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  #1  
Old 12-19-2016, 05:41 PM
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Default It's winter, you're carrying concealed, and...

So, my question is inspired by the current cold snap, since I wear a coat VERY infrequently, and because my many years of routinely carrying a handgun holstered in my pants pocket was altered about a year ago (but not in the winter cold, obviously) when I decided to daily carry a larger .38 revolver IWB or OWB under a vest or light jacket. Not a problem. The problem is on a morning like today, when I bundled up with my usual vest, then a heavy coat and scarf, hat, gloves, etc. Okay, I shed the gloves and hat in the truck but not the coat so it's still part of the equation.

I'm sitting there thinking to myself, "Self, there is no way you can reach that revolver if you need it while you are bundled up like that".

Walking with gloves on and a buttoned up coat is even worse.

What do you folks in cold-weather-land do under these circumstances? It's weird to realize I never think about it because I so rarely have a coat on. Now I'm thinking about it so I am asking.

Thanks.
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Old 12-19-2016, 05:50 PM
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I just use a Sticky holster IWB front just make sure at least one layer covers it, I'm skinny so it works for me. Just something you deal with in the north east. Catskill Mountains Upstate NYS. Never an easy access when layered
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Old 12-19-2016, 05:56 PM
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Walk'in in Penn's woods...I'll switch from IWB behind my right hip to a Miami Vice shoulder rig or a OWB cross draw........ ....

pull down the jacket/coat zipper.... reach in and draw.

also flannel shirt with a fleece vest.....allows me to shed outer coat and still look...........LOL........ LL Bean stylish......

then there always the j-frame in the outside pocket!!!!!
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Old 12-19-2016, 05:59 PM
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When seated in a car and have a coat on I will move my pants pocket gun to the coat. Sometimes when walking around also.
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Old 12-19-2016, 06:05 PM
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Out in the woods,I switch my owb holster to a cross draw.Raise coat with left hand,draw with right.
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Old 12-19-2016, 06:07 PM
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Parka's have big enough pockets to drop your holstered rig right in there.
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Old 12-19-2016, 06:12 PM
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Certain clothing manufacturer makes a hoody with a zipper inside the front pouch so you can reach your appendix carry weapon.
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Old 12-19-2016, 06:15 PM
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I was a photographer and have a left over photographers vest. It has 16 pockets. Plenty of room for even my large N frame snubbies. My wife just bought me a vest for Christmas that has a large inside pocket made for concealed carry. I keep it unzipped part way and can reach in crossdraw like a shoulder holster.
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Old 12-19-2016, 06:24 PM
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Carry a second small pistol inside a coat pocket.


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Old 12-19-2016, 06:40 PM
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FWIW, the bad guys don't like the cold either, and as they're usually on foot, they're not out and about. Is this a hard & fast rule? No, but it's the way things are during the winter months. That, and good situational awareness should give you ample time to acquire your weapon should the worst ever happen.

Last edited by Donn; 12-19-2016 at 06:42 PM.
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Old 12-19-2016, 06:43 PM
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Unbutton the coat.
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Old 12-19-2016, 06:46 PM
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I carry my Sig P938 in a pocket holster in coat pocket.
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Old 12-19-2016, 07:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Topsarge View Post
I was a photographer and have a left over photographers vest. It has 16 pockets.
Oh! A Shoot-Me-First vest.

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Originally Posted by rpg
Unbutton the coat.
Solid option, especially if you dress in layers. I don't need to zip my coat 95% of the time, because I'm wearing anywhere between 3 and 5 layers underneath it. It's only howling winds and/or subzero when I get cold.

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I carry my Sig P938 in a pocket holster in coat pocket.
Another good option. Just move the pocket outwards.
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Old 12-19-2016, 07:04 PM
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Here's a link to a YouTube video that demonstrates the BERNE ECHO ONE ONE concealed carry coat. This may be the solution for accessible "Winter Carry"...

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Old 12-19-2016, 07:09 PM
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Rarely gets cold enough to wear more than an extra shirt and a light jacket here in Louisiana. Got great advice a few years ago from an instructor: Practice drawing with what you will be wearing. A fan can be used to simulate wind.
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Old 12-19-2016, 07:34 PM
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If you're in your car, you have a much more effective response under your right foot. Or, you will once you move it to the accelerator pedal.

Make sure you can safely get your trigger digit into the trigger guard with gloves on. Then place that pistol in a coat pocket.
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Old 12-19-2016, 07:59 PM
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I clicked "like" on a few but I really like all of the responses. Sometimes you forget "where you came from". I could easily toss a little .25 ACP or a M642 into my coat pocket. I am not sure why that didn't occur to me. I also am not sure why it didn't occur to me to switch to a cross draw holster for the car. But now I'm way better prepared to deal with rare cold days so THANK YOU ALL AND MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY CHANUKAH, HAPPY NEW YEAR, etc.!!!
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Old 12-19-2016, 08:13 PM
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I have a job that requires me to be outdoors in all weather conditions and I've had time to experiment and find what works for me.

In general I don't wear a coat at all unless I am going to actually be out in the weather for longer than 30 minutes or it gets below 10 below. If it gets that cold I wear a Columbia Parka and carry a small gun in my pocket and my belt gun on my belt.

Normally I use several light layers and carry my gun under the outer layer as normal. I use the Army's ECWCS system under my outer layer and if I'm out in it I throw on a USGI fleece and I'm good.
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Old 12-19-2016, 08:19 PM
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My winter dress is generally a couple layers of UnderArmour or Nike DriFit shirts and a quarter zip pullover of some sort. On the rare occasion when I wear something bulkier, like a Carhartt or a bike jacket, I slip a NAA or a KelTec in the pocket. I guess that makes that pistol a primary, and what's in the holster a BUG, but so be it . . .
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Old 12-19-2016, 08:22 PM
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So you really think that gun will work against...........

the poor skinny BG that has 3 shirts, 2 flannel long sleeves ,
a heavy vest, scarf and a Navy pea coat on, to keep warm in the cold weather?
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Old 12-19-2016, 08:51 PM
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I never wear a parka or any kind of heavy coat. I don't intend to be out in the cold long enough to need it.
Usually it's jeans, t shirt, a flannel shirt, a jacket and my Dodge Ram hat. I get jackets with an inside pocket and I'll carry my snubby there in a pocket holster with the jacket unzipped or unbuttoned.
Also carrying owb isn't any more difficult with the jacket buttoned.
If I need to shovel snow I'll add gloves and a hat. The gloves come off once the shovelin's done.
I always find it kinda amusing when people dress up like they're going on a polar expedition just to walk from their house to their car.
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Old 12-19-2016, 08:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nevada Ed View Post
So you really think that gun will work against...........

the poor skinny BG that has 3 shirts, 2 flannel long sleeves ,
a heavy vest, scarf and a Navy pea coat on, to keep warm in the cold weather?
Do you have a suggestion or a solution?
Others have offered suggestions, mine is pocket carry, but the gloves necessary when close to zero or below,, create a hindrance. Then being observant might allow one to remove the glove, and having your hand on or next to your firearm of choice in the pocket as you remove yourself from whatever brought your alert level up.

Maybe this is becoming a bear thread, heavy winter coat creating a need for only 155 howitzer and up? Then you do not vworyy about pocket carry, IWB, shoulder holster, gloves, etc. 😉
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Old 12-19-2016, 09:27 PM
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Quote:
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So you really think that gun will work against...........

the poor skinny BG that has 3 shirts, 2 flannel long sleeves ,
a heavy vest, scarf and a Navy pea coat on, to keep warm in the cold weather?
Yup. All I want to do is convince him he has somewhere else to be and something else to be doing. I'm not trying to cuff him up . . .
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Old 12-19-2016, 09:43 PM
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Oh! A Shoot-Me-First vest.



Solid option, especially if you dress in layers. I don't need to zip my coat 95% of the time, because I'm wearing anywhere between 3 and 5 layers underneath it. It's only howling winds and/or subzero when I get cold.



Another good option. Just move the pocket outwards.
The slime around here aren't that smart.
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Old 12-19-2016, 09:48 PM
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it was 5 deg. the other morning, the 30 mph wind even made me put gloves on, w/ a field jacket, thinking a presentation would be a utube sensation. changed over to an old carheart or a lined nylon parka which slides up off the hip easily. usually a vest and heavy shirt person, the jacket is always in the back seat of the suv. cross draw an option. reformed/sew a shoulder holster, slung over the right shoulder w/ a belt loop, hangs perfect under left arm, somewhat like a tanker holster, great for driving.
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Old 12-19-2016, 10:17 PM
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Choose a loose fitting outer jacket that covers to about crotch level. Wear a couple of under layers for warmth, and tuck them into your pants. Wear thin gloves with good texture for grip that will allow you to easily slide your trigger finger inside the trigger guard and manipulate controls like a magazine release. Police supply stores carry those kinds of gloves. With a good belt/holster combo in the appendix or crossdraw positions, you should be able to quickly and easily raise the jacket hem with your non-dominant hand to access your firearm with your dominant hand. It takes the right gear and practice. Big outer pockets are ideal for a holster designed to keep the firearm upright for an easy draw.

Here's some options I ran across that might be of interest: Shooting Illustrated | Winter Carry

Last edited by Ranger514; 12-19-2016 at 10:29 PM.
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Old 12-19-2016, 10:18 PM
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Glock 19 IWB on my right hip. Glock 43 in right jacket pocket. Works for me. Sometimes just the G43 in the pocket.
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Old 12-19-2016, 10:24 PM
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IWB a few inches from my wallet like usual. A mugger wants to get paid, whether hot or cold out, and my wallet is where he wants me to grab. That's where my hand is going to go anyhow after decades of draws. I'm NOT going to try and override that instinct.

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Old 12-19-2016, 10:47 PM
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I moved to S. FL, so I don't understand your problem.
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Old 12-19-2016, 10:56 PM
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Yup. All I want to do is convince him he has somewhere else to be and something else to be doing. I'm not trying to cuff him up . . .
+1 Even with all this tactical discussion on the Interweb, I doubt many hoodlums will take time to calculate whether those Gold Dots they're staring at will be able to penetrate a full 18" of them after passing through their outer garments.
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Old 12-20-2016, 12:22 AM
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8 or 9 months out of the year I wear a Guide Gear concealed carry vest. When it gets cold enough to need more than that I wear a Carhart coat with an inside left breast pocket that works perfectly as an alternative location for my CCW. In either case it is just as easy to access my CCW sitting in the car as it is when I'm walking around.

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Old 12-20-2016, 12:33 AM
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The coat that I wear when it's really cold has a pocket right over my heart that holds anything from a J frame to my full sized Colt 1911. I like the way that feels. Wish I had something like that for warm weather carry too.
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Old 12-20-2016, 12:33 AM
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it's cold in Chicago and the bad guys are out all over. I carry in a pocket holster and move it to my coat. Or keep a short coat with your iwb holster on and lift up if you have to draw just like you would with a shirt..
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Old 12-20-2016, 12:50 AM
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A lot of you guys, no offense, are not in a real "winter" zone. If you're south of the 42nd parallel...well, that ain't real winter by my standards.

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it's cold in Chicago and the bad guys are out all over. I carry in a pocket holster and move it to my coat. Or keep a short coat with your iwb holster on and lift up if you have to draw just like you would with a shirt..
^^This guy lives in Real Winter Zone.

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I moved to S. FL, so I don't understand your problem.
^^This guy gets it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by snubbyfan
I never wear a parka or any kind of heavy coat. I don't intend to be out in the cold long enough to need it.
Usually it's jeans, t shirt, a flannel shirt, a jacket and my Dodge Ram hat. I get jackets with an inside pocket and I'll carry my snubby there in a pocket holster with the jacket unzipped or unbuttoned.
Also carrying owb isn't any more difficult with the jacket buttoned.
If I need to shovel snow I'll add gloves and a hat. The gloves come off once the shovelin's done.
I always find it kinda amusing when people dress up like they're going on a polar expedition just to walk from their house to their car.
You've got a gun to deal with predators on two or four legs, right? Extremely low likelihood, but you still lug it around.

What about a car accident? Fire? Get stuck in snow? Car breaks down and heater doesn't work? Come upon someone else caught in an emergency situation?

You're a lot more likely to be caught outside when you don't expect it, than to face an attack on your life. Dress like you mean it. Never assume you'll be going straight from indoors, to a warm car, and back again. It doesn't take long to get real damn cold.

Ask me how I know.

Folks around here happily send their kids to school in idiot things like gym shorts and hoodies when the temps are in the single digits and the wind's howling. They're operating on that "won't be out long" assumption. Guess what happens every time a schoolbus gets stuck or has an accident someplace remote? A bunch of kids go to the hospital with hypothermia.
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Old 12-20-2016, 12:54 AM
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8 or 9 months out of the year I wear a Guide Gear concealed carry vest. When it gets cold enough to need more than that I wear a Carhart coat with an inside left breast pocket that works perfectly as an alternative location for my CCW. In either case it is just as easy to access my CCW sitting in the car as it is when I'm walking around.
What happens when you have to take the coat off?
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Old 12-20-2016, 01:10 AM
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A lot of you guys, no offense, are not in a real "winter" zone. If you're south of the 42nd parallel...well, that ain't real winter by my standards.
I live about 200 miles South of the 42 parallel (and about 7000 feet above it) I'd be willing to compare our "real winters" to yours.

Even if I don't wear it I always have a coat with me and we keep spare coats and blankets and a heater in the car for when we get a surprise blizzard in June.

Really, if it doesn't snow in the summer where you're at.... Well, that ain't real Winter
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Old 12-20-2016, 01:40 AM
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I have arrived at a 3" Model 60-10 357 OWB under a shirt tail all year long, after a few years of different styles of weapons and holsters and methods of dress by season. I carry everywhere except the shower, in PJ's, and in the CAT scanner (yes once I had a chest X-ray while carrying.) In summer I wear a summer weight shirt tail, in winter a couple of layers of heavier shirt tail and long jacket or overcoat. I also practice grabbing all that layering out of the way and drawing.
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Old 12-20-2016, 12:19 PM
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I pay more attention to what's going on around me in the winter so I can already have my gun in hand in my coat pocket before I need it. Even in the summer, I don't presume I'm going to be able to out draw someone from concealment when they already have the drop on me. I rely on my superior BS skills to get me to a point where I can fight or flee effectively. It's good to know that you've had years of practice talking to scumbags who want to hurt you when you're in a potentially life-threatening situation off-duty....Gives you a lot of confidence. That's the difference between cops and non-cops, for example. That level of calm confidence at the moment of truth, based on experience. NOT the size of the respective groups on paper at the range.

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Old 12-20-2016, 12:41 PM
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My 3913 or my Glock 23 carry nicely in the slash pocket of my Schmidt winter weight jacket.
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Old 12-20-2016, 12:42 PM
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You've got a gun to deal with predators on two or four legs, right? Extremely low likelihood, but you still lug it around.

What about a car accident? Fire? Get stuck in snow? Car breaks down and heater doesn't work? Come upon someone else caught in an emergency situation?

You're a lot more likely to be caught outside when you don't expect it, than to face an attack on your life. Dress like you mean it. Never assume you'll be going straight from indoors, to a warm car, and back again. It doesn't take long to get real damn cold.

Ask me how I know.

Folks around here happily send their kids to school in idiot things like gym shorts and hoodies when the temps are in the single digits and the wind's howling. They're operating on that "won't be out long" assumption. Guess what happens every time a schoolbus gets stuck or has an accident someplace remote? A bunch of kids go to the hospital with hypothermia.
Been there, done that. We keep Down blankets, road flares, extra water, first aid supplies and extra insulating layers in both vehicles. Along with the usual spare tire, jack, etc...
Last time I was involved in a winter accident, I stuck my hands in my pockets and walked a coupla miles to town in the snow.
Why didn't I use a cell phone? No cell signal back then.
Now we don't havta go anywhere if we don't feel like it. If it's nasty out we stay home and stay warm.
My wife works one day a week away from home as a home health care aid and walks to work.
Ever since West Virginia declared me as an unemployable useless cripple, I've been on disability so I don't havta go anywhere.
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Old 12-20-2016, 01:40 PM
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I retired from LE a couple years ago and have carried concealed for over 35 years. We have mild winters in central California, but I do occasionally travel to real winter climates.

Before retiring I carried a 1911 IWB at 4 o'clock position and a J frame in my outer coat pocket. I still carry a 1911 on occasion, but carry a Kahr P9 most of the time now (easier on my bad back). For the J frame lately I've been carrying a 640-1 Pro Series, loaded with BB 158 LSWC HP +P.

I like having my regular carry method on under my coat as I shed the coat when indoors or in my vehicle. It's been my experience that you usually see trouble coming and have time to put your hand in the pocket and/or unfasten your coat. Good luck.
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Old 12-20-2016, 01:59 PM
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I have a nice, heavy wool coat that I wear off duty when it's really cold, like Sunday morning when it was 3º F. I put my S&W Model 642-2 and pocket holster in the deep slash pocket on my strong side. When I go in somewhere and have to take off my coat, the 642-2 and holster go in my pants/cargo pocket. My belt gun stays hidden under my sport coat, sweater, or fleece.

On duty, my duty gun rides outside my bomber jacket, my 642-2 rides in my cargo pocket, and my S&W 12-2 rides in a shoulder holster (for those times when I'm buckled in with a seatbelt).
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Old 12-20-2016, 02:46 PM
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Let's see... Oh, yeah, yesterday was a good example. Carhartt lined bib overalls, thigh-length Carhartt coat with the hood strapped over the balaclava, and way too-big gloves (yip, I'm a sissie, according to a guy on another thread). It hadn't been lost on me that there was no way I was getting to that 640 Pro at 4 o'clock, but my coat pockets were stuffed with other metal tools so it couldn't go there.

The temp was zero (F), 15-20 mph wind, but it was sunny! I followed the new snow blower around for about three and a half hours through 18"-28" deep snow: my driveway, a quarter mile trip down the hill to a neighbor's to do their driveway, and back. My peripheral vision caught a glimpse of a guy slowly approaching me from the right. It was a another neighbor with a red-neckerchief-wrapped plate of cookies and a cheery, "Merry Christmas." Whew! Escaped that threat.
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Old 12-20-2016, 03:03 PM
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The reality is, when you are carrying concealed, or even in open carry, there are times when you will not be at an advantage. Remember, as a citizen, generally speaking you will be reacting, not acting. You can't go through life constantly at the high ready. With that, yes there are ways to ensure you can get to a gun if needed.
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Old 12-20-2016, 04:30 PM
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Let's see... Oh, yeah, yesterday was a good example. Carhartt lined bib overalls, thigh-length Carhartt coat with the hood strapped over the balaclava, and way too-big gloves (yip, I'm a sissie, according to a guy on another thread). It hadn't been lost on me that there was no way I was getting to that 640 Pro at 4 o'clock, but my coat pockets were stuffed with other metal tools so it couldn't go there.



The temp was zero (F), 15-20 mph wind, but it was sunny! I followed the new snow blower around for about three and a half hours through 18"-28" deep snow: my driveway, a quarter mile trip down the hill to a neighbor's to do their driveway, and back. My peripheral vision caught a glimpse of a guy slowly approaching me from the right. It was a another neighbor with a red-neckerchief-wrapped plate of cookies and a cheery, "Merry Christmas." Whew! Escaped that threat.


Yep. Sometimes some of these posts make me think the OP is walking through a war zone everyday, always having to grab their firearm. Having one on you is great. Being able, or needing to grab it in a split second? Any one of us I am sure have a .000001% chance of needing to do so on any given day.


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Old 12-20-2016, 07:09 PM
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Been there, done that. We keep Down blankets, road flares, extra water, first aid supplies and extra insulating layers in both vehicles. Along with the usual spare tire, jack, etc...
Last time I was involved in a winter accident, I stuck my hands in my pockets and walked a coupla miles to town in the snow.
Why didn't I use a cell phone? No cell signal back then.
Now we don't havta go anywhere if we don't feel like it. If it's nasty out we stay home and stay warm.
My wife works one day a week away from home as a home health care aid and walks to work.
Ever since West Virginia declared me as an unemployable useless cripple, I've been on disability so I don't havta go anywhere.
Same here .. last worked January of 2001 .. accident at work permanently dislocated my tailbone .. permanent pain with no relief .. company couldn't find me a job .. forced me to retire !!

Now COPD has caused breathing trouble so don't go out in the winter unless I absolutely have to ..

but we keep a winter survival kit in both Jeeps .. blankets, hand and toe warmers .. 5 day candle that can put out more heat then you would think, extra gloves, small shovel and extra windshield scraper and brush and a bag of sand ..

I get into the Jeep and my coat is opened and I make sure I can access my weapon worn IWB at 4 .. I wear tight fitting drivers gloves that fit inside the trigger guard with out a problem .. Wearing a coat during the winter where my weapon is more concealed I'm overly observant of my surroundings .. and anyone that is within or entering what I consider my or wife's danger zone of 20 feet ..
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Old 12-20-2016, 11:51 PM
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I carry appendix IWB. Never have to adjust my way of carry when it's hot or cold, standing or sitting.

Don't understand how some of you have 3 different carry guns, 3 different ways of carrying, and still expect muscle memory when the shtf and you need that firearm
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Old 12-20-2016, 11:56 PM
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Whatever I carry, it's in my coat pocket!
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Old 12-21-2016, 12:14 AM
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WOW I have got to ask as a Canadian who has a daughter (American citizen) who works in DC is it that bad in the USA that you have to plan your ways to draw a gun?

Not trying to be an *** here but holy **** you all scare me.

Biggest worry I got here in Canada is coyotes and the odd bear that wanders through.

Now I must admit we have shootings but that is very rare even in Toronto as they have had only 39 shootings for 2016.
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Old 12-21-2016, 12:32 AM
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WOW I have got to ask as a Canadian who has a daughter (American citizen) who works in DC is it that bad in the USA that you have to plan your ways to draw a gun?

Now I must admit we have shootings but that is very rare even in Toronto as they have had only 39 shootings for 2016.
You never know. If I knew when and where there would be trouble, I wouldn't be there.

1 dead, 7 injured in Toronto mall shooting - CNN.com

Suspects on the run after shopping mall shooting in northern Alberta | Toronto Star

PM: Ottawa 'terrorist' killed soldier 'in cold blood' - CNN.com

Canadian teen pleads guilty to mass shooting at high school - Salon.com

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