What gun would you concealed carry

[RickD427]

Deb and I would appreciate your help. Well we have a lot of data from NSSF on what is popular nationwide, we don't have sufficient data for Southern California. We have now opened our first brick and mortar CCW boutique, and we have a focus on women. However we have vendor who will make IWB holsters specifically for us.

What we would like to know, is what gun women in our market really do or plan to carry if they CCW? Because the holsters are hybrids they have to be ordered by gun type we would like to order the right thing. We have a choice of leather and thread colors as well. Primary brown, black or other variations, and thread color. My hope is to get Teal, in honor of Bonnie, and Purple. I am open to colors other than pink.

I hope you don't mind my asking the forum to be my focus group, but we want to go the extra mile and despite our being small were partnering with manufactures who want to do something more for this market as well. Your input helps.

The answer really depends on your clients.

For a person who has ordinary understanding of firearms, I would recommend the S+W "J" frame revolvers with an enclosed hammer. Those weapons are extremely simple and intuitive to operate. They will not snag as easily as other weapons and the opportunity for a malfunction is very slim. If you're carrying the weapon in an IWB holster, the shape of a revolver is much easier to conceal. The weapon's main mass is in the cylinder, and the shape tapers considerably at the hammer shroud, barrel and grip. The downside is that you only have five rounds and limited ability to quickly reload.

Semi-autos have the capability of more rounds, but are more difficult to operate and require more range time to stay proficient. I've seen some females that have difficulty operating the slide. My wife had to give up her S+W .40 due to arthritis. It's also a lot more difficult to conceal the more squarely shaped semi-auto's on a smaller person's body.

There is no "one size fits all" answer to your question, but for your stated purpose, I'd stay with the small revolvers.

[Glock Girl in CA]

Hmmm....we have a man responding to a question addressed specifically to women about what kind of firearms a woman would choose to carry. That's silly. And so is the advice he gave.

I'm a huge fan of semi autos, and I see no difficulty in operating them. I daresay most women I know who carry a concealed firearm DO carry semi autos and do so with no difficulty. I prefer a Sig Sauer P238 (I can rack that sweet slide with two fingers) for concealability and sometimes I walk on the wild side and carry a Glock 19 or a Glock 26. Depends on my mood.

[Glock Girl in CA]

Oh, and here's how easy it is to conceal the dreaded semi-auto:











Also, look how fun:



Oh, wait. You wanted to know about concealing a larger fighting gun? Ok. Here's me and my Glock 19, back when I carried behind the hip.

http://www.mrcolionnoir.com/icarry/icarry-woman-gen-4-glock-19/

Never say it can't be done.

[BadKitty]

Glock Girl in CA, you said what I was thinking. Stick to revolvers? This woman prefers semi-autos, thanks.

To answer the question, G42 for purse, IWB and OWB. Sometimes G19 for OWB.

[grantar2]

The answer really depends on your clients.

There is no "one size fits all" answer to your question, but for your stated purpose, I'd stay with the small revolvers.

Rick,
I am looking to see what women are buying for themselves. We don't and won't sell guns, ammunition or the sort. We will offer guns for consideration, but we work with a group of trainers and ranges were partnered with and / or trust, and have them help. We have a pair of lady trainers at Artemis Defense Institute that we rely on, and we suggest people go to two ranges we work with On-Target and Iron Sights to try the weapons they might want to consider.

When she is well, we are partnering with Allison, at A Girl and A Gun in Mission Viejo (They shoot in Stanton) to have a place for an exchange of ideas, and experiences.

In most cases our clients are women who already have their CCW, are working to get their CCW, or in many cases are LEO's looking for off duty carry options. What we provide is the ability to see, touch, and discuss options and capabilities.
Since I am a small vendor betting my savings on inventory. What I am trying to do is find the guns women already have, or believe they want, so I have a chance at a sale. I plan to offer unique products, that meet a need, but obviously I can't afford to sit on inventory that won't turn. At the same time.

Most of the ladies I have exchanged posts with here, know what they like, or what they want, and have experience. CCW may be new to them, but not shooting itself. For those that are new, my hope is they will go to a trainer, get instruction if required in a easy to handle caliber, then after they have basic marksmanship down, will sample a whole range of weapons to see what they shoot well. One range we recommend Iron Sights in Oceanside has a weekly Thursday night fun steel match. We recommend if they are getting a CCW, go and shoot the match. The range will let them rent different guns they can run through the process, and though there are current and former national competitors there every week, I have never in any sport met a less macho, more helpful group of competitors in my life.

My wife and I believe that each shooter has to know the fundamentals and then discover for themselves without pressure what works for them. We recommend that our novice customers explore the different guns for themselves, do a little research, listen to different views and then ultimately go with a girl friend and shop for themselves, and don't let anyone push them to something that doesn't feel right. They can buy watches and cars on their own a gun isn't any harder. Can they rack the slide, does it feel good in the hand, do they like the weight? Go find one to shoot, and if your good with it, practice will only make you better.

[brekkke]

S&W M&P Shield 9, Ruger LC9, Sig Saur P290RS. IWB behind right hip.

[Off the Roster]

+1 to the semi-auto

[Glock Girl in CA]

Grantar - did you see the rainbow craze that swept the Ladies Forum last fall? No one was immune to it - and that included the most masculine of men. A decent number of us (men and women) ended up with matching rainbow Kershaws. I would suggest you get the Sig 938 and 238 in rainbow finish. That is a safe investment

[grantar2]

Grantar - did you see the rainbow craze that swept the Ladies Forum last fall? No one was immune to it - and that included the most masculine of men. A decent number of us (men and women) ended up with matching rainbow Kershaws. I would suggest you get the Sig 938 and 238 in rainbow finish. That is a safe investment

Thanks but I am only looking for what carry systems to stock in my store, unless I could do a matching rainbow holster.

I personally shoot, compete with and carry a full sized M&P in .40 S&W, and .45ACP, but it's what I am comfortable. As for my wife and daughters I leave them to pick their own. My wife spends most of her time with a Walther P22. I am not a fan, but she is a southpaw and loves it. My oldest daughter is a revolver person .357, but really prefers rifles, and shots a Marlin Lever action in .357. My youngest daughter prefers her full size Ruger SR9. Not a fan of that gun either, but then I don't have to shoot it. This is a girl that didn't like the car I gave her at 16, had a job so bought her own on ebay. Couple of years later she bought her first new car, $5K off MSRP. She doesn't need my help to pick a gun.

[Glock Girl in CA]

Thanks but I am only looking for what carry systems to stock in my store, unless I could do a matching rainbow holster.

I personally shoot, compete with and carry a full sized M&P in .40 S&W, and .45ACP, but it's what I am comfortable. As for my wife and daughters I leave them to pick their own. My wife spends most of her time with a Walther P22. I am not a fan, but she is a southpaw and loves it. My oldest daughter is a revolver person .357, but really prefers rifles, and shots a Marlin Lever action in .357. My youngest daughter prefers her full size Ruger SR9. Not a fan of that gun either, but then I don't have to shoot it. This is a girl that didn't like the car I gave her at 16, had a job so bought her own on ebay. Couple of years later she bought her first new car, $5K off MSRP. She doesn't need my help to pick a gun.

Ah, I see.

WELL. If you can find a rainbow holster you will make a mint. People in this forum go crazy for rainbow guns around here - one can only imagine the madness over matching rainbow holsters... It's almost too wonderful to imagine!

[grantar2]

Glock Girl in CA, after I get my order in and I see what can be done in some of the special holsters I am working on with three of my vendors who already think I am crazy. I will contemplate a rainbow holster. Not sure how the leather would take it, but the kydex could possibly be hydro dipped.

Sounds expensive though. Not sure.

[grantar2]

At the suggestion of one of the members of this forum, I am working with a holster maker to do a special prototype women's IWB / OWB. The special proof of concept holster I am having made will be for a Colt Mustang Pocketlite, will feature blue leather (were trying for indigo blue jean blue, with white thread). The holster will be more comfortable and form fitting featuring a rubber layer over the leather, which acts as a cushion, as well as a moisture barrier protecting the leather. The rubber is then covered with fleece to add comfort and wick moisture. The bottom line is you won't feel like your in harness wearing the holster IWB. If you remove the clips you can wear the holster OWB. This is great in cold weather when you don't want the gun made inaccessible by clothing, or if you shoot IDPA or training courses like we do where IWB is frowned upon or not efficient.





Were likely 3 weeks or so away from having them in stock, but I am really looking froward to offering something most other stores don't have. I am really excited that my wife and I have now opened our little boutique so that people can try on the products before putting down their money or filling a shoe box with unwanted solutions.

I apologize to anyone offended by my talking about our new shop, we just wanted to share were listening to your inputs, and were working with willing craftsman and manufactures to provide the very best we can at an affordable price.

I have already ordered 25 of these for various guns, and in various colors, such as black leather and teal thread, tan leather with army green thread. Your thoughts and comments are appreciate.

[grantar2]

Ah, I see.

WELL. If you can find a rainbow holster you will make a mint. People in this forum go crazy for rainbow guns around here - one can only imagine the madness over matching rainbow holsters... It's almost too wonderful to imagine!

No promises. But if you send me a clear picture of your gun and knife, I will talk to my vendors about the art of the possible.

I want them to see what we are talking about or I am likely to end up with a my little pony rainbow, which I am pretty sure won't sell.

[Charlie50]

Glock 42, PJ Cholster, Galco ankle holster, pocket holster
Glock 26, Old Faithful IWB
Sig P220 full size, Old Faithful IWB. OWB Bianchi

[sly-jay]

I'm in LA so no CC permit currently but hey, a girl can dream. So to answer the OPs question, I think you should make one for a Shield. I'd sure like to CC my EMP or one of my CZ-type guns but the slim Shield seems to conceal better on my body type and clothing style.

The holster example you posted looks great.