Now that it's getting colder in the North does that change the way you CCW?

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Rockrivr1

Rockrivr1

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During the summer I was CCWing with a 642 in a pocket holster and it was always in my front jean pocket. Now that it's getting colder I'm starting to carry my 642 and Glock 26 in the front inside pocket of my jacket. If by chance I only wear a fleece pullover I've actually carried using a shoulder holster for my full sized 1911. Not the most comfortable setup I might add.

This will be my first winter CCWing and to be honest I like the ease of carrying my 642 or G26 in my jacket pocket. But I haven't practiced drawing from that location yet. So now I'm wondering if it's such a good idea.

For those of you that have CCWed a lot, is there any down sides to carrying in a jacket pocket instead of the front pocket of your jeans. Also, I was planning on carrying more often using an IWB holster, but it seems like having a jacket on will hinder it's access.

So how do you handle the changing of seasons when it comes to how you CCW?
 
Somewhat.I sometimes go from carrying a SIG P239 or Beretta 9000 IWB to a Glock22 or SIG Pro in .357 OWB as it's more comfortable and easier to get to under a coat.Not that I think I necessarily need "more gun" but if I'm able to carry larger then I do and I don't own any full sized 9mm's anyway. I often just drop my P230 in the front pocket of my Barbour jacket but have been considering a Kahr to replace/supplant it for that purpose.
 
I divide my carry style between work and off work and also summer and the rest of the year. At work I carry in an ankle holster most of the time because I need deep concealment. I sit at a desk 50% of the time and drive 25% of the time. At those times I ankle carry year round. If I go out to do an estimate or to a job site where I will be walking around I switch to pocket carry. In the fall, winter or spring I go to jacket or coat pocket carry instead of pants pocket. I carry an S&W 342. In the summer after work I usually pocket carry. However, during the other 3 seasons I carry a Glock 29 OWB with a jacket or other cover garment when I am not at work.

In terms of jacket pocket carry the only down side I can think of would be taking off the jacket and leaving the gun in the pocket. I call that a pretty big down side.

On the up side. You could shoot your 642 through the jacket pocket. Also very easy to put your hand on your gun without anyone knowing. Also great in a car with a seat belt on if positioned properly.

I drive quite a bit and an ankle holster is pretty good in a car. Way better then pants pocket carry or OWB or IWB. The shoulder holster is good, but I find it uncomfortable. I recently bought a "barn" coat from Cabelas. It has two vertical pockets at chest level with velcro closures. So if I am sitting in my office with my ankle rig on, I have great and discreet access to my gun under the desk and can even cross my leg for better access without drawing attention. At the end of the day or if I go out on a call I slip my 342 into the left side vertical pocket (in a pocket holster). The access is much like a shoulder holster, but way more comfortable. Perfect in a car. Then if I know I will be walking, say late at night, in an underground parking garage (or where ever) I can move the gun into a side pocket and even keep my hand on it while walking. The barn coat is light enough for fall and spring and with a fleece vest is warm enough on the coldest winter day. I also have a Safariland speedloader in my left pocket, Fox OC in my right, Surefire on belt and Benchmade clipped on whichever pants pocket is empty.

Probably more info then you asked for, but thats my seasonal strategy. Works for me.
 
Winter is great ... you don't have to worry much about printing through Carhart insulated overalls and coat. ;)

I don't change carry for the seasons, except in the summer it is more "open carry." OWB year round.
 
I go from a mouse gun in the pocket (warm weather) to a 9 or 45 OWB under a sweatshirt when it gets cool. Got to work on the self discipline to make myself carry a serious caliber all yr long.

NS
 
I quit wearning Hawian shirts

I moved my gun from my belt to my jacket pocket.
 
Yup, I always change the way I carry in the winter. Shorts weather is KelTec weather. Now I can break out the big guns.:D Mostly for comfort it's UCDP or USP45C in DeSantis belly band. Especially if I'm planning on taking off the coat. Not too easy to get into action, but most comfortable way bar none. For ease of action, as long as I'm not planning on taking off the coat, it's on the hip at 4 o'clock or crossdraw at 10, be it OWB or IWB. The G26 in the inside coat pocket is a sometime thing as well, but it's slower into action than the belly band, and even the baby Glock seems to weigh the coat down a bunch in the front. If you have big slash pockets in the coat the 26 would be perfect for that. None of my coats seem to have the room.:( I do feel generally safer in the winter.
 
No. Not at all. Its a total package for me, an entire system. The wardrobe, the cover garment. I don't change my method or what I carry based on the weather. Its a system suitable year 'round.

Now, I have changed my weapon for other reasons. I've had abdominal surgery, and could not have anything strapped tightly to my waist. I have Crohn's Disease, and at times I cannot tolerate anything heavier than a J frame on my hip.

Fortunately, those times are few. When I'm that sick, I'm not worried about my carry method being inconvenienced. I have asked Rusty Sherrick to make me one of his shoulder holsters for my J frames. I just gotta get him to deliver it . . . :cool: It makes for a nice way to have an accessible back-up, too.
 
Hey, it's not just getting colder in the North. It's 30 degrees in Dallas right now...
 
I tend to carry my full size guns in the Winter. I wear a lot of sweatshirts and sweaters, and the occasional fleece vest.
 
I'm skinny. I find it's the pants, more than shirts, that affect my carrying a fullsize or commander 1911.

The fullsize runs farther down my hip/butt and prints under my wallet. It also sort of hurts to sit on, if I'm in the car especially.

The commander though, works perfectly sitting, standing, whatever.

Winter or summer. 24/7/365.

I wear the fullsize if I'm going to be on my feet a lot and not spending a lot of time driving. Everyday wear for me is the commander or G30 if I have to tuck shirt in (gotta get a 1911 CTAC soon...maybe for Christmas).
 
I would try to change as little as possible. Jacket pocket carry is only great if you practice, and if you never remove your jacket. If the jacket is off, then it may as well be off the body carry, like in a briefcase or purse or whatever.

One useful feature of my winter coat, though, is that the main zipper is made of two zippers, back to back. So it's a little easier to draw from a cross draw or front draw holster by unzipping it from the bottom.
 
Hell Yeah! When Winter comes,"Bigger is Better"!

I will concealed carry my PDW, AR pistol, at some point this winter:evil: ;), Blissninies beware, as it's meer presence should cause all near by antis, to DRT of fright from the,"concealed assault death rays",(read as:evil assault vibe) it emmits out to ~10' of either side :neener: !!

Too Many Choices!?
 
HK USP 45 Compact in Galco SSII Shoulder rig. Comfortable for 8-12 hours, 25 rounds of .45 and good all year long (provided I am not at the beach anyway). :D

I'm wearing button down shirts pretty much every day, I just roll the sleeves up in the summer, or wear short-sleeved button down shirts. I am in the process of converting all of my buttons into "snaps" like on the old cowboy shirts. I have a West Coast Choppers flanel that has them, and that's where I got the idea. This should make an already fast draw for me even faster.

Shoulder rigs aren't for everyone, but I cannot imagine not having one now.
 
Now that it's getting colder in the North does that change the way you CCW?
Click to expand...

Not really. I almost always carry IWB...

Besides that I seldom downsize for the summer and the smallest pistol I will ever carry is my Glock 26.

BTW - it's getting colder down south too!
 
Same gun, different holster. Mostly a Kahr K9 in an Galco IWB during warmer weather, but I switch to a Bianchi OWB when I can wear a heavier jacket. The OWB is easier to draw from and more comfortable to wear.

jmm
 
11 degrees below zero last night.

Does your CCW allow you to use gloves? Do you practice with them?

Something a Denver cop pointed out to me a couple years back. (You realize even wearing ski gloves you can shoot a Colt New Service?)
 
Last edited:
Dr. Rob,
Rather than worrying about making the CCW piece work with the glove, I make the glove work with me and the gun. I've got those convertible mittnes that flip to the back of the hand and reveal knuckle-length gloves. They're held in place by velcro and can be brushed back against just about anything.
 
The fullsize runs farther down my hip/butt and prints under my wallet.
Click to expand...
I carry IWB at 4 o'clock and keep my CCW, drivers license,ATM cards, etc. in an ID folder in my left front pocket. If I ever have to show my ID to a LEO, I never want to be reaching for my pistol and my ID at the same time.
The other advantage to this is that it puts much less pressure on your lower back if you sit a lot = less back pain.
 
In the summer when I wear lighter clothes I usully carry Kahr K-40 IWM with extra mag in back pocket or in the front left pants pocket. In the winter I usually carry Sig P-229 .40 SW in IWB and OWB and the extra mag in the back pocket..

I'm thinking of trying a cross draw OWB for winter seems easier to get to the gun while I drive. I'm left handed and would have to bent way over to my right and go throught three layers on clothes just to find it.


Hmmmmmmm... Maybe I'll just carry two guns or carry one and place the second on the passenger seat.;)
 
Like others here I go from a mousegun (P3AT) in the pocket to my S40 in a IWB. My CTAC allows me to reach it fairly easily under a jacket and I can pull it out and put it in the console when I want it availble in the car. YMMV. Whatever you decide, I would recommend that you DO NOT carry your weapon loose in an outer pocket of any outerwear (coat, vest, etc.). It's too easy to have them fall out when you take off your coat at the restaurant, symphony, etc. This caused my first "man with a gun call". I was almost embarrassed for the guy! Also keep in mind that large winter coats often reduce the effectiveness of loads. Think penetration in winter!

HTH,
Mike
 
His point was he wasn't changing his duty sidearm between seasons... every fall he'd start practicing with gloves, seems like good practice to me.

I usually wear fingerless gloves unless it's bitter bitter cold... lessons learned from hunting.
 
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