horsecrazy12987

So I don't have many options open to me for concealed carry, though I am trying to find something much better than my current situation. My problem is that women's clothing is not exactly designed for people like me in mind, so in spite of searching quite a bit for adequate shirts to cover a gun on my hip, I haven't run across anything that really works. I do have a small of the back holster, but obviously that's not the best option--uncomfortable, not a quick draw, etc. etc. And I have to be very careful with any bending over, even wearing a bit longer shirt. I'm also a pretty small girl carrying a .45, so the gun looks kind of bulky on me anyway.

Well, once it's cold enough I switch over to wearing this leather jacket that I have. It's not long enough to cover anything on my hip, but what it does have is an inner pocket that fits my gun perfectly. Not the perfect choice either, but it's actually not a bad draw, and I figure it's better than not having the gun on me at all. The gun slips all the way in so that it's totally hidden, and though it sort of looks like I have something in my pocket, you can't tell at all that I'm carrying a gun. It also fits pretty snugly...except for tonight.

Tonight, in the middle of the Fred Meyers lingerie section, surrounded by soccer moms and little kids, no less, I crouch down and lean over a bit to glance at something, and my .45 slips out of the pocket and clatters on the floor! Luckily it only had a few inches to go and fell onto carpet, but still. I very quickly scooped it back up and slipped it back into my jacket, and fortunately no one except my boyfriend noticed, because for the moment there were clothing racks between me and the few other people in the same section.

This has never, ever happened before. I've bent over plenty of times before and never had it slip.

Anybody else have any bloopers to share? And any suggestions for me? My boyfriend said he'd actually seen a holster you can clip to the inside of a jacket pocket, so I'm thinking of maybe trying that next. But I've looked quite a bit, and am honestly having a hell of a time finding clothing to hide my gun. I've considered open carry, but I'd rather the bad guy not know that I'm packing until it's too late. I wear a small in shirts, so that's part of the problem. Maybe I'll just have to start wearing mumus.

shep854

While pocket-carrying, wearing trousers with large, square pockets, I have had my pistol slide out while sitting. I was 'way down the mall when I realized that pocket was empty.

As I headed back to where I was sitting, I was expecting to see the store crawling with police--I just knew I was about to kiss my CCP good-bye. You can imagine my relief when I got back to my chair and saw that the backbpack I had left to save my seat had covered the gun.

Al Thompson

HC, take a look at www.corneredcat.com for some good ideas.

I've seen several Galco shoulder rigs release their contents unexpectedly. The most noticeable was in a crowded mess hall one evening.

horsecrazy12987

Thanks for the link! Looks like it has some good information on it. I glanced briefly through it right now--when I have more time later, I'll go through it more thoroughly and see if I can figure something out.

Shep--I think I'd have wet myself when I realized my gun was gone. At least carrying in my jacket, I know immediately if it's slipped out, because I can very definitely feel it.

shep854

That's where these small, "so light you forget you're carrying" guns can be a problem.

horsecrazy12987

I could actually see that happening with my little snubnosed .38. I don't really carry that one though, one because I prefer a .45 for carry, and two, the trigger pull on it is ridiculous! I need to take it in and have someone mess around with it. My dad tried shooting it after seeing how much I was shaking, and his hand was waving around quite a bit with it as well. And he is a big guy, and strong.

shep854

Snubbies are often called "carry a lot, shoot a little" guns but in reality, they demand even more practice than full-size guns for proficiency. Compared to a 1911-style pistol (which I presume is your preferred .45), any double-action trigger will seem ridiculous, yet with practice they are very manageable.

Al Thompson

Depending on the exact model of .38, you may not be able to do much with the trigger. I've seen several Taurus brand revolvers fail to fire after a lighter spring was tried. S&Ws can be smoothed out, but getting them lightened is tough. In any event, be sure to shoot 30 or 40 rounds of your carry ammo after you've had any work done to your firearm.

http://www.corneredcat.com is a great web site by Kathy Jackson. She is very well trained and is a moderator on the Firing Line. I've sent several ladies there with good results - and I read it too.

NightSight

This thread makes my blood run cold! I spent several decades swearing to myself that something like this could never happen to me; then, one day, in a freak slip and fall accident, it did!

I was mortified and felt very sorry for the woman who ended up staring down the muzzle of my C-1 Glock 45. What I learned that day is there's no such thing as, 'always' or, 'forever'. Bad things can - and, sometimes, do - happen to, otherwise, good and careful people.

My wife has a wine flask shaped shoulder bag that she carries under her support arm. She got it from our local AAA travel store. I've made her aware of what can go wrong with handbag carry; however, this method has been working out very well for her.

She's got it set up to simply pull the forward facing zipper, reach inside, and draw her gun. (She's pretty fast with it, too!)

threefeathers

Yes, when I was working CID I was carrying in a Post Office and I reached in my pocket and a smapp hole in my pants pocket became a large hole. My Det Spec had nudged it's nose into the small hole and the Det Spec fell down my pants and hit the floor. I pretended to have sprained my akle and I limped to the wall and put the nose under mysocks and limped out.

cincinnatijim

It appears that NightSight is referring to the Ameribag. We sell a lot of them in the AAA store where I work. We stock the fabric ones, but leather is available on special order. Some women own 4 or 5 in different colors. I'm not soliciting orders but the ladies do love them. Your local AAA store might have them.

NightSight

cincinnatijim is correct. The Ameribags are a great - much lower priced - alternative to the usual gun purses from the big name holster makers.

There's even a side pocket inside the bag that very nicely holds her revolver in an upright position, ready to draw. Because of the wineskin profile it can be tucked very securely underneath the support arm, too, and is resistant to being grabbed.

Our AAA travel store has a huge selection of these bags in both leather and different cloth materials. I got her a heavy black denim bag that is good for general everyday use.

I'll tell ya: It doesn't look like what it, either, is or can do.

Joe Forte

And another plus is they are made in the USA. About 2 miles from my house.

threefeathers

I just checked the website, my wife just got her Kings Day present.

wesjohn13

Has anyone been 'spotted' while carrying? Just wondering how something like that goes down.

IrishCop

I can relate to your plight, HorseCrazy. I've worked with a couple of ladies in CID who had a horrendous time carrying their sidearm in plainclothes. I have never seen a belt holster yet that worked well...oh, there's some that are angled for a woman's waist. It's just that most womens dress slacks, and even casual slacks, don't have belt loops. And even if they do, most women's belts aren't up to the task of carrying the weight of a full sized fighting handgun.

A shoulder rig may or may not be the solution to your problem. Physical build factors into it, as does the weight of a 1911 type handgun. You may not be able to handle carrying that weight distributed over your shoulders comfortably for long periods of time.

When I first became mobile in a wheelchair after a car accident, I searched for a way to carry even a light weight gun when out and about. I finally settled on a man purse kind of rig that I slung over my left shoulder and hung down on my right side. I was more confident that I wouldn't get separated from my gun that way. That's the main problem I see with a gun purse...purses are what purse snatchers go for, even carrying carpet knives and such for cutting the purse straps.

As for losing my gun...happened once with a Galco Miami Classic I was carrying my then issue P-228 in. Got up from my office chair to go out on a follow up. At some point either I didn't secure the strap well or the snap came undone. Out tumbled my handgun, right in front of partner and my lieutenant. Ooops.

I carry my 1911 in a Kramer shoulder rig now. Excellant product. Kramer also ofers an inside the waistband and belt scabbard designed for women, and has a paddle holster coming out soon.

Gun Holsters | Handgun Holsters |Custom Gun Holster Leather

phantom4570

Times like this help me understand why some boards autolock old threads. I would like to hear from Horsecrazy. I have a great picture of a hotdog to go with the luther burgers that grossed her out last time she was here.

ExSarge

Reported that I found tubs full of pot growing along a swamp road, the local cop eyed me down and I know he saw my carry weapon stashed in my pocket. Looked me in the eye but never said a word about it.

SpecialEd

FWIW: Happy Birthday Horsecrazy where ever you are!