Posted on 01/05/2012 6:10:10 AM PST by marktwain
For Christmas, I picked up the Woolrich Elite Fleece Tactical Vest because I wanted a more discreet way to carry a full size handgun without having to resort to the Im a photographer/going fishing vests that I have.
As I mentioned previously, up here in the Pacific Northwest, a dude in a fleece vest is about as inconspicuous as you can get. Theres really only one month out of the year where it might look slightly out of place, but even in the summer we get temperatures that are chilly enough to justify wearing the vest. Its comfortable, warm, and serves my purposes quite well; allowing me to effectively conceal my Gen4 Glock 21 all the time. It even has a nifty side-zipper on the flank of the garment. I can unzip that and then put an outer jacket over the vest but still have relative easy access to the gun.
Of course, the real value of the vest is that its a form of camouflage. Much like how youre less likely to get a speeding ticket driving a silver Subaru Forester than you are driving a red Dodge Charger with chrome wheels; the fleece vest blends perfectly into my local environment. If I wear it with a long sleeve shirt and some silly REI hippy-hiking pants, I become absolutely indistinguishable from 90% of the other people walking around downtown Seattle. Oh look, a nondescript white guy dressed appropriately for a cool January day is what I want people to think when they see me, or better yet I want them to not notice me at all.
Concealed means concealed and while the fleece vest may not be perfect camouflage to blend in down in Texas or Florida, there are concealment options for almost every climate that dont draw attention to you. This isnt because I think youll be targeted by criminals, but rather because I dont think its a great idea to stand out from the crowd* when youre carrying a gun. Just thinking strategically.
*Note: While I frown on carrying a gun as a means of gaining attention, using your car to do that is perfectly acceptable.
Here in sunny Southern California, it’s really tough to carry concealed in my speedo.
Ditto in Central Texas. (Not that I would wear your Speedo, I’m more the shorts and T-shirt type.)
Worst pick up lines...No really that”s a gun in my speedo /giggle
There just isn’t enough room in my speedo what with all I’m already packin’ ;o)>
Smart carry can work with shorts in hot weather. http://www.smartcarry.com/products.html
Some photos here
http://www.smartcarry.com/photos.html
There are other options as well. But it is still much tougher in hot weather to conceal carry.
Check out the cell pal. http://www.concealedcomfort.com/
Stick it down the back of your speedo. Girls will notice.
Cell pal is a viable option with roomy pants or shorts.
Thanks MT I’m going to order one.
Lol. Charlie isn’t as easy on the eyes as some other models I’ve seen.
It does work best for relaxed pants and a elastic/stretch belt. In general, as long as you can put your hand inside your waist band, it will work.
Brilliant...yeah an investment in a model would help for sure...but then again most of us don’t look like models either :)
taxcontrol...thanks for the link to cell pal, I had not run across that one
Ahh - the old pager pal. Perhaps it has improved some (seems like they used to play up the idea of having it directly over your “gun” as a pat down/close examination discouragement). The videos were actually instructive appearing, but don’t have a model to practice with.
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