I've been wearing 3 piece suits for a long time, so it occasions no question.  The vest covers an inside waist band holster.  The vest doesn't ride up, but when I put the gun back after getting out of a prohibited area I didn't fully push the vest back over the gun, my legal assistant asked if there was a new death threat.

Vests need to be slightly looser, fortunately there is an understanding seamstress next to my office.

 

--- Kevin

As a motorcyclist, I frequent a lot of M/C shops, and I found a rather heavy black leather vest that works very well for me. I believe it was actually intended as some sort of shooters vest as it came with 3 elastic cartridge loops sewn above each breast pocket. The weight of the vest helps prevent the weapon from being flashed by the vest "blowing open". (allowing me to be armed on my bike) I generally carry a Mid-sized Glock under the vest; but also occassionally carry an N-frame S/W revolver. The semi-auto is usually in an IWB holster; the roller in a "pancake" type belt holster.......both on the strong side.

A problem area with many of the photographer's vests is the arm holes, which are usually large enough that the grip of the holstered weapon sometimes shows under your arm.

As a Private Investigator licensed in both Missouri and Kansas, I have carried concealed on the job for over 25 years.  I find that the Photo vests usually attract professional (Police) attention; but work well around average folks.  I have had "street-wise individuals of questionable reputation" tell me they never trust "anyone" wearing that kind of clothes.

Maybe that's a good thing; maybe it isn't.

The best Photo Vest I ever found was marketed by Banana Republic in their mail-order days.  Recently, I have had good luck with vests from Sportman's Guide (mail-order or over the net).  S/G also has occassionally offered a Photographers jacket with removable sleeves that can be used as a vest OR a jacket. 

I would suggest that when selecting a vest, one should consider the following:

 

Length:  Should be long enough to cover the holster at all times.....for an IWB rig this means at least about 3 inches below the belt line. For the belt rigs, I like a vest that comes to about 2 to 3 inches below the top of the front pockets of my jeans.

 

Arm holes: As described above; make sure the gun doesn't show through them. When checking this area out, don't just stand still and look in the mirror, reach up above your head, bend over, etc. 

 

Fit:  You should avoid a "snug fit" around the waist, as this will "print' and possibly impair our ability to access the weapon.

 

Lining:  In practicing draws from concealment, I have had problems with net linings snagging on hammers and sights, and have had the lining snag on the holstered weapon while seated in the car which resulted the the vest being bunched up around the gun when I exited.  I would recommend removing such material from the area around the holster.

 

Magazines and speedloaders:  They should be carried on the belt..NEVER in one of the multiple pockets of a photo vest.  In an emergency, you'll always reach into the wrong pocket, Trust me....

 

Hope this is of some use and interest..

Bob

 

 

A while back I started a "string" on this subject by asking:

"...Has anyone found a lightweight summer vest that doesn't make you look

like the "Great Safari Hunter", and also is reasonably priced?..."

Thanks to a response from Bob Delph, I was directed to:

http://www.concealedcarryoutfitters.com/

I am now the proud owner of a "Hot Weather IDPA Vest" from CCO. It

meets and exceeds every requirement (including reasonably priced) that I had!

Their vests are made in their own shop in Kamiah, ID (not imports).

Their vests have four interior pockets for extra Mag's, etc., and three exterior

pockets ( I particularly like the upper left breast pocket for my eye

glasses case).

If you are a person like me who is carrying in an OWB holster (a "wheel

gun" lover), this vest is perfect. Check it out!

Cheers,

 

R.N. "Dick" 

 

 

I have a Royal Robbins 5.11 vest.  Looks like a fishing vest, which fits my rural county.  I can conceal a full size Beretta 92FS in the vest pocket.  It is long enough to conceal any OWB I have.  It will be a little hot in the summertime.  I really like the vest with all of its storage pockets.   Rickstir

hi: this is a situation i have solved with a denim (blue jean) vest a size or two larger than i normally wear. i purchased it from sportsman's guide via the internet for around 16 bucks i think. while it doesn't sport the large number of pockets some of the other vests do, there are two large inside pockets and two large outside pockets. there are also two button closure chest pockets. it is a bit heavy for real hot weather wear, but certainly does the job nicely. heavy enough that it doesn't 'ride' up or get bloused out by a breeze. i have felt very comfortably 'concealed' in this vest. however, i wouldn't recommend it for owb carry except for fairly small firearms. i carry a compact 'nine' in an iwb rig and it works fine. most of the time after i am wearing the rig a few minutes, i 'forget' it is there. i wear it strong side behind the hip with a forward cant. easy to get to with the vest, as it flies out of the way as you brush your hand back toward the weapon. 

i chose to forgo most of the photog. and safari type vests i have seen for the concern that it would draw attention to me, something i do not want. 
bob m.

 

For fall and winter carry, there are many manufacturers of "fleece" zip vests. I have several, my favorite sports a real cute little red and yellow bird. MU fans will recognize the bird as the mascot of a neighboring school that often appears in the NCAA tournament. But I digress. The nice thing about the fleece vests is that the fleece is bumpy and uneven, so its pretty hard to print. Also, most have elastic in the waistband, so they can stretch around holsters, phones, batons and tires (spare). Unlike photographer and safari vests, they don't scream GUN. In fact, with appropriate college logos (something in say, Red and Blue) can say, "I am a distinguished person of whom the law abiding should have no fear -- and I have nice taste in cool weather clothing". Of course, a bad choice would be anything with an excess of gold and black, which (like silver and black logos, I think you will agree) say, "I am a troglodyte". Again I digress. When its a bit colder, my browning vest (designed to be zipped into my Browning jacket, works well for casual walks at night, but does not provide enough coverage to withstand bending and reaching. 

-derek