Purse carry advice for my wife

[Jessie]

My wife is getting her CCW and thinks purse carry would work best for her.
I know there are many choices, of which I am not experienced with, and wonder what has worked best for those who have chosen to carry that way.
She's small statured, 5'2", and will be carrying a S&W 642.
I'm hoping to prevent her from accumulating the dreaded " Box-o- holsters " that I've done.
I'm thinking one of the velcroed kydex inside the purse might work but it's not my decision to make.
Any experience from the ladies here would be much appreciated to pass on to her.
Thanks!

 

[crazyphil]

When I was teaching Personal Defense, I always preached that purse
carry is far too slow. The lady cannot get her gun out quick enough from her
purse to defend herself. I know that the way women dress makes it
difficult, but I would much rather see her carry her 642 in a speed scabbard
on a belt under untucked blouse or other garment. If you, or she, doubts
what I said, I suggest you try both ways and time them. The average
attack is unexpected and comes from within 5 feet. No time to dig around in
the purse.
A speed scabbard means an open top. No retention except the
natural retention provided by a good holster.
Here, below, is what a good pancake looks like:

 

[OKFC05]

Part of my advanced training for NRA Pistol Instructor (Personal Protection Outside the Home) was learning to use and instruct holster purse selection and use. After the usual jokes, we male instructors learned a lot of useful information.
1. The user of the purse holster has to make the final choice. If she is the type that leaves her purse in shopping carts, it's not going to work.
2. Get a specialized purse made for carry, with a separate gun compartment. You can't draw a gun with a lipstick stuck through the trigger guard.
3. Draw from a special purse carried under the weak side elbow with a cross body strap is incredibly fast, and a firing grip can be secured before the draw surreptitiously. When I tried it, it was faster than my usual strong side IWB, which I would not have believed without trying it.
4. Specialized training and the chance to try several before buying is highly recommended.
5. The Cornered Cat is an excellent website, especially for women's carry issues.

 

[Old cop]

There are purses specially crafted for EDC, making access much faster than what women normally carry. A quick internet search should help.

 

[pawngal]

Ugh! First have a deep discussion as to why she wants to carry. Does she have the skill and mindset to use deadly force?

Go here and read and read some more.
Contents | Cornered Cat
It is a great site for everything concerning women and firearms.

 

[Jessie]

Thanks Phil. That's one of my choices but due to her job, that won't work.
OKFCO5, that's a great site for her to check out. Plenty of info there to help her decision. Thanks
Pawngal, I just saw your post and the answers are Yes and Yes.

 

[dwh]

My wife is 105lbs and 5'6" she prefers appendix carry for her browning 1921-22. When she purse carries she uses the crossbreed modular system. Because MK,DB and kate spade don't make CC purse. Or so I told.

 

[mgriffin]

If she is robbed or assaulted, the first thing the bad guy is taking is the purse. Then what? My wife and I went thru the same discussions. My wife is also small (5' 2") and light weight. She decided AIWB works best for her. Pistol is always on her and wont lose pistol in a purse snatching situation. If thrown in the trunk of a car she will probably still be carrying when the trunk is opened. My wife hates belts and uses a holster made by Alessi. It has the Talon grip which won't pull off her jeans. Ritchie Leather makes the same clip for holsters.

 

[sigp220.45]

Purse carry is fine.

I would suggest a simple kydex holster. She can find something to clip it on to inside her purse.

I bought my wife a dedicated "CCW" purse once. I got the "that's nice, dear" and it went into a closet and eventually to Goodwill. Its been my experience that women need to pick their own purses.

Here's my bride's set up with her Glock 42. She know's the best place for the gun is in her hand when her danger sense goes off.

FWIW my wife (then fiancee) fended off a rape attempt when we lived on Guam. She got a flat tire on a back road and a guy stopped to help her change it. This was before cell phones. He then said - now you pay me. He pushed her back into the driver's side of her Mazda pickup and she came up with a 4" Model 66 I had put under her armrest. She stuck it in his neck and cocked it. Not the greatest tactics but he beat feet and she remained unraped. The gun was still cocked on the front seat when she got to our apartment.

 

[Peashooter67]

Typically most women have a since that like spider since and we can call it here danger since. They usually see their way out of the area first buy when they can't they usually ready to draw before us guys are.


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[bigwheelzip]

I prefer IWB, but have a nice collection of the specialized holster handbags, with a dedicated zippered handgun compartment easily accessible.
I don't like the holsters that go into a handbag because of the potential of handbag detritus getting into the firearm or holster. Also, I don't want the firearm visible when the handbag is opened normally.
Obviously, appropriate care must be exercised to maintain control of it.

The heavy-duty zipper showing on the side edge of the handbag gives me instant access to my carry (sized to fit up to a CZ PCR or 3" 686). I hold it close across my front, for control in a crowd. I can reach in and grip it to be ready, without drawing it. If need be, I can simply point the handbag and fire through the opposing zipper.

 

[stanmerrell]

I don't recommend purse carry. Have her carry at home in a nice secure IWB holster that she can conceal under a normal shirt. After a month or so, let her carry outside the house. Practice slow fire draw and shoot until she gets good at 7 yards.

 

[crstrode]

My wife has been purse-carrying for years. It is with her ALL THE TIME. Yes, it will be a slow process to get it into play, however not nearly as slow if it is at home in her underwear drawer.

At the grocery store if she steps away from the cart, I always hear a whispered "watch my purse - my gun is in there"

Yes Dear

If push ever comes to shove, and she does take it out, I pity the fool that annoys her enough to do it.

She is a dead shot and a quick shot with the .380 LCP. It resides in the little zippered rug that the LCP came with.

 

[smoothshooter]

Typically most women have a since that like spider since and we can call it here danger since. They usually see their way out of the area first buy when they can't they usually ready to draw before us guys are.


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What ?????

 

[crstrode]

Originally Posted by Peashooter67 View Post
Typically most women have a since that like spider since and we can call it here danger since. They usually see their way out of the area first buy when they can't they usually ready to draw before us guys are.

What ?????

Been sniffin' too much Hoppe's #9

 

[ACORN]

I'm thinking he means sense. Not since. Autocorrect.

 

[upcountry]

I've taught the limitations of purse carry and don't encourage it.
Purse carry is fine if it is secured on your body--the strap diagonally across your body from shoulder to opposite hip.
Purses get snatched.
Purses get left in dressing rooms, shopping carts.
Purses are put down temporarily, while doing something else.
Purses are left in rest rooms.
But if it must be purse carried and the purse is secured to your body, best is a hammerless revolver (like a 642, 442) that can be shot from inside the purse without jamming.
My $.02.

 

[OLDSTER]

I've posted this several times in the past; My wife and both DILs are experienced hand gunners.. All three purse carry a Beretta Bobcat 21A in .22lr. And the purse each carries is specifically designed for that purpose.

 

[Willie McHobblin]

Jessie, my wife often carries in her purse. She has a few different sizes, but all have cut resistant straps & she carries cross body. Gun goddess web site has many quality purses to look at.

 

[Execpro]

Travelon purses make a number of snatch proof purses for handguns.
Just Google them.