Concealment vests, like this one from Sig, are effective but are too gunny for the author’s taste. His is relegated to range use.

To further conceal your favorite blaster, stick with dark colors or patterns. Dark colors help conceal the outline of your pistol; dark patterns just about make it disappear. Combine the right shirt with a quality holster and a sturdy belt with loops that match those of the holster, and even small-framed shooters can conceal a full-size pistol fairly easily.

Some shooters may opt for a tactical vest rather than altering their wardrobe. While they certainly do cover up the gun, such vests don’t do a good job of keeping savvy people from “making” you as a pistol packer. They may meet the letter of the law, but they won’t help you escape the prying eyes of savvy criminals. The same goes for fanny packs.

Once you decide how to hide your heater, you have to figure out which one to carry. Once again, the size of the gun you carry will be determined by what you wear. Sure, that new Wilson Combat .45 may look sexy, but it’s pretty hard to hide under jeans and a T-shirt. Conversely, the sky’s the limit if you wear a suit or live in cooler climes.

If you can get away with it and don’t mind the weight, a full-size pistol in your favorite flavor, whether it be Glock, 1911, Sig, etc., is the best choice. You can get a full firing grip, long sight radius, better accuracy, reduced recoil and greater reliability. Of course, a full-size, steel-frame gun with a spare mag or two is a pretty sizeable load. That’s why most shooters opt for smaller pistols.

Unless you’re trying to hide your gun under a T-shirt, a midsize gun is probably your best bet. They are big enough to shoot accurately, don’t compromise reliability as some of the smaller automatics do, yet are lighter and easier to conceal than a full-size gun. Some of my favorites are the Glock 19, Sig P239, and the Officer’s or CCO-size 1911s.

If you don’t feel up to packing a midsize or have a need for deep concealment, a compact or even sub-compact pistol is your last real choice. Pocket pistols and snub-nosed revolvers hide easy, but they lack fire power and stand-off distance. But if you lead a relatively low-risk life--i.e. live in a relatively safe area, have a regular daytime job, don’t carry large sums of cash or jewelry, etc.--you can probably get away with it. You will probably never need your handgun, but those pea shooters will still get the job done up close and personal.

A more effective choice for deep concealment would be one of the subcompact semiautos such as the Glock 26 or 27, Kahr PM9, etc. These pistols are plenty small, yet offer real sights, effective cartridges, and decent triggers. You can’t (and shouldn’t) just throw them in your pocket, but they will conceal easily, even under a T-shirt, with a little assistance from a quality holster and belt.

Once you know which pistol you’re going to carry and how you’re going to hide it, you have to select a holster. Choosing from among the many makes and models is difficult, but you can simplify the process by focusing on those things that really matter: concealment, comfort and accessibility.

Every holster is a compromise. Some are more comfortable than others but perhaps not as concealable. Others may hide great but make a fast draw impossible for anyone short of a side show contortionist. Evaluate your body type, weapon size and concealment garments to come up with the right holster for you.