and looking too big if I use my second carry mode:

When I need to be tucked, like dressed up w/a tie, etc., or in a possible hugging gathering, I use a Smartcarry. I can't draw from it as quickly as the IWB, but it's great for "deep concealment".

However, the #1 way not to be made if you dress for the task is not to act like you're carrying. Don't adjust yourself frequently, pull your shirt down constantly, check yourself out in every mirror/window, etc. Get dressed properly and forget about it. Straightening yourself out when exiting a car or standing up like everyone does will take care of any possible issues.

Works for me. Hope it helps.

[cabrera]

OK you experienced folks, help us beginners out.

How do you carry, and what are your best tips to prevent making it obvious to others that you have a weapon on you?

I've been trying an IWB holster, but unless I play with placement and wear a nice dark polo that is partially untucked (to create what you might call 'fabric spill-over' to partially hide my belt area) I worry that the odd bend in my belt and the asymmetrical look at my hip just screams "GUN!!!"

What tips can you all provide?

FYI: I carry a Taurus PT709 Slim 9mm.

Kotar

I carry My Sigma several ways, I either use a left handed IWB Blackhawk 6 in the small of my back & cross draw with my right hand of I use a right handed Tagua leather IWB at 5 o'clock but for absolute concealment (with business suits, sweats, or shorts) I use a Smartcarry holster. No issues with revealing with the SmartCarry plus it's extremely comfortable.

[zephyp]

My carry gun varies but I carry concealed via IWB over my strong hip (right). This puts the gun right over my wallet which bad guys generally ask for so its kinda convenient when you are reaching for your wallet to hand over to the BG...

I also carry a cell phone (quicker to dial 911 on behalf of the bad guy after he takes your wallet), a bandanna (maybe you can cut off some of the blood flow in case the BG gets hurt), and a knife (makes it easier to strip the bandanna in case you need a tourniquet for...of course the BG).

And as usual, I always carry a coat hangar, a roll of black tape, and a bit of string. It pays to be prepared...right...?

Seriously. I think the minimum for anyone carrying a gun for SD is a cell phone. No exceptions unless you're in the bush hunting...and I do carry the bandanna for precisely the reason stated above. Our first priority upon neutralizing a threat is to see if any innocent bystanders need attention. Then see to the BG...

[Kotar]

Zephyp,

OK, I'll ask... and expose myself as a Newb.

Why do you "always carry a coat hangar, a roll of black tape, and a bit of string" ?

K

[Drewsifer]

However, the #1 way not to be made if you dress for the task is not to act like you're carrying. Don't adjust yourself frequently, pull your shirt down constantly, check yourself out in every mirror/window, etc. Get dressed properly and forget about it. Straightening yourself out when exiting a car or standing up like everyone does will take care of any possible issues.

Works for me. Hope it helps.

I'm very guilty of this. I've been wearing a Crossbreed Supertuck, but some of shirts ride up (or at least I feel like they do). I'm slowly curbing that urge.

[user]

Yeah, most people aren't looking and don't care unless you wave it under their nose. So I generally go concealed, sort of, though anyone who is interested will look. And I have to demonstrate to the deputy sheriffs that the holster is empty when I go into a courthouse, 'cause they pick up on the bulge under the shirt pretty quick. For driving, a shoulder holster is handy, but it bulges too. If I have to be somewhere that I'd prefer real concealment, I carry itty bitty guns - a lot of folks like J-frame S&W five-shot .38 special revolvers, or tiny semiauto's like the Kahr PM9, the Rohrbaugh, Ruger's LCP, etc.

[zephyp]

Zephyp,

OK, I'll ask... and expose myself as a Newb.

Why do you "always carry a coat hangar, a roll of black tape, and a bit of string" ?

K

An inside joke. Where I work we usually get complex assignments that affect the military world wide and are sometimes directed to come up with a viable plan that everybody agrees to in a week or so. Just like a college engineering project.

Team one: you have a coat hangar, a roll of black tape, and a bit of string. You have 4 hours to build a robot using only those items...failure means permanent expulsion...

With those three items and some ingenuity - under stress - you can make anything...

[GoWolfpack]

OK you experienced folks, help us beginners out.

what are your best tips to prevent making it obvious to others that you have a weapon on you?


......


I worry that the odd bend in my belt and the asymmetrical look at my hip just screams "GUN!!!"

What tips can you all provide?

Kotar

It might be hard to do, but stop worry about it. I can promise you one sure thing about life: no one thinks about you as often as you do.

About 98.76% of the people you'll run into will either be friendly and ask you questions related to firearms, or so engrossed in themselves they wouldn't notice if you were naked.

I can say that in two years of living on my own in VA I have had precisely one negative interaction with someone on the subject of guns. Nearly everyone else ignored it (when I was OCing). A few have asked questions like how long it takes to get a carry permit or where was a good place to go shooting (again while I was carrying openly).

My solution, for times when it would be impolite or imprudent to carry openly, was a Kel-Tec PF9 in a pocket holster and in my right back pocket. I've bought all my pants with this in mind. Your Taurus may be small enough to fit in your back pocket, I'm not sure. This looks like a thick wallet, not a gun.

I'm just shaped wrong for IWB holsters, so I haven't tried many. For the winter when I'll be wearing cover garmets outside the house, I am tempted to get a shoulder rig to ease access to the gun.

IMHO, FWIW, YMMV