Concealed Carry COLOR?

[BrewerGeorge]

Here's an oddball thought I just had that I wanted to get some opinions on. (Also posted on glocktalk in case you see it there...)

I'm preparing to have the slide of my CM9 Cerakoted to cover all that pretty stainless with something more subtle. As I'm trying to decide just which black to order, it occurred to me that other colors might actually be more subtle than black.

I'm not talking something bright, but one of the earth tones like flat dark earth or coyote tan. I carry IWB almost exclusively, and the point is to possibly add a bit of insurance for those times when the coat gaps open or you bend funny and a piece of the pistol peaks out. My thought is that something black or silver at a person's waist has a better chance of making a casual observer think "gun!" than does something brown or khaki. Browns or khakis evoke leather and wood, while black and silver usually mean metal, and it's a short trip from metal to gun. (Cell phones and cases have probably reduced this association a bit, though...) Additionally, I think the lighter khaki colors might have the benefit of being easier to conceal inside light T-shirts because there would be less chance of seeing the dark color behind.

I don't know; I'm just throwing the idea out there to see what everybody thinks. What's your opinion?

[cw45fan]

I look through those charts and basically like them all... Tough to choose... I think I'd go with the Federal Brown for myself but they're all pretty cool... Have fun!

[TriggerMan]

Here's an oddball thought I just had that I wanted to get some opinions on. (Also posted on glocktalk in case you see it there...)

I'm preparing to have the slide of my CM9 Cerakoted to cover all that pretty stainless with something more subtle. As I'm trying to decide just which black to order, it occurred to me that other colors might actually be more subtle than black.

I'm not talking something bright, but one of the earth tones like flat dark earth or coyote tan. I carry IWB almost exclusively, and the point is to possibly add a bit of insurance for those times when the coat gaps open or you bend funny and a piece of the pistol peaks out. My thought is that something black or silver at a person's waist has a better chance of making a casual observer think "gun!" than does something brown or khaki. Browns or khakis evoke leather and wood, while black and silver usually mean metal, and it's a short trip from metal to gun. (Cell phones and cases have probably reduced this association a bit, though...) Additionally, I think the lighter khaki colors might have the benefit of being easier to conceal inside light T-shirts because there would be less chance of seeing the dark color behind.

I don't know; I'm just throwing the idea out there to see what everybody thinks. What's your opinion?

Any concern that you'll introduce malfunctions by changing the tolerances in a tight gun like Kahr?

[Husky44]

FWIW, most of my gun that's visible in my IWB holster is frame, not slide. The frame's still going to be black.

If I were you, I'd coat it black. Black and tan works good in Irish pubs and on **** hounds, but wouldn't look too good on a gun, in my opinion.

[Markis82]

FWIW, most of my gun that's visible in my IWB holster is frame, not slide. The frame's still going to be black.

If I were you, I'd coat it black. Black and tan works good in Irish pubs and on **** hounds, but wouldn't look too good on a gun, in my opinion.

I agree with Husky44. Go with black. Get it as near to the frame color and sheen as you can get. Besides if seen, I think that two colors will attract more attention than one. Furthermore, I think anyone might get tired of looking at a brown or green slide after the novelty wears off.

[BrewerGeorge]

Oh no, Guys, I was talking about having the frame coated too if I went with one of the "other" colors. CT too, for that matter. So the whole thing would be Flat Earth or whatever. One of the additional attractions to black is that it's cheaper because only the slide would need work.

[Markis82]

Oh no, Guys, I was talking about having the frame coated too if I went with one of the "other" colors. CT too, for that matter. So the whole thing would be Flat Earth or whatever. One of the additional attractions to black is that it's cheaper because only the slide would need work.

I still say black.

[zebraD]

Any concern that you'll introduce malfunctions by changing the tolerances in a tight gun like Kahr?

I was thinking the same thing.

[yqtszhj]

I vote black. Black does not tend to attract the eye. It disappears more easily. Actually flat dark blue disappears better but who wants a dark blue gun?????

[WMD]

This is an interesting topic. I am also inclined to say black but I guess it might depend on what color clothing you wear most of the time. If you are wearing browns or kahki, then it would make sense to have similiar color on the gun. If you wear jeans with a black belt, then.... maybe black is a better choice.


One (of the many! ) thing I wasn't aware of.....
Can you cerakote a polymer frame? Will it hold up with wear?

[Markis82]

This is an interesting topic. I am also inclined to say black but I guess it might depend on what color clothing you wear most of the time. If you are wearing browns or kahki, then it would make sense to have similiar color on the gun. If you wear jeans with a black belt, then.... maybe black is a better choice.


One (of the many! ) thing I wasn't aware of.....
Can you cerakote a polymer frame? Will it hold up with wear?

That is the answer!!! Have several guns. One colored for each color of clothing you might have. Also a daytime colored gun and an evening gun.

[BrewerGeorge]

That is the answer!!! Have several guns. One colored for each color of clothing you might have. Also a daytime colored gun and an evening gun.

Now THAT is an excuse that my wife might finally believe. Guns to match the outfit. Hey, it works for her purses and shoes, right?

[BEARDOG]

I agree it really depends on the color of clothing you wear. If you wear a lot of tans then I guess I FDE color would indeed blend in better.
I think that flat black works, doesn't stand out, most universally so that is why most defensive/military type guns are flat black.

I make leather holsters, and have "thought" about dying a OWB blue just to see if it would blend in better with blue jeans/blue shirts which is the color I wear the most Don't see many blue ones though LOL.
But again most people want black holsters I assume for the same reason, it just works best most of the time for the most people. A black gun, in a black holster,with a black belt, against a black undershirt really does just blend into each other.

[jeepster09]

Almost all my guns are two tone green/black.

[jeepster09]