Blue collar types; carrying while wearing tools

zacii · October 30th, 2009, 01:52 PM

I'm an electrician and I carry a lot of tools when I work. I cannot come up with an effective carrying means, while I'm wearing a tool belt.

About the only things that I think might work is pocket or ankle carry, not really fond of either. Sometimes I lift heavy things and I set them kind of in my lap as I try to get them up off the ground, so I'm worried that would put a heavy object right on the gun. Ankle carry, I don't know, slower to get to, also I'm on a ladder a lot and that puts my ankle at eye level to other people. Crawling around inside of cabinets and electrical gear would expose ankle carry to coworkers.

Anybody else deal with this type of carry conundrum?

tns0038 · October 30th, 2009, 02:16 PM

Inside your tool bag protected by being in a nemesis holster or I hate to say it, leave your gun in the truck

Conrad · October 30th, 2009, 02:54 PM

You may want to look in to a shoulder holster, or a holster shirt. I have a few of the holster shirts by abetterholster.com and like them a lot however if you bend a lot at the waist I found that it is possible for the gun to fall out (no retension strap. I have the Galco shoulder rig and like it and with either one of these you could still wear your tool belt. OMO.

toaster · October 30th, 2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tns0038

Inside your tool bag protected by being in a nemesis holster or I hate to say it, leave your gun in the truck

But I will add one more idea. I have suppliers and customers in my car alot. Some of them poke around, open the console or the glove box. They usually have a legitimate excuse. I don't want them to see a pistol (especially while I am working) so I keep my car gun (Kel-Tec P3AT) in a Nemesis holster inside a purple Crown Royal bag. That way no one can see what's in it. Anything to cover your weapon in the tool bag will work. I also have my carry weapon (PF9) in a small zipped bag, that was made to carry one of those small portable hard drives. It fits perfect there and if I'm not wearing it, no one knows whats in the case.....

CommonMan101 · October 30th, 2009, 03:32 PM

Something like this may work for you. I am in simular situation.

Holster Shirt V-Neck | Concealed Carry | 5.11 Tactical

BikerRN · October 30th, 2009, 03:51 PM

I have a buddy that carries a tool pouch as a Plumber.

He had a zippered pouch sewn to the backside of one of the tool pouches. The gun is in a little zippered bag, sort of like a Wilderness Safepacker, but fits the dimensions of his leather tool pouch. His draw is a little slow, but it beats not having a gun.

He had to downsize from the 4" .41 Magnum to a Kahr PM40 to be able to carry while working. The J-Frame Revolvers were too bulky as well. The Shoe Repair shop sewed the nylon pouch on his leather tool belt for a couple of dollars.

Biker

zacii · October 30th, 2009, 04:04 PM

Keeping the pistol in my tool bags is not an option. Because of my foreman duties, I frequently take off my bags to attend meetings, coordinate people, etc. I have eyed the holster shirts, before.

BaserRonin · October 30th, 2009, 04:19 PM

I used to use a leather day planner. I took everything out and added in two pieces of foam to keep it's shape and hold the pistol in place. No one ever questioned me on it's contents.

Rcher · October 30th, 2009, 04:38 PM

I'm a jobsite superintendent and sometimes even for me it is difficult to carry out my work while packing a gun around too. I completely understand your challenges. I'm sure it seems like no matter what you're doing, a pistol just seems to get in the way. There's no way you can carry a gun inside your tool bag or bags, somebody will steal it. Most tradesman dont even dare to lay a tool down and walk away for 5 mins or their tools grow legs.

The only suggestion that I have is to wear a good tuckable IWB. Get some suspenders for your tool pouches and leave your waistbelt a little loose. The weight of your tool bags will be supported by the suspenders but the belt should be loose enough as not to clamp your gun to your side. Accessing your gun will be difficult at best with all this crap on but atleast you have it with you.

As much as it may hurt, sometimes we go places that just dont allow us to carry everytime. Even I leave mine at home when all else fails. Good luck and be thankful you have a job right now sparky.

cmb · October 30th, 2009, 04:42 PM

I don't do much electrical work any more but if I did, I would probably add a pocket on the inside of my klien dump pouch which carries my meter and wirenuts, gournd crimps, etc...

of course most of the time, unless I am just needing a variety of tools I would fill my pockets with the tools I need and carry one of those cheap nail aprons with staples, wirnuts etc... so I can understand why the pouch thing wouldn't work...

One could spend the money on a kangaroo carry and or some holster shirts, I would probably wear some kind of undershirt or underarmor to try to keep some of the sweat off of the holster method. I would probably pocket carry something also or instead.

You could if so inclined go smart carry, its not for me but works for many...

You could go to cargo pants to give you an extra pocket or two, one could with a little sewing ability hem a couple of slits inside the cargo pocket, enough for an 1&1/2" elastic velcroed band (around the leg) which could weave through and give a holster a little more security, then insert an LCP of J frame (advantage J frame here because of excessive dire and moisture)... you could crawl under houses, in attics, up ladders, on the floor, kneel and/or sit in the truck and no one would know. And you would still have other pockets available plus be able to wear toold belt... perhaps we should market this... Could do one in each pocket and then you could carry left or right or both. Two lightweight 38's may work really well. Shark tank anyone!

October 30th, 2009, 01:52 PM	#1
zacii Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: arizona Posts: 317	Blue collar types; carrying while wearing tools I'm an electrician and I carry a lot of tools when I work. I cannot come up with an effective carrying means, while I'm wearing a tool belt. About the only things that I think might work is pocket or ankle carry, not really fond of either. Sometimes I lift heavy things and I set them kind of in my lap as I try to get them up off the ground, so I'm worried that would put a heavy object right on the gun. Ankle carry, I don't know, slower to get to, also I'm on a ladder a lot and that puts my ankle at eye level to other people. Crawling around inside of cabinets and electrical gear would expose ankle carry to coworkers. Anybody else deal with this type of carry conundrum? __________________ Trust in God and keep your powder dry Superduper Snubbie Thread Why 1911?

October 30th, 2009, 03:51 PM	#6
BikerRN VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: State of Discombobulation Posts: 3,768	I have a buddy that carries a tool pouch as a Plumber. He had a zippered pouch sewn to the backside of one of the tool pouches. The gun is in a little zippered bag, sort of like a Wilderness Safepacker, but fits the dimensions of his leather tool pouch. His draw is a little slow, but it beats not having a gun. He had to downsize from the 4" .41 Magnum to a Kahr PM40 to be able to carry while working. The J-Frame Revolvers were too bulky as well. The Shoe Repair shop sewed the nylon pouch on his leather tool belt for a couple of dollars. Biker __________________ If I knew I was going to get in to a gunfight I most ceratinly wouln't bring a handgun or two, and I don't know any smart person that does.

October 30th, 2009, 04:04 PM	#7
zacii Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: arizona Posts: 317	Keeping the pistol in my tool bags is not an option. Because of my foreman duties, I frequently take off my bags to attend meetings, coordinate people, etc. I have eyed the holster shirts, before. __________________ Trust in God and keep your powder dry Superduper Snubbie Thread Why 1911?

October 30th, 2009, 04:38 PM	#9
Rcher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Montana (resident) Utah (currently) Posts: 1,092	I'm a jobsite superintendent and sometimes even for me it is difficult to carry out my work while packing a gun around too. I completely understand your challenges. I'm sure it seems like no matter what you're doing, a pistol just seems to get in the way. There's no way you can carry a gun inside your tool bag or bags, somebody will steal it. Most tradesman dont even dare to lay a tool down and walk away for 5 mins or their tools grow legs. The only suggestion that I have is to wear a good tuckable IWB. Get some suspenders for your tool pouches and leave your waistbelt a little loose. The weight of your tool bags will be supported by the suspenders but the belt should be loose enough as not to clamp your gun to your side. Accessing your gun will be difficult at best with all this crap on but atleast you have it with you. As much as it may hurt, sometimes we go places that just dont allow us to carry everytime. Even I leave mine at home when all else fails. Good luck and be thankful you have a job right now sparky. __________________ >>----> Keep it Concealed: *"The Element of Surprise is Far Superior than the Target of Fate".*

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October 30th, 2009, 02:16 PM	#2
tns0038 Distinguished Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,931	Inside your tool bag protected by being in a nemesis holster or I hate to say it, leave your gun in the truck

October 30th, 2009, 02:54 PM	#3
Conrad Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southern Colorado Posts: 118	You may want to look in to a shoulder holster, or a holster shirt. I have a few of the holster shirts by abetterholster.com and like them a lot however if you bend a lot at the waist I found that it is possible for the gun to fall out (no retension strap. I have the Galco shoulder rig and like it and with either one of these you could still wear your tool belt. OMO.

October 30th, 2009, 03:32 PM	#5
CommonMan101 Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 23	Something like this may work for you. I am in simular situation. Holster Shirt V-Neck \| Concealed Carry \| 5.11 Tactical

October 30th, 2009, 04:19 PM	#8
BaserRonin Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 275	I used to use a leather day planner. I took everything out and added in two pieces of foam to keep it's shape and hold the pistol in place. No one ever questioned me on it's contents.

October 30th, 2009, 04:42 PM	#10
cmb Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: florida Posts: 370	I don't do much electrical work any more but if I did, I would probably add a pocket on the inside of my klien dump pouch which carries my meter and wirenuts, gournd crimps, etc... of course most of the time, unless I am just needing a variety of tools I would fill my pockets with the tools I need and carry one of those cheap nail aprons with staples, wirnuts etc... so I can understand why the pouch thing wouldn't work... One could spend the money on a kangaroo carry and or some holster shirts, I would probably wear some kind of undershirt or underarmor to try to keep some of the sweat off of the holster method. I would probably pocket carry something also or instead. You could if so inclined go smart carry, its not for me but works for many... You could go to cargo pants to give you an extra pocket or two, one could with a little sewing ability hem a couple of slits inside the cargo pocket, enough for an 1&1/2" elastic velcroed band (around the leg) which could weave through and give a holster a little more security, then insert an LCP of J frame (advantage J frame here because of excessive dire and moisture)... you could crawl under houses, in attics, up ladders, on the floor, kneel and/or sit in the truck and no one would know. And you would still have other pockets available plus be able to wear toold belt... perhaps we should market this... Could do one in each pocket and then you could carry left or right or both. Two lightweight 38's may work really well. Shark tank anyone!