Carry methods for women

[Boadecia]

I'm always looking for bright ideas when it comes to this. I most often use a belly band, which has its own set of problems, but is the most concealable for me.

I'm medium height, medium weight, dress pretty conservatively, and still have problems with hiding the darned thing without wearing 6 layers of clothes.

[StonerStudent]

What are you carrying? Galco makes some nice rigs for women.

www.usgalco.com/HolsterP1.asp?CatalogID=343

[Wayne]

I've been told by most women that it's the hips that get in the way of IWB being comfortable.

From the women that I've talked with they will have a IWB around 430 (in the kidney area) but still doesn't feel right, just something that you get used to.

I find my hips to be boney and I carry a 38oz 1911 at around 430 with a slight cant. DeSantis holster but the secret is the belt (get a wide one that is stiff) and maybe a pair of suspenders.

Your wardrobe is another thing in itself. I wear a fanny pack or a camera case when not at work, at work I went with the wimpy ankle holster with a .44 special and the 1911 in the car. But I have been trying out new things, wearing an undershirt (t-shirt) with the gun/holster on that and the belt and then tucking in my outter shirt around the holster straps and then "puffing" my shirt out.

If you don't have a problem with ice and such you may try back carry but I've heard that if you fall on the gun that it will do damage to your spine. Or maybe even 1 o'clock in the front.

I've found that it takes alot of time to find your confort zone or your tolerate zone. The anti's think that we just "strap on a gun" and go out, they don't realize how much of a problem it can be (depending on what you have to wear, etc..) and that we do it because we know the dangers out there and that we have to be prepared.

Wayne

[Boadecia]

Eh, I've been carrying for a while. I've recently (last 4 months) taken to using a belly band more days. I usually carry a P232. The belly band works ok. In the winter its not as tough. In the summer, its more difficult to keep it concealed. Even with the belly band, there's still lumpiness.

I've done SOB and it works, but I try to avoid it for the reasons you've mentioned.

I refuse to wear suspenders. Fashionable I ain't, but even I have limits.

[Buckshot]

Have not tried to look up where anyone is from, but there is another question you need to ask. What state are you in.

We just got CCW in Ohio this year. A net win, but our governor (recto-cranial inverted) and the Highway Gestapo rang in a little thing that has put a real crimp in how you can carry in Ohio.

When you are in a vehicle the firearm can be carried locked in a locking glove compartment, locked in a locking box or EXPOSED on your PERSON.

Unless you want to unholster and move your handgun around as you get into a car this basically limits you from using pocket carry, ankle carry, belly band carry and, unless your purse locks, purse carry! Using a shoulder holster is possible, but you are going to get cold because you are going to have to take off your coat and/or jacket.

So, basically we are limited to hip holsters, if you want to stay warm, legal and don't want to handle your firearm constantly.

For "everyday" carry I am using a S&W 640-1 in .357 Mag. and an Uncle Mikes Kydex Paddle Holster. If I want something bigger I can go with a Ruger KP90 in an Uncle Mikes Kydex Paddle or a Bianchi Shadow, an M1911A1 clone in an Uncle Mikes Kydex Paddle or a Bianchi Thumbbreak Speed Scabbard or a S&W M65 .357 in a Bianchi # 3 Pistol Pocket (IWB Holster). Uncle Mikes doesn't make a Kydex for the M65 and I have not gotten any other belt holster yet.

For the semi-autos I carry 2 magazines. For the revolvers I carry 2 speedloaders (HKS).

I have a S&W M60-9 in .357 Mag. that will fit any holster for the 640, but I don't like the single action capability on the M60, the DAO 640 is more "lawyer-proof" to my way of thinking.

Buckshot

[Tweak]

for women?

I prefer the firemans carry. works fine unless they struggle.










;D


seriously, the higher waist band on woman's clothing impedes their draw stroke and certain appreciated assets can interfere with presentation. holster selection is far more difficult for gals. many I have shot with like adjustable paddle rigs.

[Buckshot]

Tweak,

If they struggle in the fireman's carry just find a nice old brass doorknob. You will note that a doorknob is about head height to someone in the fireman's carry? They will quit struggling one way or the other after a doorknob or two!

But seriously, the women in Ohio have been having this same hassle a lot. They can't find a holster that works right and lets them expose it in the car without a lot of BS and are really uset that they can't legally use the purse carry without a lot of potential hassles.

Buckshot

[Tweak]

except for having to wear a jacket a paddle (strong side hip) works well in a vehicle. a shoulder holster is a close second and both are distant seconds to a crossdraw.\

doorknob huh? for a minute there I thought you meant to.....nah nevermiiiiiiind.

[compulsive269]

After reading this, I'm glad I'm a guy, mostly. I really never thought about or realized the problems facing woman for concealed carry. Dare I say, hopefully without being slammed, that wearing pants has an up side. Ankle holsters work well, are easy to get to and you can pull the pant leg up over the firearm to expose it while driving. Of course, dropping to my knees is a natural move so maybe thats why I'm partial to ankle holsters. Oh boy!

[Chimborazo]

My post from another board:

See this link:

www.sightm1911.com/lib/ccw/ccw_holsters.htm

Females face special difficulties with concealment holsters. The vast majority of holsters are designed for men. The problem is that men and women are built differently. The female torso tends to be an "hour glass" shape and shorter from hip to shoulder. The complaints most frequently heard from women are that their holster "rides way too high, and the grip of the gun is up around my armpit." A holster designed around the male body will ride uncomfortably high on a woman. A woman's curving hips tend to push the muzzle of the gun outward, causing the grip of the gun to jam into her ribs. A number of quality holster makers including [blue]Del Fatti, Kramer, Chris Cunningham, Blade Tech, Sunrise Leather[/blue], and many others build holsters specifically designed for women. For an excellent article on fitting a holster to the female shape, click here. The important learning here is that women have special needs in a holster and there are products out there which address these needs. Don’t let a clerk at the local gun store stick you with a holster that doesn’t work and digs into your ribs.

Hope it helps...