[scarlett]

greenLED asked me to report on my experience with IWB and a couple of recommended holsters, so I thought I'd post it here in case anyone else might benefit from the information. I have my Oregon and Utah permits but haven't really started carrying yet (the primary excuse being not having the right holster, secondary reason was wanting more training). I am now at least sympathetic to the fact that concealed carry can be a challenge for women for physiological and fashion reasons. I am 5'2", 130#, and work in an office downtown where I can dress casually, so it's been only a question of finding jackets and belts, the two times per year or less that I would wear a dress I guess I could go without the gun.

The two IWBs recommended by Joel were the DeSantis Cozy Partner and the Galco Royal Guard (which wasn't available for my S&W 9mm compact), I got the DeSantis. I carried the gun in it all day at the barn yesterday, which included strenuous hiking in the woods for an hour, horse grooming, mounting/dismounting, trail riding, and other ground work with the horse, loading in the trailer etc. Bottom line, it worked out well. The only drawback was that after hiking I wanted to take my jacket off and couldn't--note to self, have alternate concealment garments on hand. (I was shocked to learn a few weeks ago that another lady who keeps her horse at my barn never rides in those woods unarmed because there is a cougar up there. She has a Walther 9mm, "with hollow points". Goes to show you, you can't tell by looking at people...)

So obviously with IWB, the less you have around your middle and over your hips the better. I still have a little weight to lose, so when that's done this can only improve. I tried some shorter blazers and typical work clothes with it and it seemed to work fine as far as concealment (looking closely, a little bulge is visible where the muzzle is). If you are short like I am it's worse, but even so I think this holster will work fine. Any gun bigger than the compact I have would be out of the question.

The Serpa was great for training, I loved it. I like the retention feature of that holster and it's just a good design, overall. I thought it might work for concealed carry with the paddle attachment, I put that on yesterday and tried it. It's very comfortable, but hard to conceal with even a long blazer since any fitting at all in the back of the blazer makes the gun show. A lot. With a very square, loose-fitting jacket of a heavier material, it might work, but of course summer is on the way now so I don't know if there is a garment shaped the way it would need to be of a light enough material.

So far, just by talking to people and training at OFA, I think I'm doing pretty well not accumulating a drawer full of holsters that don't work. :-) So far I have a total of only 3, all of which are fine, but which are ranked in usefulness for my applications as follows: 1) DeSantis 2) Serpa 3) S&W leather belt holster (failed in training in the rain!)

[greenLED]

Thanks for sharing, Scarlett!

[Thunder]

Thanks for taking the time to report, it really helps for others to hear and also realize there are many options to consider.
Joel does get it right once in awhile.

[scarlett]

Thunder, on 07 February 2010 - 02:48 PM, said:

Thanks for taking the time to report, it really helps for others to hear and also realize there are many options to consider.
Joel does get it right once in awhile.

He did! now, pray with me that I never have to take this gun out of the holster. :-)

[Thunder]

scarlett, on 08 February 2010 - 11:31 AM, said:

Thunder, on 07 February 2010 - 02:48 PM, said:

Thanks for taking the time to report, it really helps for others to hear and also realize there are many options to consider.
Joel does get it right once in awhile.

He did! now, pray with me that I never have to take this gun out of the holster. :-)

Except for training, I agree completely.

Amen

[Aaron]

Great review. Thanx for the info. I will be passing this along to my wife. My wife and I will be taking the BHSC hopefully this year. I have taken the course along with DH1, but my wife hasn't had the opertunity to take any of the classes. I am actually excited to take the BHSC over again. Great refresher course and alot of info is given. Strongly recommend taking BHSC multiple times.
~Aaron~

[Thunder]

Thanks for the support and great to see your wife involved with you, next thing you know, team tactics, clearing in pairs, trips to the gun shops with her blessings, LOL.

And the BHS class, like DAno says, its like drinking from a firehose, lots do it over and love it, especially with someone else.

Run that little ruger in DH1 the second time around.

I can't remember what the record is for DH1 repeats with the same student, but has to be 8-10 or more, right handed, left handed, pocket, ankle, different guns, different holsters, too fun. and of course then there is "DH1" for rifles, carbine class.

[Net]

scarlett, on 07 February 2010 - 12:18 PM, said:

So far, just by talking to people and training at OFA, I think I'm doing pretty well not accumulating a drawer full of holsters that don't work. :-) So far I have a total of only 3, all of which are fine, but which are ranked in usefulness for my applications as follows: 1) DeSantis 2) Serpa 3) S&W leather belt holster (failed in training in the rain!)

There's plenty of time to accumulate holsters... Great job taking the time to report out! I'm also 5'2" but more "baggage". We ladies do have many challenges when it comes to gun accessories. Ya might think about ankle holsters for the summer time. I am comfy in jeans year round out here, so that's how I've handled summer times. Fanny pack works well too. But there's a lot said for backup plans...kubaton keyring, OC, knives, credit cards (cut jagged edges along one side)...the list goes on for defense weapons.

[scarlett]

Net, on 09 February 2010 - 08:54 PM, said:

scarlett, on 07 February 2010 - 12:18 PM, said:

So far, just by talking to people and training at OFA, I think I'm doing pretty well not accumulating a drawer full of holsters that don't work. :-) So far I have a total of only 3, all of which are fine, but which are ranked in usefulness for my applications as follows: 1) DeSantis 2) Serpa 3) S&W leather belt holster (failed in training in the rain!)

There's plenty of time to accumulate holsters... Great job taking the time to report out! I'm also 5'2" but more "baggage". We ladies do have many challenges when it comes to gun accessories. Ya might think about ankle holsters for the summer time. I am comfy in jeans year round out here, so that's how I've handled summer times. Fanny pack works well too. But there's a lot said for backup plans...kubaton keyring, OC, knives, credit cards (cut jagged edges along one side)...the list goes on for defense weapons.

Hi Net!

An ankle holster might be the thing, for summer. I notice it's a lot, already, on a belt, with just the gun and my phone (not even a spare magazine).

Oh wait...about holsters...I do have one of those square nylon ones from that wilderness gear site...so that makes 4 (half of which are, practically speaking, relegated to the drawer).

I need to take some more classes.

[Net]

[quote name='scarlett' date='09 February 2010 - 09:54 PM' timestamp='1265781266' post='45117']
[quote name='Net' date='09 February 2010 - 08:54 PM' timestamp='1265777646' post='45115']

scarlett, on 07 February 2010 - 12:18 PM, said:

I need to take some more classes.

I say that exact statement after every class. Always lots to learn!