I’m looking for an alternative carry option for my HK45c. I have a Comp MTAC which works beautifully in most situations. Nevertheless, I’m thinking about one of the following tshirt holsters. Are there any folks in here who have had experience with these? Are they worth a crap (do they hold up, I understand the associated draw problems)? Would you recommend one of these over the other? Are there others I should look at or should I just say screw it, bad idea to begin with?
The only thing worse than using a t-shirt holster is not having a gun at all so I guess it is a step up. The only way I would use it is if I was also carrying a primary on my belt and this was a back up and even then its a lousy place for one. I feel they are all marketing gimics.
With the advancements in holster technology and materials finding a quality holster to fit your needs is simple. Just look to your major holster manufacturers.
What holsters have you tried that have been inadequate that you feel this will be a fix?
I wouldn’t recommend these shirt holster type things. Yes I tried one in my early days of carrying my M&P9c (a 5-11 Tactical), and sadly even recommended it to a few friends until I learned more. They nearly always print, they sag if your CCW is of any weight at all, and retention of anything larger than tiny pistols such as Kahr PM9, Rohrbaugh, etc., is often not good. In the one that I had, my M&P 9c could slip right out of it if you were in certain positions (like bending over to pick something up). These things simply don’t work that well IMO, are potentially dangerous (for potential ND’s), and I would use almost anything else first if you can find something that works.
To add to that, there’s a ton of great holsters available as SwatCop says, and I found that when I got a quality IWB leather/kydex combo holster and worked at it a bit, I was able to carry the M&P9 very comfortably. A lot of folks on this site have liked the Comp-Tac Minotaur holster for an IWB (this is what I’d get if I were buying a holster today, although I already have a CrossBreed Supertuck with the improved steel clips, and it’s worked fine too). Or check out Raven Concealment for a great kydex options including index carry holsters. There are lots of great holster makers (see the sticky thread), but these are a couple that come to mind.
Thanks for the input. As I said, I have a Comp-Tac MTAC (Minotaur) (Although I had a typo above…). I love it. Works great for most situations. My delima is that I want to carry at work, and I don’t want anything showing. That includes the belt clips. So, I am just looking for solutions. My concerns were echoed by maximus83. I just can’t see how they would not sag and could secure the weapon without falling out. So I appreciate the feed back. Any other suggestions would be welcomed.
There are a few times when I have to carry in a very non-permissive environment. These are times when I’m limited to a simple shirt and pants either slacks or jeans. For these very few times when there is NO OTHER WAY possible to carry I will use an ankle holster.
I have a lot of time on the range with this mode of carry and I DO NOT recommend it for anything other than a “no other option” carry scenario.
When I do carry this way I have two pairs of pants that I have had the local mama-san shop sew hook and loop along the seam so I can pull my pant leg and have immediate access to the firearm.
99.99999999% of the time I will carry OWB or IWB and I have yet to be “made” even by those who know I’m a LEO and I’m always carrying.
YMMV but I would ankle carry 100% of the time over a t-shirt holster.
I am not going to highly RECOMMEND this approach, because I am not really sure how well it has been validated by the larger shooting community. Some well known shooters tried it and thought it was viable–not that I’m saying you’re a “skirt wearer” but I think the point is Todd thought the SC was an option). Although I don’t know if he still endorses SmartCarry or not. Anyway, I have found that for me, the best “deep concealment” carry method when I can’t carry IWB has been the SmartCarry. There are certain drawbacks/limitations to this method too (as with ankle or any other method), mostly that it’s a little slower to access the pistol, and it can feel a little weird at first having it riding right in front of your junk. Some can never quite accept that, I found that it was tolerable and with a small/light pistol, I was even able to go on an extended bike ride with my daughter, go running while carrying it inside the running shorts, etc. I would definitely not want to carry my full IWB with the M&P9c while running or biking, or in places where I need deep concealment.
There aren’t a lot of great or reliable options out there after you get beyond traditional waistband carry, but I do understand the need for deep concealment in some cases and the SmartCarry is one option to check out.
Swatcop, I’m wondering about your experiences with IWB (this also ties to the OP’s question).
Have you ever worked with the various “tuckable” IWB solutions, such as the Compac Mtac that the OP has? Are the “tuckable” IWB holsters adequate to keep a ccw deeply concealed when you absolutely cannot afford to be “made” in a public setting? I have experimented with the “tuckable” approach (using dress shirts, etc.) on my Crossbreed holster, and have never really been satisfied. Always seemed like it printed excessively, plus it is easy to get the shirt all tangled when trying to access the CCW.
No pics right now sorry. I am right handed and when I have to carry this way I have the holster on the inside of my left leg so that I have easy access whether I kneel down or access it from a seated position. Basically I look the seam out on the inside of the left leg from the pant cuff to about twelve inches up or just below my knee. I then had thin hook velcro sewn on one side with thin loop sewn on the other. I can grab the pant cuff and pull which opens the pant leg and grants uninhibited access to the holster and firearm. Again not ideal but with training it does become an option.
You just have to resign to the fact that you will look like a jackass with your pant leg pulled open like a huge bell bottom while moving to a point of cover but se la vi. :jester:
I personally am not a fan of the tuckable IWB due to how they bunch up around the holster and when doing dry run with them I’ve had issues with the handgun becoming entangled in the cover garment or being able to clear the cover garment out of the way. I always felt that the bunched up shirt with clips hanging out was a bigger give away that a simple untucked shirt covering a well designed and manufactered IWB holster.
No problem on the pics, I was thinking something different but I’m tracking with you now, your explanation helps a lot.
I am with you regarding ankle carry it is definitely not my preferred mode of carry but it does have its place and I figure if I’m reaching for an ankle piece I have bigger issues than looking like a jackass.
What I do wen carrying in a NPE is ether pocket carry or ankle carry a j-frame. That’s not really an option with an hk45c. The only other option with that type of pistol if you can’t find an IWB that works, is a belly band. I have used one a few times with my M&P 45c. It’s not ideal but It’s the best I have found other then IWB. There are a few companies that sell them but the one I have is from bluestonesafety.com. again It’s not ideal but with that gun and you not being able to find an appropriate IWB holster, I’d say It’s your best bet. But I would recommend going with a j-frame if you can swing a new tool financially. Good luck with your search and stay safe.
I’ve had pretty good luck with a smart carry for extremely discreet concealment, the draw speed isn’t that fast though. These work good with a g26 or similar subcompact as well as a revolver. also quite comfortable.
something like a j-frame will be light enough that you can carry it comfortably in non traditional means like a belly band or a pocket.
as far as discreetly carrying a full size pistol discreetly, tucking a t-shirt over your holster then wearing an untucked shirt over the top is really good. sucks in the heat though…
Before I retired I had a couple of the Kramer T-shirt rigs. There OK, but in a high-stress situation you have to rip your top shirt open, grab for your armpit where the gun sits and then on the draw worry if it’s going to get hung up. There are much better solutions IMO like ankle carry, vest carry or weak side IWB if on duty, even a mid back rig works better.
The gun holster pocket is too far back. Each side has a holster and another pocket for spare mag etc. I think those two should be reversed. It rides a little too far back for me. Given the already awkwardness of having to get to the holster, which was detailed above, it would be helpful to me to have the holster forward and the pocket back.
The holster has a strap on it. This strap is fastened with a button. It is somewhat difficult to button and unbutton, rendering it fairly useless. Velcro would have been a much better option, but I doubt I would use that either.
So far I have worn the shirt 6 times and washed it 3 times. (Spare me the hygiene comments.) The shirt has held up well and has not produced any sagging. Nevertheless, I anticipate, over time, that it will. So, if I am correct, then I believe the price is too high. It would be different if you could pick them up for $20.
Concealment is excellent. As I mentioned, I am using this to carry an HK 45c. With a button down white or blue shirt I don’t have any printing. That has enabled me to use my original mags and not those that I have modified by adding the flat USP floor plate.
As many already know, the HK 45c has a picatinny rail. This produces a slight problem on the draw, where the rail tends to snag on the cloth holster. With practice I have been able to overcome that obstacle. Still it may be of better use for a gun without the rail.
Overall, I would give this a fairly positive rating for what it is. It does provide me with another option to carry; nevertheless, it could use some refinement.
Have you tried AIWB? I carry in an NPE almost every day (allowed to carry but must not be made). AIWB works so much better than traditional IWB and works so well I’ve never even considered ankle carry seriously.
+1 that’s my world. Although AIWB or IWB for a G26/19 work similiarly well for me, AIWB is better shielded from accidental bump frisk etc or printing if one had to bend or reach in certain ways. It just depends on that untucked garment.
The 5.11 gun T shirt is in a drawer for just in case deep concealment but I’ve found anything with more mass than an airweight j frame will tumble out into my shirt if I say tried to tie my shoe lace or something. Uncool. And I find it to be wicked hot to wear. And to create a surprising large bulge to conceal with a baggy shirt (thin frame admittedly).
I bought a Kramer T-Shirt holster when they first came out several years ago. I tried to use it with the S&W 6906 I carried off duty at the time.
It printed because the gun bounced a bit as you moved. It sagged, also causing printing. There really wasn’t a quick way to draw the gun, and re-holstering w/o undressing? Good luck with that.
OVer the years, I’ve acquired a box of holsters that seemed like a good idea at the time, but just didn’t work out. The T-shirt holster is one such item.
I’ve never been a fan of the AIWB carry. Many people are. IF it works for them, great. I’ve just never been comfortable with the mode of carry or with the idea of where the muzzle is pointing. I’ve carry with my gun in the depression over my strong side kidney. I’ve had good luck with the kydex tuckable holsters. I’ve carried a Glock 19 like this for about 10 years. A gun such as the Walther PPS would be even easier to conceal in this manner.
Build and body style plays into choosing a holster. I’m a marathon runner who likes to do pushups. I’m 5’11", with a 44" chest and a 31" waist. What can work for me might not work for those runners who’s build more resembles a bean pole. People who spend more time enjoying a good beer, good food and a good couch might nave different carry methods that work for them.
I agree that a ankle holster beats no gun at all. But just barely.
I own this one. It’s very itchy. It’s built in layers that don’t join smoothly, and the pad underneath the pockets has seams that drive me nuts in short order.
but I think the point is Todd thought the SC was an option). Although I don’t know if he still endorses SmartCarry or not. Anyway, I have found that for me, the best “deep concealment” carry method when I can’t carry IWB has been the SmartCarry. There are certain drawbacks/limitations to this method too (as with ankle or any other method), mostly that it’s a little slower to access the pistol, and it can feel a little weird at first having it riding right in front of your junk. Some can never quite accept that, I found that it was tolerable and with a small/light pistol, I was even able to go on an extended bike ride with my daughter, go running while carrying it inside the running shorts, etc. I would definitely not want to carry my full IWB with the M&P9c while running or biking, or in places where I need deep concealment.