Concealment for females

[1911 guy]

Belly Band

The belly band is not a good idea for 1911 style pistols because the material sometimes engages the grip safety. Now you're down to hoping that movement doesn't disengage the thumb safety too. Their own literature says they advise against it.

I have to go along with everyone else here. If she's as serious about carrying as she seems there will have to be concessions.

 

[Candiru]

The Survival Sheath chest holster might offer some options. Visit http://www.survivalsheath.com/holsters/index.htm and click on the Chest Holsters link on the right. There's a fairly good selection of guns available, so the 1911 clone or commander model should fit her Para. Naturally, this method of carry requires slightly blousier tops.

 

[DT Guy]

Well, if the female will fit in a travel trunk you can sneak her almost anywhere....oh, my mistake! I misunderstood the thread title...







Larry

 

[carebear]

DT guy,

That would be "across state lines for immoral purposes?"

 

[Shorts]

mr_dove, from all I can think of with the dress style and gun, is some type of shoulder holster. If she normally wears a cover garmet, that might work. Ladies do have extra room in the profile to cover any slight protrusions. You can also carry vertical or horizontal. Which helps if the ccw is a longer barrel gun. The downfall is that a cover garment cannot be removed. My husband carried shoulder rig for a little bit and that was the biggest hurdle.

I don't like and kind of bellyband/smartcarry methods for myself. I think on ladies its not that great. As one of the guys already mentioned, its more acceptable for guys to have a bulge down their pants than it is for ladies

I carry OWB on my belt, but that is because my wardrobe allows for it. In searching for carry methods, there is a lot of trial and error, mostly error for women. It's difficult unless you are willing to dress for the part. Ladies clothing just doesn't allow for carry unless you make some compromises...ie, wearing jackets all the time, wearing pants/belts, wearing bigger baggier clothing, switching ccws...it is difficult to find something that always works. You might have to use several different methods depending on the wardrobe that day. Anything that needs to be accessible at the waist or under a garmet cannot be used on the day your wife wears a one piece dress outfit.

Anyhow, I've yet to find anything that always works for me. There are some days I just don't carry, and that's annoying, but its the only option I have that day :banghead:

 

[GEM]

While John Farham is a great guy - his wife Vicki is quite the expert on female carry. She has a great book on training females to shoot. I heard her talk about female concealment and gun choices at the NTI and she has had some holsters made for her that deal with women's bodies.

She has an article on the www.teddytactical.com site and that probably links to the DTI site.

She is a great resource for women. Hell of a FOF sheriff also.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Doesn't sound like any viable options short of sticking it in your pocket, in which case, you'd need another gun. I'd rethink the holster option. I agree carrying in the purse isn't one of the better moves which is why I personally don't care to carry that way but a fanny pack or holster is a better choice than your front/coat pocket.