CCW Attire

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1972RedNeck
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CCW Attire

Post by 1972RedNeck »

After yesterday's heinous attack on a church in Michigan I have decided to start packing in church. I hate that this is what the world has come to but it is what it is.

I have always struggled with CCW without a jacket. I don't like compact handguns and I am 6' 1" and 175# and wear 32x36 Wranglers. Shirt always tucked. There is no way I can carry a 1911 or the like without being quite obvious unless I wear a jacket. So if I need to CCW I just carry OWB and don a jacket.

My go to meeting attire is blue jeans and a conventional conservative western shirt. Knowing what to wear has never been a strong suit of mine.

Suggestions for a jacket that would match my attire that won't cook me in the summer time?
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by JimT »

Wear a western vest ... With an IWB holster you can carry a 1911 no problem. It does not print .. does not show ...
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by 1972RedNeck »

JimT wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 3:59 pm Wear a western vest ... With an IWB holster you can carry a 1911 no problem. It does not print .. does not show ...
Yes, that would do it. But I would rather carry OWB with a jacket as that is what I am used to.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Mark in MO »

I'm roughly the same built. 6'-0", 165 lbs. and wear 32x34 Wranglers. When I carry it's normally a single stack 9 using a Crossbreed IWB holster. I usually do so with an untucked shirt, either a polo or dress style, but can carried while wearing a shirt tucked in. While doing so there are only 2 black tabs showing at my belt line. They seem to blend in well with the black belt I typically wear. I don't believe anyone has ever noticed them.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Bronco »

One of my carry's is a kimber eclipse with a 3" barrel, 45 acp naturally. A Sneaky Pete works .

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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Malamute »

1972RedNeck wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 4:07 pm
JimT wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 3:59 pm Wear a western vest ... With an IWB holster you can carry a 1911 no problem. It does not print .. does not show ...
Yes, that would do it. But I would rather carry OWB with a jacket as that is what I am used to.
A grey western cut sport coat would do what needs to be done, and stay in your standard dress style. I have a couple for special occasions, with a grey wool vest with silver buttons and black silk scarf alone or with a silver Navajo scarf slide becomes even more dressed up. All that works with blue jeans and boots, though I prefer black jeans, a short step up in look.

I mostly wear a canvas western cut vest to cover a pistol in town, I dont know if it would cover a 1911, but does cover a 2 1/2" Smith 19. Having a black holster and black jeans help stay discreet even if it peeks out unintentionally. The 4 pockets in the vest are very handy as well. I stopped dropping or losing sun glasses, cell phone, and had an inside pocket for check book and small note pad with town list of things to do.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by jeepnik »

I'm no help. Church here is pretty darned casual. Maybe that's just a SoCal thing. But I wear my standard jeans and Hawaiian shirt. Usually in a more subdued print for church. The wife has given up complaining. But no one at church has ever complained. Now that some know what's under the shirt there are likely very few that would complain. On the other hand, we have a couple of, hmm not sure exactly what to call us, folks that act as "sheepdogs" in full on three piece suits.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by AmBraCol »

Funny, thought I'd posted in this thread. Back in the day when suit and tie were more often used, no one ever noticed the heavier side pocket of my jacket. Nowadays an untucked shirt or western vest does the honors, but IWB is mostly used.

One very good option would be one of Skinner Sights Bible covers. You can pack a fairly decent sized piece of iron in that sword sheath - and that's what it's designed for. It's off body carry, but very inocuos looking and good cover - in more ways than one.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by AJMD429 »

.
I’m lucky and that I only have to wear a suit and tie at weddings and funerals, and the three of us who hung out in high school together did attend to each other‘s weddings and our tradition was one of the guys carried his Smith & Wesson model 29, the other carried his Ruger Blackhawk 7 1/2 inch 45 colt, and I carried my Ruger super Blackhawk 7 1/2 inch 44 magnum on those occasions.

I suppose if we had to wear that kind of attire at church, the sky would be the limit, but realistically, I’m going to be wearing an untucked polo shirt or whatever a short sleeve shirt that’s designed to be worn untucked is called, or in the winter a sweater. I have a 34 inch waist but get 36 inch pants for inside the waistband carry, and I’m 6’2”. I’ve never had any problem carrying a full-size 1911. Usually an Para Ordinance P-14, or of late a Taurus PT-92, which is the same size as the Beretta 92 military Model.

You may be worrying too much about being caught or printing. I’ve only had a person notice I was carrying in that manner twice that I’m aware of in 30 years or so. One of them was when a patient started having a seizure and I had to sort of climb across a table to help keep them from falling. My shirt had ridden up over the lower part of the holster. The other one was during a woman’s physical and I dropped something and bent over to pick it up, thinking that she wasn’t looking in my direction, but instead of squatting, I bent forward and the gun showed. In the first case, the patient’s husband, and in the second case, the patient herself, commented essentially the same thing which was “it’s nice to see one of the good guys in the world carrying a gun; that makes me feel safer…

Regardless of what you choose, good on you for carrying in your place of worship. God’s children need protection. Some people say we should leave it up to God, but I figure I’ll let Him take care of the stuff I can’t do like tornadoes and earthquakes, but I have to assume His guiding hands led Mr. Ruger and Smith & Wesson and Colt and Beretta and all their buddies to have the inspiration to design tools to help us protect ourselves, so it is up to us to learn to use those tools proficiently and wisely.

I recently had a deranged patient verbalize a threat to kill me, and although I doubt that he will attempt that, those sort of things do serve as a reminder that we always need to be prepared to deal with violence if it comes our way. Hopefully by de-escalation, but if that fails, sometimes force is the only option. An old guy like me isn’t going to be able to stop somebody with my fists or some fancy ninja move, and there are plenty of other older folks, or women trying to carry a baby and hang onto a toddler, who really can’t protect themselves well, even if they do have a firearm of some sort.

It’s sad that we live in a society turning away from religion, not just to the extent that they scoff at, or ignore it, but to the extent that many are willing to try to destroy it.
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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

I carried a full size 1911 in Houston for years and I was a lot skinnier than I am today.

For the last 40 plus years I’ve carried a pistol everywhere but the courthouse. Nobody has ever said a word to me.

You can dress around the gun but most people give themselves away by messing with it.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Griff »

Jeans, IWB & hawaiian shirt or if in cooler weather, a sweatshirt or jacket.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by 1972RedNeck »

Griff wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 8:43 pm Jeans, IWB & hawaiian shirt or if in cooler weather, a sweatshirt or jacket.
Not sure why, but I have literally never worn a shirt untucked as long as I have been dressing myself. A picture of me at 4 years old will show a tucked shirt.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Pisgah »

A SIG P365 9mm in a pocket holster is part of my church attire.

It ain't no 1911, but 11 rounds of 9mm is better than a thrown hymnbook, and no one's the wiser... :wink:
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by AmBraCol »

One thing most of y'all probably don't have to worry much about is "being made" by someone giving you a hug. That's a part of latino culture that complicates CCW as you've got to find ways to not only cover your pistol but prevent it from being touched inadvertently.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by 1972RedNeck »

AmBraCol wrote: Tue Sep 30, 2025 8:12 am One thing most of y'all probably don't have to worry much about is "being made" by someone giving you a hug. That's a part of latino culture that complicates CCW as you've got to find ways to not only cover your pistol but prevent it from being touched inadvertently.
Yeah, I tend to be as prickly as a cactus so that's not a concern .
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by jnyork »

I subscribe to the theory that " Having A gun is better than having NO gun". Sig P238 .380 in a Galco pocket holster, never leave home without it, never been "made" that I know of. I have a 1911 but it's just too much for me now at 85 years old.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by 44shooter »

Instead of trying to redress you or changing your armament, I’m going to recommend a linen or seersucker jacket for hotter weather. Fortunately for you, these fabrics are “in” now and being warmer season items should be on clearance this time of year.
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Re: CCW Attire

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AmBraCol wrote: Tue Sep 30, 2025 8:12 am One thing most of y'all probably don't have to worry much about is "being made" by someone giving you a hug. That's a part of latino culture that complicates CCW as you've got to find ways to not only cover your pistol but prevent it from being touched inadvertently.
I guess I have also had several occasions where a patient has me stand up and pokes ME around the back to show me where THEIR back pain is, and sometimes I'm sure they feel the pistol. Fortunately although hugs are a part of interactions fairly often, especially if there is a scary diagnosis being delivered, hugs are usually higher up on the torso than the holster.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

AmBraCol wrote: Tue Sep 30, 2025 8:12 am One thing most of y'all probably don't have to worry much about is "being made" by someone giving you a hug. That's a part of latino culture that complicates CCW as you've got to find ways to not only cover your pistol but prevent it from being touched inadvertently.
I have had people find that I was armed by hugging me. Most people don’t seem to care and I don’t hug just anybody.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by JB »

1972RedNeck wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 9:27 pm
Griff wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 8:43 pm Jeans, IWB & hawaiian shirt or if in cooler weather, a sweatshirt or jacket.
Not sure why, but I have literally never worn a shirt untucked as long as I have been dressing myself. A picture of me at 4 years old will show a tucked shirt.
I'm in the same boat. I wore it tucked all through school, then had to wear a tucked shirt through my work years. Now it just feels "odd" if a shirt is untucked. I guess that's why pocket carry is my favorite.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by piller »

I walk with a cane often nowadays due to having balance issues from the Covid vaccine causing 76 TIAs and 3 major strokes, and counting. I get to Church and sit down. The cane draws attention away from everything else. No one has said anything about anything but the cane. There are others whom I am pretty sure are carrying. A long sleeve shirt a size or two too big with snaps instead of buttons could easily hide a shoulder holster and a 1911. A leather vest is also a good way to hide something. I do not get hugs. The cane gets in the way.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

Since June I have been carrying a .32 H&R Magnum Smith 632 in my pocket in a Simply Rugged pocket holster.

Am I lazy? Maybe.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Walker »

I like that 632! I'm either in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt or wranglers at 6ft and 180lbs. Haven't tucked anything in since the 80's. A hi power in an Andrew's McDaniel II is very comfortable with delrin grips... the spegal grips are too rough on my hide.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Ysabel Kid »

Scott Tschirhart wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 8:06 pm
You can dress around the gun but most people give themselves away by messing with it.
That is pretty much how we have caught everyone trying to carry into our church (this violates state law, and we have an armed security team to keep everyone safe). Most carriers fiddle with their gun and/or holster. Dead give-away.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by marlinman93 »

I carry different handguns for different seasons. When it's hot out and I'm dressed lighter I carry my small Walther that I could fit in my back pocket if I wanted, but I carry it IWB holster and even a T shirt conceals it as long as a T shirt isn't too snug.
In the colder months I carry either my S&W 39 single stock, or my 19 64 Colt full size 1911 style .45. Bulkier clothes, jackets, etc. make it easy to conceal, even with my outside holster. It's a Purdy Gear horizontal, so doesn't allow the muzzle to be exposed.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

On weekends I’m generally carrying a SAA. Since Paul Persinger has my Colt, I’m carrying this USFA Rodeo.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by JimT »

Traveling I usually have several on me or within reach. This trip I have a .45 Colt single action and a S&W 340 .357. While the little Smith is easily concealed it's not hard to carry a .45 Colt single action out of sight.

I think of Gus's admonition to Juanz in the Lonesome Dove saloon as he was wiping the table. Gus said that most folks would not notice a dead skunk on the table. I have observed that same thing with the general population and peop!e who are carrying openly. And if they are carrying concealed they noticed even less.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by AJMD429 »

.
There have been a couple times I carried in a paper bag....

One was walking 2-3 miles home through the Cincinnati ghetto areas after getting off around midnight in the hospital pharmacy. I had the gun deep-concealed in a modified cowboy boot (split the leather seam and sewed-in a pancake holster), but upon leaving, went to the bathroom, unfolded my lunch-paper-bag, put the Charter Arms Bulldog in it with my finger behind the DA trigger in case I stumbled, held the bag over the gun with my thumb, and walked home.

One time I did have to 'drop the bag' and raise the gun high to be seen - three dudes in a parking lot were in my way home (no real good way around it) and looking at something in the trunk of a car. I politely 'waited' a bit before entering the parking lot, for them to finish, but instead, they saw me, and one stayed at the vehicle, acting like he didn't see me, and the other two went each way to flank me. I dropped the bag and raised the revolver, and the flankers stopped, looked at each other and the other guy, then one of them said "It's cool" and then the one shut the trunk and the other two went off back towards the vehicle. I made a point of turning 90 degrees and walking 'around' the area but keepin an obvious eye on them.

The other time I carried 'in a bag' was a larger bag - because it was a 7-1/2" Ruger Redhawk - we were just walking a mile from my home to see a flooded river, and my daughters were with me at age 14 and 16. I was doing outside chores and it was 95 degrees, so all I had on was short pants, socks and shoes, and I didn't want to bother with a holster, so I carried that way. I wasn't expecting trouble, but with two cute teenage girls there did come by a pickup load of college-age dudes who slowed down to leer and mutter obscene things. So the fatherly thing to do was 'drop the bag'. It was amazing how much the behavior of those young guys improved... :lol:
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by samsi »

JimT wrote: Mon Oct 06, 2025 9:56 am (snip)

I think of Gus's admonition to Juanz in the Lonesome Dove saloon as he was wiping the table. Gus said that most folks would not notice a dead skunk on the table. I have observed that same thing with the general population and peop!e who are carrying openly. And if they are carrying concealed they noticed even less.
The two categories of people who generally do notice are cops and bad guys, it's the second category one should be watching out for.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

People generally think it’s impolite to stare at another man’s crotch area.so a gun in my pocket generally won’t be noticed. I drape a shirt over the SAA and it passes without notice. I spot people who are carrying all the time. But this is Texas and they SHOULD be carrying.
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Joe R. & I were on our way to RKrodles house... I darted across a highway intersection and was stopped by a State Trooper. Joe advised the Trooper that we were both LEOs and had several guns in my truck. The Trooper, chuckled and said... "This is Texas, I should hope so!"
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by JimT »

In Colorado a few year ago I was talking to a person in a Rest Stop (long story) and the person was carrying a 9mm Glock openly but no one noticed. They were wearing black shorts with black belt, black holster and black gun. It was pretty well hidden in plain sight.
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Re: CCW Attire

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JimT wrote: Mon Oct 06, 2025 1:32 pm In Colorado a few year ago I was talking to a person in a Rest Stop (long story) and the person was carrying a 9mm Glock openly but no one noticed. They were wearing black shorts with black belt, black holster and black gun. It was pretty well hidden in plain sight.
I think a lot of times the person carrying doesn't notice that others do notice. I sometimes see someone carrying, and people walk past, then turn and point after they know the person wont see them.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by JimT »

I am sure that is true many times. I watched this person in a fairly busy place and didn't see anyone who saw it, though some may have.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Paladin »

If you want to tuck your shirt in, try one of these. I carried a Colt Officers Model for a few years (before I got fatter); it worked great. It will take a while to get back in the holster and re-tuck the shirt, but that should not be a consideration.

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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Lastmohecken »

I always carry a Colt 1911 Lightweight Commander, usually in a Milt Sparks OWB holster, everywhere and especially church. I am on Captain of the security team. Everyone pretty much knows I carry anyway. So, I don't worry about being made, or accidently flashing the bottom of my holster, but normally, it's covered. I dress western, always have. In the cooler months, I wear a Carhart Vest, and I usually buy the tall size which hangs down a little bit more.
'
In the mild weather, I will wear a Tee shirt of some kind tucked in, always because I wear western suspenders also. And then I wear an untucked and usually open shirt over the gun. Usually, it's a heavier denim Wrangler shirt with long sleeves. But when it gets really hot, about 4-5 months of the year, I wear a thinner tee shirt, with no sleeves, and a short-sleeved fishing shirt, brush shirt, something from Bass Pro, something like that with a square tail. Sometimes I have had a western shirt re-cut to a square tailed shirt for that same purpose. And sometimes I wear a Hawaiian shirt.

I sometimes wear a shirt that is 1 size bigger than I really need, this makes it easier. Sometimes I will button the covering shift up, but leave a couple of buttons unbuttoned at the bottom. but if the shirt is not big enough, I just leave it unbuttoned completely. If my jeans are a little on the big side, and I want to conceal better, I will carry my gun in a Milt Sparks Summer Special IWB holster. If I used the IWB holster, I can carry a Lightweight Commander nearly anywhere, there's not a metal detector.

I must admit, that anymore in Arkansas we can open carry if we want to, so I am not always a careful as I used to be, about my holster peeking out the bottom or if my shirt blows open. But I don't openly carry per say. I also carry a spare magazine in a Buck Knife holster on the opposite side.

OH! I forgot to say, at church, I also always carry a Smith 2 inch J-frame Air-weight in off-side front pocket. I don't use a pocket holster, because I never had one that worked worth a stuff. But I do first insert a fairly large folded handkerchief in my front pocket before slipping my J-frame in. In tight western wranglers, I have found that to be the best way for me. The Handkerchief keeps the gun positioned well, and helps break up the outline of the gun, but it does not impede my draw.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Lastmohecken »

Scott Tschirhart wrote: Mon Oct 06, 2025 9:24 am On weekends I’m generally carrying a SAA. Since Paul Persinger has my Colt, I’m carrying this USFA Rodeo.
Scott, I really like your black holster for the singleaction. What brand is that holster?
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by OldWin »

I'm 6 feet and weigh 185-190. I can carry a LW Commander in the summer with just a short sleeve button down shirt.
This required a couple changes in my carry and dress habits, however. I usually carry a 1911 or Commander in a strong side Milt Sparks Summer Special, but have some sort of cover garment. For warm weather, I was forced to go with an appendix holster. I had never owned a "wife beater" t-shirt in my life, but if I tuck one in it keeps the holster and pistol off my skin. Then just wear a button down cotton shirt as the cover. The trick is to use a good holster. My choice is the Dale Fricke Archangel. It's a Kydex holster, but I really like it, especially for hot weather.
It was unseasonably warm here yesterday. My wife and I took the Jeep to the coast so I wore this setup all day yesterday. I spent several hours in a cramped old Jeep and was completely comfortable.
While not a huge fan of an auto pistol pointed at my femoral artery and junk, the 1911 is about the only one I feel safe enough with.
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

Lastmohecken wrote: Mon Oct 06, 2025 11:06 pm
Scott Tschirhart wrote: Mon Oct 06, 2025 9:24 am On weekends I’m generally carrying a SAA. Since Paul Persinger has my Colt, I’m carrying this USFA Rodeo.
Scott, I really like your black holster for the singleaction. What brand is that holster?
Simply Rugged. I have them made with only two belt slots because I never carry crossdraw. Most comfortable way to carry a full size revolver.
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JimT
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by JimT »

If you are wise about it, no one will know it. I have seen people get guns past a pat-down by Police. Just as a test my Dad asked a friend who was an Officer to check and see if he could find a gun on him. He was patted down pretty well but when the guy was done my Dad produced a 7 1/2" Ruger .44 Magnum that the guy missed. It could have been found if more time were taken, but that sort of thing happens now and again. Depends on the situation, though I saw one where there had been an armed confrontation and shooting. The guy was caught and his .38 was taken. He was patted down and then transported to the Police Station. In the interrogation room he pulled a 1911 they missed and killed himself. If he had wanted to take anyone with him he could have.
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by TraderVic »

I have been carrying in church about 10 years. Most folks have no idea that I carry. I carry a 3" 9mm, OWB by preference and following Masad Ayoob's recs, I likely look a bit like a "slouch"......and I'm one of the church Elders besides.
We're a downtown church, so we do get a number of homeless, however most "unhoused" folks are not a problem, we welcome everyone. We train how to handle problem people and have had few problems we cannot handle.
Sometimes I carry a GP100 3" in a Simply Rugged pancake holster, when I can wear easily something that covers it w/o printing.
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Streetstar
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Streetstar »

44shooter wrote: Tue Sep 30, 2025 1:09 pm Instead of trying to redress you or changing your armament, I’m going to recommend a linen or seersucker jacket for hotter weather. Fortunately for you, these fabrics are “in” now and being warmer season items should be on clearance this time of year.
Yes

I second this -- just find a summer weight jacket

Im never going to church with out a gun again and F-- aand F-- hard any self righteous church imbeciles who would dare give me the stink eye after how many freakin shootings churches of all denominations have had to endure

We are our own worst enemy

Probably why i prefer to pray in peace when i get a chance to stop on my mountain bike trails rather than deal with overly sensitive butt clowns ---- as such -- maybe just fore-go church , especially any one that would make you feel uncomfortable packing heat
----- Doug
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Streetstar
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Re: CCW Attire

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TraderVic wrote: Tue Oct 07, 2025 7:43 pm I have been carrying in church about 10 years. Most folks have no idea that I carry. I carry a 3" 9mm, OWB by preference and following Masad Ayoob's recs, I likely look a bit like a "slouch"......and I'm one of the church Elders besides.
Why not?

The rules have changed and i believe open carry should be encouraged now ----- not that its wrong to be stealthy at all and would have been my preferred path up until Sutherland Springs

Its a delicate balance for sure in that you dont want to alienate the timid but you also do not want the Wolves to pray upon your sheep


Edited: --- i live in an open carry state and a church i visited is a "Cowboy church" although all are welcome. People love to carry their 1911's and wheelguns OWB --- but my thoughts on this would be different in a CCW only state -- that said , i still usually wear a jacket
Last edited by Streetstar on Fri Oct 10, 2025 11:45 am, edited 2 times in total.
----- Doug
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Streetstar
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Streetstar »

samsi wrote: Mon Oct 06, 2025 12:26 pm
JimT wrote: Mon Oct 06, 2025 9:56 am (snip)

I think of Gus's admonition to Juanz in the Lonesome Dove saloon as he was wiping the table. Gus said that most folks would not notice a dead skunk on the table. I have observed that same thing with the general population and peop!e who are carrying openly. And if they are carrying concealed they noticed even less.
The two categories of people who generally do notice are cops and bad guys, it's the second category one should be watching out for.

Sorry - but you need to be at least as aware of law enforcement as bad guys ------ lots of folks on conservative gun-centric forums still hold LEO in high regard and that could be a mistake that can result in serious injury, death, incarceration or loss of income

The likes of Bill Jordan - who was stupid enough to kill someone in his own office doing gun stunts -- or MAssad Ayoob are not going to be the ones prancing around --- most likely its going to be asomewhat disconnected guy beaked up on Pre-Workout who is looking for an excuse
----- Doug
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Streetstar
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Streetstar »

Gentlemen -- i have been posting on this awesome forum off and on for a few years now and have rarely said anything cross --- except i think former member - ui think Maddog45-70, or MAdman 4570 or something like that was on, we had a couple of spirited exchanges

But the church issues have triggered me --

Mainly because we have had a couple of members of our veteran community lashing out --- the anti Mormon idiot up north and another guy in North Carolin who used a boat to shoot up a dockside restaurant (he was apprehended alive )

We have a lot of vets on here and , depending on your training - we all remember how to hurt people and destroy property --- when i learned of the aftermath i was sad for the loss of life but grateful that the guy didnt have any serious presence of mind (state of mind was quite serious, but presence of mind is another)

The results would have been much worse if the guy was not running on Mountain Dew, hatred and adrenaline and actually had some kind of a plan other than wanting to kill Mormons

------ A church i visited recently had a security detail made up of some well intentioned wannabe's --- and the hell if i am going to let some Walter Mitty's try to re assure me that they have things under control. I would love to give some good natured advice but really dont want to debate things with a 32 year Army reservist who watches a lot of YouTube videos --- or worse , some fat guy with a CLEET certification
----- Doug
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Re: CCW Attire

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Street, like a lot of things the folks involved make a huge difference. Where I worship the government, and the "church" says we can't have firearms or organized groups of worshipers providing any sort of security. So we disbanded our group. But it was quite a group. Some current and former law enforcement. But mostly (including some of the aforementioned law enforcement types) they are veterans with various backgrounds. Some of us are well into our dotage. But fortunately we had some pretty well trained youngsters.

So now we have no organized group of sheep dogs. Just a bunch of toothless mutts. :wink:
Jeepnik AKA "Old Eyes"
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by AJMD429 »

.
Mostly I'm anti-social, so I tend to do my shooting alone, or with immediate family or friends (fortunate enough to live in a rural hilly area and have 100 yards for safe shooting), and I also tend to do my worshiping/praying the same way.

However that is not good, in that 'networking' with others in the gun community is good politically, and 'networking' with others in the religious community is good spiritually.

When I do go to church to share in prayer or worship, I definitely won't disarm. I only do that where required by law, and if required by law someplace, I tend to avoid going to that place unless 'required by law'. So I mostly stay home, or at my office, or the local hardware or Rural King or Goodwill or Kroger. Those four places supply me with tools, clothes, and food. No real reason to go anywhere else other than maybe a restaurant once in awhile.
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Rexster
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Re: CCW Attire

Post by Rexster »

Seeing this discussion, this morning, prompted me to open the safe, pull my full-Government-sized Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special from the shelf, and simply “Mexican” carry, tucked just behind my right hip. I still have a “sweet spot,” on my right hip, where this simply works, comfortably. (6’ tall, 34” waist, now. 32” waist when I used IWB holsters to tote a 1911.) I could add a normal shirt, that is not tailored for a close fit, and walk about, all day, in public, like this. In actual practice, to carry this weapon, on my right side, I would use a Josh Bulman Forward Drop Scabbard, an outside the trouser holster, with a slight amount of drop. (Carrying a 1911 inside my trousers places it too high for my aging shoulder to articulate, to enable an expedient draw. Plus, my long monkey arms and short waist have always combined to make it necessary for my shoulder to really have to articulate. So, I have not carried a 1911 inside my trousers for at least two decades.)

An outside-the-trousers holster, especially one with a bit of drop, compels me to be more-selective about the outer garment. Even so, a normal sport coat-type of jacket is plenty to cover my normal OWB rig.

For those who can physically execute an expedient draw from an IWB holster, the 1911 remains a VERY concealable weapon, under a range of normal shirts as cover garments.

The shape of the lower part of the grip panel will matter. A grip panel that is beveled or tapered will be less obvious, where it touches the fabric of a cover garment, that is the case with flat-bottomed and/or flared-out-bottom grips panels. Obviously, a flared mag well also complicates concealment.
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