Newbius knows how to wear a CCW holster.
Wearing a sweater, the big double stack magazine XD45 is totally invisible on him at his 4 o'clock position. He uses something like a Comp Tac IWB, but it's another brand, I believe. Same idea. Noticed this at the mini-blogshoot at the NRA.
We discussed the utility of middle aged men wearing decent quality Hawaiian shirt in the summertime.
I've only had the opportunity to wear my IWB holster in public a few times. Like at the Northcoast shoot. I'm not used to it, and it feels like the Sig P229 sticks out like a sore thumb, clunking against every hard item I get near and making a thunk noise doing it. I probably have to carry that way a lot more to get used to it.
Everything about CCW seems to go in the opposite direction of my aspirations. I want to carry a 1911, but I shoot a DA revolver batter. I want to carry IWB, but pocket holsters work so well for me. Or shoulder holsters. They work well. In fact MBtGE gave me an older Bianchi shoulder holster that doesn't fit any gun he now has. Works for me and snubbie, tho. Looks like the newer Bianchis are much improved, too. This one I have now seems circa 1989.
Guayabera shirts are good for CCW in the summer, also, if you don't like the loud patterns of the typical Aloha shirt. They're worn near-universally by Hispanic men in the Caribbean. Get a good one and keep it cleaned/pressed and you can go nearly anywhere in a Guyabera.
ReplyDeleteGuayabera shirts have the same problem as fanny packs and tactical vests... unless you are in a place where they are the norm for dress, they will be attention getting.
ReplyDeleteIn the summer, I've taken to wearing short sleeve, button down shirts from REI and other outfitters that look normal for the area where I live. You don't need Hawaiian shirts. Normal patterns are available. In fact, I think 5.11 and other CCW garb manufacturers make shirts like this. Underneath, I carry a fullsized XDm (usually my .40, but sometimes my 9) in a Comp-Tac Minotaur MTAC IWB holster (which I highly recommend). I'm actually in the process of testing out Comp-Tac's new Minotaur IWB mag pouch.
...OR your basic camp shirt (square cut, short-sleeve) OR, any of these in AZ, opened, with a colored T-shirt underneath. I have a belly, so I usually get one size up for less printing.
ReplyDeleteI feel ya... i find that what works best for me is never what I think is ideal in my head... buy a lot of gear find it sucks for me and it ends up stacked in a drawer of abandon gear.
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with Shoulder holsters for us Sedentary Types who have to drive all day. For summer wear, I have no problem putting my CCW weapon into the Cargo pocket of my Cargo Shorts, with the spare ammo/backup on the other side. Little slow, but if I'm having to mow my yard in August when its 90, nothing prints, either. I can even go topless and work on my tan and still be Armed. Ugly, but Armed. Ymmv, of course.
ReplyDeleteI second the t-shirt under an open shirt ("camp shirt" per George) but find myself OC'ing more during the day in summer.
ReplyDeleteShoulder and crossdraw rigs have their place - especially for revolvers.
Ya gotta do what is BEST for you... we ALL have a box o'holsters...LOL
ReplyDeleteWe should have a holster exchange!
ReplyDeleteI got a drawer full. Like everyone.
Who gets the Thunderwear holster? :)
ReplyDeleteT-Bolt, the XDm-45 rides in a Crossbreed Supertuck Deluxe (made of horsehide/kydex). The holster is VERY comfortable and, once it forms to your body, the gun practically disappears.
ReplyDeleteI would buy another one in a heartbeat.
Since the holster has dropped belt clips, I can tuck a fitted T-Shirt over the gun and, unless you know what to look for, you would never know I had a full-size double-stack 45 on me. They make each one to order and it is money well-spent.
+1 to the comments about blending in...getting close to a OC vs. CCW discussion there...I have a maxpedition type bag that carries great but the only place it DOESN'T stick out is at a gun show...
ReplyDeleteREI shirts work well, but any decent quality button down that you can wear comfortably outside your waistband is good..and I have a couple of guayabera type shirts, looks at home in Ohio in the summer due to our "melting pot" mix here in Columbus...
as for a good holster for your IWB needs, I love my adams holster texas model (www.adamsholsters.com) Luke is a great guy to do business with but he lead times are at about 12 weeks now...