holster recommendations for when you absolutely can't be exposed

[grantar2]

LCP is the best deep concealment gun IMO. If I absolutely must have max concealment, that is the gun. And you can pocket carry it. It is much lighter than a P238, and that opens up more options. It is a DAO hammer gun, and that opens up more options (like naked pocket carry). I have P238, LC9, Shield, G42, G43, you name it I probably have it. LCP is the go-to for deep concealment.

A belly band holster is also good, and a white one looks like a doctor prescribed it to you if anyone does see it. There are also carry undershirts which have the pocket sewn under the arm, and a LCP carries very well there - you wont even know you have it until you need it. I have belly band holsters and the carry shirts, and I have pocket holsters. The LCP is at home in any of them, or just shoved into a pocket.

If you consider a concealment shirt you have to plan for breakaway front snap buttons, or deep V collar. Don't count on your regular shirt breaking away in a fight for your life. If someone is kicking your ***, trying to knife you or holding a gun on you the concealment t-shirt can be very problematic, almost as hard to use as an ankle holster.

The other issue with a concealment T-shirt since they are close to the body is you must own more of them. There are several manufactures each has a strength and weakness.

The question that has to be asked is do you wear what your want, or do you have an assigned uniform. You can chose to dress around a deep concealment shirt if you select the clothing, but may have to modify or forego this option in a uniform.

We have equipped emergency room personnel with concealment shirts, along with some dentists. In the case of the emergency room personnel the primary reason was it put the gun above the level which would require it to be cleaned regularly due to exposure to bio hazard material (i.e. blood, spit, urine, etc). The other the high risk person being treated is less likely to reach out and feel a gun well the medical professional is engaged.

Again please consider carry methods in light of not only concealment and comfort, but effectiveness. If you carry a gun and feel safe, but can't get to the weapon is a real world behind the power curve getting you *** kicked fight for your life, than it's merely a placebo that will lead you to feel safer when you shouldn't.

[SkyHawk]

I agree a concealment shirt is a bad choice for walking down a dark alley in Compton on a Saturday night. Hopefully that goes without saying. Or in most other scenarios, it would be the last place you'd want your gun.

In an office setting, you aren't likely to be accosted at the copy machine by the repairman. In an office setting, the likely scenario is you end up barricaded in your office or a conference room as a disgruntled client or ex-employee comes barging on to the property. You should then have the extra 5 seconds you need to get the gun out of the undershirt.

If absolute deep concealment in an office environment is the #1 concern, where getting fired if exposed carrying is the likely outcome, the undershirt is worth a look. It may not work for everyone. Like everything in life, you have to weight the pro/con, plus/minus etc. And YMMV.

[grantar2]

SkyHawk, completely agree with your assessment, but you have obviously thought out the tactical environment, assessed the probable scenario's you would be faced with in that environment. The intent of my commentary was rather to assure that the OP likewise makes that assessment along with the strength and weakness of his / her various options.

Since I run a concealment business, what makes us unique is helping clients evaluate various solutions. Holsters aren't an add on sale for us, concealment is what we do (we do have our own line of dog training treats) We don't make anything ourselves, so were free from the our hammer is the answer to every nail syndrome. Those who know us know we aren't pushing people to buy, rather to think of what they need, what they expect it to for them.

From new CCW's I get a lot of requests about shoulder holsters, ankle holsters, and some other methods for carrying their primary weapon which are based more on having watched movies (old detective shows) than any sense of what they are trying to accomplish.

[Guns and guitars]

For me, the clipdraw with a separate trigger cover is the only way to hide my firearm. Even with a t shirt and shorts I can carry small of back with mine.

[grantar2]

For me, the clipdraw with a separate trigger cover is the only way to hide my firearm. Even with a t shirt and shorts I can carry small of back with mine.

Remember to practice a lot if you use a kydex trigger cover.

[tnyvillegas]

I carry my p238 appendix in a Zorn skinny rig.

https://www.zornholsters.com

[71MUSTY]

They wear out fairly easily, and are gun dependent, as to fit and comfort. I have a pastor in San Diego that has bought them from me and swears by them, have an elderly gentleman who also likes them, but try one with the gun your going to carry before you buy one. Personally I think the belly band does a better job.

My first thought was a belly band. Wife uses hers a lot because she must dress business professional, and does visits to Adult Severe Mental Health (think 5150/5250) in hospitals and their homes.

For her Printing is not an option and neither is purse carry.

I think I would try both. When I get some time I'm going to try both and see which I like best for my G42 when I'm wearing shorts or swim trunks.

While I concede a carry tee-shirt can be great concealment and assuming I were willing to except the lack of speed my Biggest objection is that I live and work in the So Cal Desert. Adding another layer (and a hot one at that) is no bueno in the heat.

[this_copy]

They wear out fairly easily, and are gun dependent, as to fit and comfort. I have a pastor in San Diego that has bought them from me and swears by them, have an elderly gentleman who also likes them, but try one with the gun your going to carry before you buy one. Personally I think the belly band does a better job.

They are gun specific and the ordering page on the website takes you through the selection process. As for wearing out easily, agree to disagree. They're not pretty to begin with and the die used in the manufacturing fades, but they are pretty durable for a garment which is essentially what they are. Kydex they are not. I would also disagree with the bellyband doing a better job. At least for me personally. With practice, reaching down the front of my pants is quicker than lifting a shirt. And what man isn't already an expert at reaching down the front of his own pants....

Just my 2 cents to be taken with a grain of salt. Grantar2 does concealment products for a living and seems to know what he is talking about.

[grantar2]

My first thought was a belly band. Wife uses hers a lot because she must dress business professional, and does visits to Adult Severe Mental Health (think 5150/5250) in hospitals and their homes.

For her Printing is not an option and neither is purse carry.

I think I would try both. When I get some time I'm going to try both and see which I like best for my G42 when I'm wearing shorts or swim trunks.

While I concede a carry tee-shirt can be great concealment and assuming I were willing to except the lack of speed my Biggest objection is that I live and work in the So Cal Desert. Adding another layer (and a hot one at that) is no bueno in the heat.

71Musty if you have a chance bring your G42 and visit us at the gun show, have several solutions you can try on. The worst that happens is you eliminate some options without spending a dime.

I have some thoughts on things you can try if your not so cal but would want to discuss those PM so this doesn't turn into a commercial discussion.

[this_copy]

Had a guy in my CCW training class over the weekend say that this is the best holster he has found and he even uses it when wearing swim trunks because it's that good at concealing.

Sounds funny, but I've worn it with swim trunks as well. Although I did not get wet. I suspect that would definitely become a printing issue and possibly cause a malfunction.

[grantar2]

They are gun specific and the ordering page on the website takes you through the selection process. As for wearing out easily, agree to disagree. They're not pretty to begin with and the die used in the manufacturing fades, but they are pretty durable for a garment which is essentially what they are. Kydex they are not. I would also disagree with the bellyband doing a better job. At least for me personally. With practice, reaching down the front of my pants is quicker than lifting a shirt. And what man isn't already an expert at reaching down the front of his own pants....

Just my 2 cents to be taken with a grain of salt. Grantar2 does concealment products for a living and seems to know what he is talking about.

Well if the belly band is worn properly as on IWB rig the draw is pretty much the same between the too. You still have to move the shirt to reach down into the pants. What a lot of people like about smart carry is the padding, and the smaller belt as opposed to 4" or 6" wide elastic of a typical belly band.

Both products work. My personal experience is that the Smart Carry makes it a little harder to use the urinal, but practice makes perfect.

The Smart Carry like the belly band has the advantage of deep concealment, it does not depend on clothing for support and leaves no outward sign that you could be carrying.

[grantar2]

Sounds funny, but I've worn it with swim trunks as well. Although I did not get wet. I suspect that would definitely become a printing issue and possibly cause a malfunction.

Depending on how tight you trunks are there might be printing, more likely from color see through as much as the clinging material. Don't recommend swiming with a gun unless your an Army Ranger, Navy Seal or a Marine, but in a pinch the weapon should work and the Smart Carry will work. (Striker fired guns don't like being submerged as a rule).

[CandG]

There are two options that I use when I absolutely, positively DO NOT want to be exposed, or print, or have any chance of anyone knowing I'm carrying. I do not IWB carry in those situations.

The first option is an ankle holster - I use this one by Gould and Goodrich, in combination with a pair of 8" boots:



The other option is a MIC holster for pocket carry, preferably with pants that have a zipper pocket.

[oddjob]

My son uses the smart carry with a Glock 19 and one spare mag. I was surprised how well it conceals. He told me its comfortable for him too. His other ccw is a Sig 238 that he pocket carries.

If it matters he's a slim, trim, and in shape person.