Concealed Carry in The Florida Summer Heat

Taktix said:

Tactical U's trainers are constantly evolving our training methods. In preparation for our High Risk Concealed Carry Course, we want to hear from you:

What particular challenges do you face when concealed carrying in South Florida's steamy summer climate and how do you overcome them?

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Kel Tec PF-9 in pocket holster (Elite Survival Systems) or Lasco Leather Badman IWB with generous leather piece to protect skin from slide and slide from sweat. Small gun with capable caliber is how I carry in summer. Now, I just got me a new G19 Gen4 and a Galco Kingtuk (similar to CB). It might go into rotation very soon.

Taurus PT 740 In Pocket Holster.

Taktix said:

Tactical U's trainers are constantly evolving our training methods. In preparation for our High Risk Concealed Carry Course, we want to hear from you:

What particular challenges do you face when concealed carrying in South Florida's steamy summer climate and how do you overcome them?

Click to expand...

I really didn't answer your question though, sorry.

Challenges, mmm, drawing quickly and securely from pocket holster is something that keeps concerning me. Trying to fool aBG as going for my wallet and then properly presenting/drawing firearm.

Another concern is over-penetration since in FL people wear very light clothing in summer heat. I tend to use standard pressure HP rather than +p.

Last, since we rely heavily on our vehicles (at least in the Orlando area where everything is far from everything), maybe drawing from vehicle, best place to conceal in vehicle, etc..

Thanks

Sweat. From it running into your eyes to making your hands slippery. I solve the slippery hands issue by wiping them on my shorts.

As for mode of carry, I have two:
1) For dress pants with a tucked in shirt, a LCP in a pocket holster;
2) For casual (shorts or jeans) with an un-tucked shirt, an IWB leather holster and an XD9sc or XD45c.

Not a problem. Kahr PM9 or snubbie in pocket, IWB with Remora holster and OWB using various pancake holsters covered by a camp/Hawaiin shirt. These guns simply disappear under anything. Even have an NAA mini revolver (or LCP for that matter) that I can carry in my bathing suit in a water tight pouch designed to carry some personal items/money.

I bought an LCP recently for Summer but find that my SW 360PD and LCR feel much better in my pocket. Something to do with the weight distribution. PM9 leans in towards my inner seam due to heavy slide and grips.

the only time I have a problem carrying is when I am wearing shorts with an elastic waistband or a bathing suit that can't support my full sized glocks. other than that I really have no problem carrying I just wear shirts that I don't tuck in

How do you secure your weapon when taking a dip in the ocean or pool?

I've put mine in an OtterBox and taken it surfing while I was alone, on the beach.

apvbguy said:

the only time I have a problem carrying is when I am wearing shorts with an elastic waistband or a bathing suit that can't support my full sized glocks. other than that I really have no problem carrying I just wear shirts that I don't tuck in

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Much the same. I hate working outside & sweating as much as I do, my IWB crossbreed feels all icky after a few hours. I wear an undershirt, but that gets soaked too. But I deal with it. No other real problems carrying my G22.

fuzzy03cls said:

Much the same. I hate working outside & sweating as much as I do, my IWB crossbreed feels all icky after a few hours. I wear an undershirt, but that gets soaked too. But I deal with it. No other real problems carrying my G22.

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fortunately for me i don't have to be outside unless I chose to be and my remora has no problems with the heat/sweat and my horsehide little bear never gets too affected by sweat either

Taktix said:

How do you secure your weapon when taking a dip in the ocean or pool?

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?? I don't. Stays in the car or I bring a UTG messenger bag with concealed pocket where my Kimber Pepper Blaster II is stored.

Life is full of choices and I choose to believe that while swimming my biggest concern in FL is sharks and stingrays, or a kid peeing in the pool. Gun in a sealed otter-something box won't help much. If I'm unlucky and belong to the .001% that gets attacked by a shark or similar, oh well I guess it was my time.

Pocket holster works fine with shorts. At worse it looks like a wallet.

I carry in a Little Bear tuckable holster. I wear an undershirt to help with the sweat and the rubbing of leather on skin. I wear a tucked in shirt every day at work. My biggest concern is getting my tucked shirt out of the way when I draw. when my hand comes up to draw it has one chance to grab my shirt and yank, once it's untucked the rest is easy. Just that first grab that worries me but I have to wear my shirt tucked for concealment and appearance. In some ways the smartcarry I was using when I first started to carry was actually a better choice for drawing but since I can't find the same kind of work pants, pleated with an elastic waist band, that holster doesn't really work well any more. I just have to make up for the slow grab in draw speed and first shot placement.

Chafing against my skin is about the only difference. I, too, use a Little Bear and it's worked fine. I only wear pants or shorts that take a belt, shirts that reach down to cover the holster.

I'd also offer that the summer heat up here in Jax can be much more uncomfortable than South Florida. We don't get much breeze here in the 'burbs, and it seems to get consistently hotter than Miami. All the times I've been to Miami and S. Fla. it's been more bearable down there than up here!

Taktix said:

What particular challenges do you face when concealed carrying in South Florida's steamy summer climate and how do you overcome them?

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I stay inside - :grin

Ok, that produced an audible chuckle. Good one.

GetSome45 said:

Sweat. From it running into your eyes to making your hands slippery. I solve the slippery hands issue by wiping them on my shorts.

As for mode of carry, I have two:
1) For dress pants with a tucked in shirt, a LCP in a pocket holster;
2) For casual (shorts or jeans) with an un-tucked shirt, an IWB leather holster and an XD9sc or XD45c.

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Let me ask you about your 45c. How is it compared to the sc for cary? Do you notice much of a difference because I'm considering selling my SC to get the 45c... I know the handle is about a 1/4" longer. Does it print more because of this? And do you notice much of a weight difference when wearing light clothing. When I saw your post I knew you were the guy to ask lol Thanks!

pitor said:

?? I don't. Stays in the car or I bring a UTG messenger bag with concealed pocket where my Kimber Pepper Blaster II is stored.

Life is full of choices and I choose to believe that while swimming my biggest concern in FL is sharks and stingrays, or a kid peeing in the pool. Gun in a sealed otter-something box won't help much. If I'm unlucky and belong to the .001% that gets attacked by a shark or similar, oh well I guess it was my time.

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I can attest to the shark bite! Hence my username LOL.