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>>I carry a full size FNX-45 in a Galco Combat Master holster and two extra magazines for a total of 45 rounds. I wear a loose shirt and it conceals fine. No need for a purse. I am 6’1” and weigh 195 lbs.

A lot of people on the internet tell me similar stories, but the people I know who carry regularly (me included) have a hard time concealing a compact semi-auto, even in an IWB holster.

Do you buy extra long shirts to conceal the bottom of your holster or do you live in a place where its OK to expose the holster? Do you mostly carry in rural places or do you carry in a city where people may bump up against you in public places? Do you live in a place where its OK to “print” as long as the gun isn’t actually exposed?

I buy a shirt that is one size larger than my “normal” size. It bags enough to keep from “printing” much and is a bit longer.

I carry EVERYWHERE except the few locations that are prohibited by my state (Virginia).

Virginia is a Gold State for open carry. If for some reason my pistol gets exposed it doesn’t matter here and if someone bumps into me in a crowd it is their problem, not mine (my opinion). I hate crowds and tend to stay away from most places that have large ones. I live in an area that is a huge bedroom community for the Washington DC area. It was rural when I was stationed here but since I retired from the Air Force it has tripled in population.

My first concealed carry pistol was a compact 45 ACP but after the theater shooting in Colorado I decided I wanted the better accuracy of a longer barrel to better protect myself and family. My wife still carries a compact 45 in the same type of Galco holster. She is 5’2” and about 125 lbs. She just wears a baggy shirt like me. My daughter is 5’7” and carries a Beretta PX4 Storm compact in 40 S&W. She still likes to wear tighter shirts so she keeps it in her purse.

A lot of people on the internet tell me similar stories, but the people I know who carry regularly (me included) have a hard time concealing a compact semi-auto, even in an IWB holster. Do you buy extra long shirts to conceal the bottom of your holster or do you live in a place where its OK to expose the holster? Do you mostly carry in rural places or do you carry in a city where people may bump up against you in public places? Do you live in a place where its OK to “print” as long as the gun isn’t actually exposed?

I like living in a state where open-carry is allowed, since it means that if your gun prints or is momentarily exposed, you have not committed an offense.

I tend to carry a small gun IWB, and cover it with a long t-shirt (you can find "tall" sizes that are extra long) or sweat-shirt depending on the season.