The Official Female Carry Reference Thread

Not a girlie girl, so not much to show in regard to pretties... but I am looking forward to receiving my new box elder burl grips from High Figure Grips, for my otherwise 'basic black' P238. They look like these, but with a bit more of a bluish tinge:
Attachment 63768

I'm a cowgirl at heart, and I *loff* my Smitty 640, so I've often ogled this one:
Attachment 63769

But alas, the wood grip just isn't as practical for SD as my CT laser grip.:frown:

Lara, I really like the floral tooled OWB holster -- it would match my saddle! :smile:Unfortunately, we don't have open carry in my state.

OMG MrsHB, I adore both of those!!! *squealy girly moment*

How much do those High Figure Grips go for?

That engraved revolver is gorgeous, too. I wonder if you have to order that from S&W or if you'd ever be able to get it from the LGS...hmmm...

See, this is why I posted that thread...so you ladies can show me pretty things to drool over and covet...hehe.

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Originally Posted by LaraCroft10

OMG MrsHB, I adore both of those!!! *squealy girly moment*

How much do those High Figure Grips go for?

That engraved revolver is gorgeous, too. I wonder if you have to order that from S&W or if you'd ever be able to get it from the LGS...hmmm...

See, this is why I posted that thread...so you ladies can show me pretty things to drool over and covet...hehe.

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I have a friend who does custom engraving. I bet you could find someone locally who can do that. If not I can post my friend's site!

Lara there is entire selection of engraved guns on the S&W site below... enter at your own risk... :smile:
Engraved Firearms - Smith & Wesson

My box elder burl grips were $65. You can spend $55 to $115 on some VERY nice wood grips from High Figure, depending on the type of wood and whether you want to add checkering. Here's the link: highfiguregrips.com - Shop Home

I just installed my new grips on my Sig - here's the result...

Attachment 63791

This thread has helped me soooo much. My girl WOULD NOT even consider on body carry due to lack of comfort, and I was worried about her response time for purse carry. Who knew it was only a matter of a "female friendly" holster? Or should I say holsters...she has a shopping problem that we won't discuss... Now, because of info utilized in this thread I rest eaiser, and she's happy.
And if mama's happy...

Wow. This is a great thread. MrsHB, love the new grips.

I'm new to CC and am struggling with an on my body carrying option. I have a LCR .38 and want to use this as my carry gun. I don't wear belts (no, never) so belt holsters are out. I don't wear overly baggy clothes or two shirts (cami with an overshirt). I've tried OWB and that sticks out like a sore thumb on my body type. I'm 5'4" not rail thin but I'm not large either. I think IWB might be good for me but carrying on the side or in front was not comfortable. I think I would like to carry in the back waistband but the holster's I've tried were slanted the wrong way (I draw right handed) or maybe there is something I'm missing about how to carry along the back. The compression shorts intrigue me and I'm wondering if anyone has tried them, especially with a revolver. Also, I'm wondering if anyone has tried the Marylin bra holster with the LCR and what you thought. Any assistance will be appreciated.

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Originally Posted by Cindy

Wow. This is a great thread. MrsHB, love the new grips.

I'm new to CC and am struggling with an on my body carrying option. I have a LCR .38 and want to use this as my carry gun. I don't wear belts (no, never) so belt holsters are out. I don't wear overly baggy clothes or two shirts (cami with an overshirt). I've tried OWB and that sticks out like a sore thumb on my body type. I'm 5'4" not rail thin but I'm not large either. I think IWB might be good for me but carrying on the side or in front was not comfortable. I think I would like to carry in the back waistband but the holster's I've tried were slanted the wrong way (I draw right handed) or maybe there is something I'm missing about how to carry along the back. The compression shorts intrigue me and I'm wondering if anyone has tried them, especially with a revolver. Also, I'm wondering if anyone has tried the Marylin bra holster with the LCR and what you thought. Any assistance will be appreciated.

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I don't think I know of any women who can carry in front of their hip or front pocket. Guys pockets are so deep that when they sit, the gun is actually resting on their thigh... when your pocket's only 3 inches deep, you get a gun in your belly! Extremely uncomfortable.

As far as carrying in the back, there's a bit of a debate as to whether carrying in the small of your back is good for you. If you fall straight back for any reason you may be setting yourself up for a spine injury. When I say "back," I mean I carry at about 4:00, so behind my right hip. And if you're right handed, the grips of the gun should be toward your spine, with the barrel pointing forward toward your hip.

I thought that was backward and awkward at first, but think about the way you draw. If the gun were facing the other direction, you would grab it with your thumb pointed behind you and the back of your hand along your body. That seems like the more natural way to reach, but when you get the gun out and go to point it forward, you would have to "flag" yourself (have your own body in the line of fire) for the whole draw. With the barrel already pointing toward your right arm, the reach is a little more awkward (thumb between your body and the gun), but it's much safer.

Sorry if you understood that already and all the holsters you looked at really were left handed :embarassed:

I have not tried the compression shorts, but am looking at making myself a bellyband once I have access to my sewing machine again. As far as bra holsters go, attaching anything to my bra is absolutely not an option for me. There are women out there that like the FlashBang, but the gun is literally supposed to sit IN your cup and quite frankly I don't see how it would work unless your bra is already too big. My band would have to be at least two inches looser and 1)I need the support, and 2)even if I didn't, I wouldn't be buying a new set of bras that I could only wear with my holster :rolleyes: I did try a Kangaroo Carry holster and, while it wouldn't work for me and my wardrobe, I know people like it and it wasn't uncomfortable, just bad placement for me. If you're looking at upper-body carry, I would give that one a try - if you don't like it you can send it back for a refund without questions, Austin Davis was extremely helpful and friendly.

Hope at least some of this was helpful - keep us updated with what you decide!

Lyz_grace, thanks for the thorough response. I guess didn't understand how carrying a holster (right handed) in the back would feel so awkward when trying to draw. :blink: I might have to try is again and practice drawing. I agree the bra holsters don't seem ideal but I'm trying to explore all options as I would really prefer to carry on my body than in my purse. I'll definitely take a look at the Kangaroo Carry. Thanks again.

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Originally Posted by Cindy

Wow. This is a great thread. MrsHB, love the new grips.

I'm new to CC and am struggling with an on my body carrying option. I have a LCR .38 and want to use this as my carry gun. I don't wear belts (no, never) so belt holsters are out. I don't wear overly baggy clothes or two shirts (cami with an overshirt). I've tried OWB and that sticks out like a sore thumb on my body type. I'm 5'4" not rail thin but I'm not large either. I think IWB might be good for me but carrying on the side or in front was not comfortable. I think I would like to carry in the back waistband but the holster's I've tried were slanted the wrong way (I draw right handed) or maybe there is something I'm missing about how to carry along the back. The compression shorts intrigue me and I'm wondering if anyone has tried them, especially with a revolver. Also, I'm wondering if anyone has tried the Marylin bra holster with the LCR and what you thought. Any assistance will be appreciated.

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Thanks Cindy!

In addition to the Sig, I also carry a S&W 640, which is an all-steel .357 j-frame snubbie revolver. When my clothing won't permit OWB, I usually carry it in a Remora holster, as shown in the pictures below. I can get away with a shaped (but not tight) shirt with this method. I find it very easy to draw from the position shown, just behind the hip on my strong side. When drawing, I yank up my shirt then drive my right thumb between my back and the grip, so the grip is in the "V" between my thumb and index finger. As I grip and draw, the muzzle is kept pointed downward and slightly away from my body as I bring the gun around my hip and into the forward position. Here's a link that explains drawing from the waist: Safety Matters: How to Use a Belt Holster | Cornered Cat
Attachment 64194Attachment 64195

The Remora is nice because you can move it around to find just the right spot and angle on your waist. It's also quite comfortable, and fairly inexpensive. I believe it's demonstrated in the Falia Photography youtube video that's already been mentioned in this thread.

I haven't tried the compression shorts. It's so warm and humid here that I don't care to add layers of clothes unnecessarily. I also haven't tried any of the bra holsters, and don't intend to. Range practice with a bra holster could be problematic due to the fact that drawing right-handed would involve sweeping everyone to the left of you at the range; not to mention the need to pull up your shirt, especially for reholstering. Moreover, I don't think I'm well-endowed enough to conceal much in the chest area!:embarassed:

Good luck! I'm sure you'll find something that will work for you.

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Originally Posted by MrsHB

Moreover, I don't think I'm well-endowed enough to conceal much in the chest area!:embarassed:

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lol, THIS. I'm with ya, girl. I mean, if it makes me look more well-endowed, sure, but I don't think it's going to work to my advantage if it's only unilaterally...

I don't think I'm even going to try the Flashbang, When IWB doesn't work, I'm going for the belly band. I don't want a gun barrel jabbed into my boob, kthxbye.

Thanks, ladies. I think I have eliminated the bra holsters for the reasons stated here. Still find the compression shorts appealing. My better half questioned how it was different from a IWB holster. LOL. I liken it to explaining why we need different purses or shoes to go with multiple outfits. I'm still exploring my options. Thanks again for the help.

The guys don't like thunderwear and smart carry because it points the muzzle at their "jewels" ...

Fwiw I use a remora more than anything else. Today I forgot my belly band because hubby and I traded cars and it was in my truck. So I stuffed the remora in my sports bra, and it worked out ok. But it was neither comfortable nor well concealed. It was either that or leave it in the un lockable jeep.

If the smart carry points the muzzle at a guy's "jewels," he isn't wearing it right.

I haven't tried the compression short but have talked to 2 women who were very happy with them. A pair is on my list - one of these days.

When I had a smaller edc I uses the flashbang and was very happy with it. As an added plus it definitely had a push up effect which I loved since I'm not well endowed. It's not for everyone and did take a bit of messing around to get it to fit just right.

I'm happy carrying behind my right hip - I never used to wear a belt but I do now. I did try a belly band I borrowed from my neighbor yesterday since I've been having some back pain but my gun doesn't seem to fit in it - I'll check it out more when I have time but I don't think it's going to work.

I do have the compression shorts and I'm very happy with them. Super concealment, and still great access. I like wearing my gun belt with them anyway, feels tighter (since the elastic holster does have some flex) but it's not necessary, or you could wear a smaller, more feminine belt instead of a gun belt. (In case you were wondering, I wear a thong under them for cleanliness since I don't have a pair of shorts for every day of the week.)
I'm quite small, 5'0" and 100lbs, no curves to speak of. I also wear a Crossbreed Snapslide (OWB) or Supertuck (IWB) but for tucked in shirt and NPE applications I prefer the compression shorts.
I carry a Springfield XD 9mm Subcompact.