MillennialGunslinger
Member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2017
- Messages
- 97
So I'm not sure how many two-wheelers round about this forum, but it's as good a place as any to post this, I suppose. Honestly, I'd be surprised if there wasn't, given how well the two outside-the-norm lifestyles combine.
I personally like to conceal carry whenever possible. And I also like riding my little sport bike whenever possible. Given how vulnerable motorcycle riding is (we can't just raise the windows and lock the doors, can we?), I particularly feel strongly about carrying my firearm when doing so.
The problem is that tight gear (leather or otherwise) combined with a motorcycle with no extra space and a trunk smaller than your average glovebox doesn't really facilitate this. IWB is my preferred carry position, but on a motorcycle while leaning forward, I often feel like the gun is going to fall out. Specially if I carry my LCP to save on bulk and weight for whatever reason. Or even worse, if I zip up my jacket and pants together, then IWB is simply not an option at all. Some motorcycle pants simply have to be worn tight to be effective in an accident. If I were in an open carry state, I think I'd love a drop leg holster, but that isn't an option in Florida. Really the only thing left is pocket carry (and not all motorcycle jackets or pants have pockets) or shoulder holsters. Shoulder holsters can be inconvenient due to bulk, weight or movement restriction (even if it is minor), or simply impractical given that leather sport pants don't have an attachment point for the holster to keep it down when unholstering. It's also pointless given that since open carry is illegal here, I can't take the jacket off with the shoulder holster underneath. In other words a lot of gratuitous hassle, whichever the method.
I've been struggling to find an option for years, but I think I've found something I finally like. I purchased one of those gimmicky Packin' tee universal shirt holsters and sewed it onto my the inner mesh lining of my leather motorcycle jacket. The result was actually pretty great. As a holster using it as intended it's average at best, but used on a motorcycle jacket it's a really comfortable option. Positioned right, it's slightly underneath the armpit, angled to clear the body, and accessible with the jacket slightly zippered open. You save all the bulk and hassle of the straps of a shoulder holster, and the rigidity of the jacket makes unholstering extremely simple and reliable (given the context). Reholstering is a bit of a pain given the elastic band, but it's comparable to reholstering a pistol in Remora holsters (my hands-down favorite).
As for installation, being left handed, I purchased a right handed large holster to install on the opposite side of the jacket for a cross draw. Installation is quite simple (about an hour doing it the first time). It has a velcro hook backing which I simply stuck on to the mesh lining of the jacket (it stays in place pretty well), and then played around with the position until I found the best possible orientation. After that I just sewed the edges in place from the outside of the jacket (just sewing through the mesh lining), and sewed the mesh lining + holster to the jacket exterior at two points over the original stitching using a speedy stitcher and upholstery thread. From the outside, the jacket is completely unmodified, and if you simply undo the stitching, it can be left exactly as before with no damage to the original fabric.
As for compatibility, it fits full size, compact and subcompact pretty well. Both single and double stack. It doesn't fit pocket guns like the Ruger LCP, but I suppose that would be expected. I do appreciate the universality since my carry gun does vary. And when not in use the elastic band holster stays flat and is completely unobtrusive. I suppose you could even use it for other things that fit there.
I recognize this method isn't perfect (i'm not particularly fond of just elastic covering the trigger, and pistol retention is less than ideal), but it's as good as I've found. I just wanted to share the experience should it be of inspiration to anyone else.
Just to clarify. I never intended this for "using" while riding. This is just for a convenient carry option for motorcycle riding, while still being usable and accessible for self defense once you reach your destination without having the relocate the weapon.
Pictures attached.
I personally like to conceal carry whenever possible. And I also like riding my little sport bike whenever possible. Given how vulnerable motorcycle riding is (we can't just raise the windows and lock the doors, can we?), I particularly feel strongly about carrying my firearm when doing so.
The problem is that tight gear (leather or otherwise) combined with a motorcycle with no extra space and a trunk smaller than your average glovebox doesn't really facilitate this. IWB is my preferred carry position, but on a motorcycle while leaning forward, I often feel like the gun is going to fall out. Specially if I carry my LCP to save on bulk and weight for whatever reason. Or even worse, if I zip up my jacket and pants together, then IWB is simply not an option at all. Some motorcycle pants simply have to be worn tight to be effective in an accident. If I were in an open carry state, I think I'd love a drop leg holster, but that isn't an option in Florida. Really the only thing left is pocket carry (and not all motorcycle jackets or pants have pockets) or shoulder holsters. Shoulder holsters can be inconvenient due to bulk, weight or movement restriction (even if it is minor), or simply impractical given that leather sport pants don't have an attachment point for the holster to keep it down when unholstering. It's also pointless given that since open carry is illegal here, I can't take the jacket off with the shoulder holster underneath. In other words a lot of gratuitous hassle, whichever the method.
I've been struggling to find an option for years, but I think I've found something I finally like. I purchased one of those gimmicky Packin' tee universal shirt holsters and sewed it onto my the inner mesh lining of my leather motorcycle jacket. The result was actually pretty great. As a holster using it as intended it's average at best, but used on a motorcycle jacket it's a really comfortable option. Positioned right, it's slightly underneath the armpit, angled to clear the body, and accessible with the jacket slightly zippered open. You save all the bulk and hassle of the straps of a shoulder holster, and the rigidity of the jacket makes unholstering extremely simple and reliable (given the context). Reholstering is a bit of a pain given the elastic band, but it's comparable to reholstering a pistol in Remora holsters (my hands-down favorite).
As for installation, being left handed, I purchased a right handed large holster to install on the opposite side of the jacket for a cross draw. Installation is quite simple (about an hour doing it the first time). It has a velcro hook backing which I simply stuck on to the mesh lining of the jacket (it stays in place pretty well), and then played around with the position until I found the best possible orientation. After that I just sewed the edges in place from the outside of the jacket (just sewing through the mesh lining), and sewed the mesh lining + holster to the jacket exterior at two points over the original stitching using a speedy stitcher and upholstery thread. From the outside, the jacket is completely unmodified, and if you simply undo the stitching, it can be left exactly as before with no damage to the original fabric.
As for compatibility, it fits full size, compact and subcompact pretty well. Both single and double stack. It doesn't fit pocket guns like the Ruger LCP, but I suppose that would be expected. I do appreciate the universality since my carry gun does vary. And when not in use the elastic band holster stays flat and is completely unobtrusive. I suppose you could even use it for other things that fit there.
I recognize this method isn't perfect (i'm not particularly fond of just elastic covering the trigger, and pistol retention is less than ideal), but it's as good as I've found. I just wanted to share the experience should it be of inspiration to anyone else.
Just to clarify. I never intended this for "using" while riding. This is just for a convenient carry option for motorcycle riding, while still being usable and accessible for self defense once you reach your destination without having the relocate the weapon.
Pictures attached.
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