Tips for carrying when riding motorcycle.

[VA Beach Bum]

Living in VA we can open carry and CCW, but I ride alot and want to be able to carry more. Of course most stops (on rides) are usually at a place that sells alcohol so for those stops it would have to be open carry. Anyone who does ride and carry, care to share their holster recommendations, and any other helpful info. I have a Full Size M&P 9mm. Thanks, Jim

 

[VA Beach Bum]

Living in VA we can open carry and CCW, but I ride alot and want to be able to carry more. Of course most stops (on rides) are usually at a place that sells alcohol so for those stops it would have to be open carry. Anyone who does ride and carry, care to share their holster recommendations, and any other helpful info. I have a Full Size M&P 9mm. Thanks, Jim

 

[Andy Taylor]

I like to use a horizontal shoulder holster, similar to the Galco Miami Classic. Need to open carry at the restaurant, just remove your jacket.

 

[boomstick]

I don't know about open carry, but I wear this jacket without the equipment loops or badge grommets and it has two large inside gun pockets easily big enough for a Sig P226, Full size Glock or Colt 1911. They have velcro inside the pockets that you can stick a holster to. Very nice jacket. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Absent sliding for 500 feet on the cement, this jacket will last forever, or until your waistline outgrows it. Whichever comes first.

 

[safearm]

Back when I did ride motorcycles, I frequently wore a shoulder holster under my jacket, most often a ******* (later Galco) rig. Even if a light jacket flaps around a bit, it won't reveal much of the gun/holster.
I won't speculate about the laws in Virginia, as I don't know them, but I personally think open carry into an establishment that serves alcohol is asking for trouble. I'd much rather lock my weapon up in a set of hard-side saddlebags than carry into some place.

 

[VA Beach Bum]

Thanks for the feedback, Boomstick- That is a nice looking jacket I will look into that or something like that. Do you have a dealer or a brand that I can look for ?

 

[BugBeard]

I put a J-frame in an inside pocket in my leather jacket. My only advice would be to be mindful of pressure points as far as the gun placement.

Imagine yourself falling onto the location where the gun is located and what that might to do what is next to the gun. The aim is to reduce severity of injuries in the event of a get-off. Mine will push into my side but should not cause any bones to break due to a pressure point since it rests in the abdominal area.

The above advice may be micromanaging safety too much for some, but that is just my style when riding. 2 piece armored leathers that zip together, racing boots, armored gloves, full face helmet, with a lot of attention to detail. Dainese, Held, Alpinestars, Arai.

YMMV, that is one man's opinion.

 

[Frizzman]

I live and ride two wheels in Va. Beach also. I usually just carry a Kahr P9 in a clip type IWB holster worn crossdraw. It makes it easy to get to if I need to keep my right hand on the throttle. Its out of the way if one took a spill and it is well protected from the weather. I like a holster in a position where I can get to it with either hand while seated. If you have to unzip a jacket to get to your gun fast and are wearing gloves it can be tough.

The stupid law that bars having one's licensed gun concealed while in any place that serves alcohol causes problems for us all. Most of those that I know who carry just ignore the law and keep their guns on. I just avoid any place that sells alcohol when wearing a gun. I sure wouldn't leave my gun in any cycle bags or luggage!

 

[HD Rider]

We dont have open carry here in Fl so when I'm riding I wear a shoulder holster and my vest keeps it covered up just fine. I carry a .40 Sigma

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Here in Colorado it is unlawful for anyone (other than an on-duty peace officer) to possess a deadly weapon (firearm, knife with blade over 3.5", etc) on premises where alcohol is served, so those stops just can't happen here. Automatic suspension/revocation of concealed carry permit for civilians, not sure what effect it might have on retired cops like me. Probable misdemeanor conviction in most jurisdictions, and I'm betting a lot of judges would add firearms restrictions to terms of sentencing and/or probation.

S&W Airweight Chief Model 37 can ride in a jacket pocket easily during cooler weather; during warmer weather it rides in a belt-clip IWB holster inside my boot. I won't leave a handgun in or on my bike.

2001 H-D SuperGlide 88 cu. in. All 8 of my grandchildren are jealous. Let 'em be!

 

[boomstick]

Thanks for the feedback, Boomstick- That is a nice looking jacket I will look into that or something like that. Do you have a dealer or a brand that I can look for ?

You're welcome, and yes, that's a Taylor's Jacket:
http://www.taylorsleatherwear.com/

I ordered it without the equipment loops and badge grommets and had them make it a little longer in the sleeves for my monkey arms. I didn't want something too "cop" or "biker" like. I like the look of the A2 leather flight jackets, but I didn't want to look like a Top Gun wannabe. They sent a "try on" jacket to a nearby uniform store, which was also a distributor so I could try it on and then tell them exactly how long I wanted the sleeves. You probably won't have to do this if regular or long sizes fit you OK.

Mine is the LAPD version (hence the gun pockets) and I also own a Pittsburgh style that's really nice. Gotta lose some weight though. I can't affored to buy a different size every year. They're not cheap, but they're made in Tullahoma TN and built to last. It also has a removable liner. I wear it in the dead of Winter with the liner with no problem. I almost took a car ride down there to pick my jacket out.....almost......It was just a little too far....

You may also want to specify how much grain you want. I don't know if they can pick and choose to that extent, but I bet they can. My Pittsburgh is almost smooth, my LAPD has a little bit of grain to it but I've seen some that have a lot more grain.

Here are the distributors in VA:
Virginia Dealers
Century Uniforms
410 Briarhill Rd. Ste # 105
Norfolk, VA 23502
PH: 757-459-9960
FX: 757-459-9962

Southern Police Equipment
7609 Midlothian Tnpk
Richmond, VA 23235
PH: 804-323-1855
FX: 804-323-5067
southernpoliceequipment.com

Quality Uniform Company
7109 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Richmond, VA 23237
PH: 804-743-8805
FX: 804-743-8363

 

[VA Beach Bum]

Thanks again Boomstick, I'll be heading down to the Norfolk store and check them out.

 

[indiandave]

I like to carry a snubbie in the pocket of my vest. It's a very heavy vest and the gun never prints. In Pennsylvania you can carry in bars and resturants and just about everywhere. I slip it in my pocket and am good to go.(except going to the post office)

 

[boomstick]

Thanks again Boomstick, I'll be heading down to the Norfolk store and check them out.

Call first, I'm sure they don't stock them. Unless the local cops wear that style, and I'm sure they don't, it would be way too expensive an item to stock. Those stores are probably just uniform stores that are authorized to sell Taylors.

 

[REDTAIL]

Look into the Wilderness co. and its safepacker holsters great for bikers

 

[08Ultra]

In cooler weather, I carry my CS9 in the inside pocket of my FXRG leather jacket. Warm weather, I use a Desantis Tuck This II. Usually just put it in my back pocket with the grips showing for legal open carry. I never leave my gun on the bike.