Yes it is upon us. Summer in Texas. We had a real winter of sorts but it did stay cool until the beginning of May which as we all know gave us an opportunity to carry a concealed handgun under garments that actually can conceal without difficulty. I enjoyed it and carried every handgun I own except for certain obvious exceptions (cowboy & Contender) that are not the type.
So how do we now deal with the excessive humidity and rising daily heat of our climate? I am a tee shirt and jeans guy. Always have been. I own vests for concealment but they get hot. I wear denim shirts but they also get hot soooooo I cut the sleeves off the old denim shirts and wear Hanes and Fruit of the Loom tank type under shirts under the cut offs. I also like Hawaiian shirts with these tanks and weigh down the corner tabs with fishing weights or bullets to avoid exposure from gusting winds. These things work very well for me. I also switch to one firearm that I find really carries well in the Houston summers.
The Glock 22, .40 S&W full-size pistol in a Blackhawk Serpa holster with the paddle instead of the belt loop and a dual magazine holder on my left side. This is a very comfortable carry in the heat and humidity and practical. The frame is polymer as are the holster and mag pouch so weight is minimal even with 45 rounds of ammo in three mags. The finish on the Glock (Melonite) is very rust resistant and the paddle keeps the slide well away from my skin without excessive exposure or printing through shirts. I don’t wear very light colors or white as the weapons being black/blue along with carry gear will show through. I learned my lesson with leather and steel guns two summers ago when I wound up having a firearm refinished after two days of carry in 100+ degree heat turned it into a rust speckled mess. In case you don’t know, I’ll tell you that yes you can remove the rust but it will come right back and it makes the gun look bad if all you do is copper/bronze brush it off and oil it and carry it again. You have to look at your carry gun every day now that summer is here. You also have to look under the grip panels and inside the magazine wells every day without fail. Leather holsters and nylon fabric holsters and inside the waistband holsters will draw moisture/sweat. All of them. If you carry daily in the summer here in Texas you must modify your daily routine as follows:
- Inspect your firearm daily when you put it on and when you take it off. Look for any type of discoloring or stains or spots on the finish
- Wipe your weapon down daily with a clean cloth and then a lightly oiled cloth.
- Check holsters for sweat or salt stains and water marks. Rub them if found with leather balm or wax after brushing any salt from the leather. If nylon fabric; wash according to instructions and thoroughly dry. I DO NOT!!! RECOMMEND BALLISTIC NYLON FABRIC HOLSTER FOR CONCEALED CARRY IN ANY FORM OR FROM ANY MANUFACTURER IN OUR CLIMATE.
- Your leather gun belt will suck up sweat and moisture. Treat the leather and take the belt off every day and let it dry completely before you put it back on!!!!!!!
- Check your ammo weekly for rust or green corrosion.(brass)
There are other options available for you. You can go to ankle holsters and adjust your pants style and learn how to use it properly. You can use fanny style packs, or man sacks, ladies here you have the clear advantage with gun purses. Belly bands, “thundewear”, etc. are options if you can stand to wear such articles. Small revolvers and miniature polymer framed semi auto pistols carried in shorts or pants pockets are also widely used and viable options. Simple is best. Lightweight baggy or loose clothing and comfortable under garments with the lightest most powerful weapon you have.
Your main focus will shift to maintaining the gun to prevent rust for the next few months. This you must do because all guns will rust regardless of finish or construction materials.
Keep packin' but stay cool,
Your Instructor... Eddie
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