Handgun Carry Options
Recently I was asked about handgun carry options. A reader is going to get her concealed carry permit and wants to know the best way to carry for defense. She said that she wanted to carry it in a backpack. I cringed at that. I’m not a fan of backpack carry. Except for some of the AR 15 Backpacks. But that is a different story.
I’ll list several handgun carry options with a few that for women only. I mean unless a guy just wants to wear a bra holster. That ain’t none of my business.
CrossBreed Super Tuck
The Crossbreed Super Tuck is the handgun carry option I went with. Eventually. Like most, I went through several holsters before I settled on the Crossbreed. What did it for me was a video I watched on YouTube. The guy was showing how you can tuck in a shirt with this holster and it stays concealed. Not that I ever want to have to tuck in a shirt anymore.
The supertuck also conceals amazingly well in a fitted t-shirt. I’m not a fan of wearing shirts that are huge.With many holsters if you wear a shirt that fits you will print. Not so with the supertuck. It is the holster I wore the first time I carried.
Belly Band
The Belly Band is one of the handgun carry options I heard highly recommended. I heard Nutnfancy talk about it in an old EDC video. He was saying how it works as a good option for those that have a few pounds to lose. It’s basically a wide elastic band that goes around your waist and velcros together. It has a pouch for your firearm.
It’s basically a wide elastic band that goes around your waist and velcros together. It has a pouch for your firearm. It compresses a bit like a corset slimming down your appearance. Some ladies and William Shatner will love that. You can rotate it all around yourself so you can carry in a ton of positions.
For me the idea of having a band compress my midsection didn’t seem comfortable. Also, I didn’t like how far up you would have to pull your shirt to draw using this handgun carry options.
Outside The Waist Band
This is basically the least concealed handgun carry option. Outside the waist has the potential to be the fastest method of carrying, though. If you go to IDPA you’ll see the top guys all wear OWB holsters and a tactical vest. It slightly conceals it. But every time I have seen guys wearing tac vests I’m like that dude is carrying. You can certainly not be a gray man dressed like a mall ninja.
A few years back I reviewed and gave away a sexy red Comptac one. It was comfortable and had good retention without a needing a lock mechanism. I don’t like SERPA holsters.
Inside The Waist Band
Inside the waistband, handgun carry options are my preferred methods. It offers the most benefits with the least detractions. Carrying IWB will give you great concealing with minimal printing. At least if you choose a good holster. Inside waist belt holders will be slightly slower than OWB but with training, you can get fast. Dry fire training can be done daily to get better at drawing.
There are a million options for inside the waist holsters. I like Blade Techs designs. Even better LFI custom Kydex provides a discount in the Survival Punk Army.
Ankle Holster
Ankle Holsters are handgun carry options for smaller firearms. You are not going to be carrying your chrome desert eagle on your ankle. You are also not going to be drawing it very fast. Yes, it is one of the most concealed options. An ankle holster is best for a backup carry option. I would not want to rely on it as my main method of carrying concealed.
Ankle Holsters also seem like they would make running weird. If you wear an ankle holster you need to get used to wearing it and moving around.
Crotch Carry
I saw Brian Black of ITS Tactical review a deep concealed crotch carry once. I was like WTF are you doing? Why would you wear a handgun pointing at your junk??? He tested it thoroughly and made a great review.
Crotch carry is great for driving. If you have ever carried you have had to adjust your gun just right. With crotch carry the gun just folds up into your lap. Which is muzzling your hands, the steering wheel , and engine,
As a handgun carry options go crotch carry is very concealed. Firstly it is socially unacceptable to go around staring at crotches. It actually does conceal really well with minimal printing. Also as an added benefit if you do print it just looks like your well hung.
I think It is a neat concept but not for me.
Universal Pouch
As far as Handgun Carry Options this is not an option. Do not get it. Just don’t do it. Universal fit means it fits nothing well. My first holster ever was a Blackhawk universal fit pouch. It came out the waist with the gun as often as it stayed in place.
You can not reholster one handed with a pouch type holster. Once the weapon comes out it doesn’t have anything keeping it open.
No link for this cause I don’t want you to buy it.
Small Of The Back
This is another of the handgun carry options I see as a backup option. Also, don’t carry small of the back like in movies. Don’t just shove a gun down the back of your pants. Mexican carry, not using a holster, is not a smart handgun carry option.
I have concerns about carrying small of the back. I have heard about officers that carry a backup gun S.O.B and have fallen on it and messed up their backs.
Fanny Pack
They make fanny packs for concealed carry of firearms. But who wears a fanny pack? I mean they stopped being cool in 1990. You will stand out like a sore thumb wearing on. On top of that getting, your weapon drawn will be slow and cumbersome. Losing time trying to get your gun could end up being a fatal mistake. But if you insist on getting one this is my recommendation for the best carry fanny pack.
Bra Holster
I can’t speak from experience with these handgun carry options. I have seen youtube videos of Bra Draws that are very impressive. It is supposed to be comfortable. The gun attaches to the center strap of the bra. It is verticle across your ribs. So you are always muzzling that side and your own arm. Bra holsters conceal very well. Your weapon is hidden by your boobs basically.
For speed and concealment, this is a better option for women than a purse in my option. Just because you are a woman doesn’t mean you can’t carry IWB though. Here is a lady concealed carrying in Jeggings. And because ladies love leggings here is a Glock employee wearing concealed carry leggings.
Purse/ Sling
Like the fanny pouches and backpacks, I am not fond of using a Purse or sling to carry. You lose the speed of a quick draw with most all of these options. For safety, the majority of concealed carry bags have zippers or a retention mechanism. They will cost you time.
Also, carry bags are not attached to you. You can set them down. You can say you won’t ever forget your gun or bag that it is in. But you will. I have found bags with guns in them at work before. If you are lucky it will be returned. In my case, I have looked for a number to call the person to return their bag. If no number is available the police are called and the bag is turned over for you to go claim. Usually though if you leave it someone will steal it.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, you have to choose the best handgun carry options for you. The solution that works the fastest and that you actually carry. If you have a holster that is not comfortable you won’t carry. With this article, I’m hoping to show you several handgun carry options to save you some time and money. Most of us that concealed carry end up with a closet full of holsters trying to find that right one.
Do you carry? How do you carry? Let me know in the comments!
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I can’t carry in Canada, but if I was able to I would probally go either inside the waist band or appendix carry. Appendix seems very secure. It is touted by Gabe Suarez and there are a lot of videos using this method in force on force.
Lee you should come to America where it’s not under a hundred feet of snow and you can carry a gun
Hey guys, the semi auto pistol isn’t the only gun to carry, and as a retired female cop, not as good as the trusty revolver. Pistols look cool, carry lots of bullets, make you feel manly. I know. Worked around gun-carrying men for lots of years. But I CCW every day. I carry my totally reliable Ruger SP101, and yes, I carry it in my purse in a special compartment that is as accessible as a holster on your pants top.
Thanks for the comment. I admit that a revolver is super reliable. And I have seen some people that have gotten really fast at speed loading. I personally prefer a semi automatic and extra magazines. I do want a revolver too though
I have 2 carries. In summer my Sig 928 goes in my pocket. It barely prints, is comfortable, and can be used for any type of pants. It also works when riding my Aspencade. In winter its outside the waist Garco paddle holster. It fits both my Sig 1911 3 inch 45 and Glock 23 40 cal. Yes, the Garco is expensive, around $90 from Amazon, but it is very secure and can be moved around for comfort. I also use Snag Mag for extra magazines, almost and few foks know what it is, they think its a knife.
I totally left out pocket carry. Paddle holters are really cool. $90 isn’t bad for a quality holster that you depend on
I started with the super tuck, its a very comfortable holster. when I started going to the gym I left my gun in my truck I could take it off easily but couldn’t put it back on without opening the front of my pants. found in inside the waist holster- Zorn- the clip comes back around your belt making it secure its comfortable and can be easily taken off and put back on
You are right. Taking it off is easy putting it back on is hard. I’ll look into that holster.
I used to carry it in the gym and put it in my bag
Inside The Waist Band Leather Kydex mixed Holster.
Love it. been carrying this way for years.
Hey Lou what is the specific one you carry?
Concealment Solutions, Jason makes a very solid holster.
Thanks I’ll check him out
I’m a bit surprised that you didn’t mention the shoulder holster. It eliminates any concerns about printing when wearing a jacket of any style and access is every bit as quick as outside the waistband.
I did think about it. I’m not a big fan of them though and haven’t had Ann personal experience with them. Do you have a brand you recommend to check out?
The trouble with a shoulder holster, for women, is our ‘boobs’ get in the way. Also, a shoulder holster needs to be anchored to a waist belt or when you try to draw the weapon, the whole holster comes with it. Great for men who usually wear a belt, less for women as a lot of our clothes don’t need or require a belt.
Thanks Jan. This article was written based on a female readers questions. At first I was going to make it a female carry only post but as a guy I can only theorize on that. I appreciate your input on this
I carry a derringer in my pocket. Too small to be noticed. Only two shots but better than nothing and it goes with me everywhere.
It is good that you carry is everywhere but only 2 shots could be a huge mistake. Are you working on getting a carry gun with a higher capacity?