How do women carry their CCW?

[Barang]

My wife and I are thinking of applying CCW permit next year the earliest. So we're both curious if purse (for her, not for me LOL!) is the usual place to conceal it, or is it a preference like around the waist or ankle?

Also, anybody here carry or shoot Sig P938? She's so comfortable shooting her Sig MK25 9mm and told me that she doesn't want to carry any other than Sig because she doesn't want to learn a new system an she loves the decocker. Thank you in advance for your input.

EDIT: Just got informed that Sig P938 has no decocker and SAO so P239 will be the replacement. With its weight, I don't think she would want it around her ankel. LOL! Anybody here carry or shoot P239?

[Decoligny]

It is going to vary depending upon the woman and the clothing.

[grantar2]

Op, I run a ccw specialty store in Orange County. Well I know you can't make it down here, we can provide advice. I suggest a phone consultation. We don't mind helping even if you don't buy anything from us. After a few minutes well give you some suggestions. We will need to know a few thing, such as common type of dress, children, grand children, around people with Alzheimer's?.

Off the top on body is always preferred but not always practical. Off body has risk the has to be fully understood. Ankle is best reserved for a second or third gun, typically LEO,s.

Systems like the ones shown above have pros and cons. The Corseted is essentially a pretty belly band with the out the flexibility to move the gun around the body's clock. If you choose the method for regular carry you will need several as they need to be laundered. Like anything lace frequency of use impacts durability. I really can't say anything nice about the flash bang so will pass and just note it's an option. Just be careful if you choose it. The IWB holster is a good choice, and gives the maximum speed to access the weapon. It will require that your wife be wearing either pants or a skirt. Most IWB holsters will want a belt, this is more or less important based on the size and weight of gun. Lose fitting untucked blouses work best but a tucked in blouse will work as well.

Dresses over shorts can allow a pocket holster. Button front blouses or deep V necks make compression t-shirts with underarm holsters possible. If this were a regular carry method again you would need several to allow laundering.

Off body carry has it's appeal, but also risk. Purses are often the targets of thieves, and they can be inadvertently left in the care of someone not authorized or legally permitted to have a firearm. It has the advantage of being practical. There are systems that allow a woman to carry using any purse she has. These can be the fastest way to bring a gun into action, but it is not safe for carry around children, people with Alzheimer's, etc. There are concealed purses that have proper holsters, and are very attractive, but have limitations similar to the use your existing purse systems. Lastly there are locking purses. These have proper holsters, unique gun compartments, but allow you to lock the gun when around children, (teenagers), people with Alzheimer's ect. There is a risk of not having the purse unlocked when needed, but this is a training issue. If off body these are the safest choice for most users.

As you can see there are a lot of things to consider, and we haven't covered anywhere near all the ways your wife can carry.

Stay Safe


You can see various carry solutions on our website. Best if you and your wife could give us a call and discuss. Doesn't cost anything and may save you time and problems. 949.528.7385. The website is in my signature line

[Barang]

THese are great info. I will pass it along to my wife and review the posts above. Thank you both.

[KR_H]

My wife and I are thinking of applying CCW permit next year the earliest. So we're both curious if purse (for her, not for me LOL!) is the usual place to conceal it, or is it a preference like around the waist or ankle?

There's not much I can add to Grantar's post other than my own personal experience. I use a Sticky holster when I wear jeans / pants. It's simple and does the job very well.

I have a dedicated carry purse but, truth be told, I've never used it because it bothers me that I can be easily separated from it. Putting the purse down, even for a moment, could have less-than-desirable results. On those occasions when I wear a dress, the purse would be the way to go, but I usually just leave the gun in the safe at that time.

[grantar2]

There's not much I can add to Grantar's post other than my own personal experience. I use a Sticky holster when I wear jeans / pants. It's simple and does the job very well.

I have a dedicated carry purse but, truth be told, I've never used it because it bothers me that I can be easily separated from it. Putting the purse down, even for a moment, could have less-than-desirable results. On those occasions when I wear a dress, the purse would be the way to go, but I usually just leave the gun in the safe at that time.

Sticky makes the guard-her thigh rig that uses your holster for on body with a dress. If your not using the purse for the gun, do consider it is effective against pick pockets and shopping cart raiders, the generally don't take the purse the want the wallet/check book. Put you wallet in the locking gun section. It's not where they are going to look, and it's safer there.

[71MUSTY]

My wife uses every method discusses so far except for ankle and corset. She also has an inside thigh carry for some dressed. She loves her Flashbang for her 380. Typically keeps her KAHR PM9 in a carry purse.

Uses several different carry methods depending on what she is wearing and what she is doing.

On the other side of the coin my sister always wears jeans and always carries her shield IWB 4:00 or in a fanny pack.




Check out Montana West for fancy purses.

[Steyrlp10]

It is going to vary depending upon the woman and the clothing.

Indeed!

[Barang]

THank you all for chiming in. I showed my wife the thread last night and had a conversation about the pros and cons and what's the most comfortable and safest way to carry it. She'll have more idea when she hold and shoot her ccw gun to be.

[Svetlana]

Not an expert, but I'm training for CCW right now. I have talked to a few FFL's who specialize in CCW and tried various "methods".

One guy had me try a thigh strap and that is one to avoid! The problem is that they side down quickly because of the thigh is tapered downwards to the ground and gravity will work that loose (and no my thighs are not fat)

A belt strap with a drop leg holster worked best for me, I only tried it around the store and it works well if I wore a skirt that is loose/fluffy (and I wore the skirt over the belt). But your wife may have a different figure and the guy told me its all about one's figure.

I sometimes carry my phone and pepper spray in my bra, but somehow I don't feel comfortable with a firearm in there. I met a few girls who do that but I don't think that is for me.

[KR_H]

One guy had me try a thigh strap and that is one to avoid. The problem is that they side down quickly because of the thigh is tapered downwards to the ground and gravity will work that loose (and no my thighs are not fat)

Svetlana, that was my thought too…that the thing would slide down. When I'm wearing jeans/pants the Sticky holster works really well, but I wear dresses or skirts quite a bit and have never carried during those times; so I actually did order a Guard-Her from Grantar2 here on the Forums and will return it if it doesn't work out. His company wants the customers to be happy so I have no qualms about ordering. This is my third order from him, and I've been very happy with the products and customer service.

I'll report back about my experience with the thigh holster. Kathy

[grantar2]

[QUOTE=Svetlana;16438131]Not an expert, but I'm training for CCW right now. I have talked to a few FFL's who specialize in CCW and tried various "methods".

One guy had me try a thigh strap and that is one to avoid! The problem is that they side down quickly because of the thigh is tapered downwards to the ground and gravity will work that loose (and no my thighs are not fat)

A belt strap with a drop leg holster worked best for me, I only tried it around the store and it works well if I wore a skirt that is loose/fluffy (and I wore the skirt over the belt). But your wife may have a different figure and the guy told me its all about one's figure.

I sometimes carry my phone and pepper spray in my bra, but somehow I don't feel comfortable with a firearm in there. I met a few girls who do that but I don't think that is for me.[/QUOTE

You have really done a good job of expressing why it's best if you can try different rigs on.

The person assisting you needs to understand several things, your lifestyle, manner of dress, weapon type and then help you look at the options available to you. This is something that most gun stores can't do. We prefer to think of our services as concierge. We try to be knowledgeable on what we carry, and what we don't carry as well as tactics, and training necessary to assure the desired or suggested system will perform in the 4 second window that you will likely have to survive the confrontation.

Each system has a strength and weakness, understanding your specifics will allow you to develop a carry and training regime that gives you the best chance to survive. Just picking something that kinda sorta fits, or is what the guy at the store had, is likely to result in at best disappointment, as worst, well you know.

As for your reticence to use the Flash Bang type system, I would concur.

The system will work for some, however besides the one known fatality related to the design, there is always the issue of covering innocents with the muzzle of the gun. Plain and simple as you draw and have to yank the gun down out of the clamshell to bring it into action it is being swept across everything from your hand lifting the blouse, to the people to your side and front.

Ability to conceal in tight clothing will very with anatomy.

Have said all of the above, most solutions can be made to work if you practice using them. Front Sight and Gun Sight, both have the concept, from decision to engage (the buzzer) to first shot in 1.5 seconds. Pretty good rule of thumb. Second consideration, if I am on my back, in my car, have only one hand, have only my weak hand, have an arm around my neck, can I get to my firearm and defend myself.

If not, is it a physical limitation, and training limitation or a carry systems limitation. The first is the hardest to fix, the other two are fixable.

[kaligaran]

I carry AIWB.

I used to carry IWB at 4 o'clock and was always too paranoid about my shirt riding up and exposing it. I don't have that concern AIWB.

[grantar2]

I carry AIWB.

I used to carry IWB at 4 o'clock and was always too paranoid about my shirt riding up and exposing it. I don't have that concern AIWB.

AIWB is preferred if you can do it comfortably, for several reasons. First is that you can fire from retention if needed. Remember a CCW engagement isn't going to resemble a day at the range, it's going to be fight for your life. Odds, and case study indicate your already going to have been grabbed, or in a fight. AIWB is defensible, your hands naturally will be up front. you can draw from AIWB well the weak hand is engaged defending yourself. AIB is easier to hide than 4 O'clock. (ranges that allow you to draw and shoot, generally will allow AIWB, and discourage 4 O'clock because you have to break 180. It is harder for someone who realizes you have a gun to take it away from you in the AIWB, vs 4 O'clock.

The disadvantage of 4 O'clock is that your arm has to move behind you. Anyone who took wrestling knows you gain control over your opponent as the arm moves back from 3 O'clock. I can be easier to expose when bending over and do so without thinking about it. People will actually look at you from behind more than they will from the front. (same for both men and women).

As you draw from 4 O'clock or further back your going to sweep someone. The back is really a position for a second, or backup gun. It is usually more comfortable than AIWB, but all is workable.

When thinking about how your going to carry, you need to think under what conditions you are going to have to draw and shoot. Total time from deciding to act to a shot being fired will likely be around 4 second. Front Sight, Gun Sight, most IDPA instructors will all guide you to the same thing, 1.5 second from the decision to draw to first shot or better.

Can you get to your weapon on your back, with an attacker behind you in a headlock, from your drivers seat, etc. Those are the likely conditions.

Just some thoughts.

[Barang]

My wife likes the IWB idea but will revisit this topic when close to appying CCW. Thanks for the input.

What is AIWB?