winter ccw

[JEB]

i have all types of pointers on carrying during summer but all i ever hear is "during winter concealment is no problem." my problem is that during summer, when i go to draw my firearm all i have to move is a t-shirt (carried IWB). during winter, it seems like it would be much more difficult to get to my waistband. i thought about a shoulder rig but if i am cold then my coat is zipped, again making it more difficult to access my weapon. so how does everyone else overcome these problems? what type of carry rig do you use when the snow starts to fall?

 

[sherman123]

I use front right pocket carry all year round.

 

[JEB]

i would carry in the front pocket but my niether my sp101 or my glock22 will fit there and funds really dont allow for a now gun....at least for now

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

What about a cross draw shoulder holster with an open jacket/open button up shirt?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use front right pocket carry all year round.

So do I most of the times. Sometimes I move the handgun to my coat pocket if it's a long coat.

 

[Mp7]

i keep my NAA mini in an inside-mouth-holster.
Just shout "Freeze!" and you have easy access

 

[jackstinson]

i keep my NAA mini in an inside-mouth-holster.

Hmmmm......be careful you don't go shooting your mouth off now.

 

[herkyguy]

If I could use a shoulder holster year round, I would. I love it, but in the south, the heat makes it not so practical almost all year. There are only a few months a year I can use the shoulder rig, but I feel the most comfortable with it as opposed to IWB. The shoulder holster is easy to conceal with a vest, protects your weapon well from prying hands, allows easy storage of extra mags on the opposite side, is a breeze when driving, and with practice, is easy to draw.

the only downside is the barrel faces behind you, so in the rare accidental discharge scenario, the bullet doesn't go straight into the ground.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I carry a second gun (642) in a DeSantis Nemesis or in an empty pocket in the right exterior pocket of my topmost layer of clothing if it's cold enough to zip up the winter coat. Which it is here about 65% of the year.

 

[Clarence]

During the winter I usually carry OWB in a Milt Sparks 55BN. It's very easy to conceal under a light jacket or windbreaker.

 

[dairycreek]

I carry the same year round. A Commander size 1911 in an IWB holster with a cover garment of some kind. Warmer garment in winter and a cooler one in summer. Works for me. Bottom line is to "dress for the gun" and the rest will follow.

 

[scotthsi]

In the winter up in Connecticut, the Kahr PM9 in front or coat pocket carry becomes the primary since I pretty much always have my hands in pockets, wherever they may be. What I'm carrying IWB becomes the BUG as I should have plenty of time to access it after the primary is...no longer an option...

 

[chris in va]

I just wear a coat and OWB holster, definitely easier to draw from than having to lift a t-shirt.

 

[Carne Frio]

I use shoulder carry or coat pocket carry.
Here is one expert's opinion:

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob79.html

 

[christcorp]

In the winter, if it's cold enough to wear a coat, I simply have the gun in my coat pocket. And I don't even consider trying to pull the gun out. My hand goes in the pocket of my coat and I fire right through the coat. I can replace a coat. The only way I'd even pull the gun out of the coat pocket is if the situation was such where I wanted to give the bad guy a way out to leave. I.e. if he pulled a knife on me, I might pull the gun out so he could reassess the situation and decide whether or not to leave.

 

[MHBushmaster]

In the winter, I wear a Woolen Pea Coat, I can conceal pretty much anything. I'm currently going to be using a SW 4506 or my 1006 in a SafariLand OWB Patrol Officers belt holster or a Galco OWB leather holster.

Winter time = big coats on bad guys. Means I need more penetration. Thus I step up to a .45acp or a 10mm Auto.

I normally carry a Sig P226 or Glock 19 in warmer months. I've found the 9x19 not suitable for deeper penetration with greater expansion through several layers of clothes. I can get the penetration I need with 9mm, but I sacrifice expansion and increase over-penetration. With 230gr +P HST HP ammo it allows me to negate the heavy coat issues.