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I recently bought a tan colored tactical style vest. It is very light weight and ideal for summer carry over
a tee shirt and shorts.

I was wondering how many here wear/use tactical vests? Do they really scream gun and if they do should we care?

I have worn mine lately with no abnormal stares. Then again I have used a fanny pack and do not really care what anyone thinks.

It is difficult dressing here in the San Antonio area for late spring/summer and still carry. I have a Stealth Holster that I use
but I have to wear a dark colored or heavily designed shirt to break up the slight bum under my belt. Most my age
have a bump over their belt but with me it is just the opposite.

I favor an OWB to carry anytime over IWB or under belly. That is the reason I thought about going with the vest.

Any out there that wear a vest all the time or most of the time?

Chuck

Thanks!! I have a similar one made by Magellan. I bought it at Academy. I like it
because it is very lightweight as well as being able to hold a bunch of stuff. My Sig 239 in my OWB
is just fine under that.

I can carry my wallet and keys, phone etc in the outer vest pockets rather than my shorts which is more comfortable as well.

Thanks for the reply!

Chuck

I have two, and working on buying another, this time to carry my harmonicas too.

Those vests are for shootings-only, either through the lens of your camera or the sight of the barrel, your choice.

The famous Shoot Me First vest.

It should come with a CHL badge.

Embroidered on it.

I keep trying to avoid the "vest look" but it seems like the best for concealment and accessibility.

I think the whole "shoot me first" thing is bit overstated sometimes. My primary carry method is OWB under an untucked shirt, and I try to arrange my carry options around keeping the fact of my gun hidden. But when I go to the gym I used a fanny pack. I don't particularly care what anybody thinks about it. Nobody has been dumb enough to ask me what's in the fanny pack and risk having me answer with a question of my own: "What's your bank account number?" or something else more intensely personal. When I go to my doctor's office I use a Maxpedition bag. Nobody seems to care what's in it. Both of those are supposed to be dead giveaways. Frankly, I don't give a hoot. I also own a photog/tactical type of vest. I don't wear it very often, and sometimes I'm actually taking photographs while wearing it, but I've never had anybody give me a second look when I have worn it......and I keep my eyes open.

Predators are always scanning the sheep to pick out the sheepdogs from the flock anyway, and I'm convinced that they can do it regardless of your carry method. They notice the guy (or gal) who's also always scanning; who acts aware; the person who recognizes the predator from the crowd and stares back at him. That is part of his threat awareness. I submit that the predator will respond to his threat awareness regardless of what you're wearing/carrying because we send other signals by which we are recognizable to him, even when we are humble mind-my-own-business kind of people. It is body language, or whatever you want to call it, and it is noticeable to predators, as well as to LEOs and other CHLs. The methods by which we conceal our weapons are primarily intended to not alarm people who aren't really that aware to begin with.

MOA wrote:The famous Shoot Me First vest.

It should come with a CHL badge.

Embroidered on it.

Greatness!!

MOA wrote:The famous Shoot Me First vest.

It should come with a CHL badge.

Embroidered on it.

Since I do embroider, you have given me a great idea for making money at gun shows.

Russell B wrote:

MOA wrote:The famous Shoot Me First vest.

It should come with a CHL badge.

Embroidered on it.

Greatness!!

No, it isn't. Listen again to what TAM says:

The Annoyed Man wrote:Predators are always scanning the sheep to pick out the sheepdogs from the flock anyway, and I'm convinced that they can do it regardless of your carry method. They notice the guy (or gal) who's also always scanning; who acts aware; the person who recognizes the predator from the crowd and stares back at him. That is part of his threat awareness. I submit that the predator will respond to his threat awareness regardless of what you're wearing/carrying because we send other signals by which we are recognizable to him, even when we are humble mind-my-own-business kind of people. It is body language, or whatever you want to call it, and it is noticeable to predators, as well as to LEOs and other CHLs. The methods by which we conceal our weapons are primarily intended to not alarm people who aren't really that aware to begin with.

I admit I don't use my vests a whole lot, but I have three 5.11s (one with a Thunder Ranch logo, not a CHL badge), three lightweight jobs bought from Sportsman's Guide that are very comfortable, and several western-style vests, both leather and cloth.

What was the recent, short-lived TV series with William Shatner in which he always wore a photog-type vest?

I remember a few years ago in Victoria when I arrived back at my hotel after a long, umpteen-round day at a Farnam class. I pulled-in to the closest parking place available because I had handguns, long-guns, and about 200 pounds of ammo to unload.

I was in 5.11 pants, a 5.11 vest, was carrying a G35 OWB and a G27 in IWB appendix carry on the left side, plus a double mag holder on the left side and a single holder on the right. Oh, and I had a Seecamp .32 in a vest pocket with one spare mag in another.

I had been on the range for 10 hours. I had fired well over 600 rounds. I reeked of gunpowder and Hoppes.

Another car pulled in next to mine as I was unloading. Two seemingly nice couples of 30-somethings.

"How are they biting?"

"Sorry?"

"Looks like you've been fishing. How are they biting?"

"They pretty much ignored me today."

I smiled. They smiled.

I continued unloading handguns, long-guns, and about 200 pounds of ammo.

And nobody was the wiser.