Concealed while Driving

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SmithNWesson

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I am just curious how some of you conceal while driving. I normally carry IWB at around 4 o'clock. I may be overthinking but it crossed my mind that if a situation came up, it would take long to get unbuckled (seatbelt) and draw my firearm.

I find that pocket carrying in my cargo pocket works but there will be times when i am not wearing those. Then there is also the transition from pocket to IWB.

Am i overthinking that a bad situation could happen while driving? Should i just stick to IWB while driving and train to draw faster? Again, how do you conceal while driving?
 
Mine comes out and either goes in the door pocket next to me or lays in the console! ;)
When in my vehicle I don't overly concern myself with being concealed! :cool:
 
I carry in pocket and AIWB. The AIWB gun is assesable to both hands. I adjust my cover shirt so it's easy to grab and draw.
 
SmithNWesson may have a good point but cars nowdays automatically lock the doors when the cars goes over 3 miles an hour. So I think you would have the extra second to unbuckle. Putting your firearm in the driver's side door map pocket could be a issue if a bad guy opened your door while you are getting out after parking before you had the time to put it back IWB. I don't think the seat belt is an issue.
 
I carry in pocket and IWB. Experimenting with IWB position. Currently left about 9 oclock. May try cross-draw again but kind of like not having to reach across. Ed Lovette prefers cross draw iwb for car, when sitting. I like appendix because I find it more comfortable and accessible than 3 oclock but it isn't as concealable if I'm wearing a tshirt.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
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mine usually goes between the seat and the console......back in my pocket, or holster when I get out of my truck.
 
Hello, I usually pocket carry, and have one those things that fits in the crack of the seat that's supposed to catch change and other stuff, as I get in and out I place my piece in that pouch or in my pocket.
Works for me
SEMPER PARATUS
 

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It goes without saying that whatever works best for you, works best for you, so no criticism of anyone implied.

But the way I'm going about business around town when I'm out and driving, frequently picking up or meeting up with other people, stopping at various places, dropping off stuff, etc., the idea of constantly drawing and stowing my handgun again every time I get in and out of the truck sounds like a huge hassle to me, and a potential safety issue. I'd be way too klutzy not to screw up at some point and drop my piece in the truck, or out of the truck. Plus I'd rather not show my gun to everybody I'm with at every stop.

When I leave the house armed, the gun stays where it is unless the situation warrants drawing a gun. Only exception: a visit to the courthouse or other place where carrying is not legal.

While in the driver's seat, twisting the hip toward the left and arching my back a bit lets me draw from the right hip in an emergency. Not very elegant and not very fast, but while there is a remote possibility you might have to draw your gun while sitting in your car, a split-second fast-draw showdown is not what I'd worry about.
 
I pocket a few different calibers 32, .380, .38, 9 mm. IWB. 40 , 45 ( acp). Never an issuse for reaching which one is with me.
 
As a south paw who pocket carries 100% I'll use an ankle holster for long trips but just leave it in my LF pocket otherwise. Too old to fight and too crippled to run so I hope to drive my way out of difficulty.
 
SmithNWesson said:
I am just curious how some of you conceal while driving. I normally carry IWB at around 4 o'clock. I may be overthinking but it crossed my mind that if a situation came up, it would take long to get unbuckled (seatbelt) and draw my firearm.

I find that pocket carrying in my cargo pocket works but there will be times when i am not wearing those. Then there is also the transition from pocket to IWB.

Am i overthinking that a bad situation could happen while driving? Should i just stick to IWB while driving and train to draw faster? Again, how do you conceal while driving?
Click to expand...

Do like I do.
I carry one gun, and have another somewhere within reach in the car.
 
Cross draw, using a paddle holster allows me quick access while seated behind the wheel. It also allows me to switch to strong side before I exit my vehicle. It works for me.
 
oldiesradio1560 said:
SmithNWesson may have a good point but cars nowdays automatically lock the doors when the cars goes over 3 miles an hour. So I think you would have the extra second to unbuckle.
Click to expand...

I would not. Here are the scenarios I would expect:

  • A broken-out driver's side window
  • Proximity and potentially access gained through a ruse, including being lured into leaving the vehicle
  • A fight after an accident
  • An ambush immediate after exiting or entering the vehicle
  • An intentional accident to get the driver out of the vehicle
  • A mob-type attack (note that you can't necessarily count on being able to drive through the crowd--a sickening/disturbing reality is that a few bodies trapped under the wheels will disable a passenger car, and that's assuming you have the nerve to drive over people)
  • Auto-locking doors also auto-unlock
  • Mis-identifying an unknown contact as a law-abiding citizen, and finding out that you are dealing with a very upset, highly-irrational person (I have done this, and got extremely lucky with my reactions, how my almost-attacker reacted in turn, and the fact that he was unarmed; it very easily could have been a Very Bad Time)

Now, the rub is that one mode of carry doesn't fit all situations all the time. AIWB goes right out the window in a crash, under a long jacket, behind a pinned seatbelt, etc. Ankle holsters are inaccessible as you step out of the vehicle. And in a crash, you may not be physically able to contort around to access your CCW. Traditional IWB, depending on your body type, may not be accessible at all when you're driving.

The one thing I would discount is off-body in-car carry, tbh. It's too easy to forget or have the gun be otherwise inaccessible or too slow to get to. If that's all you've got, then great, but I think it's by far the weakest option.

Me? I don't change a thing. My gun is accessible at 4 o'clock IWB, so long as I can bend my back to the left even slightly, or slouch a bit. It's a fact of life that I can't be 100% prepared, 100% of the time, in 100% of god-awful scenarios. If I can't move enough to get to it, then I'm SOL anyway. Similarly, if my right arm is broken in a crash, I don't think that my chances of defending myself in a subsequent attack are particularly great anyway.

Hence, I think that the best move is to practice awareness, a little defensive driving, and to make sure that whatever carry option you do choose is versatile enough to deal with most situations. Like CCW and firearms in general, it's an intensely personal choice.
 
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I carry AIWB and my Glock is easily accessible no matter what I am doing. I can even draw it with my left hand if I need to
 
I find that a pocket holster is more accessible when driving than IWB at 4:30. It's moot, because most of the time I don't have a cover for IWB once I get where I'm going.

When traveling long distances in cooler weather, I wear a shoulder holster, which can hold a full-sized pistol (or 3" revolver), yet conceal under a light jacket or vest. I have a camera vest, which gives me a plausible excuse in warm weather.
 
For everyday errands when I'm in and out of the car frequently, I carry my EDC M&P 40c in my right front pocket in a DeSantis Nemesis holster. For long drives, I carry my 40c in the Nemesis under my left arm in a 5.11 holster undershirt. It's comfortable and accessible, and I don't have to worry about accidently leaving it in the car when I get out.
 
My solution was to attach my holster to the side of the car seat. I carry RH IWB.

I bought two 3 ft. adjustable web straps like the ones you would use to lash gear to a backpack. Attached them together and located around the backrest at seat level. Use the length adjustment to tighten it. Upon entering the car I remove my IWB holster and place it under the strap the way you would with your belt, and tighten up the strap to keep it stable.

Since it is the left side it becomes a cross draw, but I find that easy enough to do. When I am going to exit the car I just unhook the holster any put in on personas usual.
 
I also carry mine iwb around 4 o'clock, BUT I also keep another pistol in my car between the seat and the console. And incase things get crazy and AR pistol in the trunk.


Haul Brass
 
Several folks have addressed the carrying of guns unsecured in the vehicle. It's a risky proposal due to the gun being relocated​ in an accident. I like having multiple guns of the same caliber and magazines. I have a pair of G29's and they're really handy in a vehicle. One​ on the hip and one in the console. I like to have one in hand in urban areas where approaches are likely. I once had a bad day where a bum came up and demanded money banging on the truck. He had approached at a stoplight perfectly in the blind spot on the driver's side. Of course the gun was securely buckled under the seat belt. Now I am a lot more aware.
 
driving....

If I am about town, then OWB 4 o'clock does it, and sometimes pocket carry. If I am on a long road trip, then I have a Kramer cross draw for my Commander, and there will be a J frame in the center console (plus my wife is well armed too).

There is another option for comfort while driving and carrying Andrews Custom Leather - Carjacker Crossdraw It is a neat idea and one that I think works well. If I move away from the Commander or CCO, then I will be looking to Andrews for a comfortable rig.

My ability to access the gun while inside the car is less than if I were standing in the clear, but the car gives so many more options to move/evade, or utilize the car as a weapon if need be.

.....heck, if all else fails, get a roof turret and Ma Deuce and you will be all set ;)
 
NOT ASHAMED TO ADMIT MINE IS SMALL. "USUALLY"

Shorts pocket to Tee shirt pocket when driving & whenever it's just a Tee shirt & boxer briefs kinda day, about 98% of the time. :D
 
I carry at the 8 o'clock (lefty) IWB. All I have to do is lean to the right and draw. Done it many times when I'd have to leave my gun in the car. Otherwise Imo it's over thinking

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
Appendix carry holster is the only holster position that allows access without interference by the seat belt.
 
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