[rhalsey]

I may have FINALLY found the right combination of weapons with respect to weather and clothing.

(1) Warm weather (short and T shirts) - I now carry a S&W 642 .38 Spcl in either a pocket holster (T shirt only) or an Uncle Mikes IWB holster (with a Guayabera shirt over it). This gun is so light (15 oz) that I hardly know it is there. An optional choice is my Colt New Agent .45 ACP in the same IWB holster with the Guayabera shirt. OR, I can carry both the S&W 642 .38 Spcl in a pocket holster (as a backup) and the Colt New Agent .45 ACP in the IWB holster with the Guayabera shirt. I really do not like to carry a round in the barrel of the Colt and I will have to rack the slide before I can use it, so the dual combo gives me a lot of latitude.

(2) Cool/cold weather (pants and heavy shirt) I can carry the S&W 642 .38 Spcl in an IWB holster (as a backup) and the Colt New Agent .45 ACP in a GALCO shoulder holster with the heavy shirt covering it. Again, I really do not like to carry a round in the barrel of the Colt, so the dual combo gives me a lot of latitude.

It has taken me a while to come to these conclusions (and a lot of $$$$$$), but I think the .45 ACP gives me the stopping power I want, and the .38 Spcl can be either the first response gun (ready to fire) or a backup.

All of this was NOT intuitively obvious to me when I first decided to do this, but ultimately I learned that I had to choose weapons that were DEPENDABLE, EFFECTIVE, and CONCEALABLE. A concealable weapon turned out to be the biggest challenge and like so many others, I spent a lot of money on holsters. I know that could have chosen a GLOCK .45 ACP, but I just have this thing for metal weapons.

This forum has given me a number of things to think about, so I want to say "THANK YOU" to all who participated.

 

[Cthulhu]

Due to various personal...quirks...I pretty much dress the same, regardless of season. The only difference is that if it does get colder ("cold" to me is sub-50F), I may wear a t-shirt under my shirt, and possibly a jacket. I never wear shorts when I'm out and about.

This gives me the benefit of not have to worry about seasonal carry

But, the OP is right...this kind of thing is not necessarily intuitive, especially when beginning to carry concealed for the first time. The choices of holsters and handguns alone make for an insane amount of combinations. It can be expensive, and time consuming, but once you've determined to exercise your rights to protect yourself, it is well worth the cost in time and money to find something that will work for you. If you just "settle" for what's cheap and available, you won't be comfortable and/or concealed, and you'll eventually end up not carrying anyway.

-JT

 

[SwampRat]

I remember those day of indecision and collecting holsters, changing firearms to suit my dress etc..not anymore...I wear a full size 1911 day in and day out..Right now it resides in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II with just a T-shirt over it. When I need to dress and tuck in the shirt, it goes in the SuperTuck, when I feel like OWB it goes in a Blade-Tech Stingray with open shirt for cover...I never change my weapon anymore, just dress around it..I dont wear any type of shorts only Blue Jeans or Cargo pants. Its the K.I.S.S. method.