Carrying concealed firearms has become more popular than ever. To conceal carry a pistol, everyone has their own preferred method.
There is no shortage of options, whether you prefer a shoulder holster, an ankle holster, or a concealed carry holster inside or outside the waistband. No single solution fits all, that is for sure.
Warning
It’s critical that you check to make sure that your state’s laws apply to you before you do anything else. It is important to keep in mind that every state has different concealed carry laws and that jurisdictions do not have reciprocity agreements.
The best strategy would be to check your state’s government website (usually the Department of Justice) or to speak with a state official for more information.
To learn how to handle a firearm safely in high-stress situations, I recommend working with an experienced firearms instructor who is certified to teach that skill.
Ways to Carry Concealed for Every Type of Handgun
So, now that we’ve cleared that up let’s look at some ways to conceal your weapon? We’ll cover some different holsters and give some basic advice about them all in this article. Here are some holster options to get you started. Here’s the least popular one to start with.
7. Pocket Carry
Pocket holsters are useful for concealing a compact pistol, especially if you don’t wear tight pants. Pocket holsters are great for pistols such as the .32 and the .380, as they keep your firearm secure and safe while you keep your hand in your pocket.
You can conceal your pistol with ease using a pocket holster, but you’ll have to use a small pistol that can fit into a pocket. And most of us don’t prefer to use small pistols—size matters.
6. Ankle Carry
A concealed ankle holster is best for storing your backup pistol while making it comfortable to carry. If you want to wear a gun on your ankle, you need to consider concealability. In the first place, be sure that your pants are large enough to conceal your pistol, so ditch those Wranglers and opt for a small weapon instead.
As well as wearing pants that can be rolled up, make sure you wear a pair that is easy to wear. If you can’t move your pants leg, you won’t be able to access your holster.
My personal preference is to carry my gun on my ankle as a backup. Additionally, ankle-holstering your primary weapon is not the best idea due to how slow and unnatural it is to draw the weapon.
5. Pouch Carry
Pouches serve as glorified fanny packs that carry your gun. As you strap your pouch to your side, pouch carrying has the advantage of allowing you to carry more items, but the disadvantage is that it only offers you limited accessibility. It takes you a little bit of time to open your pouch in order to draw your weapon.
Pouches draw unnecessary attention, which is another downside. While your gun itself may not be visible, most people will notice that satchel on your side – especially if it is a bag made by the brand where the name of the manufacturer is printed on the front!
4. Shoulder Harness
Traditional shoulder harness holsters are seen in movies like James Bond and cowboy movies. This carry method involves wearing a holster over your shoulder while holstering your gun and suspending it underneath your arm.
Carrying larger handguns is more comfortable when using the shoulder harness.The three styles of shoulder holsters are named after the way the gun rests inside the holster:
- The muzzle points downward in a vertical position. This is generally the most accommodating drawing method for large guns, but it is the slowest.
- Drawn horizontally – the gun is pulled across the body straight. The horizontal works best with guns that have short barrels even though it is faster than the vertical.
- Angled – the quickest way to draw since the muzzle is angled upwards.
3. Belly Band Holster
A belly band is an excellent option if you’re looking for maximum concealment. Wrapped around your midsection, a belly band holster acts as a holster. Wearing it, your firearm is pressed against your middle when it is in the inside pocket.
In addition to providing excellent coverage, the belly band holster makes your gun practically undetectable.
The band will likely be worn underneath your shirt, so you won’t have as much access to your firearm as you would with an IWB or OWB. The truth of the matter is, almost all belly bands include extra pockets for magazines, which I find to be of immense benefit.
2. Outside Waistband Holster
OWB refers to outside the waistband carrying. The handgun rests on the outside – just like the name suggests, it is similar to the IWB method. In addition to being more comfortable to carry with an OWB holster, you will also have similar accessibility to your weapon as you would with an IWB 26 holster.
Clothing is one thing to keep in mind when carrying an OWB. When you’re carrying concealed, you must ensure your clothing can cover your weapon even when you’re bent over or extend your arms.
1. Inside Waistband Holster
Inside waistband holsters have a clip that attaches over your belt to secure a gun safely at your waistband. IWB holsters are popular since they make it easy for the gun to be drawn quickly.
The advantage of concealed carry through the waistband is being able to wear fewer clothes while keeping your weapon concealed. If you’re using narrow guns that are medium in size, they’re perfect for concealing firearms during those hot summer days.
Final Words
It’s important to look for holsters that are comfortable and secure when you’re shopping around.
Other than that, just make sure you practice drawing your gun a lot so that you become accustomed to it. And these are the top 7 ways to carry concealed for every type of handgun.