****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
It's been a while since I wore a MC style vest, I don't ride, but I have always liked the look.Anyway, I bought this vest to supplement my Conceal Carry capability as the deep pockets sounded effective for pocket carrying a firearm in a concealed way.First the Vest -It's stylish, and the leather is thick and robust, the texture looks great, and the side tassels look cool. I'm a big guy, and as per my measurements, and knowing I wanted this for concealed carry, I knew I needed slightly bigger than my normal 2-3x that I buy shirts in. So I went with a 5x. I'm glad I did, it fits like a glove, but I actually expected it to be looser. It should be noted however, that the sides of this garment are laced to offer even more room and a more customized fit. So, considering how much leather tassel I have left to work with, I'll have to eat a lot more pizza or press a LOT more benches before this stops fitting.Best of all, the wife LOVES it.Next for concealability - I read the below reviews, that the deep holster/pocket seemed unsuitable for many people. There were several complaints of the pocket/internal holster being too small.Well, I tried it with my Glock 19, and it fits perfectly, and holds the gun well.There are two ways you can carry a gun on either side, the first would be just to let it hang in the pocket, IE don't use the provided elastic holster strap.OR use the strap for a more secure retention that puts the gun up closer to your breast.IF you put it in the depths of your pocket, it really doesn't print hardly at all. That is, if it shows a print, the position of the print will be in a place most people would not suspect a gun to be hidden. IT will look like you have keys in your pocket or something. It also is very secure, without snapping the pocket snap. While I guess if I was hanging upside down by my ankles the gun might fall out, for typical every day walking around and sitting in restaurants etc... it was fine. The only drawback is that if you need it quick, you have to reach way down into the vest to get it. Slowing you down.IF you use the strap, the gun will ride much higher, and so long as you keep the button snapped on the pocket, I don't think normal activity would let it slip out, certainly not out of the pocket. That would including bending over and maybe even being hung upside down. The position makes it really easy and intuitive to reach quickly and is very reasonably fast. However, you DO need to keep the pocket snapped closed to make sure the weapon is retained, so unlike the deep pocket carry option, you have one extra step, making this take almost as long as reaching down into the depths of the pocket. The other drawback is that using the strap makes my glock print like CRAZY. Anyone who remotely knows what to look for will see the bulge near the bottom of your chest, and likely suspect it's a gun.I have no idea how well it would work with a subcompact like the glock 26, but I bet it would do a bit better.To sum up -Use the deep pocket to carry if you want - Less obvious printing, more comfort. Less reliable retention and draw.Use the strap if you want - more retention, faster draw, but don't mind printing.The fact that this has two pockets of the same configuration on both sides means you can carry two guns, or have plenty of room in your other pocket for spare mags.I carry my pistol in my left side pocket, and 2 spare mags in the right (so I can easily get them with my left hand, with the gun in my right).Please note, I do not advocate this as BETTER than a traditional IWB concealed holster like the Crossbreed brand... But it is a different and reliable way to do so.I think a IWB version is faster for most people, especially if thats what you train with. BUT for a less predictable place to carry, or a place to carry your backup handgun, or spare mags... OR heck, a big bowie knife for that matter... this vest is the bomb.For you guys looking to use this simply as a MC jacket, the back is perfectly naked and waiting for your club patch!PS - Don't be a poseur and put a MC patch on there if your not in a MC! Most guys will not notice, but if you run into a real MC member or dare to sport a patch to a real MC without belonging to it... expect to need that big gun pocket!
