deep cover summer carry?

[dustoff]

This is a general firearms question but since it involves carry I thought it would be more appropriate here. Sugestions for a CCW when all you are willing to wear is shorts and a short t-shirt. I have mostly service size handguns, 92FS, G22, S&W686, ect. all of which conceal easly under my large winter coat, however as I transition to summer clothes and thin light fabrics I may be out of luck. I haven't carried in the summer for over 2 and a half years, at that time I was using a G26, which was a bit thick for what I now require and have permission to now carry again, so I am asking for advise concerning the better tools for the purpose. What I need is simple, the smaller and slimmer the better. I don't really want to go below .32 and would rather have a .380 but I want to be realistic concerning my requirements. I've heard that North American, Kel Tec, and Beretta all make fine .32s for the said purpose. I don't have any expertise in the small autos and seeking your experienced advise. Thanks again in advance.

-Dust

[TreeDoc]

You need "Thunderwear" with pleated shorts. If you have an ample frame you could easily sport a 1911.

[gregarat]

What about a .38 hammerless snubby, or a Walther?

Having a proper fiting pocket, or ITW holster makes a huge difference.

[Jack]

I use a Charter Arms Bulldog in the summer (snubby revolver) in an inside the waistband holster. The holster I use lets you tuck a shirt into your pants over the gun- not the fastest set up, but pretty good concealment.
I can't hide a 1911 that way in the summer...

[dustoff]

I guess my frame is "semi-ample", I'm around 6'2" 1/2, 225lbs. (no "hey yer fat" jokes or anything :P ) and I usually wear jean or close fitting slack type shorts when I wear them and a button up poly/blend type shirt. If I wanted to go a little baggier I might like the thunderwear, but I've never tried it before, I have used pocket holsters with alot of success in the past and do feel comfortable with them. I looked at a PPK once, is it considerably thinner that the G-26? I can't remember the details exactly. . .

[gregarat]

Heck yeah its thinner than a Block. I got a PPK myself for the summer.
If the price is right, and its in good enough shape I may get a used snubby. .38 is better than a .380 after all.

[HuntinDoc]

1. You may need to adjust your wardrobe to accomidate carry. Primarily pleated looser fitting shorts. I like also squared bottom loose fitting shirts, either aloha style or camp style. Patterns work well to break up the outline if you print.

2. If ultimately comfort and total concealment is your goal I would look for a pocket gun. Mine is a Taurus ti .38 snub with CT lazer grips. I carry it in a wild bills pocket holster but Uncle Mikes makes a good, cheap pocket holster as well. Other good ones would be a Kel-tec, Walther ect. 380 is the minimum caliber I would carry except as a back up.

3. If going into the city I always carry a 1911 in a milt sparks versa max. I prefer my full size but frequently carry a kimber pro tac II because of the lighter wt. The versa max holster can be used as a traditional IWB or as a tuckable.

Sounds like we have about the same body build. Temps down here get very uncomfortable during the summer too. If I can pull this off so can you. By the way, as long as the gun is not constantly printing or becoming exposed you are probably OK. Most people wouldn't recognize a gun printing if it bit them on the butt.

[gregarat]

either aloha style or camp style. Patterns work well to break up the outline if you print. So that explaines Magnum P.I.'s wardrobe:D ;)

[dustoff]

An image of a "big moustashed" Magnum PI came to mind, although I've seen him mexican carry (no holster) that big 1911 in the small of his back on more than one occasion and go sliding into that sports car like it wasn't there, I guess when your Magnum P.I. you can do that though :)

Milt Sparks makes no less than fantastic holsters. My brother has the 55BN for his Kimber, upon inspection of that piece I quickly called them to work one up for my G22, it's on the way. With a long hem shirt of good thickness or a coat it's never been any problem to cover a pretty thick gun. I still want something that can go where my beretta and my 686 fear to tread, into broad daylight . . .

Beals in Flordia seem to cary many oversized aloha shirts, I'm seriously considering having my mom parcel a few up here before they come back up for the spring.

[VinVega]

I second the notion for Thunderwear. One good thing about it is if you get the I think it's called "Government" model, you can put just about anything in there that you want to. A large frame gun all the way down to a compact will be easilly accessible. If that's not an option, then a pocket gun works well, too.

[Leadbutt]

For summer wear, look into picking up one of the Khars ,, like the Pm9, its no bigger then a PPK/S,,, fore get the Thunder wear, go with the newer styled cargo shorts, or have the ones you like modified in the pockets, change them to a deeper / wider and heavier cloth, and then go with a good pocket holster, leather or Kydex leaves Uncle Mike's alone, or look to Tex Shoemaker or FIST for their deep cover holster that velcors to the pant waist.

["yote"]

My American arms stainless derringer in .44 special loaded with
CCI 200gr Gold-Dot HP's works for me.

[JimBob]

I can’t think of the name of the holster, but it looks like a fanny pack. You can’t tell the difference and one pull of a strap and the front of the fanny pack is open to access your gun. Works good with most small revolvers and semi auto’s. Then there is the pager pal.

[gregarat]

Magmum P.I is cool, but I draw the line with wearing a fanny pack!!!

Wearing vests or a fanny pack screames IM PACKING!!!, or it might scream something worse:eek: .

Durring a 80f day awhile ago "Thunderwear" came to mind. I duno if I want all that extra "packaging" during a 98F+ day, if you catch my drift.

[gold40]

A KEL-TEC .32 in an Uncle Mike pocket holster (#1) is my summer carry. It is easily concealed in most front pants pockets. The .32 isn't a cannon, but 7 of them is enough for most situations that I'm likely to encounter (non-LEO).

[MarkL]

Thunderwear with a S&W 3913 (compact 8+1 single-stack double action 9mm alloy with a bobbed hammer and decocker safety, which should be left off).

I disagree with getting a large thunderwear holster for a small gun. Too much of the grip will be swallowed by the holster. Decide on the gun, then tell the thunderwear people what gun you will carry.

I'm 6 feet tall and weigh 180 pounds. A couple of years ago, I only weighed 165. Can't conceal a 1911 and wouldn't want to put a cocked single action in that spot anyway.

[8X56MS]

If the weather is really hot, and I want to be comfy at the mall, then its baggy shorts, tee shirt worn out, and a J frame Smith tucked into a Andrews Leather pocket holster.
In Miami, its hot and humid almost all year. With the right clothes, you can conceal almost anything. I often wear jeans, or Dockers, a solid color Tee shirt tucked in, and a button up shirt worn out. Even an N frame Smith, or a full size 1911 just dissappears.

[Mickey Rat]

Kel-Tec is the way to go. I have both the 32 and the 380. I bought the 32 first and the 380 when they first came out. I went to Kel-Tec's site and bought the belt clips for both.

I wear a tee shirt and tee pants most days for work. I have found that the clip allows me to put the gun behind my right hip bone. That position doesn't print and will allow a quick draw. The 380 may not be the bigggest or the best, but it weighs 7.1 ounces empty.

RULE NUMBER ONE OF GUNFIGHTING: Have a gun.

The light weight Kel-Tec's (I have the 9 mm version, also with a belt clip) are great for everyday carry. They also offer a neck lanyard.