Vest as Cover Garment

[kenobi]

A vest is a reasonable choice when it's 50 degrees. In Texas during the Summer it's a target indicator. When it's 90 degrees, something from Hilo Hattie is more comfortable and attracts less unwanted attention.

[kenobi]

I know a couple guys that wear photographer type vests occasionally for concealment. I don't think they've had a problem with it. I have a vest (basically one of my holsters) with a pocket for the gun. I got it at a gun show and only wore it one summer. Turns out, I'm not really the vest type. I thought I could pull it off, but not really. However, maybe now with the beard and longer hair ... hmmm, I might have to pull it back out of the closet and see.

[Excaliber]

A fishing vest works as well as a 5.11 for concealment, and the lighter fabric is a lot more comfortable in the summer.

A couple of fish pins judiciously applied are helpful for misdirection as well.

[The Annoyed Man]

I think "gun people" are going to recognize a vest (during summer) as probably concealing a gun. Other folks aren't likely to have a clue. Either way, I wouldn't worry about it. If a vest screams "gun," then it also screams "leave me alone."

Several years ago I was attending a CHL instructor renewal school. I walked into a burger joint wearing a 5.11 Vest and an off-duty LEO also attending the class started chuckling and said "don't you guys realize everyone knows what that vest means?" My response, "what makes you think I care what you know?"

Chas.

This.

I sometimes wear a vest. I don't really care what someone else thinks about it, and like Charles said, 99% of people outside the gun world just aren't going to notice the vest......or if they do notice it, they don't have any clue about the implications of it. What I care about is this: is my gun concealed?

[Big Bronze Rim]

While I never wear a vest, I don't buy into the myth that it "makes you" as someone carrying. It's possible that other CHL holders may take notice, but I've been able to "make" other CHL holders that weren't wearing a vest based on their attire (5.11 pants, gun related shirts etc) and demeanor. It's just that most people who conceal carry are more switched on and aware, not to mention we all seem to believe that vest=carrying. I'd say that 99% of people who don't carry have no clue.

[jmra]

While I never wear a vest, I don't buy into the myth that it "makes you" as someone carrying. It's possible that other CHL holders may take notice, but I've been able to "make" other CHL holders that weren't wearing a vest based on their attire (5.11 pants, gun related shirts etc) and demeanor. It's just that most people who conceal carry are more switched on and aware, not to mention we all seem to believe that vest=carrying. I'd say that 99% of people who don't carry have no clue.

I don't wear a vest but I know some who do and none of them carry. I would bet (given the low percentage of people in the state that have a CHL and the low percentage of those with a CHL that actually carry) that the vast majority of people who wear vests do not carry.

[MoJo]

While it's hard to believe with the weather being so cool lately, Summer is just around the corner. My normal Summer attire is cargo shorts and an untucked t-shirt but I'm thinking of getting a vest as a cover garment for added piece of mind in case my t-shirt rides up. What is the general consensus on vests? Does it scream, "I'm carrying" or is it pretty discreet. I'm considering either a vest with pockets, like this one: http://www.amazon.com/EarthTrekGear-Men ... afari+vest; or a leather vest like this one: http://www.jpcycles.com/product/352-004

Relax and dress as you desire. I have never heard a garment scream anything.

I don't know, I've seen a few ladies summer dresses that screamed, "I have no taste!"

[mojo84]

While I never wear a vest, I don't buy into the myth that it "makes you" as someone carrying. It's possible that other CHL holders may take notice, but I've been able to "make" other CHL holders that weren't wearing a vest based on their attire (5.11 pants, gun related shirts etc) and demeanor. It's just that most people who conceal carry are more switched on and aware, not to mention we all seem to believe that vest=carrying. I'd say that 99% of people who don't carry have no clue.

I don't wear a vest but I know some who do and none of them carry. I would bet (given the low percentage of people in the state that have a CHL and the low percentage of those with a CHL that actually carry) that the vast majority of people who wear vests do not carry.

This is probably very accurate. It's just a style choice for many and doesn't have anything to do with carrying. There are a couple of folks I've seen around that it was quite obvious they were carrying or wannabe cops as they had their vests, tactical pants and even their desert tan boots on. Those are the ones that draw my attention.

[velo99]

Buy one of those vests like some big box retailer employees wear. Put a name tag on & no one will be the wiser. Just another working guy.
BTW it doesn't have to be your name on the tag, just be prepared to be called whatever name is on the tag.

[Abraham]

I wear a vest when it's cooler. With it, I can use my Hillman bolatron holster (very high quality plastic that doesn't scratch) and a matching spare magazine carrier.

When it's hot, I use a leather, OWB rectangular zippered pack type holster with a spare magazine. With it, I don't need a cover garment and that's no small thing in the Texas summer heat.

Though, my pack is fairly large, I carry a G19, (it's not a fanny pack) very few people bat an eye of notice. I've made a study of watching others as I encounter them, keying in on their eye direction and the only person ever to obviously notice my pack was a very large, female deputy sheriff as we passed each other in Walmart. She looked first at my pack and then we made eye contact. Of course, I didn't mind, I'm legal.

[Carzan]

A vest is a reasonable choice when it's 50 degrees. In Texas during the Summer it's a target indicator. When it's 90 degrees, something from Hilo Hattie is more comfortable and attracts less unwanted attention.

[WildBill]

This would probably get a lot more attention than a 5.11 Vest.

[jmra]

A vest is a reasonable choice when it's 50 degrees. In Texas during the Summer it's a target indicator. When it's 90 degrees, something from Hilo Hattie is more comfortable and attracts less unwanted attention.

I just can't do the Hawaiian shirt thing. I've tried, just doesn't work for me.

[Waco1959]

A vest is a reasonable choice when it's 50 degrees. In Texas during the Summer it's a target indicator. When it's 90 degrees, something from Hilo Hattie is more comfortable and attracts less unwanted attention.

It might but I'd cringe every time I walked past a mirror..........

[jmra]

A vest is a reasonable choice when it's 50 degrees. In Texas during the Summer it's a target indicator. When it's 90 degrees, something from Hilo Hattie is more comfortable and attracts less unwanted attention.

It might but I'd cringe every time I walked past a mirror..........

Assuming the mirror didn't crack after the first pass.