Concealment options for women

[firecrackerktm]

I don't think I'd have lived this long if I couldn't laugh at myself, as I'm not the most graceful or socially adept person

No temper problem out of the ordinary. Not now that I'm medicated anyway :O
(I kid, I kid)

I took Kenpo for several years when much younger, but we didn't do knife work until a higher level than I made it. Sticks were the only weapons I spent much time with. I would love to get back into it after I graduate!

I am ... square-ish I guess. Not an hourglass. Extra weight is all tummy not curves. Not complaining, just describing.

36" inseam??? That's a long legged lady!

Ankle seems more trouble than it's worth. I have heard before that it makes you walk differently.

Any of it will need lots of practice! Unless you take a class, most ranges do not let you practice drawing and firing.

 

[Trisha]

Consider this.

Snap caps with a way to determine your dry-fire trigger control can be a constructive element in personal training.

Having had some training you already know the axiom: You fight only as well as you train. It doesn't come easy or cheaply but the reward endures.

 

[Trisha]

For personal use.

 

[Dnaltrop]

My Wife seems to be leaning towards a similar shoulder rig to mine.

She doesn't wear belts very often, bag carry leaves the gun off your person, but as she's one of those "perpetually cold" people, she always has a thin overshirt/coat on.

She's one of those unfortunates with extreme cleavage (back pain and Bras requiring NASA Engineering), and the rigs ride perfectly underneath the lower curves.

http://www.tedblockerholsters.com/product.cfm?pi=5D3B2396-F67A-A817-8DA84170266295A0 This is the likely candidate for her. I carry a .45colt Ruger Blackhawk in their Vertical lifeline.

The draw may be a bit slower from a shoulder rig, but it's a lot faster than leaving your gun at home because it's uncomfortable.

Good luck!

 

[wrench]

I'm 5'2", and, uh, have a healthy build.
In summer, I carry 90% of the time with an IWB holster. A Glock 26 or S&W CS9 hides under a polo or Tshirt.
People are not as observant as you'd think. I was open carrying one day, (legal in MN), was just out in my yard. I had a 15 min conversation with a St. Paul cop, he never said a thing. I've honestly never had anyone notice and say anything, in quite a few years of carrying.
In winter when I'm wearing more clothing, I'll sometimes wear a Glock 19 OWB. More comfy, but not as easy to conceal.
This is my current favorite holster for my Glock 26.
http://theisholsters.com/holsters.php

 

[firecrackerktm]

Trisha, those look pretty cool.
I have heard about snap caps and I definitely want to try that.

The shoulder rig looks cool ... I am usually too HOT though, so that would definitely be a winter option. Are they comfortable to wear?

I have heard good things about Theis holsters. It looks pretty big though. Is it bulky for IWB?

I wore the .380 in my current IWB holster all day on Friday to work and driving and errands, and the hammer poked into my belly I tried opposite side in front and that put my grip even more in the way of my stomach. Appendix worked better but was still uncomfortable when sitting.

I will keep trying things. There are several holsters on my wish list.

 

[Dnaltrop]

Very comfortable over road trips, casual/social you have to watch the hugs from small children running straight at you like a freight train though.

Also don't walk around with the snap undone... I've only done that once, nearly had the Blackhawk spill out the top of my shirt when I bent over. Thankfully caught it under the fabric and manipulated it back into it's holster as quietly, and casually as possible. (Awkward!)

Over 90 tomorrow here, I'll be using the IWB and my M&P instead of roasting. But it's good to have multiple carry options.

 

[wrench]

The Theis is actually very comfortable IWB, because that big flap of leather keeps all the pokey corners of the gun away from you.
I can't carry appendix, or anywhere from 9-3 oclock, as my belly is occupying that position.
On my strong side, just about 3:30-4oclock, it's comfortable, easy to draw, and as I mentioned, conceals very well.
If you want a holster that's even thinner, look at these from FIST.
http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/holster/1A.htm
This holster in kydex is incredibly thin, and with the clip it's easy on and off.

 

[firecrackerktm]

Yes I have a bit of a belly too but at 4-6 o' clock I think it is too easy for my shirt to pull up when I bend over?

 

[wrench]

Well, I guess you won't know unless you try it. I wear regular polo shirts a lot, not real snug, and concealment isn't a problem.
With any kind of shirt, if it's snug, it's going to print. I've gotten used to wearing shirts a tad loose, blousy my mother used to say, to provide better concealment.
Like I said before, though, really people aren't that observant. I've had friends who know I carry, after a day together, say, "Why did you decide not to carry your little gun today".
Then I lift up my shirt and show them...

 

[Trisha]

Don't bend from the waist - it promotes poor lifting technique!

Use your legs, and kneel. You'll improve core strength, balance and eliminate the ogling gaggle of testosterone-poisoned.

 

[firecrackerktm]

Not lifting--measuring and testing electrical receptacles.

 

[crazyjennyblack]

Honestly, I haven't found alot of special holsters for women out on the market. I tried the Remora and I tried a couple of the bra holsters, but they just don't work. The Remora never felt secure, and the bra holsters looked ridiculous because I don't have anough bust to make them a success.

So.... I've settled for using man-type waist holsters on a belt, appendix carry, or sometimes I simply have to make my own stuff. Alot of days I like to wear a jacket (even in summer) so small-of-back carry is a pretty good one for me. It also helps that I wear a skirt already, but for days that call for a skirt I have a rig that I made that reinforces the waist line of the skirt, has a strap that drops down to mid-thigh, and then a holster that is attached at that point. As long as the pistol is thin and the skirt extends to the knee or below it's a great system.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNL5pqn3Eng

This vid shows something similar to what I made.

Custom holsters and carry equipment are pretty easy to make, especially if you already have some sewing skills. Plus, you have the advantage of tailoring it to fit a specific outfit or material or curve of your body. Also, if you make both custom clothing and custom carry equipment, it makes the outfit that much more forgiving. Nothing like a jacket with a sewn-in holster or a pair of pants that actually have room for pockets! (Why do they never expect women to use pockets????)

 

[firecrackerktm]

I wondered about the Remora but for $25 or whatever it is I still may try it.
I saw those magnetic ones that are supposed to work for when you can't wear a belt. Have you or anyone else here tried one?
I do sew actually and I have made a lot of shirts and pants and dresses but I have not really explored how to tailor them to fit a gun.