5.11 Tactical - Undergear Holster Shirt + XD9 Service(another review with pics)

[skilled1]

and how much did it run you? would you consider this over a shoulder holster?

[Frenchy]

LA Police Gear has them for $39.99 and free shipping if you buy two items.
http://www.lapolicegear.com/5tahoshv.html

[ghettocruiser]

Hey guys... Ill try to catch up.

I bought mine from 5.11 directly. I think it was like $45 shipped... they have free shipping with no minimum purchase. Alittle pricey, but it seems pretty versatile especially if you are wearing mesh shorts or something that cant support a holster.

basesohc brings up another point I wanted to mention yesterday. I see this shirt as being useful for other things as well. I could definetly see myself wearing this out, and putting my car key, credit cards and money in the pockets. Sure as heck arent going to get pick pocketed, or have to worry about anything dropping out of it. The i-Pod is a good idea too!

Need For Speed: The areas that are pocketed for whatever you are carrying are set up in a way that they act like shoulder rigs sorta. All the weight is supported by your shoulder, not by the shirt. The spandex part of the shirt is really only there to make it look likea normal shirt, and to pull the pockets in close to the body. The thicker areas do all the work.

After wearing it for about 30 minutes, I made myself relax and tried to not think about it. Before that, I was sort of holding my arms out alittle...unconsiously. But after I kind of "forgot" about it, I could hardly tell. Like I said, even when moving around, it really doesnt go anywhere. And thats with a 4" service... I could definetly see a sub compact being MUCH easier and fitting better in the pocket. The pocket is about maxed out right now...

SpeedRacer: With a normal t-shirt over it, you wont be able to draw super fast... However, its better than not being able to draw at all from not having your carry with you. That was my thinking...

chupacabrachus: eh...could go either way. I could probably run/jog, ride, whatever all day and it wouldnt bother me. The only time it moved was when I was jumping up and down. Running, it just sort of jiggled...but I was de-sensitized fairly quick to the sensation.

Broadside: No I didnt time my draws. One of my issues is I have a decal grip on right now. And it sort of catches on the materal alittle. I wont be carrying my 4" service very long. Ill be getting a sub, and not adding anything to the grip. If it werent for the grip, it would be much easier to pull. With a button up shirt, in a panic situation, I wouldnt be unbuttoning. It would be a quick yank like superman, and then just commit to diving in and getting it. Its not so hard to get to that you'd be fumbling for it.

I did put on a hoodie, and do a couple practice draws by yanking my hoodie up with my left arm to clear. That action was very fast...the rest of the time was just me reaching in and getting it. So a t-shirt, unless its skin tight, would be about the same.

skilled1: I might consider a shoulder rig...but not for wearing a t-shirt over, or for running/jogging/working out etc. This holds the pistol really tight and close and it just about disappears. For me...its going to be this shirt for awhile...then Ill be ordering a crossbreed and finding some jeans/pants to fit.

I think I commented on everything... Over all its a decent product. I still have to drop my application for CCL off at the sheriff's office. They close after I get out of work, so I either have to try to make it during lunch, or take a "mental health day" and do it then

Keep the questions/comments comin! Ill probably wear it today around the house again and see how the draws work and how it acts doign some different things.

J.

[Frenchy]

I'm sure you will develop a technique for a fast, smooth draw.

[skilled1]

thanks for the quick reply ghettocruiser. i L O V E my crossbreed, but there are times that i might want to 'sport' something different, so i have been considering either the undergear holster shirt, or a shoulder holster. i do like the fact that you have pointed out that even under strenuous acts such as jogging, you don't have to worry about it.

[Krackels]

Originally Posted by SpeedRacer

Nice writeup, looks pretty cool. I'd love to have one, but I pretty much only wear T-shirts. I can't imagine it'd be very quick/easy to get to.

Yeah, wouldn't be a good idea.

They seem to work better with button down shirts.

From what I've heard, the draw is anything but quick but it allows you to carry concealed in deep cover. If you've ever been at church and been hugged and someone feels your gun you know how handy this can be.

[ghettocruiser]

Hmm..yeah. I didnt use the term in my review, this would certainly qualify as deep cover. And like I said, I definetly would rather have it and not be a quick draw, than need it and not have it.

Just like someone else said...after some practice, you can get to it pretty easy. Ide like to try it with a gun without a decal grip. It should be a ton easier and smoother to pull...

J.

[Krackels]

Originally Posted by ghettocruiser

Hmm..yeah. I didnt use the term in my review, this would certainly qualify as deep cover. And like I said, I definetly would rather have it and not be a quick draw, than need it and not have it.

Just like someone else said...after some practice, you can get to it pretty easy. Ide like to try it with a gun without a decal grip. It should be a ton easier and smoother to pull...

J.

You might want to try sewing some velcro strips on a shirt or two to see if that works for easing access to your firearm.

[1lowlife]

ghettocruiser

Thanks for the review.
Although is might not be Quickdraw Mcgraw approved, I can sure see that it would be useful.
I may look in to getting one to carry my XD9sc.
I wear t-shirts and shorts a lot in the summer.
I appreciate the time you took to write your review and answer all these questions.
My only question is this, is the collar tight around your neck or does it feel like a regular t-shirt?
Thanks.

[ghettocruiser]

No problem man! I learned a lot from this forum, and though I might not have much technical to add just yet, I like to contribute! Website reviews are always crappy, and I always like to see pictures of normal people using products.

The neck is tight fitting, but not constrictive. My neck measurement is about 17.5 - 18 inches. And it was not uncomfy at all. Its alittle weird feeling at first... Im used to my hanes cotton t's... But once you have it on, its very comfy. Most people wont notice that its not a regular t-shirt.

Its gotta fit tight and thats the reason it works so well because it uses your entire torso as support for what you are carrying. I keep saying it makes it feel like your carry pistol is part of your torso, because it really does.

Im gonna try wearing one of my usual printed t-shirts over it today when I get home. See how that goes. If the grip wasnt so long Im sure it would work, but we'll see.

J.