For newbies worrying about concealment

[Oldgringo]

Who does your legs?

[USA1]

Who does your legs?

[quidni]

We'll see what I can work up in a month or two. I imagine it will be a little different for me, I'm only 145 lbs. Guess I better start working out more

I'm 5'2", weigh a little bit less than you (and no, I'm not telling how much ), and routinely carry a SIG P250 in 9mm or a Colt Commander in .45 (definitely not pocket pistols) in an OWB pancake-style holster. On my belt, not in my purse, thank you very much!

If I can do it without dressing like a sack of potatoes, then anyone can. You just have to play with it until you find a holster and carry method that works best for you, not what works for "most" people. It took me a couple years to figure out my "ideal" carry method.

Thanks to the OP for the pic to start the discussion!

[C-dub]

I probably need a OWB paddle holster now so I can easily remove it at work (federal building ).

Are you sure the parking lot is okay? If it is also federal property, then you can't even bring it there. I'm assuming you're talking about removing it and leaving it in the vehicle while inside.

[Kythas]

One rule I follow when buying clothes, and one piece of advice I pass to CHL noobs, is what I call the "Normal Dress Rule", which is this:

Is this something I'd normally wear if I weren't carrying a weapon?

If the answer is yes, I'll buy the clothing article. But if I'm only looking at the clothing item as far as concealment of the weapon is concerned, but it's not something I would wear if not carrying, I put it back on the rack.

Really, the only concession I've made regarding carrying a weapon is the size of my pants and my belt. I finally broke down and paid $60 for a reinforced belt after burning through the regular $20 belts at the rate of about 3-4 per year.

[USA1]

Really, the only concession I've made regarding carrying a weapon is the size of my pants and my belt. I finally broke down and paid $60 for a reinforced belt after burning through the regular $20 belts at the rate of about 3-4 per year.

I finally broke down and picked up a 5.11 leather belt .
What a difference! Everyone here said invest in a good gun belt and they were right .

[Drewthetexan]

We'll see what I can work up in a month or two. I imagine it will be a little different for me, I'm only 145 lbs. Guess I better start working out more

You'd be surprised what you can conceal. I'm 5'8", 150lbs and have no issues with a full size M&P in an IWB.

[chabouk]

I probably need a OWB paddle holster now so I can easily remove it at work (federal building ).

Are you sure the parking lot is okay? If it is also federal property, then you can't even bring it there. I'm assuming you're talking about removing it and leaving it in the vehicle while inside.

The law that restricts carry in "federal facilities" (their term) is 18 USC 930, and it defines "federal facilities" as "buildings or portions of buildings where federal employees regularly perform work".

Parking lots are not included in that law.

[InfoTechCHL2007]

Great post. When I started carrying in 2007, I was really concerned about printing, weapon-shaped bulges, and etc. After a while, I realized no one is really looking that closely, and they likely don't care anyway. I tend to dress "around the weapon", but even that is pretty easy...even in the summer with a Glock 30.

[karl]

You'd be surprised what you can conceal. I'm 5'8", 150lbs and have no issues with a full size M&P in an IWB.

What kind of holster do you use?

[Drewthetexan]

You'd be surprised what you can conceal. I'm 5'8", 150lbs and have no issues with a full size M&P in an IWB.

What kind of holster do you use?

I've been running around with an el-cheapo nylon holster, but finally got around to ordering this, and should get it soon.

General mode of concealment has been at 4 o'clock with an untucked undershirt and another untucked button-up, usually not buttoned. I haven't been carrying at work during the week because I'm still a student (6 weeks to go!) so I haven't been tucking in a dress shirt just yet (haven't had a holster for that either). I'm more worried about the pants part than the shirt. I can blouse the shirt, but I expect I'll have to get bigger slacks that don't show such a bulge at the waist. I'm not worried a bit about it; we are programmed to see what we are actively looking for and we automatically dismiss all other information that is irrelevant. [Normal] people just don't go around looking for gun shaped bulges in other people's clothing.

[USA1]

[Normal] people just don't go around looking for gun shaped bulges in other people's clothing.

I guess that makes me abnormal .

[Drewthetexan]

[Normal] people just don't go around looking for gun shaped bulges in other people's clothing.

I guess that makes me abnormal .

Me too. IIt's kind of like an easter egg hunt for CHL's.

[MadMonkey]

Hate to bump a week-old thread, but THANK YOU for this pic. Based mainly on this thread and a couple of other reviews, I think the Supertuck is what I'll be going with when I get back from vacation over the next couple of weeks. I'll be carrying a new Beretta PX4 soon... hopefully it won't have the magazine release problem I've seen a couple of comments on.

Again, thanks. I tend to get myself into some strange positions and I'm always worried about my 96D showing in my hip holster