Concealed Carry
Gear Guide
You got your Oregon CHL. Now what? This is the comprehensive, no-BS guide to everything you need to actually carry concealed - from holsters and belts to ammo, mindset, and Oregon law. Written for real people with real bodies.
Holster Types
Your holster is the most important piece of gear you will buy. It determines safety, comfort, and whether you actually carry every day.
IWB (Inside the Waistband)
Position: 3-5 o'clock
The holster clips or loops onto your belt and rides between your pants and your body. Most popular concealment method for good reason.
Pros
- Excellent concealment under an untucked shirt
- Works with nearly all body types
- Large selection of quality options available
- Comfortable for long periods once you find the right setup
Cons
- Requires a sturdy gun belt
- May need to size up pants by one size
- Slower draw than AIWB for most people
Look for adjustable cant (the angle of the gun) and ride height. A 15-degree forward cant at the 4 o'clock position is a great starting point. Kydex holsters offer the best retention and reholstering safety. Hybrid holsters (Kydex shell on a leather or neoprene backer) trade some rigidity for comfort.
Best for: Most new carriers, especially those still figuring out their preferred carry style.
AIWB (Appendix Inside the Waistband)
Position: 12-2 o'clock
Carried in front of your body, typically just to the right (or left) of your belt buckle. The fastest draw from concealment for most people.
Pros
- Fastest draw stroke from concealment
- Easiest to visually confirm concealment (just look down)
- Better weapon retention in a grapple
- Sidecar designs carry gun + spare mag in one unit
Cons
- Comfort varies significantly with body type
- Requires strict muzzle discipline during holstering
- Can be uncomfortable when sitting without proper setup
A foam wedge on the bottom of the holster and a concealment claw/wing on the belt clip are essential. The wedge pushes the muzzle away from your body and tilts the grip inward. The claw leverages against your belt to tuck the grip flat. This combo makes AIWB work for far more body types than most people realize.
Best for: Experienced carriers comfortable with muzzle discipline. With wedge + claw, works for many body types including larger builds.
PHLster Enigma Chassis
Position: AIWB or 3-5 o'clock
A revolutionary freestanding chassis system. The Enigma is a belt-and-leg-leash system that holds a holster shell against your body independently of your clothing.
Pros
- Works without a belt - carry in gym shorts, a dress, scrubs, anything
- Accommodates all body types and presentations
- Consistent draw regardless of what you are wearing
- Exceptional for LGBTQIA+ community members with varying daily presentations
Cons
- Higher cost (~$120 for chassis + holster shell)
- Learning curve for initial setup and fitting
- Requires specific compatible holster shells
The Enigma uses a rigid chassis that straps around your waist and leg. You mount a compatible Kydex holster shell to the chassis. Once dialed in, you get the same draw and concealment no matter what you wear. PHLster's online community is notably inclusive and helpful for setup.
Best for: Anyone who wears clothing without belt loops, varies their wardrobe significantly, or wants maximum flexibility. Particularly popular in the queer community.
OWB (Outside the Waistband)
Position: 3-5 o'clock, outside pants
The holster attaches to the outside of your belt. More comfortable than IWB but much harder to conceal.
Pros
- Most comfortable carry position
- Fastest access for range and competition use
- Easiest to holster and unholster
Cons
- Very difficult to conceal - requires a cover garment
- Garment must be long enough to cover the entire holster
- More obvious printing if cover garment shifts
OWB is the standard for range practice and competition (USPSA, IDPA). For concealment, you will need a jacket, flannel, or untucked button-down. Pancake-style OWB holsters sit flatter against the body. In Portland's cooler months, OWB under a rain jacket works well.
Best for: Range use, competition, open carry where legal, or winter carry under a heavy outer layer.
Pocket Carry
Position: Front pocket
A purpose-built pocket holster that holds a small firearm upright in your front pants pocket and breaks up the outline.
Pros
- Very discreet - looks like a wallet
- Quick access with hands-in-pockets posture
- No belt or special clothing required
Cons
- Limited to micro/subcompact firearms only
- Slower draw than belt-mounted options
- Pocket must be dedicated to the holstered firearm only
- That pocket cannot contain anything else - keys, phone, etc.
The Ruger LCP II/MAX, S&W Bodyguard, and similar micro .380s are the standard pocket guns. The holster must cover the trigger guard completely and should have a grippy exterior that catches on the pocket fabric during the draw. Never carry a firearm loose in a pocket.
Best for: Deep concealment, backup gun, or situations where belt carry is not an option.
Belly Band
Position: Around the torso
An elastic band worn around your midsection with a built-in holster pouch. Works under almost any clothing.
Pros
- Works with any outfit including athletic wear
- No belt required
- Can position the gun anywhere around your torso
Cons
- Retention is often inferior to Kydex
- Can be warm in hot weather
- Some lack trigger guard protection - choose carefully
Modern belly bands like the PHLster Enigma have largely replaced traditional elastic bands. If you go with a traditional belly band, ensure it has a rigid trigger guard cover, not just elastic over the trigger. The Crossbreed Modular Belly Band and Can Can Concealment are among the better traditional options.
Best for: Athletic wear, dresses/skirts, or as a bridge solution before investing in a full setup.
Off-Body Carry (Bags, Purses)
Position: In a bag or purse
Carrying the firearm in a purse, backpack, or bag with a dedicated holster compartment.
Pros
- Conceals any size firearm
- No clothing modifications needed
Cons
- Bag can be stolen, snatched, or left behind
- Dramatically slower access under stress
- Retention depends on you maintaining control of the bag at all times
- Children or others may access the bag
- Draw requires two hands (one to open, one to draw)
FST generally discourages off-body carry. If you must, the bag needs a dedicated holster compartment with rigid trigger guard protection. The bag must never leave your immediate control. Purpose-built CCW bags from companies like Vertx are far better than a generic purse with a gun tossed in.
Best for: Absolute last resort when on-body carry is genuinely impossible.
Recommended Holster Brands
PHLster
Enigma system, Floodlight, Pro series. Inclusive community, innovative designs.
Tenicor
Certum, Velo, Sagax Lux. Premium fit and finish, excellent AIWB options.
Vedder
LightTuck IWB. Affordable, reliable, wide model support. Great first holster.
Tulster
Profile and Oath series. Slim, lightweight, good for smaller guns.
Dark Star Gear
High-end custom Kydex. Exceptional trigger guard coverage and design.
Henry Holsters
Flint and Spark. Great AIWB options with built-in wedge concepts.
Avoid These
We The People Holsters
Poor retention, inconsistent quality, inadequate trigger guard coverage. Marketing over substance.
Generic Amazon/eBay Kydex
Unknown quality control, often poor fitment, questionable retention. Your holster is safety equipment.
Universal fit holsters
One-size-fits-all means it fits nothing well. A holster must be molded to your specific firearm.
Nylon holsters (Uncle Mike's style)
Floppy material collapses when the gun is drawn, making reholstering dangerous.
Gun Belts
A real gun belt is the foundation of comfortable carry. Your department store belt will sag, shift, and make you miserable.
Rigid Reinforced Nylon
$40-70Blue Alpha Gear, Mastermind Tactics
A nylon belt with an internal stiffener (usually polymer). Low-profile buckle, very stiff, supports the holster without sagging. Blue Alpha Gear's EDC belt is the gold standard.
Ratcheting Belt
$50-80Nexbelt, Kore Essentials
Uses a track-and-ratchet system instead of holes. Adjusts in 1/4-inch increments so you can fine-tune tightness after you eat lunch or add a holster. Looks like a normal dress belt.
Rigid Leather
$60-120Hanks Belts, Beltman, Crossbreed
A thick, reinforced leather belt (typically 14oz dual-layer). Classic look that works with professional attire. Takes time to break in but lasts decades.
Dressing Around the Gun
Concealment is about managing the outline ('printing') of the firearm under your clothing.
General Principles
- Go up one size in pants when carrying IWB. Your normal waist size plus a gun does not work.
- Untucked shirts with a slight drape are your friend. Avoid clingy fabrics that outline the gun.
- Patterns and dark colors conceal printing better than solid light colors.
- A quality holster with proper cant and ride height matters more than clothing choice.
- Check yourself in a mirror and ask a trusted friend. Most 'printing' you notice is invisible to others.
Seasonal Carry - Portland
Fall/Winter/Spring (Oct-May)
Portland's rain-jacket-over-flannel culture is perfect for concealment. Layers hide everything. OWB under a rain shell is entirely viable.
Summer (Jun-Sep)
Harder. AIWB with a good wedge + claw under a t-shirt works. Pocket carry with a micro .380 is a backup plan. The PHLster Enigma under gym shorts is a game-changer.
Professional Attire
Tucked dress shirt? AIWB with tuckable clips (the shirt tucks between the holster and your body) or the Enigma system. A ratcheting belt (Nexbelt, Kore) looks like a normal dress belt.
Blazer or sport coat? IWB or OWB at 3-4 o'clock disappears under even a lightweight blazer.
LGBTQIA+ Considerations
Varying body presentations: Many queer folks present differently day to day. The PHLster Enigma is particularly valuable here because it works independently of your outfit - the same setup under a dress, suit, jeans, or athletic wear.
Binding + carry:If you wear a chest binder, AIWB is generally the most compatible carry position since the binder does not interfere with the waistline. Avoid shoulder holsters with binders as they compete for the same real estate and create pressure points. The Enigma's waist-and-leg system avoids the chest entirely.
Body diversity:There is no single "correct" body type for concealed carry. Larger bodies often conceal better than smaller ones. The key is finding the right holster position, cant, and ride height for your specific body. Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot carry because of your build.
Athletic wear and tight clothing: Belly bands, the Enigma system, or purpose-built concealment leggings (Tactica Defense, Dene Adams) work under fitted clothing. Compression shorts with a trigger-guard-protecting pocket holster are another option for micro-compact firearms.
The Draw Stroke
A consistent, practiced draw from concealment is a perishable skill. Learn it, drill it, own it.
Grip
Clear your cover garment with your support hand. Establish a full firing grip on the holstered firearm with your dominant hand. Thumb high, fingers wrapped, grip it like you mean it. Your support hand comes to your chest, flat, ready to join.
Clear
Draw the firearm straight up out of the holster, clearing the holster completely. The muzzle rotates to point downrange as soon as it clears. At this point you can fire from retention if the threat is at contact distance.
Join
Bring the gun to the centerline of your body at chest height. Your support hand meets the gun here, establishing your two-handed grip. This is your close-quarters ready position.
Press
Push the gun out toward the target, arms extending, sights rising to eye level. Pick up the front sight as the gun reaches full extension. Press the trigger when sights are on target.
Practice Protocol
- Dry-fire at home: 10 slow, perfect draws from concealment daily. Focus on grip consistency and smooth motion, not speed.
- Live-fire at the range: Draw from concealment (if range allows) at 3-7 yards. Par time goal: 2.0 seconds first shot from concealment on a 6-inch target.
- Reholstering: Always look the gun into the holster. There is no time pressure to reholster. Slow is safe.
Defensive Ammunition
Not all bullets are created equal. What you load in your carry gun matters.
Why Jacketed Hollow Points (JHP)?
Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) rounds - what you practice with - are designed to punch clean through a target. That means over-penetration: the bullet goes through the threat and keeps going into whatever is behind them. Your neighbor. A child. A bystander.
Jacketed Hollow Points expand on impact, creating a larger wound channel and dumping their energy into the target. This means more effective stopping power and dramatically reduced over-penetration risk. Every modern law enforcement agency in the country uses JHP for this reason.
The FBI protocol tests bullet performance through heavy clothing, auto glass, wallboard, plywood, and steel. The loads listed below have all passed these tests.
9mm
- Federal HST 124gr or 147gr
- Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P or 147gr
- Hornady Critical Duty 135gr +P (full-size barrel)
- Hornady Critical Defense 115gr (short barrel)
.380 ACP
- Federal HST Micro 99gr
- Hornady Critical Defense 90gr FTX
- Speer Gold Dot 90gr
.40 S&W
- Federal HST 180gr
- Speer Gold Dot 165gr or 180gr
- Hornady Critical Duty 175gr
.45 ACP
- Federal HST 230gr
- Speer Gold Dot 230gr
- Hornady Critical Duty 220gr +P
EDC Beyond the Gun
A complete everyday carry setup is more than just a firearm. These items round out your preparedness.
Spare Magazine
Not primarily for extra ammo - for malfunction clearance. If your magazine fails, your gun is a paperweight. A Neomag or PHLster mag carrier keeps it discreet.
Handheld Flashlight
You cannot shoot what you cannot identify. The Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA or Microstream USB are affordable, pocket-sized, and throw enough light to identify a threat in a dark parking garage.
Tourniquet (CAT or SOFTT-W)
A CAT (Combat Application Tourniquet) Gen 7 or SOFTT-W can stop arterial bleeding in seconds. Carry it where you can reach it with either hand. Take a Stop the Bleed class to learn to use it.
IFAK / Trauma Kit
Keep a small kit in your car or bag: tourniquet, chest seal, compressed gauze, emergency bandage. The Dark Angel Medical D.A.R.K. Mini or North American Rescue M-FAK are excellent compact options.
Phone (Charged)
Your phone is your lifeline to 911. Keep it charged. Know your CCW insurance emergency number. Consider an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact on your lock screen.
CCW Insurance Card
USCCA, CCW Safe, or Attorneys on Retainer card in your wallet. After a defensive gun use, you need an attorney immediately, not in a few days. These services provide 24/7 hotlines.
Situational Awareness
The best gunfight is the one you were never in. Awareness is your primary weapon.
Cooper's Color Code
Unaware
Oblivious to surroundings. Absorbed in phone, headphones in, no awareness of who is around you. This is where most people live most of the time.
Avoid spending time here in public. You cannot respond to what you have not perceived.
Relaxed Alert
Aware of your environment without being paranoid. Scanning casually, noting exits, aware of who is nearby. No specific threat identified.
This is your default state whenever you are armed in public. Calm, aware, engaged with the world.
Specific Alert
Something has caught your attention. A person, behavior, or situation that could become a threat. You are developing a plan: if they do X, I will do Y.
You have identified a potential threat and are mentally preparing a response. Most situations resolve here.
Action
The threat is real and immediate. You are executing your plan - whether that means drawing, moving to cover, fleeing, or de-escalating.
Action is required now. Your prior mental preparation in Orange means you are not frozen by surprise.
The OODA Loop
Developed by Air Force Colonel John Boyd, the OODA Loop describes how humans process threats: Observe (see the threat), Orient (understand what it means), Decide (choose a response), Act (execute). The person who completes their loop faster wins.
Condition Yellow (relaxed alert) means you are already in the Observe phase. Mental rehearsal ("if that person does X, I will do Y") pre-loads your Orient and Decide phases. This is why awareness matters more than draw speed.
De-Escalation First, Always
Carrying a firearm does not make you a cop, a hero, or an enforcer. Your job is to go home safe. That means:
- Let people cut you off in traffic. Wave them through.
- Walk away from verbal confrontations. Every single time.
- Do not intervene in other people's conflicts unless there is an immediate threat to life.
- Give up your wallet, your phone, your car. Things are replaceable. You are not.
- If you can leave, leave. The gun is for when you cannot.
After a Defensive Gun Use
The legal and psychological aftermath of using a firearm in self-defense is more complex than the event itself.
Immediate Steps (In Order)
- 1
Ensure Safety
Scan for additional threats. If safe, holster your firearm before police arrive. Do not be holding a gun when officers show up.
- 2
Call 911
State: 'I was attacked and feared for my life. I need police and an ambulance at [location].' Provide a description of yourself so responding officers know who the caller is. Do NOT provide a detailed statement over the phone.
- 3
Invoke Your Right to an Attorney
When police arrive: 'I am the one who called. That person attacked me and I was in fear for my life. I want to cooperate fully but I need to speak with my attorney first.' Then stop talking.
- 4
Call Your CCW Insurance Hotline
USCCA, CCW Safe, or your chosen provider. They will dispatch an attorney and begin coordinating your legal defense. This is why you pay the monthly premium. Have the number memorized or on speed dial.
- 5
Expect Psychological Impact
Even a justified shooting causes immense psychological stress. PTSD symptoms are common and normal. Seek professional help from a therapist experienced with critical incident stress. Your CCW insurance may cover this.
Oregon Carry Rules
Know exactly where you can and cannot carry with your Oregon CHL.
Where You CAN Carry (with CHL)
- Public streets, parks, and sidewalks
- Restaurants and bars (no prohibition on CHL holders)
- Grocery stores, shopping malls, retail (unless posted)
- Your vehicle (loaded, concealed, on your person or in the vehicle)
- State parks and campgrounds
- National forests and BLM land
- Your home and property (no CHL needed)
- Most public buildings (unless specifically prohibited)
Where You CANNOT Carry
- Federal buildings (post offices, courthouses, VA facilities)
- Past TSA security at airports
- State court facilities (Class C Felony)
- Schools, colleges, universities that have posted prohibition (SB 554)
- Private property where the owner has posted or communicated a ban
- Indian reservations (without tribal permission)
- Secure areas of any government building with metal detectors
- Any location with federal jurisdiction prohibiting firearms
Key Oregon-Specific Rules
Portland Loaded Carry
Portland city code prohibits carrying a loaded firearm in public without a CHL. With a CHL, you are exempt from this ordinance. Without one, you can still carry unloaded.
Vehicle Carry
With a CHL, you may carry loaded and concealed in your vehicle. Without a CHL, the firearm must be either unloaded or not concealed (visible). A firearm in a closed glove box or center console is considered concealed.
No Reciprocity
Oregon does not recognize concealed carry permits from any other state. If someone from another state carries in Oregon, they need an Oregon CHL (available to non-residents through any adjacent county sheriff).
No Duty to Inform
Oregon does not require you to inform law enforcement that you are carrying. However, if an officer asks, you must answer truthfully. Many carriers choose to inform proactively during traffic stops as a courtesy.
Common CCW Mistakes
Learn from others' expensive lessons. These are the pitfalls new carriers fall into most often.
Buying a cheap holster
Your holster is safety equipment, not an accessory. Budget $50-120 for a quality Kydex holster from a reputable maker. The $20 Amazon special will get you killed or negligent-discharge yourself.
No training beyond the CHL class
The CHL class teaches law and safety basics. It does not teach you to draw, shoot under stress, or make split-second decisions. Take a defensive pistol course. Dry-fire your draw at home weekly.
Carrying in Condition 3 (empty chamber)
A modern firearm in a proper holster with the trigger guard fully covered will not fire. Racking the slide under stress, one-handed, in the dark, while someone is attacking you is not a reliable plan. Carry with a round chambered.
Never testing carry ammo in your gun
Buy two boxes of your chosen defensive ammo. Shoot one box through your carry gun to confirm reliable feeding, ejection, and point of impact. Carry the second box. Hollow points have different feed profiles than FMJ.
No tourniquet or medical gear
If you carry the means to make a hole, carry the means to plug one. A CAT tourniquet in your pocket or on your belt takes up less space than a spare magazine and is statistically more likely to save a life.
Carrying a gun you have not shot in months
If you cannot put 10 rounds in a 6-inch circle at 7 yards on demand, you are not proficient enough. Range time matters. Dry-fire practice at home is free.
Telling everyone you carry
Concealed means concealed - including verbally. Announcing that you carry makes you a target, makes others uncomfortable, and removes your tactical advantage. The goal is that nobody knows.
No plan for a defensive gun use aftermath
Know your CCW insurance hotline number by heart. Know what to say to 911 (and what not to say). Have an attorney identified before you need one. The fight is the easy part - the legal and psychological aftermath is harder.
Ready to Carry with Confidence?
FST offers Oregon CHL courses every week, plus private lessons on draw stroke, concealment, and defensive shooting fundamentals. Inclusive, judgment-free, and focused on keeping you safe.
This guide is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for legal questions about self-defense and carry law in your jurisdiction.