Women in the gun world receive a lot of advice.
The advice is often well-meaning, but, admittedly, some of it is better than others.
After over a decade of concealed carrying and being an all-around “gun girl,” I’ve kind of figured out what advice is worth listening to and what’s worth avoiding.
And I love nothing more than sharing that information with other ladies!
So, today we’re going to explore concealed carrying from a woman’s perspective. We’ll walk through different ways and places on the body to carry and look at holsters you should check out (and ones to stay away from).
By the end of this article, you’ll at least know what gear is out there and if it’s worth your hard-earned cash.
Let’s dive in!
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Women’s Concealed Carry
Women’s bodies come in all fabulous shapes and sizes, but this means carry becomes very individualized.
For reference, I’m super petite — like, my 9-year-old son and I wear the same size.
At 5’2″ and 100-pounds, things that work for me might not work for someone with a different shape.
So, just because another woman can’t make a holster work doesn’t rule it out for you.
Concealed carry is a lot of trial and error — figuring out what works for your body and lifestyle.
You might have to try a few methods before eventually settling on one that works for you, and that’s okay!
The key to anything gun-related is don’t get discouraged or give up. Trust me; you can make it work!
Fashionable Concealed Carry
While a lot of our clothing proves advantageous — hello prints and florals — not everything in the fashion industry comes tooled for CCW.
Women’s clothing tends to favor lighter fabrics which aren’t always great for concealment. We also face pants with no pockets or belt loops.
And don’t get me started on dresses, skirts, rompers, and pantsuits.
There’s a lot of diversity in women’s fashion, so your concealed carry setup needs to reflect that.
In short, you’ll probably need to invest in a couple of holsters you can rotate based on what you’re wearing.
For instance, I use a Dark Star Gear Orion holster when carrying AIWB in jeans. But, as a single lady on a date, I might switch over to an ankle holster or belly band for dressier attire.
Having more than one holster gives me the ability to work with what I have in my closet.
On-Body Belted Options: IWB, AIWB, OWB
If you regularly wear belted pants or jeans, you’re in the right spot!
IWB, AIWB, and OWB all rely on a good gun belt and belted pants to work well. (You can get some good gun belt recs here!)
Keep reading to learn more.
IWB
Inside the Waistband seats the holster and gun on the inside of your pants, between you and your beltline. These holsters come in leather, Kydex, polymer-injected, fabric, or even hybrid (a blend of fabric and Kydex/plastic).
IWB is, by far, one of the most popular styles of concealed carry for both men and women.
Why?
It feels pretty comfy and does a great job of concealing the gun…especially for women.
While men can sometimes get away with carrying right on the hip in a 3 o’clock position, ladies often do better moving the gun behind the hip, around the 4- to -5-o’clock position.
This area tends to be less bony and more squishy, making it a more comfortable experience. Women can also utilize natural curves with the gun placed behind the hip.
Curves go a long way in concealing a gun.
It’s important to note that IWB is not the same as small of back. SOB carry places the gun right over the spine.
As such, I DON’T recommend carrying this way as it can cause severe damage to your back and spine if you fall onto the gun. Not to mention, if you’re fighting from your back, it’s incredibly difficult to draw your firearm.
People who SOB also have a tendency to flag themselves on the draw. So, let’s not do that.
IWB, just behind the hip, on the other hand, is how I recommend most women start if they want a great concealable option!
The downside to IWB is the draw requires you to twist ever so slightly to reach the gun — especially the further back you place it.
This might take some practice to get used to.
There are a lot of great IWB holster options, and you can see our list of preferred brands here.
Pro Tip: Patterns are a great way to break up any printing you might experience. So add some polka dots, florals, and plaid to the mix!
To read more on IWB, check out our article on Strong Side Carry.
AIWB
AIWB is an offshoot of IWB, but it differs in location. In AIWB, or Appendix Inside the Waistband, the gun is placed…well, over the appendix.
Basically, anywhere between the hip bone and navel works. For this, you’ll want to play with location and fine-tune it for you.
Some women prefer to carry more centerline, while others like to carry just in front of their hip. It depends on where it feels the best.
Some women find AIWB more comfortable than IWB because the gun presses against your squishy parts, not bony parts. And you don’t have as far to reach.
Not to mention, AIWB offers great concealment for certain body shapes.
The downside? Sitting can take some getting used to, depending on your body type, and you might not enjoy the feel of metal on your abdomen.
Plus, there’s a little something called “gun dick.”
A phenomenon that occurs when your pants are a wee bit tight, and the muzzle of your gun ends up looking like a…well, you get the idea.
Some of my favorite AIWB holster makers are Dark Star Gear, PHLster, and Raven Concealment. These guys know their stuff when it comes to AIWB.
Pro Tip: If your abdomen looks a bit bulky with a holster, gun, and belt, rotate your belt, so the buckle sits on the opposite hip. This balances the beltline and allows clothes to lay more evenly.
To learn more about AIWB, check out our article here!
OWB
Outside the Waistband is similar in placement to IWB but situates the gun on the outside of the pants on your dominant side.
This style is great when you’re on the range, carrying around the house, or in the winter months when you’re sporting a jacket or coat.
With the gun positioned here, there are fewer layers to fight with to get the gun. Accessing your gun is quick and easy.
Not to mention, this style is pretty comfy, cozy. The gun existing on the outside of the pants means no metal parts rubbing your body in weird ways.
But the downside is that, for some bodies, it can be difficult to conceal well in every outfit.
If you’re brand new to carry and still testing the waters, I recommend OWB around the home to get used to the gun. Then you can move into IWB.
For OWB, I prefer Comp-Tac, Bravo Concealment, and Raven Concealment.
Pro Tip: OWB is a great means to carry in the winter! Ditch the IWB for the OWB and a puffy vest! Concealment meets snow bunny!
To learn more about OWB, check our IWB vs. OWB.
On-Body Carry: Non-Belted Holsters
Where my boss babes at?
If you sport professional wear without belt loops, skirts, dresses, or pantsuits…we’ve got you covered with some alternative options.
Thigh Carry/Ankle Carry
Dresses and skirts necessitate a different kind of carry since there’s no beltline for a holster to grab.
In cases when I’m in a skirt or dress, I turn to thigh carry or ankle carry.
These holsters wrap around your leg and secure to themselves. They offer a small pocket or holster area to slip the gun.
It’s worth noting that this style is best for small, compact guns.
I use my Sig Sauer P238 when carrying this way, so it doesn’t weigh the holster down.
Drawing from a thigh or ankle rig does prevent you from moving, which is a pitfall to this design.
So, prioritize getting to cover first then drawing your gun.
For shorter skirts and dresses, I recommend the Can Can Concealment Thigh Holster.
For longer skirts/dresses and pant suits/jumpers, I use a Bear Armz Tactical ankle rig.
Pro Tip: Measure your leg before ordering a thigh or ankle holster. The wrong size will cause slippage.
For more on ankle carry, check out our article here!
Belly Bands
Belly bands also offer a means to carry in a skirt, shorts, yoga pants/leggings without belt loops…because, yes, that’s a thing.
A belly band wraps around the wearer’s body and secures to itself with either Velcro or snaps/hooks.
Some styles are all fabric, while others, like the Crossbreed Modular Belly Band, offer a fabric waistband paired with a Kydex holster shell.
These holsters often offer at least one area to carry the gun and sometimes even a pocket for extras like a spare mag or knife.
The advantage to these? The ability to carry without the need for belted pants.
Plus, some models offer a ton of pockets, so you can even carry non-gun things like IDs and chapstick.
The downside, though…these get warm in the summer months, and I tend to sweat a lot in a belly band. Sweat then leads to the belly band twisting ever so slightly on my body.
So, I have to run to the bathroom more frequently to ensure it stays where I want it.
I really like Can Can Concealment Hip Hugger and Crossbreed Modular Belly Band.
Pro Tip: Play with placement, and don’t be afraid to turn that holster 1/4-inch to get it just right.
Corset Holsters
Similarly, corset holsters adopt a belly band approach but use a corset instead of a band.
These holsters often come decked out in lace and provide a sexy look to deep concealment.
The downside to this style is it can get hot and sweaty, especially in the summer. Like, seriously, I felt like I was in a sauna.
Corsets also offer less forgiveness when it comes to sizing. If your weight fluctuates throughout the year, this might not be the best option.
Also, not every corset comes with an integrated trigger guard, so you’ll want to do some research to see what materials are used and if the trigger can be pulled through the fabric.
Dene Adams more or less launched the corset style. They offer both petite and standard styles. Just make sure you get one with trigger protection.
Pro Tip: When possible, purchase an extender for the corset. If you gain a few pounds, you’ll still be able to use the holster.
Bra Holsters
There’s no secret here. Bra holsters allow a holstered gun to sit on your bra.
This style brings a deep method of concealment and only really permits the carry of small guns.
Worth mentioning that bust size, body shape, and bra type play a BIG factor in success here.
Small-chested women have reported issues with printing, while short-waisted gals report discomfort with their gun’s grip poking their abdomen.
Me…my gun wanted to continually flip up, allowing the grip to poke out like a Chestburster from Alien.
Also, boob sweat. It’s a thing. You might find yourself wiping down your gun more than other carry methods.
While we’re on the topic of atypical things about bra carry…you’ll need to practice the draw and reholster situation since it’s different.
You also want to closely monitor your reholstering to ensure you don’t accidentally flag yourself.
For holsters, stick with Flashbang. They offer Kydex clamshell designs that secure the gun and cover the trigger.
Pro Tip: Invest in a sturdy bra with a strong middle band to support the gun.
Clothing Holsters
Though you won’t wear these in an office setting, clothing holsters work best in your off-time on the soccer field or making a Starbucks run.
Clothing holsters consist of apparel with an integrated holster. You’ve probably most often seen these in the form of leggings.
UnderTech UnderCover was one of the first companies to innovate in the leggings world, but more companies have jumped on the bandwagon.
Alexo Athletica is one such company, offering leggings, shorts, skirts, and even an all-day pant — all with an integrated holster.
While, again, you’re going to want to think small and choose a subcompact or micro-compact for clothing holsters, you also need to be aware that not all offer a trigger guard.
What does this mean?
The trigger area is unsecured, and something interacting with that space could cause an ND.
However, companies like Alexo offer a small pocket forward of the gun pocket. The pocket provides space for a card to slip into, thus blocking the trigger.
In short, thoroughly check out apparel holsters and ensure that you know their limitations and safety issues.
Pro Tip: Make sure you size correctly since clothing holsters are clothing. When in doubt, grab the measuring tape before hitting the buy button.
Purse Carry
Purse carry is exactly how it sounds and involves sticking a gun in your purse.
To be completely honest, I don’t advocate for this style of carry. It presents more risk than on-body carry.
That said, I realize that not all women enjoy the privilege of working from home for a pro-gun company.
So, let’s talk about purse carry.
When going this route, you want to select a bag dedicated to purse carry. That means it offers a pocket or integrated holster that secures your firearm.
DO NOT put a gun in your regular purse.
Having an unsecured firearm is incredibly unsafe. It prevents you from quickly accessing the gun, presents an opportunity for junk to end up in the barrel or action, and increases the risk of something tragic happening.
So, again, buy a purse designed specifically for concealed carry.
Secondly, when purse carrying, ALWAYS keep your purse on you. Always. At all times.
Do not set it in the shopping cart or slid it on the back of your chair at a restaurant. And do not leave it in the backseat with your kids.
You want to maintain possession of your gun at all times to prevent theft or little hands from finding the gun.
I recommend places like Gun Tote’N Mamas and Chameleon Bags.
Pro Tip: Shop around! Not all gun purses look like gun purses. So long as they offer a dedicated gun compartment, you’re good!
How to Choose a Women’s Holster
A lot of gun world marketing focuses on making women’s gear appear feminine or sexy.
While I love being feminine (my Sephora and Ulta rewards can attest to that), safety and access are more important.
When choosing a holster, I look for a few things that indicate it’s a good holster.
Ideally, a good holster will do the following:
- Keep the gun securely in place until you intentionally draw it
- Prevent the gun from being fired while in the holster
- Offer the gun up in the same orientation/angle consistently
- Allow for a full firing grip on the gun
Additionally, good holsters will be well-made and durable.
Just because we’re friends, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Good holsters can run a bit expensive.
I know, I know. You just dropped a few hundred on a gun…now I’m telling you to look at an $80 holster. But trust me, it’s worth it!
I’ve spent a lot of time testing holsters — enough to fill one full drawer in a dresser and two storage bins.
In the world of holsters, you truly get what you pay for.
So go ahead and spring for a good holster. It will last longer than the cheap ones, give you better peace of mind, and likely provide a better concealment experience all around.
Finding the Right Belt
If you opt for a holster that requires the use of a belt — IWB, AIWB, OWB — your belt makes a big difference in concealment.
Too bulky, and it’ll make you look thick in the middle. Too flimsy, and the gun will rotate on the belt.
Like Goldilocks, you have to find the belt that’s just right.
Due to those bony hips I mentioned earlier, some gun belts feel more comfortable than others. I find that traditional leather gun belts leave welts on my hips and dig into my skin.
On the other hand, nylon belts tend to provide enough flex to work around the hip while still offering the structure to hold a gun.
Some of my favorite belts for women are the Volund Gearworks Atlas, NexBelt, and 5.11 Tactical Athena Belt.
Conclusion
So what’s the best way to carry as a woman?
As much as I would like to give you one carry method to rule them all…I can’t. Every woman is different — both in body shape and lifestyle — so every concealed carry setup will vary.
What I can tell you, is to spend some time narrowing down what you need from a holster to fit into your life. This will help dictate the best method and holsters for you.
And sometimes that even means purchasing more than one holster, so you can swap based on the outfit.
Bottom line, figure out your lifestyle and then build your concealed carry set up around that.
Carry on, sis!
As always, if you have any questions, feel to drop us a line in the comments. Looking for more lady-specific content? Make sure to check back every Wednesday for a women-centric article. In the meantime, check out the Best Firearm Resources for Women and the Best Female Friendly Brands!
Article updated: Apr. 28, 2021 at 5:30 ET
45 Leave a Reply
You might check out Flashbang’s Marilyn holster. It straps and hooks onto/in the side of the bra, holding the gun with the grips next to the breast and the barrel backwards from under the arm. I don’t know if it’s awesome enough to earn a recommendation from Jacki, but it IS out there.
You might look at Flasbang’s Marilyn holster. It’s like a shoulder holster that straps and clips to/in (I’m not sure if the barrel section tucks into the bra or not, I was just casually skimming the site) the side of the bra, with the grips against the side of the boob and the barrel pointed backwards under the arm. I don’t know how good it is, but it IS out there.
You mention a bra holster for between the breasts, but do you have a recommendation for something under the shirt for side of breast. Like a shoulder holster that is between arm and side boob. Glock 380.
Hey there! I don't have any recommendations for that. As far as I know there aren't any holsters that are designed to go in that location under the shirt. Best you could do is a shoulder holster with a blazer or jacket on top.
It looks like the woman should be skinny, and so that leaves me out. :)
I know how you feel on this. Every person making a video or appearing in pictures with holsters is thin, or very lean. It’s true though that you don’t actually have to be thin- I’m not, and I have good results with a belly band and a small gun for appendix inside the waistband carry. Now that I have rolls etc, it’s less obvious what any single or even two or three bulges or folds in my clothes are hiding. Even an aiwb holster clipped to a belt gives good concealment. Don’t let the pictures discourage you . The right set up is out there for you.
Please consider this as a future article. How can someone (me) do a safe combination of IWB or OWB while wearing a waistpack aka fanny pack or backpack I am not a purse person. Due to riding public transport and walking I wear a waist pack for daily use. That way I am not going to 'set it down for a minute'. Or be like a woman in public restroom. She set her purse down and it was snatched! I am new to gun ownership. I am looking for a safe way to carry that will fit into my lifestyle. Currently my weapon is only going to and from range for classes and practice! FYI: I have read and re-read this article too many times to count.
I have this and love it. It’s easy to keep on body even in restaurants.
It’s from Lady Conceal, Kailey leather purse pack. Google Lady Conceal.
Decided to get training and purchase for carrying leading to concealed carry. I didn't realize the Pandora's box opened concerning styles, purses, waist packs, backpacks, holsters and related accessories. I enjoyed this article. It emphasized that a lot of thought needs to go into how I choose to carry. I do wish you'd said a bit about waist bags. Hope you continue the good work!
What is the tan belt you are wearing throughout the whole article? Nexbelt?
Yep! It's a Nexbelt.
Very informative, I live in the UK,and after a couple of tragic,foul ips by our police handguns were banned, I still own a handgun but it lives 6000 miles away in Oregon I miss it a lot!! I have forwarded your article to my daughter who is going to move to the U.S
Great article! Love the thigh holster!
I love all of y’all’s articles, but, no one EVER speaks to or mentions cross-carry. I’m petite, under 5’ and cross draw. It’s easy to reach, conceal and learn. Truly wish someone would address this method of carrying for concealment and explain that you can safely draw without covering people around you.
Thank you, This was a helpful artical.
Amazing article! So full of prevalent information! Thank you for this.
Thank you, PPT and Jacki, for including female-centric content! Jacki, I see that you mentioned a Shadow Systems (SS) pistol, which made an appearance in the pics. The SS MR920 is on my list of compacts of interest, and I wondered if I (a 5'3", relatively small frame female) could conceal it with a phlster enigma system or other holster options. I started second-guessing the idea (of EDC of a compact) and shifted my focus to researching/finding a concealable subcompact. I would appreciate any thoughts/recommendations you may have on females carrying compacts on-body, as opposed to sub/micro compacts that females are typically steered towards.
Hey Stacey, thanks for reading and dropping a comment! I carry a Shadow Systems MR920 as my EDC in a Dark Star Gear Orion holster and have little issues concealing it. I have a PHLster Enigma but haven't set it up yet. (That review is coming though.) Based on what I know so far about the Enigma, I think the SS will work in an Enigma. I'm 5'2" and about 100lbs and the key for me to concealing a compact vs. a subcompact is placement + good holster + good belt. If you can work those out, you can definitely make it work. If you have any more questions feel free to email me (jacki@pewpewtactical.com) or I have some pictures of me carrying the SS on my Instagram for reference (microjacki). Thanks!
I'm a newbie, so pardon if this is a dumb question, but how come there's no mention of under the arm, like a police holster situation? Due to my shape, I don't want a gun in or on my waist.. I would prefer under my arm... is this possible? TIA!
Thanks, Jacki. My wife is considering the option to be armed and as a dude, my perspective is incorrect. On this and other topics. I will forward this to her.
This is great info & I plan on trying a few holsters that Jacki has mentioned. I would like to share a little about myself and how I carry. I am in my early 50’s & just purchased my first gun almost a year ago. I do have a few purses that I carry my gun in. My favorite is the UKoala. I do carry crossbody when using a purse and I only use the purses when necessary. My favorite is the belly band. I purchased mine from Tactica Defense Fashion. The belly band holsters are hard like the Keydex and they are gun model specific. As far as the sweating goes, I wear a tank top under my belly band. It’s also a “shaper” so when you are chubby in the middle like I am, it makes you a little more slender, helping to better conceal your weapon & keeps the belly band from shifting. Sometimes I get a little hot so I try not to wear a top that is heavy/thick unless it’s during the colder months. Hope my info is helpful to some! I plan on visiting this site often for more tips! Thanks Jacki & others that provided tips/info!
"Gun dick, it's a thing." "Boob sweat, it's a thing."
Good job Jacki! I learned something and laughed a bit, too. Glad to see you're settling in nicely over here.
Josh
Great Article, I read it all so I know what to buy my wife
This article was super helpful for this newbie. I'm especially grateful for the great links and info on bra carry. I didn't even know bra carry was a thing.
I have carried daily for well over 25 years so I have several preferred methods depending on how I dress. BUt I have lots of friends ask me about concealed carry so of course it is a never ending discussion. The one thing I never see in these articles is any discussion about using a public restroom. This is a very important consideration especially for women.
I was thinking the same thing. Belts aren't always my friend when the needing to relieve myself. And where do you put the gun when you have to pee? Sometimes, it is a need to go as fast as I can.
Thank you for this review.
I am older (61 y.o.) and have only been carrying for a few years. Am I the only person with a drawer full of holsters? In the short time I have been carrying, I have accumulated a few different concealed carry firearms -- and a few different concealed carry holsters.
The one thing I choose to NOT do is purse carry. When I carry, I carry concealed on my person.
So here is what I have settled on: belly band carry or just below my knee (and will thigh carry when I find a holster to accommodate that method securely).
I have a leather "driving holster" for my Bond Arms pistols which is OWB but since it rides at the waistline on the belt (and it is horizontal), is still concealed with my normal wardrobe (because I no longer have that flat-ish belly I had before I reached the age of 60-ish, I normally wear shirts untucked). Normally I do not wear a belt (except when carrying my Bond Arms in the driving holster.) Most of my pants have an ease waistband.
Those are the reasons I prefer the belly band to carry. When I use the ladies room, the firearm is always right on my person. I have a couple of Can Can Concealment Hip Hugger belly bands (for different-sized firearms). The Can Can band is hands-down the most comfortable and secure way I have found to carry. There are strong magnets in the holster pockets to hold the firearm even more secure. They have silicone around the top and bottom to keep them from moving at all. They are so very well made that I have never had an issue of folding or rolling. A single Can Can band has pockets to accommodate different ways to carry and is ambidextrous.
I have a sticky holster for most of my handguns and I use Sticky's ankle biter leg holster to carry just below my knee when wearing longer skirts. The only gun I do not have a sticky holster for is my Beretta Pico. The excellent front sights on the Pico make drawing from the Sticky a little bit rough. Before I had the opportunity to pick up a pocket holster from Beretta for the Pico, I needed to be able to wear the Pico on my leg so I visited a gun store and found a Blackhawk pocket holster that is made of a material similar to Sticky. The Blackhawk allows smooth drawing and works just fine with my Ankle Biter from Sticky.
I too am looking for a thigh holster. I will probably get the thigh holster and belt from Can Can when I'm ready to make that purchase. Can Can's customer service is beyond excellent.
I recently saw an IWB kydex holster paired with a belly band. I hope I saved that article someplace because that is an option I might like to look at -- but seriously, I am 100% happy with my Can Can.
One of the first holsters I got when I first started carrying was a Lethal Lace. I tried it a couple of times, put it in the drawer and didn't pull it out again until a couple of days ago. I had just filled out a survey and specifically named Lethal Lace as the only holster I would never purchase again. But then I felt a little bit guilty for that since it had been years since I had tried the thing. So yesterday evening I gave the Lethal Lace another chance. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Total fail. I will only keep it around to show anyone why it is not an acceptable holster. I dunno, maybe it works for slender, long-torso women but definitely not for this squatty body lady. Oh, I did use my Blackhawk pocket holster with the Lethal Lace. Still a fail for my body type.
Final thought: when my husband took his CCW class, the instructor told the class to not worry so much about how easy it is to re-holster their weapon. Reason being: if you have to pull your firearm, you will not be reholstering it until after LEO lets you have it back again.
Dee Dee, I'm fairly new to carrying and in that short time I've purchased several holsters too. I'd like to suggest that you try ulti clips if you want an iwb holster without a belt. I have two crossbreed holsters that I love and one has the ulti clips attached so I can use them with thick leggings or shorts that don't have a belt option.
Thank you, Kendra! I will check those out. I'm also looking at holsters for my daughter who will soon have her CWL. She is very impressed with the Urban Carry G3.
But my biggest issue with IWB is when I use the ladies room.
Awesome article!! I’ve been conceal carrying for a little over a year, and just like you I typically wear jeans, capris, or shorts that accommodate my IWB molded-for-my-Bersa thunder .380! My mom and I both took the class together, but I can’t seem to stress to her how important it is! We just went shopping today looking for something special to wear to my parents up-coming 50th anniversary party, and she doesn’t understand why I don’t ever want to be without it! I told her it’s just like getting pregnant—all it takes is 1 time of not being prepared to bring undesired consequences!! I am interested in getting a thigh holster for those few times I might wear a dress or skirt, but I don’t typically wear them. Not only am I a single woman, but I live alone which makes me a target already! Crime has sharply increased in my area, and I don’t trust anyone I don’t know!! Even those who “look like they could be your nice neighbor” can “lose it” and do the unthinkable!! I do need to get insurance to cover that moment I hope never comes to be further prepared should it happen! Thanks for pointing out the importance of that!! Those of us who are law-abiding citizens, getting all of the necessary permits to carry, should go that next step to protect ourselves and our families in the event we must defend ourselves. Like others, I pray I only ever shoot at paper targets!!
I am 24 and just purchased my very own pistol. I have been shooting for a few years but don't know any women who actually own (or conceal) a firearm. All the menfolk tell me to use a purse or buy something tiny.
My HK P30sk v3 now has it's place on my belt. Thank you for eliminating the guesswork for me. I couldn't be happier!
Thank you so much for this informative article! Carrying concealed on-person is a bit intimidating but you gave some really great tips for what works/what doesn't and why. :-)
You're so welcome, Lindsey!
Have tried a few. Love the Dene Adams corset Holster...just works for me.
Im short 5'1 65 years old large breasted and the big tummy and phsical issues
No way can i tuck anywhete in waist.jabs me .
I would like to carry on far left in a holster or in a purse but then again i carry my purse on right side and most carry pursesare for left side which is very awkward
In in kc area .any idea where i can get help
Peggy Jo...have you considered a top that would conceal on your flank under your arm or possible on your hip? I’ve seen a special tank top design or one that is worn like a police detective may carry under a jacket? Just a thought...
OMG!!! Absolutely the best all around articles I have ever read. Between you and Annette I am becoming smarter and more confident each and every day.
This was hands down the best article I have read about concealed carry for women. You really helped make up my mind for how I will carry.
Thanks so much!!
Excellent advice. Thank you for exploring all options and for being real about our body issues. I am small built and curvy, and my wardrobe is basically close fitting. I have been struggling with how to carry and actually conceal without having to change my style of dress. I have a small Karr (due to trying to conceal it) but have decided that in order to obtain small I am giving up accuracy. Bottom line - heaven forbid I ever have to shot someone, but if I do, I certainly want to be able to hit them, I like my husband's larger handgun better and now I feel like I can actually go with that option.
Thanks for the article. I find it difficult to work out carrying concealed while looking like a girl. It's not easy when you're built certain ways!
I've recently switched to your cross draw style in order to hide the butt of my firearm better. I carry weight in my stomach and so it pushes the firearm away from my body. Cross draw keeps the printing to a minimum and allows me to wear less layers to hide it.
I do use a Ted Bocker curved belt with tapered ends so it looks far more feminine and fits far better than my husband's belts. These belts last 10 years of daily use before you'll look to use them only at home for their remaining 10 plus year lifespan.
I appreciate you mentioning the cons of purse carry. I've heard repeatedly that that should be my feminine go to. My counter has always been that my firearm is not under my direct control unless the purse is attached to my body at all times. Concealed carry is meant to be on your person which a purse is not.
You're welcome, Karyn! Glad the article could help you out (especially on confirming the purse carry advice).
I could. To find that belt can you help me out.
I am curious about your belt. It is not buckled in the front. I have heard of women buckling a belt on the side, but never figured out how they would use the bathroom that way. It looks like you would have to remove your holster and basically take the belt off. Is that correct?
Hi Rebecca! I just slide the belt through coming from around the back, so that the tail end continues going clockwise around my body and there's a lot of slack in the front across where the pants button/zip up. It can help to take the mag carrier off, but I leave the holster on. When I'm done with my business, I just pull the belt back through to tighten everything back up.
Good, "most excellent," stuph. I teach a lotta girls/women -- a number of 'em sent by the courts 'cause they are in peril (ex-boyfriends, stalkers, ex-husbands, etc) -- to shoot (www.ShootBane.Com). How-to-carry is the second biggest subject (after how and what to shoot). I passed this on to a bunch folks; to the guys for the important females in their lives, and to the women/girls, who now know how to shoot, and own the correct-for-them gun, but who are in search-mode about how to carry. Thanks for your input.