HOW TO DEEP CARRY: Tips for Concealed Carry Below the Belt

Deep Concealment or Deep Carry is a method where the entire grip is below the beltline.
The biggest advantage of this is that the gun can be worn over the shirt, so there's no need to clear a cover garment.
The biggest limitation, if you can call it that, is that this method is really only conducive with smaller guns.
The good news is that most of the guns that fall into the "getting out of trouble" category as Darryl Bolke would call it can all work well in this configuration.
Rhett Numeyer of ‪@demonstratedconceptsllc4918‬ has geen doing some great work on this subject, and has given me some pointers through my exploration of the carry method.
Another big advantage of this carry position is that the gun is situated in a location that's socially unacceptable to touch (even accidentally) or spend prolonged periods of time looking at, which aids in concealment.
I'm going to be running this setup through ‪@JohnV_Actual‬ 's Pistol Combatives class next month and see how things flush out.
As of right now, if I need the utmost discretion and the lowest profile, this is the most covert way to carry a gun that I've found.
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[@postingwhateveriwant]

I started carrying this way almost as soon as I got the enigma a year ago (due to Rhett's videos). I use this carry method about a third of the time. I carry in jeans with an untucked shirt, but have found it to be far more comfortable than regular AIWB carry. Having jeans with extra room to shoot your fingers down into on the draw helps with comfort and draw time. Since I'm not tucking my shirt behind the gun, I've definitely seen an increase in my draw time (+ approx .4 sec), but for the comfort and concealment, I'll take the reduced speed. I could train to get my draw time better with this setup, so I wouldn't let my experience dissuade someone from trying it. I have done weekends digging to put french drains in my backyard with no problem carrying the gun below the waistline. I could never do that with regular AIWB because the portion of the gun above the waistline would jab me in the gut as I bend over to shovel. Having the whole gun beneath the point at which your body bends truly is a more comfortable way to carry a gun when being active.

[@OldDominionEDC]

Thanks for pursuing this approach with the Phlstr! I've been a Smart Carry / Thunderwear user since the early '90s and just picked up a Phlstr for my P365XL. It's too soon to tell if I will adapt to it as well as the Smart Carry but I definitely prefer it with my revolver. Revolver cylinders typically catch on the lip of the Smart Carry pouch, which is not a problem with the kydex shell on a Phlster. I think I will have less difficulty than you in the long run with below-the-belt because my suits and dress casual clothes all are pleated and beltless with suspenders (I switched to suspenders 10 years ago to solve my reflux issues). The lack of belt gives me easier access to the weapon, but I have had to adjust my draw stroke to avoid snagging my hand in the suspender ends. I like to see that you are figuring this out at the same time I am. Great content! I'm glad to have found your channel the other week.

[@t3r083]

@OldDominionEDC any updates? I actually switched from Phlstr Enigma to the Smart Carry and I'm finding that the Smart Carry wins in comfort and me actually wanting to EDC my firearms.

[@OldDominionEDC]

@@t3r083 I switched back to smart carry for the same reason. Comfort. And I still have quick access

[@t3r083]

@@OldDominionEDC nice. I do like the retention/security of the phlster. So I’m going to work on some mods to get the middle ground. I’m thinking like a super minimal thin kydex holster with a tall ulticlip. A trigger guard at the very least, but would love some retention.

[@JohnV_Actual]

You rocked it with that set up brother!

[@TheSuitedShootist]

Thank you bud!

[@beyproctor7673]

I have carried concealed with the grip just level with my belt line with an UNTUCKED shirt before. I practiced the same type of draw you just showed. It provided great concealment above and below the belt. Zero printing really. I’m interested to hear what you find with a tucked shirt and whether you can solve the muzzle print puzzle. I almost forgot to mention that this position makes drawing from a seated position very difficult. I had to straighten my right leg and plank my upper body to do it! Not happening in a seatbelt. Still it was much better than forgoing protection.

[@dfyt9179]

Can I ask which holster/setup allows you to do that? Also the enigma?

[@beyproctor7673]

@@dfyt9179 Yes. I used the Enigma. I got it especially for deeper concealment.

[@10thmtn86]

I used a Smartcarry daily for 3 years with a Glock 19 and then a 26 in business suits. To be tolerated, I had to shift it left (I'm right handed), with the bottom of the grip centered on the zipper line. That gave me room down my left leg for the barrel. Pleated pants are your friend with this method. Work was (and still is) non permissive. After the three years, I couldn't tolerate the back of the pistol pushing on the same spot while seated for long periods of time anymore, like when driving. It became painful. I have gone to dual front pocket carry of smaller guns, and have not looked back. To me, these methods are almost desperate ways of trying to carry a "fighting pistol" (sic) when your situation just doesn't allow that. IMHO, better to train hard and get really good with the smaller pocket guns than go through all these gyrations. Just my opinion based on my very similar experience. Good luck.

[@TheSuitedShootist]

I do find it a little more forgiving with a flatter gun, but it can be very contingent on your build.

[@10thmtn86]

@@TheSuitedShootist Yes, your body frame makes a big difference. Interested to hear your thoughts after you give it a try.

[@bwofficial1776]

That's interesting to hear about your experience with the Smartcarry, it's like an Enigma Mod 0. I saw the promo videos a decade ago where the guy pulls a 1911 or a Beretta 92 out of his pants and was impressed. I've considered getting one and sewing a formed Kydex trigger guard in to see if it's more comfortable than a hard Enigma. I like the idea of deep carry but it's not the most comfortable thing. I'm also trying to deep carry a gun about the length of a 19 and I find that I have to run the barrel down my leg. The kydex holster prints next to the end of my zipper and it's really obvious that there's something, ahem, hard there.

[@10thmtn86]

@@bwofficial1776 I made a plastic insert out of a milk jug and inserted it into the holster pocket of the Smartcarry to add extra trigger protection from the front. Probably not needed but gave extra margin of safety with a Glock.

[@bwofficial1776]

Demonstrated Concepts' videos sent me on this path for when I tuck my shirt in. A longslide Shield with a red dot is a little long to deep carry with my height, the bottom of the holster prints in certain situations. I find that in jeans I can wear it at 1:00 and run it down my right leg but in khakis I have to run it at 12:00 with the barrel down my left leg. I'm once again considering a snub revolver as I think that the slightly shorter length and rounded grip might sit a bit better. It's not super comfortable and the draw sucks but my build is not conducive to pocket carry. Forgot to add, on my deep carry Enigma I assembled the holster with the wing behind it and the shell touching the faceplate. It slims it down and reduces the bulge caused by pushing the faceplate out but still provides some rotation. The back of the wing does press into me but it's not uncomfortable.

[@10thmtn86]

I have thick thighs so my build isn't conducive to pocket carry either, but, I use pocket holsters with anti print panels, aka wallet holsters. They print like a rectangle. Works well with LCP, LCP Max, etc which are small, light and flat.

[@matthewmarkert]

I really like the tone, planning, and quality of your videos! I must say, I cannot understand why you are shooting full length 7-20 minute videos about concealed carry printing in pants without me physically being able to see the concealment print in your pants. I feel like I might as well be listening to a podcast with you describing what it looks like. Again these have so much going for them, there is information here, I just hope you can visibly include in the video what the video is made to show. Thanks so much and I'll watch to see if things change.

[@TheSuitedShootist]

Part of it is framing the shots, and I'm currently only running a one camera setup. Now that I'm not bothering with the green screen anymore, the proposition of editing multiple clips together is a little less daunting, but it's still a bit challenging for me. I'm always working to improve the production value of the channel, so I appreciate the feedback

[@tangero3462]

I did try this with the OG Enigma and my old J frame while I still had it when I ministered a wedding and it worked swimmingly, but as a large individual it definitely is not a sustainable wardrobe move to get trousers that fit across my muffin. I've already lost weight and plan to lose more, so I'm sticking to wearing pants at the hips in the meantime. I now use my Enigma Express daily and adore it, but I'm almost thinking the Enigma chassis and winged holsters might add a little too much bulk unless you have rather generous trousers. I've been experimenting with using the Enigma belt, because it is so dang thin, attached to a pelvis-width strip of leather belt like you would to an Enigma combined with a wingless holster like a Keepers or the JM AIWB with either fixed soft loops or a misused Henry Mk 1 Enigma adapter. I really wish they'd release an Enigma faceplate for this type of holster anyway, but in limited testing it seems to work. I'd really like to try it with a J frame or LCR, but lack both at present.

[@bwofficial1776]

One of the pre-Enigma deep carry tips was to wear a nylon gun belt under your regular pants and clip your holster to that. The wing does add bulk, on my deep carry Engima I put the wing behind the holster to reduce bulge.

[@OldDominionEDC]

Tuna on beads of rice? Nice combo.

[@TheSuitedShootist]

Good eye!

[@OldDominionEDC]

@@TheSuitedShootist I got the "Save the Ocean" Antarctica - Monster. You've inspired me to get a BOR since it clearly looks great.

[@TheSuitedShootist]

@@OldDominionEDC I got mine from Uncle Seiko. It's a Save the Ocean Baby Tuna too!

[@LL-fi4rr]

“Gun dick” 😂 That’s a new one! Man I just don’t have enough space between my belt line and thigh to make this work when sitting. I’ve done it with a SmartCarry holster. I can’t imagine what kydex would do to my poor colon with this setup. 😬

[@TheSuitedShootist]

The right holster selection is critical for sure.

[@CutlassOutdoors]

Do you think stitching a piece of nylon cordura into the seam of the pants to hang down along the fly would help minimize wear and tear and maybe even printing?

[@TheSuitedShootist]

Possibly, but I really try to avoid any carry-specific modifications to my clothing if at all possible

[@TheSuitedShootist]

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[@djhart1980]

What is the holster?

[@TheSuitedShootist]

The PHLster Enigma. Here's my playlist on it. kzbin.info/aero/PLr67kkCLrqEWBgz60LQtPii7Oz-dSg5BB

[@vlogfriendsutopia]

Can the enigma be worn completely below the crease of the beltline, like the SmartCarry? I work in an NPE, and have been pocket carrying with no issues, but have been figuring that the Enigma could work for what I do. Only trouble is, I'm Slav squatting a lot, and there's no way in hell I can do that with regular appendix carry, so I don't.

[@TheSuitedShootist]

Yes, that's my preferred method for covert carry where the gun need to be completely undetectable.

[@vlogfriendsutopia]

@@TheSuitedShootist Huh. Might just have to bite, then. Do you happen to know if Phlster has any sales coming up?

[@TheSuitedShootist]

@vlogfriendsutopia the Enigma has been so popular that I don't see it being discounted anytime soon. If there's an Express for your gun, make life easy and get that.

[@vlogfriendsutopia]

@@TheSuitedShootist There is indeed. Currently, it's a Shield Plus in 30 SC. I'm probably gonna have to wait for my tax returns.

[@scotopicvision]

Is the SmartCarry more suit friendly when it comes to wear and tear?

[@TheSuitedShootist]

Perhaps a little, but with what you have to give up in stability & and retention, I don't think it's a tradeoff worth making. I opt for a j-frame with smooth wood stocks if I really want to preserve my clothing. The texture on the grip & and slide and the sharp angles of iron sights & optics seem to be the offending elements.

[@scotopicvision]

@@TheSuitedShootist due to your video I went to my local gun store during lunch break today. They showed me how to use a belly band (sticky brand) to carry below the waist and also showed me alternatively how to use the same band under my shirt below my chest with the gun mounted on my strong side. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to draw. Especially when sitting down. Didn’t even need to practice..and here I was thinking that there was no such thing as a comfortable carry. How did I miss this over the decades I was shooting!?!?

[@TheSuitedShootist]

@@scotopicvision I would very strongly encourage you to get the Enigma, or at least something with rigid trigger protection. Bellybands aren't a great solution in reality.

[@scotopicvision]

@@TheSuitedShootist this one uses a seperate holster that can conform to the valleys of your body. Almost impossible to pull the trigger

[@TheSuitedShootist]

@@scotopicvision I genuinely hope it works out for you. I'm hesitant because i've yet to see a belly band perform nearly as effectively as the enigma

[@mhl2674]

looks like you are losing some weight. good for you!

[@TheSuitedShootist]

Thank you! Slowly but surely.

[@max3835]

I get firearm safety but a cleared gun cannot shoot you if you cleared it...LOL, even if someone is not familiar with a particular carry method. People need to stop being "scared" of their guns if they know how they work. A round will not magically spawn in the camber if you cleared you pistol.

[@boomee78]

This isnt being scared its being cautious u need to understand that peoples level of being comfortable will not always be the same

[@TheSuitedShootist]

Safety isn't a binary condition, it's a layered process. There's no reason not to, and no down side in this instance.

[@peedeeoutdoors2975]

I started carrying this way and it seems my waist band is really tight for a draw, did you have to go to larger waist size in your pants?