CC for the Mrs

dddddmorgan

dddddmorgan

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Well with the recent tragedy in FL the wife and I are having discussions about safety. The problem is it's easy to get lulled into feeling like you live in Mayberry RFD here in the Idaho Banana Belt. However, in our discussions the wife made the statement, "It's like the wild west all over again, no one is safe any more".

Anyway, my experiences with CC are several small framed 5 or 6 shot revolvers so we will go with the venerable S&W 642. Inexpensive and we will have a pair, this way there is no confusion, you can pick up either weapon and go.

We will be taking an enhanced CCW class next month or the one after that, good legal education and a piece of paper for Oregon carry as well as on campus.

So my question is, what holster for her?

I'm going down to see Uncle Milt and get me another Summer Special but the wife doesn't know what she wants but she does want to carry her gun on her person.

Any suggestions from experience?

Thanks
 
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First, congratulations on your plans. About the rest.......oh boy.....

She needs to handle, and if possible, shoot a couple examples to make her own gun choice. She may need/want different grips, steel frame, trigger work/Lady Smith version, etc. About holsters.............most of us have boxes of holsters we've tried and decided didn't work. Women are worse about this than we are and have a few physical differences, so what you think is a wonderful holster may not work for them (this makes me bulge in the wrong places/I can't get the gun out). Quite a few LGSs have used holster boxes, you may want to do a show and tell, let her try yours, look through the used box for examples. In short, explore options.

Remember, she not only has to lug it around, she has to shoot it enough to be good with it. You're both striving for unconscious competence.

Once upon a time I had a willowy lady friend who didn't have an American Express card, but wouldn't leave home without her Gold Cup in a shoulder holster. Worked for her-given the fashions of the day.
 
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WR Moore said:
First, congratulations on your plans. About the rest.......oh boy.....

She needs to handle, and if possible, shoot a couple examples to make her own gun choice. She may need/want different grips, steel frame, trigger work/Lady Smith version, etc. About holsters.............most of us have boxes of holsters we've tried and decided didn't work. Women are worse about this than we are and have a few physical differences, so what you think is a wonderful holster may not work for them (this makes me bulge in the wrong places/I can't get the gun out). Quite a few LGSs have used holster boxes, you may want to do a show and tell, let her try yours, look through the used box for examples. In short, explore options.

Remember, she not only has to lug it around, she has to shoot it enough to be good with it. You're both striving for unconscious competence.

Once upon a time I had a willowy lady friend who didn't have an American Express card, but wouldn't leave home without her Gold Cup in a shoulder holster. Worked for her-given the fashions of the day.
Click to expand...
Moore, thanks for the input.
I guess I should have included some more info. Wife has been shooting with me for the last 31 years, she is a proficient marksman with a .22 rifle and a safe shooter with a pistol (she can handle it and probably hit what she's aiming for).

Currently all we have is a Charter Arrms undercover, for me this is lacking in two respects. 1, the Undercover will only handle 38 standard, not +p. 2, I'm concerned that 25 to 50 rounds a month in practice would wear it out.

My experience with the 642 is that after 3,000 rounds it was still tight.

The wife likes the size and grip of the C.A. she's not an insubstantial woman but I know from personal experience that if the gun isn't almost "transparent" you might hesitate to grab it once in a while. I know that little .38 just disappears once you get used to it. I know this is all subjective but I have a decade of experience with the 642 and over 3 decades of experience with the lady ;-)

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
 
OWB, I've had good luck with the Bianchi Cyclone 111. It can be worn strong side or cross draw. The photo on the Safariland website doesn't do it justice. It's reasonably small.

Pocket carry, I like the Mika pocket holster.
 
Properly fitting a conceal carry holster to a woman can be extremely difficult. When she decides on a firearm, find a gun store with the largest selection of holsters available and try on several; with the unloaded firearm.

If you or the wife run across a female LEO of similar build politely ask their advice on a holster.
 
Come to think of it, John Farnam's wife Heidi has a video/book on firearms aimed at women. Might be worth the cost.
 
You absolutely have to let a lady pick her own firearm and holster. Women will surprise you. Mine has purchased, without any help from me, a 28-2, a 3913LS, and a M&P9C 1.0.

She carries the 28-2 and 3913 in a dedicated purse and the M&P in a KingTuk. Having the wide hips that childbirth gives women, the KingTuk with 9C rides in the loose cloth above the hips in a normal stretch jean with belt.
 
Curious about your statment
"CCW class next month or the one after that, good legal education and a piece of paper for Oregon carry" In particualr piece of paper foe Oregeon carry. Can you clarify on what the paper for Oregon carry is

Thanks
 
Would help to know how your lady dresses .. jeans and T-shirt .. slacks and blouse or even skirts or dresses ..

Each may mean a different holster is used ..

But buy quality and do not try to get by cheaply ..
 
My wife, daughter and a female friend each EDC.

I am unable to extract a general rule based on age, build or experience.

They carry... A .38 Special M49, with Uncle Mike boots in a Mika pocket holster. A .327 Federal M632 Pro (good luck finding one for sale) just as it came from Springfield (dovetailed white dots), it rides in an Old Roy pancake holster. And a .357 Magnum LCR (and she carries .357 GDSBs) with stock Houges and a green HiViz front sight in a DeSantis LGSlide.
 
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filipows said:
Curious about your statment
"CCW class next month or the one after that, good legal education and a piece of paper for Oregon carry" In particualr piece of paper foe Oregeon carry. Can you clarify on what the paper for Oregon carry is

Thanks
Click to expand...

Unless my info is out of date and Oregon has joined the Contitutional Carry column, the piece of paper is about the size of a credit card and has "Permit" written somewhere on it.
 
My girlfriend has a Glock 26 she carries. She does very well with it and it's set up JUST FOR HER.
You're making a mistake to think she's going to follow you on your J frame journey. You should know how difficult they are to hit well with. It's an experts gun for any kind of distance. Take her to a rental range and let her try a whole bunch of different types of guns. Let her shoot what feels good to her without steering her at first. Listen to what she says. She'll tell you everything you need to know if you listen.
 
Filipows, the enhanced CCW classes offered will provide a license recognized by Oregon.

Wife dresses mostly in jeans and t shirts or thereabouts.

And good points made by all about firearm selection. We will go to the indoor range and rent a variety and let her have at it.

And I've learned in the half century I've been kicking around that quality only costs me money once. We will spend wisely.

She seems pretty set on carrying the weapon on her person but once we get there she might consider some purse carry as well.
 
I took my wife to the NRA convention many years ago and she touched every handgun and talked to every manufacturer rep. She ended up going back to the Charter Arms booth and the CA president spent time going over every hand gun. She ended up with a Off Duty with a crimson trace grip. The pres took a Off Duty and took off and put on every trip he had. It was a wonderful experience.
Like every one else my wife went thru a bunch of holsters. She even made one using an old Daytimer case and a crossbreed holster. But her fav and one that she uses 90% of the time with multiple guns is a purse insert that fits most of her purses. PackinNeat Purse Insert. Women's Concealed Carry by Packin' Neat

She carries the CA, LCP or LC9 In the insert. At the range it is 45acp or 45 Long Colt. ��
 
dddddmorgan said:
Filipows, the enhanced CCW classes offered will provide a license recognized by Oregon.

Wife dresses mostly in jeans and t shirts or thereabouts.

And good points made by all about firearm selection. We will go to the indoor range and rent a variety and let her have at it.

And I've learned in the half century I've been kicking around that quality only costs me money once. We will spend wisely.

She seems pretty set on carrying the weapon on her person but once we get there she might consider some purse carry as well.
Click to expand...

All the women I know with permits have a purse that they use for carry .. but only when they have too because of dress ..

All carry on body all other times .. and use a variety of holsters .. and carry many different models of pistols .. 2 of the smallest in stature you would never think carry 45's

If the local ranges have a women's/ladies night have her go and ask the women there how they are carrying .. Am sure they will be more then happy to help !! and she will get a variety of answers both in holsters they are using and the weapon's they carry ..

Good luck to her !!
 
I'm seeing the theme of "variety" permeating this conversation.

I've still got my Milt Sparks Summer Special so I am set for the rest of my life! I guess this is why we love our women, right?
 
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