Concealed Carry Corner: Best Cover Garments

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we took a look at some of the best ways to practice when it comes to practicing for carrying a concealed firearm. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I have been carrying every day during the constant rain storms the northeast has been getting. With the seasons changing and temperatures starting to drop, it's always an interesting change to start carrying with cover garments. Whether it's a light rain jacket or a heavier coat for the colder winter months, it's always important to see how different coats can affect your draw stroke and the overall accessibility of your firearm. It can be tricky to find the right jacket for your climate but there are certain outer jackets that do better than others with concealed firearms. Let's take a closer look at some of the best cover garments.

The Good and Bad of Carry Jackets

Compared to years ago, there are a number of high-end companies making discreet jackets and outwear specifically designed for people who carry a concealed firearm. Others especially the more affordable options can look appealing but some can be completely unusable the way they are presented so it's important to look for quality items that are built to last. Lately, I have been wearing the First Spear Wind Cheater as a light jacket along with the Viktos Range Trainer waterproof shell jacket. These jackets are fantastic to use when it's still warm outside but you need a light layer to cover your firearm without a ton of weight or bulk. These jackets are great options and both are some of the best I’ve used in the past.

In the past, I have ordered various coats from other affordable manufacturers and Amazon vendors to see what the cheaper options are on the market. Depending on the product, there can be some great options for cheaper but others can truly be a waste of time to pick up. Anything with pockets sewn into the jacket is mostly an instant sign to stay away. I have a few of those “easy” concealed carry jackets and they are genuinely bad. They add unwanted bulk and don't do a very good job concealing so it's always best to just keep your firearm on your body and use the jacket as a cover garment. So many people try to make it more than just a cover garment and it's just not a great idea.

Less Bulk is Better 

When it comes to your cover garment, weight and bulk truly are your biggest challenge. Having a heavier down jacket or a bulky winter coat can make things significantly more challenging to clear and have proper access to your handgun. In the past, I have tried a number of different options and styles to see what works the best. Any coats that are longer in length can be a challenge to move quickly and bulky warm jackets are some of the hardest to move quickly.

Out of everything, wearing multiple layers that are all thin creating more layers to insulate you has been the best method for me. Having multiple layers helps keep your body heat in with each layer having its own warming factor.

This also allows them to be light enough to move quickly. Typically, I will try to leave my jackets unzipped as much as possible just for faster access to draw and present my firearm. If it's 10 degrees or less, I will sometimes practice pulling my jacket up at the side where my gun is located and drawing that way rather than trying to unzip it which would end up taking twice as long. Finding different ways to quickly draw your gun with various layers does take a bit of practice but over time with enough reps, it becomes much easier than trying to do it for the first time in an emergency.

Trying Different Styles To Find Your Ideal Cover

As the old saying goes, there are different strokes for different folks. Some people can't go out with an unzipped coat whereas I prefer to leave my coat unzipped. Everyone has different experiences and preferences and my personal experiences may not be what you need. I would try lighter layers first since they are easier to move in order to gain access to your firearm. Having a few smaller lightweight layers will still keep you warm while offering the flexibility you may not get with a single-layered winter jacket. I personally prefer to have the mobility of lightweight layers and be slightly uncomfortable in the cold months than be comfortable and struggle to gain access to my firearm.

Overall Thoughts

When it comes to looking for a good jacket for concealment, the old saying “you get what you pay for” really does apply here. Of course, you can use a regular jacket or cover garment that you have and train around it, but sometimes having something specifically designed for the job really does make a difference. My two favorite lightweight jackets have to be the Viktos Range shell and the First Spear Wind Cheater. They are simple well-built jackets that will hold up over time.

Buying cheap options may work but they tend to be unreliable when it comes to being durable over time. Let me know what your favorite jackets and cover garments are when it comes to carrying concealed down in the comments below. If you have questions about carrying 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.