Open carry during winter

[smalls]

The colder months are coming soon, and even though I rarely open carry, it got me thinking. For those who reside in the colder states, and open carry frequently, how do you do it? I pull the carhart out as soon as it hits 60°, I hate the cold, Haha. I can't see me being able to NOT conceal my pistol while wearing such a big coat.

 

[Dnaltrop]

Oregon + winter OC = A lot of rust prevention work

I OC at home, in my yard, and in the car. It's Portland, so while not totally Anti, some people have a real tendency towards high dramatics., so I don't go strolling through Downtown without good coverage.

Turtle wax for the exposed metal if you must (or other coatings) ... but honestly... just put your coat over it and keep it out of the rain, sometimes you have to dress for the weather.

Side note... It's not unheard of to have an internal opening sewn into a pocket, allowing you to place hands on your weapon underneath without opening the coat.

 

[NavyLCDR]

but honestly... just put your coat over it and keep it out of the rain, sometimes you have to dress for the weather.

Exactly. I have a CPL. I don't dress around my gun. Most of the time I open carry just because that's the way everything naturally falls. In the winter, if my coat covers it, it's covered. No big deal.

 

[smalls]

I agree that it's definitely easier to conceal it during the winter. I guess my question was aimed more towards those who openly carry and don't have a permit to carry concealed. This was purely out of curiosity, as I feel it'd be too difficult to not conceal it if you can.

 

[orionengnr]

Open Carry is not (yet) legal where I live (TX), but I carry an N-frame in an OWB during the winter, under a sweatshirt, jacket or coat.

 

[scaatylobo]

I CCW at all times.

And in the really cold months - there is a pocket gun that is CLOSE at hand in the coat.

Backed by a real gun on the belt.

I have even worn a High Standard derringer [ no longer made ] in my gloved hand [ inside the glove ] = now that is FAST to be on target.

Yes it destroys the glove,but its worth it.

 

[devildog4329]

I open Carry more than I conceal. Mostly becuase it is more comforatable. If me and the wife n kids are going out i might put the 380 in the pocket but most of the time i just carry the G19 in a Blackhawk Serpa, RIA 1911 in a pancake, or the FEG Hi-power clone in a pancake.

 

[Bobson]

I have even worn a High Standard derringer [ no longer made ] in my gloved hand [ inside the glove ] = now that is FAST to be on target.

How do you use your left hand safely with a gun inside your glove?

"It's a pleasure to meet you." *extends hand to shake your hand*
"Uhh. No thanks."

I realize nobody shakes hands with their left hand. Just saying, it serves to illustrate the point.

 

[brickeyee]

Make sure the gun is thoroughly lubed.

Every surface of every part.

A cold gun in a warm room will get water everywhere from condensation.

 

[Dnaltrop]

+1 for Brickeyee, completely forgot to mention condensation... just like taking a cold soda from the fridge and putting it on your desk.

All the more reason to invest in some sort of external coating, though internal condensation is another matter entirely.

 

[conrad427]

i dont open carry much, but here in north central montana we dont get the cold winter rains like the folks over west, but i am usually covered in mud/cow poo/afterbirth/snow/blood/with frozen shut eyelids. A stainless ruger mark II on an external belt, ie wrapped around my belly because a carhartt snow suit has no belt loops, keeps the rust and deadly coyotes and honey badgers away.

 

[TonyT]

I carry concealed at alltimes. Open carry defeats the surprise element and only angers the anti gun folks.

 

[smalls]

^ Well, thanks for the very useful input and answer to my question...

 

[devildog4329]

@TonyT, thats your perspective.

I enjoy open carry and thank god my state allows me to do so. I have never had a single problem while open carrying. No one has freaked out, called the cops, hit the ground, and so on and so on. This may also be because in my area it is not uncommon to see people open carry. I beleive if more people opened carried then it would be less Taboo.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Open carry defeats the surprise element

And concealed carry defeats the deterrent value of the firearm and does nothing to promote a visible image of a normal American doing normal American things who just happens to have the means available to defend themselves against violent crime, so is there a point?

 

[conrad427]

I have a ccw permit and do not carry open in public, that said but i believe the point is that open carry may change a bad guys mind about doing dumb stuff but it is not a given. I carry covered because i dont want to make the "shoot me first" list. IMHO

 

[NavyLCDR]

I carry covered because i dont want to make the "shoot me first" list. IMHO

You would be the first one on the list.

 

[dprice3844444]

warm hands vs cold exposed metal.just think tongue on frozen flagpole

 

[conrad427]

smalls, to answer you question without getting shot..... i asked a friend who allways carries open and he said the gun was the last thing he put on. With the heavy jacket and coveralls, he simply straps on a gunbelt over his jacket. an interesting option would be to get a sholder holster a few sizes too big.

 

[Black G31]

I carry concealed everyday all day....In michigan we get some pretty nasty weather,I've yet to encounter a problem...I have a in waistband holster for my G31,and a shoulder rig...I was thinking about a new holster ,for this winter...

 

[smalls]

Conrad, I never thought about a gunbelt over coveralls. Over a jacket seems restraining and uncomfortable, though. But I never zip my coat up, either

 

[smalls]

Devil dog, if you continue to open carry in the winter, how do you wear your rig? Do you wear a smaller jacket?

 

[Black G31]

Usually a waist length jacket,partially or completely unzipped....Bomber type jacket...

 

[devildog4329]

Smalls, I wear two types of jackets in the winter. One is a Carhartt zip up hooded jacket and the other is a fleece zip up jacket made by polar tech.

Both of these jackets fit me to where the bottom of the kacket rides just below my belt line. So with the blackhawk serpa/ paddle it doesnt cover my weapon. The fleece kacket also has bungee cords in the bottom of the jacket so i tighten it up to keep the breeze out. here is a link http://shoehubs.com/index.php?case=product&proddb=16&pid=1644533

I had to buy my wife one cause she kept stealing mine. she loves it as much as i do. If you shop around on the web you find them for decent prices. I think i paid around $60 for the wifes.

 

[Bonesinium]

I would imagine a nice, waist(ish) length jacket and an OWB holster that isn't made to be kept high on the waist and tight to the body would work okay. Your jacked may hang over the top of the pistol, or you might have to have the jacket ride up a bit high on that side as it is pushed under the top of the pistol, but shouldn't be bad.

If you wear a longer jacket, or a pea coat or something, then I have no idea how to open carry, sans looking awkward with a giant web belt over it, or some strange shoulder holster.