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Concealed Carry - the next level

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:45 pm
by Zero_G
I've been carrying for about a year now and have mainly carried my Glock 23 in a Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack or The Wilderness Safepacker. I tried the SmartCarry and just never got comfortable with it. On the rare occasion where I have to wear a sports jacket, I'd wear my Fobus paddle holster. I tried it with the Hawaiian shirt, but that just isn't my style.

This week, I moved up to the next level of concealed carry. I bought a C-T.A.C. at Top Gun here in Houston. I'm amazed at the comfort of this holster. I've been experimenting with wearing it with different shirts (my normal is khakis with a golf shirt) and have worn it to several establishments around the area. I'm still a bit paranoid about printing, though I realize that it's going to have to be pretty blatant before the sheeple will notice. As I experiment, how much should I worry about printing? Is that considered a lack of concealment? Are there any suggestions from the group on how to keep the butt of the pistol from making a distinct line on my shirt using the C-T.A.C as a tuckable (I don't like to have my shirt untucked)?

I'm looking forward to the collective wisdom and experience of the group.

Keith
Image

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 10:24 pm
by stevie_d_64
Printing has always been one of those concerns we have all dealt with in the beginning...

Someone will post the statute here soon...

But if its concealed, and a reasonably effort has been made to maintain that concealment...

I wouldn't sweat it that much...

Re: Concealed Carry - the next level

Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:37 am
by Fosforos
Zero_G wrote: Are there any suggestions from the group on how to keep the butt of the pistol from making a distinct line on my shirt using the C-T.A.C as a tuckable (I don't like to have my shirt untucked)?
The main thing that helps with the printing with a tucked shirt is to blouse the shirt some.
I tuck my shirt like normal with the c-tac, then pull up on the shirt so that it isn't tucked in tight.

If you haven't already, you can swap the tabs on the c-tac around and make it ride lower in your pants that way. That leaves less of the pistol butt to print.

Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:51 am
by Crossfire
I love my C-TAC, but I don't tuck in my shirts, except for the undershirt.

Don't worry about printing a little. Unless you wear your shirt tucked in so tight that you can make out the exact outline of the gun, (like someone could look at at you and say "hey, look at that! He has a Glock 23!") then you are fine.

Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 1:44 pm
by Skiprr
And fabric choice (all items just MHO):
  • Thin fabric tends to print more; thick fabric tends to print less. (In the wintertime, lined flannel is virtually "printless".)
  • Fitted shirts tend to print more; loose shirts tend to print less.
  • Rayon, nylon, and silk blends cling as they drape and tend to print more (can you imagine if we were back in the disco era trying to conceal under tight, chiana shirts?); absorbent fibers like cotton and wool tend to print less (a caveat is that some rayon/polyester blends are woven thick, for winter wear and don't print easily).
  • Simple, geometric patterns like vertical lines tend to print more; complex patterns tend to print less.
  • Light colors tend to print more; dark colors tend to print less (contrast between light and shadow isn't as evident).
And welcome aboard! :grin:

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:26 am
by Zero_G
It really doesn't bother me too much, but CompTac must have had several complaints as they now offer a leather-backed version very similar to The Answer, but at about half the price (even less expensive than the C-T.A.C).

http://www.comp-tac.com/catalog/product ... a9ff7675d4

Mine's on order.

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 2:35 pm
by TX_TLC
Zero_G wrote:It really doesn't bother me too much, but CompTac must have had several complaints as they now offer a leather-backed version very similar to The Answer, but at about half the price (even less expensive than the C-T.A.C).

http://www.comp-tac.com/catalog/product ... a9ff7675d4

Mine's on order.
Very interesting. The interchangeable kydex is an interesting point but to provide this they have to have bulkier nut-serts and screws instead of small smooth rivets. I searched and read a lot before buying any holster, and the result is one holster I wear everyday and have zero regrets. It is the Crossbread which is similar to the Answer also.

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 2:42 pm
by nuparadigm
TX_TLC wrote:.....the result is one holster I wear everyday and have zero regrets. It is the Crossbread which is similar to the Answer also.
Crossbreed Supertuck is the same for me.

I got my CrossBreed Holster on Saturday

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 3:27 pm
by Sprintcardriver
And it took awhile to get it the way I want it, but I was impressed with it right away. I got one to fit my 30, but I am looking at getting one for the Colt. Jury is still out, but it is looking real promising!

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 3:30 pm
by TX_TLC
nuparadigm wrote:
TX_TLC wrote:.....the result is one holster I wear everyday and have zero regrets. It is the Crossbread which is similar to the Answer also.
Crossbreed Supertuck is the same for me.
Should have specified I have a Supertuck also. I am just glad not to end up with the proverbial "drawer full of holsters" I head so much about.