[P95Carry]

Just put new battery in bike today ..... and went for a much needed ride out. Yet again tho I am faced with what will work for carry.

Last summer it was mostly snubby in small holster on waist .... and for riding, position it further forward to keep nearer to crotch. Right now it's leather jacket time .... and that is a tad short to easily conceal my P95 in Fobus paddle ...... tho I did bring that to front also. Not too comfortable I have to say........ not to mention access to piece also hardly easy!!

When hot weather again I guess it'll be fanny pack time but ... interested to hear what you guys do and/or suggest that works well???

[sonny]

http://www.action-direct.com/defender.htm

Theese are great ...they also help you support your low back when riding........other companies offer them...Desantis makes one that is inexpensive and works fine.
http://www.desantisholster.com/060.html

[Quartus]

There was a long thread on this on TFL. Lots of interesting ideas.


Search function still works there. Give it a try, you might find a gem. :)

[Standing Wolf]

You might want to consider a shoulder rig. Personally, I swear by vests from http://www.coronadoleather.com

[P95Carry]

Thx guys ....

Sonny - Defender looks pretty useful ....... may get one and try it.

[HSMITH]

Be careful where you hang your gun, if you have an accident you don't want the hammer poking through a lung or something. Make sure the weapon is not a danger to you if you dump the bike or get nailed by a car or something. SOB is one of the worst, a gun can actually break your back and paralyze you if you land on it hard enough.

Just something to consider.......

[P95Carry]

Good point ''H'' ..... something I am always aware of. I have gone mad and ordered a Defender ..... it should be useful in many ways even if not ideal on bike .... could well be better tho than what I have used previously.:)

[bikerp97]

I too was thinking of this dilema myslef. I cant ride just yet but soon enought I will be able to. I will ride only the bike all summer so I will need to come up with someway to carry. I think a fanny pack sounds good for me. First thougth was toss the gun in the trunk and go. But that doesnt make much sense. I always wear an HJC riding jacket so I think my Comp-Tac IWB will work as well as when I drive my truck...something to check out tommorow. no ride the bike is ill..Not normal for a Goldwing but it is an 81. I am intersted to see what everyone has to say so keep the thoughts flying...


Kevin

[arizona]

A S&W 642 with Lasergrips in the front right pants pocket under a pair of leather chaps.

Gun will disappear. Very comfortable and easily stays out of the way.

Harley Softail Classic- if you have to ask why, you wouldn't understand.

[WESHOOT2]

Jacket pocket carry or VERTICAL shoulder holster ('cause my Jackass / Security Six ended up with the barrel poking out where it tore under the arm; funny looks :what: ).

[Gerald McDonald]

If I am carrying a full size I usually put it in a tank bag. Mines a magnetic TourMaster with a shoulder strap. If I get off at a stop just lift the bag off and sling it over your shoulder. With all of the reflective area and map window people know its a tank bag or pack.

Also a lot of police style jackets have pistol pockets. One of my jackets has a heavy double thickness leather zip pocket just above waist height inside the left front side of the jacket. The pocket is big enough to hold a S&W #19 2 3/4". Its not fast to get to but it is comfortable while riding.

Easiest is a Keltec P32 or a NAA mini in the front pocket of your jeans, which is what I do when out putting around. If I am on a road trip in warm weather with a light jacket I usually use a Galco IWB or the tankbag.

Gerald

[Thumper]

My motorcycle jacket has a quickly accessible pocket that's perfect for a pistol. I loosely formed a piece of kydex that will fit a G19 or a P99 with a hook that catches on the bottom of the pocket.

Did all that work and I still usually carry behind my right hip...Oh well.

[Jesse H]

Excellent thread. With the nice weather around the corner, I've been seriously considering learning how to ride. Haven't thought about carry options till now.

[Thumper]

Jesse...Get a bike...or two...you'll LOVE it. Besides, I need more riding buddies.

[Destructo6]

Hadn't considered the tank bag option. It sounds good though. Mine doesn't seem exactly easy to access in an emergency, though.

I don't expect to be shooting while riding or anything Sam Woo-ish.

Jesse H, you need a bike.

[Kahr carrier]

Naa 380 Guardian in a pocket holster.:)

[P95Carry]

I've been seriously considering learning how to ride. Jesse ....... go for it!!! Anyways it ain't the learning to ride .... it's learning not to fall off!!:p :D

[Smurfslayer]

In the past, I've been asked this and endorsed a shoulder holster, for several reasons.

As previously stated, if you go down while wearing a gun near any of YOUR hard parts, guess which is going to give way 1st :what: Even if it's near some of your soft parts ;) it's gonna hurt quite a bit more.

One thing that's influenced my carry location on the bike is the placement of armor in riding suits - I wear an Aerostich Roadcrafter, helmet, gloves & boots. If I'm riding, I'm suited up, period. Armor is placed in high probability impact areas, and those areas aren't good places for a gun to be sitting.

A tank bag for a full size piece isn't a bad idea, I've thought myself about sewing a holster in one of my bags. I don't like the idea of 'loose in the bag' carry.

A setup like the Coronado jackets would be nice; none of their offerings would provide you any crash protection however...

HTH

[Gerald McDonald]

I used to carry in a flap holster in the bag when I was carrying a large handgun, I have since switched to a J frame size Rossi or older SS Ruger security six with 2 3/4" barrel, so if I lose it I wont mope around for weeks.

My bag has a zipper closed pocket on the inside of the top panel that the Ruger drops right in and zips up. I keep a one of the pistol locks in the bag also, so when we stop I use the pistol lock to lock the helmets to the sissy bar and transfer the pistol to my belt (I leave it in the IWB holster). If I am going somewhere where carry is a no no, then I just drop the tank bag in a saddle bag (mine lock) and no one is the wiser.

If some one were to watch me open the tank bag all they see are me handing my wife a brush, lip gloss, chapstick, gum or sunscreen and removing my baseball cap and switching glasses.

Gerald

[JMax]

1976 Honda GL1000 LTD Goldwing, full dresser
1992 Yamaha XT600 Dual Sport

Kel-Tec P-11 with belt clip. Mostly on the hip, sometimes in a shoulder rig.

JMax

[P95Carry]

Coupla people I think have mentioned sho rigs. I do use those, but mostly in winter with either P95 or FEG ...... trouble is on bike .. and when wearing the leather .... it is very slow to get at and .... all too often, as soon as I arrive and stop ... I remove leather .... so that'd be a prob unless a shirt also there to cover ..... not so tempting if weather warming up!

[Moondancer]

Okay, let's talk about SOB carry.

HSMITH writes:

!SOB is one of the worst, a gun can actually break your back and paralyze you if you land on it hard enough.

I don't know how many time on THR and before on TFL I've seen people write that if you fall and land on your back you can break it, or get severely bruised, or whatever. If you come off your bike, you stand a pretty fair chance of getting hurt anyway. How much worse will it be with a gun SOB?

Now, I'll be the first to admit that I have carried on occasion SOB, but I would guess less than 1% of the time, so don't think I'm espousing a favorite carry method here. I usually carry strong-side OWB at 3:00 - 4:00.

But, back to the matter at hand. Who has facts to back up this "you'll get hurt" statement? Anybody personally have experience with it? Or even have a FOAO story? Anything other than "it could happen"?

I'm sincerely interested in knowing about this, if for nothing more than curiousity sake

[Moondancer]

Oh, FWIW, when I'm on the bike I usually carry in a Miami Classic shoulder holster.

[Gerald McDonald]

The only problem with SOB or IWB is if your not wearing a jacket. T or Hawaiian shirts tend to blow up so you have to be careful. I tend to not wear a jacket so much in the dead of summer.
Gerald

[Destructo6]

Well, I crashed a bike about a year and a half ago. My right shoulder was about a foot off the pavement when the tires let go, so there was almost no initial impact. I slid on concrete on my right side for about 25 feet before hitting the edge of the track and cartwheeling in synchronicity with the bike (whee!).

I was pretty sore on the right side and that was wearing a 1-piece armored leather suit. I'm convinced if I had a hard object, like a gun on my strong (right) side, I'd have been hurt badly from it.

As it was, I got away with a badly fractured ankle. Lucky me.

[Tacblack]

Most of my friends carry an ankle holster for eazy carry, jacket off or on. I usually carry my PPKS in a pancake type holster and roll it back a little, the tail of my Teknic jacket covers it. My Taurus 92 sticks out the bottom about a half inch. This gives you a good reason to buy a new flatter gun to carry when you ride:D

[fastbolt]

For anyone browsing this thread that's considering getting back into riding after a long layoff, a "re-entry rider, as it were ... about 30 years in my case ... or any new riders ... DO IT.

You won't regret it ...

Sign up for one of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses, or something similar, if it's been a while. It'll help, and they taught me things my brother & partner didn't know ... and they've been riding all their adult lives.

We currently have 3 bikes in the family now, and I plan on getting another couple before my retirement. My wife loves riding through the coastal mountains on the back of my Road Star when I'm off ... and on her own 1100 V-Star when I'm working. It's a great way to get out and away ...

Back to the actual thread subject, though ...

I've tried several different carry methods while riding, and still change what I use ... depending on the weather and how far I'm riding.

When I can wear a long waisted, wind proof jacket I'll carry one of my full size weapons, in either a belt holster or a shoulder holster. The shoulder holster is too uncomfortable for me for long rides, though ...

In warmer weather I'll wear my leather jacket and a shorter barreled weapon in a belt holster, either inside or outside the waistband. I've found I often have to leave my shirt untucked to conceal the bottom of the holster in the wind, though ...

I've sort of shied away from IWB carry over the years. Personal preference. I had a Milt Sparks Executive once, one of the older ones with the extra leather which formed to the hip contours. the later ones lacked the extra leather and allowed some minor shifting when sitting flexed. But that's only me ...

During a 600+ mile trip last fall I discovered I really disliked having to wear a full size weapon in the late summer heat. I decided that the next such trip I make, I'll carry my 642 or CS9 in a small belt case I use during short trips to the coast in the summer here.

It's a camera case that will hold my 642 in the main compartment, and 5+ speedloaders in the small compartment ... and the whole case doesn't look large enough to even hold the J-frame by itself. A couple of the guys from work didn't believe I was actually carrying a weapon in the case during a ride last summer, until I showed them ...

It's lightweight, water-proof, very low key, and can be easily adjusted while riding. It rides below my short leather jacket, or my vest in the hot weather, and even other cops don't give it a second glance. Throw a handful of loose rounds in jacket pocket, or a trunk bag, and with the speedloaders in the case and a couple of speedstrips in my jeans pocket ... I learned I could carry about 60- rounds of ammunition without really being aware that I was so well-heeled. I should be so prepared at work everyday. :)That's enough for most any riding trip where I may stay away overnight ... I think. ;)

I also use jacket pocket carry with my 642, but the CS9 is just a tad too large for that to work with my summer wear ... The spare magazines present more of a challenge to comfortably carry than the speedloaders & speedstrips of .38 Spl +P, however ...

I'm considering some new chaps with a reinforced thigh pocket, to conceal the 642's outline ...

[P95Carry]

Some more great input ....... thx guys.

Fastbolt ..... that camera case idea sounds good ....... food for thought!!:)

I think overall one of the most likely probs with bike carry is accessibility ..... just damned difficult to stay well concealed and still get to it quick.

[hd1.]

I use a Coronado leather vest when riding. It has enough pockets that I can empty all my pants pockets, which makes for a much more comfortable ride. No sitting on the wallet, or being poked in the thigh by keys, etc.

[s&w 24]

what I can share with you is that one over 80 biker that is a
WW II vet carrys a 3" S&W 36 in his boot using a clip on holster the other motorcyclist that I have heard comment is that the guy who makes MAG SAFE ammo (Joe Zambone) carries a glock 23 with a laser max internal laser on his strong side.

[Bart Noir]

Moondancer, I see that racers may wear jackets that have armor plates along the spine, and that tells me that somebody who thinks seriously about having a "bad get-off" considers the spine to be at risk. That's all the "evidence" I need to avoid strapping a chunk of steel to my spine when I ride.
Change subject, I believe Joe Zambone died a couple of years back. I used to enjoy his posts.

Bart Noir
"When the going gets tough, the tough go full-auto."

[beemerb]

I carried for yrs on a bike and went down with a shoulder holster on.I hit on my right side and they left arm coming down VERY badly on the holster messes up the lats.Not good
Second thing.Carrying on a motorcycle you have to remember that you might need it for a car that is trying to get you.That has happened to me on a number of occasions.The best system I came up with is a crossdraw.You can draw with right or left hand.You need your right hand on the throttle in a problem situation.You can draw and shoot with the left hand.
Bob

[CB900F]

Fellas;
I've been riding a long time & carrying even longer. I went over to the tank bag for carry in the early 80's. With advent of cheap & decent nylon holsters like the Bianchi's & Uncle Mike's it's both easy & inexpensive to sew, glue, or otherwise mount one in a tank bag. With the gun securely holstered, it's possible to leave a zipper open 3-4 inches for easy access. It's also a completely natural & non-threatening action to zipper it up if you are stopped. Or just detach the bag & carry it with you when you gas, etc. After all, your wallet could easily be in another separate compartment in the bag.

Like another poster, I've also had track time with leathers. I wholeheartedly agree with him that you do NOT want to chance landing on the gun. For instance, a 30 mph high side can throw you 6 feet up & ten feet sideways. And unless you are a world-class gymnast, you have no control over how you land. 900F

[fastbolt]

Accessibility, comfort and safety issues are things that may require compromise in other aspects ...

I can think of 2 friends offhand, that had to draw their weapons while on bikes on their own time, one of which had to fire it while riding ...

The weak-side carry works well, from what I'm told, for being able to access the weapon and still control the bike with the throttle and foot brake ...

I try to limit my riding to "pleasure" riding, so I have the luxury of avoiding urban areas ... "bad" or otherwise ...

When I'm riding in the rural areas, and along the coast, I realize that what I've developed for "carrying in comfort" may not be the best for fast accessibility. I ride a cruiser, and a tank bag isn't an option for me, not on my tank, anyway :) ...

While my friends were able to draw and take the appropriate action while remaining moving, I'll hope to be able to perform avoidance and vehicle control techniques, and then resort to a weapon if I'm able to stop. That isn't what a lot of folks may consider "tactically sound", but that's what I've decided to plan for, if at all possible. Movement & cover are difficult enough issues, not to mention "safe" backstops depending on the roadway conditions. Besides, most of my practice and preplanning for "work" responses involve not shooting until the vehicle movement has stopped.

The spine protection and potential injury issue is a valid one. I have an armorered jacket for wear in the colder weather, and when riding in unknown rural areas. The best protection in unknown country, on unknown roadways ... and the huge pockets can even hold my full size issued pistol in an easily accessible outside pocket, along with other gear. For those paranoid-but-prepared days, you know? ;)

Rule Number One ... have a gun ... must still be adaptable to someone's personal concerns and desires regarding comfort and physical safety when riding a bike ...

Lots of great personal experience and thoughts being discussed on this thread. I'd have to say it's one of the better ones for this subject that I've seen so far ...

[P95Carry]

I'd have to say it's one of the better ones for this subject that I've seen so far ... Ditto that fastbolt ....... I didn't know when kickin off the thread how much response there'd be but ...... gotta say ...... had some great input and overall there has been much to learn and food for thought.

I went and ordered a ''Defender'' from Action Direct, on line, as a result of suggestions ...... it arrived coupla days ago and I am well pleased. may though have to get me some more jeans with a more generous size waistband!! Was out today on bike and stuck with my Fobus at 4 o'clock but .... very aware of some difficulty with full concealment and .. also of having such a large foreign object where it could do me damage in a fall.

I shall try out the ''Defender'' soon and think it will make for better concealment for sure .. but for lack of hazard to body, may have to consider a tank bag.

Again guys .. thx for such great input.

[PCRCCW]

I think this is a much needed thread and its been brought up before...but not for a long time....
As a Custom Rig Maker, CCW-Long time shooter and a Retired Prof. in the Motorcycle industry....I think it cant covered enough.....
I taught people...newbies, reentry, advanced..all levels of experience....
How to improve their riding...
The last couple of posts were what I was looking for....good on you guys.
Its just not where, how and what you carry while riding...but WHY you carry while you ride. If you are just packing to get your gun from point A to point B...carry where you wont hit the road/other large/heavy objects if you were to go down....Alot of this has to do with what, where and how you ride while carrying....its not simple by any means.
If you carry while riding and want control of the bike and a situation arrises that dictates you shoot and ride.....left/weak hand shooting is the only way to go......I can ride forever without the clutch....not throttle/front brake control......
Yould better be very proficient at point shooting....it you take your eyes off of the road long enough aim correctly...your gonna veer off course.
Pray for straight aways...:D
Ive actually practices this...in very controlled circumstances....with MSF Instructor & Race experience....I still veered off course.....Its a bitch!!!!!!!!!

What to do thats correct is way to much to cover in this or any other thread....SERIOUSLY!.....Way to many variables....
What not to do IMO...is the following...
Front pocket carry....good luck if you need your gun..especially on a sport bike. :evil:
SOB carry....risky at best for non bike carry...but absolutely FOOLISH on a bike....the first reaction if you go down is to extend your hands for protection and instantly go into the fetile position...need I say more?
Belly bands....do you want to be able to get your gun...?
Side carry...IWB/Belt....2-4.30 Oclock...
This is a great off bike carry location...but it your going faster than
20 mph when you go down..you will instantly roll when impacting pavement...you will F**k up you and your gun.......period.

My preferred carry method while riding..is a Custom Race Jacket with a weak hand holster...in the inside chest pocket.....like a 1/2 way to a shoulder holster location/position....its very secure and isnt likely to beat me when I go down...my guns very accesible while riding and very concealed while not riding.....comfy while resting on my tank bag...on the return trip also.

The first rule of ME...on this thread is I dont/cant know everything....however....Ive played with this first hand and can offer a little bit of knowledge.....I hope anyway.

Shoot and ride well......:evil:

[P95Carry]

Thx pcrccw ....... it is experience which helps so much on this sorta subject ..... so much better than guess work.:)

[Monkeyleg]

Arriving late for this discussion...

I carry at 4 o'clock in an IWB under a longer-than-normal leather vest. If that's the only upper garment I'm wearing at the time, then accessibility is fine. Under other clothing, I'd have to stop and unzip stuff to get at it.

The points about placement of a gun in the event of going down make me wonder: where can you place a gun on your body so that it won't seriously damage bones/body parts in an accident? SOB carry=back injury. Shoulder holster carry=rib injury. IWB carry =hip injury.

The tank bags are perfect for those with sport or sport/touring style bikes, but not for those of us with cruisers. A handlebar bag would be an ideal solution if it had quick access.

[CB900F]

Fellas;
Another possible solution would be if a holster maker would make and market an 'active sports' unit. We aren't talking deep concealment, rather personal protection for the CCW-sportsman such as motorcyclists, skiers, etc.

What I was thinking of was a unit that has a larger body contact area with a closed cell padding between the gun & the person. Then a normal holster pocket, with again the larger cover. Under a ski jacket, Aerostich suit, Belstaff type jacket, etc., it would do the job for those who don't want off-body carry or can't do it for other reasons. Anybody ever heard of this type of holster? 900F

[Hypnogator]

Cargo pockets in "outdoor" type pants allow you to carry a J-frame or a Kel-Tec P-11 size pistol where it will be easily accessable. Take a rectangular piece of leather and wrap around the weapon to break up the outline.

Also, remember you will have to keep your right hand on the throttle. In the unlikely event you have to access the weapon while actually riding, carry it on your left leg. :cool:

[P95Carry]

Had some more fine weather today tho - not over warm. So, rode out but, wore some fairly thick gloves, which got me to thinkin about the problems of access due to those, let alone the position and accessibility of the piece!!

In summer I only wear real thin ''backless' gloves, and those I know would not be too disadvantageous ... other times I use no gloves but ... anything at all thick, like I wore today, would be useless. Mind you, I have to say, my carry when on bike is primarily so as to still have my piece wherever I am going .. be it a store, visiting buddies, whatever ......... the likelehood of requiring access whilst mobile is pretty remote in these parts.

Maybe still some need to rethink things - such that a second piece in something like a tank bag would be the prime first choice for access (gloves could still screw things up!) ... and the ''normal'' piece just kept in its usual place (still thinking more and more tho re the potential for bodily injury we have discussed).

Thus far, despite all the great input, I do not as yet feel I have come up with my ideal plan ....... it will have to be worked on quite a bit more. The solution is not entirely simple!

[PCRCCW]

Yep...its a brain teaser...I like the left leg Idea....on a sport bike...you gun is right THERE! :D But again....injury risks make thighs bad karhma is you go down also.
The chest is my place of choice......arms/helmet protect the area from impact for the most part when bumping your way down the road.....
The soft inner sided rig is an idea...it would help alot ...if your going down hard enough to overcome good armor behind it...it aint gonna matter anyway...you know?:uhoh:

A tip on gloves...if its cold enough to dictate "winter gloves"....its cold! For all but the coldest riding...get a good set of deerskin bike gloves...not to thin either..
They offer better controll and fatigue resistance...and retain good shootability.
I like Fieldsheer mits and the likes....Cruiser guys/sport guys or what have you ...all have good equipment available to them.

Always wear a lid .......KKKK??????????
What good is it to CCW on a bike if your brains arent in your head anymore.....you know?

Shoot well

[Ryder]

Crossdraw with a 3/4 length coat when it's cold and I trade off to a leather shirt untucked when it is hot (80°F or more). I can't ride without a jacket of some sort no matter how hot it gets because of bee sting allergy.

I suppose it could bruise my hip if I ever went down but considering the way I ride there's not a heck of a lot of chance I'd survive anyway. :p

[Monkeyleg]

"I can't ride without a jacket of some sort no matter how hot it gets because of bee sting allergy."

Then stay out of northern California and Oregon. Even with a jacket on, I get dozens of stings from the yellowjackets that swarm the logging trucks. After just one day of riding those highways, I counted over two dozen stings, plus one 3" welt on my shoulder from multiple stings.

[crewzer]

Arizona is a great place to ride and carry. We have open carry and there is nothing that gets you a little room on your bike then when people see that you are wearing a firearm. I am a right handed shooter but have been training left handed and carry so when I am riding now. Leaves my hand on the throttle and gives me access to my firearm. If I carry concealed I usally use a fanny pack on the bike and place it on my hip like a hip holster. Works well for me. If you really want to clear the freeways were your AR15 strapped across your back and Miami Classic Rig with a Glock 20 with spare mags. People give you plenty of room and makes for nice safe riding. hehe

[MJRW]

This does seem like a complicated issue. I'm going to just think out loud here to uncomplicate it to myself:

Problem 1: Laying down the bike and hitting the ground. Probably don't want to land on the gun. Probably worse than just hitting the pavement itself. Having hit pavement, I can say that's no picnic either.

Solutions: Off-body carry while riding. Carry where the body will prevent that such as ankle or shoulder.

Problem 2: Riding gloves can and mostly will interfere with shooting.

Solutions: Either got to take off the gloves or find a glove/gun combo that you can work with.

Problem 3: Throttle hand is same as most people's shooting hand.

Solutions: Has to be left hand accessible if you feel you need access to your gun while riding.

The solution to problem 3 raises an interesting thought for me. If you are riding, do you need access to your gun while riding? I'm hard-pressed to think of the situation a motorcycle can't run from.

I suppose with the right tank bag one option could be to have a tank bag mounted holster and possibly a fanny pack holster for quick and discrete transfer for when you are off the cycle.

[Jesse H]

The solution to problem 3 raises an interesting thought for me. If you are riding, do you need access to your gun while riding? I'm hard-pressed to think of the situation a motorcycle can't run from.

I thought about that too. Whenever I'm driving, I think about my gun, but no too much since I know I can outdrive the average commuting population. This this should also be the case once I'm on a bike.

I really can't think of a scenario where I'd need to drive and fire simultaneously, not to mention the fact that I wouldn't be able to hit anything.