Conceal Carry Vests

[PAHUnter04]

Hi Guys:
 
Anybody have or use a conceal carry vest. They are the ones with the deep pockets on each side of the vest with snap closures. They also have magazine pouches on the inside underneath the conceal carry pocket. And some like the Bluestone product has lots and lots of pockets. Bluestone has a nice one for around $59.00 bucks. Cabelas has some leather ones, but for $189.00 bucks seems a bit steep even for a conceal carry vest.
 
 
Just looking for thoughts and opinions from people who use them.
 
Regards PAH
 
 

[quasne.inc]

I have a scottevest that works great.  I can even wear it here in WY in the summer since it doesnt get that hot. 

[Spirithawk]

My problem with conceal carry vests is that so many people now have them that the element of surprise is gone. Bad guy sees you wearing a vest he can assume you are carrying and from what I am led to understand that is exactly the case.  I prefer not to advertise that I'm carrying.

[Empty Quiver]

I wear a Filson Mackinaw "Concealed Carry" vest.   Covers the butt of my SIG and allows me to tuck my shirt into my pants properly. If it is particularly cold I sometimes wear a goose down vest. Truthfully I find no need for all the pockets. Skoal can, car keys and  perhaps gloves.

[Cheesehead]

Some people call them the "shoot me first" vest. Some appear to be too tactical. I am not sure how true this is. I have considered owning one, perhaps black leather, looking more biker than tactical.

Cheese

[John R.]

I don't think the majority of the people pay any attention to what you are wearing. I've worn my vest a lot and no one has ever looked at me funny, or asked any questions.

[Spirithawk]

I don't think the majority of the people pay any attention to what you are wearing. I've worn my vest a lot and no one has ever looked at me funny, or asked any questions.

Problem is, the majority of people aren't criminals. It's the criminal that pays very close attention to everything about you. If they think you are armed they may avoid you. However, they are just as likely to take measures to ambush you and make your weapon their's. Along with your wallet, your valuables and maybe even your life. Not against vests in general, just those that are so obvious. In cold weather I wear a Wall's jacket that has an inside breast pocket. Around here everyone wears Wall's or Carhardt jackets so I blend right in. Both my P-32 and my PF-9 fit very well in the inside pocket and, with the jacket slightly unzipped, I can easily reach inside and draw. My point is, the key is to blend in not stand out. Keep in mind, criminals read gun forums too. They share knowledge, they surf the web, they go to gun shows and they are quite aware of Conceal Carry Vests. They learn about them the same way you did.

[The Pistoleer]

I don't think the majority of the people pay any attention to what you are wearing. I've worn my vest a lot and no one has ever looked at me funny, or asked any questions.

Problem is, the majority of people aren't criminals. It's the criminal that pays very close attention to everything about you. If they think you are armed they may avoid you. However, they are just as likely to take measures to ambush you and make your weapon theirs. Along with your wallet, your valuables and maybe even your life. Not against vests in general, just those that are so obvious. In cold weather I wear a Wall's jacket that has an inside breast pocket. Around here everyone wears Wall's or Carhardt jackets so I blend right in. Both my P-32 and my PF-9 fit very well in the inside pocket and, with the jacket slightly unzipped, I can easily reach inside and draw. My point is, the key is to blend in not stand out. Keep in mind, criminals read gun forums too. They share knowledge, they surf the web, they go to gun shows and they are quite aware of Conceal Carry Vests. They learn about them the same way you did.

Spirit Hawk, I have a question about coat pocket carry.  If you have both your guns in the coat pockets what do you do about them when you have to take your coat off?  Here in Wisconsin you need a coat this time of the year outside but is too hot when in a restaurant or other place inside.
 
If I am going to some place I need to remove my coat I put one gun in my front pants pocket (usually one of my J-frames) and when I get to where I'm going I leave the one in my coat locked in the vehicle.  I have gone directly to the rest room and made the switch in a stall.  What do you do?
 
Pete

[Spirithawk]

I never carry both in my coat at the same time. By both fitting in the breast pocket I simply meant I can choose to carry either one there. Usualy it's my P-32 with my PF-9 on my belt and only then if I'm not expectimg to take my coat off such as in a long car ride, shopping or outdoor activities. About the only time I remove my coat is if I go into a restaraunt or to see a doctor. Then, knowing that before hand, I carry accordingly. The P-32 then goes into a pocket holster in my front pants pocket. A shirt hides the PF-9 on my belt in a restaraunt and it stays in my car if seeing a doctor. I have unexpectingly gone into restaraunts to eat, whim of the moment, and like you I simply slip into the restroom and switch the P-32 from my jacket pocket to my pants pocket. I like carrying my two firearms in differant places and mannors so that if I can't reach one I can reach the other.

[Savage]

Too many other carry options for me to wear a vest. Hate the look!
Savage

[PAHUnter04]

Lots of opinions LOL
 
Actually I like the look because I am an old Biker and have worn a black leather vest with our HOG Chapter colors on the back for years and years. Believe me no one ever asked if I was carrying. Even though many times I was with a belt holster.
 
Lets face it, a sidearm in one of those side pockets it TOTALLY concealed, no printing, and easy access. Especially without your heavy coat.
 
On another note, I was at Dick's Sporting Goods today looking around. They had upper torso Body Armor? The new stuff looks like a dark green T-shirt with light weight flexable pads sewn in around the chest and arms? And the pads were not thick, less than half inch thick. Now don't get me wrong, I am not advocating body armour, just stating that there are some things available now that we never seen for the general public before. 
 
Regards PAH..

[quasne.inc]

I think spirithawk nailed it when he said its about blending in.  Here in Wyoming lots of farmers and ranchers wear wool or carhartt vests.  If I wore one of those vests with all the pockets on the outside like some I have seen in gun mags I would totally stand out.

[Graybeard]

I wear a vest of one sort or another most of the time when I'm out. Some times it's a camo light weight dove vest, some times a heavier camo fleece vest, some times just a gray vest that is lightly insulated. None of them are carry vests nor do they look like carry vests but they do the job OK.

I also have the Bluestone from Sportsman's Guide and use it often as well. It's a rather heavy vest and with my Kel-Tec PF9 and three spare magazines it definitely feels heavy on ya.

I have many other vests of several types most of which can hold a handgun even tho not designed with that purpose in mind. Dunno about where you live but around here I don't think anyone ever pays attention to the fact I have a vest on. I don't go anywhere that I would actually expect trouble to be waiting and pretty much don't go places at night. Still I am armed should the need to be arise. I'll be 67 next month and have been carrying since I turned 21 and got a carry permit. I some times carried even back in high school and so far have never had a need to pull the carry gun while out and about.

[Old Syko]

Around here vests aren't uncommon.  Course I don't live in the city.  Hunters, fishermen, bikers, farmers, shoot everybody wears them.  Some are tacticool and some aren't but here at least if you assume everyone is carrying anyway you'll be right more than wrong. 

[hoggunner]

I have the leather one from cabelas I wear it when the weather allows it. I get so many comments on it and it is a class act, I have the brown cowhide and the black buffalo was on the list but I dont use it to carry that much, it seems the weight of my 2lb loaded gun hurts the shoulder a little after a long day. I do like it for very deep conceal though, nobody will know if your carry even a full size. I dont believe there is the one fits all fix for carrying, but between the vest and IWB holster the two  seem to do the job in any wisconsin weather.

[PAHUnter04]

Hi Hoggunner:
 
I will have to look at those leather Cabela vests again. I used all my Cabela points on my last purchase of the SA XDM.... LOL 
 
PAH..

[tonygrz]

Jean Jackets...............in the winter I wear mostly jeans and my jean jacket.  Great inside pockets.  For the summer, I wear either jean shorts or cargo shorts and a jean jacket with the sleeves cut off.  And it didn't cost me a fortune.


tony g.

[Hodr]

I have Levi Jackets in both blue and black, sleeves removed and rehemed.  Tandy leather on inside pockets and two J frames disappear.  Leather vests are by Tribe America and are mostly dress looking.  They use lambskin and cut to order, I like a 45 degree cant on inside pockets with smooth finish, but they some times have elk or Bison.  Thier vests are lightweight and cool in summer.  I have worn them to weddings in Az summers and been complemented on the look and fit.  These take in 2 J Frames and make them disappear.  Choice of zippers, indian head nickels, snaps or velcro for closure.
 
Hodr