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Best Concealed Carry Holster for Suit and Tie
I'd like to hear your thoughts.
I'd like to carry at least USPc .40. I'm thinking a CrossBreed SuperTuck IWB holster or Smartcarry holster. |
I used a Dave Workman tuckable leather custom IWB for a Sig 229 in the past. I think Milt Sparks made something similar. Dave also makes (made me) a pocket mag and cuff pouch that fits nicely in suit pants or slacks - soft leather, no outline and holds the mag secure while staying in pocket.
No experience with the newer stuff but I like what I see with Cross Breed and Alien Gear rigs. I tried a Kydex tuckable IWB but it was very uncomfortable. |
I carry a USP C .45 and I've tried an Alien IWB (tuckable) and found that IWB with the HK is uncomfortable as well as problematic with clothing fit and finish.
Galco OWB is my current carry and is still covered by a suit jacket. |
I'm partial to the Comptac Minotaur. I've used it daily for ~4 years. I like that it's tuckable for when you need deeper concealment.
It has more clip options than the Supertuck. |
Another way I go about this depends on what occasion I'm dressing for. If I can get away with wearing a sportcoat/slack/tie combination, I have purchased some tweed hunting coats from Orvis. They are much more roomy than your standard sportcoat or suit jacket. They also have "billow" pockets, which are ostensibly designed to hold a pocketful of shotgun shells. These pockets hold a pocket pistol rather well. Also, as the coat is cut more for hunting than style, it grants more room around the waist. Obviously, tweed is more of a cool-weather material.
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TS,
Look at N82 - not one of the big boy holster manufacturing companies - I have Crossbreed also - but the N82 professional holster at link below - for comfort and ease of on-and-off - might be worth a look. I have used one almost daily for years. Just another .02 centavos. https://www.n82tactical.com/comfort-zone |
When I was working in the embassy, for travel to and from we were carrying Alien Gear IWB cloak tuck 3.0 with our P226's great on comfort, only recommendation I have is to change the clips out in favor of ones that are full capture.
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I have been using a SafariLand paddle rig for my Glock 17 for over a decade now. It carries rather high, but with some work at the range it is not the problem it might seem to be. For coat and tie wear, it CCW very well. I have both the spring held rapid draw, and one with a snap over to hold help hold the weapon in place. I used the snap over for about a year, but have used the open top, spring held one much more often.
The only problem the high carry has is when I am driving. With a seatbelt on, and having to reach so high, it is a problem. On long drives, and even short ones now, I move the rig to my left hip. This gives easy access while driving. Before I get out of my vehicle, it is easy to slip it over the right hip. |
I'm in the same boat, Team Sergeant. Still lookin'.
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IWB Carry Holsters
TS,
First thing I want to say is the SmartCarry type holster will have you adjusting all day long, as the "holster" does not hold the pistol securly. This is common with many similair holsters and especially these that use only the tension of their own belt to secure the weapon in one position. Now I did watch the videos and did some checking, but based on my experience, I personally have had bad results with such holsters. If you have to keep adjusting the weapon in the holster, then carrying concealed is compromised. I wear a suit and tie most days, or go without the full suit maybe one day a week. I have been using the Galco SkyOps for the last several years. http://www.galcogunleather.com/skyop..._8_7_1279.html The reason I have used this is I don't find myself adjusting; it holds the pistol securly and doesn't ride up or down. The clips are small, yet extremly strong. I do find it best to run the belt through, but the clips can be worked over and under the leather belt. It does depend on how flexible the belt is, but a belt that is too flexible shouldn't be used to secure a holster. The holster is a butt forward design, which has the butt more in line vertically with the torso. This eliminates the butt sticking out and the glaring printing. This angle also helps with draw when worn between the three to five o'clock position. The clip system is secured to the holster near the bottom of the holster, so you can tuck your dress shirt in for maximum concealment. Only a small part of the plastic from the J hook is visible, and pretty much disappears on a back belt. For further concealment, I wear my cell phone carrier next to it, as it helps conceal the J hooks and draws the viewer's attention to the cellular phone carrier. Prior to this, I used a Kramer IWB with the FBI tilt for my SIG P220 or P226. Outstanding horsehide, the only issue I ran into was the loops could print against the the wool of a suit jacket. The pistol itself was tight against the body. If I could have the same type of J hooks that Galco uses installed, I'd still be using the Kramer. |
I am also looking.
My default is the SIG P938, it's small enough to fit in a jacket pocket or any of the several pouches & man bags I have. BUT,, I'm thinking I would like to move to my new SIG P220 carry. The 10rd mags are 10oz each. Does anyone use a shoulder holster?? |
I have the crossbreed AND the smartcarry to fit a Taurus PT145 Millennium Pro (.45) (hey, I'm cheap. What can I say?)
The Crossbreed isn't pretty but it is no-shit comfortable. The break in period for that cowhide to mold to you given how hot it is where you live would probably be measured in hours. The smart carry works just like in the video on the web site. 100% sweatproof and comfortable. it rides low on the hips so it doesn't feel heavy on the waist. Get it sized fror the largest pistol that you think you might want to carry in it, then use a large pin to shorten up the pocket if you want to carry a smaller one. No need to buy multiple. Unless someone is a pro about staring men in the junk, an observer would never know. My .380 disappears. I cold have running shorts and no shirt and you'd never know I was packing. I've actually run with my .380. I'm no track star so it worked fine. A .45 and jeans and a tucked in t-shirt? No problem. The butt of the pistol rides around the front of your hip bone so it's really not noticiable. |
I'm partial to my comp-tac holster... but that is for my puny kel-tec pf9.
I have a kramer leather holster for my Px4 that I like. Regardless, of your choice, talk to a seamstress about putting some protective material on the inside of your suit where your pistol will come into contact with it. Daily carry taught me many lessons, one of which is that sitting up and down repeatedly while wearing a pistol WILL cause it to wear through the material lining the inside of your suit if you don't take precautions. |
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The inside of your trousers were you carry, and especially the suit jacket lining. Suit jacket linings are very thin and once a small hole appears, it will grow and swallow the pistol grip. If you will be carrying in a suit daily, also have the belt loops reinforced and a better stitch where they are sewn to the trousers. There will be one time you bend over, turn, or somthing, and the belt loop will pop. |
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