Gun/carry options for my wife

[demmons]

Thanks for the info and opinions everyone. Basically exactly what I was thinking but it is good to hear it from others. I am not overly excited about her purse carrying for the very same reasons many of you said, but that having been said I would much rather her purse carry opposed to not carry. She already carries her purse across her chest and under the arm so that wouldn't be a change for her. Again thanks for the info.

[IndyBeerman]

My best friends wife has a purse that has been made specially for concealed carry and in my opinion it is a very nice option for a women that does not have the body or ability to carry concealed.

Long strap with 2 thin wire cables in it to go over her head to the opposite shoulder with a internal middle compartment separate from the main purse to protect it from the regular purse contents. Her hand can easily be slid into the concealment compartment to hold onto while walking but still be discrete while making a fashion statement for her.

Comfortably holds a midsized semi auto
but she loves this Skky she found years ago, I didn't like it, but have seen her shoot about 700 rounds out of it with not one failure to fire and a couple of stovepipes due to limp wristing it.

If and when I can ever get my wife to get a permit and start carrying, she has said she would prefer to get this purse.

[demmons]

Originally Posted by IndyBeerman

My best friends wife has a purse that has been made specially for concealed carry and in my opinion it is a very nice option for a women that does not have the body or ability to carry concealed.

Long strap with 2 thin wire cables in it to go over her head to the opposite shoulder with a internal middle compartment separate from the main purse to protect it from the regular purse contents. Her hand can easily be slid into the concealment compartment to hold onto while walking but still be discrete while making a fashion statement for her.

Comfortably holds a midsized semi auto
but she loves this Skky she found years ago, I didn't like it, but have seen her shoot about 700 rounds out of it with not one failure to fire and a couple of stovepipes due to limp wristing it.

If and when I can ever get my wife to get a permit and start carrying, she has said she would prefer to get this purse.

Any idea as to brand or where she got it???

Thanks

[IndyBeerman]

Originally Posted by demmons

Any idea as to brand or where she got it???

Thanks

No, but I'll call her and try and find out for you.

[Field King]

You have recieved tons of good advice here, but may I add for her consideration, if this gun is to be carried for personal defense, and if she is not military or police trained please imagine the life or death situation and how she may react and then decide what type (revolver, semi auto) is best for her! Example: Un-controllable shaking, eyes watering, knees buckling, confusion etc. I am not saying to consider these reactions because she is a woman, many average citizens when confronted with a defensive situation with a gun including men might have these symtoms. These reactions may make a simple to use revolver the best tool or a semi-auto may be called for, just another thing to consider?

[Pami]

I can't believe I'm just now reading this thread. I am seriously failing at my job here.

1) Moving this to the Women & Firearms forum as soon as I get done posting.

2) What you want your wife to carry is practically irrelevant. If my husband came home with a wheel gun for me to carry, I'd never carry it. I haven't found a revolver yet that I enjoy shooting, which means I won't practice with it, I won't be good with it, and I definitely won't remember how to use it when the time comes.

3) You AND your wife should read these threads:
http://ingunowners.com/forums/women_...your_life.html
http://ingunowners.com/forums/women_...un_owners.html
http://ingunowners.com/forums/women_..._for_lady.html
http://ingunowners.com/forums/women_...t_a_purse.html
http://ingunowners.com/forums/women_...n_youtube.html

4) What everyone said about off-body carry is true. I'm one of the women who don't carry because she's not willing to change her wardrobe. When I do carry, it's IWB with a Raven Phantom holster, which does a pretty darn fantastic job of concealing my firearm. I *did* buy a purse with a built-in holster. It does NOT hold my SIG P250. If she decides go this route, make absolutely sure HER gun fits IN the holster and in the purse. She absolutely cannot sit it down and walk away from it, which is primarily why I don't carry at work. We're a pretty trusting group at my store, so we don't lock our personal lockers. No way I'd leave a gun in my purse at work without starting to lock my locker.


Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now.

[demmons]

First off thanks for moving this thread to the right location Pami.

I would never tell my wife what or how to carry, she wouldn't listen or ever become profeicent with the wepon. My concern with a carry purse was/is the gun coming in contact with other items, but it sounds like they are designed with this in mind and have a pocket espically for the firearm. I agree this mode of carrying isn't ideal, but she never goes anywhere with out her purse anyway. Again thanks for the input and help everyone.

[Soundslikejosh]

Oh, one other things, I have dealt with women who have a hard time or are basically incapable of pulling a revolver's double action trigger. Just something else to consider, but it puts a big damper on the revo idea.

[Pami]

Wow.. I just re-read what I wrote... demmons: my apologies. I've been really distracted the last few days (and irritated by things completely unrelated to this particular thread), so I'm sorry that post came across so brief and so harsh. Bullet points help me organize my own thoughts, but they certainly don't come across as nice and friendly, do they?

I'm glad you see the wisdom in not telling your wife what or how to carry. OTH, if you're a guy who likes to try out new guns and then turn around and sell them for something different, you might give that a try and see how it works out.

On the purse carry -- just make sure if she is determined to do it that you get a purse designed specifically with a holster pocket to keep the gun separate from the other items in the purse and that her firearm fits easily into that pocket.

Mine is a leather purse with a zipper in the side (just below where the strap attaches to the bag part) that has a removable holster that velcros in place in the pocket. For a smaller gun than what I have this is probably pretty darn convenient. For my P250, it's a study in patience and frustration. I can tell you that if I ever needed my gun in a hurry, it'd be better left in the purse and used as a padded brick to hit my attacker with. If I had time to slip it out, maybe it'd be useful. If I have that much time, hopefully I'm calling 911 with my other hand. Moral of the story: make sure her chosen firearm actually FITS in the purse. Here's a photo of mine; you can see the P250 sticking out the end on the left side of the photo.



I do hope you'll take the time to at least glance through those other threads I pointed out, and definitely point your wife in the direction of the Cornered Cat website (clicky: Cornered Cat).

[BerettaBarbie]

I agree with what others have said, purse carry is not the "best" option. I used to carry in my purse but found it to be cumbersome, and like you said "a paper weight" type situation. I have a few personal experience tips for your wife.

1. If you insist on carrying in a purse, get a purse with an inside pocket and clip a holster too it.

2. Carry on your body if you can

3. take your purse to the range, and practice drawing and firing. THIS IS IMPORTANT