Agreed. I don't know how many times I've seen skin tight t-shirts stretched over Glocks for "concealment". Some of the concealment methods I see feds use on a daily basis is an equal measure of comedy and tragedy.
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I have posted all of the points below previously:
1. Quality Purpose Designed Holster.
2. Quality Purpose Designed Belt.
3. Vetted, Reliable Pistol.
4. Shoes that you can run and fight in as needed.
It really is not that hard.
In most places, most of the time, concealed means concealed, it does not mean invisible to the trained eye at 1 meter.
LEO CCW v Non LEO CCW v Cultural NPE may be 3 distinct levels of concealment/access but the CORE FOUR above still drive the train.
It’s sad, to say the least. ALS paddle holsters under polos, bulky leather thumb breaks peaking out from under t-shirts, etc. Squared-away FAMS and (other) UCs are the only feds (the only LEOs, really) I’d listen to for advice on concealment.
I was just working a large, crowded event, and I saw plainclothed state troopers walking through crowds with shirts tucked behind their P365s, exposing the guns. No active retention on the holsters, either.
Those who “conceal” carelessly with a huge gun tumor or casually expose the gun like that have probably never really considered that someday someone might really fight them for that gun, and that the opening of that interaction might be a brick to the head.
I guess one of the benefits of growing wiser with age, (occasionally), is the ability to walk in the other direction when I see folks who make obvious, (and occasionally alarming), poor choices in both what and how they carry.
I do not engage, give advice or let it ruin my day.
I don't always sally forth with the optimal loadout for any possible encounter, but generally at least minimally sufficient to meet expected threats such as wayward dogs and maniacal deliverymen or neighbors.
My approach is much more respectable when I dress to go to the supermarket or anytime I enter my vehicle to go somewhere where a five shot J frame would get me killed in the aisles.
Re: situational awareness and "concealment".
Got kids/grandkids around? The small ones tend to jump on, crawl on or otherwise be all over you. At least you hope they care that much about you! And they are wildly curious. So any jingle in the pocket, lump on your waist or anything else out of the ordinary bears investigation. Be prepared for the pat down. And they will, immediately. So concealment becomes more than covering up.
Meeting Mom and kids, Aunt Mary with nieces/nephews, etc. at the mall? Better be prepared for the run and hug, followed by "WHAT"S THAT?".
It's doable.
I've seen two attitudes that contribute to that among LE. The first is the "I've got a badge and no one's going to f*** with me." We know that's not true and never has been. The second is just a general state of apathy, in just really not giving it any thought.
I'm with blues in that I'm at the stage in my life where none of this is my problem any longer. No longer my monkeys or my circus. I just shake my head and carry on. If I spot someone with a gun, even openly carrying, I'll be the only one in the group who even notices.
I give more concern to people's driving habits, as that's much more likely to effect my day.
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I know a few who were into the "carry thing" and keeping up with forum trends and rockin the big iron all the time and then it got old and they don't carry or it is in the car now. Carrying a g42 or a J or two was silly it was either all or nothin. Cause split times with a J would allow the BG to pretty much heal between shots.....