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We've had some really hot days up here in N. TX. I've gone from a full sized 1911 in a leather IWB holster to a lightweight compact 1911 in a kydex IWB holster and even though it's about as thin and lightweight as I can get without switching to a pocket gun, it feels like a brick after a few hours outside. It's going to be a long summer. The icing on the cake is my AC is set on 79 degrees. I don't want to see electric bills like I did last year.

[/groaning off]

Unfortunately for me, the summer months do dictate something lighter and more comfortable to ensure I'm always carrying. When the temps are cooler, it's the XD40 IWB, or even OWB under a jacket. When it heats up, it's the J frame 642 in a pocket holster and two speed strips. While not possessing the capacity or power of the XD40, the 642 with 38spl +p rounds is more comforting than a small pocket auto like a .380, .32, etc. I realize there are very good small pocket autos in 9 and 40 from Kahr and others, but I haven't found the need to purchase one while I've got the 642.

Cheers!

Go invest a few under armor shirts. They have some now that are not skin tight. I picked up a couple and ever since I have heats has been noting. I even used the cheapie ones from WalMart for llike 8 bucks a piece.

Wildscar wrote:Go invest a few under armor shirts. They have some now that are not skin tight. I picked up a couple and ever since I have heats has been noting. I even used the cheapie ones from WalMart for llike 8 bucks a piece.

Of course I don't agree about paying for the Under Armor brand name, it is wildly overpriced.

But the $8 wicking polyester tanks from Wal Mart are great undershirts year round and will keep you cool. If you really want to stay cool then throw away all of your cotton shirts and get technical wicking fabrics instead. They make some that feel like cotton but are way cooler in the summer and work better in the winter too.

however I don't think this will fix the "this gun feels like a brick" problem, which sounds like a weight issue to me ???

You're right about the heat! We live near to you (DFW area), and we're struggling to keep our newly re-landscaped yards alive. (OK, so I'm a dummie and I had a little trouble figuring out which sprinkler station and drip line station was which on our controller. ) For better or for worse, I haven't had to get out much the past week or so except to do yard work, so I spend most of my time parked right here in front of my computer, in my air conditioned house.

My wife keeps the AC at around 77 during the day, and 79 at night. My 85 year old mother in law lives with us, and she is always too hot or too cold... ...bless her heart... ...so the house is usually a little cooler than I would like to keep it. On the other hand, we became customers a while back of a friend who is involved in a multilevel energy marketing organization, and I've been paying 11.9¢/KwH ever since, instead of the 14¢/KwH I used to pay to Reliant before we switched. So even though we're using a lot of energy, our bill is significantly lower than it used to be.

I normally carry a 3" Kimber in a Galco Royal Guard IWB holster, but I usually also wear a light t-shirt underneath so the gun is not right up against my skin. With the Kimber, weight is less of an issue than size, even though it is quite small for a 1911. And unless I've got to go to a Chamber of Commerce function or an important meeting requiring more formal clothing, I'm a short sleeves, cargo shorts, and sandals kind of guy when it gets hot. And if it gets to where even an undershirt is unbearable, or I have to dress up, then I'll adjust down correspondingly in gun and stick a 642 or P3AT in a pocket holster, depending on what I'm wearing. In fact, I think it is safe to say that weight plays little or no part at all in choosing my carry weapon for the day. It all depends on either physical dimensions, or best carry method for the circumstances.

I don't like the P3AT so much because the fit and finish are poor, and it's pretty much a last resort, but I've grown pretty fond of the 642. It really is a nice little pistol, and it's very practical. But I carry the Kimber for the most part, unless it is just too hot, or circumstances make it difficult to conceal.

mr.72 wrote:

Wildscar wrote:Go invest a few under armor shirts. They have some now that are not skin tight. I picked up a couple and ever since I have heats has been noting. I even used the cheapie ones from Wal-Mart for like 8 bucks a piece.

Of course I don't agree about paying for the Under Armor brand name, it is wildly overpriced.

But the $8 wicking polyester tanks from Wal Mart are great undershirts year round and will keep you cool. If you really want to stay cool then throw away all of your cotton shirts and get technical wicking fabrics instead. They make some that feel like cotton but are way cooler in the summer and work better in the winter too.

however I don't think this will fix the "this gun feels like a brick" problem, which sounds like a weight issue to me ???

And while you at Wal-Mart checking out the Under armor shirts take a look at their Hawaiian Shirts. I picked up a few of those. They are thin enough to breath real good. I will have to look to night to see what they are made out of but that shirt with an under armor shirt I spoke of was like wearing one shirt. I was still able to keep the Beretta covers and not die from heat exhaustion.

Wildscar wrote: And while you at Wal-Mart checking out the Under armor shirts take a look at their Hawaiian Shirts. I picked up a few of those. They are thin enough to breath real good. I will have to look to night to see what they are made out of but that shirt with an under armor shirt I spoke of was like wearing one shirt. I was still able to keep the Beretta covers and not die from heat exhaustion.

They are 100% PolyEster, meaning they are hot, and smell weird (I hate that polyester smell )
WS is right about the setup, though, and it is a good'en.

I often carry my Glock 26 in a pocket holster (Mikas) when the heat is just too miserable for two shirts. I can't carry IWB against my skin.....it drives me nuts! I can mow the law with a Mikas holster and the sweat never gets on my gun.

I have a Nike outlet store close by and they make a sleeveless insta-dry basketball tank that works great for me. I wear it under silk shirts (not just Hawaiian ) mostly and it's really comfortable. It allows me to carry in this heat with my Tucker answer without a problem. I tried out a full size 1911 with this set up last week, and even with a full size metal framed pistol I was good to go.

DoubleJ wrote:

Wildscar wrote: And while you at Wal-Mart checking out the Under armor shirts take a look at their Hawaiian Shirts. I picked up a few of those. They are thin enough to breath real good. I will have to look to night to see what they are made out of but that shirt with an under armor shirt I spoke of was like wearing one shirt. I was still able to keep the Beretta covers and not die from heat exhaustion.

They are 100% PolyEster, meaning they are hot, and smell weird (I hate that polyester smell )
WS is right about the setup, though, and it is a good'en.

100% polyester? In Texas this time of year, you run the risk of that melting to your skin!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll need to pick up some of those wicking Under Armor style Wally World t's. Of course, the white tank top t-shirt seems to be the apparel of choice for the people busted on "Cops"...

Everyone stay safe with your July 4 activities tomorrow. Unfortunately, I can't carry since I'm going to the FC Dallas soccer game in Frisco and catching the post game fireworks there.

I have the answer.
Just leave your carry gun and holster in the freezer compartment of the frig overnight. That way it will be nice a cold in the morning. A big steel 1911 will stay cold longer than a small plastic Glock.

I'm always glad to be able to help. Rgards, OE

I'm already doing the underarmor thing. It helps a little, but not as much as I wish it would. I also wear the really lightweight ripstop nylon cargo shorts in this heat instead of regular heavy cotton ones.
I believe part of the problem is that the air just isn't moving. If there was a nice 20mph breeze coming from the north, that'd make a huge difference. Instead, it's like sitting in your car with the windows up and the engine off.

I put a few fans in strategic places around the house to help improve airflow.

I like the gun in the freezer idea. I wonder how long it would stay cold in a smart carry.

brings new meaning to the phrase "cold steel."

I have gone to pocket carrying my Hipower Detective. Withe 5.11 shorts the pockets are big enough. Then I can just wear one shirt.

I have recently started wearing Fruit of the Loom tanktop T's under whatever shirt I am wearing. I carry the same as always. Pt-111 in a desantis Tucker. The only difference is when wearing shorts I use a belly band.