I’ve been carrying concealed for nearly a year now, and usually carry on my hip under a suit jacket (to church), or under a light jacket out around town. The last few days here ¶ it has been horribly hot and humid, and making some of the normal carrying practices a little difficult. I wore a suit to church this morning so I was fine, but tonight I wore a pair of jeans and a loose polo, but there was no way to carry on my hip underneath the polo without printing horribly. I placed my holster in the small of my back (as I have some times in the past), which is severely less than ideal, but out of necessity. While sitting in church and getting muscle spasms and thinking there has got to be something better, and finally tired of being forced to carry this way, I decided to ask for opinions.
So, how do you guys carry in hot weather, do you wear a looser overshirt, carry a manbag, change what or where you are carrying, etc. For my info, I carry a Glock 22, which is full sized so it is a little harder to conceal. Besides getting a compact or slimmer handgun, are there other suggestions you guys have? Thanx.
Another 94 down here in the Tampa area. I wore a tank top with a light Leather vest. I was carrying my HK45 in a Comp Tac Paddle holster. You can wear any button shirt opened over a tee shirt or whatever under that.
i bought a G27 for this purpose, IWB and loose and a little bit bigger shirts suffice for me. if anything, I have a maxpedition sachel I’ll throw over my shoulder, man bags are making a comeback so I wont look out of place
You can effectively carry a G17 in shorts and a T-shirt with an IWB holster. Buy the pants and shirt one size larger than normal. From there, effective concealed carry is all about the gear.
There are a lot of good IWB options out there on the market. I’m quite fond of the Raven Concealment Systems Phantom holster for strong side IWB…and the CCC “Shaggy” for appendix carry. (Not recommended for striker-fired pistols without a manual safety)
Missouri summers are hot and humid. I generally downsize my choice of CCW in the warmer months when I can’t wear a jacket. Now if I’m wearing jeans and a polo like you stated in your post, I use a IWB on my strong side, generally a Bianchi 6D.
Most of the time when I carry off duty it is a G19 in a Raven holster IWB. I try to carry the G19 as much as possible because it is what I carry for 95% of the time at work (I carry a G17 when in full uniform).
For those really hot days, like it has been all week, I carry a G26 also IWB in a Raven holster. I then carry a G19 mag for a reload.
When it comes down to the nut cutting, concealed carry is a lifestyle and you must adapt accordingly. You have to buy your clothes to fit the carrying lifestyle and BUY QUALITY CARRY EQUIPMENT (a good belt and holster are crucial). I’ve carried all the piece of shit junk holsters out there and was always uncomfortable. I finally broke down and bought a quality carry rig and could not believe what I had been missing.
Your favorite shorts/jeans and tshirt may not work well for carrying concealed but if you buy clothing with CCW in mind you can pick new favorites. I had to and it was worth it.
When it gets hot I carry a M&P9 in a Boomstick IWB holster. I rarely have a printing issue with an average fitting t-shirt. It has smooth leather against the body, rough texture against the pants and a reinforced throat. (Not trying to sell anything, simply noting that because his website is having issues. If this is against the rules I can remove no problem.)
hey dude, any chance you could post a pic of that G26 raven setup? preferably as you wear it? i love my G19 raven, and i’d like to see a 26 raven before i drop the coin on one. I started a thread looking for that awhile ago… you could probably make it a new thread, as there was quite a bit of interest.
All good advice so far. I carry a full-size Beretta 92, so I feel your pain. I generally carry in a Threat Solutions “UCR” IWB holster, and wear a tucked-in T-shirt under it, with a loose button-up shirt over it. Wear something with a pattern, either a Hawaiian shirt or a plaid/checked pattern, to help minimize the visibility if you do print and to cut down on the “Gunfighter Chic” appearance. Get a good belt too. There are a lot of good leather beltmakers out there, but I’ve had great luck with the original Wilderness ‘Instructor Belt’. A low-profile old-style Blade-tech mag pouch on my weak side rounds out the rig.
I’ve found that moving the IWB pistol from the 3-4 o’clock to the AIWB position 12-1:30 hides the gun much better, w/ my typical carry clothing (XL polo shirt) I can conceal a G19 in traditional IWB but for G17 I can only get away w/ CCW w/ the same clothes if I shift it to AIWB.
+1 on good carry gear, no better advice. Buy the best you can and you will NOT regret it. Buy once…cry once…and complain a whole hell of alot less lol.
I live in a very hot area. Honestly I usually pocket carry a G26 or a J-frame, I know its not the preferred method especially w/ presentation and access but it works for my purposes.
I enjoy having multiple sizes of my glock CCW platform (26, 19, 17) so that I can chose the best one considering the temperature / activity / dress. I would pick up a baby glock if I was in your shoes but thats just my .02.
Actually that’s my experience most of the time. I really only notice it when I’m in the car or sitting down somewhere that puts pressure on it.
I’ll be honest and say that it probably doesn’t conceal as well as an AIWB rig from what I’ve heard from other people, but thus far it hasn’t been an issue with me. I don’t bend over a lot or stretch while wearing it so I would imagine that helps.
Down here in sunny south florida, I carry a G19 in a Galco Royal Guard IWB holster (Horsehide) at 2,3,or 4 o’clock. I also
sometimes use my highnoon holsters split-decision model at
the same positions. Both have a FBI cant, I find the canted
holsters make for comfortable siiting whether it be in the car,
restaurant or theater. Its hot/warm most of the year down
here, so its usually a one size larger t-shirt or polo shirt 98%
of the time for me. No printing issues. The split-decision
holster is also tuckable though I never wear it that way, downside
is that it requires 2-hand reholstering (collaspes).
I aslo carry a Springfield XD45Compact in a Galco Royal
Guard when the mood moves me, but its mostly the G19.
Depending on where I’m going I may or may not carry a spare
mag in a galco belt mag holster on my support side.
[QUOTE=rav3nwulfe;681545]I’ve been carrying concealed for nearly a year now, and usually carry on my hip under a suit jacket (to church), or under a light jacket out around town. The last few days here ¶ it has been horribly hot and humid, and making some of the normal carrying practices a little difficult. I wore a suit to church this morning so I was fine, but tonight I wore a pair of jeans and a loose polo, but there was no way to carry on my hip underneath the polo without printing horribly. I placed my holster in the small of my back (as I have some times in the past), which is severely less than ideal, but out of necessity. While sitting in church and getting muscle spasms and thinking there has got to be something better, and finally tired of being forced to carry this way, I decided to ask for opinions.
So, how do you guys carry in hot weather, do you wear a looser overshirt, carry a manbag, change what or where you are carrying, etc. For my info, I carry a Glock 22, which is full sized so it is a little harder to conceal. Besides getting a compact or slimmer handgun, are there other suggestions you guys have? Thanx.[/QUOTE
For me 40+ is too hot, so when I am going out with light clothing up top. I either carry my 1911 in a IWB holster. Or on the rare occasion I ghetto carry ( no holster, simply held between hip and belt)my G21. Its not ideal but works. Sadly I have yet to find a IWB holster for a G21 or my Beretta 90-Two. Several of my LEO co workers also do so when needing to be discreet. When you live -30 to -60 below, freezing ( 32 or so degrees ) temps are like summer.
I haven’t seen it asked but what holster are you using? A good holster, quality CCW belt and a slight adjustment to your clothing and you should be good to go.
For instance, I’m a small guy and I can carry my G19 using either a Raven, Looper, or VMII wearing only shorts and t-shirts.
I’m in Houston, Texas it’s hot and humid most of the year. I find myself worrying less about total concealment since most people are oblivious and even if they did notice a bulge on my hip they’d more than likely assume it’s a cell phone holster than a gun including LEOs. People also need to take into account your behavior and demeanor when carrying as well as clothing IMO. Mild mannered decently dressed people out with their families usually go unnoticed. That said most of time I do make an honest effort (I bought alot of short sleeve button down shirts this spring) and I do plan on downsizing my G19 to a M&P Compact but if I’m wearing a t-shirt and shorts then that’s what I’m wearing. Just my experience, YMMV.