Holster and Handgun Questions/ Cold Weather

[Nightcrawler]

What, exactly is a paddle holster?

Would I need to adust my wardrobe a lot when I start carrying concealed? I generally wear trousers or slacks with a polo shirt or long-sleeved sweater tucked in. I understand that for most CCW methods, you need a shirt, jacket, or some garment over your beltline to cover the grip of the weapon.

What about those T-shirt holsters? I can't remember who makes them. You wear them under your clothes for deep concealment, and I've heard they work pretty well. Slow to present the weapon, but good for deep cover.

I'm also really wanting a Coronodo Leather Jacket. In addition to being a good carry method for me, the jackets look great. I just can't afford one. See, around here it's cold most of the time, and I'd be wearing a jacket much anyway. And, with the gun IN the jacket, it'd be easier for when you're at a restaurant or something. You don't have a holster on the belt bothering you while you sit and you can take off the jacket without giving yourself away.

What's your preferred method and holster for carrying a full sized gun? What do you do in cold weather? NOTE: If you live in Georgia, you don't get cold weather. I mean cold like in Minnesota, Alaska, Montana, and here in Northern Michigan. How do you draw when wearing a cold-weather heavy coat?

Another problem: I can't even manipulate the controls of my CZ-97 with my heavy Thinsulate gloves on. My trigger finger barely fits in the loop and the grip is too small for gloved use.

 

[Kframe]

I paddle holster has a "paddle" made of plastic that is contoured to fit snuggly between your hip bone and your jeans. The holster is screwed to the paddle and hangs on the outside.
Paddle holsters usually, but not always, ride lower than an IWB, inside the waistband, holster.
Google galco or safariland or any of the other hundreds of holster makers. You'll find sites with pictures.

Cold carry?
Here in MN I usually have my S&W M640 Centennial in the front side pocket. No holster necessary. This particular coat keeps the gun pointed properly. In other coats I've used pocket holsters to anchor the gun.
-Kframe

 

[TheFrontRange]

What about those T-shirt holsters? I can't remember who makes them.

Those would be the Confidant holster-shirt from Kramer, a premium gunleather outfit out of Washington state. I don't own one yet but I've read some good things about them, too...folks seem to use them to carry anything from Smith J-frame snubbies to Commander-size 1911s depending upon build, covering garment, etc. And yes, they'd be slow "on the draw" but just might be the ticket for certain situations.

 

[sm]

http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Product_Line/product_line.html

link was handy, many fine holster makers... I happen to use a High Noon "Down Under" often.

Me , jeans , tennis shoes, oxford shirt, just a 100% cotton shirt worn over this...photo vests just seems to be a give-a-way to me. I preferred not to change my regular dress when I started CCW years ago. I have carried full size (5") 1911 with or without BUG dressed liked this.

Kahki pants, instead of jeans, light jacket. Summer, no jacket but can "blouse" oxford shirt though tucked in. Sheeple don't notice, really...new to CCW are more self-conscious--Or we CCW like to critique each other.
With College and no campus carry just Inside shirt at 11:00 gets me by with short trips before hitting the campus, gas station, pharmacy, ...etc. Yes a belly band would be best...but again quick trip b/t classes and back on campus, do have 'clip on' I leave in vehicle, when not using the Down Under"...which is fast and easy to use..

 

[Ala Dan]

Cold Weather Alert!

Greeting's All,

My "cold weather" sidearm is as always a SIG-Sauer
self-loader; either the 9m/m P228 or the .45 caliber P220A.

Choice of leather holster's is extremely subjective. I like
a "strong side" apparattus as manufactuered by Bianchi
or Safariland. Something along the lines of a "high
ride" device; whereas you can keep your elbow on the
butt of the weapon while among an extremely large and
hostile crowd!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life member

 

[ACP230]

For really grinding cold you might consider a snubnose in an outside coat pocket. I've done this a few times and the snubby in the coat is a lot easier to get to than the one in my pocket. It is also easier to get to when driving.

I haven't carried a full size auto concealed much yet. Dillon Precision and Wild Bill's Concealment Leather make good holsters for them though.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Question, Ala Dan. How do you find the Sig's controls with heavy winter gloves?

See, around here, it gets cold enough that you really ought to be wearing gloves if you're going to be outside. Like right now, it's 3 (three) degrees outside, with wind chills at -14*. Glove weather.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Nightcrawler-

Good subject! You see I have a very thin pair of "tactical"
gloves as manufactuered by Blauer. They are not thermal or
insulated in any stretch of the imagination; which allows for
easy access to the SIG's control's. As a recommendation for
anyone living in the hostile environment of cold winter's
accompanied by heavy snow, I would suggest that owners
of SIG's practice with gloved hands and a UNLOADED
weapon; just to familiarize yourself with these type of
condition's.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Nightcrawler]

Wise advice, but pistols with gloves leave mcuh to be desired. I can barely fit my gloved finger in the trigger loop of my CZ-97B; my hand doesn't quite fit on the grip, either.

My winter gloves will generally have between 40 and 100 grams of Thinsulate, mind you; they're pretty thick and you lose manual dexterity. But all of the gloves I've tried that allow better pistol manipulation leave my fingers numb within an hour.

It's a real bugger knowing it's warmer in the freezer than it is outside...

 

[dairycreek]

I gets very cold in Eastern Oregon....

and when I lived there I found that ragwool gloves worked very well. Also, when wool gets wet it still maintains is ability to keep you warm. I admit that they are not the most chic looking gloves but at ten below I just didn't care. I could get my finger on the trigger without problems. I also have a pair of thinsulate gloves with a slit on the index finger. I can put my finger through the slit to get to the trigger. They work but I am not crazyl about them. Good shooting

 

[TracerSpies]

Simple solution that worked for me: MOVE TO ARIZONA!

 

[Wildalaska]

If you live in Georgia, you don't get cold weather. I mean cold like in Minnesota, Alaska, Montana, and here in Northern Michigan. How do you draw when wearing a cold-weather heavy coat?

Sorry Alaska should not be included in those cold states its 40F here..

WildeatyourheartoutAlaska

 

[Nightcrawler]

That's just lovely. It's warmer in frigging Alaska than it is in the UP.

*sigh*

 

[Nightcrawler]

Update

It's now -1* outside.

*SIGH*

 

[hutch24]

Its still 35-40 degrees here.
As for gloves I've got a pair of thinsulate glove with a tight fitting neoprene(sp?) triggerfinger so I can get to the trigger.