Double breasted suit CCW

[Gogo2nd]

I have accepted new employment that will require me to wear a black suit on the job. I have two double breasted suits and a tux suit for this job. My ccw ought to be useful as I will be out with the public on the job. I have been thinking about using a lockable padded laptop case with both a handle and a shoulder strap to carry my firearm in with all my paperwork (smaller than a briefcase), or an uncle mikes unreinforced nylon iwb holster at my 4 oclock hip spot. What have you folks used with your suit on?

[Jedi54]

worked for Castor Troy.



on a serious note: what about an under arm holster?
or a simple IWB holster with the firearm at the 5 o'clock position? Both should be easily concealed with your suit jacket. (might just need some slight alterations for proper fitment)

[Ronin2]

worked for Castor Troy.



on a serious note: what about an under arm holster?
or a simple IWB holster with the firearm at the 5 o'clock position? Both should be easily concealed with your suit jacket. (might just need some slight alterations for proper fitment)

1) Unless a suit is tailored for CCW, it is likely to print as double breasted are more "form fitting" than a single breasted suit.
2) Double breasted suits are NOT suitable for CCW regardless as they are meant to be worn "buttoned up". Wearing a double breasted jacket "open" is very incorrect from a fashion standpoint and looks odd in a business environment.
3) Single breasted worn open is the only way to go or with the top or center button (if 3 button) buttoned up.

I do not recommend shoulder holsters as they have the muzzle "sweeping" everyone behind you, if forced to draw in a CQB situation you can have your strong hand/arm pinned to your chest by an assailant as you reach for your weapon.

[ke6guj]

1) Unless a suit is tailored for CCW, it is likely to print as double breasted are more "form fitting" than a single breasted suit.
2) Double breasted suits are NOT suitable for CCW regardless as they are meant to be worn "buttoned up". Wearing a double breasted jacket "open" is very incorrect from a fashion standpoint and looks odd in a business environment.
3) Single breasted worn open is the only way to go or with the top or center button (if 3 button) buttoned up.

I do not recommend shoulder holsters as they have the muzzle "sweeping" everyone behind you, if forced to draw in a CQB situation you can have your strong hand/arm pinned to your chest by an assailant as you reach for your weapon.

wouldn't you just wear your suit like normal and just accept the slower draw that would occur? Superman the suit open if you have to?

[1911su16b870]

...or there is always the CCW vest...

[mag360]

people still wear double breasted suits?

ryan gosling pulls this one off but it would make for a terrible draw.

but most end up looking like al capone IMO.


When I wear a suit I wear the same gun I normally do (glock 26) but I wear it at 4 o clock IWB instead of 1 oclock (appendix).

I would go to Jos. A. Bank and get one of their dark charcoal suits on a sale, single breasted, make sure it is tailored properly as well.

I would PREFER a slimmer IWB gun like a Kahr P9 or M&P Shield for a suit since a well cut suit fits close to the waist line. I am moving away from my "conservative" looking "old American" style suits that I currently have to more tailored "European" looking suits. I'm not saying to get a high fashion Italian suit, just something tailored. I have a pleated pants Hart Schaffner Marx suit that looks great and has amazing fabric but I always feel like I'm a kid in my dads suit in the thing. They are just an old-school look w/ the bigger shoulder pads, full cut pants that are very loose in the hip/thigh/knee even when the waist fits good.

[Doheny]

Stick a j-frame in your pants pocket.

[Ronin2]

Stick a j-frame in your pants pocket.

"Is that a pistol in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"

MAE WEST in She Done Him Wrong

[Librarian]

I do not recommend shoulder holsters as they have the muzzle "sweeping" everyone behind you, if forced to draw in a CQB situation you can have your strong hand/arm pinned to your chest by an assailant as you reach for your weapon.

'Verticals' do not sweep those behind you.

See also http://www.corneredcat.com/article/h...ulder-holster/, though Ms Jackson wears a vest, not a suit coat.

Another option for a DB suit buttoned up is a cross-draw holster, if you are right-handed.

[Cool Custard]

Ankle holster?

[Tiberius]

LCP, P238, or similar small and flat gun in a pocket holster in a front pants pocket. Some carry in the back pocket, like a wallet.

[Leethe4th]

I have accepted new employment that will require me to wear a black suit on the job. I have two double breasted suits and a tux suit for this job. My ccw ought to be useful as I will be out with the public on the job. I have been thinking about using a lockable padded laptop case with both a handle and a shoulder strap to carry my firearm in with all my paperwork (smaller than a briefcase), or an uncle mikes unreinforced nylon iwb holster at my 4 oclock hip spot. What have you folks used with your suit on?

Does your employer require you to carry a gun in your new job?

[oddjob]

Some of my thoughts and experience in wearing suits and carrying a handgun;

1) Have smooth grips on the gun. You will quickly wear a hole in your suit & shirt. Some folks may poo-poo you, but my suits cost more than the guns I was carrying. No rubber or sticky grips. They will drag on your suit.

2) Tell the tailor your carrying a gun/mags and they will adjust accordingly. They did for me.

3) Get a GOOD belt. Very important!! Maybe more than the holster!

4) Hot weather will beat you down....Ankle carry or pocket carry....again think about QUALITY holsters. Lou Alessi ankle rigs were very popular with some of the folks I worked with. Especially if your going to be taking the jacket on and off.

5) Think fixed sights and light weight gun.

6) The "off-body" carry you mentioned is something I don't recommend. Your more likely to get that stolen/lost (like a purse snatch) than getting into a deadly force confrontation.

7) I liked a simple strong side kidney position. Cross draw with a suit is not bad either.

[jenericsig]

I wear a suit about three times a week. I carry a Smith j-frame m&p340 in a Desanti nemesis pocket holster. Add a speed strip for another 5 rounds in your pocket and a Safariland speedloader in your briefcase and you're good to go.

[Ronin2]

'Verticals' do not sweep those behind you.

Yes, they do, not while the gun is holstered but at the moment the gun clears that vertical shoulder holster, your muzzle sweeps those behind your shoulder and those to your left flank (if you are right handed) as you draw towards a frontal threat. You have also muzzle swept yor rown arm/shoulder with that drawing motion. Heaven forbid that the shooter is not well trained and disiplined and puts a finger into the trigger guard before the gun has fully swung around and the sights are on target!

As for corneredcat.com, while the method displayed would eliminate the shooter flagging their own arm/shoulder, that still does not address that sweeping arc that flags all innocent bystanders to your flank. also, if the OP is in a exectutive protection role, that weak hand has to be free to grab and direct the principle either behind him and his armor or pushing the principal to safety.