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Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:25 am
by AggieBonz02
I find msyelf leaving my M&P9c at home when I am forced to dress in business attire.

Ankle holsters don't work. Pocket carry is out of the question. Tuckable holsters would be fine, but the holster clips aren't exactly hidden (i.e. I don't want to have to answer questions about them).

The Galco Skyops with the Y-hook clip seems like a good idea, but they have gotten mixed reviews and Galco doesn't currently make one for the M&P. I have filled out the petition on their website requesting one.

Are there any ideas out there besides the SmartCarry?

Does anyone really use a belly band?

For those of you that use tuckable holsters, how do you camoflauge the holster clip?

Help me out guys and gals... I need something until I can get my grubby hands on one of those little Ruger LCPs.

Re: Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:33 am
by Xander
AggieBonz02 wrote: Does anyone really use a belly band?
Yep, I do, with my M&P9c, in fact. I have a fairly small frame, so getting it positioned where it won't print is a touch more finicky than with a belt-line holster for me, but I find it works well.

Re: Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:47 am
by mr.72
I plan to buy a belly band to carry my Kahr. It can't be any more uncomfortable than a Smartcarry.

Re: Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:04 pm
by tboesche
I have used a belly band and had no problems with it. Currently though, I use a DeSantis Tucker, IWB tuckable, for my PT-111. It has a single clip. I personally have never had anybody ask about it.

Re: Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:29 pm
by FIFTY
No one has noticed the Velcro clips on my Comp-tac M-tac. If you have "bloused" your shirt just a bit the clips are completely hidden.

The price is somewhat steep, but the customer service and overall comfort is OUTSTANDING. Typically there is very little wait, but I know they have been down for the past several days as a result of Ike.

Re: Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:59 pm
by Nachos Libres
What's wrong with the Smartcarry? I'm in the same boat as you, I wear slacks during the day and my Supertuck doesn't work well with dress pants. I was pocket carrying until I got the Smartcarry, which is comfortable enough and nobody notices I'm carrying. I still prefer the Supertuck, but when wearing dress pants the Supercarry is what I use.

Re: Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:21 pm
by Purplehood
AggieBonz02 wrote:Tuckable holsters would be fine, but the holster clips aren't exactly hidden (i.e. I don't want to have to answer questions about them).
I don't think many people would think twice about the clips on your belt. If they make you nervous, clip a cell-phone in that general area.

Re: Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:25 pm
by Keith B
I use the Kangaroo holster http://www.kangarooind.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Over a t-shirt and under a button down shirt, it is basically invisible and comfortable to wear all day. If you are in the Plano area, The Bullet trap carries them. Otherwise, you can order from the link above or http://deepconceal.com/index.php?main_p ... ex&cPath=7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One note, if you wash it, it WILL shrink, so if you are on the upper edge for a size, you might want to order the next larger one.

Re: Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:35 pm
by solaritx
I really don't understand this question?

In casual dress, we modify our clothing to meet the needs of carry all the time OR we modify our weapon of choice.

IWB carry (leather or Kydex) has never been a problem when I wear a suit or sports coat. It's better than any vest. Also doesn't scream CHL. The only problem I have had is a couple of sport coats had a more aggressive "split" in the back that "flashed" the butt when I carried SOB.....went to just behind the right hip.....no problem. This said, the answer is any quality IWB will work when you are wearing a jacket.


Can't carry your favorite Master Blaster (just saw Mad Max again, sorry)....well I carry a little Kel-Tec in the pocket of sports or dress pants all the time. It may not be the weapon of choice, but having any gun is better than having no gun. Doesn't print, and is actually less "buldge" than my wallet

It all depends how concerned you are with carry? Modify clothing to fit a IWB or modify the gun you will carry in these situations. I have carried full 1911 and glocks without problems with suits, sport jackets, etc. Best holsters I have found for money and comfort and rust protection from Houston humidity are the Comp-Tac. Don't wear a suit jacket or sports jacket, just tuck and have NEVER had anyone ask.....what are those clips?

Best of luck

Re: Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 2:27 pm
by saj111
check this one out. i was reading a 1911 test in gunblast.com and he was using one of these. the rubber holds the rig in place where ever you put it under the belt.

i haven't tried it but it sounds like it might work and i don't see any reason a good holster can't be retro-fit with the rubber pad.

http://www.harlowholsters.com/holsters/gun15.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.gunblast.com/Colt-LightweightCommander.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 2:29 pm
by longtooth
Plenty of good answers here. I have used a belly band & had no problem w/ it. Any deep cover is going to be slower to get to than belt or shoulder carry. As seen above smart cary works for some & others it does not. I have never worn a Kangaroo but dont think I woild have a prob w/ it.
Bottom line is different things work for different folks. That is why we have the dreaded holster drawer. :banghead:

Re: Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 2:53 pm
by MBGuy
I work in an office environment where all men have to wear suits. What I use is Andrew's Monarch shoulder holster. Fluff up the shirt a bit at the belt instead of form fitting, and presto, no problemo. Even friends that know I carry think I'm not carrying when wearing a shirt and tie.. Plus, you have extra ammo under your strong arm to boot! Also, if you sit all day like I do, commuting and at the office, shoulder holsters are much more comfortable than the IWB tuckables I've tried. Also, if you have to draw from a sitting position when wearing IWB, you have to untuck the shirt and lean forward and/or left or right. With the shoulder holster, you only move your arm into your shirt, which looks like you're going for your coat pocket when you're wearing your coat. I also unbutton a couple of buttons of my shirt sometimes, which is kept unseen by a tie.

Just another idea.....

Re: Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 3:34 pm
by mr.72
MBGuy wrote:Fluff up the shirt a bit at the belt instead of form fitting, and presto, no problemo.
That's actually the problemo for some folks.

For the OP, why wait on a Ruger LCP? Why not go for the original, a P3AT? They are abundant.

Re: Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 4:08 pm
by AggieBonz02
I work in a small office (<10 people) of a larger nationwide company where the employee handbook explicitly states that having a weapon at work is considered to be poor behavior. However, our office is in a bank building in a neighborhood that has had as many as four bank robberies in one week (one bank got hit on a Thursday and the following Monday by two different BGs).

My concern for the clips stems from the idea of carrying in a location where it is against the rules (not against the law, but I digress), I think those clips would tend to stand out like a sore thumb. Especially to those who are familiar with CHL, such as several of my co-workers. I'd rather keep all warning signs to as much of a minimum as possible.

A suit or sports coat would be way overdressed, so that is not an option for me. I wear khakis and a polo or button-up everyday. I do not carry my phone on my hip and refuse to do so; however, I might consider a different accessory, such as a Leatherman tool.

I tried the Kangaroo and it didn't fit me well with the M&P. Maybe a smaller auto or revolver would be better. I've also tried the M&P with an ankle holster and it works well when worn high on the calf, but getting to it quickly would be a problem without bell-bottom pants.

As for the LCP, I just think it is better looking and have read that it performs better than the Kel-Tec.

Re: Business Attire Holsters

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 4:20 pm
by Mr.Scott
The "clips" issue is an easy one to over come. With the sky-ops that I carry, no one has ever asked me anything about it. I keep my cellphone next to the y-hook and the case covers most of it so if someone sees the hooks, they will just think it is part of the cell phone case clip for my belt.

Have you had your nachos yet? Because people are not THAT observant. Especially in todays day and age everyone is to busy talking on their cell phone or texting or working. they aren't going to critique your clothing and wonder if you have a gun.

If you are worried about other CHL's making you and turning you in, do you really think they will say something?