What is the best way to carry?
The simple answer is “The way that works best for you”. But that is really not an answer at all. That’s because there is NO simple answer. Each of us is different and we carry for a multitude of reasons. No one answer fits all situations.
What I will attempt to do is to cover different ways to carry and based on my own personal experiences, hopefully offer some insights on the different methods of carrying a firearm. I will be dealing mostly with the Concealed Carry methods, since Open carry really deserves it’s own, dedicated article. This does not cover every aspect, but will give you a good start on what to look for and what you can expect with the different options available.
I should probably start with In the Waistband “IWB”, Outside the waistband “OWB”, or shoulder holster, but I am going to start with Deep Concealment Carry.
“Underwear carry”
511 Short Sleeve Tactical Undershirt
Take a look at the Short Sleeve tactical undershirt by 511, also called a “Tactical T”. Let me be clear. I will only be writing about Deep concealment clothing for men. I am not qualified or equipped to adequately review options for women. I can tell you that some of the options available for men are also available for women, like the tactical undershirt. This information will also apply to women. I will not be covering the thigh garter holsters, bra holsters or corset carry garments. If any women readers would like to comment on what is available for them, I would be happy to read your comments.
This “Underwear” method of carrying is very good for concealing a firearm. Unlike the picture shows, the firearm slips completely into the hidden pocket and does not protrude out. The picture is for demonstrating a firearm “goes in here”. The shirt is designed to be used for either right or left hand access, or could be used for carrying two firearms. That would be your call. Personally, I would carry one and keep a spare magazine in the other.
Some things to keep in mind are that the holster areas are well padded which adds bulk. A loose fitting shirt or a light vest will help hide any printing “printing is being able to see the shape of a weapon underneath clothing”. Speaking of shirts, there are shirts designed for this type of carry and have snap closures for easier access. Classic western shirts with snaps would also work well, but may not fit in with your style of dress. This is definitely something to consider. If you find yourself in a situation and need to access your weapon, you might rip out buttons getting to your firearm. A small price to pay if that happens, but something to consider. Another consideration is that there are two velcro squares to help keep the opening close to the body. This may be a further inhibitor to accessing your firearm.
The material used in the shirt contains polyester and spandex. This is not as cool to wear as cotton and can lead to increased perspiration. The holster area is quite thick on this shirt and I have not found this to be a problem. However, on other brands, or styles of undershirts, I have removed my firearm at the end of the day and found moisture had collected on the outside of the weapon. I cannot help but think this is a “bad thing”. There are cotton based shirts that have velcro patches for attaching either an elastic pistol holster or magazine holder and can be used for either right or left hand draw. Or with two of the elastic holster attachments, you could carry two firearms. I was concerned that the velcro fastener might not secure a firearm, but in the few times I have used it, the velcro worked well. This was made very evident when I tried to remove the holster and magazine holders from the shirt for laundering. I have tried three different brands of this deep cover method, and the style like the one from 511 is the one I like the best. There is another shirt very similar to the 511 style, but the padding is not as thick and there are spots from gun oil that I do not see on the 511 style.
There are other types of underwear holsters out there including a type of “boxer brief” that holds the firearm inside the pants/shorts at about the 5 o’clock position. I am not able to comment on these from experience as I have not had the desire to try them. There are also versions available for women in styles adapted to fit them. That is not to say that I am opposed to this method. If this sounds interesting to you, then please, search the web and check them out. Explore the different styles and manufacturers. Feel free to report back on my blog about your experience. I will be happy to hear.
If you choose to carry from a Deep Concealment garment or holster, now you must take time to practice drawing your weapon from its hiding place. The first thing to consider is that it will take a few extra seconds to access the weapon, so practice is very important. Dry fire drills are an excellent way to become familiarized with the steps involved in getting to the firearm. You will quickly discover that when it comes time to re-holster your weapon, the location it was drawn from has collapsed and is NOT readily available to accept your firearm. If you decide Deep Concealment from an undergarment is the way you want to go, then most of your dry fire drills should be performed using this method of carry. Practice, practice, practice and practice some more. You do not want to be fumbling with buttons or whatever else may be involved, when lives are at stake.
“Ankle Holsters”
Comfort Tac Ultimate Ankle Holster
Just as the name implies, these are holsters the are worn around your ankle. There are several styles available including a “garter” style that have a band that wraps around your leg above the calf to prevent slipping down, and styles that just wrap around the ankle and rely on your shoe to stop the holster from riding down. I have seen individuals carry full size pistols using ankle holsters, but I would not recommend it. Smaller firearms intended for concealed carry are a better choice. Now this is not to say that smaller firearms are better. As my friends at Front Sight will tell you, when it comes to which firearm is the best, “Any gun will do, if you will do.”
Ankle holsters have their own unique characteristics and you must consider them when choosing your method of carry. Two things that come to mind right away, will you be running? And will you need to wade through water? Now you can never say for certain on either of these, so consider the ramifications. Running with a pound and a half weight strapped to your ankle might be part of a good workout, or it might cause you to become unbalanced or distracted. If a firearm gets wet, it can be dried off, but how long before you have a chance to do so after the exposure could be a consideration. In any situation you will want to make sure the holster adequately retains the firearm to keep you both safe.
So now we have covered carrying the firearm on your ankle, how about drawing your weapon from your ankle? This introduces a whole new set of practice scenarios to explore and become proficient.
Drawing from an ankle holster while:
Kneeling
Sitting
On your back
From a prone position
Anything else you can think of…
“Belly Band” holsters
The elastic wrap around holsters are a unique niche holster and have been adapted to work in many styles and configurations. These styles of holsters are from many manufacturers with varying degrees of quality and features. The “belly band” holsters get their name because they were originally designed to go around the waist, covering the “belly” area. They could fall into the category of “Underwear holsters”, since they are great for wearing under sweat p[ants and work out clothing.
They come in right or left hand draw and can be positioned so the firearm is in whatever location suits the wearer. The belly band can be worn high on the torso so it rides the same as the “Tactical T”, but lacks the over the shoulder support.
The Brave Response Belly Band Holster
The “belly band” holster was designed to be worn under a shirt and inside the waistband. Because of the design, it can be worn higher or lower that the traditional IWB “Inside the Waist Band” holster. It is also flexible enough to turn it so a firearm will carry anywhere from the small of the back to the “Appendix” carry position, since it does not rely on attaching to a belt or waist band. It can also be worn outside of clothing, but is rarely worn that way.
These holsters are made from a variety of materials and can be as cheap or expensive as you want them to be. Personally, I purchased a Brave Response holster and have been very pleased with it. I do also have a “cheap” elastic BB holster, and keep going back to the Brave Response when needed.
“I should make note that I have not received any products for review, that I have not paid for out of my own pocket, so I receive no compensation for any mentions of brands or manufacturers”.
Now, just like the underwear concealment, you will find that with most BB holsters, the location your firearm is drawn from will collapse, making re-holstering difficult. An exception to this is with the Crossbreed Belly Band holster, which uses gun specific Kydex inserts to retain the opening to re-holster. Just like every other form of concealment, it is important to practice, so you can be confident and adept with your concealed carry choice.
More conventional options
Shoulder Holsters
There are about as many types and price points of shoulder holsters as you can possibly imagine. I have yet to find a shoulder holster I am happy with save for a custom made rig for a Model 1 Smith & Wesson Spur Trigger, top-break pocket pistol. Needless to say, this is not by any means an EDC firearm and is only used for Cowboy Action Shooting. But that is for another blog.
Things to think about with shoulder holsters and choices to make. Do you want to carry horizontal or vertical. One thing that always bothers me about horizontal facing shoulder holsters, is that they are always pointing at whatever is behind me. Car seat back, the back of my chair, or the person behind me. I have always been trained to NEVER point a firearm at anything I do not intend to shoot. See my point?
Shoulder holsters are a bit harder to conceal and require clothing or outerwear to complete the job. Wear a suit? How would co-workers feel if you take off your suit coat or sport coat? Since most shoulder holsters require an anchor strap to your belt, carrying under a shirt would be impractical.
Shoulder holsters are probably best left to those whose professions require “discreet carry” rather than concealed carry. Now that is just my opinion, so please take it with a grain of salt.
Inside the WaistBand “IWB”
Soft sided IWB holster
I come from a history of wearing close fitting clothes. I wear my belt tight, so the thought of carrying a holstered firearm between by body and my belt seemed awkward. Now that I have spent time experimenting with different ways to carry a firearm, I have discovered the body is very forgiving and will allow itself to somewhat “conform” to a foreign object, like a holster. For the most comfort, there are soft sided holsters, like Uncle Mike’s nylon open top IWB holster. What you gain in comfort, you lose in trying to re-holster. It will not stay open like a kydex holster will.
IWB holsters are one of the most common ways to carry a concealed firearm. They are less likely to be seen while offering the greatest accessibility. They are also one of the most flexible ways to carry. Here are the carry positions detailed out. Imagine standing on the face of a big clock with the 12 in front of you. The 1 o’clock to two o’clock position would be appendix carry for a right hander, or cross-draw for a left hander. The 3 o’clock position would be for side carry, 4 and 5 o’clock would be a little more hidden and tends to be more comfortable. The hip bone does not get in the way. The 6 o’clock position would be the small of the back for either right or left handed. The 7 & 8 o’clock positions would be better concealed and usually more comfortable for the left handed person, 9 o’clock for the side carry of a left handed person, and the 10 & 11 o’clock would be appendix carry for a left handed person, or cross-draw for a right handed person.
With most IWB holsters, it is possible to set the “cant” or tilt/slant of the firearm, either forward or to the back for greater ease of access.
Outside the WaistBand “OWB”
Carrying a firearm outside the waistband can be controversial. If it is covered up by clothing and cannot be seen by the public, great! You are carrying a concealed weapon. If you have the proper credentials i.e. Concealed Carry Permit, life is good. If you do not have a CCW permit, and a coat or jacket covers up the firearm, even momentarily concealing it from view, you could be in trouble. Here is where I say check your local laws or the laws of the places you plan to visit. I also have to put in a plug for the US Concealed Carry Association “USCCA”. If you want to find out about CCW laws anywhere in the US, they are the ones to contact. They also have some great plans to help protect you should you ever be involved in a situation where you have to defend yourself or loved ones. Visit www.usconcealedcarry.com. Let them show you what they have to offer.
So what makes OWB controversial? In two words, public perception. It is the comfort level of those around you when they can see that you are openly carrying a firearm. People are used to seeing Law Enforcement Officers “LEO” openly carrying firearms and generally find comfort in it. But what about someone openly carrying and they do not have a badge or uniform identifying them as someone who should be armed? It becomes a question of trusting a total stranger with the power or ability to take your life. If you have not ever thought of what open carry looks like in those terms, perhaps you can begin to understand some of the problems pro-gun, 2A people are facing. So let’s be honest here. Have you ever known or seen someone at the range, and after observing their behavior, lack of safety or lack of training, found yourself uncomfortable? I have. Just the other day, I was at an outdoor range and observed a person with a sporting rifle, going through what could only be described as “assault training exercises”. And he was not only pointing down range, but behind the line of fire, pointing away from the range. Now the only time I heard shots fired, he was shooting down range. But my anxiety level was definitely in the red zone.
If we, as gun enthusiasts can make each other feel that way, imagine how the general public can feel. This is why public perception is important and it is up to each of us to act responsibly, as most of us do.
I will get off of my soap box now and get back to the subject at hand. OWB can be the most comfortable way to carry a firearm. It does not hinder our movement, it keeps the weapon “at the ready”, and accessible. When in training, I have found this is the most widely used method for carrying a pistol. It is easy to keep holstered until training requires the pistol to be used.
There are a variety of OWB holster styles. These can be open top, thumb break and trigger guard lock styles. Thumb break and trigger guard lock holsters are best for actively carrying a firearm, or when activities could cause the firearm to become otherwise un-holstered, loose or dropped. Law enforcement and other security professions tend to use these to keep the weapon in check from accidental unholstering, or from someone trying to disarm the person carrying the firearm.
In controlled training environments like gun ranges, this precaution in usually not necessary and can actually lead to accidents by utilizing the trigger finger before the weapon is drawn from the holster, accidentally engaging the trigger before intending to do so. No one want to see or hear an accidental discharge!
The style of OWB holster you choose should depend on the reason you are carrying a firearm outside of the waistband.
I have to pause here for a short plug for one of my favorite holster manufacturers, Front Line, www.frontlineholsters.com, based in Israel. I learned about Front Line when looking for a holster for a particular pistol, only to find there were not many made for that pistol. Front Line did make one and I bought it. Spent four days training with it at Front Sight and I could not have been more pleased. So when I needed a holster for a pistol with an integrated laser, I was thrilled to find they made one and I ordered it. To my dismay, when I received the holster and tried inserting the pistol, it would activate the laser, from inside the holster. Needless to say I was confused. I contacted Front Line and they were very anxious to learn of the problem and why it was happening. Through exchanges of photos and emails, it was discovered the holster I purchased, was for the pistol with the Crimson Trace laser added on. My pistol actually had the laser integrated into the frame. Once the problem was discovered, “I have to take the blame for not realizing what I was ordering”, the service rep told me they were working on one and would let me know when they would be ready. To my surprise about a week later, I received a new holster in the mail. It was PERFECT!!! I asked how they wanted me to return the other holster and was told to keep it, just let them know how I liked the new holster.
Okay Front Line, I am letting you know… I LOVE IT!!!
Front Line
Open Top KNG Holster
This is not intended to be a fully comprehensive study of all the ways to carry, there are some specialty items out there that I have not covered like the 22 pistol that mounts in a belt buckle, These are not usually in the scope of Concealed Carry. I hope you have found this informative and helps you to consider your options, should you Choose To Carry!
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