Good holster for tuxedo wear

[Jedi]

Right now I carry using Uncle Mike's Sidekick, which is generally pretty comfy and fits into just about everything I wear. Got an event coming up requiring me to wear a tuxedo, and while I don't anticipate any problems with the Sidekick, I'm curious as to what anybody else has to recommend for a holster that can be worn with a tux, yet remain hidden and not tug the pants down on that side.

Any suggestions?

[DennisNJ]

Shoulder rig. A gentleman would never remove his jacket at a black-tie event and a good shoulder holster under a decent jacket won't "print."

(With that out of the way, you can focus on what's really important: Practicing the line "Bond. James Bond.")

[dmclark]

I'd want to know what weapon and where you usually carry. A tux is nothing more than a fancy black suit. There shouldn't be a need for any major changes.

[LearninginMN]

Shoulder rig. A gentleman would never remove his jacket at a black-tie event and a good shoulder holster under a decent jacket won't "print."

(With that out of the way, you can focus on what's really important: Practicing the line "Bond. James Bond.")

So I suppose he'd want the Walther PPK for the night?? lol I've seen people do it both ways, the problem with most tux's is that you don't wear a belt around your waist... so you need a holster that won't pull your pants down. But the shoulder rig is probobly the best (in black if possible). If not then maybe ankle holster it?

[PEACE]

Brother Jedi ...

If we've said it once, we've said it a thousand times - just go with the team sling on your M4; nothing says, "This will be a dignified event!" like high profile at a black tie event.

Of course, I rarely get invited ... :rolleyes:

PEACE

[krellum]

I hope you're not buying this to wear every day to work, like the person who once advocated buying $1,000.00 suits just in case he "happened to be on an elevator with the FBI director" (:o ) - aka what I like to call "brown-nosing clothes"

Come to think of it, a Tux WOULD be a nice touch in that regard, though:

Director: "What are you all dressed up for, son?"

Employee: "Well sir, I wanted to impress you on my first day..."

[sound of K vomiting] :)

[dmclark]

Wear an IWB holster. Or a pocket carry J frame. You really SHOULD ankle it though. It's the best solution. I hate shoulder holsters and am biased against them!

[Jedi]

I carry a Sig 239 off duty. It's not the smallest gun in the world by any means, but per regulation, it's the smallest gun with a big bullet I can have. Usually carry IWB strong side--keeps the gun in the same place as on duty, so the muscle memory can kick in nice and smooth.

And no, not buying anything to impress people. If ever the day comes where I start buying $1000.00 suits, somebody please have me committed....

[navy03]

Of course, this will depend if your tux has a vest or cumberbun, but if you're wearing a cumberbun, a nice quality belly band (I have a Galco that works very nice) will let you wear it IWB strong side without needing the belt that you won't be wearing. If you're sporting the vest, the belly band might make the vest not sit right, but that will depend on the cut of the vest.

This combination worked well for me a few weeks ago around Christmas when I took my wife to a fancy event event (Unfamiliar town & neighborhood + late at night + permit = CCW). I had a G19 and was wearing a cumberbun, and I had no problems whatsoever with "printing." Of course, if I had a shoulder rig, I may have considered it, but I didn't.

BTW... how DO you spell cumberbun? That's definitely not a word I spell everyday!

[esflea]

Maybe it's going to be his first day as a detective in Captain Barney Miller's squadroom....

[outlawturtle]

I hate shoulder holsters and am biased against them!
I have one, and use it only when necessary. It serves certain purposes, it is definitely not a great "all around" option, however, it is convenient sometimes. I loved it when I would fly...way better then anything on my hip, as small seats, fat people* next to me:mad: , and mandatory seat belts made anything on my hip an uncomfortable challenge!
-OT
**hopefully, no fat people were hurt in the making of this post**

[kennethm3]

I'd have to go back and check my Esquire Guide but I think that if one is wearing a tuxedo that one's pistol being nickel plated is de regeur.

[dmclark]

Ken Null used to make a small holster that was held in place by garter clips and could be affixed ANYWHERE on one's bod. It was designed for small autos and rather neat. Affixed to a shirttail it was invisible.

[AG1811]

BTW... how DO you spell cumberbun? That's definitely not a word I spell everyday!

For your knowledge:

Cummerbund
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A cummerbund is a broad waist sash, usually pleated, which is often worn with black tie. The cummerbund was first adopted by British military officers in colonial India and later spread to civilian use. The modern day use of the cummerbund is as an elegant fashion accessory to complement the wearing of a tuxedo during formal evening occasions.

The name comes from the Persian for waist restraint (kamar "waist" and band "to close") and was borrowed into English from the Hindi word meaning "loinband" in 1616.

Cummerbunds were traditionally worn pleats facing up in order to hold ticket stubs and similar items. These days however such a fact is purely academic as cummerbunds are now a mere decoration to a gentleman's black tie attire.

See J.Dixon's book - "Me and My Cummerbund" for a fuller history. This book charts the story of the cummerbund from its original persian roots to its modern role as a stylish addition to black-tie dress. However Dixon's text is a relatively amateur one with numerous mistakes of fact.

Keep it real, and Be Safe

[AG1811]

To the rest of the topic;

One of the things you may consider is a minimized (I call it this for lack of a better term) load bearing vest. 5.11 makes one,as do others. It seems that if you are carrying a lot of equipment for work, (i.e. pistol, mags, light, cuffs, radio . . .) something like this may fit your needs. Just a thought.

Be safe

[Kegan30317]

Maybe it's going to be his first day as a detective in Captain Barney Miller's squadroom....

Too, too funny. Officer Karl Levitt in the blue tux with ruffles.

Speaking of Miller, best line from the show had to be Yamida (after eating the pot brownies) - "Hey, let's go down to the beach and shoot some clams"

[Jedi]

Thanks for the input folks. I went with the shoulder holster for two reasons:

1) Somebody pointed out that a gentleman never removes his jacket, which kept it nice and concealed--only the groom knew I was carrying

2) The wife said it would be sexy, and that probably counted more than reason number 1....

[universible]

My wife calls my rosco "the stepchild"...which gets funny looks when we're out:

her - So you can't have any wine with dinner...stupid stepchild....
me - *sigh*