I can’t remember what it was like dressing each day without having to plan for the integration of a firearm. After all, I’ve been carrying daily for more than 40 years. You would think I would have the concept of going “heeled” down to perfection, yet that isn’t the case. I still look for additional options and ways to improve my concealed carry routine.

I’ve been working with James “Kimo” Moya and his anti-print technology concealment shirts since 2018, when I first met him at the USCCA Concealed Carry Expo. The linings of his shirts are both an ingenious and effective way of assisting lawful citizens and off-duty cops with concealment, regardless of a firearm’s size. It is one of the best products I have seen for keeping handguns undetected.

Concealed Carry Challenges

Looking for ways to make the process of concealing a lawfully held firearm requires a lot of trial and error. This is especially true when it comes to mid-sized and full-sized handguns.

In terms of concealment gear, there are two requirements which are of equal importance. One is the ability of the gear to actually conceal the handgun in a multitude of situations and positions. The second is comfort. If a concealment rig or system fails to fulfill one or both of these requirements, then the rig or system has zero value. Moya Tactical’s anti-print technology shirts fulfill both of these requirements.

Anti-Print Technology

Since my first report, James Moya was able to procure a patent on his anti-print process. The purpose of the anti-print pattern is to “break up” the outline of a firearm, disguising and softening the sharp edges of it that are not muted by the holster. This is accomplished by adding a series of firm, felt-like triangles inside the lower third of the shirt. These geometric shapes give the outside of the shirt a mildly wrinkled appearance. The wrinkled appearance is a non-issue since people don’t look at a person wearing a wrinkled shirt and think, “What is he hiding under his shirt?” Instead he or she will wonder, “Doesn’t that person own an iron?”

The anti-print technology works particularly well with an IWB holster. This is because the holster is doing a large part of the concealment job by holding half of the gun below the beltline. The shirt breaks up the print of the other half of the gun above it.

Fortunately for me, Moya Tactical shirts also work with a handgun carried OWB. (I find this more comfortable than carrying IWB.) When carrying a larger handgun, such as a SIG P320 or a Glock 17, there is some bulge visible under the shirt depending on the angle of draw of the holster design. However, the grip and other potential identifying features are broken up by the anti-print technology. Few if any people would notice that since any number of things could account for a mild bulge under a shirt.

Any Moya Tactical shirt can also be worn tucked in the waistband to break up the pattern of a “tuckable” IWB holster. However, the anti-print pattern is more effective if the shirt is allowed to flow freely around the gun and worn outside the pants, draping loosely around it. How much more comfortable and effective can you get than that?

New Products Forthcoming

Currently, Moya Tactical has two anti-print technology shirts available on its website — a men’s T-shirt and polo. For now, these two options are only available in black. I have been wearing a new polyester polo shirt that James Moya sent out. I really like it. He informed me that he is relaunching the product lineup in November. This is just in time for the Christmas season. So expect more shirt styles and colors to be available soon.

If you don’t want to wait for the relaunch in November, the black T-shirt is available for $30 and the black polo for $35. In the meantime, keep an eye on Moya Tactical’s website. If you are seeking to carry a larger handgun these days, a Moya Tactical shirt is a great way to keep it “under wraps.”

(Photo courtesy of Steve Yue.)

Sources

Moya Tactical: MoyaTactical.com

About Scott W. Wagner

Scott W. Wagner is a criminal justice professor and police academy commander from Columbus, Ohio. He has been a police officer since 1980, working as an undercover liquor investigator, undercover narcotics investigator, patrol officer, SWAT team member, sniper and assistant team leader. Scott is currently a patrol sergeant with the Village of Baltimore, Ohio, Police Department. He has been a police firearms instructor since 1986 and is certified to instruct revolver, semi-automatic pistol, shotgun, semi- and fully automatic patrol rifle, and submachine gun.