How do petite women carry their glocks?

[ShellyFM]

I'm picking up my Glock 19 tonight. I applied for my CCW license last week, so it will be a while until I get it. In the meantime, I want to practice concealed carry at home.

I'm of petite build. I'm 5'1" and 105 pounds. I wear jeans and a t-shirt just about all the time. My jeans are typically low-rise.

What do other ladies use for concealed carry? Are any of you of similar build to me?

While I'm getting the 19 now, down the road, I'll probably get a 26 to make concealed carry easier. However, as I mentioned, I want to try to get used to carrying a gun and finding the right method now around the house with my 19.

Any and all help is appreciated!

[SouthernGal]

Sorry I missed this thread the other day when you posted it. Things have been busy at work and we're getting pounded with EOY stats to the feds. Sharon was nice enough to point me here (thx, Sharon).

I'm 5'3" and about 108 at the moment. I've carried for 9 years, and purchased my Glock19 in 2004. I carry it IWB in a Galco 226 at about 1:00. I carry chambered and ready to go but the holster covers the trigger. I've never had any problems with this setup and it conceals well under a shirt or fleece that falls to just below my hips.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q173/ratchinator/IMG_0045.jpg

Last year I purchased the Glock26. I carry it in a similar fashion but without a holster because the gun was already rigged with a belt clip attached to the gun itself. I typically do not carry it chambered though because I can't cover the trigger. Instead, I leave the trigger pulled back (I'd have to rack the slide to get a round chambered) but with the trigger back there's no way for the gun to go off accidentally. At some point I may have that clip removed and wear this gun holstered and ready to go like I do the 19 but with two guns I can now have some options.

[ShellyFM]

Thanks so much! This is exactly the type of response I was looking for!

Is the pic of the 19 in the galco holster?

I assume you have to be careful about how tight your shirt and jeans are. I tend to wear form fitting clothes.

Is the 26 a lot easier to conceal?

[ShellyFM]

I just noticed that in the pic you are not wearing a belt. I very rarely wear a belt. Is that how you typically wear that holster, without a belt?

That would be ideal for me.

[SouthernGal]

Thanks so much! This is exactly the type of response I was looking for!

Is the pic of the 19 in the galco holster?

I assume you have to be careful about how tight your shirt and jeans are. I tend to wear form fitting clothes.

Is the 26 a lot easier to conceal?

Yes, that's the 19 in a Galco WB226 holster.
While my weight fluctuates somewhat, I've never really had that much of an issue wearing it exactly as it appears above.

The 26 is easier to conceal because the barrel is shorter and doesn't poke down as far but given the fact I'd have to rack it to get it chambered I usually opt for the 19 even if it is larger. I have also found that I tend to be more accurate with my shots with the larger 19 than the 26. Remember, we're only talking about 14mm difference or so on the barrel length between the 19 and the 26.

[SouthernGal]

I just noticed that in the pic you are not wearing a belt. I very rarely wear a belt. Is that how you typically wear that holster, without a belt?

That would be ideal for me.

Yes. I have a VERY hard time finding belts small enough for my waist. I have about a 26" or 27" waist and nobody makes one that small unless I look in the kid's section. I did have someone here who custom-made me one that fits but for everyday wear, I usually go without one entirely.

[ShellyFM]

Do you know if gun shops tend to carry that holster? I would like to find one so I could try it.

Also, have you or anyone else on here had success with the smartcarry or thunderwear style holsters?

Do you carry an extra mag on you? If so, where?

Thanks again!

[SouthernGal]

Do you know if gun shops tend to carry that holster? I would like to find one so I could try it.

Also, have you or anyone else on here had success with the smartcarry or thunderwear style holsters?

Do you carry an extra mag on you? If so, where?

Thanks again!

That particular holster came from a gun shop in Olive Branch, MS.
They have this same holster on opticsplanet for $23.96 plus shipping:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/galco-waistband-inside-the-pants-holsters.html

And yes, I do carry an extra mag (10-round) in my pocket, but usually I load the 19 up with the 15-round mag and one up the chamber. If I can't hit you with 16 rounds, I suck.

Never used smartcarry or thunderwear. I absolutely REFUSE to carry my pistol in my purse. Here in Memphis they'll snatch your purse in a heartbeat and I don't want to lose my carry weapon.

[ShellyFM]

I just bought a 26 in addtition to the 19 I bought last week. I realized that the 19 is just too big for CC. I tried to find the holster you are wearing in the pic, but the gun shop by me didn't have it. I'm hoping to find it locally so I can try before I buy.

[GlockTori]

Also, have you or anyone else on here had success with the smartcarry or thunderwear style holsters?

I am 5'9" but also slim built with a 28" waist. I use the Sidearmor IWB as well as a Thunderwear for my Glock 26 and an Uncle Mike's belt holster with an FBI cant for my Glock 19. Can't carry the 19 unless it is winter and I have really bulky clothes on because the gun is too wide for my profile. However, I've had really good luck with both the Sidearmor IWB as well as the Thunderwear. Hard to say which I prefer as the Sidearmor allows quicker access but the Thunderwear is AMAZINGLY comfortable. I can only use the Sidearmor when I'm wearing jeans since you have to have a belt for it (can be ordered from Galco) but the Thunderwear I use with sweats, shorts, scrubs, etc.

[SouthernGal]

I just bought a 26 in addtition to the 19 I bought last week. I realized that the 19 is just too big for CC. I tried to find the holster you are wearing in the pic, but the gun shop by me didn't have it. I'm hoping to find it locally so I can try before I buy.

I honestly have never had a problem hiding the 19. Sure, it's larger but not that much more so.

[sdglock22]

Hi, just wandered in here looking as my wife will be facing this issue also.

Wanted to recommend this belt for a look see, http://store.thewilderness.com/product_info.php?cPath=43&products_id=1186&osCsid=rh52tl4pl0btgn32jkp8fsv1r1 it comes in sizes small enough, is reasonably priced and will hold up a pistol. (That's what I'm told anyway haven't gotten mine yet)
Also http://www.comp-tac.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=43 makes what I hear is a great belt, doesn't show any size smaller than 34 but I think if you contacted them they would make it smaller.

just my 2c.

[m4arc]

Ladies, the Mrs is going to take her CCW class pretty soon and I was wondering if there are any women specific IWB holsters out there. I have a few she can try but are there any specific to women available?

She's petite as well; 5'4" & 106-110lbs and I'm planning on letting her carry my G26 until she figures out what she wants.

Thanks.

[ShellyFM]

Hi, just wandered in here looking as my wife will be facing this issue also.

Wanted to recommend this belt for a look see, http://store.thewilderness.com/product_info.php?cPath=43&products_id=1186&osCsid=rh52tl4pl0btgn32jkp8fsv1r1 it comes in sizes small enough, is reasonably priced and will hold up a pistol. (That's what I'm told anyway haven't gotten mine yet)
Also http://www.comp-tac.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=43 makes what I hear is a great belt, doesn't show any size smaller than 34 but I think if you contacted them they would make it smaller.

just my 2c.

I currently don't wear a belt. I'm really hoping I can find a holster that will work for me without having to add a belt to my attire.

However, if I have to cave and get one, I will definitely look into the ones you mentioned. Thanks so much! :-)

[ViperR]

Hey all,
I'm looking for a paddle holster for my wife so she can carry a fullsize 22. She's good with it and prefer her to carry it instead of the SW 34 (.22lr!). Sorry for the bud-in. She's 5'4" and around 130 lbs. She doesn't wear a belt on her jeans and can't use a ISW. She wears some loose fitting tops, if that's any help. Thanks!
Vipe

[ShellyFM]

That particular holster came from a gun shop in Olive Branch, MS.
They have this same holster on opticsplanet for $23.96 plus shipping:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/galco-waistband-inside-the-pants-holsters.html

And yes, I do carry an extra mag (10-round) in my pocket, but usually I load the 19 up with the 15-round mag and one up the chamber. If I can't hit you with 16 rounds, I suck.

Never used smartcarry or thunderwear. I absolutely REFUSE to carry my pistol in my purse. Here in Memphis they'll snatch your purse in a heartbeat and I don't want to lose my carry weapon.

I finally found the Galco WB286, which is the same holster you have but for the 26. I really liked how thin it was as it didn't add too much extra thickness. However, I had a lot of trouble working the retention strap. Also, it was hard to conceal with it so high above the waistline.

I think I need to find one that is almost entirely below the waistline. Does anyone know of a holster like that? The 2 shops I've been to were no help as they both just kept saying most women carry in their purses, which is something I don't want to do.

[SouthernGal]

I finally found the Galco WB286, which is the same holster you have but for the 26. I really liked how thin it was as it didn't add too much extra thickness. However, I had a lot of trouble working the retention strap. Also, it was hard to conceal with it so high above the waistline.

I think I need to find one that is almost entirely below the waistline. Does anyone know of a holster like that? The 2 shops I've been to were no help as they both just kept saying most women carry in their purses, which is something I don't want to do.

I don't know of one entirely below the waistline. I'd have to get out and actually search for such a thing and I've not done that in several years. Wouldn't it be harder to "get to" with it being that much below the beltline though?

No way I'm putting that thing in my purse. Just yesterday we had some woman here that I work with have hers stolen from the backseat of her car WHILE HER KIDS WERE SITTING THERE IN THEIR CHILDSEATS watching the perp!

[Mrs. Tink]

The only one I know of that is 100% below the waistline is Smartcarry. Much easier for guys when we're talking about ordinary clothing. Bumming around in sweats might make it easier for women.

I think purse carry is a regional thing. Logistically, a lot of women are uncomfortable with the gun on their body (I mean literally uncomfortable--it might dig in, poke, or whatever) and so use their purses as their main carry location. I live in an affluent area and we haven't seen a purse snatching in years. So I don't feel uncomfortable using my purse to carry. PacSafe makes purses and other items that have steel mesh throughout the lining, so are difficult to slash. I use their Travel Safe to secure my Walther while traveling, for example when I am in the shower.

Different methods work for different people, I think. Don't purse carry if you don't want to, just because some gun store guy says "most women" do it.

[Disregarded9-side]

I don't have any answers relative to tight jeans and a top, that's hard for a female to pull off I'm glad some of y'all have seemed to figure it out. I'm male and thin and 5'10 and still would have issues (I don't have to carry) with my 19 printing in most waist holsters I've tried, and my preferred method is a suede Galco holster like the one in the second picture, but without a snap and with complete wrap around cover of the trigger assembly, and concealed buckle like this one: http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPT3.asp?ProductID=2888&CatalogID=7. I wear it very much like the armed firefighter chick in the second post, or opposite in the same position in the small of my back. The whole belt thing creates a huge issue for women who're my contemporaries (23) now that I think about it.

IMWorthlessHO, I would at least try on one of the body band holster products...it's just I think with almost anything...as a male, not just a gun enthusiast, I would notice a 19 printing on a woman of the OP's build in public.

I know a girl who's 5'3 and ~100lbs and carries on the inside of her left thigh when wearing a skirt (and dress, I guess[unintended rhyme]). It apparently works for her very well. Though now that I've been thinking about it she infrequently wears skirts like most girls I know these days, so I'll have to ask what else she does.

I'm really glad that none of y'all are carrying in your purses/handbags; it's a horrible idea and it's done way too often.

[Atlas]

Hi ladies,

I too wondered in here out of curiosity because my niece has recently obtained her CCW and her sister is in the process of doing so.

My niece is very slim and is purchasing a S&W snub-nose revolver this weekend but she wants a semi-auto. She tried my G36 and is convinced that it's the only Glock she can carry comfortably, being as it is much slimmer than other Glock models.

I'm partial to my G36 because I have hands like a 15-year-old girl and it's the only Glock that really fits me well.

I cautioned my niece that the G36 has considerable recoil (it's .45 ACP) but she had no problem with it at all, putting about 75 rounds downrange in a single session.
She shoots it better than I.

You may know that the G36 is the most controversial of all the Glock models, some folks hate 'em and some like myself feel they are a great all-around compact handgun.
You decide.

If you search you'll find endless debates here at GT, but you may want to take a look at the G36 for carry concealed.

Also, though the mag capacity is only 6 rounds, the slim little single-stack mags are really easy to carry in a pocket and being short they're super-fast to reload compared to most pistol mags.

One thing about it, if you have to pull and show your firearm to discourage some troublemaker, that .45 ACP muzzle loudly and clearly says "BACK OFF".

[Lynn D]

I think I need to find one that is almost entirely below the waistline. Does anyone know of a holster like that? The 2 shops I've been to were no help as they both just kept saying most women carry in their purses, which is something I don't want to do.

You might want to try something like an Uncle Mike's pouch type....I forget the full name of it, but it's a soft padded nylon IWB. I find that I can wear it much easier without a belt than I can my everyday Bianchi Profession IWB....

As for how IWB will fit in the waistline, you might want to look at the rise of your pants....if you do wear low rise most of the time, that may be why you aren't getting as good concealment as you want.

Best of luck.