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More and more states are now allowing their citizens to concealed carry firearms. According to Wikipedia, there have been 17.25 million concealed weapons permits issued as of 2018. The right to carry arms is protected by the Second Amendment as part of the Bill of Rights.
While the right to bear arms is recognized in all 50 states, many gun owners choose to carry their weapons discreetly. This style of carrying is known as concealed carry. You should only draw your weapon for protection or self-defense but you never know when you might need to draw a handgun to defend yourself. Concealed carry is one way to protect yourself from precarious situations.
When it comes to carrying firearms, many believe it’s best to do so stealthily. Sometimes this can be daunting but luckily there are many different ways to conceal your firearms. Make sure, though, that before you start learning concealed carry techniques to verify that concealed carry is legal under your state’s laws. The rules for carrying firearms vary from one state to another so always be aware of the rules of your state as well as any state you may be traveling to. In this article, we’ll be covering different concealed carry methods as well as giving you some advice for each method.
When learning how to concealed carry, you need to keep in mind that there is no one best method. It all boils down to which carry method fits your lifestyle and what you feel most comfortable with. This could depend on your body type, profession, clothing style, and weapon, among other factors. Let’s get started.
CATEGORIES OF HANDGUNS
The size of the handgun you’ll be carrying will factor into your decisions on concealed carry techniques. Put simply, When it comes to concealed carry, the bigger the gun, the harder it is to conceal. Handguns used for concealed carry can be categorized into the following groups:
Full-Sized Service Pistols
Generally, the larger and heavier the gun is, the more difficult it will be to pull off most styles of concealed carry methods. Handguns like 1911s, the Beretta 92 series, the Browning Hi-Power, or the Ruger GP 100, as well as other revolvers in this category offer great performance when shooting. However, they are not specifically designed for concealed carry. You are better off carrying these weapons in large hip holsters suspended from a wide gun belt than trying to attempt a concealed carry.
Sub-Compact Pistols
Sub-compact pistols feature a small frame. .38 Special snub-nose revolvers, .380 ACP semi-automatics, and the 9×19 mm semi-autos fall into this category. These handguns are smaller and therefore a great option for concealed carry.
Pocket Pistols and Mini Guns
These guns get their name from the fact that they will literally fit into most jacket or pants pockets. These are the smallest guns that we’ll discuss in the deep concealment category. Examples of pocket pistols are the 22/22 Mag mini-revolvers, .22/.25/.32 mini-autos and various derringers. These are good guns to use for people learning how to concealed carry.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING CONCEALED CARRY HOLSTERS
You’ll need the right holster for the right handgun in order to become effective with different concealed carry techniques. When choosing the right holster for carrying your firearms, there are certain criteria you need to consider:
Concealment
The objective of concealed carry is to conceal your weapon so that your gun does not alarm anyone around you and it can also give you an element of surprise in responding to an attacker who threatens you with force. Concealment also helps you avoid unwanted situations in which alarmed individuals call law enforcement because they notice your handgun. Whether it’s legal or not this can happen.
Drawing
When choosing concealed carry methods, you should be able to easily draw your concealed firearm. Your holster should allow you to have a complete grip on your handgun while still allowing you to release any retention devices. A good holster will allow you to draw in a fairly straight line pointing towards the target and thus be able to line up your sights for an accurate shot if you have no other options.
Comfort
Choose a holster/pistol combination that offers comfort so that you won’t have to consider this factor when you’re deciding whether or not to bring your firearm out with you.
Retention
Part of learning how to concealed carry is understanding that most attacks will be sudden, up close, and physical. For this reason, you need to consider retention when choosing a holster for a concealed carry. Retention devices will vary from internal devices to thumb breaks and other devices that will aid you in hand-to-hand confrontations. Holsters that are not properly fitted or that do not feature retention devices may not properly retain your weapon under strenuous activity and your weapon could slip loose or be in a difficult position for drawing..
Holsters Should Feature Exact Fit and Form
A good holster is designed for a specific handgun and will maintain its form for holding that specific gun. An exact fit will positively affect retention and access.
Quality Workmanship and Quality Materials
Do your research and know which manufacturers to trust. A poorly made holster hinders your ability to draw and defend yourself.
Reholstering/Reinforced Throat
The right holster should have a mouth that stays open and rigid when the gun is removed. This will come in handy when reholstering the weapon with one hand. This is useful so that you’ll have a free hand for other activities such as defensive tactics, escape, first aid for yourself or others, or for pulling someone to safety.
Covered Trigger Guard & Safety
When looking for a holster, make sure that it covers your trigger guard. Check that no part of the holster’s material protrudes into the trigger guard. You don’t want to risk anything potentially depressing the trigger. In addition, this trigger guard material should be rigid enough to ensure that any object the holster may come into contact with will not depress the trigger.
Removable
Another criteria when choosing a holster is that it should be easily removable. If your holster isn’t easy to put on or take off you may find yourself in a situation where you’ll need to leave your weapon behind. When concealed carrying, always consider what situations you may find yourself in and how you will best be able to effectively conceal your weapon and keep it secure.
Clothing
There are specialized manufacturers which design specifically for concealed carry holders. The products these manufacturers offer range from tactical clothing for law enforcement officers to apparel more suitable for business. When considering clothing for a concealed carry, you should consider your preferred style while also taking into account what will be needed to ensure concealment and access to your weapon.
CHOOSING YOUR CONCEALED CARRY METHOD
Before proceeding with any concealed carry techniques, you must first secure the necessary licenses or permits to concealed carry. That being said, we’ll talk about some different styles of concealed carry, but keep in mind that there is no general consensus on which method is best. This is a matter of personal preference. It’s all about comfort and ease.
Inside the Waistband Holsters
This is one of the most popular concealed carry methods. Inside the waistband holsters or IWBs are designed to keep your firearms safely secured at your waistband with a clip that attaches to your belt. With an IWB holster, you do not need to worry about wearing a lot of specialized clothing. An IWB holster is perfect on a hot summer day. There are two types of IWB holsters:
Non-Tuckable – This type of holster requires a shirt, jacket, or other cover garment to conceal the firearm. It can be tricky with this style of carry to keep your weapon concealed when you reach overhead, bend over, or raise the hem of your cover garment. If this is of minimal concern, consider an IWB holster. They involve the least material, least bulk, and generally have the lowest cost.
Tuckable – What defines this concealed carry method is the I-shape clips that connect the holster to your belt or pants. This clip forms a shallow channel that allows you to tuck your shirt into it. Be aware that this can create an impediment when drawing, as you’ll need to untuck and raise the cover garment to access your handgun.
Some inside the waistband holsters are held in place by a spring clip over the waistband and belt. Others have straps that can be attached around the belt. With an IWB holster, a short-barreled handgun is preferred. One drawback of an IWB holster is that it may require a slightly larger size of pants. Also, it may take some time for you to get used to the extra pressure and bulk of the holster between your pants and body.
Outside the Waistband Holster
An outside the waistband holster is another option for people learning how to concealed carry. In this method, you keep the handgun resting, you guessed it, on the outside of your waistband. Although it’s not impossible to pull off a concealed carry with an OWB holster, it’s definitely more complex than doing so with an IWB holster. With an OWB holster, you’ll need to choose a holster that suits your body type as well as your clothing. Also, of course, you’ll need to select a handgun that will work well with your setup.
You may find that OWB holsters ride high and tight. For some people, only compact pistols really work without having to further conceal their holster with a jacket. With these types of holsters, you have to be careful with your choice of cover garments. If you wear your belt holster high, you can easily cover it up with an untucked button-up or conceal it with a low hanging unbuttoned shirt such as a flannel.
OWB concealed carry can be a comfortable way to carry a pistol but your success will depend on choosing the right handgun, holster, and cover garment. Outside the waistband holsters are easy to spot because the holster and gun on the outside of the belt creates unnatural bulk in the areas where a gun’s butt and barrel sit. Your firearm can also be easily spotted if you lift your arms or bend over. Although this concealed carry technique is used by off-duty law enforcers, the outside the waistband style is not recommended for civilians who are concealed carrying due to the difficulty of true concealment.
Pocket Carry
Another method of concealed carrying is the pocket carry. This type of holster allows a full firing grip and also helps in preventing your pocket gun’s outline from being printed on your garment. If you are still learning how to concealed carry, you will discover that there are different pocket holsters for different shapes of pockets. The key is finding the holster that matches both your gun and your pocket with respect to size and comfort. While most handguns will fit in a coat pocket, most cannot be concealed in a normal pants pocket. Traditional trench coats, leather jackets, and parkas generally have pockets big enough for a concealed firearm and holster.
A gun in a coat pocket is more easily accessed than a gun on your belt in heavy coat weather as a coat will generally be covering your waist and thereby impeding your draw. However, note that the weight of a gun can make the jacket visibly sag and feel unbalanced. To balance out this weight, you could carry extra ammunition in the opposite pocket. If you decide to carry your gun in a coat pocket, make sure that you bring your jacket with you if you ever decide to take it off. It is your responsibility to maintain control of your gun at all times.
Like other concealed carry techniques, this style only works if done properly. If you simply put the gun in your pocket, you may become fidgety when sitting down. If there is something else in your pocket, the trigger can be activated and the gun can accidentally discharge. You or someone else could get hurt or injured. As a gun carrier, negligence has no place in concealed carrying. Carrying without a holster is, simply put, unsafe.
The benefit of carrying a pocket holster is that the trigger guard is protected, making an accidental discharge highly unlikely. This goes a long way in ensuring your safety and the safety of the people around you. Always choose a quality holster and consider getting a holster with a pocket catch feature. A pocket catch is usually a wing on one or both edges of the holster that can anchor inside the pocket and help when drawing.
Make sure that the trigger cannot be manipulated through the fabric. If the holster is made out of fabric and you can feel the trigger that means that your holster is too thin. Your best option is a pocket holster made from leather or a molded polymer. Modern models of pocket holsters have anti-slip texturing, coarse-side-out leather, or other design features that will help your holster remain in your pocket.
Like other concealed carry methods, pocket carry has its advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that your hand can always be on your gun and ready to draw in the face of a threat. The disadvantage of a pocket carry is that it’s going to limit you to a small and light handgun. Also, if by chance you are threatened while your hands are outside your pockets, tough luck, but chances are you are not going to win in a game of quick draw.
Shoulder Holster
Waistband carry may not be appealing to all, so another concealed carry technique you can try is the shoulder carry. Shoulder holsters can be carried vertically or horizontally. With this type of holster, you’ll need to wear an outer garment at all times to effectively conceal your weapon. Shoulder holsters are an ideal choice if you tend to wear a coat. Shoulder holsters are worn higher up and suspended on a harness hanging from the shoulders. To pull off a shoulder carry, you need to wear an open-front concealed garment partly unfastened for ease of access.
Most brands of shoulder holsters come with adjustable straps which you can customize to fit your body size. It can be a great way to conceal your firearm if you plan on being seated throughout the day. Although it may make you look cool, attention to detail is important if you want a shoulder carry to be effective. Shoulder holsters come in three styles according to the way the gun rests in the holster:
Angled – Muzzle is angled upwards, allowing for an easy draw.
Horizontal – The gun is drawn by pulling it straight across the body. While faster than vertical, this style works best for guns with short barrels.
Vertical – The muzzle is pointed down. This is usually the slowest way to draw but it’s the most suitable style for larger guns.
If you are wondering how to concealed carry with a shoulder holster, keep in mind that choosing the right gun will be crucial. A moderately sized compact gun can be easily concealed in either vertical or horizontal orientation. Another good combination is a 1911 with a vertical shoulder holster. There are several situations in which a shoulder carry will make sense, such as when driving, sitting at a desk, or engaging in a physical activity where a waistband holster isn’t an option.
Ankle Carry
Accessibility may not be the best feature of an ankle holster. The thing with concealed carry is that you need to be able to move around easily. Also, it’s important that you are able to focus on your target when drawing from your holster. For these reasons, pulling off an ankle carry requires extensive practice. With an ankle holster, normal foot/leg movement is impeded, which is especially important when you need to move quickly. Another major consideration with ankle carry is concealability. The key to pulling off ankle carry is to wear pants big enough to conceal your firearm. Make sure that your pants are easy to roll up so you can easily draw when the situation calls for it.
One disadvantage of this concealed carry method is that you have to bend down or acrobatically lift your knee and raise your pants leg with your support hand (without falling over!) to access your weapon. Ankle holsters are the hardest type of holster to reach from a standing position. In addition, an ankle carry may affect your gait and walk which can make it obvious that you are carrying a concealed weapon. Mastering this technique requires a lot of practice on your part.
Appendix Carry
The appendix carry is named for the 2 o’clock position it employs, which puts the gun near your appendix. At 2 o’clock, your gun is pointed downward directly toward your femoral artery and your “junk” so be warned that there is no room for error when drawing from this carry. If you are learning how to concealed carry, you should know that an appendix carry requires a closed front-garment. However, while you might think that this will slow you down, the shorter arc of access granted by this carry allows for great speed. Experts say that this style offers extra protection because it is easier to draw from when “in a cinch.” It is also easier to draw from this type of carry if you are in a tight position, such as being choked.
Many gun owners find this carry uncomfortable because of what sits just beneath the gun’s muzzle. Unlike many other concealed carry techniques, it is possible to execute an appendix carry even if you are seated in a vehicle. Appendix carry is great for medium and small handguns. When the situation calls for it, appendix carry offers easy access to your firearm.
Thigh Holster
Thigh holsters are known to be popular with women looking for concealed carry methods. A thigh holster can be a great option. This type of holster features stretchy elastic and velcro closures and offers the advantages of being lightweight and comfortable to wear. They also feature silicone grippers along the top and bottom edges, keeping your holster securely in place so that you won’t need to wear a garter belt. For gun owners who prefer wearing skirts and dresses, a thigh holster is great for concealing small revolvers.
Strong-Side Hip Carry
For most of the 20th century, this was the standard military carry and has long been the standard police carry as well. It is quite popular because it keeps the gun muzzle on a safe downrange axis between holster and target. Most security holsters are designed for the strong-side hip. If you use your firearms for competitions, the strong-side hip holster is a perfect choice. It was designed for shooting competitions such as Police Pistol Combat (PPC) competitions and International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) competitions.
People learning how to concealed carry will find this style simple and very fast. Gun owners with shorter torsos and higher, more rounded hips will find this a less optimal style of carry. Keep in mind this style has a tendency to print the gun butt when bending forward.
Small of the Back (SOB) Carry
Carrying a weapon in the small of the back has been one of the most popular concealed carry techniques since the 1950s. This type of holster allows you to carry a firearm in a straight-up position with a sharp tilt toward the gun hand or a horizontal carry with the butt pointed straight up. A small of the back carry offers an easy reach with either hand.
One disadvantage of the small of the back holster is that it increases the potential for spinal injury when you take into consideration the possibility of falling back onto your holster. In addition, this style can also be extremely uncomfortable when seated or in a supine position.
Belly Band Holster
Belly bands are wide fabric bands with elastic inserts and an integral holster pouch worn under a blouse or shirt. Belly band holsters are designed for concealed carry by gun owners wearing skirts or anyone in business formal attire. Belly bands are wrapped around your midsection. They feature an inside pocket for your firearm and the gun is pressed closely against your middle. Most belly bands come with extra pockets for storing ammo. If you want to know how to concealed carry with a belly band holster, you need to consider if you easily sweat or not. Remember belly band holsters are pressed close to your body so it will make drawing your weapon difficult. One tip is to buy a belly band made from high-quality waterproof material. For this carry consider positioning your firearm on your strong side.
Cross-Draw Carry
Cross-draw carry is a trademark of the Old West. In this style the holster is placed on the front of the waist, across the body from your gun hand. The advantage of cross-draw carry is that your gun becomes very accessible to either hand. A right-handed driver in an American style vehicle can easily draw their gun in line with the window to fend off an attacker. A seated banker can quickly access a weapon and thwart an attempt by a gunman to rob her bank.
A drawback of the cross-draw carry is that the reach is longer and less viable for those with big bellies or broad shoulders. Additionally, the butt of the gun is visible to anyone in close range, making concealment an issue. For these reasons law enforcement officers abandoned cross-draw holsters long ago.
Off-Body Carry
Off-body is any concealed carry technique in which your firearm is not firmly attached to your body. One disadvantage of this is that you could be completely separated from your firearm when you most need it. Another disadvantage is that you could actually forget your firearm and leave it somewhere. If you have a tendency to forget a coat or misplace a purse, then off-body carry is not the method for you. That being said, here are some off-body carry methods to consider:
Backpacks
Backpacks provide enough space for carrying a large gun and they’re easy to bring around with you on a daily basis. Remember that off-body methods of concealed carry can be effective as long as your firearm remains firmly in your possession. Lose sight of your bag or forget it and leave it somewhere and your firearm could fall into the hands of thieves.
Purses and Shoulder Bags
Purses and shoulder bags are available for both men and women. Models designed for concealed carry have special gun compartments that feature velcro closures. There are models that are large enough to accommodate any size handgun. If you prefer small purses, you could consider carrying a mini revolver or a .25 auto pistol.
Briefcases
Briefcases generally use velcro for closure. To access the gun, just rip the velcro panel open. Most models of briefcases are big enough to hold full size service pistols. If you’ve ever been watching a movie and noticed those Secret Service guys carrying briefcases while escorting the President, now you know the reason why.
Day Planners
Day planners are used for organizing meetings and appointments, as address books, and for jotting down notes, among other things. Today, we see day planners that have gone beyond those purposes…They now provide a way for concealing firearms. Although they still retain their original function, there are now day planners that can conceal small firearms. Now you can organize your day and carry a pistol at the same time.
Specialized Gear
There are many specialized holsters on the market today. One of them is a belly band style holster that uses a wide elastic band with an integral holster or pocket. This holster wraps around your torso and does not require a belt, pants, or any other garment for holding it in place. It is being marketed to joggers looking for an extremely discreet carry solution. The main advantage of these types of holsters is that they are clothing independent. However, one drawback to this style of holster is that you’ll have a large constricting band across your chest.
Other Concealed Carry Methods
In addition to the concealed carry techniques mentioned above, there are other ways to discreetly carry your firearm. Here are some of them:
Air Marshal
It’s right there in the name. This method of concealed carry was designed for Federal Air Marshals. This is a wide fabric belly band with a cross-draw holster pouch supported by a strap over the shoulder that helps distribute the weight of the gun. The Air Marshal is basically a variation of the shoulder holster but with a belly band instead of a back strap.
Holster Shirts
Holster shirts take the form of an undershirt with a pocket designed to hold a pistol under the left arm. These shirts provide a high level of concealment but offer poor access. Normally, you’d have to unbutton your outer shirt to be able to draw your gun from this style of holster.
Lower Abdomen Holsters
These are pouch holsters on integral belts usually worn under an outer shirt that is not to be tucked in. While these can be worn over an outer shirt, this should only be done below the beltline. Thunderwear and SmartCarry are popular brands of lower abdomen holsters. These holsters can carry guns ranging from 1911A-1 pistols to mini guns and have a waterproof back panel preventing sweat from dirtying your weapon.
Pager Pal
The Pager Pal is an IWB cross-draw holster that clips over the waistband of your pants. It can accommodate a small pistol entirely inside the pants below the waistband. The clip portion is covered by a pager or cell phone case. With the Pager Pal, a two-hand draw is required to get your pants into the right position while jerking the holster above the beltline. Be mindful of this when considering this style of holster.
What is your preferred concealed carry method? Share it with us in the comments section!
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How to Concealed Carry: Concealed Carry Methods
The GMW Concealed Carry Gun Pack. Now available now on Amazon.com.
BUY NOW
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More and more states are now allowing their citizens to concealed carry firearms. According to Wikipedia, there have been 17.25 million concealed weapons permits issued as of 2018. The right to carry arms is protected by the Second Amendment as part of the Bill of Rights.
While the right to bear arms is recognized in all 50 states, many gun owners choose to carry their weapons discreetly. This style of carrying is known as concealed carry. You should only draw your weapon for protection or self-defense but you never know when you might need to draw a handgun to defend yourself. Concealed carry is one way to protect yourself from precarious situations.
When it comes to carrying firearms, many believe it’s best to do so stealthily. Sometimes this can be daunting but luckily there are many different ways to conceal your firearms. Make sure, though, that before you start learning concealed carry techniques to verify that concealed carry is legal under your state’s laws. The rules for carrying firearms vary from one state to another so always be aware of the rules of your state as well as any state you may be traveling to. In this article, we’ll be covering different concealed carry methods as well as giving you some advice for each method.
When learning how to concealed carry, you need to keep in mind that there is no one best method. It all boils down to which carry method fits your lifestyle and what you feel most comfortable with. This could depend on your body type, profession, clothing style, and weapon, among other factors. Let’s get started.
CATEGORIES OF HANDGUNS
The size of the handgun you’ll be carrying will factor into your decisions on concealed carry techniques. Put simply, When it comes to concealed carry, the bigger the gun, the harder it is to conceal. Handguns used for concealed carry can be categorized into the following groups:
Full-Sized Service Pistols
Generally, the larger and heavier the gun is, the more difficult it will be to pull off most styles of concealed carry methods. Handguns like 1911s, the Beretta 92 series, the Browning Hi-Power, or the Ruger GP 100, as well as other revolvers in this category offer great performance when shooting. However, they are not specifically designed for concealed carry. You are better off carrying these weapons in large hip holsters suspended from a wide gun belt than trying to attempt a concealed carry.
Sub-Compact Pistols
Sub-compact pistols feature a small frame. .38 Special snub-nose revolvers, .380 ACP semi-automatics, and the 9×19 mm semi-autos fall into this category. These handguns are smaller and therefore a great option for concealed carry.
Pocket Pistols and Mini Guns
These guns get their name from the fact that they will literally fit into most jacket or pants pockets. These are the smallest guns that we’ll discuss in the deep concealment category. Examples of pocket pistols are the 22/22 Mag mini-revolvers, .22/.25/.32 mini-autos and various derringers. These are good guns to use for people learning how to concealed carry.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING CONCEALED CARRY HOLSTERS
You’ll need the right holster for the right handgun in order to become effective with different concealed carry techniques. When choosing the right holster for carrying your firearms, there are certain criteria you need to consider:
Concealment
The objective of concealed carry is to conceal your weapon so that your gun does not alarm anyone around you and it can also give you an element of surprise in responding to an attacker who threatens you with force. Concealment also helps you avoid unwanted situations in which alarmed individuals call law enforcement because they notice your handgun. Whether it’s legal or not this can happen.
Drawing
When choosing concealed carry methods, you should be able to easily draw your concealed firearm. Your holster should allow you to have a complete grip on your handgun while still allowing you to release any retention devices. A good holster will allow you to draw in a fairly straight line pointing towards the target and thus be able to line up your sights for an accurate shot if you have no other options.
Comfort
Choose a holster/pistol combination that offers comfort so that you won’t have to consider this factor when you’re deciding whether or not to bring your firearm out with you.
Retention
Part of learning how to concealed carry is understanding that most attacks will be sudden, up close, and physical. For this reason, you need to consider retention when choosing a holster for a concealed carry. Retention devices will vary from internal devices to thumb breaks and other devices that will aid you in hand-to-hand confrontations. Holsters that are not properly fitted or that do not feature retention devices may not properly retain your weapon under strenuous activity and your weapon could slip loose or be in a difficult position for drawing..
Holsters Should Feature Exact Fit and Form
A good holster is designed for a specific handgun and will maintain its form for holding that specific gun. An exact fit will positively affect retention and access.
Quality Workmanship and Quality Materials
Do your research and know which manufacturers to trust. A poorly made holster hinders your ability to draw and defend yourself.
Reholstering/Reinforced Throat
The right holster should have a mouth that stays open and rigid when the gun is removed. This will come in handy when reholstering the weapon with one hand. This is useful so that you’ll have a free hand for other activities such as defensive tactics, escape, first aid for yourself or others, or for pulling someone to safety.
Covered Trigger Guard & Safety
When looking for a holster, make sure that it covers your trigger guard. Check that no part of the holster’s material protrudes into the trigger guard. You don’t want to risk anything potentially depressing the trigger. In addition, this trigger guard material should be rigid enough to ensure that any object the holster may come into contact with will not depress the trigger.
Removable
Another criteria when choosing a holster is that it should be easily removable. If your holster isn’t easy to put on or take off you may find yourself in a situation where you’ll need to leave your weapon behind. When concealed carrying, always consider what situations you may find yourself in and how you will best be able to effectively conceal your weapon and keep it secure.
Clothing
There are specialized manufacturers which design specifically for concealed carry holders. The products these manufacturers offer range from tactical clothing for law enforcement officers to apparel more suitable for business. When considering clothing for a concealed carry, you should consider your preferred style while also taking into account what will be needed to ensure concealment and access to your weapon.
CHOOSING YOUR CONCEALED CARRY METHOD
Before proceeding with any concealed carry techniques, you must first secure the necessary licenses or permits to concealed carry. That being said, we’ll talk about some different styles of concealed carry, but keep in mind that there is no general consensus on which method is best. This is a matter of personal preference. It’s all about comfort and ease.
Inside the Waistband Holsters
This is one of the most popular concealed carry methods. Inside the waistband holsters or IWBs are designed to keep your firearms safely secured at your waistband with a clip that attaches to your belt. With an IWB holster, you do not need to worry about wearing a lot of specialized clothing. An IWB holster is perfect on a hot summer day. There are two types of IWB holsters:
Some inside the waistband holsters are held in place by a spring clip over the waistband and belt. Others have straps that can be attached around the belt. With an IWB holster, a short-barreled handgun is preferred. One drawback of an IWB holster is that it may require a slightly larger size of pants. Also, it may take some time for you to get used to the extra pressure and bulk of the holster between your pants and body.
Outside the Waistband Holster
An outside the waistband holster is another option for people learning how to concealed carry. In this method, you keep the handgun resting, you guessed it, on the outside of your waistband. Although it’s not impossible to pull off a concealed carry with an OWB holster, it’s definitely more complex than doing so with an IWB holster. With an OWB holster, you’ll need to choose a holster that suits your body type as well as your clothing. Also, of course, you’ll need to select a handgun that will work well with your setup.
You may find that OWB holsters ride high and tight. For some people, only compact pistols really work without having to further conceal their holster with a jacket. With these types of holsters, you have to be careful with your choice of cover garments. If you wear your belt holster high, you can easily cover it up with an untucked button-up or conceal it with a low hanging unbuttoned shirt such as a flannel.
OWB concealed carry can be a comfortable way to carry a pistol but your success will depend on choosing the right handgun, holster, and cover garment. Outside the waistband holsters are easy to spot because the holster and gun on the outside of the belt creates unnatural bulk in the areas where a gun’s butt and barrel sit. Your firearm can also be easily spotted if you lift your arms or bend over. Although this concealed carry technique is used by off-duty law enforcers, the outside the waistband style is not recommended for civilians who are concealed carrying due to the difficulty of true concealment.
Pocket Carry
Another method of concealed carrying is the pocket carry. This type of holster allows a full firing grip and also helps in preventing your pocket gun’s outline from being printed on your garment. If you are still learning how to concealed carry, you will discover that there are different pocket holsters for different shapes of pockets. The key is finding the holster that matches both your gun and your pocket with respect to size and comfort. While most handguns will fit in a coat pocket, most cannot be concealed in a normal pants pocket. Traditional trench coats, leather jackets, and parkas generally have pockets big enough for a concealed firearm and holster.
A gun in a coat pocket is more easily accessed than a gun on your belt in heavy coat weather as a coat will generally be covering your waist and thereby impeding your draw. However, note that the weight of a gun can make the jacket visibly sag and feel unbalanced. To balance out this weight, you could carry extra ammunition in the opposite pocket. If you decide to carry your gun in a coat pocket, make sure that you bring your jacket with you if you ever decide to take it off. It is your responsibility to maintain control of your gun at all times.
Like other concealed carry techniques, this style only works if done properly. If you simply put the gun in your pocket, you may become fidgety when sitting down. If there is something else in your pocket, the trigger can be activated and the gun can accidentally discharge. You or someone else could get hurt or injured. As a gun carrier, negligence has no place in concealed carrying. Carrying without a holster is, simply put, unsafe.
The benefit of carrying a pocket holster is that the trigger guard is protected, making an accidental discharge highly unlikely. This goes a long way in ensuring your safety and the safety of the people around you. Always choose a quality holster and consider getting a holster with a pocket catch feature. A pocket catch is usually a wing on one or both edges of the holster that can anchor inside the pocket and help when drawing.
Make sure that the trigger cannot be manipulated through the fabric. If the holster is made out of fabric and you can feel the trigger that means that your holster is too thin. Your best option is a pocket holster made from leather or a molded polymer. Modern models of pocket holsters have anti-slip texturing, coarse-side-out leather, or other design features that will help your holster remain in your pocket.
Like other concealed carry methods, pocket carry has its advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that your hand can always be on your gun and ready to draw in the face of a threat. The disadvantage of a pocket carry is that it’s going to limit you to a small and light handgun. Also, if by chance you are threatened while your hands are outside your pockets, tough luck, but chances are you are not going to win in a game of quick draw.
Shoulder Holster
Waistband carry may not be appealing to all, so another concealed carry technique you can try is the shoulder carry. Shoulder holsters can be carried vertically or horizontally. With this type of holster, you’ll need to wear an outer garment at all times to effectively conceal your weapon. Shoulder holsters are an ideal choice if you tend to wear a coat. Shoulder holsters are worn higher up and suspended on a harness hanging from the shoulders. To pull off a shoulder carry, you need to wear an open-front concealed garment partly unfastened for ease of access.
Most brands of shoulder holsters come with adjustable straps which you can customize to fit your body size. It can be a great way to conceal your firearm if you plan on being seated throughout the day. Although it may make you look cool, attention to detail is important if you want a shoulder carry to be effective. Shoulder holsters come in three styles according to the way the gun rests in the holster:
If you are wondering how to concealed carry with a shoulder holster, keep in mind that choosing the right gun will be crucial. A moderately sized compact gun can be easily concealed in either vertical or horizontal orientation. Another good combination is a 1911 with a vertical shoulder holster. There are several situations in which a shoulder carry will make sense, such as when driving, sitting at a desk, or engaging in a physical activity where a waistband holster isn’t an option.
Ankle Carry
Accessibility may not be the best feature of an ankle holster. The thing with concealed carry is that you need to be able to move around easily. Also, it’s important that you are able to focus on your target when drawing from your holster. For these reasons, pulling off an ankle carry requires extensive practice. With an ankle holster, normal foot/leg movement is impeded, which is especially important when you need to move quickly. Another major consideration with ankle carry is concealability. The key to pulling off ankle carry is to wear pants big enough to conceal your firearm. Make sure that your pants are easy to roll up so you can easily draw when the situation calls for it.
One disadvantage of this concealed carry method is that you have to bend down or acrobatically lift your knee and raise your pants leg with your support hand (without falling over!) to access your weapon. Ankle holsters are the hardest type of holster to reach from a standing position. In addition, an ankle carry may affect your gait and walk which can make it obvious that you are carrying a concealed weapon. Mastering this technique requires a lot of practice on your part.
Appendix Carry
The appendix carry is named for the 2 o’clock position it employs, which puts the gun near your appendix. At 2 o’clock, your gun is pointed downward directly toward your femoral artery and your “junk” so be warned that there is no room for error when drawing from this carry. If you are learning how to concealed carry, you should know that an appendix carry requires a closed front-garment. However, while you might think that this will slow you down, the shorter arc of access granted by this carry allows for great speed. Experts say that this style offers extra protection because it is easier to draw from when “in a cinch.” It is also easier to draw from this type of carry if you are in a tight position, such as being choked.
Many gun owners find this carry uncomfortable because of what sits just beneath the gun’s muzzle. Unlike many other concealed carry techniques, it is possible to execute an appendix carry even if you are seated in a vehicle. Appendix carry is great for medium and small handguns. When the situation calls for it, appendix carry offers easy access to your firearm.
Thigh Holster
Thigh holsters are known to be popular with women looking for concealed carry methods. A thigh holster can be a great option. This type of holster features stretchy elastic and velcro closures and offers the advantages of being lightweight and comfortable to wear. They also feature silicone grippers along the top and bottom edges, keeping your holster securely in place so that you won’t need to wear a garter belt. For gun owners who prefer wearing skirts and dresses, a thigh holster is great for concealing small revolvers.
Strong-Side Hip Carry
For most of the 20th century, this was the standard military carry and has long been the standard police carry as well. It is quite popular because it keeps the gun muzzle on a safe downrange axis between holster and target. Most security holsters are designed for the strong-side hip. If you use your firearms for competitions, the strong-side hip holster is a perfect choice. It was designed for shooting competitions such as Police Pistol Combat (PPC) competitions and International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) competitions.
People learning how to concealed carry will find this style simple and very fast. Gun owners with shorter torsos and higher, more rounded hips will find this a less optimal style of carry. Keep in mind this style has a tendency to print the gun butt when bending forward.
Small of the Back (SOB) Carry
Carrying a weapon in the small of the back has been one of the most popular concealed carry techniques since the 1950s. This type of holster allows you to carry a firearm in a straight-up position with a sharp tilt toward the gun hand or a horizontal carry with the butt pointed straight up. A small of the back carry offers an easy reach with either hand.
One disadvantage of the small of the back holster is that it increases the potential for spinal injury when you take into consideration the possibility of falling back onto your holster. In addition, this style can also be extremely uncomfortable when seated or in a supine position.
Belly Band Holster
Belly bands are wide fabric bands with elastic inserts and an integral holster pouch worn under a blouse or shirt. Belly band holsters are designed for concealed carry by gun owners wearing skirts or anyone in business formal attire. Belly bands are wrapped around your midsection. They feature an inside pocket for your firearm and the gun is pressed closely against your middle. Most belly bands come with extra pockets for storing ammo. If you want to know how to concealed carry with a belly band holster, you need to consider if you easily sweat or not. Remember belly band holsters are pressed close to your body so it will make drawing your weapon difficult. One tip is to buy a belly band made from high-quality waterproof material. For this carry consider positioning your firearm on your strong side.
Cross-Draw Carry
Cross-draw carry is a trademark of the Old West. In this style the holster is placed on the front of the waist, across the body from your gun hand. The advantage of cross-draw carry is that your gun becomes very accessible to either hand. A right-handed driver in an American style vehicle can easily draw their gun in line with the window to fend off an attacker. A seated banker can quickly access a weapon and thwart an attempt by a gunman to rob her bank.
A drawback of the cross-draw carry is that the reach is longer and less viable for those with big bellies or broad shoulders. Additionally, the butt of the gun is visible to anyone in close range, making concealment an issue. For these reasons law enforcement officers abandoned cross-draw holsters long ago.
Off-Body Carry
Off-body is any concealed carry technique in which your firearm is not firmly attached to your body. One disadvantage of this is that you could be completely separated from your firearm when you most need it. Another disadvantage is that you could actually forget your firearm and leave it somewhere. If you have a tendency to forget a coat or misplace a purse, then off-body carry is not the method for you. That being said, here are some off-body carry methods to consider:
Backpacks
Backpacks provide enough space for carrying a large gun and they’re easy to bring around with you on a daily basis. Remember that off-body methods of concealed carry can be effective as long as your firearm remains firmly in your possession. Lose sight of your bag or forget it and leave it somewhere and your firearm could fall into the hands of thieves.
Purses and Shoulder Bags
Purses and shoulder bags are available for both men and women. Models designed for concealed carry have special gun compartments that feature velcro closures. There are models that are large enough to accommodate any size handgun. If you prefer small purses, you could consider carrying a mini revolver or a .25 auto pistol.
Briefcases
Briefcases generally use velcro for closure. To access the gun, just rip the velcro panel open. Most models of briefcases are big enough to hold full size service pistols. If you’ve ever been watching a movie and noticed those Secret Service guys carrying briefcases while escorting the President, now you know the reason why.
Day Planners
Day planners are used for organizing meetings and appointments, as address books, and for jotting down notes, among other things. Today, we see day planners that have gone beyond those purposes…They now provide a way for concealing firearms. Although they still retain their original function, there are now day planners that can conceal small firearms. Now you can organize your day and carry a pistol at the same time.
Specialized Gear
There are many specialized holsters on the market today. One of them is a belly band style holster that uses a wide elastic band with an integral holster or pocket. This holster wraps around your torso and does not require a belt, pants, or any other garment for holding it in place. It is being marketed to joggers looking for an extremely discreet carry solution. The main advantage of these types of holsters is that they are clothing independent. However, one drawback to this style of holster is that you’ll have a large constricting band across your chest.
Other Concealed Carry Methods
In addition to the concealed carry techniques mentioned above, there are other ways to discreetly carry your firearm. Here are some of them:
Air Marshal
It’s right there in the name. This method of concealed carry was designed for Federal Air Marshals. This is a wide fabric belly band with a cross-draw holster pouch supported by a strap over the shoulder that helps distribute the weight of the gun. The Air Marshal is basically a variation of the shoulder holster but with a belly band instead of a back strap.
Holster Shirts
Holster shirts take the form of an undershirt with a pocket designed to hold a pistol under the left arm. These shirts provide a high level of concealment but offer poor access. Normally, you’d have to unbutton your outer shirt to be able to draw your gun from this style of holster.
Lower Abdomen Holsters
These are pouch holsters on integral belts usually worn under an outer shirt that is not to be tucked in. While these can be worn over an outer shirt, this should only be done below the beltline. Thunderwear and SmartCarry are popular brands of lower abdomen holsters. These holsters can carry guns ranging from 1911A-1 pistols to mini guns and have a waterproof back panel preventing sweat from dirtying your weapon.
Pager Pal
The Pager Pal is an IWB cross-draw holster that clips over the waistband of your pants. It can accommodate a small pistol entirely inside the pants below the waistband. The clip portion is covered by a pager or cell phone case. With the Pager Pal, a two-hand draw is required to get your pants into the right position while jerking the holster above the beltline. Be mindful of this when considering this style of holster.
What is your preferred concealed carry method? Share it with us in the comments section!