Modifying Garments for CCW

shep854 · December 20, 2009, 10:23 PM

How have you modified clothing to be more CCW-friendly? As the weather turns colder and we have to layer up, CCW access can be compromised.

I have a knee-length leather coat. In the past, I would have to unbutton and brush the coat back to reach my trouser pockets (I pocket carry). If I wanted my CCW to be reasonably accessible, I had to shift it to a coat pocket. Besides being cold, it looks conspicuous if one wants to get a grip on a weapon. Recently, I had "pass-through" slits made in the coat pocket openings, which allows me to reach into my trouser pockets (and grasp my CCW, if needed) without opening the coat. I plan to have this done to other coats, as the need arises.

I've read recommendations for having a gun-friendly tailor for alter or strengthen clothing as needed. What are your thoughts and mods?

kazanski612 · December 20, 2009, 10:34 PM

You have a knee-length leather coat? You could conceal a SAW under that.

shep854 · December 21, 2009, 07:28 AM

But there's still the access problem. Remember, I'm trying to keep the thing closed! OTOH, a couple of bursts should warm things up nicely.

Beentown71 · December 21, 2009, 10:23 AM

Reinforce my pockets with a heavier material.

Beentown

Don P · December 21, 2009, 11:49 AM

Perhaps a shorter coat. Less to have to sweep back. Possible shoulder rig. Pocket carry in the coat would be the fastest draw from CCW.

shep854 · December 21, 2009, 02:58 PM

I do have some shorter coats, which I also wear regularly. With those, hand-in-pocket is not as conspicuous. It's nice to have options.

win-lose · December 21, 2009, 04:20 PM

In the winter I don't wear very long coats... still, I can't reliably draw a weapon from strong side iwb or owb. Appendix iwb is a bit better, but not much. As such, I pocket carry in my strong-side front pocket.

jakeg823 · December 22, 2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

I have a knee-length leather coat

um why??? you live in alabama....we all know that it doesnt get cold enough in the southeast to justify such a thing. unless the weather in birmingham is drastically different than the weather in jackson, ms. i rarely wear coats, unless i know i'm going to be outside for longer than the few minutes it takes me to walk from my truck to the front door of whereever i'm heading. I always have several jackets in my truck just in case i have a breakdown or whatever, but still.

and on top of that, IMO, a knee-length leather coat(trench coat), is about as subtle as a hawaiian shirt(outside of hawaiia or other beach(ish) location) or a tactical vest...or how bout a glock hat, or an NRA tattoo on your forehead, or any other visible part of your body for that matter(havent seen this one........yet)....i'm not sayin, i'm just sayin

smince · December 22, 2009, 05:49 AM

I cut off any draw string that might possibly get into my holster or impeade my draw. That's the only clothing mod I can think of off hand.

benp · December 22, 2009, 06:41 AM

In the winter I don't wear very long coats... still, I can't reliably draw a weapon from strong side iwb or owb. Appendix iwb is a bit better, but not much. As such, I pocket carry in my strong-side front pocket.

I stick with the shorter coats also with non-elastic bottoms.

My main coat for above -20 is a Carhart Detroit coat. Rides a few inches below the waistline. Does not hamper my draw for iwb.

Even with an under layer of a hooded sweatshirt or untucked flannel shirt there is no problem.

shep854 · December 22, 2009, 07:35 AM

"um why???"--jakeg823
Because I like it.

It doesn't often get cold here, but I like my comfort. Actually, there are enough longer coats being worn that it doesn't stand out by itself.

Pyzon · December 22, 2009, 10:51 AM

Other than the obvious ease of concealment that cooler weather brings, your idea of providing pass through access to a belt carried gun is a good idea. I carry a full size all steel CZ 75B IWB at 3:30-4:00, but like you am slowed way down by even a waist or slighly longer jacket. When I am going into a bad area I will add a pocket gun and extra mag carried in the jacket pockets.

Diamond LawDawg · December 22, 2009, 01:35 PM

Modify clothing.... got 20 way kewl Hawaiian shirts..good to GO long haired bearded biker retired cop aahh life is grand

Sixer · December 22, 2009, 01:35 PM

This thread is great...

BTW what color are we talking about?

Balck like Neo in The Matrix...

Possibly purple?

...or more of a cowhide brown, Wyatt Earp style?

The Great Mahoo · December 22, 2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benp

I stick with the shorter coats also with non-elastic bottoms.

Ditto. I stick with loose bottom garments that can easily be pulled aside or above my strong-side holster. Preferably those that hang a bit lower than my belt, but I use an IWB holster when I can't find one appropriate. I've take to wearing vests more than heavy coats, so that I needn't take it off when I get inside of where I am going, making it easy and comfortable to carry.

Dwight55 · December 23, 2009, 10:29 AM

I'm with you Mahoo, . . . been wearing vests for 40+ years, . . . everyone who knows the old geezer knows me in them more than out of them.

When I started CCW, . . . it just blended right under them, . . . life is OK that way.

Knowing the leather coats I've had in the past, . . . I'd be very leery of cutting the pocket to reach through, . . . as in the heat of some moment, . . . I can just see a hammer or magazine or something hanging up on the coat as I try to pull it through. It could just ruin your whole day.

When I wear a long coat, . . . it is rarely buttoned or zippered closed. I keep it closed enough with my arms or my hands in the pockets, . . . then if I need to access something under it, . . . a thumb rake backwards and I am good to go.

I have to believe that is WAY faster than going for a gun "through" another garment, . . . IMO.

May God bless,
Dwight

NightSight · December 23, 2009, 10:34 AM

I don't think that the OP was asking for comments on his style of dress.

My carry holster is a Summer Special style IWB. I have oftened wished that I had more belt loops on certain jeans in order to put the weapon in the most comfortable place; however, I had never really considered having them installed.

I have heard of a few women having holsters sewed into their purses and a couple of guys who have sewed holsters into coat pockets so that they could easily unholster one-handed.

Quincunx · December 23, 2009, 02:36 PM

This might be rather a strange thought, but I have been thinking that an extra belt loop or two on the right-hand side of my pants could provide a little extra holster stability for OWB carry. Or do I just have too much thinking time on my hands right now?

Straightshooter629 · January 2, 2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

This might be rather a strange thought, but I have been thinking that an extra belt loop or two on the right-hand side of my pants could provide a little extra holster stability for OWB carry. Or do I just have too much thinking time on my hands right now?

I'm not sure the extra belt loops would do as much good as asimply investing in a GOOD, heavy belt. I always OWB, either in a belt slide or occasionally in a paddle and I got the biggest improvement in stability when I invested in "Beltman" belt. At least, get the stiffest, heaviest belt you can.

As far as other modifications for winter wear, all of my outer wear have zipper closures and I put oversized pulls on the zippers to make it easier to my coats/jackets even with gloves on.

dabigguns357 · January 3, 2010, 04:49 AM

I wear such a heavy coat that i just brush back and draw.Now when i wear a rain coat i have extra big,wide pocket openings that i completely remove the pocket it self leaving just the outer pocket flap,which so far hasn't gotten in the way when drawing.If i have to draw and i can't completely break free of my pocket i hope to at least have enough sense to shoot through.

shep854 · January 10, 2010, 01:40 PM

During the "Ice Age of 2010" (actually the first normal Southern winter we've had in quite a while), I've been able to give my cold weather gear a workout. The modded coat works fine, though not as well as no coat, of course.

I also got to find out how well my SealSkinz gloves work--great! They are waterproof/breathable gloves that are like "aviators" gloves or brown cotton "jersey" gloves for bulk (IOW, not very) and interfere very little with gun-handling. Even so, they are very warm in the teens-to-30s temperatures of the past week. For colder conditions, they should do well as mitten liners, to protect your hands if you have to pull the mittens off.

http://www.danalco.com/htmls/products/products.shtml

December 20, 2009, 10:23 PM	#1
shep854 Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: Birmingham AL Posts: 632	Modifying Garments for CCW How have you modified clothing to be more CCW-friendly? As the weather turns colder and we have to layer up, CCW access can be compromised. I have a knee-length leather coat. In the past, I would have to unbutton and brush the coat back to reach my trouser pockets (I pocket carry). If I wanted my CCW to be reasonably accessible, I had to shift it to a coat pocket. Besides being cold, it looks conspicuous if one wants to get a grip on a weapon. Recently, I had "pass-through" slits made in the coat pocket openings, which allows me to reach into my trouser pockets (and grasp my CCW, if needed) without opening the coat. I plan to have this done to other coats, as the need arises. I've read recommendations for having a gun-friendly tailor for alter or strengthen clothing as needed. What are your thoughts and mods? __________________ Powder smoke- The Smell of FREEDOM! I don't shoot to kill; I shoot to live. Registration? NEVER!!

December 20, 2009, 10:34 PM	#2
kazanski612 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 120	You have a knee-length leather coat? You could conceal a SAW under that. __________________ "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes." - Thomas Jefferson's "Commonplace Book," 1774-1776, quoting from On Crimes and Punishment, by criminologist Cesare Beccaria, 1764

December 21, 2009, 07:28 AM	#3
shep854 Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: Birmingham AL Posts: 632	But there's still the access problem. Remember, I'm trying to keep the thing closed! OTOH, a couple of bursts should warm things up nicely. __________________ Powder smoke- The Smell of FREEDOM! I don't shoot to kill; I shoot to live. Registration? NEVER!!

December 21, 2009, 10:23 AM	#4
Beentown71 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,560	Reinforce my pockets with a heavier material. Beentown __________________ Μολὼν λάβε Time for the Mall Ninja list: Beretta 92fs, Springer XD9, High Standard Model HB, RRA bull bbl...aw heck with it time to go plink

December 21, 2009, 11:49 AM	#5
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Perhaps a shorter coat. Less to have to sweep back. Possible shoulder rig. Pocket carry in the coat would be the fastest draw from CCW. __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

December 21, 2009, 02:58 PM	#6
shep854 Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: Birmingham AL Posts: 632	I do have some shorter coats, which I also wear regularly. With those, hand-in-pocket is not as conspicuous. It's nice to have options. __________________ Powder smoke- The Smell of FREEDOM! I don't shoot to kill; I shoot to live. Registration? NEVER!!

December 21, 2009, 04:20 PM	#7
win-lose Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 509	In the winter I don't wear very long coats... still, I can't reliably draw a weapon from strong side iwb or owb. Appendix iwb is a bit better, but not much. As such, I pocket carry in my strong-side front pocket.

December 22, 2009, 05:49 AM	#9
smince Junior member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Location: Northeast Alabama Posts: 2,580	I cut off any draw string that might possibly get into my holster or impeade my draw. That's the only clothing mod I can think of off hand.

December 22, 2009, 06:41 AM	#10
benp Member Join Date: December 17, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 46	In the winter I don't wear very long coats... still, I can't reliably draw a weapon from strong side iwb or owb. Appendix iwb is a bit better, but not much. As such, I pocket carry in my strong-side front pocket. I stick with the shorter coats also with non-elastic bottoms. My main coat for above -20 is a Carhart Detroit coat. Rides a few inches below the waistline. Does not hamper my draw for iwb. Even with an under layer of a hooded sweatshirt or untucked flannel shirt there is no problem.

December 22, 2009, 07:35 AM	#11
shep854 Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: Birmingham AL Posts: 632	"um why???"--jakeg823 Because I like it. It doesn't often get cold here, but I like my comfort. Actually, there are enough longer coats being worn that it doesn't stand out by itself. __________________ Powder smoke- The Smell of FREEDOM! I don't shoot to kill; I shoot to live. Registration? NEVER!!

December 22, 2009, 10:51 AM	#12
Pyzon Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2009 Posts: 296	Other than the obvious ease of concealment that cooler weather brings, your idea of providing pass through access to a belt carried gun is a good idea. I carry a full size all steel CZ 75B IWB at 3:30-4:00, but like you am slowed way down by even a waist or slighly longer jacket. When I am going into a bad area I will add a pocket gun and extra mag carried in the jacket pockets.

December 22, 2009, 01:35 PM	#13
Diamond LawDawg Member Join Date: May 19, 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 75	yeah right Modify clothing.... got 20 way kewl Hawaiian shirts..good to GO long haired bearded biker retired cop aahh life is grand

December 22, 2009, 01:35 PM	#14
Sixer Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,891	This thread is great... BTW what color are we talking about? Balck like Neo in The Matrix... Possibly purple? ...or more of a cowhide brown, Wyatt Earp style? __________________ Hopp Custom Leather <------ click for HOLSTER awesomeness!! -There is no theory of evolution... Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

December 23, 2009, 10:29 AM	#16
Dwight55 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 2,568	I'm with you Mahoo, . . . been wearing vests for 40+ years, . . . everyone who knows the old geezer knows me in them more than out of them. When I started CCW, . . . it just blended right under them, . . . life is OK that way. Knowing the leather coats I've had in the past, . . . I'd be very leery of cutting the pocket to reach through, . . . as in the heat of some moment, . . . I can just see a hammer or magazine or something hanging up on the coat as I try to pull it through. It could just ruin your whole day. When I wear a long coat, . . . it is rarely buttoned or zippered closed. I keep it closed enough with my arms or my hands in the pockets, . . . then if I need to access something under it, . . . a thumb rake backwards and I am good to go. I have to believe that is WAY faster than going for a gun "through" another garment, . . . IMO. May God bless, Dwight __________________ www.dwightsgunleather.com If you can breathe, . . . thank God! If you can read, . . . thank a teacher! If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a Veteran!

December 23, 2009, 10:34 AM	#17
NightSight Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 74	I don't think that the OP was asking for comments on his style of dress. My carry holster is a Summer Special style IWB. I have oftened wished that I had more belt loops on certain jeans in order to put the weapon in the most comfortable place; however, I had never really considered having them installed. I have heard of a few women having holsters sewed into their purses and a couple of guys who have sewed holsters into coat pockets so that they could easily unholster one-handed. __________________ "Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July; democrats believe every day is April 15." -Ronald Reagan

December 23, 2009, 02:36 PM	#18
Quincunx Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2005 Location: People's Republic of Maryland Posts: 421	This might be rather a strange thought, but I have been thinking that an extra belt loop or two on the right-hand side of my pants could provide a little extra holster stability for OWB carry. Or do I just have too much thinking time on my hands right now?

January 3, 2010, 04:49 AM	#20
dabigguns357 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2008 Location: Ona,West Virginia Posts: 1,215	I wear such a heavy coat that i just brush back and draw.Now when i wear a rain coat i have extra big,wide pocket openings that i completely remove the pocket it self leaving just the outer pocket flap,which so far hasn't gotten in the way when drawing.If i have to draw and i can't completely break free of my pocket i hope to at least have enough sense to shoot through. __________________ it's better to have a gun on your hip than one to your head

January 10, 2010, 01:40 PM	#21
shep854 Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: Birmingham AL Posts: 632	During the "Ice Age of 2010" (actually the first normal Southern winter we've had in quite a while), I've been able to give my cold weather gear a workout. The modded coat works fine, though not as well as no coat, of course. I also got to find out how well my SealSkinz gloves work--great! They are waterproof/breathable gloves that are like "aviators" gloves or brown cotton "jersey" gloves for bulk (IOW, not very) and interfere very little with gun-handling. Even so, they are very warm in the teens-to-30s temperatures of the past week. For colder conditions, they should do well as mitten liners, to protect your hands if you have to pull the mittens off. http://www.danalco.com/htmls/products/products.shtml __________________ Powder smoke- The Smell of FREEDOM! I don't shoot to kill; I shoot to live. Registration? NEVER!!

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