Vests

[longtooth]

Vests only whisper gun

Some folks will tell new to carry folks that vests scream gun

I have covered w/ vests more than any other single cover garment from the beginning. Since that is what I wear daily, no one thinks anything about it.
Another example yesterday of no one knowing that the vest covers a conceal cary weapon.

Yesterday I had finished my hospital visits & was leaving. The TV in the lobby was blaring about the king's nohealthcare plan & I stopped to listen w/ my back to the door, standing about in the middle of the lobby.
A lady called my name. I turned around & She said, "I knew that was you as soon as I saw that vest." Now this is someone that has NO idea that anyone but police & criminals carry guns .

All she knows is the preacher wears vests that his Mom makes.
Folks who carry spot folks who carry.
Sheep see very little until it is usually too late.

[Keith B]

So, in other words, in East Texas vests scream 'Longtooth'!!!

Great story LT. I think the tactical vests may be more of a giveaway to those who suspicion someone of carrying, but the western vests definitely don't. That also goes for leather vests, Hawaiian shirts, fanny packs, long jackets, etc. They don't alert those that are not looking in the first place.

[CompVest]

So, in other words, in East Texas vests scream 'Longtooth'!!!

You beat me to it!

[Excaliber]

So, in other words, in East Texas vests scream 'Longtooth'!!!

Great story LT. I think the tactical vests may be more of a giveaway to those who suspicion someone of carrying, but the western vests definitely don't. That also goes for vests, Hawaiian shirts, fanny packs, long jackets, etc. They don't alert those that are not looking in the first place.

The fact that tactical vests and fanny packs alert both bad guys and observant good guys to the likelihood the wearer is armed can be used to good effect by thoughtful CHL holders who maintain situational awareness and want to "dress for success" in whatever environments they expect to encounter on a given day.

Armed bad guys generally avoid these methods of concealment because of their "giveaway" qualities. The flip side of this circumstance is that these concealment modes provide a deterrent effect close to that of open carry when observed by bad guys looking for compliant victims. They also give some initial clue to police and other CHL holders as to who is the BG and who is the GG at the scene of an unfolding violent incident because these folks know that these carry methods and clothing styles are rarely used by bad guys. (Hawaiian shirts don't carry the same benefits, because they're used by both BG's and GG's and could be read either way).

While "telltale" concealment methods detract from the opportunity for tactical surprise during a criminal attack, in many situations they provide enough of a deterrent that poorly intentioned folks won't start an incident with the wearer in the first place. In my view, a bad situation deterred always beats a gunfight, where the outcome is never certain until it's over, and winning means emerging with acceptable losses rather than the fantasy of no losses at all.

I think there is a place for both total stealth carry and varying degrees of less subtle concealment modes. All can be used to excellent effect by the CHL holder who doesn't mind putting a little extra thought into what method will provide the greatest benefits in any given situation.

[longtooth]

So, in other words, in East Texas vests scream 'Longtooth'!!!

Great story LT. I think the tactical vests may be more of a giveaway to those who suspicion someone of carrying, but the western vests definitely don't. That also goes for leather vests, Hawaiian shirts, fanny packs, long jackets, etc. They don't alert those that are not looking in the first place.

At least in Angelina county I guess it does. I will just appeal to another incident that shows the same thing.
Last CHL Day we were able to have at PSC shooting range. After the day a large group of us went to eat. I really dont remember what others wore for cover but mine was a vest for sure. In the edge of the Big City there were still no looks either about RedNeck come to town or a what's under that vaa vae vaest.?


"That also goes for leather vests, Hawaiian shirts, fanny packs, long jackets, etc. They don't alert those that are not looking in the first place."
Correct. & the lesson to be learned is wear what you are going to wear. Leave it alone, dont be nervous & no one will know.

Another example that jsut popped in my head.
I was at a Garage Sale SEVERAL yrs ago at my Daughters. Several family. There was a Conceal Carry Fanny pack there. Dont remember the brand but a good one. Holster & velcor secure. It had I think $15.00 on it. Several picked it up & looked & made comments that it was way too high. They were selling for $3.00 to $5.00 everywhere.
After a while a guy picked it up & knew what he was holding. Looked at me & smiled. A lady said something like,"your not gonna buy that are you.??/" He just smiled as he pd the one at the cash box.
Wish now I had bought it. I have only one use for it but when we have Diboll Day & it would be great for the money & carry in the same place. Virtually every one there has a Fanny Pac on & you are probably right!! AT least every other one has a gun in it too.

[particle]

What about these?



I've carried one daily since Christmas to work - and only once has anyone thought it might be gun related. Actually, he said it screams "COP". Not sure if he meant I looked like a cop, or if a copy should take a second look at me... Regardless, I didn't press the matter and just started telling him about all the stuff it can hold with its assorted pockets. I really do carry a ton of stuff in it...

[Excaliber]

What about these?



I've carried one daily since Christmas to work - and only once has anyone thought it might be gun related. Actually, he said it screams "COP". Not sure if he meant I looked like a cop, or if a copy should take a second look at me... Regardless, I didn't press the matter and just started telling him about all the stuff it can hold with its assorted pockets. I really do carry a ton of stuff in it...

I've been eying these packs for some time, but haven't figured out exactly when or where I'd use them. They sure look like they'd be awfully good for something, though. When I can answer just what that might be credibly enough to justify the price, I'll buy one.

I'd rank them one step less subtle than the tactical vest, with very similar advantages and disadvantages. Until they become more popular, they will continue to attract a little more attention than a vest, which is so common it rarely merits any notice at all from average folks. As noted in my earlier post, this is not necessarily a negative.

[CompVest]

I got one thinking it would be a good replacement for a traditional purse. I found it to be cumbersome and surprisingly lacking in usable space. I use it on occassion but not too often.

[particle]

I got one thinking it would be a good replacement for a traditional purse. I found it to be cumbersome and surprisingly lacking in usable space. I use it on occassion but not too often.

They do (as I'm sure you're aware) have bigger sizes. But, here is what I carry daily in my pack...

1911 .45 DW CBOB
Spare Magazine
iPod
iPod headphones
iPod charging cable
Digital camera
Digital camera's battery charger
USB>PC cable to transfer photos
320gig portable drive
Note pad
Pen & Pencil
Gerber multi-tool
Bits for the multi-tool
Fenix LD20 AA flashlight
Spare batteries
Gum

[The Annoyed Man]

What about these?

I actually ordered one of those just yesterday, but the left handed version.

I got mine because there are situations where I can't really wear my gun - such as while working out - but I don't want to leave it in the car either. I know, I know. The visual of a fat guy like me working out might make you need to recalibrate your monitor...

And when I'm not using it to carry my gun, it can serve as a man-bag, or even as an airline carryon bag for short trips, etc. I tend to stuff my pockets with "stuff." For instance, I always carry a small, zip-lock 2.5"x2.25" envelope with 5 or 10 extra guitar picks in it. Do I need 10 guitar picks at anyone time while walking around? No. But I do perform frequently - more than a couple of times per week - and I've forgotten to bring along any picks enough times in my 4+ decade playing career that I make it a point to always have them with me. Then there's the couple of pain pills I always carry in a little metal vial for whenever my scarred up back starts the act up. Then there's the pocket knife, a small flashlight, my wallet, keys, extra business cards, cell phone, reading glasses, iPod, etc., etc. And, even though I have 2 backup magazines for each of the 1911s in my carry rotation, I usually only carry one backup mag at a time on my belt because of the extra weight. With a man bag, I can easily carry more magazines if I want to.

It's funny — and I don't know if others have had the same experience or not — but in the 1.5 years since I first received my plastic, I've noticed that my carry methods have increasingly moved away from the stealth end of the spectrum, and more toward the practical end of it. For instance, I am tending more to use OWB holsters now whenever possible rather than IWB, because of the comfort factor. Accompanying this is a decreasing concern about whether or not I'm printing a bit. I do try not to be too obvious, but my personal definition of "not too obvious" has probably expanded a little bit, and I am somewhat less concerned that someone knowledgeable might guess. (Most people have no clue anyway.)

As far as vests go, I actually own one, but I seldom wear it - principally for fashion reasons. I think that they can look good on other people. On me, they look like a wash-cloth draped over a basketball. So I usually only wear it when I really need a lot of extra pockets - like when I'm fishing. Hopefully, I'll be able to get my weight down to where vests don't look so ridiculous on me.

[DoubleJ]

I got one of these:

picked it up from the Army/Navy store for about $30. It's rather durable, and holds a boatload of stuff.
I use it as my "portable locker"
carries my"
latest copy of American Rifleman
coffee mug
wallet (can't take that in the scan room)
keys
sunglasses
scan room/control room keys
knife
pens
CrackBerry
hand sanitizer
gum
nicotine lozenges
cleaning wipe for glasses
gum
Axe "bullet" spray
gym clothes
headphones
Heart Rate Monitor
protein bar
tylenol/advil/sudafed
and occasionally, a Gat!

[KFP]

TAM's response about carrying in more conspicuous manners got me thinking - the guys walking around carrying their huge pants/shorts/gun don't seem to be bothered by anyone. I guess it's similar to what Excaliber has expressed a few times, people who know, for whatever reason, take note and usually decide to prey on someone less likely to be armed.

I recently bought one of the Maxpedition Jumbo Versipacks in black and think it's hard to beat for the right circumstances. I take mine to work almost daily, complete with all of my day to day gear, including my lunch and water bottle. It makes airport screening unbelievable easy, and can handle a small laptop. I also like it for things like taking the dog to the park, or going for a hike. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages in the right circumstances.

[jimlongley]

For instance, I always carry a small, zip-lock 2.5"x2.25" envelope with 5 or 10 extra guitar picks in it. Do I need 10 guitar picks at anyone time while walking around? No. But I do perform frequently - more than a couple of times per week - and I've forgotten to bring along any picks enough times in my 4+ decade playing career that I make it a point to always have them with me. Then there's the couple of pain pills I always carry in a little metal vial for whenever my scarred up back starts the act up. Then there's the pocket knife, a small flashlight, my wallet, keys, extra business cards, cell phone, reading glasses, iPod, etc., etc. And, even though I have 2 backup magazines for each of the 1911s in my carry rotation, I usually only carry one backup mag at a time on my belt because of the extra weight. With a man bag, I can easily carry more magazines if I want to.

It's funny — and I don't know if others have had the same experience or not — but in the 1.5 years since I first received my plastic, I've noticed that my carry methods have increasingly moved away from the stealth end of the spectrum, and more toward the practical end of it. For instance, I am tending more to use OWB holsters now whenever possible rather than IWB, because of the comfort factor. Accompanying this is a decreasing concern about whether or not I'm printing a bit. I do try not to be too obvious, but my personal definition of "not too obvious" has probably expanded a little bit, and I am somewhat less concerned that someone knowledgeable might guess. (Most people have no clue anyway.)

As far as vests go, I actually own one, but I seldom wear it - principally for fashion reasons. I think that they can look good on other people. On me, they look like a wash-cloth draped over a basketball. So I usually only wear it when I really need a lot of extra pockets - like when I'm fishing. Hopefully, I'll be able to get my weight down to where vests don't look so ridiculous on me.

Heck, TAM, I don't even play guitar and I carry three or four picks in my wallet. A few years ago we were at a friend's house when one of our friends was scrounging around looking for a pick sp she could play for us, and I whipped one out of my wallet, much to the amazement of all present and cementing my reputation as proto Mr. Gadget.

I most often wear a Nike vest that I picked up quite a while back and I wear it ALL the time, in almost any weather, so most poeple around here are used to seeing me in it. I have a fanny pack and several pocket and concealment holsters that augment and supplement my carry habits.

I also have a neat camo vest that my wife knit for me that I sometimes wear when the weather is cold.

[The Annoyed Man]

TAM's response about carrying in more conspicuous manners got me thinking - the guys walking around carrying their huge pants/shorts/gun don't seem to be bothered by anyone. I guess it's similar to what Excaliber has expressed a few times, people who know, for whatever reason, take note and usually decide to prey on someone less likely to be armed.

I recently bought one of the Maxpedition Jumbo Versipacks in black and think it's hard to beat for the right circumstances. I take mine to work almost daily, complete with all of my day to day gear, including my lunch and water bottle. It makes airport screening unbelievable easy, and can handle a small laptop. I also like it for things like taking the dog to the park, or going for a hike. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages in the right circumstances.

Another use for the Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack - particularly if you don't care about being conspicuous:

[The Annoyed Man]

For instance, I always carry a small, zip-lock 2.5"x2.25" envelope with 5 or 10 extra guitar picks in it. Do I need 10 guitar picks at anyone time while walking around? No. But I do perform frequently - more than a couple of times per week - and I've forgotten to bring along any picks enough times in my 4+ decade playing career that I make it a point to always have them with me.

Heck, TAM, I don't even play guitar and I carry three or four picks in my wallet. A few years ago we were at a friend's house when one of our friends was scrounging around looking for a pick sp she could play for us, and I whipped one out of my wallet, much to the amazement of all present and enhancement of my reputation as proto Mr. Gadget.

Now THAT's dedication!