Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we took a look at what happens when things completely break and what indicators show before they do. If you happen to miss that article, be sure to check out the link here. This week, I wanted to take a closer look at some of the things I carry every day when I wear shorts in the summer. When the weather starts to get hot outside, the last thing you want to do is start fatiguing with a large framed firearm rubbing against your side. Certain people will say they do carry a full size in the summer and that’s perfectly fine but for the vast majority of people, it can become challenging. Let’s take a closer look at some must-have items for summer carry.

Concealed Carry Corner @ TFB:

• Concealed Carry Corner: When Things Completely Break
• Concealed Carry Corner: The Major Problems With Lightweight Pistols
• Concealed Carry Corner: Buying Or Building Your Carry Gun
• Concealed Carry Corner: Great Concealed Carry Shooting Drills

Holster With A Claw

One of the best tools you can pick up when it comes to summer carry is a Kydex holster with a claw extension on it. The claw attachment makes concealing your pistol easier while wearing a light cover garment like a T-shirt.  What makes a claw attachment so useful is the fact it allows your holster to push the waistband of your pants slightly out which allows the pistol frame to be hidden by your waistline which reduces printing.

One of the biggest issues with having a thin cover garment like a shirt is the fact you can easily see the frame sometimes if you have a larger framed firearm. Having something simple like the claw attachment not only allows you to carry a larger firearm but it gives you confidence in knowing the handgun is well hidden from people going on with their day. When it comes to concealment claws, there are a number of variations available but they do roughly the same job. Depending on what Kydex holster manufacturer you prefer will typically be the determining factor as to which kind of claw you can put on your holster. They often cost a bit more than regular holsters but trust me, they are well worth the investment.

Smaller Pistol With No Light

When it comes to mounting weapon lights on your handgun, I typically am a rather big advocate for having one when it makes sense. I have written a number of articles about the benefits of having a weapon-mounted light on your carry pistol but when it comes to summertime carry, I will usually dump every accessory off my carry gun to keep it streamlined. The biggest problem with weapon-mounted lights is the fact they add a good amount of bulk to your holster and add weight to your carry gun. There are plenty of configurations as well as small weapon lights to pick from but I personally still prefer to run my guns without anything.

The difference in bulk between carrying a gun clean of everything or a handgun with a weapon light really comes out when you are sitting down. It’s not a huge deal but when it gets into the real hot months where you can hit temperatures of 90+ degrees outside, less truly is more when it comes to a concealed firearm. Not everyone can afford to own multiple firearms for carrying concealed, but it’s never a bad option to have something lightweight and smaller for those extremely hot months. The biggest downside to smaller guns is the fact they can be tricky to shoot accurately under stress. With an adequate amount of practice at the range, you’ll be more confident and feel like you are properly armed despite having a smaller gun.

Limited Space With Less Clothing

One of the toughest parts about carrying in the summer months is the lack of layers you have to not only break up your firearm footprint but to carry optional items as well. Whether it’s figuring out accessories to carry or even a spare magazine, carrying with lightweight shorts, or just a shirt, it can be challenging to carry everything you need. Typically I will throw a pocket knife in my right side pocket to have just for everyday use but after that, it can be really tough deciding what’s most important.

When it comes to gear in the summertime, I try to keep everything minimal which usually means carrying a spare magazine with no handheld flashlight or anything else during the day. For nighttime, there are countless options now for small lightweight flashlights that will clip into your pocket and you’ll just completely forget it’s there. The big takeaway is to plan ahead and carry the bare minimum without compromising your personal safety. That may look different for some of you depending on what you value but it’s important to prioritize what you absolutely need to carry and go from there.

Overall Thoughts

The big secret when it comes to summer carry is to carry as little gear as possible to stay comfortable throughout the day. The last thing you want is to feel uncomfortable and fatigued after carrying a larger firearm and having your skin irritated from chaffing on your firearm. Having a quality lightweight holster with a claw attachment on it really helps conceal your firearm and allows you to carry without having to worry about printing or showing your gun accidentally. Having a slick side pistol with no attachments will certainly allow you to carry with less bulk making it easy with just a simple pair of shorts.

Let me know what you guys typically carry in the summer months. Do you carry something with a lower profile or do you just carry the same handgun you do in colder months and deal with the size and weight? I definitely want to hear your thoughts so be sure to leave them in the comments below. If you have questions about carrying concealed or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you next week for another edition of Concealed Carry Corner.

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