CCW and a motorcycle

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xwingband

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I'm still very new to carrying and have read some threads I could find. So I've just started trying to carry while using my motorcycle to get to my destination. I'm looking for some advice on how to do it and remain concealed.

I ride a Ducati Monster (and carry a HK P7)... so I'm not hunched forward as much as a full on sport bike, but I'm more forward than a cruiser. Carrying in front of my hip leads to the gun being pushed up into my body uncomfortably. Carrying behind the hip is not concealed... even not on the motorcycle I find behind the hip not a good option at all for my body. The butt of the gun kicks right out and is super noticeable on the bike. I ride with all my gear, but even so it's usually a t-shirt under and it prints like nothing else with just a t-shirt.

I'm beginning to think stowing it in something or a gun small enough for a neck holster is about it... I don't have any storage on my bike. I could get a tank or tail bag well enough but saddle bags aren't really being made for my exact model anymore (I'm also somewhat picky... I have a nice italian bike it seem such a shame to put generic nylon type bags on it). I rarely need to store anything, just getting to my destination, so storage has never been aesthetically pleasing or seemed a good use of my money.

What say you all?
 
Ohio has open carry, so I generally carry IWB at about the kidney.....don't really care if someone sees it. However, you ride with gear so get a clip on IWB and stick the holster and gun in your zipped jacket pocket. When you get to your destination, hit the bathroom and put it in your waistband.
 
+1 on the shoulder rig. Depending what I carry when riding it is either in a shoulder holster or pocket holster in the jacket.
 
I usually wear an IWB holster when on either of my bikes as well as a Joe Rocket mesh jacket with a T-shirt underneath. I haven't had any issues yet with printing while wearing the jacket. Also being in TX it obviously gets way hot in the summer but the jacket doesn't bother.

A buddy of mine wears cowboy boots when we ride and he always has at least 2 pistols on him, one of which he likes to tuck in his boot.

Another buddy wears a no jacket but a shoulder holster under his buttoned shirt in the summer. I don't find that comfortable but he does.
 
I should state I'm in Florida so no open carry. It'd be funny in the pocket but hey that seems like it might work! I already have a single clip holser.

Shoulder rig... if I kept my jacket on all the time that would be okay, but do they even make ones intended to not be over a shirt??? It can be hot as all get out during the summer and I'll ride with one of those wicking athletic shirts just to not be soaked at my destination.
 
have you thought about a belly band?


i suppose you could also use your regular conceal carry holster, and when you ride your bike simply store it in a backpack, and then reholster it when you get to your destination....
 
5.11 holster shirt

I live in Alabama, hot hot hot,and during the summer months i carry using a 5.11 holster shirt. The shirt material is very similar to under armour with holster pouches sewn into the armpits. With a light weight cover garment its perfect for me. Not a quick draw system, but the best i've found for me while riding my bike. I hate holsters on my hip, the gun tends to dig into my ribs. The shirts aren't cheap, but i have had 3 of them for the past couple of years without a problem.
 
What are you using for a holster? It could be the holster you are using i had the same issue with an uncle mikes on my bike (buell firebolt same riding position) i switched over to a comp-tac minotaur and it took care of that. YMMV
 
I carry my 442 in my lapel pocket. It's not likely I would land on it in the event of a crash. Anywhere on the belt area would cause a big ouchie.
 
Considering in the OP he mentions that his t-shirt doesn't conceal well, I'm thinking that when he takes off his jacket, the shoulder rig is a bad idea.

OP, how well would an ankle rig work for you? I'm not much of a biker, but that seems like an option.

Other than that, maybe reconsider what you wear. Go +1 on shirt size and you can conceal a lot, +2 and you can conceal pretty much anything.

You don't have your location listed, but if OC is legal for you then you might just want to consider that.
 
+1 on the larger size shirts.

I used to hate wearing ill-fitting oversized shirts. Now, I'll buy anywhere from Walmart to Woolrich. An upsize in various brands will wear differently according to the cut. So shop around. Larger may not always be necessary and it doesn't mean sloppy looking either.
 
What are you using for a holster?
Click to expand...

I either use a Comp-Tac Minotaur also or an single clip IWB (Pro model from HBE Specialty Leatherworks). The HK P7 I'm carrying is a very high riding pistol and the combo of I have a large torso and short legs makes it difficult. It makes my waist line lower and the Comp-tac gets pushed up when I'm on the bike. It's not as bad when I'm normally sitting, but exacerbated by the slightly crouched position.

OP, how well would an ankle rig work for you? I'm not much of a biker, but that seems like an option.
Click to expand...

I wear full length boots when I ride. I had an accident on the bike that has permanently messed my ankle up and I was riding with normal shoes. I won't ride without full boots now so I don't think an ankle rig is an option.

Backpack or fanny pack?
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I sometimes ride with a backpack... It could just get real awkward having to reholster. :) Go to someone's place and ask to use their bathroom and bringing the backpack along... :scrutiny:

That would probably be preferable to anything I'd have to put on the bike solely at this point to put the gun in.

You don't have your location listed, but if OC is legal for you then you might just want to consider that.
Click to expand...

I stated Florida before. So no OC.

To all, thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to continue mulling over this.
 
OP, how well would an ankle rig work for you? I'm not much of a biker, but that seems like an option.
Click to expand...

Your pants ride up a bit while you're riding a sports bike, and unless you're wearing pants that are super long, it'll show.
 
I have found that a shoulder rig works best on the bike.
IWB also works well at about 4 o'clock.
Honestly carrying requires compromise. You may need to adjust the mode of dress. Yes I understand that to properly protect you in an accident, M/C gear needs to fit a certain way, so that may be more limiting.
 
Wow, no open carry, hot weather, Ducati.

My 45 years or riding is no help to you.

Good luck finding a solution that works for you.
 
I ride a sport bike and always wear full leathers, and because of the cut of the gear there isn't a good concealment option. I typically use a tank bag or backpack. Not ideal by any means, but I've found a shoulder holster doesn't work for my style of riding. It gets in the way when cornering, its hot here in the summer so I take my jacket off when we stop, and it doesn't fit the sport cut of the leathers. Having the gun in a bag means you really need to pay attention to it, but it's a compromise.

I'm also wary of carrying on my body and taking a spill. I've had an acetabular fracture from landing hard on one side, I'm thankful my gun wasn't on that hip or it would have been much much worse.
 
I sometimes throw a messenger bag over my shoulder. Don't carry in it though. Something like a Maxpedition bag I think is kinda like a messenger bag.
 
I wouldn't carry a handgun on my person while riding. Well... not anywhere I would not want to fall on it. Anywhere on the spine is bad, and a shoulder holster might be the safest spot, and it's likely to crack ribs. The HURT report never covered this!:rolleyes:

I also cannot see needing to draw the gun while riding, but...

A tank bag would be good for safely transporting, and there are several bags that have straps, (as the magnetic bags won't work on your bike)

The biggest problem at this point is actually wearing the pistol at your destination. It would have to be a very smooth transition from bag to holster to stay concealed.
 
I'm also wary of carrying on my body and taking a spill.
Click to expand...

I am too, but obviously not having to transition from a bag to on me again would simplify matters. Taking a spill is a going to hurt no matter what so the fact that I wear gear is already far above the game of the average rider. I have two sets of just about everything depending on what kind of weather and length of ride. I have one perforated leather jacket... I haven't tried to carry with it but I have serious doubts I could even get on the bike with it and the gun behind my hip.

I think so far the 5.11 holster shirt seems to be the most viable option for a holstered way. I'll try riding with it in the jacket pocket and an IWB ready. I suspect that'll be fine with my leather jacket, but my mesh jacket it'll probably obvious there's something heavy in the pocket.
 
Obvious there's something heavy...which could be a wallet, cell phone, pocket protector, or one of many other things that you might want. Trust me, unless someone knows the shirt is designed to carry guns, they aren't going to even notice, and most that know won't care.
 
I settled on a J-frame snubby in a jacket pocket, and if using a tank bag, stashed another in a belt pouch holster/camera pouch inside the tank bag. This was while riding a BMW R100R, which was a "standard" bike, neither cruiser nor sport bike.

I know I owned a shoulder rig at that time, but that has been almost twenty ago ago, so cannot recall if I tried it, or how well it worked on the bike. If I start riding again, and have been feeling the urge, lately, I will try my excellent Andrews Monarch while doing so.
 
I ride a Ninja, found out I didn't like IWB or OWB carry while riding. So I settled on carrying a pocket pistol (either my Sig P238 or my S&W 442) in my jacket pocket.

I wear a jacket year round, got a mesh one for the summers, so I can always carry.
 
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