Wheelchair concealed carrying

[righteousbarbarian]

Hello,

For reasons that would need their own thread to explain, I'm interested in carrying a concealed firearm. I use a wheelchair so there will be some extra considerations in trying to find the right strategy. First, I have yet to choose a weapon, but I've been looking at the following guns. They all happen to be revolvers, but it doesn't have to be that way. If I found a reasonably priced (under $600), rock solid dependable semi-auto with the right dimensions and stopping power, I'd be willing to look in that direction too.

Taurus 617 .357mag 2" Blue
Ruger GP100 .357 Mag 3" Satin Stainless, Fixed Sights (KGPF-331)
Smith & Wesson 686P .357 Mag 2", 7 round
S&W M386SCS 163169 357 2.5 SC BLK

Secondly, I'm guessing since i'm in a sitting position with wheelchair wheels to either side of my hips, traditional belt and pocket holsters are not ideal. They could cause irritation or just poorly conceal my firearm. I'm a bit overweight too, so that may also make waist or pocket carrying more difficult while sitting down.

I'm sure there are ways around this. I have a couple of ideas to throw around already. One is that some of the disadvantages of ankle holsters don't apply to me. Since I don't use my legs to walk, weight of the weapon of chaffing is not really an issue. Secondly, I have a convenient little black bag beneath the front of the seat of my wheelchair that is probably big enough to hol a small firearm. the disadvantage of that is that i would have to unzip it, and that ads another step. Finally, I have a prosthetic lower-right leg much like this one (I know, I'm a wreck lol!). I think this may provide some unique concealment space with the right setup, but it may take some custom work.

I'm sorry this is such a long and complex post. I'm excited to hear your thoughts though. Thanks in advance.

 

[dawg23]

If a fanny pack is an option www.kgproducts.com, then your criteria of "rock solid" and "under $600" can be met with a Glock 19. Loaded with Winchester Ranger 127 gr. +p+, it will approximate the performance of the .357 you listed, and will hold 16 rounds.

You can often get used (LEO trade-ins) Glocks at CDNN for less than $400. Go to (www.cdnninvestments.com) and download their latest catalog to see what used handguns they have (Glocks, SIGS, et. al.) Glock has a policy of warranting their firearms for life, so a used one is often a cost-effective option.

 

[glockman19]

For the revolvers you have listed I would choose the Ruger GP 100 or SP 101, The S&W the 686 or the 386 All are great revolvers. If concealment were an Issue I'd look at a j-frame. Don't count out a pistol. I of course like the Glock 19 or 26 depending on size in 9mm and the HK P2000 or USP or Sig P226 or P229 in .40 all are great guns.

As for how/where to carry. Ankle carry comes to mind so does a special rig that you design yourself. I'm sure there is a leather maker who will/can accomodate you.

 

[Sean85746]

Righteous,

I have had to use a wheelchair sometimes since 2004 when I was afflicted with Guillian-Barre Syndrome.

I am also overweight.

I am also a holster maker! So, I am uniquely qualified to help with this question.

I carry a Glock (pick the model) every day in a strong-side pancake holster, when my legs are working.

When I am having one of my bad days, and the legs are not working and must use the wheelchair instead of a cane, I carry a Glock 19 or 23 in a clip on IWB cross draw holster.

I position the holster just a couple of inches to the left of my belt buckle, and cover with a loose shirt. This works very well. Similarly, a spare magazine can be carried in a clip on IWB mag pouch, which I also make.

I have found that to MOST people, when one is in a wheelchair, is damned near invisible, people choose not to see you,...so, one is not looked at too closely. Further, people don't expect that "bulge", as slight as it might be, to be a gun when carried by someone in a wheelchair. They assume it is some kind of medical device.

Comfy with a slide guard.

BTW...you can't go wrong with a Glock...Ultra reliable, accurate, and has a good ballistic payload for it's size. You'd be very well served.

 

[LanEvo`]

I'm interested in carrying a concealed firearm. I use a wheelchair so there will be some extra considerations in trying to find the right strategy.

I've never personally used one, but this is one of those situations where everyone seems to recommend a cross-draw holster.

 

[Car Knocker]

Secondly, I have a convenient little black bag beneath the front of the seat of my wheelchair that is probably big enough to hol a small firearm. the disadvantage of that is that i would have to unzip it, and that ads another step.

Something to think about: If you get tumbled out of the chair before accessing the handgun, you are now pretty much defenseless.

 

[aguyindallas]

Folks, you are all going the wrong direction with this.

What you need is a Ma Deuce!

 

[Car Knocker]

Ummm, sure.

 

[Trebor]

THR member "Preacherman" does gun instruction for handicapped shooters. He talks about some of the issues in this thread:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=76203&highlight=preacherman+wheelchair


Other then that, I'd suggest contacting him and Sean85746 directly and seeing what they each say. Preacherman has worked with multiple individuals in this area and Sean has his own personal experiences to share.

The only advice I'll give you is to pick one of the S&W or Ruger revolvers over the Taurus gun. S&W and Ruger's are just better guns then the Taurus brand. (Not trying to start an argument, that's my opinion based on my experience and on the guns I've seen come through my classes. YMMV)

 

[PH/CIB]

I would try either carrying in Cargo Pocket Pants or Shorts, or a shoulder holster or a Thunderwear/Smartcarry. http://www.handgunholsters.net

 

[BullfrogKen]

Being in a wheelchair, folks will tend not to look at you for long. Its considered rather socially innappropriate to stare at a person in such condition. So, you could carry however you wanted and not be asked many questions.

Fella that came through last year's NTI in a wheelchair carried a Browning Hi-Power, I believe. I think he carried it in a crossdraw, and spare mags were in a fanny pack.

 

[svtruth]

A guy who works in the LGS

is in a chair. He carries a .357 S&W revolver, crossdraw. He has also gunsmithed it some.
Good luck.

 

[kludge]

I think fannypack is the way to go here. There are some specifically designed as holsters and have a "rip cord" for the gun compartment and a zipper for the "wallet and other stuff" compartment.

A fannypack is in no way a "tell" for someone in a wheelchair.

As for the gun, shoot several if you can and pick one you like. Any of the ones on your list would work, but I would lean toward a 3" barrel. There are several autos that fall into the $600 budget. Sprinfield XD, Glock, Smith and Wesson M&P, Walther P99, and others.

 

[FXWG]

A possibility...
http://www.andrewsleather.com/carjackerx.htm

 

[Deaf Smith]

righteousbarbarian,

Since you probably can fold your legs up onto the wheelchair a anlke rig, upside down so you can reach inside the bottom cuff of your pants is a pretty good way. Just remember you have to get in and out of cars and that might have the weapon flash passing onlookers or drop onto the ground (both embarising sceinaros!)

Another idea is the sholder holster. That might work well with you.

Of the revolvers mentioned I suggest you get two! Wheelguns are slow to reload in realistic combat and thus 11 or 12 shots makes one heck of good sense.

The Taurus can by your backup, as for the other one, the GP100 is HEAVY. So is the 2 inch 686. The 386 is actually something I want (but it ain't cheep!) Maybe you can find a used Smith 65, 3 inch for the main gun and a airweight .38 Smith for a backup. If you do have the bucks, the 386 and Taurus would be my pick.

Hope that helps.

 

[skidmark]

Have you considered using a vest? Not the "shoot me first" vest from 5.11, but something from Concealed Carry Outfitters or Coronado Leather. (I own vests from both companies, but have no other relationship with them.)

Concealed Carry Outfitters has the holster built into the inside of the vest. Coronado Leather has the holster built into a slot between the inner & outer layers of the vest.

Both will have somewhat of a bulge/print somewhere along the edge of your torso, about midway between waist & shoulder. My experience is that most folks do not attribute that to the presence of a handgun, especially when confronted by a handicapped person.

The only drawbacks I can think of are that the vests (especially leather) can be heavy, and do trap heat.

stay safe.

skidmark

 

[tegemu]

Sam Andrews www.andrewsleather.com makes a couple of holsters that would be ideal for you.

 

[nemoaz]

Have you considered using a vest? Not the "shoot me first" vest from 5.11

Funny, I see people wearing these all the time. Hippies wear them too here in Tucson though they are true photographers vests. I've yet to see someone shot wearing a shoot me first vest. Anyone else? Are they shooting people who wear photographer or safari vests in your neck of the woods?

I'm not enough of a cowboy to pull off either of these looks: http://www.coronadoleather.com/ http://www.concealedcarryoutfitters.com/

The first time I had a gun pulled on me it was a guy in a wheelchair. He carried it in a pouch attached to the chair.

This was the fanny pack recommended to me and it does work well. http://www.tommysgunpack.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=1
Access is through a buckle (that looks no different from the belt buckle) that you use to rip open the pack once it is unbuckled. It also comes in a few "I'm not a gun pack" colors. It comes in several sizes. The largest one easily holds a 5" auto, plus all that other crap you may want to carry, in my case a wallet, creds, badge, organizer, 4" spyderco knife, spare mag, handcuff, lighter, and some 550 cord. The only time its gotten a second glance was from a suspected cop with a spyderco and some urban cowboy who was open carrying a pearl handled 1911.

 

[sm]

Sean85746,
Thank you so much for sharing!

Preacherman and BullfrogKen both have a lot to offer in assistance as well!

Personally I have learned a lot from assisting physically limited persons. I really mean this.

Fact is, any of us could end up down in a fight, and lessons learned from those already limited, do open one's eyes to some realities they may never consider.
That fancy and gun and holster might be totally useless if caught by surprise, or injured at the beginning of a fight.
Any of us could find ourselves physically limited in the blink of an eye due to a car wreck, falling off a ladder, slipping on a wet floor...
So having guns and gear one can use, while recovering is a real serious consideration.

Example: Doctors orders as a result of detached retina, neck injury, back injury and subsequent surgery/surgeries.
You will cause permanent injury if you shoot that Ultimate-Extreme Firearm!

Preacherman , good example as well, was ordered to not shoot anything other than a .22 rim-fire after his surgeries.


Gun fit to shooter.
Find the gun one can operate best under pressure, and shoot best affording quick accurate hits.
Dress around the Gun.

I /we tend to go with Used Police Trade In Revolvers a lot. Model 10, 64, for example. Fits a price point for the physically limited I have assisted with.

OWB / IWB holsters, strong, weak, and crossdraw.
Shoulder Holsters.
Belly band.

Cargo pants with J frame /similar as "pocket carry"
NAA mini-revolver with lanyard worn around neck.
Down, and at bad breath distance, one can access this hopefully...

Keep in mind, folks have handicapped vehicles, and being able to access a CCW is a concern for them as well.
Using a chair lift getting into and out of these vehicles are a concern, many of us never think of.

Fanny packs? NO, not for me.
In a training deal we did, I was attacked while on the lift in a wheelchair, first thing attackers did was to get a hold of fanny pack and pull me off the lift.
They suspected I was either protecting wallet, valuables or a gun.
They "controlled me" by leveraging the fanny pack against me.

NOT being separated from tools to defend. On person is always best.


Ladies and gents...
Ladies present some added things that need addressing.
Holster makers are beginning to listen to needs of ladies...they really need to pay attention to physically limited folks

WE always used shoe repair and other leather workers and fit the holster to shooter, fine tuned it.
Ladies, physically limited, need some special fitting at times.


Sean85746, very very pleased you make holsters, and you can provide so much for those with special fitting needs.

Steve

 

[dawg23]

Fanny packs? NO, not for me.
In a training deal we did, I was attacked while on the lift in a wheelchair, first thing attackers did was to get a hold of fanny pack and pull me off the lift.
They suspected I was either protecting wallet, valuables or a gun.
They "controlled me" by leveraging the fanny pack against me.

NOT being separated from tools to defend. On person is always best.

Excellent comments. Never thought of the fanny pack as being the possible focal point of the attack.