In the summer time, it's kinda hard to carry concealed. I was thinking about a shoulder holster and wearing it under a button up shirt. I know it wouldn't be the fastest thing, but it's better than nuthin. Medium size auto is what I normally carry.

So has anyone done this? Alternatives?

Done it many times with a Galco and a 4" K-frame S&W ( I'm a big guy) Shirt of choice is an untucked Columbia " Bonehead"...cooler and mopre comfy in the summer than a T-shirt...

i use a smaller s&w 5 shot revolver in the warm weather for easier concealment. however, if i decide to take my 9mm, i place it inside my belt near the hip & leave my shirt untucked.

-ken

The Hi-ride belt holster/untucked combo is good in the summer....

I do a GREAT deal more of that than the shoulder rig...

Galco Jackass rig.

For warm weather, look at a Smart Carry.

Smart carry is great under everything
My shoulder rig of choice:
Bianchi Leatherite.

This works pretty well, depending on the type of gun you carry, & is more comfortable to wear than a shoulder holster next to the skin. Not super fast to get into action but that's usually not a problem. Gun needs to be fairly light to work well, though, IMO.

Shirt Holster

I just usually use an IWB holster & a loose fitting island shirt or T-shirt.

My holsters pull the gun in tight w/o any real problem & I'm usually carrying either a Glock 27 or a Commander sized 1911.

I'm using Brommeland leather.

MM

Get one of those nylon elastic rigs, or one of those T-shirts with a holster built in.

Wear an underarmor heat-gear compression fit sleeveless t-shirt.

Then wear an inside the waistband holster, I like Comp-Tac's Minotaur and Crossbreed's. There are other good ones out there - I noticed in a magazine that Galco is copying the crossbreed. There are lots of others. Just be sure and get one that where you can get a full firing grip on the handgun during draw with.

Anyway wear a loose Polo shirt over, untucked in. You can tuck if you need to be more formal but untucked is cooler. If you need to wear something like a button up shirt it will still work tucked, just be sure it's loose enough to pull up quickly with your left hand. This vid gives a quick demo with a Tucked in button up shirt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sba22lojGbw&feature=related

The underarmor takes a little getting used to but once you do get used to them you'll feel naked without one. They wick moisture and being dry feels cooler. I wore this combo in 100+ degrees and can carry a full size Sig P-220 without notice with this set-up. It was recommended by one of our local instructors.

Drawing is VERY fast. Sweep up shirt with left hand, draw with right. With practice it can be very nearly as fast as an open carry holster. You can carry a very wide variety of pistols. The UnderArmor shirt not only keeps you cool and dry but slickens the draw considerably. If there is a faster way to draw from a concealed setup I don't know it.................................DJ

ime IWB holsters add too much bulk, have one really thin one for a full size gov't that ain't bad, but I prefer the clip draw for autos, not so much for revolvers though I've tried them.

Montana Man do you actually have and use one of the 5.11 shoulder holster shirts you linked? If so I'd be interested to hear how it actually performs. I've not used it, but have tried some of their other products.

i.e.

I've two of their short sleeve and long sleeve shirts that have the snaps that look like buttons and the velcro pockets that serve as a place for a weapon, but truthfully am less than satisfied with that setup. For one the fabric is heavy enough the shirts are too hot for summer wear on really hot days, and two the weapon in the internal pockets doesn't secure the gun well enough for my liking.

have also used the elastic waistband TRH spoke of, it doesn't get used much, better in winter.


for summer use, ime, it's clip draw or a small enough weapon to go in a front pocket holster.

but one man's junk is another's treasure.

Bulk IS an issue with some IWB holsters but not as much with the 2 I mentioned. Have you by chance tried either, or maybe another kydex leather hybrid rig? They might solve your issue with thickness at least.....................DJ

dj, I've yet to see a kydex holster that I could like. talk about adding bulk FAST! at least ime with them.

will check out the two you mentioned

This is Nutnfancy's standard with a Galco of some variety, and a PF9. Seems like it'd be comfy, but slow/complex to deploy.

I tried out the Comp-Tac Kydex holster "infidel" and didn't care for it at all either...............dj

it's been many years since i used any of my holsters.

-ken

I use a Brommeland IWB holster, & outside of a Nossar, it's the thinnist I've seen. Most any IWB with a 1911 is a fair sized piece of leather by nature of the size of the gun.

The Brommeland has more forward can't than most, which I like & that helps it pull the butt in snugly against my body making concealment relatively easy.

For virtually any use I prefer it over the shirt thing.

Next best alternative is a pocket pistol, but, IMO that's generally pretty limiting as to the the horsepower of the gun.

A lightweight J-frame is about the max size for pocket carry; I have a S&W 340PD that weighs 12 oz empty, & it is fine if I have fairly baggy pants with a loose pocket. It'll handle 357's but that's just too much for a gun that light & small, so I only carry it with 38's & therein lies the constraint with pocket pistols, IMO

Brommeland Leather

Nossar Gunleather

(Getting anything from Nossar quick is like pulling teeth.......he's actually in Peru, but it's wonderful stuff)





Yes, I actually have 2...........fit is important as it needs to be very snug & it's definitely best when used with a lightweight gun. My 20 oz Glock 27 works pretty well in it but a 38 oz 1911 just does not. If yours isn't pretty snug, you might want to try a size smaller.

MM

thanks bud, I don't have one of the undershirt gigs they make, just the regular shirts.

Another option you might try is a belt clip.

It hooks to the side of the pistol and lets you put the gun inside your waistband.

Only drawback is, I've only seen them for small pistols.

Have one on my Ruger LCP and am able to conceal it under a tank top with shorts. For real hot weather, this works for me!

.380 still beats a sharp stick!

Virgil B.

They make 'em for 1911's..........never used one though; maybe someone else here has & can chime in.

I'd be concerned with how solidly it holds the gun in place during bending, sitting, etc.

Clip Draw

MM

I Mexican carry a Kel-Tec P-11 with a belt clip...have for many years, with a polo shirt un-tucked. I carry a spare 15 round mag in an old knife sheath with a snap flap cover on my weak side.

I appreciate all the responses. I was looking to get away from a belt type holster. It's not very comfortable for me. So the shoulder rigs, or the shirt type, would seem to be more to my liking.

I will also look at the Smart Carry. Does it need to have a larger waste size for your pants? It actually hangs below the waste line?