Need to conceal weapon!

[HKUSP45]

I am having a hard time concealing my duty weapon. The damn belly band is killing me. I can't wear a sport jacket because it is so damn hot. I tried wearing just a pancake holster but I am still printing. I can't wear the thunderwear because I can't sit down right. A shoulder holster is no good because I can not wear a damn jacket due to the heat in Florida. I am getting so fet up with this problem, can anyone help? Thanks for any help! :cool: <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

<small>[ 09-16-2002, 10:03 AM: Message edited by: HKUSP45 ]</small>

[LeeRoy]

I thought you guys were wearing suits all the time? I guess not. How bout one of those cool Latin shirts worn untucked? I can't remember what they are called but you'll look like a Latin godfather wearing one. You know the ones that Manuel Noriega and Ferdinand Marcos used to wear. Nobdoy will take you for TSA with that on.

Or how about a Hawaiian shirt untucked with the pancake holster underneath? If you get into something when everything is code 4 your partner can tell you "Book em Dano."

What gun are you trying to conceal? A full size USP? Good luck hiding that with a tucked in shirt and no jacket.

[klar]

<small>[ 09-26-2002, 10:21 PM: Message edited by: klar ]</small>

[Hanson]

Dittos to Klar on the shirts. Be sure to wear an undershirt too, either a wifebeater or regular. This will keep the weapon from rubbing a raw spot on you.

I carry Glock 21, which is pretty large and bulky, in a hip holster. It does print some, but you sort of learn to asjust your body posture to help conceal in certain instances. I do this by leaning slightly to the right (it is on my right side) or sometimes just letting my arm hang so as to cover the butt of the weapon some from being seen from the rear. I dont walk around sideways all the time! I just do it in certain instances where I feel that I need to do a little more to conceal.

Overall, people simply don't notice. I've always carried concealed and I've taken it just about everywhere. Like someone said, you can even wear a "muscle" shirt so long as it hangs just a little low. The life of wearing fitted clothing and clothing which is tucked in is over once you start carrying concealed.

A lot of officers get the photographer's type vest as well and use it as a light jacket to conceal. Only bad thing is that so many people know about it that it sort of advertises that you are an LEO. I have one and it is pretty much set aside now for active work (during search warrants and such - lots of pockets).

I also always carry in the car a very light rain jacket. That way I can throw it on if I need to get out of the car and go in a store or something.

Finally, get a holster that rides high and tight. There are several made which are great for concealment. Your gun is a bit big for an inside the pants holster. Those are really good for the smaller handguns and you can conceal it by simply pulling a small amount of the tucked shirt out and over the belt line.

Good luck and stay safe!

[HKUSP45]

LEEROY?

I do bring a sport jacket with me but I just do not wear it. The problem is the dress code. I can't just wear anything I want. Mostly button down shirts with a colar. I have worn polo shirts in the past but in order to get them real long, I have to go 2 sizes bigger then they are way to big and look bad.(EX: problem with reaching in the overhead compartments and everything showing) The belyband has worked so far but geeting old. Here is another problem. If I do wear the belyband then wear the heck do I put the other 2 magizines and handcuffs. I may try a shoulder holster under a biger button down dress shirt but I would hate to pay a hundred and fifty dollars and then find out the damn thing will not work. And by the way I don't have to wear a suit unless I felt it would benifit my cover. Business casual is what I wear for duty. Thanks. And I carry the SIG 229 chambered in .357 (heavy weapon)

[Sparky]

Whew! That's a tall order!

The 239 will be a little hard to conceal if your an average size guy.

What about a Weapons Fanny Pack (WFP)?

Normally I hate them because the SCREAM cop, but the big exception to this would be when traveling. A bunch of folks use them when they travel to hold all of their "sundries".

Other than that, what about carrying in the small of your back? Uncomfortable, I know, but you are in a unique position where you have a serious need to carry concealed. Maybe in the small of your back with a button down shirt worn unbuttoned and untucked?

Or do "they" make you wear shirt tucked in kind of business casual?

Man.. I'm sorry, but that dress code stuff sounds like a bunch of BS! Which rocket scientist dreampt that one up?

[shooter1201]

When I was a cop in Florida,(Putnam Co SO) and was off-duty, but armed, I carried my Glock G19 in a Galco 'Scout' IWB holster. I wore a colored T-shirt, tucked in, and a loose-fiting Hawaiian shirt(Something about growing up watching Hawaii Five-O and Miami Vice I guess). This is what I STILL do in TN, and I can conceal my SA 1911 this way.

A GOOD holster will go a LONG WAY towards solving your problem.

[Fastie]

OK, I know nobody is going to like this idea... but I would tie a sweatshirt or light jacket (sweater) around your waist. Then it will just look like you're too lazy to carry your extra clothes around. I think it's probably more common for women to do it and I *think* it would work pretty well..at least on the weekends... :D (I hate wearing shirts un-tucked).

[Hanson]

Only problem with a shoulder holster is that it is easier for the bad guy to get at in a scrape. And the teasing you might get from the buds.

I never had a problem concealing when I had a sportscoat or suit. The butt will stick out some, especially when you bend, but otherwise it doesnt really print bad unless people know what they are looking for. And the hip holster (IMO) has better retention, not to mention a faster presentation for the weapon should you need it.

Sounds like you really need to find a good holster. I use a Hellweg and love it. It rides high and tight, making it great for concealment whether in a suit or under a polo or T-shirt. I've also used a Fobus, but it tends to print more and doesnt have the retention of the Hellweg.

We tend to wear business to business casual usually, but are permitted to go very casual depending on the work we are doing. We are only permitted to carry concealed, except when operational, in which case we are in tactical gear.

When I first started carrying concealed, my weapon was a Sig 226. I used a Hellweg with that and had no concealment issues.

One big thing is that when you first start carrying concealed, you tend to think everybody and their mother knows it. They really dont notice it. After a while it becomes second nature and you dont think about it at all.

For what it is worth, the shoulder rigs print also, especially when you bend. I personally think they are easier to notice anyway. Also, with a hip holster, if you step out to eat, you can slip a jacket off and sit with your weapon side to a wall or something such that nobody sees it. You cant do that at all with a shoulder rig.

Fannie packs are pretty much useless on duty. You cant get the weapon out anywhere near as fast and they are pretty bulky and noticeable too. I've only used them on rare occassions off-duty or sometimes when flying long distance (plane seats push a weapon's butt right into your side).

[shooter1201]

If you're undercover, you might also want to consider carrying a firearm that DOESN'T say 'cop!'...

[Bill R]

I'd get a smaller gun. With a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster I can easily conceal a Glock 26 in the front pocket of a pair of Docker type pants. In certain positions it shows a bulge but the bulge does not look like a gun. Thre short grip keeps it from printing a gun shape. Every body these days has bulges from cell phones, PDAs etc. If you really like .45 try a G30.

[Groundhog]

Are you even allowed to switch pistols or do you have to carry the issue 229?

Check your PM...

<small>[ 09-16-2002, 05:19 PM: Message edited by: Groundhog ]</small>

[CopInNY]

HKUSP, this is what I used when I carried the HK 45. Check it out, you might like it: <a href="http://fobusholster.net/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=FH&Product_Code=HK1" target="_blank">http://fobusholster.net/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=FH&Product_Code=HK1</a>

[Watchman]

Camoflage it.

Ive been known to put a .45 in my back pocket and put a red/blue bandana over it.If you drape it over the gun, it'll just look like a bandana hanging out your pocket.

It may not be the ideal thing, put if you are totin a smaller piece it works even better.

A Sig 239 or a Walther works great.

[klar]

<small>[ 09-26-2002, 10:22 PM: Message edited by: klar ]</small>

[LeeRoy]

For the two years I worked dope I carried a P220 .45 concealed using a Brigade Gunleather IWB holster ( <a href="http://www.brigadegunleather.com/" target="_blank">http://www.brigadegunleather.com/</a> ) which is very similar to a rough side out Milt Sparks holster ( <a href="http://www.miltsparks.com/" target="_blank">http://www.miltsparks.com/</a> ).

I can't find the holster I bought a few years ago at the Brigade website but it is rough side out leather with a heavy duty metal clip. Brigade has rough side out and has metal clip holsters but not both.

The beauty of the IWB holsters is that you only need to conceal the butt of the gun so shorter polo and button down shirts will cover up. Your cuffs can go in a bikini holster and you could carry mags in any open top mag pouch. I normally covered up with a XXL t-shirt (i'm 6'3) but I also would cover up with polo shirts and straight hemmed plaid shirts. I only carried one spare mag in a combo mag/cuff carrier.
Also wouldn't a conservative patterned Hawaiian shirt with nice kahkis be considered business casual? It is in my book! Damn supervisors always ruin everybody's fun.

[Hanson]

One last point if you are carrying concealed and wearing a sportcoat or business jacket....

Get a pants liner sewn into the lining on the weapon side over the area where the weapon's butt makes contact with the lining. This will save a huge amount of wear on that lining. With all the getting in and out of car seats and other seats, the butt of that weapon will eat a hole through your lining fast. Not only does this get expensive, but it becomes a safety issue should it wear a hole and your weapon start to get caught up in that hole.

Also, carry your keys or some other heavier objects in the front pocket of your suit or sportcoat. This will help when you need to draw the weapon quickly by allowing the jacket to swing out faster without getting hung up on the weapon. Along those same lines, get used to not buttoning your jacket/coat and account for that when sizing (you can't draw fast when your suit is buttoned up!).

[Mark A. Smith]

HKUSP45, most of your co-workers that I've met are doing the sportcoat thing to hide the P-229. I know the dress code is a problem but when you're trying to blend, the business look doesn't hurt! I asked if it were a possibility to carry the pistol in a briefcase or laptop bag but I guess you really need to have it on you at all times anyway. I'd say something like the DeSantis Speed Scabbard which has an open top and fits snugly to your hip. That was one of the first holsters I bought when my duty gun was the Smith & Wesson 6906. It's similar in size to the Sig 229 and that was my favorite holster for summer/light clothing wear. My next favorite was the Safariland paddle holster, again with the open top.

If I were working with you I think I'd wear a golf shirt or mock turtleneck and a sportcoat. The easiest way to conceal the P-229 sitting down would be in the small of the back like the Galco SOB holster but then you'd have to rock forward to get to it and you'd always have it digging in to your back when you're sittin back. Sigh... I feel for you guys. Not an easy job but someone has to do it. I think if I were single with no kids I'd be interested!

Mark

[HKUSP45]

Thanks guys. So far the belly band is working and I hate wearing the sport coat. I normaly only wear it while walking around the airport, to dam_ hot on the aircraft to wear ir that is why I do not wear a regular holster while on duty. Well tahnks again for all the suggestions.

[jeeper]

Have you (or any of your co-workers) tried any of the new IWB holsters which allow a shirt to be tucked in around them. I know Galco makes 3 different models of them. I have a Blade-Tech for My G-19 that allows this. I don't wear it much, but it does actually work quite well. I believe the Blade-Tech is called the UCH in their catalogs. IIRC, they are made by a few other companies in both leather and Kydex.

[RetiredLE]

Take a peek at gagegunleather.com. I can't speak to all of his products, but Chuck recently sent me a semi-custom rig to accommodate a large auto. My pancakes still expose easily below a short windbreaker and shoulder rigs are a dead give-away unless the jacket is zipped-up a good distance. Chuck's design takes a paddle back with an extended rigid (leather-encased metal) support up under the arm to which the glove (holster) is sewn. This creates an ultra high ride. The holster simply cannot come down below the TOP of the waist line. Worn on the strong side, it's not a very efficient draw (for me), however the concealment is incredible. In crossdraw, the auto rides like a very secure shoulder rig, but in some respects conceals even better and can be manipulated with the weak side arm to accommodate various sitting or squatting positions to prevent printing. A much more accessible draw, too. A very concise package that fits neatly and squarely beneath either armpit. I can only imagine how much more comfortable and concealable a smaller auto would be. My holster inadvertently included a thumb-snap and strap, however I modified this (much to the manufacturer's chagrin) to be an unsecured, open draw. (And it is available this way, I just failed to communicate this when I placed my order.) For my needs, it is highly improbable that it would come out unintentionally and I don't wrestle perps anymore.

It's not for everyone, but it filled a void I had not seen offered by anyone else.

[Erik]

It sounds as if you are in dire need of a quality, dedicated gunbelt and a quality holster of either leather or kydex, depending on your preference.

Spring for topof the line gear. You'll thank yourself in the long run.

[SNAPPM]

I have carried a beretta 92 in a small of the back holster by Galco. It is comfortable and easily concealed.

Try it you will like it.

[Newcop761]

HK45:
Is your sport coat 'tropical weight'? Also you might want to look into other materials besides wool, linen, silk, etc.