Shoulder holsters and Bond costumes

[Solo4114]

This is a question for those who've actually worn a shoulder holster under formal wear or a suit jacket. If your jacket hasn't been cut for it, how bulky is it, if you've got a PPK (or replica thereof) in a holster under your outfit? I'm wondering if it's worth it to spend the money on one, if I'm going to be out in a tuxedo or 3-piece for the night.

 

[Solo4114]

I guess everyone's too busy making Iron Man armor.

 

[Sundowner]

I carried a PPK for awhile in a galco executive shoulder holster. It was actually quite comfortable but I never wore it with a suit. I wore it under a slim fitting leather coat in the fall/winter with no issues. The PPK has fairly slim profile so I don't think it would be too much of an issue.

 

[C17ldmstr]

Good luck. Look forward to the pics.

 

[Solo4114]

I carried a PPK for awhile in a galco executive shoulder holster. It was actually quite comfortable but I never wore it with a suit. I wore it under a slim fitting leather coat in the fall/winter with no issues. The PPK has fairly slim profile so I don't think it would be too much of an issue.

I'm 6-1, 220lbs and wore a Beretta 9mm in a custom slim line holster for years under suit jackets, leather and duty uniforms. That bulky "brick" of a weapon was seldom noticeable. A PPK should be virtually invisible. I personally found the higher I carried the weapon beneath my armpit, the more it was concealed since the barrel faced towards the rear. If you have a downward facing holster, you would wear it quite a bit lower, but consider an extra strap that goes to your belt for stability.

Hope this helps...

Thanks, guys. This helps. I'm debating going the Galco Executive route, or possibly getting a replica of Connery's holster from Dr. No. There's a company that does replicas for a little less than the Galco. Probably less functional, but more screen accurate. Legends In Leather

I found the average price for a Galco EX204 seems to be about $159.95 from most retailers, so I might just go that route and figure if I ever get a wild hare to buy an actual PPK or PPK/s and want to get a CCP, I'll be set. And if not, it'll be good to resell.

 

[bikemancs]

a slim pistol should be ok without many tailoring to the jacket. but if it's a slim fit or tight fitting, you will need to try first.

It doesn't even have to be a PPK, a M&P Shield or mini-Glock would probably be ok too. more concealable for a smaller guy is barrel down. I never did a shoulder holster, but carried full size Beretta 92s and 1911s either concealed holsters or belt holsters with out an issue with only slightly loose clothing. Now, I am a bigger guy, but the right holster will make all the difference. Make sure you make it work right.

 

[GhostMinion]

So, is this for a Bond Costume or for CCP? The two are very different situations. I wouldn't tailor a real life CCP set up the way I would a Bond costume, this is why I ask.

 

[SgtPepper64]

So, is this for a Bond Costume or for CCP? The two are very different situations. I wouldn't tailor a real life CCP set up the way I would a Bond costume, this is why I ask.

What he said. If you do end up doing this costume, I really hope the PPK you'll be carrying will be an obvious replica model (orange paint, etc) for your own safety's sake.

Good luck, 007. Don't cock it up.

 

[Solo4114]

So, is this for a Bond Costume or for CCP? The two are very different situations. I wouldn't tailor a real life CCP set up the way I would a Bond costume, this is why I ask.

What he said. If you do end up doing this costume, I really hope the PPK you'll be carrying will be an obvious replica model (orange paint, etc) for your own safety's sake.

Good luck, 007. Don't cock it up.

Yeah, this is for a Bond costume, and what I'll be carrying is a Bruni blank pistol that fires 8mm blanks, has a bright orange blaze in the barrel, and will not even be loaded with blanks for the evening. It doesn't have the correct markings, of course, but that's to be expected.

The item I bought is this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200965016318?_trksid=m570.p2050601.l4765&_trkparms=ga1m%3DT9%26ga2m%3DT3%26ga3m%3DT0%26ga4m%3DT2


I'll be wearing it under my bespoke tuxedo jacket in a Galco EX204, so that was my concern re: fit. As it turns out, the company that makes the replica Doctor No holsters requires 6-8 weeks advance notice, so that's out. There was a similar cloth holster on Ebay, but it'd require me to add a button to the waistband of my trousers, which I didn't want to do.

I have a friend who just got a CCP and was making noises about maybe picking up a PPK or PPK/s, so I figured I can always sell him the holster if I choose to, or just keep it as a Bond prop.

 

[SgtPepper64]

That's a nice replica. I'm a 007 fan as well. When I was visiting the midwest at one point I saw a compressed air PPK pellet shooter at a Wal Mart. I was too young to even try to buy it though. I'm not sure who made it. Also missed out on an opportunity to get a white tux jacket from Burlington Coat Factory for like $60 a few years ago. If I had that I would probably have done James Bond some day.

Have fun with the costume!

 

[Solo4114]

Thanks! I'll take some pics and try to post them when the stuff arrives. My one concern is that the slide might be plastic, rather than metal, but I'm inclined to think that this is unlikely, given that it's a blank-firing replica.