How do women carry their CCW?

[movie zombie]

Thanks for spreading the word It's nice to see my holsters being worn!!!

i'm really liking the "booby buddy"!

[grantar2]

i see a potential problem with an ankle holster: you have to bend down which puts one at a disadvantage for being overpowered.....am I wrong in thinking that?

No your very correct. It has some value as back up gun, and if there is no other way to carry.

Example you might wear pants to church, but you don't want someone hugging you and feeling a gun. Or you don't want to have a little kid run up tuck themselves into your tummy and feel your gun. In that situation the risks of an ankle rig might warrant consideration.

For the theater where your first reaction is to duck for cover maybe.

If your threat is an attacker, and your not trained as an MMA fighter, I think it would be a dangerous position to carry.

What is good to carry on your ankle is a trauma kit.

[movie zombie]

thanks for the confirmation.

if one does a lot of desk work and has a CCW it would make sense to me but walking a dog? no way!

[Cody]

I'll just leave this here.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/09/08/woman-pistol-vagina-charged-unlawful-carry/71899282/

[BoJackUSMC]

Depending on clothing as well for my lady... most of the time with jeans (IWB holster like crossbreed or single clip kydex holster).

Formal Dress: does not carry because she only goes out with me so I will be carrying instead.

[MontClaire]

There was an article few days ago on here. One of them carried inside her huha.

[grantar2]

thanks for the confirmation.

if one does a lot of desk work and has a CCW it would make sense to me but walking a dog? no way!

I have a client who is security for well know VIPs, he and his team, he prefers an ankle rig in some situations as it avoids an attacker going for the waist. Feels in works well in a theater situation as an example. However he does have clothing created for carrying as well as being a specialist in other forms of combat.

What I find interesting is he carries tourniquet, chest kit, bandages and a spare mag in an ankle holster, all well wearing custom suits.

They have their place, but require a level of practice and dedication, as well as understanding that in most cases there are better options.

[movie zombie]

makes sense that as security to known VIPs he'd have [and be trained to use] medical supplies on his person. in case of an "event" he is prepared to assist.

and i'm betting that while in a theater with his ankle carry he also has another concealed weapon on him.....of course, he sounds like he is a walking talking breathing weapon himself!

[grantar2]

makes sense that as security to known VIPs he'd have [and be trained to use] medical supplies on his person. in case of an "event" he is prepared to assist.

and i'm betting that while in a theater with his ankle carry he also has another concealed weapon on him.....of course, he sounds like he is a walking talking breathing weapon himself!

He is, and he does, just not typically IWB as one would think. He also has a penchant and teaches law enforcement and others in edged weapons.

First person I have met that carries a full trauma kit in a backpack in his vehicle, and hands out RFID blocking business cards.

We outfitted one of the ladies on his staff.

[movie zombie]

a very prepared individual, grantar!

[scadvice]

There was an article few days ago on here. One of them carried inside her huha.

It wasn't her's she stole it.

[jeremiah12]

Ankle carry has its place. I tried it for a while. It only works with a light gun. I did it with a G26 and even that was almost too heavy. I should have gotten the additional support strap that goes above the calf. I knew I would have to take cover then draw my gun. With my martial arts training, I was able to to practice and get good at dropping and drawing in one action.

I now use it to carry my G42 as a backup. It is easy to get at while driving. I have a 2nd G42 that I can pocket carry in a sticky holster in my jeans. In colder weather, I have a concealment vest that holds my G17 nicely.

Because of shoulder problems, drawing from the waist is difficult at best. So there are times I carry in my backpack. It has my emergency medical supplies and a hidden pocket in the back that no one every bothers to search the few times a store security wants to search. They see my medical stuff and medical bracelet and quickly hand the pack back to me. If I do put it in a shopping cart, I secure it to the cart with a locking carabiner.

Ultimately, one has to try out different ways to find out what works for one's body type and what one is wearing. The other thing to consider is how are you going to access the gun. IWB can be difficult if you are sitting. When you need the gun, the BG may already have his gun out and you need to get yours without telegraphing what you are doing before the BG has a chance to respond. So having it near where the BG might expect you to move your hands, such as to get a wallet or cell phone is to your advantage.

[stacym]

If I do put it in a shopping cart, I secure it to the cart with a locking carabiner.

Ultimately, one has to try out different ways to find out what works for one's body type and what one is wearing. The other thing to consider is how are you going to access the gun. IWB can be difficult if you are sitting. When you need the gun, the BG may already have his gun out and you need to get yours without telegraphing what you are doing before the BG has a chance to respond. So having it near where the BG might expect you to move your hands, such as to get a wallet or cell phone is to your advantage.

Couldn't agree more with your statements. Having been an active IDPA shooter and reading whatever I could find online, I was convinced that IWB was going to be the best way to carry (before I applied/rec'd my ccw). Then, once I had my permit in hand, reality struck. I realized that IWB didn't really work with the clothing in my closet. Did I want to buy a bunch of new clothing, or look at different carry options. I found carrying in my purse to be the "easiest" way to carry, but not the most practical. After all, I was used to hearing a buzzer and drawing quickly in IDPA. Now, the thought of moving a purse, using a zipper, and removing a gun seemed tedious and slow. These are things I never really thought about before I actually had the permit. I also didn't really think about the realities of my wardrobe and what would/wouldn't work with different holsters. Later I read about and thought AIWB would be great. I bought an AIWB holster, and found it great when standing, but not so great when sitting. Unfortunately, we often don't have the luxury of trying before buying. As my first ccw instructor mentioned, I now have the "drawer full" of holsters that aren't being used. But, it takes some trial and error to see what will work for you. And, I now have options. On some days IWB works, and others purse carry works. I think the important thing is to make sure you're safe (the trigger is protected, and gun will not accidentally discharge as you access it), not printing, and make sure you can easily and comfortably access the gun, however you're carrying. That will be an individual choice for all of us.

I love the above poster's mention of the locking carabiner. As someone who has purse carried, purse-snatching was always a thought in the back of my mind, and the locking carabiner never occurred to me!

[grantar2]

Team, as someone who owns a holster store I would offer a couple of suggestions. I sell to a lot of women, including PI's and LEO's.
In most cases I am going to assume a compact or subcompact. .40 S&W Springfield EMP being on the larger side, Sig P238 on the smaller side.
If your going to wear a skin tight top, than a purse solution is going to likely be your best choice. If you are around children, people with dimension, Alzheimer's, or the purse may have to be left unattended, you should choose a locking purse. If the previously mentioned condition's don't exist, then either a non-locking purse, or if you have a collection of purses, a holster purse organizer such as the Packin Neat would be a good choice. The Packin Neat can allow a IDPA fast draw.
If you can wear a loser top, and like most women wear no belt or a cosmetic / fashion belt that wont support a load, the Sticky Holster is a good way to go on body. This will work with blouse and skirt, as well as jeans, shorts, and a top. Works great with spandex.
Another method is the belly band. The belly band is actually worn down on the hips like an IWB and requires no help from the clothing to support the weapon. This is the trimmest appearing way to carry. It can also be worn higher on the body to accommodate a full size weapon. Most have a place for two magazines, or a mag and a light, or mag and knife.
The padded low profile fanny pack is the best choice for athletic activities such as jogging, and is very fast into action. There are also some fashion tops with built in holster for running / biking, but I think they need another generation of development
We are working on new method of carry for wearing dress's from the little black dress to floor length, we have just been delayed by the availability of our seamstress.
Fanny packs start at around $15.99 and the Packin Neat hits $85 and everything else is in between.

Remember you can always carry a small gun on your person, and a larger gun off body.

[BonnieB]

Just in passing, it is BONKERS to put your handbag in the baby seat of a shopping cart, whether you are carrying or not. I can't count the times I've been in a grocery store with some woman screaming "My purse! He stole my purse !"

Wear a shoulder bag, if you need your hands free while shopping but don't put it in the cart, ever. I'm constantly going up to women in the grocery, or just standing right beside their cart, when I see their handbag in it. They get the point. And I consider it my good deed for the day.

Re: Jeremiah's backpack, same thing. The pack may be locked to the cart, but are the zippers locked too? If you are ten feet away from the cart will you have time to get back to your pack and start unlocking stuff before you can defend yourself?

I just think the whole idea of leaving a bag in a shopping cart is batty and ESPECIALLY if you are carrying. Furthermore, I think there are rules about having your CCW anywhere but on your person. Check with your local sheriff on this.