How to Use a Tuckable Holster
Whether you’re a cowboy, a businessman, or just a snazzy dresser, if you frequently wear your shirt tucked in, a tuckable holster is the right choice for you.
But what are these mysterious holsters, and how do you use them?
Tuckable holsters are designed with special clips that allow you to tuck your shirt over your concealed carry gun. Once you’ve mastered how to dress, draw, and carry with a tucked in shirt, it’s just as easy as using any other IWB holster.
Let’s start with the basics of what you should look for when shopping for this type of inside the waistband holster.
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What is a Tuckable Holster?
You can’t just tuck your shirt in over any old holster. So what exactly is it about an inside the waistband tuckable holster that makes it different from the rest?
The real difference between regular holsters and tuckable ones is their belt clip. Most holster clips attach directly to the holster, leaving no place to tuck in a shirt. On the other hand, IWB tuckable holsters are designed with a space between the clip and holster that you can slip your shirt into. The only thing visible once you tuck in your shirt is the clip itself.
But not all holsters are created equal.
When choosing a tuckable holster, you’ll want to look for one designed for deep concealment. It’s also important that your holster is equipped with adjustable features like ride height, retention, and cant, so you can find that sweet spot that is both comfortable and print-free.
Each of the Vedder Holsters IWB holsters is designed with our patented Rock Solid Spring Steel tuckable belt clip, allowing you to conceal carry with a tucked-in shirt easily. The Vedder LightTuck™ is our most popular tuckable holster, thanks to its slim, lightweight design and adjustable retention, ride height, and 30 degrees cant in each direction.
However, some carriers find that holsters with multiple belt clips are actually easier to conceal with a tucked in shirt. Our RapidTuck™ and ComfortTuck™ hybrid holsters are not only comfortable but are built with two clips for extra stability and concealability.
In addition to a quality belt clip or clips, adding a holster claw to your carry setup can make a world of difference. A claw works by pressing against your belt from the inside, forcing the grip of your gun closer to your body to prevent printing. When you tuck in your shirt, your primary concern is concealing your pistol’s grip, making the claw an especially helpful tool.
How to Use a Tuckable Holster
Using an IWB tuckable holster is pretty straightforward.
Start by getting your holster into place the same way you would normally. Loosen your pants and belt, slide your holster inside your waistband, and secure the clips to your gun belt. From there, you can re-tighten your pants and belt and holster your weapon.
The next step is to tuck your shirt in over this setup. To do so, simply tuck your shirt into your waistband like usual. When you come to your holster, tuck it into the space between your holster and its clips.
The result is a sleek, tucked-in look that appears no different than any other outfit. You shouldn’t be able to see the outline of your gun or holster through your clothes. If your pistol is printing, you may have to make an adjustment or two to your wardrobe. (Don’t worry, we’ll get to that in a bit!)
Do You Have to Tuck In Your Shirt When Carrying a Tuckable Holster?
Even if you never tuck your shirt in a day in your life, you can still wear an IWB tuckable holster.
Just because a holster is considered “tuckable” does not mean that is its only function. In fact, you can use these holsters exactly the same way you would use any other IWB holster.
The advantage to choosing a tuckable option is that even if you don’t regularly wear your shirt tucked in, it’s nice to have the option. You never know when you’ll need to dress up for a date, a job interview, or a rodeo, and it’s nice to be able to still carry your gun if you can.
How to Conceal Carry With a Tucked in Shirt
While having a deep concealment tuckable holster in and of itself can do wonders to conceal your firearm, there are a few other factors to keep in mind.
How to Dress:
Look, we’re not fashion gurus, and we’re not here to talk about trends or our predictions for the fall fashion line.
What we are here to tell you is that if you’re going to carry with your shirt tucked in, you may need to make an adjustment or two to your wardrobe to ensure you don’t print or sag. This is mostly about safety and concealment, though it will probably keep your outfit looking good, too!
The first adjustment you may have to make is to buy pants a size up. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you can fit two fingers inside your waistband to allow room for your pistol. Choosing pants with a higher waist can also make concealing your gun easier.
The second thing you must watch out for is shirt length. If you’re going to tuck your shirt in over your gun, you need to ensure it is long enough so that when you bend over or reach for something, your firearm isn’t revealed.
Similarly, if you typically wear tighter-fitting shirts, you may have to opt for slightly looser ones in order to actually hide your pistol.
“You’re not going to have that perfect, sleek, super tight waistline look; it’s impossible because you have a gun there,” Geauga Firearms Academy trainer Neil Nemetz said in a video. “But you could reasonably pull this off with your normal shirt and tie … as long as you have the right holster and gun setup.”
If you must wear your shirt tighter or just want some added coverage, throwing on a nice jacket or another cover garment can do a lot to ensure your pistol isn’t seen.
Finally, wearing a sturdy gun belt is critical when it comes to concealed carrying with your shirt tucked in. Without anything to hide your belt, any kind of sagging will be noticeable and can cause your shirt to come untucked and reveal your weapon.
Our Polymer Core Leather Gun Belt is not only incredibly durable but its premium cowhide and gunmetal matte finished buckle make it a stylish option as well. It’s the perfect balance of rugged and stylish, making it an excellent choice for any occasion.
Carry Gun:
No matter how great your holster is, carrying the wrong gun can make CCW difficult or even nearly impossible.
As we already mentioned, you want to make sure to invest in a tuckable holster designed for deep concealment. While you certainly can carry a larger firearm with tuckable holsters, it’s definitely more of a challenge.
So, if you’re struggling with your gun printing through your tucked-in shirt, you may want to consider investing in a smaller weapon. Specifically, look for a pistol with a thin frame and smaller grip, which will be easier to hide when your shirt is tucked.
Check out our recommendations for concealed carry guns here.
CCW Position:
The position you carry in makes a big difference when it comes to wearing your shirt tucked in.
The most popular positions for this type of carry are 4 o’clock, or just behind your hip, and appendix carry, or 2 o’clock. Both of these positions are located on a “flatter” part of your waistline, which helps keep the grip of your gun from sticking out where it shouldn’t.
Strong side carry, or 3 o’clock, is another option when wearing your shirt tucked in, though whether this will work for you largely depends on your body type. The best way to determine which position will work best for you is to try a few out and see. Place your gun in various positions, tuck in your shirt, and see if your weapon is visible.
The only position that’s not recommended is 6 o’clock carry, or small of the back. While this is an incredibly comfortable and easy-to-conceal position, it is also difficult to draw from (especially when your shirt is tucked) and puts you at risk of serious spinal injury.
You can learn more about the various concealed carry positions for IWB holsters here.
How to Draw from Under a Tucked-In Shirt
Okay, you’ve got your gun and holster tucked all snug and cozy beneath your shirt. Now what?
As you may have guessed, drawing from under a tucked-in shirt has its own unique challenges. Unlike when wearing a loose shirt, in which case all you have to do is quickly move your shirt out of the way and draw, drawing from a tuckable holster means you have to figure out how to access your weapon.
The best way to draw from under a tucked in shirt is by using your support hand to pull your shirt loose, then drawing with your dominant hand. When doing so, it’s important to make sure you pull your shirt up high enough to successfully clear your entire gun and keep holding it out of the way until you are finished drawing to make sure it doesn’t get in the way.
If this sounds more cumbersome than drawing from under most other shirts, that’s because it is. Unfortunately, there are no quick and dirty tricks for making it more accessible. The key to being able to draw your pistol from under a tucked-in shirt quickly and effectively.
Practice drawing your gun when your shirt is tucked frequently to get used to the force and movements required to do so. That way, if you ever need to use your weapon in a defensive situation, there are no surprises.
Summary
Once you know how to use a tuckable holster, concealing your firearm under a tucked in shirt is both easy and stylish. Finding the right holster, carry position, and clothes can make this means of carry just as simple as any other method.
If you’re looking for belts or holsters, we recommend visiting our Holsters by Gun Model page if you are looking for holsters that are custom-made for your weapon of choice. For all of our belt and holster options and for more information to help you choose the carry system that works best for you, visit our Vedder Holsters website.
Looking for items beyond holsters and belts, check out our Resources Page for popular product links like lights, lasers, first aid, maintenance, and more.
