Mr Bane, How and when did you become a authority on all things concealed carry?? I watch all of the show [I'm assuming THE BEST DEFENSE...mb] and up til now have been able to keep my mouth shut. Its obvious that you have NO idea how and why concealed carry options work. I live in [the Deep South] where the heat reaches over 110* degrees for months on end. On the latest show you said that a side holster would be the best option for beginners (OWB). Larger clothes would need to be bought. A vest is a good option. How stupid could you be.? Not only are your options ridiculous, their heat unfriendly and fashion unfriendly. Where and when did you become such a authority??? You need to sue your instructor and slap yourself for being so arrogant and ignorant. When is the last time you have seen someone in this heat wear a vest or wear a OWB holster with a light shirt???? Try bending over in a store with a OWB holster with a full or compact gun. You need to stop preaching your egotistical ideas and leave those to the experts.Fair questions, which I'm answering because he signed his name:
1) I lived in Florida where it was hot, hot, hot...much of my experience in carrying concealed weapons I learned in the miserable heat/humidity of the Sunshine State.
2) When I'm in Florida or the other blistering hot southern states, I routinely carry with an OWB holster (usually a Blade-tech) underneath a vest or a loose shirt. Does it conceal was well as an IWB? No. Does it provide adequate concealment in most situations? You bet. My standard wear in Florida is shorts, sandals, t-shirts and Duluth Trading summer weight vest with a J-frame on an OWB. Works for me and has since the 1980s. BTW, I learned this from my good friend Scott Smith back when he and I were running for USPSA President. I was staying at his house in western Pennsylvania and fretting about IWB carry...I noticed Scott, who had on shorts and a t-shirt, just clipped a Blade-tech on his Wilderness Tactical belt, threw on a vest and we went to dinner. Hmmmmmmm...I thinks....easy is better.
The correct way to wear a Hawaiian "concealed carry" shirt!!!
3) There are scores of Hawaiian-style shirts designed for concealed carry from Wilderness Tactical, EOTAC and others. Heck, I have logo'ed Hawaiian shirts from GUNSITE, for heaven's sake, I wear all summer with shorts and an OWB, and the only comment I've ever gotten was people asking where they could get one of the shirts.
4) Bending over in a store? One of the first things you learn when you start carrying concealed weapons is that there are some unconscious movements you have to unlearn...and bending over from the waist is one of them. Hooking your hands in the front of your jacket and pulling back...anything that makes the gun print through your clothes. Hey, sorry, you wanna CCW there are going to be some changes in the way you act.
5) I have said repeatedly that there are always off-body carry options, including the super good SafePacker from Wilderness Tactical (who has never given me one penny of ad money, BTW). Off-body comes with different challenges, which we'll get into in Season 3.
6) As far as fashion, dude, I can't help you there. As I've said repeatedly (and on TBD many times) everyone's situation is unique. If fashion is important to you, you're going to have to figure out how CCW works with what you're willing to wear. OC gets quite literally hundreds of requests from people who want to know where I buy my utterly tasteless Hawaiian/rodeo shirts...go figure...Hope that answers your questions.
Haz, stop harrasing Bane via email.... do it in the forum like the rest of us! :)
ReplyDeleteI ccw in FL, 365/year, in t-shirt, shorts, and POCKET CARRY a S/W 940 (9mm) j-frame snub. No problem. When its really cold and I can layer thicker/more shirts/coats (but still wearing shorts and sandals), I OWB carry my Sig P239 in a Galco, but that's only few days a year (just for fun).
ReplyDeleteI don't understand all this talk about OWB and IWB. Everyone knows a sub-compact in the front pocket is the ONLY way to carry concealed.
ReplyDeleteI live in Texas and have had few problems carrying a full size 1911 IWB and OWB. Like you said, you just need to buy your shirts a size larger or in tall. I also have a photographers vest I sometimes use too.
ReplyDeleteThis person apparently feels that they have to wear all of their clothing skin tight (which is a bad idea in hot weather).
All this consternation over keeping a piece concealed, makes me glad I live in an open carry state.
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteI note your "sic" after the individual's improper use of "...their heat unfriendly and.." instead of the correct "they're." But be careful about pointing fingers. In your reply that Scott Smith "...through on a vest and we went to dinner." No, he "threw" on a vest.
As far as the subject at hand is concerned, I lived in Florida for ten years and El Pason for another ten. Then I lived in the Atlanta area for twenty-two years, so I know about carying heat. While I don't always follow your suggestions, I certaintly do not find them dumb nor ridiculous. They are good options, and there are others as well.
ArmyO
Everybody knows the .38 J-frame goes in the pocket! ;-D
ReplyDeletegeeze.. just figure it out for yourself then Haz... Big boyz done whine... my favorite carry in Maine is a zippered fleese pocket with an LCR and pocket holster.. when in Rome....
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen the show, but I'm curious why no IWB for beginners? I've found that a well-designed flat-backed IWB can be worn with minimal change to wardrobe (if you aren't about to outgrow your pants, that is...) directly against skin if heat makes it necessary--especially with a bit of stick-on moleskin. If I'm going to have another layer, I'd rather a very thin tank-top undershirt instead of an outer vest.
ReplyDeleteLove ya Michael, as we all do. I just wanted to say that raising concerns in the email is fine but it just seemed that there was little tact. Civility is something that we all should work on. This gentleman seemed to be attacking rather than anything else and that's never any way to start or open debate on any subject. Just my $.02
ReplyDeleteI think you're overqualified.
ReplyDeleteEveryone knows all you need to be an expert is an internet connection and an opinion.
I suppose now we will all be considered Kool-Aid drinkers of Michael Bane. :) My boys love the stuff.
ReplyDelete-Bidah
Micheal, didn't you know that having shows on TV where you give everyone methods and info of CCW, guns, ammo, tactics and 'kit' means you're not supposed to actually have an opinion? Even though you use this stuff!
ReplyDeleteGeez, some folks never learn.
Next time, just spin in circles and repeat "Can you see my gun, can you see my gun"? over and over. They might haul you off to the asylum but the emails should be more polite than this guy.
For me, the *only* thing I think of if I see someone wearing a vest is GUN!! AZ in summer is not the place to layer on clothing.
Same thing for fanny packs on guys. Not that I really care anyway. (I guess seeing women with purses my whole life has dulled my senses to seeing them with fanny packs - unless it's a brand even I recognize...have to work on that.)
A nice collared 2x shirt (of course its a tall) with shorts that have preplanned extra room in the waist and it's IWB for me.
"On the latest show you said that a side holster would be the best option for beginners"
Dude, that's called an opinion. If I remember correctly Michael also says in at least one of the shows "Find what works for you"
Don't burst a blood vessle over it.
When in Florida, and I believe that is as deep as you can get, I wear a soft suede shoulder holster with my 4506 covered with a linen sport coat. If it was good enough for Sonny it's good enough for me! Course I don't sweat like a pig, such as your detractor does!
ReplyDeleteToward the end of your reply, I got a kick out of your comment intermingled with fashion. B movie cowboy shirts came to mind....I needed a smile this morning. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I wear tacky clothes too...it just tickled me the way the response was worded knowing what I do (via TV & Podcast) of your affinity towards flashy clothes.
Do you have curb feelers on that little Honda box of yours?
HA
I carry a government model 1911 in a Crossbreed super tuck, just behind my hip bone, slightly tilted forward(bottom hole on the back, 2nd from bottom on the front). I'm 5'11 175lbs.
ReplyDeleteIt is nearly invisible with a loose untucked t-shirt or a tucked in one that is pulled out a little and fluffed. Even my wife has to pat me down to see if I have it, which is always fun.
I did have to remold the kydex with a hair dryer to tighten it up a little when I first started using the holster. I don't know how you guys conceal fat guns. My wifes Glock 27 is harder to conceal.
Last night as I was leaving to go shopping I told my wife I had to change shirts. I put on a loose fitting polo shirt untucked in my jeans. My G19 in the holster disappeared and the spare magazine in the front pocket was covered.
ReplyDeleteDon & Hobie, +1 100 Degree 95% humidity days are J frame front pocket days.
Ratcatcher55
You guys are absolutely right...I did indeed OVER-SNARK, and I'm sorry/ I think it's my disreputable music critic past, where we actually got better display with a low-down mean-ass review than a glowing positive review.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I am going to HELL for dis'sing anybody on their crummy use of English grammaw...er...grammar! LOL! Back when I wrote books for a living, we used to joke that my copy editors certainly had their work cut out for them.
My apologies...if you think I should rempove the whole post I will...
mb
Dont remove the post. It is what it is..... Dont censor yourself, and dont try to dress up your blog into something it is not.
ReplyDeleteDon't "rempove" the post either . . . .
ReplyDeleteMr. Bane, I greatly admire the restraint you show in your polite and thoughful answer to such a needlessly rude question.
ReplyDeleteHa Ha, Ok ladies! Keep this up & I’ll have to tell you all to put your big girl panties on!
ReplyDeleteWell this little Florida boy wheres (wears for you English teachers out there!) a vest except when working in the yard. Restaurants, churches, banks & the several businesses I go into most always have it too cold – one tends to become acclimated to the heat if you spend any time out in it. Unless of course the only time you go outside is to get the mail. . . . . . then you should move to some slacker state like “the people’s republic of Colorado”!
Mr Bane thanks for the links you imbedded. Very useful!
If I have to wear a Hawaiian shirt or a vest, I'd rather die.
ReplyDeleteNext in the Concealed Carry Fashion Series - ankle holsters for black crew socks with sandals.
I live in Florida and I carry a Glock 26 in my cargo pants/shorts pocket everyday . Or I carry the 26 on a OWB with my shirt tail out. My problem with the IWB is over the years my waistline has crept out. IWb is just uncomfortable for me. I do know at least 2 skinny people that carry IWB.
ReplyDeleteI kind of like the "Sonny Crockett"-look. A Galco "Miami-Vice" shoulder rig worn under a nice light-weight sport jacket. I choose to equip the right side (I'm right-handed.) with another left-hand holster, instead of the dual ammo carrier. This gives me a "New York" reload. It also balances the rig and adds symetry to my already svelte physique. It also works well over a light weight undershirt and under the ever popular Hawaaian shirts, or the flamed hot rodder shirts we wear here in the north.
ReplyDeleteLife Member
Aside from bowling and hawaiian shirts there are all sorts of light cotton, short sleeve, button front, sport shirts in an infinite variety of non-tacky colors and patterns designed to be worn untucked over trousers or shorts.
ReplyDeleteIf you're in Florida they even have a special model just for you, the Cuban guayabera.
I'm a fashion kind of guy and I never look unprofessional or ill-fitted in my clothing choices and I carry a LW Cmdr strong side IWB most of the time.
If you can't conceal and look good doing it you aren't trying hard enough.
Shrill littel critic there, eh, Mr. Bane?
ReplyDeleteStarted carrying while living in Hampton Roads, VA. Hot and wet all summer, cold (but rarely frozen) and wet half the winter, realtively pleasant the rest of the time. And I sweat a lot -- my ancestors pretty much all came from places where sunny days were not a regular occurance. Even daily wipes every evening couldn't prevent rust from starting on my parked 1991 Commander. So nowadays, it's almost always a stainless gun.
K-Frame S&W 3" revolver with a pair of speedloaders behind the holster, Colt Commander with a spare mag weak side kidney. Mostly IWB, but often times OWB, Worked like a dream with loose untucked polo shirts, sports shirts, and yes, Hawaiian shirts.
Cold or wet weather is nice, because I can switch to a shoulder rig, and have no problem hiding that S&W or the Commander, even with a pair of reloads hanging off weakside.
My problem has always been carry a gun in s suit, or with a tucked in shirt. But that's not because it's impossible -- it's because I need a "suit" gun! (I used to use a Baby Browning in that role, but she's retired now.)
And yes, a strong side belt holster is a great place for a newbie to start with. Getting a firm grip on the gun and getting it up to target without muzzling oneself or 180 degrees of strangers is simply EASIER. Carrying a gun on body makes it less likely to get seperated from the gun. Simple, objective, facts. I don't understand how anyone can argue with them. . .
Doesn't mean I haven't tried, or even used, alternative methods when they were called for by circumstances. Belt cross draw, SOB, pocket, off body, etc. About the only things I haven't tried at one point or another are Thunderwear or garter holsters. . . Heck, I used an off-body solution in Charlotte, to avoid running afoul of the laws.
I've never seen you state that there is One True Gun-Fu, and only one style of carry and one gun works. If anything, I've noticed you emphasizing in the end, that each person should do what works form them.
( tears out own hair )
ReplyDeleteSomeone on the Internets is WRONG! I must correct them now. Can't sleep ....
The Tigers hat is an absolute necessity of any CCW'ers wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteSummer carry in Michigan.
XD-9sc in a crossbreed holster, j-crew shorts, and a polo shirt. Lets hit the water!
I may look like a yuppie but I don't fight like one. And nobody expects the guy with little lobsters on his shorts to be packing.
In the winter I could pack a mosin-nagant under my coat.
My world is crushed along with my blissful reality that there is only one way and manner to carry a concealed firearm. I suppose using M.A.S.H.'s Klinger-method of wearing a dress so you can carry a concealed firearm in a purse is not acceptable either? What's next, I suppose the president will appoint some justices who think the second amendment is outdated...
ReplyDeleteYou all need to MAN UP.
ReplyDeleteMy step father was in the O.S.S. in WWII a month after the end of the war. (just lucky timing and a atomic bomb helped) He order's were to go to many little towns and hamlets in Japan, where the local Mayor would "surrender" to him in a long ceremony. The whole time, the O.S.S. required him to wear his shorts with his 1911 hidden in them! He happens to be 5'7 and slim.
True story.
M.D. IV
Yeah really this blog is really very interesting for reading.... It's found me so informative... keep posting...
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