Guns: CCW Rig Thoughts

One of the problems that people who carry concealed weapons face is the issue of attire. A lot of the clothing you'll find out there is ill-suited to CCW duties - really tight blue jeans, short or form-fitting shirts, shorts without belt loops, etc. Of the rest of the stuff out there, it's a safe bet that much of it won't withstand the daily punishment inflicted by the inevitable steel and lead weight strapped to your belt. Here's some things that I've found make the going easier.

1) Have multiple handguns - I really admire the people who can schlep a full-size 1911 all day in all sorts of clothes, but for the rest of us, it's really easiest to cater the gun to the clothing choice, and not the other way around. This is especially important when you must wear certain clothing. Whereas a nice pocket revolver will slip easily into the pants pocket of a three-piece suit, for example, you might have a hard time carrying a hip holster in that same pair of pants (especially if you want to take off your jacket, meaning OWB is out).

2) Have multiple holsters - This is sort of a complement to #1. Sometimes, a standard strong-side waist holster won't do the job. Galco has an excellent comparison of many different holster types that will give you an idea of what's out there. Obviously, you'll want the best you can afford - the holster is the heart of any CCW rig. The best is not necessarily the most expensive (my best pocket holster for my S&W 642 cost $15), but you do tend to get what you pay for.

3) Be aware of what you look like - Many ridicule photographer's vests as "shoot-me-first" vests, but I don't think that particular types of clothing draw attention to the fact that you're carrying a gun (well, aside from that "Got SIG?" T-shirt...). That does not mean, however, that you can put on a zipped-up jacket in the middle of July. If you follow tips #1 & #2, you can conceal a gun even when you're sunbathing on a beach with only swim trunks on (yes, I've done this ;-) ).

Finally, I have to say, I'm really glad I'm a guy and not a girl. It's tough to conceal a handgun in women's clothing.