By Carrie Lightfoot, The Well Armed Woman
As a woman gun owner, selecting the right holster can be a challenge. This topic was the subject of a recent episode of The Women’s Gun Show podcast. My co-host, Barbara Baird, and I broke down the numerous concealed carry locations and available holster options for each location on a woman’s body. Next to the decision of which firearm to own and carry, the question of how to carry it and which holster is the right one for the job on the female body is the most frequent question and topic of discussion among women entering gun ownership.
“Carrying a gun isn’t supposed to be comfortable, it is supposed to be a comfort,” said Clint Smith. Clint’s quote above is very revealing and it is important to understand that concealed carry comes with some changes and some concessions. There may be times that it is an inconvenience or a little uncomfortable but these are constant reminders of the enormous responsibility that comes with gun ownership.
There are some key things that are necessary for optimal comfort and safety. First, is the selection of your gun. It should be the right size for you, your body and your hand and one you are comfortable and competent shooting. Your gun selection is the most important decision and it is around your gun, that your Personal Concealed Carry System is built.
A good holster is one that is designed for your gun (either specific model or type and size) and holds the gun securely. It must attach to your body or clothing securely and completely cover and protect the trigger guard.
Most women utilize a variety of different concealed carry holsters that work with their varied clothing styles, lifestyles and activities.
Here is a breakdown of concealed carry locations and the types of holsters for them:
On-the-Waist Carry
On-the-belt carry or on-the-waist carry, aka outside the waistband, is the preferred and most comfortable form of concealed carry for women because the gun is close, the grip is in a great position to grasp and draw quickly and the gun sits outside the pants, which also makes it the most comfortable. The only challenge is to find the appropriate clothing to cover and conceal the gun. In some states, it is legal to open carry and have the gun entirely exposed; the decision to do so is a personal decision but most women prefer to use a cover garment and keep the firearm concealed. Traditional on-the-waist holsters are designed for men and work well with their straighter, more narrow male hips. There are holsters made for curvy types, too.
Inside the Waistband Carry
Inside the waistband (IWB) holsters typically have a clip that clips to the waistband and the holster slips down the inside of your pants or waistline.
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Carrying the firearm with the bulk of the firearm inside the waistband is a very popular form of concealed carry with women as only the grip or butt needs to be covered to be concealed and the firearm is very accessible and easy to draw. Most regular women’s shirts will cover sufficiently and most pants can “stretch” to make the adjustment necessary to fit the firearm, especially if it is a small frame.
The exact location of where you carry in the waistband holster is a personal one. What is most comfortable and gives easy for to draw from are the key factors. Women usually carry on their strong sides (the same side as your shooting hand) in the front or toward the back, just off the hip with the handle angled properly for easy drawing. Appendix carry is with the gun placed in front, between your belly button and your hip.
This location is practical for women when wearing pants or a skirt with strong waistbands. There are options made in leather, Kydex (thermoplastic) and nylon.
Mid-section Carry, the “Sweet Spot”
I call this area – the band on the body from breasts to hips – the “sweet spot.” Carrying in this zone allows for the most part, easy access and very good concealment.
There are undergarment holster options that provide an in-the-waist carry location by positioning the gun in the waistband area, but underneath clothing. Women’s compression concealment shorts feature two holsters offering ambidextrous concealment, and because they are “compression,” you get a little extra shaping, too.
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Belly band and underwraps can be versatile and comfortable methods of concealment that many women use effectively. These items provide concealment in the preferred “sweet spot” and can be worn in multiple locations – high or low on the body and rotated to the perfect carry spot for you. They are made of heavy duty elastic with a Velcro closure. With a fabric holster it is imperative that the material is thick enough to prevent you from pressing the trigger through the fabric during adjustments and daily living. Note: Plastic trigger shields are available to insert between the trigger guard and the fabric to prevent this from happening.
Another option is the compression tank top. This “undershirt” comes with holster pockets on both sides and holds the firearm just under an armpit. It takes advantage of a natural hiding space created along the side of a breast.
Let’s be honest – a women’s chest creates a natural hiding place. Bra holsters are designed to hold and conceal the firearm while attached to the bra. They offer fairly easy access when wearing a blouse, shirt or sweater. Frankly, the bigger the bust, the larger the firearm you can conceal and the better you can conceal it. So for those of you who are well-endowed, this can be a very comfortable and effective form of concealed carry.
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One concern with bra holsters is that the firearm can cover the non-shooting arm as the firearm is pulled from the holster and raised to shoot. Practice and awareness are always necessary with all holsters, but particularly with this form of holster.
Ankle and Thigh Carry
When wearing pants, an ankle holster can be a good option and can be worn quite comfortably all day long. Because of the loose nature of the hem of most pant legs, it keeps your firearm very well concealed without bumps and lumps in your clothing.
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There are some challenges with ankle carry. One is that it is impossible to draw your gun while you are moving or running away from danger. It is, however, good in situations in which you are sitting much of the time, as perhaps at the office or for those confined to a wheelchair.
The wearing of a dress can create some very real challenges. The absence of a waistband leaves few location options that can be accessible if the need arises. A thigh holster is a great option and allows women to carry their firearms in an accessible location when wearing dresses and skirts.
As you can see, choosing the right holster(s) takes some thoughtful consideration of a number of things, the gun, the body, the clothing and the holster. We delve into this topic in Episode 12 of “The Women’s Gun Show Podcast” – How to Choose the Right Holster. The Women’s Guns Show – Episode 12
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Carrie Lightfoot is the owner and founder of The Well Armed Woman and The Well Armed Woman Shooting Chapters.
Barbara Baird is the publisher of Women’s Outdoor News.
