Defensive Concepts
A Concealed Carry Primer
It's early July. Once again I've had to hear from people that should know better "I
can't carry a pistol off duty 'cause I can't hide it." Horse pucky, nonsense, urban myth!
The theory that these people ascribe to is that since the weather is warm and you can't
wear a coat or sweatshirt you can't carry a handgun concealed. These are the same folks
that know I carry a full size pistol regularly year 'round. If you follow a few basic
guidelines and think things through carrying a full sized handgun is not difficult and it
will not be seen. I am, again, going to go on the presumption that you have your legal
ducks in a row and can carry concealed in your area, either on your badge or with a CCW
permit.
When you carry a concealed weapon you have to think of it as a system. Everything
must work together to achieve the goal, concealing a defensive weapon from prying eyes.
The parts of the system include the weapon, holster, clothing, and belt . We also need to
consider how you move and, as important, how not to move when armed. Let's begin.
Weapons
The weapon itself is probably the least critical component to the concealment system.
You can, discounting some of the behemoths out there like the Desert Eagle, N frame
Smiths with long barrels and other crew served weapons, effectively hide most handguns
on your person. The factor that comes into play most is the size of the grip with both
pistols and revolvers. Larger grips on revolvers, like an N framed Smith or longer grips
on pistols like a Glock 17 require some extra care. Over the years I have carried a Glock
17, Browning High Power, Combat Commander and a P7 along with some smaller guns.
The point is, I have had no problems carrying concealed under anything more than an
untucked t-shirt. Obviously, a smaller gun should be easier to conceal than a larger one.
However, if you don't do things right you'll get spotted carrying that Beretta .25 while
someone else can hide a 1911 and never raise an eyebrow.
Clothing
When carrying concealed you do have to pay more attention to your wardrobe.
Adjustments in what you wear, how you wear it and the sizes you buy have to be made.
First, pay attention to the material your shirts are made from. The material needs to be a
heavier weight cloth and something that does not cling. You also want to have a full cut
shirt, not one with a tapered fit. This way the shirt will drape over the gun instead of
framing it for all to see. Color is something else to consider. Stay away from bright colors
and white. Dark guns can show through a thin white shirt and bright colors stand out. The
idea is to be unnoticed. If people tend not to give you a second glance they are less likely
to spot anything you may be carrying. Get in the habit of wearing an undershirt. It won't
save the gun from your perspiration on a hot day. It will keep the piece from sticking to
your skin during a draw. It also tends to be a bit more comfortable. Start buying your
pants at least one size bigger in the waist than you need. The most effective method of
concealed carry is an inside the waist band holster. Buying your pants a bit bigger will
allow room for your pistol, holster and a reload or two. Look at the belt loops on your
pants. You need a good belt, at least one inch wide to support the weight of the gun.
Some tailoring to widen the belt loops may be in order. Many holster manufacturers
make good solid belts that will hold the weight of the pistol and spare mags and not shout
GUNBELT to the world. I have two from Horseshoe Leather in England that I've used for
about 20 years. They need a little touch up with leather dye from time to time but they are
still going strong.
Before we move on there is one piece of clothing out there that is touted in the gun
magzines, the photographer's vest. It does hide just about anything you want to carry. The
only thing is that unless you've got a camera slung around your neck you tend to stand
out. It may be different where you live but in my neck of the woods it shouts GUNMAN.
As I said earlier, you want to blend in as much as possible. Learn to be grey.
Holsters
Through the years I've experimented with all types of holsters. Shoulder rigs, ankle
rigs, you name it, I've probably got one in my holster collection. The design I keep
coming back to is the inside the waistband, strong side holster. This design hides the bulk
of the gun in your pants. Strong side holsters also help hide the gun in the hollow formed
near your kidney. Most importantly, from a combative point of view, is commonality of
training. Most people that go through a shooting school are trained to present their pistol
from a strong side holster. Suddenly changing where you carry your primary handgun is
an invitation to disaster when the brown stuff hits the oscillating unit.
When it comes to buying a holster and belt don't be cheap. I know guys that will
spend hundreds or even a thousand plus dollars on a handgun and then stick it in a nylon
one size fits all piece of crap holster that cost $19.95 or worse, one of those suede
pouches with a cheap clip that comes out with the gun when you try to draw. The time
proven Summer Special by Milt Sparks is the IWB rig I've used the most. I would
recommend it without question. Another IWB rig that looks good and I'm currently
evaluating is the C-TAC from Comp-Tac Holsters. The unique thing about this holster is
that you can tuck your shirt in over the gun if you choose. Initially, I am favorably
impressed. I'll be writing a review in the near future.
Will a good rig set you back a few dollars, Yes it will, but the gun will be there when
you need it. There is nothing worse than having your pistol du jour slide down your pant
leg or work it's way out of a Mexican carry and get left in a restaurant booth.
There are some out there who choose not use an IWB rig. If you are one of these folks
most of what I've said applies. You are going to have to pay more attention to the length
of your shirt or jacket so that it covers the barrel. It is not good to see someone walking
around with a waist length jacket on, thinking it will conceal a pistol in a slide style
holster. Nothing like seeing a front sight sticking out under that hem line.
Finally, good holsters will last. I have a Summer Special that has lasted for 15 years
and is still serviceable today. That my friends is quality. So, break out your Christmas
money and be prepared to spend a hundred dollars or so for a good rig. Remember this is
life saving equipment we're talking about. What's yours worth?
The other types and styles of holsters be they cross draws, shoulder rigs, ankle
holsters, etc., I, generally, reserve for carrying a second weapon. The only holster design
that I don't recommend is the small or middle of the back rigs. The problem with these is
if you fall and land on it you could be looking at a serious spinal cord injury. I don't
believe it's worth that risk when there are other alternatives.
Body Movements
The last piece of the system consists of some do's and don'ts of movement. You can
have the best holster and belt, perfectly draped clothing but if you bend over to pick up
the car keys you dropped you'll probably give yourself away. Get used to the idea of
having to squat down to pick things up. Another thing to learn is elbow shielding. Use
your elbow to screen people's view of where the weapon is concealed. One of the most
common mistakes new CCW carriers make is checking for the gun. You want to make
sure it hasn't sprouted wings and left you. If you have to check to make sure it's still there
try this. Stretch your shoulders back and expand your chest as you keep your elbows low,
like your getting a kink out of your chest or back. Use your elbow to feel for the butt of
the gun. The second way is put both hands on your back below your belt line and stretch
as if your back is sore, be sure not to pull the shirt tight or you'll give it away.
Another big do is clearing your clothing when you drive. What I mean is, since the
several states have pretty much knuckled under to the Federal government concerning
mandatory seat belt laws, most of us wear a seatbelt when we drive. If you do not clear
the article of clothing from the seatbelt after you fasten it good luck trying to draw your
handgun when it's needed. (Spike's Note: before some of you get in a lather and send me
emails about the need for seat belts let me assure you that I understand their lifesaving
properties. However, I'm an adult and don't like to be told I have to do something by
some bureaucrat with a bad combover.)
Two other areas are seating arrangements and public restrooms. If you are carrying in
a strong side hip holster, you don't want to be slouched on a bar stool with your back to
the room. Booths or seats against a wall are where you want to be. Come to think of it,
having your back to the room is bad whether you're carrying or not.
Public restrooms have always been a problem. When I was a youngster my daddy
taught me that if I really wanted to blindside someone wait 'til they're facing that tile wall
with their gun hand occupied. Try to use the corner urinal so you've got at least one side
covered. This also cuts an assailants angles of approach. If you have to use a stall, take
your handgun and put it in the area formed by the seat of your pants when you drop trou'.
This will keep the weapon ready at hand and also hidden. Doing this does take some
getting used to, so as paranoid as it sounds, practice it at home, preferably with an
unloaded gun until you're dexterity is improved.
The principles I've outlined apply to all methods of concealed carry. Choose your
weapon, select your clothing appropriately and buy quality gear to support it. Learn to
move correctly and you can hide almost anything.
I have not covered weapon presentation from concealment. That is an article in itself.
I'd like to thank those that have taught me the things I've passed on to you. Some, like
John Farnam, are familiar names. The rest are old time street cops and street fighters that
took the time to try to show me how to stay in one piece. I'm indebted to all of you Stay
safe.
