Concealed Carry Corner: Beginner’s Guide To Concealment Jackets
Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we took a look at the changing landscape of concealed carry. And how the community is switching how they carry, given the current climate in society. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I want to take a closer look at how much easier life gets when you carry with a cover garment or jacket of some kind. Having a jacket can greatly affect how much you can carry and also how easily you can conceal a handgun. Let's take a closer look at a beginner's guide to concealment jackets.
Why Conceal With A Jacket?
During the summer months, it's really tough to look inconspicuous walking around with a coat in the summer heat, but for most of the country, these next few months allow people to throw on some sort of cover jacket, which gives you the opportunity to conceal much more easily than having just a shirt or tank top. The dreaded concept of “printing” can really cause stress for new concealed carriers. For those of you who don't know, printing is when a vague or clear outline of your firearm shows.
Depending on the severity of the printing, certain cases have resulted in a brandishing charge, so it's really important to keep in mind when looking at your cover garments. Having a light jacket or cover garment can drastically reduce the chances of a printing incident. Having the ability to cover the entire area does not allow bystanders to see any part of your waistline with an even layer over your firearm. This really becomes useful when the colder months approach and you have multiple layers, allowing you to carry larger firearms in a few different methods. For the vast majority of the year, though, having a lightweight jacket to throw on when appropriate can really make a difference.
Concealment in Colder Months
When the months start to become colder in northern states, it really does add a number of carry options without struggling to conceal your handgun. One of the most common ways people change their carry method in winter months is switching to a larger mid or full-size firearm, along with moving from an inside the waistband (IWB) to an outside the waistband (OWB) style holster.
This allows you to carry a larger firearm without fearing of printing. Having multiple layers allows the concealed carrier to carry a full-size firearm without having any issues with printing since each layer smooths over the outline of your firearm. A well-known rule of thumb to keep in mind is that most bystanders don't look or notice if you're carrying a concealed handgun. If you’re attempting to conceal a handgun and can't see it in the mirror at home, there's a high probability that the random bystander will have absolutely no clue you're carrying a firearm.
Another great option during the colder months is carrying in some sort of shoulder rig with the ability to have a spare magazine holder on the off-hand section. Shoulder holsters take the weight off your waist and can be an incredibly fast draw, especially in the seated position. If you are traveling in your vehicle a lot and want to have fast access to your handgun, a shoulder holster can be a fantastic choice. Combine the ease of drawing with the extra outer layers for concealment and you have a great carry option that won't print or show you have a handgun on your body.
Concealed Jackets Vs Regular Jackets
One of the most common traps I see people fall into is the need to buy a tactical jacket because, obviously, they need it to tactically carry a concealed handgun. Don't get me wrong, there are a few companies that make exceptional jackets, but nothing makes you blend in and look like an everyday person than carrying with your North Face jacket or whatever else you may carry on a daily basis.
Companies like Viktos and FirstSpear create neutral colored jackets that look normal but offer special features like side zippers to rapidly get to your firearm without looking out of place. If you're just starting out, though, it's best to use what you have already and after getting comfortable, you can begin to explore options, but most “tactical” options are actually a waste of money.
Overall Thoughts
It can be overwhelming to figure out the best way, but having the right tools at your disposal can make carrying a handgun way easier with a couple of tricks that just take time. Having a light jacket and taking advantage of weather conditions can not only make carrying a handgun easier but can also allow you to carry a larger handgun while concealing it effectively.
What other tricks do you guys do to make it easier? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below. If you have questions about concealing a handgun or about firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you next seek for another edition of Concealed Carry Corner.
TFB’s Concealed Carry Corner is brought to you by GLOCK
I'm an avid shooter and love educating whether it's at my job or in the shooting community. I'm an average joe that really loves talking with other people about firearms and other passions.I'm active on Instagram on @fridgeoperator.
More by Matt E
Comments
Join the conversation
Matt is talking about the upcoming cooler weather not the summer although the current temperature around the lakes might just merit a light jacket at night.
This isn't rocket science. If you are in a dressy urban setting in cooler weather a sport coat will be a good choice. You can hide just about anything under it. Walking around in that environment in an untucked Carhartt T-shirt is a dead giveaway that you are carrying appendix.
For other settings anything by Ariat, LL Bean. Northface, Columbia, Carhartt or Duluth will do. Don't bother with the tactical brands because anybody who you need to worry about will finger you as carrying.
Cant wait for the concealing in swimwear article coming in February