Concealed Carry Shirts

[dlcra]

Are concealed carry shirts, outer shirts not under shirts, necessary. They seem so expensive. I know that you get what you pay for when it comes to equipment. I just don't know about those shirts! BlackHawk's 1700 is an example. Thanks!

 

[telpinaro]

Um, I went to Target and got some regular button-up shirts, and Columbia when they had a sale. Those look cool, though, and if they ever have a women's version on sale I might get it.

 

[Sir Diealotz]

When I conceal carry its via T-shirts and button up. Don't know what brand, probably made in Malaysia LOL.

 

[Chrisdrummer]

My summer rig: Crossbreed IWB and one of my vast collection of T-shirts with the shirttail out. Winter is the same, plus a long-sleeved shirt, tail out.

 

[BluesStringer]

Are concealed carry shirts, outer shirts not under shirts, necessary. They seem so expensive. I know that you get what you pay for when it comes to equipment. I just don't know about those shirts! BlackHawk's 1700 is an example. Thanks!

When I think of a "concealed carry shirt" I think of something like this, which I do happen to use a variation of quite often:

However, I looked up a Blackhawk 1700 shirt, and all that is is a "cover garment." There's no real difference between those and any other button-down collared shirt, except that it has a straight cut around the bottom so you can wear it un-tucked without looking like a slob (ostensibly).

Some of what you may have seen could be of the "tactical shirt" variety, which is similar to a cover garment, but it will have at least two breast pockets with flap closures, and may have hidden pockets on the inside, or zippered pockets on the sleeves etc. etc. Between "cover" and "tactical" shirts, the tacticals would be the most expensive in most cases.

If all you're looking for is a cover garment though, just keep buying whatever button-down collared shirts you've always bought. If you buy 'em tight-fitting, you may want to go up an extra size just to make printing less of a problem, but otherwise, you shouldn't have to make any special purchases just to conceal effectively.

Blues

 

[Rotorflyr]

When I think of a "concealed carry shirt" I think of something like this:

Don't have any but was thinking this also...

As for the Blackhawk type shirt, at $50 they can keep them, you can find them for less and can buy the same style shirts for far less that don't have a tacticool label on them.

Now having said that, I do have a couple of 5.11 polo shirts and like them BUT I got them on a clearance sale and wouldn't pay full price for them either.

 

[farsidefan1]

I have 3 of the shirts shown by Blues. I combine them with my shirts from Cabellas where the top 3 or 4 buttons are actually snaps (that look like buttons) for quick access. Yank shirt grab gun. I actually practice it. Not as fast as when I wear on the hip but much better concealment.

 

[jtg452]

Are concealed carry shirts, outer shirts not under shirts, necessary. They seem so expensive. I know that you get what you pay for when it comes to equipment. I just don't know about those shirts! BlackHawk's 1700 is an example. Thanks!

I've been carrying concealed for over 20 years now and I've never bought any clothing that was supposedly 'specifically made for concealed carry'. I wear everyday clothes that I buy from normal, everyday stores. When I worked in a gun shop, the local cops made a game out of trying to spot what I was carrying and where I had it. Most had no idea and were merely guessing, so I must be doing something right. All the 'Tactical Ted' clothing is a joke and a gimmick used to separate folks from their money. Go up a size on the waist of your pants if you are carrying IWB. Pick cover garments that are loose enough to hide the bulge without making you look like a little kid playing dress up, thick enough not to gather up around the gun and I've found that dark colors or busy prints help break up the outline of any bulge (and there will be one if you are carrying anything bigger than a .25).

 

[MyFred]

I've been carrying concealed for over 20 years now and I've never bought any clothing that was supposedly 'specifically made for concealed carry'. I wear everyday clothes that I buy from normal, everyday stores. When I worked in a gun shop, the local cops made a game out of trying to spot what I was carrying and where I had it. Most had no idea and were merely guessing, so I must be doing something right. All the 'Tactical Ted' clothing is a joke and a gimmick used to separate folks from their money. Go up a size on the waist of your pants if you are carrying IWB. Pick cover garments that are loose enough to hide the bulge without making you look like a little kid playing dress up, thick enough not to gather up around the gun and I've found that dark colors or busy prints help break up the outline of any bulge (and there will be one if you are carrying anything bigger than a .25).

This is pretty much how it works for me also. I carry OWB with a loose fitting t-shirt (summer) or a flannel shirt (winter). As I have said before, it dosen't matter if the sheeple can see the gun bulge or not: as long as the scary gun can't see them, then all is right in their little world.