For Women only (mostly)

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Texas Tass

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How do you carry IWB on same side as you carry a shoulder bag? I'm concerned i'm printing, or worse the bag will hang up, because the purse stops just above my pistol (Kel Tec .380).

I know the logical thing would be to switch shoulders for the purse or carry over wrist (or horrors-get a new bag ), but would like some advice from those who also have worked through this.

Any thoughts, girls?

Tass
Cypress
 
I'm not a lady, but I don't sling things over my strong side. And if what I'm holding in my hands only requires one hand, I use my weak hand.
 
Here's another not a female responder.

Off body carry is a very chancy thing fraught with peril.
Criminals are drawn to purses,day planners, and other such methods of off body carry the way flies flock to garbage. They home in on the bag fast and make off with it if possible. Now the purse and gun are gone.

This can bring on legal problems as well as a vicious criminal now has your gun to do with it what he/she will. That's also a ethical and moral issue in itself if anyone gets hurt or killed with the stolen gun.

Better methods of carry abound. Examples:

Confidant Shirts by Kramer Leather keep the gun and spare ammo tucked away in pockets sewn into the side on each side. There's a female and male version made.

Bianchi and Galco make belly bands that hold the gun and ammo under the clothing and out of sight. Mas Ayoob has recorded such a female doing this with her Kahr MK-9.

Fanny packs made by the holster makers can take the place of a purse under some circumstances. Doesn't work for everywhere, but is an alternative.

.5.11 and other tactical clothing makers have shirts,vests,pants,jeans, nd other clothing that has holster pockets for the gun and spare ammo.

Bianchi,Galco, and other holster makers do cater to the women to a certain extent.

www.thunderwear.com has concealment holsters for women also.

These all hide the gun without printing being a factor.

Material that is light,will cling, or is thin will show off the gun eventually.

Clothing with tailored vents needs to be avoided like the plague.
These are all just general observations .

As a source of info on women's holsters,the makers, and more info than any person can read at one sitting, www.corneredcat.com is the palce to go.

www.womenandguns.com is another source.

This is not to say off body carry is totally wrong in any way. Just thought I'd point out the risks and some general alternatives.
 
Lol, sorry to add to the "not a lady" response team effort, but I can concur with what they have said.
I carry various things slung over my shoulder from time to time, and I sling them over the weak shoulder when I am carrying strong side.
I agree with your concerns about things bumping, catching, or pulling up my cover garment. I also want to be able to draw without anything in the way if god forbid that ever becomes necessary.
 
While The Dismantler is not a female...I have carried a day pack in the past while carrying a gun. It is tactically better to carry over your weak shoulder, though this takes a bit of getting used to. But then it becomes second nature.

A word about printing. If you are not carrying a hog leg, or wearing tight fitting clothes over the gun, I think this is an overblown problem.

I have had customers in my store with sheathed knives worn in the open and said to my co-workers, "Did you see that guy's knife?" No, they didn't. I have had customers come to the register with poorly concealed handguns and my co-workers, when asked, had no clue. This was with 2" of muzzle showing from under a sweatshirt. I would not worry too much about printing with a Kel-Tec. I don't with mine.
 
True, the public can be unaware.
The catch is if someone does see the gun peeking out panics and calls the LEOs out on you.

By most laws this is brandishing or can be taken that way by law enforcment or local district attorneys.

CCW license goes bye bye , defensive weapon can be confiscated, and legal hassles insue.

Why take the chance?
 
The catch is if someone does see the gun peeking out panics and calls the LEOs out on you.

By most laws this is brandishing or can be taken that way by law enforcement or local district attorneys.
Click to expand...
Sorry, another none female answer.
I've never heard of someone being charged with brandishing simply because there was a lump under their clothing that happened to be a handgun. Even in this Liberal world that would be a stretch too far. Also, I own a Kel-Tec and I find it hard to believe it's possible to print with one unless you are wearing a formfitting top.
 
Brandishing requires intent in every statute I've ever read.

Accidental display of a holstered weapon lawfully carried on a CCW does not typically rise to the level of a crime. I'd have to see a few convictions (not just arrests by an over-zealous cops) to believe it occurs often enough to worry about in most jurisdictions, especially where CCW has been around a while.

Another "not-a-woman" here, but I have to agree that if you are, say, right handed and carrying on your right side, you need to teach yourself to carry your purse on your left shoulder.

Carrying often requires learning new habits, it goes with the territory.

Try this test:

Unload the gun and put the ammunition in another room.

While wearing the same type of clothes you regularly wear and carrying your purse, practice drawing your weapon. I think you'll find that you have to move the purse out of the way and it will probably interfere with your draw stroke.

Try it with the purse on the other side and, allowing for the "oddness", see if that makes your presentation smoother.

If in fact your draw works the way you carry the purse now, ask a trusted friend to observe you carrying. I think, as was stated above, your fears of being "made" are overblown. Most people just aren't that observant and, given all the stuff folks carry now, most printing isn't really identifiable as a gun.
 
Another way.

Hey there:
May sound funny but I carry mine (Kimber Ultra carry .45) in a Cammera bag.
No one has ever even asked whats in the bag.
Shoulder strap and all. My Galco holster fits in there too with the gun in it.
 
Well, in the summer months I wear a fanny pack. It is not a gun-dedicated pack, but it keeps the gun away from my sweaty body, and it is right in front for access. I have been told by female shooters that this is a poor fashion statement. :barf: :neener:
 
If you're printing with a .380 Keltec, you need to wear more clothing in public. :)

It's never been a problem carrying, although it would be if you had to draw, I guess.
 
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