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Winter carry questions
12/9/2011 12:55:06 PM
I'm new to carry, so now winter is posing a new question for me. What's the commonly accepted wisdom for winter carry? If I have my coat buttoned up, an IWB draw is going to be REALLY slow, at best. I decided to coat pocket carry because I knew I wouldn't be taking it off before I returned home, but I don't like that option if I'm going somewhere that I will be expected to take off the coat, then my gun is no longer under my control-not good. I don't see any great answers here. What say you, fellow cold weather residents?
12/9/2011 12:58:54 PM
I go with a service pistol on my belt and a subcompact (LCP or J frame) in a coat pocket.
If my coat is coming off I move the subcompact into a pants pocket.
If my coat is coming off I move the subcompact into a pants pocket.
12/9/2011 1:13:53 PM
I am a cold weather person so this may not be the best advice but even in the dead of winter I usually only have a wind breaker fleece jacket on and I almost always keep it unzipped. If you keep it un buttoned or unzipped you can throw it back the same as a shirt to get to your gun. I have found that with heavy winter coats, IWB actually works better for me because it holds tight to the body, if I am wearing OWB the coat is tight to me making it hard to get to the gun.
If you have a holster/gun combo that you really like then I would work around that, don't change it just because it's winter find a way to make that work. Just my $.02
If you have a holster/gun combo that you really like then I would work around that, don't change it just because it's winter find a way to make that work. Just my $.02
12/9/2011 3:18:41 PM
If you are in an environment where having your coat fully secured around you is a necessity, the probability of being attacked is exceedingly small.
12/9/2011 3:59:33 PM
I do nothing different between summer and winter time carry. Same gun (G23), same holster, same belts, the only difference is I wear heavier clothing in the winter. YMMV.
12/9/2011 4:18:25 PM
Love a BUG / hammerless j frame in the coat pocket
When I lived in IN. I would carry IWB or OWB
just never button up my jacket or coat
Here in SWFL I wore a jacket 1 time so far
wearing shorts and a T shirt now
The KEY is to practice
When I lived in IN. I would carry IWB or OWB
just never button up my jacket or coat
Here in SWFL I wore a jacket 1 time so far
wearing shorts and a T shirt now
The KEY is to practice
12/9/2011 5:22:06 PM
I'm the same year round, IWB under a shirt. In winter I only zip my coat if it's really cold, and I don't change my gun location for that.
12/9/2011 5:33:54 PM
I like wearing my shoulder holster rig in the winter, very comfortable but it requires a jacket to conceal.
12/9/2011 6:31:39 PM
When it gets really cold I wear a zipped fleece under my winter coat. Winter coat is unzipped.
Coat comes off, but I still have the fleece on.
Coat comes off, but I still have the fleece on.
12/9/2011 6:44:50 PM
If you're in an environment where layers are multiple, it'd be a good idea not to use .38 or .380.
Not sure about 9mm.
Not sure about 9mm.
12/10/2011 4:52:12 PM
I use a g19 in a mtac regardless of what I wear or the time of year.. I did just recieve a a OWB for my g17 with tlr-3 from mtac today. And I plan on trying it for ccw, although I purchased it for mainly woods carry and range time.
12/10/2011 6:00:53 PM
I change nothing, it stays in the same spot year round.
Im not a fan of pocket carry, especially in a coat. Mostly because I carry full-size and I envision snags and trouble removing it from my coat. Im also extremely active and IWB keeps it snugly in place, in a coat pocket is just an "odd" weight for me. (Thats just me)
I would suggest leaving it in the same spot, and drilling (safely of course), drawing with your coat on.
Im not a fan of pocket carry, especially in a coat. Mostly because I carry full-size and I envision snags and trouble removing it from my coat. Im also extremely active and IWB keeps it snugly in place, in a coat pocket is just an "odd" weight for me. (Thats just me)
I would suggest leaving it in the same spot, and drilling (safely of course), drawing with your coat on.
12/10/2011 6:04:31 PM
Originally Posted By Haraise:
If you're in an environment where layers are multiple, it'd be a good idea not to use .38 or .380.
Not sure about 9mm.
If you're in an environment where layers are multiple, it'd be a good idea not to use .38 or .380.
Not sure about 9mm.
On the 9mm.
Hornady makes a HP with an insert in the hollowed part. It is supposed to puncture the fabric just prior to the actual round getting there.
That is what I was told, and thats why I carry it, but I can't confirm or deny the claims.
12/10/2011 7:17:24 PM
Carry the same way you during summer. Commonality is a big plus.
12/11/2011 2:06:20 AM
I'd stick with IWB. With a little practice of sweeping that coat UP instead of back, you'll be fine.
12/11/2011 3:36:12 AM
I make sure my coat has snaps in the flap and just use those, no zipper. That way I can get to my gun quicker than if the coat were zipped. This isn't the answer to all things cold-weather CCW related, but it's one of them.
12/11/2011 9:33:13 PM
I lived in Michigan for a few years and Northern Indiana for a lot of years. Now I live in MO. Keep your gun in the same place. Keep the coat unzipped. If it is super cold though, most (I said 'most') thugs are too cold to get out. The cowardly don't even want to work to steal! I usually have layers of "tucked in" clothing with my normal outer cover for inside and then my heavy coat.
Summer - Thin "wife beater" t- shirt with regular t-shirt over it. Soaks up sweat and doesn't print. (And Missouri is hot and humid!)
Spring and fall - T-shirt and fleece - perhaps a jacket
Winter - Thin "wife beater" t-shirt, t-shirt, long sleeved cover shirt unbuttoned. (Or one / two buttons used) Coat.
This morning 27 degrees - Colt LW Commander - Cross Breed ST, "wife beater" t-shirt, sweater and jacket for church. Lost the jacket at church. Sweater weather was perfect for the rest of the day.
Dress around the equipment you are used to using!
YMMV
Summer - Thin "wife beater" t- shirt with regular t-shirt over it. Soaks up sweat and doesn't print. (And Missouri is hot and humid!)
Spring and fall - T-shirt and fleece - perhaps a jacket
Winter - Thin "wife beater" t-shirt, t-shirt, long sleeved cover shirt unbuttoned. (Or one / two buttons used) Coat.
This morning 27 degrees - Colt LW Commander - Cross Breed ST, "wife beater" t-shirt, sweater and jacket for church. Lost the jacket at church. Sweater weather was perfect for the rest of the day.
Dress around the equipment you are used to using!
YMMV
12/13/2011 9:52:17 AM
Originally Posted By Captains1911:
I do nothing different between summer and winter time carry. Same gun (G23), same holster, same belts, the only difference is I wear heavier clothing in the winter. YMMV.
I do nothing different between summer and winter time carry. Same gun (G23), same holster, same belts, the only difference is I wear heavier clothing in the winter. YMMV.
This.
12/13/2011 10:19:10 AM
Originally Posted By Captains1911:
I do nothing different between summer and winter time carry. Same gun (G23), same holster, same belts, the only difference is I wear heavier clothing in the winter. YMMV.
I do nothing different between summer and winter time carry. Same gun (G23), same holster, same belts, the only difference is I wear heavier clothing in the winter. YMMV.
Same, except I carry my FS mag in place.
12/18/2011 5:29:00 PM
I carry the same year round. home-brew supertuck clone. My layers: T-Shirt, Long sleeve flannel- both tucked in. Coat over that. If the coat has to come off, I try not, I can un-tuck the flannel. It looks like crap, but conceals. Although, I live in MN and we can carry open here (I never do that though) but it would be legal to do. My coat is zippered, but no elastic on the bottom hem. I also select a heavy winter coat that only goes slightly past my belt line. Only takes a slight lift of the coat to access the weapon. I always practice my draw one handed as I am usually with my 5 year old and wife. I will probably be using my other hand to sweep them away from danger.
Keep in mind, I believe it was mentioned: small, weak calibers that are barely do-able in summer time are worthless for multiple winter layers. Leave the .380's at home if at all possible. Step up to something .38 +P, or .40 and bigger if you can. But a pea shooter is better than nothing.
Keep in mind, I believe it was mentioned: small, weak calibers that are barely do-able in summer time are worthless for multiple winter layers. Leave the .380's at home if at all possible. Step up to something .38 +P, or .40 and bigger if you can. But a pea shooter is better than nothing.
12/20/2011 2:48:55 PM
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.
You may have to try different concealment garments until you find the combination that works. Did I mention practice? Don't forget to practice shooting with your gloves on as well. You may have to try many different kinds to find what will work as well!
You may have to try different concealment garments until you find the combination that works. Did I mention practice? Don't forget to practice shooting with your gloves on as well. You may have to try many different kinds to find what will work as well!
