CHL- It's a lifestyle

[glockstero]

Since I applied for my CHL I find myself playing a little game of spotting people carrying. It's kind of like when you buy a certain new vehicle you start noticing just how many of them are out there that you didn't notice before you bought.

I've learned carrying is a lifestyle and it affects everything from attitude, clothing, and fitness to name a few theing. One of the more obvious characteristics of those I have seen carrying thus far is clothing selection and style. For a long time I thought my brother-in-law and most people I work with were just not interested in physical fitness or appearance and they wore their shirts untucked because it would accent just how big their bellies were. How uninfomed I was!

Now I know that a large bellied person wearing an untucked shirt provides a perfect canopy to conceal a weapon. (and perhaps an extra Big Mac or two in a fannie pak)

There is so much more to this CHL thing than I never considered. It's truly a lifestyle.

[The Annoyed Man]

It absolutely is. But the thing to remember is that if you do it right and approach it with the right attitude, it will soon seem second nature. I have not been carrying nearly as long as some other members of this forum, having gotten my first plastic in hand near the beginning of 2008; but by now I don't really remember what it was like to not carry.......and I don't mean the gun part, because I've been a gun owner for many many years now. Rather, I mean that I don't remember what it was like anymore to have the world view and attitude of an unarmed person.

[Skiprr]

Since I applied for my CHL I find myself playing a little game of spotting people carrying. It's kind of like when you buy a certain new vehicle you start noticing just how many of them are out there that you didn't notice before you bought.

I've learned carrying is a lifestyle and it affects everything from attitude, clothing, and fitness to name a few theing. One of the more obvious characteristics of those I have seen carrying thus far is clothing selection and style. For a long time I thought my brother-in-law and most people I work with were just not interested in physical fitness or appearance and they wore their shirts untucked because it would accent just how big their bellies were. How uninfomed I was!

Now I know that a large bellied person wearing an untucked shirt provides a perfect canopy to conceal a weapon. (and perhaps an extra Big Mac or two in a fannie pak)

There is so much more to this CHL thing than I never considered. It's truly a lifestyle.

Strikes me as a bit of an odd post from a new member. "...Perhaps an extra Big Mac or two in a fannie pak." Really?

Are you implying that choosing to carry concealed automatically denotes a lack of interest in fitness? I know competitive triathletes, tennis players, and martial artists who carry. I also know a lot of people who chose to begin carrying later in life because they came to realize the conditions of aging made them more desirable targets...some of the same conditions that can lessen the ability to perform physical work and, ergo, result in weight gain.

As for untucked shirts, the "untucked" look has been more stylish than tucked in casual wear for several years now. At least, judging from TV and movies. But then, I don't read GQ.

However, you're correct: choosing to carry is a lifestyle. Responsibility is foremost, and includes being informed, knowledgeable, and trained.

You mentioned attitude, and for me that comes next. Awareness of your environment and your options. Environmental awareness should be the same for people who are armed or unarmed. But their options differ.

And, yes: You need to dress around your carry. You can't assume--in most cases--you will wear exactly the same clothes you previously wore. I'm not a fan of mouse-gun-only pocket carry (as a BUG, good on ya'...though I've done it as an only-carry in tailored suits, too), and any other on-body carry may require adjustments.

If you carry IWB, it will almost certainly require one pant size larger. The gun has to fit in there somewhere. It would also be a very good idea to get a for-purpose gun belt: a $20, 1.25" Dockers belt ain't gonna cut it. I typically carry a 1911 IWB on the right hip and a double-mag holder IWB on the left hip. One size up accommodates that.

If you carry IWB, you'll eventually decide you need an undershirt between you and the holster(s). I like nice and tight 50/50 cotton/poly blends, but that's just personal preference. Any IWB holster, leather or Kydex, is gonna chafe against bare skin after a full day of sitting, standing, moving, twisting, and turning.

Carrying OWB is more comfortable, but concealment becomes more challenging. IWB pulls the gun itself tight into your body and means that nothing shows below the belt-line. OWB puts the gun outside the belt, and the holster (and/or barrel) extends below the belt-line. OWB is more conspicuous and requires longer cover garments.

Shoulder-holster carry is another option, but presents it's own challenges. If your shoulder-width/chest-measurement is significantly larger than your waist size, you can probably carry shoulder without buying new clothes. The issue is that shoulder carry necessitates unencumbered access...unlike IWB/OWB where multiple cover garments can be employed (e.g., an untucked T-shirt under an unbuttoned camp shirt). This means the shirt or jacket concealing the equipment needs to do its job well and by itself. A T-shirt alone is not an option.

Belly band. Again, you need a high chest-to-waist measurement ratio to effectively use it. I have one, and a PM9 disappears under a loose T-shirt. But I find it uncomfortable for daily wear and, tactically, it's a suspect draw. I'd rate belly-band and behind-the-back about equal in this...well, no, maybe behind-the-back is worse.

Ankle carry. I confess, this is one I've never been tempted to practice. And it requires clothing adjustments, too: if you strap on an ankle rig under a pair of slacks that break properly your instep, when you sit down just about everything will be exposed. You have to use pants (jeans, arguably...because you can't be stepping on the cuffs of dress slacks all the time) that are two inches longer than you normally wear.

OBC: Off-Body Carry. Has its place, but never my favorite. Thoroughly trained, I will never deny a woman purse carry. Heck, it even has some advantages over on-body carry. But those advantages have never led me to recommend a woman carry a gun in a position that can so easily be taken away.

I participate in some sports where attempting to carry on-body simply is not possible. I keep my PM9 in a small lock-box in my bag, and my bag stays within my sight. Certainly not optimum, but I haven't found a better solution.

So, yep: carrying is a lifestyle.

Just like sports and fitness. You have to dress around both...

[SQLGeek]

Now I know that a large bellied person wearing an untucked shirt provides a perfect canopy to conceal a weapon. (and perhaps an extra Big Mac or two in a fannie pak)

You stay classy, San Diego.

[flechero]

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt- as he's new. Lord knows I have said some things I wish I hadn't.

Either way- Sloppy is sloppy, regardless of whether or not you carry. Plenty of people carry IWB with shirt tucked in. Plenty carry with untucked shirt, but in a casual, kept manner. I bet the larger percentage of people you see exhibiting the 'grunge factor' are not carrying.

A more fit person with a " V " to the upper body can carry much easier... the way your shirt drapes gives a ton of room between the shirt and waistband. I think a big belly makes a shirt hug the waist more, thus exposing a weapon.

Using myself as an example, I never bought new clothing for concealed carry- just had to have a couple belt loops moved to ideally position holsters. The fact that I am broad shouldered and a little skinnier at the waist allows me to carry almost anything I want. Nothing wrong with an untucked shirt of the correct size.

[Valk]

Only having received my CHL in July, I realize that I cannot continue to just wear shorts and T-shirt. I’ve dressed this way since I retired in 2005. I haven’t worn blue jeans since then. My shorts fall off if I have a few coins in my pocket.

My wife asked me the other day if my shorts were too big or was it too much belly. I’m 5’11 and weigh 255. I do have a belly and I’ve been stocky since I was a child.

I’d like people to consider some things before they start “prejudging” or labeling others:

Some people have disabilities.

Some people take medications that causes weight gain.

Every one on this forum started out a “newbie”.]

If you’d like me to elaborate I will.

[glockstero]

Sorry fella's, I didn't mean to offend anyone.

I was just saying now that I know about the challenges of concealment the people I thought were just big bellied, a bowler, or a Charlie Sheen wannabe might in fact be dressing to conceal.

[Valk]

Sorry fella's, I didn't mean to offend anyone.

I was just saying now that I know about the challenges of concealment the people I thought were just big bellied, a bowler, or a Charlie Sheen wannabe might in fact be dressing to conceal.

No offense taken.

[RPB]

I like Charlie Sheen shirts except I like guayabera shirts better ... I like pockets where I can stuff things to make extra lumps and bumps; yep I changed how I dressed more than a few times since high school


And though any of these could conceal easily ... I dress to conceal, but .... my "style" changed.

Corduroy low rise hip hugging bell bottoms .... I don't wear those now.

[Valk]

So lumps and bumps are OK? I carry in the smail of my back. If you are looking, you can see something there but I don't think you can make the jump to tell it is a weapon. Does that make sense?

[RPB]

So lumps and bumps are OK? I carry in the smail of my back. If you are looking, you can see something there but I don't think you can make the jump to tell it is a weapon. Does that make sense?

I fill the 4 pockets on guayabera shirts with all sorts of stuff, Tissues hanging out of the lower pockets (I use tissues for packing materials to keep chapstick or whatever from falling out) Not many people stare at tissues long enough to determine whether they are clean or used ... so they look away from where my gun lumps areas are.

I used to like pre-wrinkled clothes; they cost a bit more, but it saves tying them in knots and dragging behind the car after washing them like we did with new blue jeans.

To get the relaxed look wear pre-wrinkled clothes. Do not get carried away though with this as you may end up with just-out-of-bed look.

I discussed the pre-wrinkled look with the head of the law firm where I used to work before retiring, and he preferred starch and creases, I told him my skin isn't creased where the Dry cleaners crease the clothes, so I prefer pre-wrinkled because that's how my skin is getting ...

[Jim Beaux]

Hey guys maybe everyone is being a little too sensitive. I am all belly and I laughed when I read the op's post; and I intend to pay him back first chance I get.

[Jim Beaux]

Sorry fella's, I didn't mean to offend anyone.

I was just saying now that I know about the challenges of concealment the people I thought were just big bellied, a bowler, or a Charlie Sheen wannabe might in fact be dressing to conceal.

Dont try walking it back buddy. You done stepped in it.

[Jaguar]

I use my "love handles" to help conceal. A small 9mm IWB and a roll of fat over the top of the grips keep it totally undecernable.

[Shoot_First]

Now I know that a large bellied person wearing an untucked shirt provides a perfect canopy to conceal a weapon. (and perhaps an extra Big Mac or two in a fannie pak)

Nothing like winning our hearts and minds. Come on down to Southeast Texas for the summer and you will soon be in short pants with an untucked shirt. I pity those here whose job dictates long pants and tucked shirts or even worse, a tie.