"printing" of your concealed gun

[The Annoyed Man]

The main thing is, don't spend a lot of time worrying about printing. Strap it on, cover it up, forget about it. Unless they can read the rollmarks on the slide through your shirt, there's no way for anybody to know what is under your shirt. But beyond that, truthfully, most non-CHLers simply aren't that observant, and they are not likely to even notice a bulge under your shirt. Also, this is Texas. Even someone observant enough to notice a bulge and wonder what it is, isn't likely to get upset over it if they suspect a gun. After all, the only stories we hear are about the occasional but rare person who suspects something and freaks out. We never hear about the probably far larger number of people who notice a bulge, and then mind their own business.

[jmra]

I think the law may have been written in this manner to prevent the possibility of the issues that I have read about in other states. It seems like a while back I read about one state that the state supreme court ruled that the way the law defined concealed the gun only needed to be partially covered. So a gun in a holster worn on the hip where the holster and gun handle were exposed was still considered concealed. Of course this was not the intent of the law as passed.

I have my FIL's WWII Army issue 1911 and holster. The holster has a flap that completely conceals the 1911. If I were to wear this setup no part of the weapon would be visible but I think that most reasonable people would assume that I was indeed armed. I think the objective was to prevent this type of controversy.

[i8godzilla]

Most folks (outside of Austin ) do not go around looking. Those that may notice the bulge do not come from the mindset that it is a gun. Even if they do, I bet, most do not care. I had an incident at the Gaylord in Grapevine. The valet saw my shirt over the hand grip and just gave it a chuckle. With the wind we have been having lately recently my shirt blew up and left my pistol exposed while waiting at a Redbox. There must have been 5-6 people standing around that I was interacting with while waiting my turn. No one noticed; my wife got out of the truck and causally fixed my shirt. I believe one guy noticed her but did not indicate he saw or cared.

Now if I were in Austin, Houston, or Dallas..................

[sugar land dave]

I think the law may have been written in this manner to prevent the possibility of the issues that I have read about in other states. It seems like a while back I read about one state that the state supreme court ruled that the way the law defined concealed the gun only needed to be partially covered. So a gun in a holster worn on the hip where the holster and gun handle were exposed was still considered concealed. Of course this was not the intent of the law as passed.

I have my FIL's WWII Army issue 1911 and holster. The holster has a flap that completely conceals the 1911. If I were to wear this setup no part of the weapon would be visible but I think that most reasonable people would assume that I was indeed armed. I think the objective was to prevent this type of controversy.

That's an interesting cell phone pouch you have there. Or do you carry a personal organizer in there? Perhaps one of the new-fangled cellphone/pad computer hybrids?

[mreavis]

I personally don't worry about printing all that much. Now for my holster (crossbreed) and full size 9mm to be the most comfortable, I usually have it flat up against my back right hip. This causes almost no printing because crossbreed makes a great holster (imo). But if and when I don't not use the holster I can end up printing some as I carry a full size and I am a fairly slim guy. Doesn't bother me personally though. I figure other people familiar with carrying or LEO's might be able to guess what it is. That is fine with me though. I am one of the people that would open carry at times if it were legal. I guess I just want to try and be part of everyone getting over the "big bad scary gun" idea. Good luck with that right?

[JJVP]

I think the law may have been written in this manner to prevent the possibility of the issues that I have read about in other states. It seems like a while back I read about one state that the state supreme court ruled that the way the law defined concealed the gun only needed to be partially covered. So a gun in a holster worn on the hip where the holster and gun handle were exposed was still considered concealed. Of course this was not the intent of the law as passed.

I have my FIL's WWII Army issue 1911 and holster. The holster has a flap that completely conceals the 1911. If I were to wear this setup no part of the weapon would be visible but I think that most reasonable people would assume that I was indeed armed. I think the objective was to prevent this type of controversy.

That's an interesting cell phone pouch you have there. Or do you carry a personal organizer in there? Perhaps one of the new-fangled cellphone/pad computer hybrids?

Just tell them is your PDA (Personal Defense Assistant) or tell them is your colonoscopy bag and ask if they want to see it.

[RPB]

I don't look for bulges ... I look for Hawaiian shirts .... still nothing illegal about clothing choices or seeing plastic clips on a belt with crosses on them (crossbreed holsters)

[tanker1983]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[TexasGal]

Ordinarily, people don't spend time examining you that closely. I recently gave a brief talk to a group of students in a gun class. Afterwards, their instructor asked them if anyone noticed I was carrying. the snap of the heads in my direction with looks of surprise was proof of that. A few were able to then discern a slight bulge on my right side. A long enough shirt with a pattern and a good holster is all you need and the law allows the bulge as long as it does not look like an outline any kid could see was a gun.

[joelamosobadiah]

I don't wear many t-shirts because of this. I tend to weary shirts on the small side (not skin tight, but more snug) rathe than larger. The cut of a t-shirt makes it print a lot even with my XD8sc. It's enough I feel like it's pretty obvious what it is. I wear a lot of polos and untucked button-down shirts with sleeves rolled up in the summer. This is my first summer carrying and I suspect I might be buying a few larger t-shirts soon. The 105 degree weather and gaining a couple pounds aroun my waist don't help the situation at all either.

[snatchel]

I print/bulge with G26/36 iwb with a theiss hybrid holster in most of my clothes. I also wear more of the form fitting t-shirts and whatnot, so it's basically unavoidable. I basically refuse to change the way I dress because I want to carry-- so there it is. Most would not know what was under my shirt, but I'm sure a few do. I go about my business and dont mess with anyone, and I get by just fine.

[LSUTiger]

I wear a Comptac M-TAC IWB with a XD45 w/Pierce grip extensions on the 10rd magazine. The 13rd prints to much for my comfort. I wear an oversized t-shirt and printing is none. I have had occasions when the wind blew my shirt up or I was other wise exposed. I have gotten a few surprised looks but and wonder why then I checked to make sure I am not displaying. Just act natural dont freak out, they must either dont care or assume im an undercover LEO but i never had any problems. Just act like you are supposed to be carrying (which you are) just that its not a problem. If you freak so will onlookers just brush it off act natural and keep moving if possible (just in case).

I periodically check myself when getting out of my vehicle and after bending over to pick something up, like the kids. Just watch how you do certain things and dont move to fast if you dont have to. Try to sit with your carry side against the wall when at restaurants and just use common sense to minimize the risk of accidental exposure. It will become 2nd nature after awhile.

[Dragonfighter]

I don't look for bulges ... I look for Hawaiian shirts .... still nothing illegal about clothing choices or seeing plastic clips on a belt with crosses on them (crossbreed holsters)

Walmart, February 2011 at 11:00 p.m and approximately 45 degrees. 50ish, portly man and his wife walk out. He is wearing only a Hawaiian shirt, no coat and head on a swivel. Draw your own conclusions. I just smiled and nodded,

[TexasGal]

Whatever holster you choose. Spend some time wearing it around the house doing chores that require bending, stooping, etc, to be sure your gun is secure. That it can not and will not work it's way out of your holster or the holster off your belt. Exposing a gun can happen that way rather than just the shirt riding up or printing the gun. Consider that the voice of experience