Winter concealed carry advice for CCW permit holders

[Trebor]

Here's my latest Michigan Firearms Examiner article with some tips on cold weather carry. (Yeah, I know I probably should have done this one at the start of winer, but it's been so mild here).

Winter concealed carry tips for CCW permit holders

"As we Michigan residents struggle through another winter this is a good time to review tips for effective concealed carry during the cold weather season."

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If you missed them, here are links to my two previous articles on advice to new CCW holders.

Advice to new concealed carry permit holders

Advice to new CCW holders: Part 2 - Carry like a pro

 

[Fred Fuller]

I especially like the 'small concealed hammer revolver in an outside coat pocket' approach in the wintertime. Of course it's necessary that the pocket be deep enough for good retention, and using the pocket for an unholstered revolver means there can't be anything else in there but a hand. And it helps a lot IMHO if the revolver in question is an airweight or the equivalent. It's necessary to always be aware of where your coat is and its orientation after you shed it indoors, when using it as a holster. Some practice shooting through an old coat pocket is not wasted effort either, IMHO.

 

[Trebor]

I especially like the 'small concealed hammer revolver in an outside coat pocket' approach in the wintertime.

That's exactly what I'm doing since I bought a S&W M49 at a garage sale a couple years ago. It works really well.

 

[Ringolevio]

Life imitates art

Lee Lapin:

I especially like the 'small concealed hammer revolver in an outside coat pocket' approach in the wintertime. Of course it's necessary that the pocket be deep enough for good retention, and using the pocket for an unholstered revolver means there can't be anything else in there but a hand. And it helps a lot IMHO if the revolver in question is an airweight or the equivalent. It's necessary to always be aware of where your coat is and its orientation after you shed it indoors, when using it as a holster. Some practice shooting through an old coat pocket is not wasted effort either, IMHO.

In what could be called a case of "life imitating art", this is known as the "Kojak carry". Wearing a Tyrolean hat on your bald head, sucking on a lollipop and saying "Who loves ya, Baby?" are optional.

"Theo Kojak" was said to be based on legendary NYPD Chief of Detectives Albert Seedman, but I don't know if "Big Al" ever carried that way.

 

[harrygunner]

I'm going to have to work on this. Most all my carry experience is in California where at most, a waist length jacket was enough.

Now that I'm moving to where winter is truly winter, my S&W 640-1 in .357 Mag will get more use I imagine. On my last home scouting trip, I was standing on the bank of a frozen lake and the temperature was twenty-four degrees. I had my gun in its usual spot, under a thick top and a 'The North Face' coat on, unzipped in front. No gloves.

It felt like something I could handle, but maybe that's me since I'm always hot in temperatures above the low sixties. On the other hand, there wasn't a lot of wind that week.

I recall reading that a guy with an unbuttoned or unzipped coat in winter was one indicator of someone who may be armed. Fortunately, I'm moving to a gun-friendly state.

 

[ball3006]

Winter is nice for carry. Just drop a small pistol in your coat pocket or wear a holstered pistol under the coat on your belt....chris3

 

[ACP]

good advice.

have you thought about the need for perhaps a "winter load" to be able to penetrate layers of heavy clothing and still expand/penetrate?

vs, say, a t-shirt in the summertime?

 

[harrygunner]

I was watching the show, 'Alaska State Troopers' and noticed waist length jackets on the troopers.

Since they seemed fine in freezing weather, I decided to continue doing what I've been doing, wearing a jacket that comes to my waist, but buy warmer jackets.

Didn't find much searching for the kind of upper garments the troopers wear, but eventually I saw that Carhartt is a good place to start.

I'm thinking an insulated vest under a waterproof, wind proof jacket might work. Saw some down or duck feather insulated jackets as well to consider. I already know about insulation under my top and pants from camping in the Sierras.

I'll test this to confirm that I can continue to access my 10mm 1911 in an IWB holster.