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December 20, 2009, 10:23 PM | #1 |
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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?
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December 20, 2009, 10:34 PM | #2 |
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You have a knee-length leather coat? You could conceal a SAW under that.
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December 21, 2009, 07:28 AM | #3 |
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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.
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December 21, 2009, 10:23 AM | #4 |
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Reinforce my pockets with a heavier material.
Beentown
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December 21, 2009, 11:49 AM | #5 |
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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.
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December 21, 2009, 02:58 PM | #6 |
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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.
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December 21, 2009, 04:20 PM | #7 |
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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.
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December 22, 2009, 12:59 AM | #8 | |
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Quote:
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 |
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December 22, 2009, 05:49 AM | #9 |
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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.
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December 22, 2009, 06:41 AM | #10 |
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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 |
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"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.
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December 22, 2009, 10:51 AM | #12 |
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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.
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December 22, 2009, 01:35 PM | #13 |
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yeah right
Modify clothing.... got 20 way kewl Hawaiian shirts..good to GO long haired bearded biker retired cop aahh life is grand
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December 22, 2009, 01:35 PM | #14 |
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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?
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December 22, 2009, 04:50 PM | #15 | |
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Quote:
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December 23, 2009, 10:29 AM | #16 |
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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
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December 23, 2009, 10:34 AM | #17 |
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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.
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December 23, 2009, 02:36 PM | #18 |
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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?
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January 2, 2010, 02:59 PM | #19 | |
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Quote:
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. |
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January 3, 2010, 04:49 AM | #20 |
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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.
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January 10, 2010, 01:40 PM | #21 |
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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
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