Winter Carry

[Winter Borne]

I'm at the gun shop today looking for a new .45 and it's cold enough to have my favorite leather jacket on. Well I see a nice Springfield and bring it into a classic isosceles and realize my arms are jacket bound at the elbows! Then it occurs to me that I carry in the jacket all winter long but I have never practiced shooting in it and it's a whole different sight picture!

Just thought I'd share my new found insight in case I'm not the only one.

Cheers and happy Thanksgiving.

mk

 

[Webbj0219]

As far as carrying goes I find it easier. Dont have to worry about printing as much with extra layers.

For the drawing and firing aspect. I have practiced drawing from under the jacket. I usually carry in an OW band holster. So lift up the jacket and quickly draw the gun. And for firing im kinda self taugh with that. I shoot one handed. I know what your talking about with the Isosceles stance. But with my S&W 442, find my other hand just gets in the way. So I dont think it will make a difference, but now that you mention it I should practice a bit in winter atire. Thanx.

 

[Drail]

You need either a larger jacket or at least one which has gusseted shoulder joints (like an M 65 field jacket.) Go to a surplus store and look at how the field jackets are made to see what I mean. (I'm not suggesting you buy and wear a field jacket, a lot of leather jackets are also cut this way) When it comes to carrying fashion gets tossed out the window. Function overrides everything else.

 

[burrhead]

Just another reason to be glad I’m running around in shorts and a T shirt. Cold is when it gets down in the 50’s next month for about six weeks. I still carry a Colt Government year round though.

 

[RBH44]

Good Point! I've got a few hrs. before the turkey is ready. It's only about 33 degrees right now. Think I'll go get a couple of layers on and go over to the range and practice

 

[Hardtarget]

Good point. Next range trip I'll take several jackets/coats just to test. I wear my winter coat kind of oversize but will check it as well as some lighter jackets that I wear on those warmer days.

Its nice to have a reason to go shoot...like I really need a reason.

Mark

 

[therewolf]

I was actually considering having my better half sew a couple inexpensive nylon carry holsters into a couple of my winter jackets.

To each his own.

 

[steven58]

You don't need to sew in the holsters. I live in PA and when it's cold enough to warrant a buttoned up coat or jacket I switch my carry gun to a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. I use the regular one and the cargo pocket version depending on the coat or jacket I'm wearing. This works in my leather car coat patch pockets, slash pockets of my wool coat and in a ski jacket zippered side pocket.

Instead of sewing the holster to the jacket I just attach one corner through the inside of the jacket with a heavy duty safety pin. This allows the holster to float in the pocket, putting less stress on the garment and insuring that when you draw, the holster remains in the pocket. There is enough fabric in the holsters so that you don't have to push the safety pin all the way through and scuff your handgun.

 

[BADUNAME13]

I'm a fan of keeping your carry the same all year long.

Muscle memory and all that....

That said... Winter's a great time to drop an additional J frame into your jacket pocket.

 

[dogsoldier0513]

Some other things to consider when dressing in winter attire: If you wear GLOVES...can you still work any needed safeties, etc? How does wearing gloves alter your grip/hold on your CCW weapon? Can your trigger finger fit inside the trigger guard with gloves on?

 

[scaatylobo]

I have been a BIG fan of having a pocket gun IF the winter coat is done up.

I live in Western NYS and we get all 4 seasons and that allows me to practice carry in all weather.

I have gone to the range and shot outdoors in all weather just to avoid a surprise during a clothing change due to weather.

Pocket guns have been a S&W 442,a Ruger LPC, various derringers.

 

[seal]

Ah cold weather when you can carry an rpg and it doesn't print lol

 

[smallbore]

Lots of good ideas/points/reminders. I too regularly carry/practice according to seasonal attire and can easily operate my winter carry weapons with my gloves on.