Some concealed carry holsters tend to work better for women than others. Here are some guidelines to use for holster alternatives.
If you're an armed woman with a concealed carry permit you've declared your independence from fear. However, holster considerations may be different for you because of the delights of physiology.
The gentle arc from hip to waist is more profound on many women making the top of the gun or holster “bite” when using an inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster. While many women prefer a tailored look and thin belts, belt carry is prone to “print” or wobble.
This drives many to purse carry. That’s fine if you understand the benefits and risks. Purse snatches are common on city streets but that's not the only danger. A handgun should never be carried in a purse mingled with other contents because of the risk of objects getting inside the trigger guard and creating an accidental discharge, or fouling the action and jamming the gun.
Many vendors offer excellent concealment purses with dedicated pockets for the gun. Get a revolver with an enclosed hammer for this application because, if the circumstance demands, it can actually be shot through the walls of the purse.
Another option suitable for casual wear is a fanny pack. Although this is a slower option than belt carry, if you keep good defensive space it provides excellent security and is quite comfortable when worn on the strong side just in front of the hip bone. Small revolvers and semi-autos fit easily into belt packs.
The expensive black leather or ballistic nylon ones are guy swag. Colorful nylon offerings from the discount stores work just fine. You can buy several in different colors and match them to your outfits. One tip if you go this route: Tie a three inch loop of cord or yarn through the zipper that opens the pistol pocket so you have something easy to grab.
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