And I'm gonna be a bit lengthy so you guys know the situation totally so sorry for that in advance.
I've started working recently as a smog tech here in vegas (I'm also a gear head so in that my own enemy). My job requires me to commonly lean over under and into cars. Leaving my waist exposed commonly (looking for a catalytic converter or a connector under a dash.
But I work in a mixed part of town (rich and street thug predominantly), open to close in a 10 x 10 booth with a rear door that has a deadbolt. I have hundreds of dollars in cash daily and I do my own bank drops aswell. On top of that I'm in front of a home depot in the southwest U.S. Which typically means there are the same 20-30 "Illegals" Hanging out close by looking for day labor every day. And it's not uncommon for me to see them walking past looking inside with a "scoping the place" manner.
Now I've heard of other guys carrying (boss probably hasn't though). But so far I've only brought my ASP (extendable baton) to work awaiting my gun and time for my CCW class. I'm buying a Kel-tec p3at (sub compact .38 double action 6+1).
My big question is how to carry to avoid detection by what could be panicky customer or my bosses network camera that he uses to watch progress periodically. The boss would be the lighter issue honestly as he knows that I'm dealing with carrying HIS money around. But a panicky customer accidentally seeing my weapon and calling to complain that he hires thugs could blow my ability to carry at work and possibly my job (never know when the customer is involved, how a boss will respond).
I typically wear a biker jacket jacket or vest (mainly out of comfort because I ride motorcycles) and they both allow my lower back to be seen when bent over a hood or crouched under a dash. A pants pocket holster in will either inhibit movement at work or be visible to a customer depending on the pocket. And shoulder holsters will inhibit movement and could flash a customer.
All I can currently think of is:
using a pocket holster in a coat/vest pocket
(not sure if lack of snugness will stop it's usefullness and bulky under a vest as it heats back up out here/ chance of it falling out during work).
No holster in coat or vest
(bad for the gun and it's reliability/chance of it falling out near a customer)
Keeping it inside the booth
(dangerous if seen during a robbery before I can get to it/useless if I'm outside working/visible to boss's camera at start and end of day when I put it in the booth)
Fanny pack holster
(god awful looks/slow draw speed/ bulk while working in almost any position I have to be in at work)
How do I keep my weapon at hand without making it so visible that some lady in her mercedes doesn't flip out at the sight of it?
For the sub compacts I have heard only good things about the pocket holsters when a quality one is purchased. This will keep the pistol properly oriented in the pocket and break up the outline so that it should not be recognizable as a pistol.(May not work in spandex) There are also quality garments made by companies like 5.11 tactical that sell systems specifically made to conceal firearms. There are pockets in their garments that are made to allow access and holsters with velcro that will attach in the pocket to maintain orientation of the weapon for proper access. This would be great for colder weather or at night in the high desert of NV.
I carry a full size large-frame XD so the garment carry didn't work for me, but it was what I really wanted. Pocket carry with the Kel-Tec should be safe, convenient, and discrete.
Since you already decided on the P3AT, Pocket Holster is definitely the way to go. For a larger framed gun, I would say a shoulder rig if you expect to be wearing a jacket or vest.
I just recently commented in another thread with a guy who is a mechanic (I'm a farmer). Working under and over equipment where you are physically active is difficult to do, plus it's difficult to keep your gun concealed and also maintain some sort of comfort for yourself.
I've found that if I wear loose-fitting pants with generous pockets......AKA....... Cargo Pants, I can easily keep my holstered LCP in my front right pocket. It stays concealed, in place, and always pretty darned accessible.
In the "public arena" that you find yourself, if you feel something potentially threatening, you can casually put your hands in your pocket, gripping your gun, in a non-threatening manner.
The way the OP describes his job, it doesn't sound like he would be jumped by surprise, but would be able to see something going down a little beforehand.
If that's the situation, wearing long pants with an ankle holster would really be the only way to carry comfortably and with no chance of being made.
The obvious downside is that an ankle holster takes more effort and time to get to, and doing so would telegraph what you're doing before you'd want.
But at least there'd be a weapon "nearby" if needed.
Sounds like not the ideal option, buy maybe the best option considering the circumstances.
For the record, I tried ankle carry with a 642, but was always uncomfortable with it due to how far away the pistol was from my hand if I needed it quickly. While I keep the ankle holster around for maybe some unforeseen situation, I haven't used it for 2 or 3 years.
One last thought is that since the OP appears to work in a cubicle and hangs around there a lot, perhaps an ankle carry would be good to get to work and back, but at work, slip the pistol in a well hidden but convenient cubbyhole somewhere in the cubicle.
Pocket or ankle carry for the P3AT. Both are secure and about equal in accessability given the type of work you are doing. This pistol is extremely light and compact and hides easily in a front pocket or on the ankle. Get two and carry one in each position. That gives you 14 rounds and you can draw whether sitting or standing. For a little more firepower, you could get a Keltec PF9 for the pocket and keep the P3AT on the ankle.
First off, as has been stated, booth carry is a bad idea. Especially if you ever have to leave the booth to look for a catalytic converter as you stated.
Pocket carry with the right pants may be ideal. I have found that deep pockets with a 6" (or bigger) opening work well. As far as it being spotted, mine never has.
With the Kel-Tec, I recommend pocket carry as the most accessible and fastest draw for your situation. The DeSantis Nemesis is a good holster -- I use it sometimes with my Kahr.
Somebody else mentioned 511 gear. I have one of their compression t-shirts, and it works well for my Kahr, also. It is not as quick to access, but is a bit more secure than a pocket when I am active.
SmartCarry is also an excellent option, but the draw is a bit slow. If you want absolutely nobody to know, this is the best option.
Don't discount one of the belly-band holsters for your situation.
I'm going to have to say pocket carry or smart-carry. The pocket carry should work great with a little subcompact like the keltec. Smartcarry would probably work well too.
Other's have mentioned ankle carry, but that may be an issue if you're going to be crawling around on your backside under a car (ie the pants leg could ride up exposing your ankle carry).
When I choose to carry my KelTec P-3AT (not often) I use a Fist #5K pocket holster. Thin, does not tip in the pocket, and easy retrieval.
Search out Fist holsters...above...in 'Related Links'.
When I choose to carry my KelTec P-3AT (not often) I use a Fist #5K pocket holster. Thin, does not tip in the pocket, and easy retrieval.
Search out Fist holsters...above...in 'Related Links'.
Well since in the same field i'll tell what i do .
I carry a J frame in a belly band or a 5.11 shirt pending on the weather and if i will be on road duty that day . The only problem with belly carry is that it can be a pain if your doing engine work , and the holster shirt works better in that respect but it is slower .
most of the time i will do that but i am also currently looking at iwb
with my shirt untucked using a galco that keeps the grip right at waist height , i believe it is the summer carry holster if i remember correctly.
Something else to consider adding to your gun is a kerumbit or the like. The biggest thing is finding what works for you . something else to consider is there is usualy a prybar or hammer nearby , virtually all of your tools can be a weapon
Oh yeah and as soon as i clock out for the day i strap on my 1911 and go on about my merry way
No matter what you decide on you will find your self dressing for the gun. I carry every day a P 13 .45 owb.
I install phone systems and voice and data wire. I climb ladders and crawl under desks. I wear my shirt outside my pants. I wear a size larger in my shirts. Even my t shirts are large. Most people don't notice what you are wearing. You will be thinking people can see your gun all the time until you get comfortable with it. Any small frame firearm can easily be concealed If asked what the bulge is tell them It is a medical device to monitor your sugar or something like that. People wear crap on their belt all the time.
Welcome aboard.
I pocket carry a Kahr MK9, and before that a Kel-Tec P-11. Those are both larger than what you plan to carry, and I always thought they were completely discrete. I don't think any pocket size gun will seriously restrict your movements to the point of not getting your job done. Once in a while when you're crawling under a dash, you may have to adjust your position to get the pressure point off of the gun, but I would anticipate few other concessions. You'll get used to it, and the security it offers more than makes up for any discomfort.
If you're going to be dressed the way you describe, an undershirt pocket holster or shoulder rig would make sense, too.
I carry a larger .380 in a good holster and it is not detectable. If I had my pants pocket enlarged another half inch, something my wife would happily and easily do, there would be no way ever the gun would be visible.
With a Keltec 3AT you really should have no difficulty concealing, and have lots of carry options.
I did notice that in the original post you called that a 38. It is, in a way, but don't get .380 and 38 sp or similar confused when you buy your ammo. The wrong stuff won't fit your gun's magazine, but you will have to do a return.
Thanks for all the info guys. And for (most of you) not knocking the small gun choice. When at work I'd rather opt for mobility and comfort over firepower. I figure in a 10x10 booth a 380 will do just fine.
BTW thanks for the 38/380 clarification Hopyard, I wasnt sure on that. Figured I'd just have the local dealer advise me on rounds (especially since most reviews say that the p3at doesn't like most hollow points)
I plan on buying something larger for daily/travel carry as well, but that's easier dealt with.
I have always been a fan of a shoulder holster. Put on a light t-shirt, and a lightweight "shortsleeve" button up shirt on top and you are golden. I live in southeast texas so I know what the "heat" factor is like and really it's not that bad. The other benefits are the ability to carry 1-2 spare mags on the other side of the harness, not having a pistol jammed in your back/side when you drive, the ability to draw when you're driving (big plus in my area), and having your pockets available for whatever else. But like I said I'm bias towards a sholder harness :smile:
You have been given some excellent advice here. I agree that Pocket Carry will most likely be the best for your situation. However, Smart Carry might also work with some clothing choices. You'll have to vary how you carry on some days anyway to accomodate weather conditions and other factors. It's always good to have a backup method of carry. Good Luck.
Pocket holster should do fine. I've got a Desantis Super Fly and it works great.
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