Need a concealed-carry purse for the Mrs

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Primary suggestion is to forget the purse!

Main target of the mugger or the 'purse snatcher', frequently accomplished by hitting the purse owner in the face, knocking them to the ground and running off with the purse. If there's a firearm in the purse you just created and enabled a new armed robber.

First rule is ALWAYS keep control of your weapon, that means on the body carry, even if it means a change to a looser and less stylish wardrobe.

Purses and briefcases are a No No and fanny packs don't fool anyone.

Lots of choices for on-body carry, and women can usually deal with shoulder holsters better than men can, Has to do with arm length and chest width, not Bra size.

That comment is based on assisting some 40 female employees, associates, friends, wives and work partners over the last 40 years or so.

Remember that Self defense use will be close and quick, weapon will have to be deployed in less than a second, from an attack distance measured in feet (5-7) not yards. That's the national average for non LEO self defense shootings in the U.S.

A backpack weapon carry would be just about the worst answer I can think of!

Good Luck!

Regards,
:)
 
I think Tamara covered how to deal with carrying in a purse: strap over one shoulder, hand in purse on butt of gun. If the purse is snatched, the crook draws and aims for you...

Personally, I tend to encourage against the "concealment purse". Too many of the women I know tend to forget their purse, or only keep it with them occassionally. Given that, you'd end up with the gun in your car, when you need it in your hand.

If she insists on the purse, steer her towards the "hang off one shoulder" design. As was noted above, the backpack style would be just about the slowest deployment I can imagine (I could probably "draw" from my safe quicker)...
 
Try this site.

http://www.ccwsupply.biz/PurseHolstersPAGE.htm

Galco makes some nice ones. It really depends on what you want to pay, I guess. Google "purse backpack holsters" and you'll get lots of hits.

I saw products from this guy at a show in Birmingham and really liked his stuff. We were looking for a purse holster for my daughter and they had the best ones I've seen. I can't find a website so I guess you'd have to call for a catalog.

Jerry Vines Western Holsters and Gun Purses
1-800-741-5076.

You'll get lots of reasons here about why you shouldn't do this. As someone who has examined and rejected several options as unviable for concealed carry, I say a backpack with a weapon is better than anything else without a weapon. It's not about a "style" statement, it's about practicality. A lot of ladies are not in a position that will allow them to carry concealed on their person...ankle, thigh, IWB, etc. I think carrying in an outboard device requires more discipline and awareness, but I think the trade-off is worth it. Good luck.
 
Purses and briefcases are a No No and fanny packs don't fool anyone.
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Amen. Fanny packs are so 80s, not to mention being the same as openly carrying because everyone on earth knows there's a gun in there.

Anything critical of women never is allowed to be discussed in this society, but the fact is women are very very careless with their purses. They leave them where they are easily stolen. They leave them in the car. They leave them in the shopping cart as they walk a few steps to grab bread. Baaaaad idea to put a gun in a purse. If women were more careful, there would be no term of "purse snatcher." Women put up a neon sign on their purse that says "MONEY IN HERE, PLEASE STEAL!" Adding a gun to that is just plain stupid. Purses tend to be the last thing women grab when they're loading groceries into the car. I was a wally's and a lady had left her purse in the cart as she piled bags into the back seat. I wanted to take it and run and drop it somewhere just to teach her a lesson on awareness, though she still wouldn't have learned anything.

Corporal K you could say "but...but MY wife is dif'frent." No. No she isn't. Carrying a purse is hell yet women insist on doing it, and eventually they always get careless. I would get careless too if I insisted on carrying a useless bag of junk around everywhere I went.
 
everyone on earth knows there's a gun in there.
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Only if they have basic knowledge of CCW. Criminals might know, but most people won't.


In all seriousness, why not get a small gun and pocket carry?
 
Only if they have basic knowledge of CCW. Criminals might know, but most people won't.
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And in states where ccw is common, EVERYBODY knows what's in there. Maybe people from CA/MA/CT/NY can't figure it out, but the rest of the country can.


In all seriousness, why not get a small gun and pocket carry?
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Amen. Kel Tec .32 comes to mind.
 
All the guys have given their opinions . Are their any ladies who want to weigh in? Womans fashions are very different from mens . I don't think they can just throw a gun in a pocket like we do.
 
Pocket carry is not realistic for a women who wears typical women clothing.

The pockets on a standard set of women style jeans can't even fit a cell phone entirely or a wallet, let alone a handgun.

Plus, even their loose cut jeans are tight enough on the thighs that the printing is noticeable and uncomfortable. My 5'4 110 pound girlfriend occasionally carries a .380 keltec in the waist band but still needs a longer jacket to cover up the bulge (if she actually wants to conceal it).

Purse carry isn't as useless as people make it seem. Not all violent encounters are dynamic or unpredictable. Lots of criminals foolishly project their nefarious intentions and give plenty of opportunity to access defensive tools.
 
All the guys have given their opinions . Are their any ladies who want to weigh in? Womans fashions are very different from mens . I don't think they can just throw a gun in a pocket like we do.
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This isn't a fashion issue, it's a life saving issue. Trying to blend the two just makes things dangerous if she needs it. The gun should be comfortable first.
 
Whatever carry method is chosen, I'd strongly suggest that the carrier engage in a couple of versions of the Tueller drill. Might be a few other members here should try the exercise also, if they have never done so.

It will answer a number of the questions should be asked and should make some of the unasked ones moot.

Depending on the scenario used, 1 to 1.5 seconds Max. isn't much time to draw, fire and get even one CM hit. Let alone the two that are minimum.

Takes the right gear and practice to make it work at all.

Regards,
:)

Purses are not the right gear!
 
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My purse is fairly organized and I can find most everything quickly enough. BUT if I'm in the car it would be on the floor or the passenger seat. You can't drive with a purse on your shoulder. If I'm loading groceries in the back, it's on my shoulder. But if there is a threat, I don't think the criminal is going to give me time to reach over and get my bag, or put my groceries nicely down and then reach in my purse. The gun needs to be touching me to be fast enough to make a difference.
 
My purse is fairly organized
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I think it's entirely possible and reasonable to expect that someone with a gun in her purse should be able to "assess exposure" and plan/execute "retention."

I don't forget stuff. I carry a gun in a portfolio, and when it's in there the folio stays "secured."

Not like Robt. Blake who went back into the restaurant to 'get his bag' while his wife was sitting out in the car being murdered.

(If you believe that story.)

As regards "purse snatchers." My CCW class instructor noted: Don't be going places with a gun that you wouldn't go without one."

If you're in a purse snatching area, don't carry a purse.

OK -- that said, get a purse that keeps the gun stable, oriented. Get a purse that FUNCTIONS. You won't carry it if it doesn't work for you. Get a purse that's 'dedicated' for carry -- so that your gun doesn't end up festooned with keys, lipstick, cell phones, pagers, combs, brushes, and whatever else is in there.

But if purses are being "snatched" where you live, it's a bad option.
 
After spending thousands of dollars on many of the best carry purses out there, my wife has come to one conclusion. THEY DON'T STAND UP TO NORMAL USE. The actual gun place was fine, but inner pocker tore, the linings eroded, and carry straps broke. She has commented many times, "for the money I paid for this thing, I could have gotten a really nice Coach bag."

She pocket carries now.

IMO, a small carry fanny pack, barely big enough to carry a j-frame, is not so obvious give away. Also, when seated, especially when driving, they are stupidly easy to draw from.
 
I was actually thinking about getting a conceal purse but now I completely agree after a couple comments were made. :D. A friend of my husband and me had said for me to get a shoulder holster because I have a smaller frame and my hip holster doesn't fit very well and is just over all uncomfortable. Plus I know what happens to my purse after a couple of hours of being out and about. I wouldn't want to out a gun in my bag.
 
The guy asked for suggestions on finding a purse, he didn't ask for suggestions as to why not carry in a purse. Some people just can't help it I guess...
 
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