Concealed Carry Corner: Features That Affect Concealability

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we talked about the perfect accessories to install on your concealed handgun. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I want to talk about various aspects and features that can really make or break how easy it is to conceal. Not everyone talks about the struggles if you carry something too large or heavy compared to a lighter-weight option. Let's take a closer look at features that affect concealability.  

Frame Length

If I had to choose just one feature that would make or break the ability to effectively conceal a handgun, it has to be the frame length and its overall size. One of the toughest things to conceal with minimal clothing is the “butt” or back of the frame in just a single layer of clothing, like a shirt or tank top. It's fairly obvious for those of us who carry on a regular basis, but even appendix carrying, where you have the most flat surface, can be challenging if you have a large-framed full-size firearm. In the summer months, most full-size or even some medium-sized handguns are out of the question simply because the frame is too large to comfortably carry.

There are certainly other factors to take into consideration, like your body size and where you decide to carry. A smaller-framed individual will struggle to carry a full-size firearm on their hip, while a larger-framed man will be able to conceal a larger firearm without struggling. It all boils down to personal features and what fits your lifestyle best. If we are talking about a general rule you can live by, though, is the fact that shorter-framed handguns will have less capacity but also print less, making them easier to conceal regardless of your body type.

Overall Width

Width is an interesting one because most semi-auto carriers won't know what I'm talking about. Handguns like the Glock 21 in 45 ACP have a slightly larger width than their 9mm counterparts; however, that slight bump up in width doesn't affect how easy a handgun is to conceal in most cases. What I’m talking about, though, is the width of a cylinder on a revolver or other smaller concealable handgun. Now we all know the general rule with smaller snub nose revolvers is the fact they are easy to conceal and a great option, with the drawback of usually having a low capacity.

If you decide to carry a revolver in an IWB style holster, you need to consider the overall width and be prepared to have a hot spot where that cylinder sits on your body. Over time, it can start to rub and irritate your skin. Like I said earlier, semi-autos will usually have a fairly similar feel and profile when you have them concealed on your body, but revolvers certainly can make you uncomfortable over time. This is why most guys who carry a revolver will either do so in their pocket or in a holster on the outside of their waistline. Revolvers have a fantastic ability to just disappear on your body, but depending on where you decide to carry it, a smaller-framed revolver can create hot spots on your body from the cylinder hitting and rubbing against your body.

Weight

Weight is probably the next important aspect of a carry gun. I will be the first to admit I love an all-metal handgun for how it shoots and I just enjoy the feeling more than a polymer-framed handgun, but the major drawback after a while is the heavier weight that comes with a metal-framed handgun. This usually isn't a problem when carrying the handgun in short durations, but if you plan on carrying all day, it can sometimes lead to hot spotting on your left hip from the belt rubbing against your body due to the heavier weight of the pistol. Again, there are a number of factors here, whether it's carrying with a sturdy belt, good holster and how much the handgun weighs.

Overall Thoughts

There are a variety of aspects that can affect concealability, but frame size and weight are the two big factors, with the width of the pistol affecting the carrier when looking at revolvers. These are important when you're looking at your next pistol and trying to figure out if it's easy to conceal and carry all day long or if it's tough because of printing or hot spotting over a long day. What do you guys think are some other factors when looking at a good concealed handgun? Let me know in the comments below. If you have questions about carrying concealed or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you next week for another edition of Concealed Carry Corner.

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