[Bluepit]

....in a wedding
Just thought I would throw this out since I am going to have to figure it out in about six months. Does anyone have any reccomendations on carrying in a tux. My brother is getting married and so as any "best man" would do I will be packing. I mean, can your really be called a best man and not carry... ? I am thinking its gonna be interesting with no belt. Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[Janq]

What are you thinking to carry?

- Janq

 

[calvin1013]

you can carry just about anything in a tux~! you can probably have a MP5K on you with out anyne noticing it. :bier: enjoy the wedding~!

 

[Bluepit]

G23

I will be carrying a G23. I was looking at shoulder rigs but $$$ and I have heard they are not that comfortable.

 

[DaveT]

Whatever you normally wear.

Just have it on you when you get fitted for the tux.
Make sure that you get measured while wearing it.
Measuring is done over clothing, so you don't have to reveal it. When given samples to try on, you can change in a private dressing room. Just make sure your carry weapon and holster fit fine with the size that is decided on and listed on the order form.

Since my wife used to have a tux rental business, I just asked her about your question. Her suggestion is to wear a shoulder holster because tuxedo pants normally do not have a belt and some have elastic portions in the waistband so they will accomodate slight variations in size. She does not think any kind of a pant/waist holster would be practical as tuxedo pants would allow a bit of sag to any additional weight on the waist.

 

[sarhog]

I was looking at shoulder rigs but $$$ and I have heard they are not that comfortable.

I have seen very inexpensive shoulder holsters.
I have seen very comfortable shoulder holsters.
I have not seen any that were both.:yup:
Good luck. :smile:

 

[64zebra]

This sounds to me like a good situation for the SmartCarry.
Now before I get bashed by the people that say its slow to draw, etc
I have one myself and use it on occasion when dress is deciding what I can carry. I don't use it all the time but IMO this tux situation is perfect for SmartCarry:
-tux will cover it with NO chance of printing;
-you'll have a G23 with a spare mag, can carry a spare mag in the jacket or pocket; when I use my smartcarry its with a full size HK USP .45 with no problem
-it won't be on your shoulders the whole time, your neck/arms will get uncomfortable pretty quick during that time I would think, I know I was at my wedding and I wasn't packing;
-you WILL be hugged numerous times by family/friends, a gun on the belt or in shoulder rig would be hard to keep from being discovered, etc, smartcarry eliminates this issue, I for one would not want to be worrying about this all day or having to explain to everyone I hugged what it is, etc, or have to keep remembering to hug a certain way to keep them from hugging the weapon

just my $.02

 

[Obiwan]

Pocket holster. This is the same concern that businessmen who wear suits have. KT P11 in the side pocket.

 

[Team American]

...Does anyone have any reccomendations on carrying in a tux...

Do tuxes still come with a sash? (maybe they're called cumberbunds?) :image035:

 

[packinnova]

Bug on ankle

I normally go 1911 iwb or 1911 in a shoulder holster if Im wearing a suit. However, I just went with a bug on my ankle this past weekend in my sister's wedding. My reasoning was due to necessity. They wanted some of the photos with the groomsmen with jackets off!:embarassed: Kinda defeats that whole concealed part if you're wearing a shoulder holster under a jacket and have to remove it.

 

[havegunjoe]

I've got a little two shot 9mm derringer I carry in a pocket holster from time to time. Not meant for an all out gunfight but great for a situation like this to afford you at least some protection.

 

[SIGguy229]

Just had this same situation this last weekend--long story short, I went with my P229/.40S&W in an ankle holster (not my ideal ankle weapon)

I was able to conceal easily in a black tux, especially at night...otherwise, my other option would be a shoulder holster (if I wasn't going to take off my tux jacket)

Mike in VA

 

[smorgan]

Galco

Galco Executive Shoulder Holster. Spendy, but pretty comfy with a collared shirt. I have one that matches perfectly with my stainless PPK.

Bond....James Bond.....

Otherwise, I would do an ankle holster for concealability in your particular situation.

 

[97Octane]

Note that if you are the best man... and you pack... you will likely have to miss out on all the drinking after the wedding.

Do you really feel the need to pack throughout the wedding? If your brother is tied to the mafia, then everyone should strap, but I'd leave the pistola in the car for a few hours, loosen up and hoist a few pints and have some cake. Enjoy the fun... you wouldnt want to hear the clang of metal hitting and sliding across the floor while you and all the old people are out doing the chicken dance. You would likely attend a wedding a funeral all in the same week after some old foggie has a coronary.

I'm sure someone can find an article where some BG's held up folks at a wedding, but I bet its safe to assume that the odds of your personal safety are in your favor for a few hours.

In Texas, you cannot carry with ANY consumption of booze... I'd rather drink and have fun at a wedding, than go out of my way with custom fitting a Tux etc... and miss out on some fun just because I wanted to pack. Thats me obviously, but seriously consider your need to carry during your brothers wedding, vs. your want. I'd be willing to bet that even Wayatt Earp took off his irons every once in a while in order to do some serious boot scootin.

 

[dimmak]

just use a clip on IWB....
They work fine for a tux...
or an ankle holster if you'll be removing the jacket....

 

[packinnova]

Only one word, or maybe 3 or 4

Note that if you are the best man... and you pack... you will likely have to miss out on all the drinking after the wedding.

Do you really feel the need to pack throughout the wedding? If your brother is tied to the mafia, then everyone should strap, but I'd leave the pistola in the car for a few hours, loosen up and hoist a few pints and have some cake. Enjoy the fun... you wouldnt want to hear the clang of metal hitting and sliding across the floor while you and all the old people are out doing the chicken dance. You would likely attend a wedding a funeral all in the same week after some old foggie has a coronary.

I'm sure someone can find an article where some BG's held up folks at a wedding, but I bet its safe to assume that the odds of your personal safety are in your favor for a few hours.

In Texas, you cannot carry with ANY consumption of booze... I'd rather drink and have fun at a wedding, than go out of my way with custom fitting a Tux etc... and miss out on some fun just because I wanted to pack. Thats me obviously, but seriously consider your need to carry during your brothers wedding, vs. your want. I'd be willing to bet that even Wayatt Earp took off his irons every once in a while in order to do some serious boot scootin.

Complacency!:sheep:. What makes you think the scales of safety tip in your favor just because you're at a wedding? Missing a bit of logic there aren't we. Improbable, not impossible. Plus I don't gamble with odds. As for the booze, it's a non issue. If you can't get through life without having to weigh the odds between booze and guns...perhaps you may need to re-evaluate your priorities? - just my 2 cents

 

[Bluepit]

Are you sure

In Texas, you cannot carry with ANY consumption of booze... I'd rather drink and have fun at a wedding, than go out of my way with custom fitting a Tux etc... and miss out on some fun just because I wanted to pack. Thats me obviously, but seriously consider your need to carry during your brothers wedding, vs. your want. I'd be willing to bet that even Wayatt Earp took off his irons every once in a while in order to do some serious boot scootin.

Actually, the statute (Penal Code 46.035 section d) states "A license holder commits an offense if, while intoxicated, the license holder carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is concealed." I specifically asked my instructor, who is a police officer, what constitutes "intoxicated". He indicated that it was up to the arresting officer to decide if you appear to be intoxicated. There's no breathilizer required to determine that. Depending on the indivual involved, a drink (or maybe two if you're a large person) with your supper probably wouldn't render you "intoxicated".
The quote comes from the "Texas Concealed Handgun Laws and Selected Statutes" pamphlet issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
In the Q & A section of the pamphlet it says:
"Q: Can I carry a hadgun when I am drinking?
A: Under the concealed handgun law, it is illegal to carry a handgun if you are intoxicated. The best idea is to leave your weapon at home if you intend to consume any alcoholic beverages."

+1 packinnova

 

[97Octane]

I certainly didnt mean to step on anyones toes by my comments...

I am one of those CHL holders that realizes that I have lived 31 years on this planet without needing a weapon to defend my life with, however I do take greater comfort now that I can. Weapon carry is a right, and its each license holders right to carry 24/7 if they choose to, but I know when my surroundings warrant the protection of a handgun, and I carry in those environments very frequently. My point was that there is absolutely no way I would go out of my way to carry at a wedding when I can leave it in the car for a few short hours. I have many friends that I shoot IDPA with that live and breathe with their pistol. Thats their right, and that makes them happy and comfortable to do so, but I raise an eyebrow at them. Its more of a principle for them than a real safety issue.

If there is no alchol at the wedding, and/or you dont drink thats one thing... but I guarrantee you this, you would see me with a free beer in my hand sliding across the dance floor rather than carry at a my family's wedding. It is about priority... every person has their own.

Nothing is impossible.... but a lot of things are highly improbable.

 

[Bluepit]

Thanks

97, thanks for your input and I wear steel toed boots. Someone put it to me like this once and it really changed the way I think.

"Not carrying now that you are legal is like going home, canceling your home owners insurance, dropping your car insurance, leaving your doors open, not wearing your seat belt and leaving your spare tire at home because June happens to be your lucky month, it just doesn't make sense." Its not paranoid - its responsible. 25 yrs old and still haven't been in a car accident, think I'll drive home without my seat belt today. Be safe.

 

[nate1865]

I recommend clearing it with the groom / bride

Seriously - if you get "made" at a wedding, you could really hurt that relationship. And, getting made at a wedding is more likely with all the rubbing elbows, unfamiliar clothing, dancing and focus from the guests.

Its one thing when your're the guy in the back. It's quite another when you're front and center the whole night.