Help Finding Stylish CCW Purses??

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gbelleh

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My girlfriend and I will both be getting CCW permits soon. She wants a CCW purse, but has complained that all we've seen so far have looked like old lady purses. Are there any web sites that offer more stylish purses with easily accessible gun compartments? I haven't had much luck finding anything.

Any recommendations? Or other suggestions? Thanks.
 
Both Galco and Coronado make stylish holster purses; however Coronado is more inexpensive and just as durable. When purchasing a holster purse, get one that has a locking zipper and not velcro. Velcro makes it harder to get to your gun and harder to pull it out. The zippers that are on the Corondao purses are very quick. Their holsters are also easier to get the gun out. I have several of theses purses in different colors and sizes for the different outfits I wear and different seasons of the year.
 
Just something to think about on the subject: #1) If someone is mugged or assulted on the street, odds are the first thing taken is the purse. In fact the purse of usually the object of their intentions: It isn't a good place to have your gun. #2 Everytime she sits down the purse, she is losing control of her gun. It has usually been my experience that women sit purses down and sometimes can't even remember where they put them. If that purse isn't right beside her at all times other people (think children) now have access to her gun. Especially if she is visting other people. Same goes for her own access to the gun. She might come home and put the purse in her bedroom or whatever then have someone try to kick in the front door: gun in other room. She might get in the car and sit the purse on the back seat to make more room in the front and then need the gun right this second: gun in back seat. #4) All this and more issues can be overcome by simply carrying the gun in a holster. This also permits her to buy or carry any purse she wants.
 
When purchasing a holster purse, get one that has a locking zipper and not velcro.
Click to expand...

Actually, I prefer velcro. :uhoh:

(A big locking zipper on the side of the purse just screams "Hey! There's a gun in here!" to me.)
 
CCW and the Modern Tactical Mommy

Holsters aren't always an option, due to the exigencies of women's fashion. I still haven't figured out a way for my wife to conceal her new pistol while wearing low-rise jeans and baby t-shirt unless it's in a purse.

Are there any companies out there that make, um, nylon carry purses? I spent $650 on her pistol; she'll kill me if I try to spend $100 or more on a purse. Besides, she doesn't like fancy dressy leather stuff.

And as far as the mommy part, is there such a thing as a CCW diaper bag?
 
I am interested in some feedback here to see if I am as crazy as every thinks I am. Not trying to start a fight or anything.

"Holsters aren't always an option, due to the exigencies of women's fashion"
Your wife or girlfriend believes that her life is in some degree of danger. She realizes that violent crime is present in today's society and is only getting worse. She realizes that if she were to become the victim of violent crime that her only salvation is probably going to be herself; her defending herself. She realizes that she can't count on the police or the goodness of other members of society...........................................................
Yet this fear for her own life takes a backseat to fashion. :confused:
Don't get me wrong here, I love to look at women. It is one of my #1 activities. I love the way women dress and the more skin visible the better. But, I also realize that this doesn't lend itself to carrying a concealed weapon. I don't think you can have your cake and eat it too. A woman can wear a thong bikini to the beach, but you can't use it to conceal a gun. That is just reality. It isn't as we would like, but it is reality.

One reason this subject interests me is because I have recently been asked by a friend and his wife to get them into concealed carry. The wife wanted to learn how to shoot, wanted to buy a gun and eventually carry and they came to me for advice. At several points along the way I have gotten kind of frustrated with them. They both want to carry, but are totally unwilling to make any kind of sacrifices at all to do so. They want to be completely comfortable, not change the manner that they dress, and not do anything different at all to facilitate hiding a gun on their person. Of course we all would like the same thing but realize it isn't possible. I am just about at my wits end because neither one of them will wear a belt. They say they "can't stand" wearing a belt (I don't know if I could stand being in a Nazi Concentration Camp, the horrors of wearing a belt don't seem to rank that high up for me and I am no where near my breaking point at the thought of wearing a belt).
Am I crazy to think that carrying a concealed handgun takes a little work and sacrifice ? Am I the only one who thinks that you dress around the gun, not wear a gun around what you wear ? Is it possible to go from being a non-gun person to someone who carries concealed without changing the manner of your dress ?
 
I agree that she might need to re-evaluate her wardrobe. If it is that important, she should be able to make some changes that would really help. I am NOT a big fan of off body carry.

Having said that... I was impressed by a purse once. I am pretty sure it was Coronado.

Anyway, the local gun shop guy begged me to steal his purse. :what: He put a plastic gun (used for display) into the purse. I waited a while and talked to him... then I grabbed the purse. He had run his hand through a lanyard apparently and when I grabbed the purse and pulled it away the gun popped out right into his hand.

Not sure that that is a good idea but I was very impressed. At the very least I'd make sure that you could obtain a firing grip while the gun was still in the purse and be prepared to shoot it that way if needed.

YMMV,
Logistar
 
444, you're not crazy, but you do make some assumptions in your first post that assume things that are not necessarily true. You assume that because some women are irresponsible with their purses that all women have that tendency. You also assume that the purse itself is an attractant to the bad guys.

On your first assumption, you are way off base. Just because Bobbi Jo can't remember where her head is, let alone her purse, doesn't mean that any other female is going to do the same. In fact, carrying the gun in the purse is likely to result in a little more responsibility with it... in much the same way that we who carry are less likely to exhibit anger and hot-headedness in order to avoid confrontations than our "naked" counterparts.

On your second assumption, bad guys look for EASY targets, not just for purses. I always carry my purse across the body (bandolier style, over the left shoulder, under the right) with the firearm pocket towards me. And I actually hug it to a certain degree. This does several things. First, my posture and my carry method eliminates me as an "easy" target and highly increases the chances that the bad guy will go for the little old lady who can barely walk, let alone hang on to a purse that weighs a ton. But should some dumbass still think I'm a good target, cross body carry makes it impossiblefor someone to slip it off an arm. And my "hugging" posture means I still hold the bulk of the purse should the bad guy decide he's gong to get it by cutting the strap. Additionally, with the firearm pocket towards me, I am hiding it from view, and, at least for my purse, it puts the zipper opening on the right side. Since I'm right handed it makes it infinitely easier to access the firearm with a quick zip and grab.

Sure, it's not an ideal carry method, but there are just some circumstances a woman faces that prevent on-the-body carry. Women's business fashions aren't as sturdy as men's and thus don't facilitate holsters that hang on them very well. And when concealability remains a key factor, there are just some clothes that would show no matter how she chose to carry. Where would you hide a firearm with a blouse, a bra, panties, hosiery, a knee-length skirt, and 1" pumps? Keep in mind that women's blouses and skirts are fitted and rarely allow room for anything to be "hidden" underneath. I know you've seem pantylines before. :D

There's more to be said for situational awareness than you're giving credit to on this argument. Besides, when I do get the chance to carry on-the-body, it simply means I have 2 firearms for protection rather than just the one. :cool:
 
Actually, it is more than an assumption.
If I had to carry around something all the time, like a bag, it is a given that there are times I would put it down simply because it is in the way or it prevents me from doing what I am trying to do. I would also realize that it would look kind of weird if I made it a point to have this object (bag or whatever) with me at all times and never put it down. I also realize that if I was in my own home, I would not pick it up and carry it with me from room to room even though I would be moving from room to room even through it would do me no good in another room if I needed it.
By definition, a concealed firearm is something that you need right now. If you don't need it right this instant, then you don't need it at all since your legal ability to use it requires and immediate threat of deadly force.
By the same token, you can't under any circumstances leave a loaded gun lying around where anyone else can access it. If it isn't in your immediate possession, it needs to be locked up in the safe. I live alone and don't leave loaded guns lying around. If I had kids, the idea of having a loaded gun anywhere but on my person in my direct control or locked in the safe would be out of the question. This includes in the car. The woman I spoke of earlier has three children ages 2-7. One of them is in to something at all times. The minute you focus your attention on one of them, the other two are into something else. For her, I used the example of driving. She is in the car trying to pay attention to the road. At the same time one or more of the kids is occupying her attention. During that very brief lapse of attention, one of the other kids might start going through her purse............. Or she might be carrying groceries into the house from the car and leave her purse out of her control for just a minute................ The phone might ring and her attention is diverted for just a second ............... This is all a non-issue if the gun is right on your person. I have spent the last 21 years working as a paramedic and have seen the all too tragic results of what kids can do in a brief couple seconds without supervision. Her husband once saved my life and I love his family. I don't want to see anything like that happen to them.

One of the things that has bothered me about this is that purse carry seems to be a knee jerk response. Every woman that I ever heard about that was going to carry accepted the idea that this was the ONLY option. I think it is a very poor option myself. I can see a lot of drawbacks to it, although I realize that they might only seem that way to me because I am a man and dont' carry a purse :confused:
As a man, I chose my carry postion and holster primarily based on how quickly I could get to it if I needed it. The next thing I took into consideration was concealability (would the gun remain hidden). Lastly comfort (could I wear this all day no matter what I did or would I give it up ?).
I actually, don't know a whole lot of woman that even carry purses. I know the last half dozen women I have dated didn't carry purses ever. I don't even know if they owned a purse. I am trying to think if any woman I ever dated carried a purse. I know my ex-wife owned purses and sometimes carried them, but not often.
 
444,

If I had to carry around something all the time, like a bag, it is a given that there are times I would put it down simply because it is in the way or it prevents me from doing what I am trying to do. I would also realize that it would look kind of weird if I made it a point to have this object (bag or whatever) with me at all times and never put it down.
Click to expand...

That's interesting. You probably shouldn't carry a gun in a purse or daytimer, then. Personally, I keep my purse in contact with my body at all times if I am not at work, home, or in my car, which leads us to...

I also realize that if I was in my own home, I would not pick it up and carry it with me from room to room even though I would be moving from room to room even through it would do me no good in another room if I needed it.
Click to expand...

This is why, when at home, work, or in the car, the gun in my purse is not the first line of defense for me. At work, there's a gun on my hip. At home, there's the shotgun in the corner (and not a whole lot of rooms for me to "room to room" between.) In the car, there's the gun in the passenger seat.





Much like with the whole "shotgun racking" thing, there's this amazing tendency for folks to take "My Perfect Tactical Solution" and to project it onto every other human in every possible situation.

Purse carry has its strong and weak points. In my current life, with no dress codes to worry about unless I'm attending a wedding or a funeral, and where I can carry a 1911 IWB in my jeans and/or a S&W Centennial Airweight in my jacket/vest pocket, it's a good way to carry an unobtrusively accessible second or third gun. Back in the days when my dress was more dictated by the requirements of employers, it was frequently the only way to carry a gun larger than a Beretta Jetfire. Hate that, but thems are the facts...



"Dear Ann Landers,

I just got a job as a receptionist for Dr. Smith. Much to my chagrin, he won't let me wear a wilderness instructor belt, Mitch Rosen holster, and Gunsite 1911 to work, with a Royal Robbins 5.11 tactical vest for a cover garment. Whatever should I do?

Signed,
Confused in Tejas"


"Dear Confused In Tejas,

Either perform an El Presidente on the anti-RKBA fiend, or quit your job, you lackadaisical fool!"


In jest,
Tam. ;) :)
 
Yeah, unfortunately the shotgun in the corner and guns on the car seat wouldn't work for her because of the kids.
Kids seem to complicate everything.
I am glad I don't have to worry about it.
 
444,

My case was just a f'rinstance.

What works for me probably won't work for her, and what works for her probably won't work for you. Thank gawd there's about a zillion carry solutions out there, neh? ;)

Peace. :cool:


(As far as purse carry goes, here's my thoughts: It's not the ideal form of carry outside of one or two specialized situations. If you are going to keep a gun in there, it needs to be in a special pocket separate from the main cargo pockets of the purse. It needs to be accessible unobtrusively from the outside of the purse, so that you can discreetly keep your hand on the gun when negotiating dark parking garages or other sticky situations. You must not let your purse leave physical contact with your body in any place where you would not feel comfortable in Condition White! This means it goes inboard of you at restaurant booths [and you only eat at restaurants that have booths], it rides under your legs rather than in the passenger seat in the car, et cetera...)
 
A decent IWB under a number of light, stylish linen jackets/blazers for summer, heavier wear for fall/winter.

You don't always have your purse right?

You BOTH may have to change your wardrobe for CCW.
 
Thank you everyone. The Coronado line is just the kind of thing she's looking for.

Yes, we understand the pitfalls of purse carry, but with her job, there are times that it is necessary and will serve its purpose very well.
 
Bill Anderson makes some nice purses (andersonenterprises.com), as well as backpacks and fanny/hip packs. I've been using one of his leather hippacks for about a year now and it is of the highest quality.
 
444, again. Full of assumptions. And some not even founded on anything more than your one single example of a mother who can hardly be said to represent shooting females/mothers out there. (Sounds like your example needs to exact a little discipline on her young ones. In fact, she sounds just like my step-sister. 3 kids + no control = disaster.) I knew growing up what was acceptable and what wasn't. Groping through mom's purse wasn't. It just didn't happen. Kids can be taught.

Since you don't/haven't carried a purse, I don't expect you to understand the logistics of carrying one. But I would expect a little more logical thought inasmuch as your paradigm doesn't necessarily fit everybody else's little world.

And, yes, I always have my purse on my body or it's being held by my husband. Hell, even my mom takes control of it if I need to set it down for a minute to use both hands. If I'm at home there's a firearm on the bod or an arm's length away. It's possible. Just because you don't think it is or the people you know can't seem to hack it, doesn't make it not possible.
 
"Sounds like your example needs to exact a little discipline on her young ones."

Speaking of assumptions
 
444,

Speaking of assumptions
Click to expand...

No assumption involved.

Myself, my sister, and my brother managed to make it all the way to adulthood without sticking our hands in mom's purse without her specific invitation.

Maybe we were overdisciplined? :scrutiny:
 
This has gotten far off the subject and has definitely left The High Road but I will defend myself anyway.

I was actually a kid at one time and have some idea of what I did, my friends did, and what other kids at that time and place did. And, believe it or not, I have come across a few kids since my own childhood. Very few days went by that I didn't do something that I was specifically not allowed to do. I even did things after I was punished previously for doing them. So did all the other kids I knew and so do all the kids I have ever come in contact with since. I would go so far as to say that if there was ever a single child ever born that did everything their parents told them, I would happily be willing to wager everything I ever had or ever will have against it. I don't care if we are talking about Jesus Christ.
And it only takes one time. I would love to have had you along on the dozen or so times I fished a child out of a pool that they were not supposed to be in, pools that fences built around them by law to keep children out. I would love to show you what it looks like when a kid doesn't look both ways before crossing the street even though they were told many times that it was required.

I have to say that this board has reached a new low. The idea of challenging the way someone raises their children when you have never even seen the woman or her children is about as crude as someone can get.
And to think, I was impressed when their six year old could name every US President, their term of office, what party they represented and some of the highlights of their lives and careers. That just shows you how low my expectations are.
 
Touchy, aren't we?

Imagine, my suggesting that some kids are capable of knowing the difference between wrong and WRONG. (For instance, my friend knew where her daddy's pistol was. She even pointed it out once. She never would've dreamed of picking it up and pointing it at one of us. Must've been because kids back then were somehow biologically different from kids today. :uhoh: We couldn't name every US president, though... )

How ever did children survive the days when kids got their first .22's between the ages of six and eight and were allowed to take them to school so they could shoot rabbits on the walk home. :scrutiny:

(They must've been walking home off The High Road. :uhoh: )


(I'll give you full credit on this, though: Maybe recently-born h. sap. whelps are different than they were in my childhood. The eleven year-old son of the owner of the shop I work at lasered me with the muzzle of a shotgun when we were boxing guns up for the show this weekend. I reflexively snapped "Hey! Don't point that at me, dammit!" and he responded, surlily, "It ain't loaded." He should've been smacked down, and hard, for such an assinine statement, but his dad, who was present, let it slide. That is one slack-arse job of parenting, if you ask me. When an adult says to me "It ain't loaded," my standard response is "Mine is." Usually it makes them think for a second. :scrutiny: )
 
Touchy, aren't we?

Actually no. At a very young age I was taught that two things you never discuss in an open forum are religion and politics.
Soon upon reaching adulthood I found out that under no circumstances do you EVER say anything about someone else children unless it is a compliment.
Being openly critical of someone else children or someone else's parenting skills is low budget. To do so when you have never seen the children or the parents and know virtually nothing about them takes it to the next level. To be critical of very young children because they might possibly get into something they arn't supposed to is delusional.
I was under the impression that this was exactly the kind of behavior that wasn't to be tolorated on this forum.
 
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