Last Sunday I was told that I had the okay to conceal carry in our church. Here in MI you have to have permision from the church leaders to do so. I want to carry my P229, but I think I am going to have a tough time effectively concealing it under my normal church clothes.

I’m not a big fan of off body carry but in this instance it might be my best option. Skinner Sights makes a Bible cover with a place to hide a gun and an extra magazine in it.

It is about halfway down the page here: http://www.skinnersights.com/

Does anyone have experience with one of these or can you recommend something similar?

I am open to ideas and opinions.

Thanks

It might be very easy for a third party to mistakenly pick up your "Bible".

Maybe you should reconsider on body options.

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:
It might be very easy for a third party to mistakenly pick up your "Bible".

Maybe you should reconsider on body options.

This something that I have considered. I would essentially have to have it in my possession at all times and that might be unrealistic as well as a bit of a pain.

Once again I will put in a plug for my favorite holster www.smartcarry.com You may have to buy extra sets of slacks (wear them only on Sundays) and Smart Carry does not work great with a heavier weapon, but it works for me. Here is something I repost every few years:



It works for me. CCW holsters are a balance between concealment, comfort, and accessibility, and my first priority is concealment. Sometimes I carry my LCP or PM9 in a pocket, but most of the time it’s in Smart Carry. I also have a super-size model and on rare occasions I carry my G-19 and two spare mags.

I no longer carry my 642 or PPS, but like the LCP, PM9, and now G-43 they fit fine in my medium (holster, not hip size) Smart Carry. You buy the size holster for the largest gun you plan to carry.

Comfort is not an issue on long trips; Last fall I drove east (2500 miles r/t) with my LCP and almost forgot it was there.

Pros:

No cover garment, shirt can be tucked in or out

Wear under shorts, long pants, or sweats. Even business casual.

One size holster fits almost all

No one looks there

Superior concealment

Slot for spare mag/speed strip

Can draw with support hand


Cons:

May not support a heavy gun

Potentially slower draw

Reluctance to keep a gun there

Need to buy pants one size larger


Other members may have additional pros and cons. It's not the perfect holster, it’s not for everyone, but Smart Carry works for me.

Since you're likely to be wearing a jacket in church, I suggest a shoulder rig. I love my Alessi Bodyguard (horizontal).

Even if you have to down gun a little bit, I would want to keep it on my body.

Agree with the others on off body carry. I use and recommend a Kangaroo Carry holster. Conceals well under a polo shirt and you can get them in various sizes for large or small guns. Carries a spare mag or speed strip, too.

I carry every Sunday but I also wear a coat and tie and my Wranglers every Sunday so carrying is not a problem for me. I will either carry my 228 or my 229 in 357 Sig in a VM2. When it's really cold I might carry a 1911 in a shoulder holster under my leather jacket.

With a little thought it's not hard to dress around a midsize pistol and not look out of place.

I've tried a Galco rig designed for brief case carry in a Bible case. It's meant at times I had to leave the weapon unsecured (getting asked to help as an usher, communion, etc.). Next step; I tried one of the little gunsafes in the Bible cover (unattended at times, but more secure) but that can be bulky/weighty. Ankle holster works fine most of the time with the G42 or P290, but at times my pants leg slides up. I'm now trying an Air Marshal 3 rig with my G19 under a loose fitting striped shirt, etc. Much happier. Beware of huggers though, got hugged a few times and am pretty sure they were wondering what was on my left side....(edit) I think someone else on the forum pointed me towards one of these.

edited to add link:

https://www.kangaroocarry.com/...arry-handgun-holster

I also recommend the SmartCarry.

Off-body carry in a church sounds like a very bad idea.

quote:

Originally posted by rat2306:

...Beware of huggers though, got hugged a few times and am pretty sure they were wondering what was on my left side...

Another advantage of Smart Carry: Huggers are rarely aware your, uh...firearm is there.

(Insert joke here)

This one works well for me.
https://www.kangaroocarry.com/...shoulder-gun-holster

I really appreciate all of the input on this. I am ruling out off body carry. I have an Andrews Leather Monarch shoulder holster, but I would have to go find a sport jacket that would work with it. I am very tempted to get a SmartCarry. Maybe I’ll put some of my Christmas bonus toward one of those and give it a try.

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmund:

quote:

Originally posted by rat2306:

...Beware of huggers though, got hugged a few times and am pretty sure they were wondering what was on my left side...

Another advantage of Smart Carry: Huggers are rarely aware your, uh...firearm is there.

(Insert joke here)

Blush, blush...

I wear a tuckable IWB holster EVERYWHERE I go, including church. Nobody's ever noticed the gun, and it's never been a problem. If you're considering wearing a sport coat anyway to accommodate a shoulder holster, that's all the cover garment you'll ever need with a good IWB holster.

I was discussing this with a buddy at work this morning and as luck would have it he has a SmartCarry that he is willing to let me borrow and try out. He is not thrilled with it but everybody is built differently and who knows, it may be just the ticket for me. Hopefully I'll know by early next week.

AIWB, and something hammer fired. I use a revolver.

quote:

Originally posted by Browndrake:
I was discussing this with a buddy at work this morning and as luck would have it he has a SmartCarry that he is willing to let me borrow and try out. He is not thrilled with it but everybody is built differently and who knows, it may be just the ticket for me. Hopefully I'll know by early next week.

When buying SmartCarry, you order waist size and holster size. Most people order a holster for the largest size pistol they expect to carry. Hopefully your pal didn't order for an LCP.

Smart Carry may not work as well with a heavier gun like the 229 (I have one). Think of it as a strapless bra.

(Insert joke here)

However, it should be adequate for an hour or so once a week.

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmund:

quote:

Originally posted by Browndrake:
I was discussing this with a buddy at work this morning and as luck would have it he has a SmartCarry that he is willing to let me borrow and try out. He is not thrilled with it but everybody is built differently and who knows, it may be just the ticket for me. Hopefully I'll know by early next week.

When buying SmartCarry, you order waist size and holster size. Most people order a holster for the largest size pistol they expect to carry. Hopefully your pal didn't order for an LCP.

Smart Carry may not work as well with a heavier gun like the 229 (I have one). Think of it as a strapless bra.

(Insert joke here)

However, it should be adequate for an hour or so once a week.

I believe he ordered his for a S&W M&P, so I think from a size standpoint it should be about right. Waist size should be fairly close as well.

Another option is ankle carry.

While not a primary for me, I often carry a 340 in a Galco Ankle glove as a BUG.

As long as you don't cross that leg over your knee, you'll be fine in dress pants.

Obvious a J-frame or any other uber concealable pistol isn't a great choice, but it's far better than harsh language.