Ladies-what about your purse?

[38snapcaps]

An all male discussion group at work decided a woman should always carry a concealed handgun on her body and not in a purse because the purse would be the first thing she would drop if threatened.

I went home that day and asked my wife, who does not carry. She had an instant answer-No way would a gal drop her purse, besides, most often its slung on her shoulder anyway.

THR ladies that carry-may I have your input?

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

My wife carries in her purse. And it is a revolver, so she can shoot from inside it if need be.

 

[pax]

I probably wouldn't drop my purse in a moment of stress, but I also do not think off-body carry is generally a good idea.

First, I do put my stuff down sometimes. In a restaurant, my purse is usually next to me, not on my lap, while I eat. At a friend's house, it may be across the room from me. If a BG came through the front door of any of those places, I'd run out the back door if I honorably could -- probably leaving my purse behind unless it was actually in my hand when the incident started.

Second, carrying in a purse takes away a couple of tactical options that I'd like to keep. That is, under certain circumstances I may want to throw the purse at the BG while I run the other direction. Or I might want to peaceably cooperate with a thief and just let him have my purse rather than risk harm to a loved one who is with me. If my gun is in the purse, I simply don't have those options any more.

Third, the gun is not nearly as secure from your children when it is in your purse as it is when it is on your hip.

Okay, having said all that. Sometimes purse carry is a good idea. If you're all dressed up in a fancy outfit, it might be that there is no other way to carry. But for day-in, day-out use, off body carry is not as good or as safe as carrying on body.

pax

A man you hire to protect you can be hired by somebody else not to. -- Jeff Cooper

 

[Tamara]

There's always a gun in my purse, but it's almost never my only gun; it's just there to give me more options.

(I can discreetly have my hand on the gun in my purse's carry compartment while walking through parking lots or riding elevators. I'd look pretty silly if I tried to do that with my IWB gun, and any time a situation may erupt at close range, starting the encounter with your weapon already in hand puts you way ahead of the power curve vis a vis having to actually reach for it and draw after the action has already started.)

 

[JohnBT]

They say they'd never leave the bag anywhere for any reason, but I know better. One example...

My mother was sitting at a light in heavy traffic when she noticed smoke and flames between her car and the one in front. A quick glance in the mirror(thinking about backing up) showed more smoke behind her. Hmmm? She walked away and left her purse in the car. It was a 2-y-old Chevy and the fuel line fell off of the engine.

John

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Lady shooter here...

I can't carry but I've always said it's a stupid thing for a gal to carry it in her purse. I sure as Hell wouldn't as it's the first thing to be stolen for the money, and then they really hit the jackpot with a loaded gun. I've always said if I ever get to carry, it'll be holstered on me or in a fanny pack but never in my purse where's it's practically a sitting duck. In my opinion, only a woman with a really limited way of thinking would just drop it in her bag....

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

P.S.

No offense meant to the ladies that like to carry this way, I just wouldn't be caught dead leaving a gun in my purse....there are better ways to carry that are safer and offer quicker access...

 

[hawk0484]

Sometimes!

I have a Coronado purse (with the zippered compartment that has a holster in it). I carry in this manner occasionally, but it is not my preferred method. The gun makes the purse heavy and I find myself switching it from shoulder to shoulder. It's just not really comfortable, but I make it a policy not to put it down.

I mostly use a Roma fanny pack. It holds all my goodies and the gun is more accessible from it than it is in the purse.

Occasionally, I carry my model 60 in a pocket holster. I have some cargo shorts and pants wit big pockets where that works.

I have a question for the other ladies who posted: Where did you ever find a comfortable holster for on-the-body carry? I have a small waist line and curvy hips, so any belt carry I have tried digs into my ribs, especially when sitting.

Thanks-
Becky

 

[CatsDieNow]

I have never carried a purse - too much important stuff all in one convienient location.

I am investigating holster options while I wait for my TX permit to arrive. I am fairly thin and can't find any that work well. I just end up with a gun-shaped bulge somewhere. Although, I suppose since I spend most of my time at work (the infamous Lockheed Martin) or at school - it doesn't really matter.

 

[clubsoda22]

carrying in a purse sounds like a bad idea. what about the guy who runs by you and snatches it? now what?

 

[pax]

I have a question for the other ladies who posted: Where did you ever find a comfortable holster for on-the-body carry? I have a small waist line and curvy hips, so any belt carry I have tried digs into my ribs, especially when sitting.

Becky,

Try scootching the holster around on your belt until it is in front of your hip rather than on it or behind it. (If your belly button is 12 o'clock, the position you want to try would be between 1 and 2 o'clock.) This is the magic spot that works for me.

For other ideas, try reading the really excellent articles written by Chris Cunningham at http://www.womensholsters.com/ . She gives a lot of very helpful advice for women looking for a holster, and also sells holsters designed specifically for a woman's figure. You might find something perfect there.

pax

Nearly every woman I've interviewed says finding a suitable holster falls somewhere between challenging and impossible. -- Gila Hayes

 

[Betty]

I tried purse carry once as a compliment to my on-body carry. I didn't like it.

I would not drop my purse - I have the sling/backpack style purse, which leaves both my hands free (good for grabbing guns n' knives).

hawk0484,
As another lady who's small waisted with curvy hips, I use a belly band. Do a search for it - I've posted many times on the subject, and included some pics. When I do use a holster, it's normally in the 4-5 o'clock position.

 

[Trisha]

My purse carries my snubby .357 and reloads. It is never my sole firearm, nor is it ever unattended - but then, too, I don't live in an urban environment, so my purse already weighs several pounds, carrying much more than just keys, checkbook and phone by necessity.

The shrouded hammer design of the Bodyguard lets me slip into a pocket any time. . .

Trisha

 

[10-Ring]

I'm not a lady (don't even play one on the internet ), but I do carry a messenger bag to work. I use to havea bag w/ hidde holster. I stopped using it for carry because I realized that there are times during the day that I would be away from he bag & the gun. I discovered pocket carry is more effective for me

 

[WAPS]

A purse is perhaps one of the worst places to carry a pistol. The main reason for this is the inability to deploy the weapon quickly. The only exception to this is if the purse is specifically designed as a concealment system.

Bryan S. Williams
Williams Associates Protective Services, LLC
www.wa-protective.com

 

[RTFM]

What about those belly/midriff area stretch type holsters anybody have any experience with them??

 

[pax]

RTFM,

I have a Galco belly band, which I have owned for about a month now.

The belly band is so wonderful that I really don't know how I got along without it. It is very flexible in terms of where I can place the gun -- along my left side with the butt reversed as a cross draw, below my belt line front and center, on my belt line in front of my hip, higher on my torso where my shirt blouses just below my bosom, etc. I can wear it as if it is an IWB with a skirt that has no belt loops, or with a teensy-weensy shirt under loose shortalls. It is very discreet and very comfortable.

HOWEVER.

This isn't the day-in, day-out usefulness of a proper IWB. Most of the options I just described are slow to draw and impossible to reholster. It is tempting to place the gun somewhere where it simply can't be drawn with any ease. Most the time, I cannot discreetly place my hand on the holstered gun if I feel I may need it. It cannot be used for range work.

But, for days when I can't stand the thick-waisted look any longer, or can't bear the thought of a cover garment, the belly band fills the need nicely.

pax

And the little girl had approached the bed no nearer than thirty feet when she pulled out a pistol and shot the wolf dead; for even in a cap and nightgown a wolf looks no more like your grandmother than Calvin Coolidge looks like the Metro-Goldwyn lion. Moral: Little girls are not so easy to fool nowadays as they used to be. -- James Thurber

 

[Ky Larry]

I asked my wife about this. She said she occasionally carried my .38 Det. Spl. in her purse, depending on the situation. She says the problem with finding a holster is she doesn't always wear the same type clothes. Sometimes she wears a dress, sometimes jeans, sometimes a skirt and blouse.etc. She would appreciate any suggestions. thanks.

 

[pax]

Larry,

Then buy her more than one holster. Oh, and some new outfits. Shopping spree!!

Seriously, carrying a gun does involve some alterations to a woman's normal wardrobe. In particular, wearing a dress becomes difficult. I know women who have used thigh holsters under dresses, but I don't know any who do so on a regular basis -- and I've never tried one myself. If the dress is fairly loose and has a not-too-high collar line, it may be possible to wear a belly band 'way up high, with the butt of the gun nested between the breasts and under the bra. I've done it a few times. It isn't as uncomfortable as it sounds, but it is more uncomfortable than you'd like.

With skirts, you can wear a sturdy belt and a traditional IWB. I've done this lots. You can also wear a belly band, either somewhere under your blouse, or down around the belt line. Last Sunday, I wore a snug top with a loose skirt, and had the gun below my belt line, front and center. It was invisible even when I sat -- and in that position, I didn't even have to guard myself from being hugged. Sunday before last, I wore my usual IWB in my usual spot, but with a skirt instead of with my usual jeans.

If she wears business suits or jackets, a shoulder holster may be worth trying. I never found them wonderful, but again, I know several women who swear by them. One friend of mine claims that shoulder holsters work better for women than they do for men.

Pants are fairly simple, but she may have to buy them a bit looser in the waist than she is used to. Pants and jeans from the men's department will be a bigger in the waist and snugger in the rear, which is ideal for carrying IWB. When I carry IWB (most the time), I put my gun and holster in between my right hip & belly button. Because I am short waisted and have a traditional hourglass figure, wearing the gun right on my hip doesn't work well for me; nor does it for a lot of women.

If she likes bell bottoms, she could consider a good ankle rig. Lots of people love those. A friend of mine carried hers for a week in an environment where she absolutely could not risk being made, and had no trouble whatsoever. The big thing with an ankle rig is remembering not to cross your legs, so that your pants don't ride up over it and flash your gun. Also, you positively must practice the draw, over and over, with a dry gun, so that it is a natural movement. It is not difficult but does require practice.

For carrying IWB, and for many of the belly band positions, a nice selection of pretty vests will go a long way toward making her feel complete. For good security, blouses should be patterned or dark-colored. A heavy texture is a plus, too. Obviously, tight shirts are not going to be ideal anymore -- but you can pair a snug shirt with a pretty vest, or with another cover garment, and get a good effect.

Hope these ideas helped a bit.

pax

 

[ChandlerM]

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned wearing a concealment vest. You know, the ones with the built-in gun holster/pocket.

I'm a male but it seems like a vest would be perfect for a female to conceal her handgun. I have two. One from The Concealment Shop. And one from Roma Leathers. Coronado Leather also makes 'em.

I really like my vests. The Concelament Shop makes 'em in all styles and fabricks including women specific styling. But they can be a little warm on hot days.

 

[pax]

Chandler,

Concealment vests can be very good. Two or three of my friends have them, and as you say, they conceal well and they are very comfortable.

The problem is, there is no woman on the planet who wants to wear the same outfit every single stinkin' day of the week. A concealment vest is a great answer for occasional wear, but for day-in, day-out, every day carry -- it is just too durn repetitive.

Still, having one around gives you one more option. Options are good.

pax

 

[jdege]

I don't carry a purse

I don't carry a purse, but of the last three times women I knew were assaulted, two of them began with the BG grabbing her purse.

Even if your the sort who keeps the strap across your shoulder, so the BG can't grab the purse and run, having him holding the purse while the strap is keeping it tied to your neck doesn't make for a fast draw.