Your experience confirms mine. IWB is more covert and less comfortable than OWB. T-shirt works for me with a full size pistol IWB, but I quicky discovered that a subcompact OWB needs more cover.
Not as concealed as I thought...
I've had 2 clients of mine in the past week ask me if that was a gun on my hip and if it is real. I was never made out while carrying IWB, but switched over to OWB and when I wear just a T shirt, my gun shows depending on how I move. Neither person freaked out or anything like that, people just aren't used to seeing people armed in California. Both people asked if it was legal for me to carry. I keep going back and forth as to whether it is better to keep it concealed or not worry about people seeing it.
1 - 20 of 43 Posts
Same here. I've been debating getting an OWB holster for my little 45 but I know I'll only be able to use it when wearing a coat or something heavy. I've carried revolvers OWB and somebody always notices. With IWB, I've never had anyone comment at all.
One big factor in answering that is what does you State consider branishing? The wrong people seeing it could mean troubles you hadn't dreamed of. :gah:Otis said:I keep going back and forth as to whether it is better to keep it concealed or not worry about people seeing it.
I carry both my 5" 1911 and my Glock 32. Although I don't use a T-shirt, I have no problem concealing with an untucked polo shirt. I am rather large (6'3", 270lbs) so I buy my polo shirts from the big and tall shops...it really wirks great.
The whole point of carrying concealed in the first place is to have your CCW remain concealed. And, of course, concealed means concealed and it is 100% up to the carrier to do that. Here in Oregon, particularly in metro Portland, liberal folk do not look upon us gun carrying rabble with much respect or sympathy. If you get "made" you are highly likely to be turned in to the police - post-haste - and end up trying to explain yourself to an upset policeman. Upset because he really did not want to spend his time dealing with you and your stupidity.
Bottom line:duh: it is up to you, the concealed weapon carrier, to do whatever it takes to carry concealed - at all times. :argue:
Bottom line:duh: it is up to you, the concealed weapon carrier, to do whatever it takes to carry concealed - at all times. :argue:
Even IWB isn't good enough if you forget to lock the fitting room door at REI... :embarassed: <-- me
Good point, it is legal to carry within your business, which is where I carry. Legally I am fine, I just don't want to freak out my clients. Alot of my clients know I carry and don't have a problem with it, in fact it makes them a bit more comfortable, especially when they learn that I have a good amount of firearms training and experience.rstickle said:One big factor in answering that is what does you State consider branishing? The wrong people seeing it could mean troubles you hadn't dreamed of. :gah:
keep it concealed. BG's knowing you have a gun only lets em get the drop on you easier. Consider a vest or loose button down shirt / with aprint on it. Or go IWB , just get pants a inch oversized in the waist.
IWB is the way I carry cause with OWB you do have to almost layer your clothing, like when Chris (P95carry) posted on how he covers his OWB holster and Sig. He use's a light possibly jean style button down or zip down cover garment. I am not willing to were a vest or extra shirt to aid in concealment with OWB. Maybe when I'm "60" :wink: I will think differently about it. :tongue:
Ti.
Ti.
Good point...there really isn't a benefit to people knowing...on the other hand, the BG's might think "don't [email protected]#k with him, he's got a gun and knows how to use it!"rocky said:keep it concealed. BG's knowing you have a gun only lets em get the drop on you easier. Consider a vest or loose button down shirt / with aprint on it. Or go IWB , just get pants a inch oversized in the waist.
Try Switching
Try switching to Oversize Double Weight Cotton Dark (Black or Deep Navy Blue) T~shirts ~ that usually works.
What type of holster are you using?
And you'll probably need to tighten your Gun Belt up a hair more than normal.
I can put a full size SIG or 1911 OWB under a just a very dark "T" without any problems.
You need a good carry rig & a proper gun belt though.
If you're wearing an "inner tube" AKA heavyset around the middle then sometimes it's tougher to conceal OWB under a "T"
Try switching to Oversize Double Weight Cotton Dark (Black or Deep Navy Blue) T~shirts ~ that usually works.
What type of holster are you using?
And you'll probably need to tighten your Gun Belt up a hair more than normal.
I can put a full size SIG or 1911 OWB under a just a very dark "T" without any problems.
You need a good carry rig & a proper gun belt though.
If you're wearing an "inner tube" AKA heavyset around the middle then sometimes it's tougher to conceal OWB under a "T"
Absolutely. It's up to us to make sure that the weapon remains concealed. My smaller stature (5'8" and 140#) makes it impossible to conceal OWB, no matter what I do, it prints. So I use a SmartCarry lower ab rig and no one has ever known that I'm carrying.dairycreek said:The whole point of carrying concealed in the first place is to have your CCW remain concealed. And, of course, concealed means concealed and it is 100% up to the carrier to do that. Here in Oregon, particularly in metro Portland, liberal folk do not look upon us gun carrying rabble with much respect or sympathy. If you get "made" you are highly likely to be turned in to the police - post-haste - and end up trying to explain yourself to an upset policeman. Upset because he really did not want to spend his time dealing with you and your stupidity.
Bottom line:duh: it is up to you, the concealed weapon carrier, to do whatever it takes to carry concealed - at all times. :argue:
This past Sept my family and I traveled to a northern state that doesn't allow concealed carry, however, I feel it would be better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6 so I was packing anyway. Even my son, who knows I carry and my method of carry, had to ask if I brought my gun with and I was wearing when he asked.
For me, IWB with a pullover polo style shirt works very well...for instance I went to a movie with the bride last night. I asked her to look around while we were there to see if anyone noticed I was carrying or if I was printing. It turns out my MaxConV works very well...kudos to Gary.
Touché Ti :18:Maybe when I'm "60" I will think differently about it.
T-Shirt can be fine but - it has to be a larger size - it must ''balloon'' enough to be able to hang over the piece and outside of it - if not loose enough then sure, it'll be almost pulling against the gun. White color is about worst - dark color better.
I know I am OWB freak - but to be honest, I carry and conceal within my concealement choices and, IMO there is always a way that will work, even OWB!
I sure don't want to suggest OWB to folks and then they find it won't work - but I am saying that with the right approach, OWB can be just fine.
Another tip on OWB carry is to place it at 0300 position to reduce grip printing with movement. I just switched from IWB and the 0300 position on the OWB conceals better than IWB at 0400-0500 but you do need the "slob" Polo look to pull it off.
Problem with that is if they still wanna mess with ya. They know you have a gun and if they are willing to assault you anyway, more than likely they are willing to pull a trigger. Better to make it " suprise, I have a gun".Otis said:Good point...there really isn't a benefit to people knowing...on the other hand, the BG's might think "don't [email protected]#k with him, he's got a gun and knows how to use it!"
owb just doesnt seem to work for me must be the roundness factor
OWB doesn't conceal for me either under a t-shirt. IWB seems to work well though.
IWB por moi. Now, as the weather doesn't break much above 35-40, i simply wear any shirt and a hooded sweathshirt jacket a size large. It does wonderful and even has an extra length to help hide the bulge. This is a 4.25 in .45acp in a Don Hume IWB with a single clip loop. I was out at Burger King today and visited with a freind for a couple hours. When i was preparing to leave i asked if he could tell i was carrying a .45 and he couldn't believe it. He said "I'm glad one of us is" as he isn't licensed---yet.:wave:
1 - 20 of 43 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Defensive Carry
A forum community dedicated to defensive firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about everyday carry, optics, holsters, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
SatCong
1038 Replies
OldVet
469 Replies
LimaCharlie
266 Replies
