concealed carry options for women

P

pax

New member
Hi all,

Trying to narrow my options a little bit and I need some advice:

How do you (or your wife/girlfriend, if you're male) carry your self defense weapon?

I'm leaning against a purse holster -- seems to me that's the first target a BG would go for.

I don't want to confine myself to using a traditional "ladies' weapon," since I like the feel of shooting a 9mm on the range.

So what are some viable ways to conceal a 9mm under women's clothing?



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". . . for even in a nightcap a wolf does not look any more like your grandmother than the Metro-Goldwyn lion looks like Calvin Coolidge. So the little girl took an automatic out of her basket and shot the wolf dead." -- James Thurber, Fables For Our Time
 
DON"T Use a purse holster if you can possibly avoid it.
If you want to carry a 9mm you need a light flat one. You might consider a Khar or a SIG-Sauer P225.
 
Know one tall thin lady who carries full size 1911 .45 in Pager Pall, ahead of left hip. Can not tell it is there and she can get it out in a flash. I don't like the Pager Pal myself but it sure works for her.

Sam
 
My wife carries a Springfield Ultra Compact V-10 (ported) .45 in her Coronado Leather CCW "Aspen Bucket" purse. The extra wide strap allows more "theft protection" from baldes, but we're exploring adding some cut resistant material throuth the strap anyway. The purse has a holster built into it, and holds the gun securely but allows a quick draw. She also loves her SA Ultra Compact with the porting.
 
I don`t know if you`ve already picked your weapon yet, but I recomend the Kel-Tec P-11 as a great concealable 9mm.
I personally have a Kel-Tec P-40 (.40 cal) which I use alot as one of my 3 "conceal carry" weapons.
Here`s why:

A.) The Kel-Tec is a USA made (if that
matters) weapon that tips the scales
at around only 11-12 Oz.s

B.) It has a 10+1 capacity for 9mm.

C.) It has a polymer frame w/ steel
insert for weight reduction yet
still has metal to metal slide /
frame surfaces.

D.) Has a HOST of factory accessories
available including:
( HERE`S THE GOOD PART !)
A steel "spring clip" that is Factory
made to attach to your weapon that
is unobtrusive, frame mounted,
totally user friendly that allows
the user to "clip" the gun into his /
her waistband and POOF no holster, no
belt or purse needed...( Steel
Spring Clip looks just like spring
clips on modern Tactical Knives.
ALWAYS armed even in a t-shirt /
shorts situation without the "All
Famous" Fanny-Pac ( which screams
"gun pouch!" to anyone who knows
what to look for.)

E.) The factory accessories I mentioned
above also includes alot of "Hip"
stuff that "accessorizes" your
weapon to make it fit your needs.
( very affordable gun, and very
affordable accessories = good
combination Without BIG investment!)
Also can Purchase different color
polymer frames and make your gun look
cool...( blue, grey, red, pink etc.)

F.) The Kel-Tec is very popular among the
concealed carry community. No need to
worry about reliability or
reputation on this puppy !!!
( I personally know of quite a few
Cops who carry Kel-Tec`s as their
Back-up and Off-Duty guns...)

It is as EASY and FAST as clipping on a pager and
WALLA ! you are ready to go shopping... :)

I hope this is of some help, I`m proud of you, as a Woman, to take interest in self protection... If only my wife was interested, like you seem to be...
Oh-well. ;)

Take care and Be-Safe...



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SHOOT,COMMUNICATE AND MOVE OUT !



[This message has been edited by GIT_SOME.45 (edited June 11, 2000).]
 
I second the P11 recommendation (a very well designed gun) with one caveat: make sure your hand is big enough and strong enough to fire the loooong DA trigger without too much strain. The trigger pull is smooth but it can affect accuracy. Otherwise, the gun has been reliable and very light. Its dimensions are similar to a .38 snubbie and the weight is closer to the titanium revolvers than to the aluminum alloy guns.
 
Greetings Pax. Just to add my congratulations to you, as someone else did regarding being a woman who believes strongly in self-defense and is not afraid to prove it. As another post said -- "if only my wife and daughter..." anyway, I did pay for my cousin's daughter-in-law's Texas CHL.
Very best regards and good luck in your search for the right combination to carry.
usncorpsman
 
Pax,

Go to a local shooting range and shoot different size and types of firearms. The one that fits your and and gives you the best pointability is going to be the best gun for you. Don't get hooked on a particular manufacture or caliber till you shoot these guns. Go to a gun store and hold and point many firearms. If you like one, see if a local range will rent you one and shoot it.

Would highly recommend that you take a defensive handgun class before you purchase anything. The instructor will dispel all the rumors and falsehood associated with conceal carry and give you the facts that you need in order to make a proper decision. Help you decide what type of firearm you will need and how to carry it.

Good luck.

Robert
 
Thanks to everyone who answered this thread. It helped. :)



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"Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit softly." -- Theodore Roosevelt
 
pax,

I am late in responding, but it looks like I'm one of the only women actually to do so. I posted a similar thread here last year when I got my CHL, and got many good replies. I don't like the idea of carrying in a purse either and the only time I ever do is at church, when I am dressed up.

I carry a SIG P228 (9mm) in a Concealco IWB holster that Mr. Johnson designed for me. I carry cross-draw right now (but w/ training am hoping to find alternative solution). The Sig is a fullsized auto, but I don't have any problems w/ the trigger pull, or the grip.

I also sometimes carry a Colt Detective's Special in .38 in a Pocket Holster for when I'm wearing shorts w/o a belt.

One more thing, I am planning on buying an Active Body Holster that wraps around my midsection, for when I have on skirts or shorts and want to carry my SIG.

I hope this helps and good luck with your decision, it's a toughy! (most of the holsters I tried are made for men and don't work well with a woman's curves!) ;)

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"At last we shall reveal ourselves to the Gun-Grabbers, at last we shall have revenge at The TFL End of Summer Meet on August 12 & 13, 2000..."

"Pray as if your life depends on God, Act as if it all depends on you..." -Texas Preacher

[This message has been edited by Darthmaum (edited June 14, 2000).]
 
Pax,
I think the better concealment purses are a pretty good way to carry. My wife got a good one at a gun show. The strap is wide and thick, it would be difficult for a bad guy to cut. We also both have a Galco hip pouch. It's OK with me if the bad guy passes her up because he thinks that she may have a pistol in the hip pack. :)
She chose a Taurus Total Titanium snub in .38 Special. It's light and accurate. In fact, my wife is a much better shot with a snub than I am. I kind of like that!

Good luck!
Will



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Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
Darthmaum,

Does an IWB holster make you look thick-waisted? (I'm curvy ... will an IWB change that to 'dumpy'?)

I realize no option is going to be 100% perfect and I'll probably end up going with an IWB, but I am worried about how concealed the gun will be and how comfortable I will be.

Also (educate the newbie here, please) :) why are you hoping to change from cross-draw? What disadvantage are you trying to get away from?

Many thanks!


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"In life, as in chess, forethought wins." -- Charles Buxton
 
I think a belly-band would work perfectly for women. Since you don't need a belt, you can carry it while wearing a skirt or pants. If you pull a belly-band real tight, it even doubles as a girdle. :)
 
pax,

I too am kinda curvy, and the IWB does make me look slightly more thick waisted than I already am (after 2 kids...) :(, but I have taken to wearing large shirts to "hide" the bulkiness. I can't wear a tighter fitting knit shirt unless I wear a vest over it. But then again, I am carrying a full-size auto. A smaller gun would conceal better.Plus right now I have a really crappy belt, and that really makes a difference in any carry rig.

I started carrying cross-draw because that was most comfortable (and still is as I have bad lower back problems). I am left-handed, and carrying in the "strong side" position was too painful when I was in the car. Plus, the gun seems to "hide" better in the crossdraw position, the butt really stuck out on my left side (that could have been because of my belt though). In crossdraw, my purse also covers any lumps that might show, as I carry it on my R shoulder.

BUT, to answer your question: I would like to figure out a way to carry on my left side, as it would provide quicker access to my gun in a jam (don't have to reach across your stomach that way). I am hoping to take a defensive handgun class for women, taught by women soon, to get many useful tips!

The belly band is a great idea and I am going to get one soon. I don't dress up too much, am a jeans and T-shirt type woman, but I don't always like to wear them, or a belt. The band can be worn with all sorts of clothes. Do a search on the Web for the "Active Body Holster" if you're interested.

For us women, it seems best to have several carry methods, just like we have more than one pair of shoes! :) I would like to get a concealment purse for those occasions when the other options would be impractical, but that's definitely not my first choice, and frankly, [rant]I get tired of men saying "Oh, just get a purse!" (not meant to trash the men here). It'd be nice to see a company (for once) come up with some viable options for women's concealed carry OTHER THAN A PURSE! We need women to design these things, not men. There are very few co's out there that make "women's" holsters.[/rant]

I haven't found the "perfect" way to carry for me yet, and I've been carrying almost a year now. I REALLY need to get a gunbelt that fits me! I also have started buying the baggy jeans w/ all the pockets (carpenter pants, I believe), and have even bought shorts from the men's dept. in order to get some that have deep pockets to carry my .38 in! (women's shorts are made to show leg, NOT conceal a handgun!) :D

Well, sorry this post is so long, but I hope this helps you out. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to post them, or email me! :)

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"Pray as if your life depends on God, Prepare as if it all depends on you..." -Texas Preacher
 
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