havegunjoe

You might have to change your style of attire somewhat to accommodate the gun. That is common. You may even need to consider a different gun. Small, compact, and lite weight add to the comfort level. When sitting at a table and chair can you simply put the purse between your feet on the floor? You might try an IWB holster at 4:00 so, not right on your hip. Forgot you were a lefty so would that be 8:00? I use a fanny pack sometimes and it helps to put it off to one side in front.

The main thing is you may have to make some changes. I had to go from a 34 to a 36 inch waste for example. I just can't carry and breath with an IWB holster otherwise.

__________________
DEMOCRACY IS TWO WOLVES AND A LAMB VOTING ON WHAT TO HAVE FOR LUNCH. LIBERTY IS A WELL ARMED LAMB CONTESTING THE VOTE.

Certified Instructor for Minnesota Carry Permit
NRA Pistol and Personal Protection Insrtuctor
Utah Permit Certified Instructor

nextlevelcell

Zenia,

I would say that maybe your best best is to keep your nice, new M&P 9 Compact. It is a great gun. I would seriously order a custom holster for it and describe to the custom holster maker guy/girl what you want out of it, so that they can accomadate it for you. I personally ordered a UBG Striker I for my S&W 910 and once I get that I, well am still deciding on who is going to make my M&P .40 cal holster. but once you start talking with them and explain what you want they will be able yo help you get what you need.

And as far as the belt goes. DO IT! period! I used to buy "The Manly Belts" from wally wold or Kohls or whereever. they suck poo-poo. they were always bending and cracking and so on. I happened to pick up LAST YEAR and good quality belt with changable buckle, for around $50 or so. and it is not bent, cracked or anything remotely looking like my previous belts. it is worth it.

IMO, I would say, like i just did to my wife. ok lets set aside, even if it means to wait a little while, about $150 for a belt and 1-2 holsters. my hope is that everyone spend about 30-50 on a belt, sometimes people do have sale ya know, and the rest on some good quality, custom holsters...........if you think maybe not, check silver bullet out, they are local and have "the name brands" to give you a idea of what style you may like as faras IWB or Outside The Waist. but for only a few more then local $$$ you can have a great custom holster.


BTW......anyone want to make me a 1 of a kind holster for my M&P .40????? PM Me

sass20485

You do get a trial period with the smart carry, so TRY it as soon as you get it. Takes bit of getting used to, but works fine for me. BUT I'm not a woman. Others have given very good suggestions. My wife is expecting her CC license soon and is searching for carry options.

Flippinstk

My wife has gotten caught without her gun next to her body! (in her purse) she now swears NEVER to have it in her purse again. Experience rules....

__________________
Alex G.
S/A Micro-Compact .45
Virginia Beach, Va.
Senior Chief Petty Officer, RETIRED, USN
Certified NRA Pistol Instructor
NRA Range Officer

mocarryguy

First, let me say I asked a stupid question once; I asked my first wife to marry me! That has since been remedied.
My wife carries her P239 in a Hume IWB, appendix. She is not very big, and hides the gun very well. Luck on your search, as it was for sure harder to find something for her than me..

__________________
I know, I know, you are smarter than me..just ask you..

Mr_Dove

I'm not a woman but I do carry a man purse. I carry my bag over my body and I never (NEVER) remove it. I wear it in the car, I wear it around the office, i wear it while sitting in a restaurant. I have the strap at just the right length so that the bag stays out of my way most of the time. I can't really access my bag while in the car but at least I can get the seatbelt on without removing the bag.

I had a dayplanner (with no gun) for a number of years but I was always setting it down and leaving without it. That's when I decided that I needed a bag with a strap on it so I would never forget it again.

freetrapper

Although not perfect my wife has come down to a Kydex paddle holster without a belt. She is a bigger gal and does not like to wear belts. She wears pants to work, not jeans, and she has found a paddle holster to hold and conceal well with a light 5 shot snubby even without a belt. It still seams to draw well for her and she can just slide it on when she leaves the house. She also can slide it off and into her purse or leave it in the car if the situation changes during the coarse of her day.

__________________
Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not."

~ Thomas Jefferson

FLJohn

I wouldn't recomend carrying a semi auto in a purse. too many things to jam up on in the slide if you need to fire through the bag or get a stove pip becaues the round couldn't eject away. Same goes for a fanny pack if you need to fire it from inside. I recomend a hamerless revolver for those types of carry.

friesepferd

Hello and welcome to the forum.
I just very recently got my kimber aegis. I was suprised at how well i could conceal it. i dont have my holster yet (i ordered a CTAC online last week). I am planning on carrying on the very small flat-ish spot on my back around 5 oclock, IWB. By just putting my gun there i can tell i will be able to conceal it fine there. I personally am quite skinny and i know everyone is shaped differantly so you will have to find out what works best for you. I urge you to take another look at on-body carry. Im planning on getting a carry purse for when i have no other choice, but its simply much safer to have it on you. I plan on posting a picture eventually of how i carry and some cover garmets. etc.
You would be suprised how far a normal tshirt with a button up short sleeve type shirt over it goes. One of my new shirts especially works great because it has a string/ribbon type thing in the back which kinda pulls the shirt together back there folding it a little and really breaking on the pattern and hides a gun great.
If you do consider on-body carry you will have to change your clothing style some. The few new shirts i just bought are WAY more girly then I would ever wear (im kinda a tom boy). But so it goes.
Good luck with everything!

Spirit51

I understand your problem. When putting my purse on the floor....I put the strap around my ankle. That way if it is touched I know. In the car....I put my purse strap in my seatbelt and then put it on me. It sounds like you have a nice long strap so these should work. I have a "hobo" style one with a shorter strap and I can still do it. I just got a "fatboy" type that is great for everyday carry. I have a fanny pack for around the house and yard. I too am heavier, but you get used to it. Be sure and take all you purses to the range and practice drawing from them. Practice makes perfect.

__________________
Action without thought is like shooting without aim.
A woman must not depend on protection by men. A woman must learn to protect herself.
Susan B. Anthony