Concealed carry locations wearing a suit

[jdtoyou]

I'm going to be getting a G23 soon and I will be getting a CCW. I most often wear a business suit for work. With this type of clothing, I was thinking of carrying IWB or maybe even OWB with a small compact holster. Would love some thoughts as to what might work best.

Only bummer is I'll have to keep the suit coat on quite a bit. Oh well

[Keltyke]

I sense you're in a place where you probably won't need to draw very often. You might want to look at a shoulder holster under your dress shirt. Deep concealment. Yea, if you have to draw, you will rip your shirt buttons off, but if you have to draw, that will be the least of your worries. Look at a "tuckable" IWB, too.

[jdtoyou]

Actually, I'm not in an office much but out with clients, often late ect. So if I need to draw it will be quick. I recently had an incident, and at the time was not all that concerned about it at all. But after I got home and thought about it for a while....

[Keltyke]

"So if I need to draw it will be quick."

Thanks for the clarification of your situation. In that case, go with the OWB and keep the coat on. OWB will be the fastest draw...

[HowardCohodas]

You have an interesting trade off between concealability, jacket removal and fast draw. I am in a similar situation with respect to business clothes. Plus some clients would not react positively if I revealed. I chose a http://smartcarry.com/ for deep carry. It also solves my social/family requirements of lots of huggers and roughhousing with the grandchildren. I chose to compromise on speed, although I am improving with practice.

[jdtoyou]

Well, it won't need to be lightning fast but I certainly won't have time to rip open my shirt to reach the pistol. I too would probably have some clients who would not react positively if they spied my piece (that might not be the case if I explained why, but I really don't want to go there ect.). I just don't think I could get comfortable with the location

[Robby]

I have several carry guns, semi auto and revolver. I bought the same model holster for all 3 that I carry. It rides OWB, but behind my hip, there are many models of this style, that might work for you. Yaqui slides, Don Hume First Agent (H710) Holster, and many others. They keep the gun up near your belt, no muzzle half way down your leg. There are models with and without retention.

[starshooter231]

When I need to wear a suit I usually use an IWB holster with the jacket over it. It works well for me and I don't have to worry about it showing as much as when I wear an OWB holster with my suit.

As for shoulder holsters I have one that I use when I am driving or it is VERY cold outside and I need to wear a winter coat.

[HowardCohodas]

Well, it won't need to be lightning fast but I certainly won't have time to rip open my shirt to reach the pistol. I too would probably have some clients who would not react positively if they spied my piece (that might not be the case if I explained why, but I really don't want to go there ect.). I just don't think I could get comfortable with the location

The SmartCarry fits over your shirt. Just need to reach behind belt. With practice, it can be pretty fast.

The muzzle is below your privates, so there is no need to be concerned. I carry with one in the chamber.

[Andrewh]

crossbreed tuckable is my choice for suit carry.
That way if it is hot I can still take off the jacket.
It would look weird here in Texas if I kept it on when it was 100 out.
Not as fast as just plain iwb, but better to have it then not.
Mtac makes another good tuckable holster as well.

[JollyRoger]

You might want to check out some kydex paddle rigs. My issue gun is a G23, and I carried it in a strong side belt holster for years, but it's a pain to have to undo your belt to get it off. I then tried an Uncle Mike's kydex paddle: it is secure, concealable and fast. The retaining hook makes it a little tough to remove sometimes, but manageable. I also have a DeSantis kydex paddle rig that is just as secure, concealable and fast but uses a different retaining system. It comes out easier.

Shoulder holsters and belt holsters are great as long as you never want to take your jacket off. You can sometimes conceal a belt holster in a restaurant by folding your jacket near your side, or sitting in a booth with the holster to the wall, but the paddle is lots easier. IWB was always a little uncomfortable - Budweiser tumor, you know.

[P220C]

I like having an IWB holster that allows me to tuck or not tuck.

Check out the Comp-Tac line. I like the CTAC - most prefer the MTAC

I have a Milt Spark VMII that I love, although I leave the leather loops on this one alot is easier on and off that way, and use the CTAC when I need a tuckable option.

If I were in your shoes I would order a VMII (takes 20 weeks or so-they charge when they ship) and a CTAC or MTAC (takes about a week). That way you have a tuckable option (CTAC/MTAC) and a very comfortable holster in the VMII that will probably last a lifetime.

Couple that with a QUALITY gun belt and you should be good to go.

I got a very nice belt from Milt Sparks that work amazingly well. I hear the thebeltman.net is also good, but I've never used them.

I also have a Galco belt that I do not like. It is very soft and supple, which allows it to twist.

With the right belt I have found that while wearing shorts and an untucked t-shirt, I can quite eaily conceal a P220 Carry in a VMII, 2 spare mags in a spares carrier, a S&W J-frame in a pocket holster (milt sparks as well) and even a couple of biachi speed strips with some spare ammo for the S&W.

I walked through the buffet line last tuesday with the wife and kids, and there were four officers getting their dinner in line behind us. They didn't take notice (or at least didn't appear to).

[xd.40]

I would Definitely go with an IWB holster.

I suggest a Kydex holster from Blade-Tech.com


The Don Hume PCCH IWB holster. Very Comfortable. I wear it tucked or untucked, although they don't say it's tuckable, just tuck it loosely (which you want anyway, you don't want to fight to get your shirt untucked). It also has a protective bearier between the leather and the gun, to protect it from sweat.

The Second is the UCH IWB holster from Blade-Tech. It is a tuckable Kydex. You can wear your shirts tucked in and no one knows you have it on. Very Comfortable too.

I hear that the crossbreed supertuck is nice, but I have not tried it. Although with just the plain leather between you and your gun, during the summer months you will sweat, and the sweat will soak through the leather...not good for the gun...

MiltSparks,.... Nice, but WAY to much $$$ and a Very Long wait... unless you can find a used one for your gun.....

Then there is the underwear holster, or what ever they call it... To much of a hastle to go to the bathroom, and then the thought of something pointed at big jim and the twins... NOT in THIS lifetime.....

That is the reason I use the Kydex most of the time.... Blade-tech is a QUALITY holster, they were the first to use the kydex, so they know the business..

I carry an XD.40 Service, using the Blade-Tech IWB holster or the Don Hume PCCH IWB holster. Both are Excellent CCW holsters. I am 6ft, and 245.
I carry at the 3 o'clock or maybe 315 there abouts...
I wear polo shirts, button up shirts, or whatever I feel like, they just cant be TIGHT like a body builder would wear. They have to have a little looseness to them.
I even wear the shirts tucked in, and you still cant tell I am carrying.....






Hope this Helps.
__________________
Those who Talk are not prepared to Act.
Those that are Prepared to Act do not Talk, They simply Do.

[jdtoyou]

Thanks, I just decided to try the MTAC first but thanks for the suggestions.

[T. O'Heir]

"...won't have time to rip open my shirt..." Likely not wearing shirts from Walmart either. In any case, carrying a firearm under a shirt is daft.
What kind of belt do you wear? A belt holster needs a gun belt(thicker and stiffer leather), not a regular dress belt. Dress gun belts do exist though.
A well fitted suit jacket(also unlikely to come from Walmart) needs to be fitted differently to use a shoulder holster(they're not particularly quick to draw from anyway). Got a tailor?
"...out with clients..." That may cause you more grief than anything else. Some clients being anti-firearm.

[Chui]

You'd probably be better off with a J-frame.

Also, I find the M&P9/.40 fullsize to be slimmer than Glocks - enough such that it's easier to conceal than any Glock.

Something to consider.

[jdtoyou]

M&P slimmer than the Glock?? Wow...

[jdtoyou]

T O'heir,

Right you are about the shirts! Also, I am in the process of looking for a gun belt. The problem I'm having is that most of them look a little clunky, especially the buckles. I'm looking at a nice looking one from Galco (although I don't know how good it is).

http://www.gunaccessories.com/galco/SB3DressBelt.asp

We'll see about the clients as well. I'm a little concerned but if I keep my jacket on they will probably never know

[relee]

If you would be comfortable with less than the G23's firepower I would suggest a J-snub (642, etc.) in a pocket holster, either in a jacket pocket or discreetly shifted to a pants pocket, more options, greater conceilment, probably more comfortable...

[Erik]

"I was thinking of carrying IWB or maybe even OWB with a small compact holster. "

You're thinking is in line with the majority. A shoulder holster would work well in the role also, so long as you understand their limitations.

[DieHard06]

I carry my G19 (same size) in a Fobus paddle holster every Sunday to church. I am a pastor, and some people in the congregation would definately freak out and maybe even leave the church if they found out. No one can tell that I am carrying, even people that do actually know that I have a liscense to carry. It works great cause when I go to sit down I can slide whichever way I want to make it more comfortable for sitting. It is also really light and pulls the gun closer to me than any other holster. I also like the Don Hume Slide holster. I find IWB to be uncomfortable. On the downside though, you can't take the jacket off, but many in my congregation like me to keep it on anyway (They don't care if I do take it off.) It was a 100 degrees out today, and I was fine. Whatever you find comfortable though is best.

[Van55]

I'm still experimenting with how to carry in various states of attire.

Last week I travelled on business in a business suit. I wore a "fanny pack" specially made for carrying:

http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=346231

I have no affiliation with this vendor whatsoever.

I carried my full sized 9mm HK USP in it. It concealed well under my buisness suit jacket. It was perfectly comfortable, and even with my jacket off, I didn't draw a second glance that I am aware of.

ThunderWear/SmartCarry are way uncomfortable to me.

I also feel fine carrying my Ruger LCP in a right front buisness pants pocket inside a DeSantis Nemesis if I want to avoid the fanny pack.

[gvf]

Box of Trruth : Little Guns:

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot26.htm

[TexasSeaRay]

During the years in which I had to wear a suit, I wore a shoulder-holster. It fit both me and my Sig P220 like a charm.

Nowadays, I wear a sport coat quite a bit for my freelance work--I wear the same shoulder holster, but with my beloved Series 70 Gov't 1911.

Jeff