[Uechi]

IWB Holsters for Florida - Glock 23

Inputs on IWB holsters is as varied as the guns that are carried, A lot of the opinions address comfort and concealabilty, but assume people are wearing pants, long sleeve shirts or vests. Unlike a lot of states, in central and south Florida we can just about wear shorts and a t-shirt all year round. I'm looking for personal experiences and recommendations for concealed carry with this attire. The clothes mentioned before would be unbearably hot. The simple truth is if carrying is uncomfortably hot many people just won't carry at least not on a regualr basis, which defeats the whole point of self protection.

 

[AirForceShooter]

for my Bersa 380 I use a Don Hume IWB under a loose t-shirt or botton up Columbia shirt and our ever present cargo shorts.
If I wearing my PT-22 it's got a clip draw. That thing disappears under almost anything.

 

[Cthulhu]

Well, I almost never wear shorts, so I can't speak for the shorts thing. I normally wear jeans and t-shirts. My Crossbreed Supertuck has been perfect for me.

-JT

 

[driver]

I haven't really noticed a difference between carrying with shorts or jeans. I cannot really pull off t-shirts with out printing though, so I usually go for a polo shirt with a pattern to break up the printing.

 

[Steve48]

+1. A T-shirt under and an untucked polo over is cool and conceals well.

 

[SGB]

Carrying if far more comforting than comfortable. No full size defensive pistol is going to be as comfortable to carry as a smaller comfort gun will be.

You can mitigate this to an extent by choosing a strong belt designed to carry the weight of a firearm as well as a quality holster meant to distribute that weight as well.

I carry a full size 1911 in a Milt Sparks VMII.

 

[T.S.]

Unlike a lot of states, in central and south Florida we can just about wear shorts and a t-shirt all year round. I'm looking for personal experiences and recommendations for concealed carry with this attire.

I carry my 1911 all year long in an inside the waistband holster that costs about $10.00 and works great for me like this:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.midwayusa.com/midwayusa/staticpages/highres/560966.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct%3Fsaleitemid%3D932345&usg=__f5z8BpN4pB6prcHzprSrn0CglD4=&h=375&w=500&sz=21&hl=en&start=13&um=1&tbnid=wun_37d3a__gvM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dinside%2Bwaist%2Bband%2Bholster%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

All of my shirts, button up, Polo and T-shirt, are worn untucked. With this holster I can carry my 1911 comfortably and it conceals well. You can find this type of holster at most gun shops and gun shows as well.

 

[RadTek]

Uechi,

I'm in the same boat. I moved here about 15 years ago from Colorado. And, for some strange reason, I've just never gotten accustomed to this heat. Shorts and T-shirts are just about all I own. So, the idea of what many people refer to as "conceal garments" or the like, such as over shirts, jeans, pants, etc..has just bothered me from the word go.

However, strange as it may sound, I didn't believe it myself at first, LAYERING cotton actually works! I've done enough research and apparently, layered cotton shirts are "cooler" than one cotton T-shirt. Such as a T-shirt under a polo or long, untucked button down.

Some kind of printed over shirt seems to be what works best. Something similar to a flannel or anything that breaks the eye's outline of anything under the shirt "printing." If you can stomach wearing them, I know a fella that could make a tank disappear under those touristy Hawaiian shirts...:laughing

 

[Political Junkie]

I live in

the Keys. The heat here during the summer is stifling. During the summer carrying may be a problem just because of the amount of perspiration. I carry a Don Hume PCCH just behind my right hip. This holster has a bodyguard so the gun never touches your skin. I just received a belt from The Beltman. Very nice with the stiffener. Holds the rig nice and close without any sag in the belt at all. I would highly recommend one. I wear a white fishing t-shirt and shorts about every day and have no problem concealing a 4" XD 45. I am 5'10 175lbs. I have never had anyone notice what I have on me even when bending over, etc. in Publix. People are to preoccupied with themselves to notice what is around them no less what I am covering with my shirt.

 

[Paladin]

I carry in a Uncle Mikes IWB with no real problems. As I'm writing this the holster is on a pair of cargo shorts with no belt and covered by a t-shirt. I even played some basketball with the kids dressed like this.

 

[bfc]

I just posted this in the thread about wearing IWB without a holster but will also post here. So sorry for the double post.


Personally, I am carrying a Xd Subcompact. I carry it in a Smartcarry. It is very secure and sweatproof due to the Cushmax material which allows it to breath. I find it very comfortable even with the double stack mag. I personally don't wear belts so a traditional IWB or OWB holster was out for me. I've found that the lower I wear the Smartcarry the more comfortable it is. It is possible to have the grip stick above the beltline if you would like but to me would not be as comfortable when sitting, driving, etc.

With my setup I can bend over, run, ride a bicycle, etc. Being a lazy Floridian, I wear pretty much the same attire daily. This consists of a t-shirt, stretchable shorts, and flip flops. I know, a walking fashion statement right? Yeah, I don't care, I'm not out to impress anyone.

I will admit, its probably not as quick to pull your weapon out as you need two hands to access your (unless you had the grip sticking out above your waistband) weapon. I'd say it takes an extra second. Definitely faster than trying to open a fanny pack. Nobody can tell I am carrying. Also, it is made to wear over your jewels (sorry Mamabear) but I assume you could move it to the side if you would like.

Anyway if you are thinking of carrying IWB without a holster, I would seriously consider a Smartcarry.

BFC

 

[RadTek]

I've considered a Smartcarry. However, I've heard that it doesn't work well for us....ah...ahem...rather rotund jolly folk.:doh

Otherwise, it'd probably be the way I'd go myself.

 

[J T]

Don Hume IWB with clip for me. I wear shorts and T-shirts most of the year also. An untucked T-shirt covers fine as long as it's not too tight.

 

[OrlandoDriver]

+1 on the don Hume with cargo shorts.

 

[bfc]

I've considered a Smartcarry. However, I've heard that it doesn't work well for us....ah...ahem...rather rotund jolly folk.

Otherwise, it'd probably be the way I'd go myself.

Well I'm not skinny by any means. And according to my wife and her Wii fit I'm obese. 5'9 220lbs 38x30 pair of pants. opcorn opcorn and more opcorn
Thats the bad thing with wearing these stretchy shorts. You never know your gaining the weight until you try to to put on something that doesnt stretch! Then you say screw it and put your stretchies back on.

 

[RadTek]

...Thats the bad thing with wearing these stretchy shorts. You never know your gaining the weight until you try to to put on something that doesnt stretch! Then you say screw it and put your stretchies back on.

I know that scenario well...:rolf I gained all this weight when I was a truck driver. Talk about a job that packs on the pounds. Nothing but greasy truckstop food and sitting on your caboose all day long to expand your horizons. :laughing

I'll likely pick up a Smartcarry at some point in time and give it a try. Even if I only use it for "lounging" around the house in my gym shorts. Besides, I have to start that drawer full-o-holsters some time...right? :thumsup

 

[al59tree]

supertuck

I usea Crossbreed Supertuck to carry my Bersa thunder 45 uc and it is perfict for Fl as it allows you to put a untucked t shirt over it with vertially no printing
Al

 

[Detachment Charlie]

Like others here I've used Don Hume, and they are great. Then, after it became abundantly clear that I wasn't gonna live forever, I got Milt Sparks VMII for the 1911 and TT Gunleather for the Sigs. :drinks

 

[ZO6Vettever]

I live in Key West and it's pretty warm here. I am using a Kholster now and it's really comfortable with my full size 9mm. I have had it about a month now so don't know for sure about the "dog days" heat but it is fantastic now. If it is too hot in the summer I'll use my "Tommy's Gun Pack" and look like a dork but it works and works good. If you want to try a Kholster use code 335061 for a 10% discount.

http://www.kholster.com/

 

[Hammerheadfl]

Shoulder Holster

I use one of these when it is real hot out and I am dressing light. This is a great holster universal and washable.

Stoner Holsters

http://www.stonerholsters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=9