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View Full Version : Carry options for a skirt wearer?



vaspence
03-17-2011, 02:17 PM
Title says it all. I had a student today who wants to carry concealed but wears elastic waisted skirts the majority of the time. No pockets in the skirts, mostly just denim mid calf length. (think New Order Mennonite)

Preferred carry pistol is going to be a G19 or G26. I threw out the belly band and smart carry for suggestions but was stumped otherwise. We discussed a thigh holster but without a pocket to reach through didn't feel hiking that much material up was a sensible suggestion. Average build not thin, not heavy (actually in great shape for a mother of 9). She is an accomplished seamstress if you have any suggestions other than adding pockets to the skirts, that didn't meet with a lot of enthusiasm.

Just looking for serious suggestions, I know this one is easy to joke about.

TCinVA you have those Mennonite girls all over the valley, how are they carrying?:D

MTechnik
03-17-2011, 02:30 PM
No option for purse carry? or a fanny pack?

vaspence
03-17-2011, 02:48 PM
Sorry - Off body carry not an option due to small children and the fact that she is normally at home most of the time. Wants to keep the pistol on her as she is outside a lot (working farm). Fanny pack - she does not want anything visible.

David
03-17-2011, 03:45 PM
Sorry - Off body carry not an option due to small children and the fact that she is normally at home most of the time. Wants to keep the pistol on her as she is outside a lot (working farm). Fanny pack - she does not want anything visible.

Most people have to adjust their clothing when carrying concealed, she may have to do the same. She's simply going to have to give in some direction. She wants to carry a pistol and wear a skirt, no purse, no fanny-pack and nothing visible? Good luck.

ToddG
03-17-2011, 03:47 PM
Dude, if you wear a skirt the next time you're in class, I'm ejecting you without a refund as an inherent safety issue.

Having said that, your girl needs to make a decision. Either she wants to carry, or she wants to dress a certain way. Unless the pocketless tight short denim skirt is a uniform (which would be excellent btw :cool:) then she needs to compromise.

I would definitely consider SmartCarry. Whether I'd want a fairly new shooter to SmartCarry with a Glock is another matter altogether.

Another option, if she's a nifty seamstress, have her make some pockets and put something thin, like an LCP (or maybe one of the upcoming micro nines) in there.

SouthNarc
03-17-2011, 03:53 PM
Years ago a female forum member on a now defunct board had a custom holster made that hung a j frame horizontally under her rack. She actually could shoot it well from the targets she used to post photos of and also the gun concelead nicely as she had pretty sizable hoots. That's sub-optimal IMO but it might be the only way to go if she's bound and determined to wear a skirt.

Mennonite girls....

I'm picturing C. Everett Koop in a bonnet.

jar
03-17-2011, 03:59 PM
I would definitely consider SmartCarry. Whether I'd want a fairly new shooter to SmartCarry with a Glock is another matter altogether.


An option is to use the SmartCarry more like a traditional IWB holster, and move it over to 3 or 4 o'clock. I know people who do that when carrying in workout clothes or the like, though I haven't tried it myself.

JodyH
03-17-2011, 05:24 PM
TCinVA you have those Mennonite girls all over the valley, how are they carrying?
Mennonites are pacifists and you won't find many who carry for self defense.
Just FYI.

vaspence
03-17-2011, 06:28 PM
Dude, if you wear a skirt the next time you're in class, I'm ejecting you without a refund as an inherent safety issue.

What? No love for the kilted among us? :D

The smart carry suggestions as well as possibly sewing an attached pocket inside the skirt are good options as is the LCP. As far as the adjust what you wear conversation, we had that and she understood she is possibly limiting her options. Sometimes you are only going to be able to help so much. Great suggestions from everyone and I think this is a big part of what I'm enjoying on this forum. Solid information and suggestions from many different levels of knowledge conveyed in a positive manner.

As I deleted the original response in an attempt to stay civil and on topic, I'll simply say in my experience the Mennonites in VA are not as opposed to self defense as they may be in other parts of the country. First person knowledge here from close ties between my family and an Old Order family.

Wheeler
03-17-2011, 06:39 PM
If she's going to wear skirts all the time, this might be an option. The young lady that posted this video has a website with quite a bit of information dedicated to this subject.

Wheeler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNL5pqn3Eng&feature=player_embedded

MTechnik
03-17-2011, 06:49 PM
Keep that in mind if you decide to road rage on a buggy.:D

Amish drive buggies. Mennonites drive cars.

vaspence
03-17-2011, 07:05 PM
Negative. New Order Mennonites drive cars, Old Order Mennonites drive buggies or ride bicycles. At least that's how they roll here in VA.

Wheeler thanks for the link!

Wheeler
03-17-2011, 07:07 PM
Clop, Clop, Clop

BANG BANG!

Cloppity Cloppity Cloppity

(Amish Drive-by)

JV_
03-17-2011, 07:12 PM
Please keep this thread on track. If you'd like to continue to discuss Mennonites and Amish, create new thread (Romper Room).

Wheeler
03-17-2011, 07:21 PM
Please keep this thread on track. If you'd like to continue to discuss Mennonites and Amish, create new thread (Romper Room).

oops, in an effort to get back on track, and exonerate myself;
http://corneredcat.com/Practical/fashionable.aspx

On Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=inbox&action=read&tid=HHFj%2Bal3xD1gbMGaLDjZqA#!/shootingdivas

Rains on Parades
03-17-2011, 10:46 PM
I ran into a similar problem when I started to CC. My we run a very relaxed household and spend a lot of time lounging around in our pajamas and sweats. But especially after having to answer the door after 10pm a couple of times I started to feel like I needed to have my handgun on me, though I definitely did not want to answer the door with it in my hand.

I looked at options like belly-band holsters and the smart-carry. But either I didn't feel like they would be able to support my USPc .45 or they were just too high a price for an experiment.

Then not too long ago I happened upon a bellyband holster at my local sporting goods store for $15. And truthfully it has worked out great. It holds my pistol quite securely and is comfortable. I wear it all day around the house and have even took naps while wearing it.

My initial thought was to show a picture of me in my lounging clothes while wearing it. But before I could finish my sentance while asking my wife to take the picture she laughed and asked if I was going to wear a skirt. And I thought that was an even better idea.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m595/RainsOnParades/bellyb1.jpg

And here is the holster itself.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m595/RainsOnParades/bellyb2.jpg

She would have to choose the correct shirt, but I have worn it out a couple of times and find that it is even more concealable than my Answer by Tucker Gun Leather. It just doesn't quite offer the same retention and 'stay-puttedness'.

ToddG
03-17-2011, 10:56 PM
http://9x19mm.com/photoalbum/albums/userpics/CannotUnsee.png

In all seriousness, dude... way to take one for the team. I think I speak for just about everyone when I say I wouldn't have gone to those lengths to help vaspence out with his skirt issue.

Jay Cunningham
03-17-2011, 10:57 PM
Sarong.

No problem.

Rains on Parades
03-17-2011, 11:09 PM
Count on me to go the distance. As long as the distance requires only some pushing of buttons and a minimal amount of time.

KentF
03-18-2011, 08:32 AM
What? No love for the kilted among us? :D


As someone who wears kilt's on occasion, I'll have to look into a belly ban or smart carry. I've been carrying a Kel-tec P3AT in the sporran.

23

Shellback
03-18-2011, 11:51 AM
What about something like this? ;)


http://www.vimeo.com/8576843

JohnN
03-18-2011, 12:55 PM
I should have known, Lenny Mcgill.

SouthNarc
03-18-2011, 12:56 PM
I didn't see any holster.....

Wheeler
03-18-2011, 03:18 PM
What about something like this? ;)


http://www.vimeo.com/8576843

In all seriousness, large busted women have a hard time getting a proper grip before drawing from a shoulder holster. Been there, done that with some of the lasies I've worked with. While hip? buttock? holster looks very concealable, it also looks like it would shift with movement.

I'm sure we've all caught ourselves adjusting our kit from time to time but bear in mind, what looks normal for a guy most women wouldn't dream of doing in public.

Wheeler

Rains on Parades
03-18-2011, 04:57 PM
The underwear are alright. But that shoulder holster is kinda silly. It's an undershirt so at the very least the user would have to push the hem of their over-shirt all the way to their armpit before drawing. Or as the girl in the video unbutton their shirt first.

vaspence
03-18-2011, 06:21 PM
Count on me to go the distance. As long as the distance requires only some pushing of buttons and a minimal amount of time.

Awesome post, way to go all out! Thanks! (I'd of quoted the original but reposting those pics would probably get me banned :D)

I spoke with her today and she is going to fab up a rig similar to what rainsonparades posted and try that behind her hip. She is also going to go with a Smith CS9 for now, she likes the idea of the external safety.

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions (way to go Irish;)),

Spence

Rains on Parades
03-18-2011, 07:20 PM
I spoke with her today and she is going to fab up a rig similar to what rainsonparades posted and try that behind her hip.

If she wishes to fab it she can, but here is the holster I modeled:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/default.aspx?productnumber=165254

Wendell
08-21-2012, 06:49 PM
http://www.lagtactical.com/thigh-ankle-carry/ (http://www.lagtactical.com/thigh-ankle-carry/)