Summer Concealed Carry Wardrobe

[Odessa_Prime]

I carry a Springfield 40 XD Compact w/ a paddle holster. In cooler temps that's no problem.

But summers in the Lowcountry can be brutal so my question is, do you ware a light jacket or wind breaker, something like that or do you have a summer weapon / holster system?

I used to travel internationally and spent many hours amongst the locals. As an American I was always at some risk, so regardless of the temps, I always wore a thin wind breaker zipped up a few inches. That way no one really knew whether I was armed or not. I never had a single problem even on the streets of the poorest areas on South America.

I'm 6'3" and weighed in at 190 lbs back then so that might have been a factor.

 

[rahlquist]

I have to agree, living in west Georgia, the heat and humidity can be rough. Any suggestions of good CCW garments for larger men appreciated too (5' 11" a bit over 250lb). I carry a S&W M&P 40 (full size).

Thanks!

 

[kudzu]

A compromise

Though I have always worn my shirts tucked in and don't care for the casual/sloppy shirt tail-out look, the best solution I have found are the "outdoorsy" summer shirts from Patagonia. Worn with khakis, jeans or hiking pants and casual shoes, they don't look too bad. I still don't like it, but I can tolerate it.

Patagonia Men's Puckerware® Shirt

Patagonia Men's A/C® Shirt - Organic Cotton

 

[IWLAFART]

$70.00 for a summer shirt!! I don't think so.:angry:

 

[StealthDefense]

Summer concealed carry

Summer time is a real test for holster comfort and concealment. My Stealth Defense Holster works well with wearing normal summer clothing however I don’t recommend it for overweight individuals with a large belt overhang. Some people prefer wearing an undershirt which helps to “wick away” perspiration. www.stealthdefenseholsters.com

 

[Tango Victor]

I agree, I don't particularly care for the "untucked" look either. But untapered shirts designed to be worn untucked work well and look good. Dragon Fly makes some but they are also pricey. I also somtimes wear a colored t-shirt tucked in with a short sleeve button up shirt untucked and un buttoned over it. I'm typically not all that concerned about looking stylish outside of work so it works for me. I understand it may not work for everyone though.

 

[marionandjohn]

Living in central GA and travel to TN frequently if I want to "CC" I use my kholster at about 4:30 or 5 oclock position with SW99. If my attire just will not allow for me to carry that weapon/holster or I feel like carrying my XD40 (4") I simply drop it in a Blackhawk serpa and OC it. I dont have to worry if I am showing at that point. I'm not getting into OC vs CC but sometimes its more comfortable, easier, and feels right. I have only been asked to leave 1 place while OC and only been questioned about my permit 1 time while OC. The mall dont like weapons blah blah blah b.s. and a Ranger at a state park where I was hiking with my kid on my back questioned why I would OC and asked to see my permit.

I love my Kholster and even was wearing it while loading a 26ft penske truck for the inlaws in TN in the middle of June. I actually had to clean the gun afterwards because I sweated through the leather and into the gun. btw I am 5'7" 170lbs, I consider myself medium frame, a white tshirt and pair of shorts conceal my SW99 with the kholster just fine and even wore it with swim trunks (but didnt swim)

 

[Naybor]

Last summer my KT P-11 traveled well with an IWB and untucked shirt.
I have a Ruger LCP in layaway (on Social Security) for summer use this year, where hopefully I can get by with just an untucked T-shirt. She sure is small, so that shouldn't be a problem. I had a .380 as my primary for years without a problem, but .380 is about as small as I'd want to go. The LCP is so small it can be carried in a lot of ways.

 

[SureSight Firearms]

Blackhawk makes a great fanny pack with multiple retention devices (preventing grab n go). Small, med and large with built in holster. I carry XD .40 SC also, works great but you have to train with it.

 

[eaccents]

summer set-up

I carry a Springfield 40 XD Compact w/ a paddle holster. In cooler temps that's no problem.

But summers in the Lowcountry can be brutal so my question is, do you ware a light jacket or wind breaker, something like that or do you have a summer weapon / holster system?

I used to travel internationally and spent many hours amongst the locals. As an American I was always at some risk, so regardless of the temps, I always wore a thin wind breaker zipped up a few inches. That way no one really knew whether I was armed or not. I never had a single problem even on the streets of the poorest areas on South America.

I'm 6'3" and weighed in at 190 lbs back then so that might have been a factor.

I am a 5'6" 140 pound woman with an aging athletic build. I am lucky enough that my waist is still smaller than my hips (thank God!), and my shoulders are kind of broad (too much swimming?). That said, I can conceal my Kahr MK9 IWB @ 2:30 position all summer long with shorts and an untucked shirt (white or grey T-shirt or a polo shirt).

Some days I conceal a compact gun IWB in the curve of my back @ the 4:30 position if I do not intend to bend and reach too much that day (I sometimes help with inventory duties at work).

I have noticed that for many, having your shoulders as wide or wider than your hips so that the drape of the shirt hides the gun is very helpful.

I have not had success concealing a gun with my shirt tucked in so can not offer any advice for that style of dress.

Best of luck in finding a summer set-up that works for you and your weapon of choice.

 

[Odessa_Prime]

Summer Concealed Carry

As usual, I can count on this board to load me up with both technical, and insightful answers to my questions. USACARRY ROCKS!

I have been using the tucked t-shirt w/ a Columbia Khaki over so far and it works great. And that seems to the practical option of choice here. Like most men, I'm not overly fashion conscious and prefer a neat and clean look. Especially when I am out with my lady. Can't be sloppy with her because she looks great wearing just about anything....

Thanks again and Carry On!

 

[Rhino]

For casual wear in summer you can't beat a Hawaiian shirt. Whoever invented them must have been a concealed carrier. They look natural untucked and you can hide a howitzer under there. I purposely buy them one size larger because they look natural baggy too, and I can conceal better that way.

I also buy tall size t shirts and polo shirts for wearing untucked. I have to buy those online because everything decent I find in the big and tall shops around here is for big, not tall, and I'm not fat, at least not yet. Here are a few of my sources:

Printed Apparel: Big, Tall, and Plus Size Clothing
Patriotic Shirts & American Flag Shirts | TheFlagShirt.com
Shoes, Clothing | Zappos.com Free Shipping
Discount Big and Tall Clothing - Big and Tall World

I use four Crossbreed Supertuck holsters with four different guns, depending mostly on the weather and the lightness of the clothing. The Supertuck allows me to tuck the polo shirts in if I want but I prefer not to do that in warm weather because despite what the advertisements say, I think the bulge of a gun on my hip is at least somewhat noticeable.

I also have a SmartCarry holster for my Ruger SP101. Concealment with that is simply outstanding and I can wear whatever I want, but access is difficult and slow.

 

[Mobuck]

Occasionally, I wear an underarmour t-shirt with my cover vest or an untucked, unbuttoned square tailed shirt. I haven't noticed anyone looking at me like I'm a freak. I'm trying to get away from the manypockets vest since I was told that's what the parole and probation officers are wearing now.

 

[tcox4freedom]

I carry a Springfield 40 XD Compact w/ a paddle holster. In cooler temps that's no problem.

But summers in the Lowcountry can be brutal so my question is, do you ware a light jacket or wind breaker, something like that or do you have a summer weapon / holster system?

I used to travel internationally and spent many hours amongst the locals. As an American I was always at some risk, so regardless of the temps, I always wore a thin wind breaker zipped up a few inches. That way no one really knew whether I was armed or not. I never had a single problem even on the streets of the poorest areas on South America.

I'm 6'3" and weighed in at 190 lbs back then so that might have been a factor.

It gets brutal in the PeeDee to buddy!

I just be jellin' in my Link Removedand light shirt.

I highly recommend it for the HOT South Carolina sun! (Or anywhere else for that matter):smile:

You may even get lucky and find one HERE: Link Removed

 

[Deanimator]

• I NEVER wear untucked shirts.
• I don't wear extra cover garments when the temperature doesn't demand them. They look odd and unnatural on me.

That generally rules out outside the waistband carry for me.

In warm weather I either use:

1. Full sized auto or revolver in an inside the waistband holster. I started with Don Hume 715Ms, then switched to my own handmade tuckable IWBs. The Humes are passably tuckable although not so designed. My holsters are purpose built tuckables and work very well under a tucked polo shirt, my usual summer wear.
2. S&W Model 36 in a pocket holster. I started with a DeSantis Nemesis and switched to my own leather pocket holster which does a much better job of concealing the outline of my revolver.

 

[S&W645]

Shorts, IWB holster, company T-shirt atleast one size larger. Heck I wear that most times in the winter too. Humidity in the swamp = 90% or more. Humidity was 96% at 0830 today. Now only 51%.