Hot-Weather Carry: Guns, Holsters and Sweat

Summer strips away the layers that hid your holster and adds a corrosive new variable: you. A few adjustments keep both the gun and the routine intact.

What changes in summer

Winter carry has its own problems, but it is forgiving about concealment. A jacket or a sweater hides almost any holster. Summer takes that cover away, and it adds sweat, heat and humidity to everything the pistol touches. Several things need attention at once:

• The pistol and holster sit against damp skin for hours.
• Light clothing shows printing that a coat would hide.
• Comfort decides whether you carry at all.
• Vehicles become ovens.

None of this is hard to manage, but each is worth thinking about before the weather turns.

Sweat, salt and your gun's finish

Perspiration is mostly water with dissolved salts, and salt plus moisture plus metal is the recipe for rust. The risk depends on what the pistol is made of and how it is finished.

• Blued steel and other bare finishes need the most care. The Ruger LCP in our product list is described with a blued slide, and a pocket pistol that spends hours against warm skin is exactly the case where a plain blued finish deserves attention.
• Stainless and treated finishes resist better but are not immune. Springs, pins and small parts are often less protected than the slide and barrel.
• Polymer frames do not rust, but the steel parts inside do.

A sensible routine after wearing the pistol in heat:

1. Unload and verify the pistol is clear, away from ammunition.
2. Wipe the exterior with a dry cloth, then with a lightly oiled cloth where the manufacturer's guidance supports it.
3. Wipe the holster too, and let both dry completely before reassembling.
4. Do a fuller clean on a schedule, and sooner after sweating through your shirt.

If you carry in a pocket, our pocket carry guide is worth a read, since lint and moisture build up fast there.

An undershirt is the simplest upgrade

A moisture-wicking undershirt between the pistol and your skin helps in three ways. It keeps sweat off the gun and holster, it reduces chafing, and it takes some of the discomfort out of carrying in heat. Cotton absorbs sweat and stays wet, which is the wrong behavior here. Synthetic or blended performance fabrics generally dry faster.

Some holster makers also sell a wing or shield that stands between the pistol and your body. Whatever you choose, make sure nothing covers or interferes with the trigger guard, and test the draw with an unloaded pistol before wearing it.

Holsters: materials and carry position

Holster material matters more in summer.

You can browse the holsters category to compare styles and read each listing's materials and fit. Our carry holster positions guide explains how different positions work with lighter clothing. In shorts and a T-shirt, inside-the-waistband positions may print more than they do under a jacket, and some carriers shift to a different position or a different pistol size when the weather changes.

Lighter pistols and clothing

Heavy carry is the reason many people stop carrying in summer. If your usual pistol feels like a burden in a thin shirt, a lighter or smaller gun may be worth considering for the hot months.

The Ruger LCP is the pocket-pistol example in our product list. It is a .380 with a 6+1 capacity per the listing, and it is built to be small and light. That doesn't make it the right choice for everyone, because a very small pistol is harder to shoot well, and a micro 9mm may offer more capacity at a modest size cost. Our best .380 carry pistols guide covers the trade-offs. If you do switch pistols seasonally, practice with the summer gun until you can draw and shoot it as comfortably as the one you wear in winter.

Cars, heat and ammunition

A parked car can get far hotter than the air outside it, and the heat can be hard on firearms, ammunition, holsters and optics. A car is also one of the most common places for firearms to be stolen. Do not leave a firearm or ammunition in a parked vehicle if you can avoid it.

If you must secure a pistol in a vehicle because you are entering a place where carrying is prohibited, learn your state's rules first, and use a lockable container that is secured to the vehicle. Our secure handgun storage for home and travel guide has more.

Comfort, consistency and clothing

The best summer setup is the one you will actually wear. Some ideas that help:

• Try a different belt. A stiffer belt carries a holster more securely and reduces shifting.
• Choose your clothes with the holster in mind. Patterned or untucked shirts hide printing better than solid, fitted ones.
• Test sitting and driving. A pistol that feels fine standing can dig in on a seat.
• Mind the sun. Dark holsters and gun finishes can get hot in direct sunlight.

Humidity, nights and storage

Summer humidity does not stop when you take the gun off. A pistol set on a nightstand next to a window air conditioner or in a damp garage can pick up moisture. When you are not carrying, store the firearm securely in a dry location and consider a desiccant pack if your space is humid. Do not seal a pistol in a case that holds moisture against it. Check the pistol and holster regularly for signs of rust or mildew, particularly if you have been sweating heavily or have been near the coast.

Summer checklist

1. Moisture-wicking undershirt.
2. Holster that fits the clothing you will actually wear.
3. Wipe-down routine after each wear.
4. A plan for securing the gun when you cannot carry.
5. Fresh carry ammunition rotated on a schedule.
6. A lighter pistol option if heavy carry is why you leave the gun at home.

Hot weather will not get easier to carry in, but with a few adjustments it can get easier to keep up the habit.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications and publicly available information. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and legality for your own situation.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.