CCW Purses

[Gmans-Wife]

This is a question for the ladies in the forum, or the men or their wives who conceal carry using a purse. Does anyone have any recommendations on a good CCW purse? I've found this one: http://www.galcogunleather.com/the-pax-holster-handbag_8_149_1312.html but it is a chunk of change. Does/has anyone used this one? Or is there one you would recommend.

[handbags]

[beast556]

My wife has a galco ccw pursue. She likes it and it has held up for almost 4 years now. The leather is getting thin on the bottom now, I will get her a new one for her birthday.

[cstone]

If you don't have to carry it in a purse, please don't. I work with a female co-worker and know based on experience that she keeps her pistol in her purse. Over the years, I believe I have kept a better eye on her purse than she does, except for the days when she tells me she didn't remember to bring her gun.

I understand that not all female carriers are like this. In fact, when male co-workers carry in a bag or brief case, they often lose awareness of their gun and it causes me unneeded anxiety.

I know where mine is because it is sitting on my hip. I know when it isn't there because it isn't sitting on my hip.

I'm sorry women's fashions make this a more difficult decision, but on the body is the best option IMO.

Kudos to you for taking responsibility for your safety and providing safety for your loved ones. I apologize if my comments are perceived as critical.

Be safe.

[Gman]

We've already considered on the body carry as preferred. That's not working out very well no matter where we've tried, so better to have it with you than at the house.

[Gmans-Wife]

No offense taken, My husband and I have discussed carrying on the body verses in a purse. I am looking for an on the body option as well, but with my body type and size I've only found one possible option for on the body concealed carry. Ideally I want to have options available for when I need it.

[TheGrey]

I'm in the same boat. It's a tough decision. I prefer cross-body purses, but I haven't fully settled on my concealed carry gun yet.

I feel your pain, Gmans-Wife! As many 'options' for body concealed-carry that are out there, very little is genuinely practical and comfortable...

[Irving]

They should make a platform heel carry shoe. Only place on a woman that could fit a gun and people aren't staring at.

[Mick-Boy]

My wife wore an IWB (Milt Sparks VM2 (http://www.miltsparks.com/VM-2.htm)) holster for awhile. Now that she's knocked up she alternates between the VM2, a belly band, and purse carry (depending on her clothing).

When we were looking at purses with built in holsters she couldn't find anything that she liked. We ended up making our own with a purse from Goodwill, some shoe-goo, some velcro and an older kydex holster I had in a drawer. It ended up working out pretty well. The biggest thing to remember is that when you move your gun around you have to train to access it in the new location (when I switched from a drop leg to a belt holster in Iraq I had a few "dead man's grab" moments on the range before I broke old habits..). If you normally carry in a purse, train to get the gun out. If you normally carry on your body but switch to a bag, train to get the gun out of the bag. This can be done dry just fine but it needs to be done.

[sroz]

I'm guessing you've already been there, but there is a vendor (maybe more than 1) at the Tanner that sells carry purses. Don't have clue on the quality or fashion aspects. Think the next show is Aug. 2&3 in case you two want to check them out.

[Mick-Boy]

I don't know if you're aware of this resource but this blog was a treasure trove of information when my wife started carrying. There's a whole section on choosing holsters if you scroll down in the contents.

http://www.corneredcat.com/contents/

[Great-Kazoo]

I don't know if you're aware of this resource but this blog was a treasure trove of information when my wife started carrying. There's a whole section on choosing holsters if you scroll down in the contents.

http://www.corneredcat.com/contents/


That's a very informative web site. If you know a female who carries, she should have that one book marked. Long ago when teaching, i provided it and other Female orientated sites to the ladies of the class.

[TheGrey]

I don't know if you're aware of this resource but this blog was a treasure trove of information when my wife started carrying. There's a whole section on choosing holsters if you scroll down in the contents.

http://www.corneredcat.com/contents/

Hey, thanks, Mick-Boy! What an awesome site. And congratulations to you and the Mrs. :)

[Mick-Boy]

Thank you ma'am.

[Mazin]

Gun toting Momma's have a line of CCW purses. Ark Tactical is a dealer.

[Gman]

Thanks for the site link!

We also found this one that had lots of information; http://www.thewellarmedwoman.com/

[Gmans-Wife]

I don't know if you're aware of this resource but this blog was a treasure trove of information when my wife started carrying. There's a whole section on choosing holsters if you scroll down in the contents.

http://www.corneredcat.com/contents/

This is a good site, I have a feeling I will be reading all of it eventually. The information on the purses and concealed carry was also interesting. I think that I'm just going to have to find vendors who may actually carry purses so I can check them out in person.

[Gmans-Wife]

Congrats to you and your wife Mick-Boy.

[muddywings]

My wife uses this: http://www.happycow.com.au/ with a pocket holster inside for her Kahr. (I looks like they have a newer model than what she has)
And congrats Mick-boy.

[Mick-Boy]

Thank you Ma'am. You too Muddywings.

[Big E3]

I was just in Cabela's Lone Tree and they look to have a number of purses in the gun section. I'm thinking if they are in that section they must be for concealed carry. At least you can fondle them and get some idea on configuration and size.

[Gmans-Wife]

At least you can fondle them and get some idea on configuration and size.

Thank you for that information Big E3. It looks like the hubby and I will be going to Cabela's this week so I can fondle purses while he watches.

[Gman]

Oh....I don't think so. They may have a Sig p938 that I can fondle.

[Holger Danske]

My wife normally carries in a crossbreed supertuck, but does find that their are times for purse carry. We fiund a gun totem mamas purse in the bargain cave at Cabelas Lonetree that was a good deal. She likes the quality and functionality. Now, if Coach madde a CC purse she wouldn't carry anything else. In the past she had a regular purse and had a 5.11 holster sewn into a side compartment. That worked well with a smaller pistol.

[jonnyd49]

This is a bit of a late response. My apologies for that.

My girlfriend alternates between a Flash Bang holster (S&W BG380) and purse carry (XD9). She found a purse she loves at Boot Barn. It does well for her, with an external pocket dedicated to the XD. I'm a big fan of the FlashBang holster. If you haven't heard of it - http://www.thewellarmedwoman.com/flashbang-holster My GF is a personal trainer at a gym, and quite often the guys come on to her a bit too strong. She carries in the flash bang while wearing yoga pants and athletic shirts, and nobody notices. Added bonus: she draws from it just as fast as, if not faster than, me and my Crossbreed.

[45XD]

Gun toting Momma's have a line of CCW purses. Ark Tactical is a dealer.

+1 on this. Ace Hardware in Loveland carries these purses and my wife has one. Very reasonably priced too- I think they're all under $100 and that's about what she'd pay for a purse anyways. She is also in the position where she can rarely carry on her body...

[mtnbiker4791]

These look like a good option for the ladies looking to conceal on the body. Not a female but a few of my female friends like the idea.
http://www.deneadams.com/

[Slapps74]

My wife has been very picky about where to carry. At some point someone ( not me) talked her out of purse carry. I have 5 holsters from Terry at Western Images Leather works. He has a both at tanner and is always on the back side of the bath rooms. She started talking to him about holsters for her p238. He made an IWB with a leather paddle that won't pull down her yoga pants carring a 4" 1911. He worked with her a lot to help "prototype" this style of holster for the women. My wife is pretty small 5'1" 105 and was able to carry the 4" 1911 well. Terry told me last time that he will be putting them into production and even has a solution for women who have smaller waists and bigger hips. Semi custom for their body type if you will. If you talk to Terry and mention Heather's name I'm sure he will take care of you.

when the wife's shows up I will post some pics. Thank God that Coach, Louie Viton or Kate Spade don't make CCW purses!