I dropped my handgun in the stall

[kengrubb]

Use the handicapped stalls or family bathrooms when out in public and "packing in the unloading zone".

 

[utimmer43]

First, I would suggest a new IWB if the one you have just allows gravity or even a somewhat harsh "flip" to remove your gun. There should be enough tension to hold it upside down and give it a decent bounce without it falling out.

That being said, if I absolutely must use the public john...

...Now I have a normal holster and find that I usually rebuckle my belt after sitting down...

... this is also what I do. I will add that I keep the belt/waistband up over my knees. That is a little easier for me than keeping my legs spread to hold everything in place. Plus it keeps the holster higher up so it is less visible from under the stall walls. It takes a little practice, but it's quite effective.

The LAST thing I would do is remove it from the holster. Maybe it's just me, but the less I handle the unholstered gun, the better.

 

[RugerP345]

Cute, but I sure hate it for you if the damned thing accidentally discharges!:hang3:
Maybe they should call that the "Darwin Holster" LOL

 

[Glock Fan]

Cute, but I sure hate it for you if the damned thing accidentally discharges!:hang3:
Maybe they should call that the "Darwin Holster" LOL

I wouldn't use this type of holster. For those who do, I would hope that they carry with an empty chamber.



gf

 

[NDS]

I wouldn't use this type of holster. For those who do, I would hope that they carry with an empty chamber.



gf

You guys worry too much...do you expect to live forever or something?










Okay, I'll come clean. My "around the neck" holster for my P3AT holds the pistol horizontal, not vertical. I also find it way too uncomfortable for use.

 

[rvarney3]

my solution to my issue of dropping my gun in the stall!

Thanks for all your replies, and I do know I am not alone on this, nor will I be the last. When I am given a chance to correct a problem I take advantage it. I meam that could have turned out very nasty if it had been reported.

I am a pack rat (not as bad as in the past), but still hang on to things. At one time, I was somewhat of a collector of hand guns with a collection of 7 different handguns & a large collection of holsters. My gun collection is now a big"1", I carry a .357 & that's it, but I still have all my holsters, and one is a shoulder rig. Now, when I go out to a mall, or any store that has a public restroom, I use my shoulder holster with a strap to hold the gun in place. With my various disabilities, it actually helps me if I should ever require it. I do like appendix carry, so I might purchase this one holster that is like a wrap that goes below the waist, and is very secure. I'll tell you, that drop in the stall really gave me a kick in the butt that was needed!

 

[kengrubb]

On the comment about IWB carry, I also have to agree. Don't like it for several reasons and never have, the ones mentioned included.

Daugherty16's comment on IWB was really a comment on SOB. IWB and SOB are not the same thing. I carry IWB, which is really nothing more than strong side carry but inside my britches and better secured and more concealed.

If I'm in a public stall, and I absolutely positively cannot choose a handicapped stall, a family bathroom, or a stall with my gunside facing a wall, there's still a way.

Slip the gun outta the holster as you lower your pants, place it inside your pants (but not your underwear) resting on the floor, and hold your pants up "at halfmast" so the holster cannot be seen. You could also rest your pants on the floor rather than hold them up, and fold them over such that the holster is concealed from view. When you stand up, the weight of the gun inside your pants will remind you, "Oh yes, there's something I need to do."

There are also IWB holsters with snaps rather than screws. Kramer Leather makes 'em and probably so too do other makers. You could unsnap the holster, gun and all, and place it inside your pants, but not your underwear.

 

[yale]

What type of holster are you using?

I was wondering the same thing. If you are going to open carry then for goodness sake don't do it with a cheap in the waistband holster with no retention. Get a good belt hoslter with at least a snap strap over the top. Open carry has enough detractors with out our giving them more reason to bother us.

 

[WJN Firearms]

I agree also. SOB carry is definately on the bottom of my list. The only way I used to IWB carry when I just carried a S&W Model 36 wheel gun was with an IWB holster that had a retention strap around the belt and also a thumbreak. I don't think they make that particular style holster any more as I bought it in 1981 when I bought the J frame and I don't recall seeing anything similar in more recent days. When I sold the J frame, it went with it.

There's always a way to keep control of a firearm when you are minus trousers if you just put your mind to it in advance. Kengrubb's idea is just one good one of many possible.

 

[PaulIcemanMc]

Won't let go!!

I remember what happened when one would drop their weapon in basic training. You were one sorry SOB. I can still feel the push up's burning my arms.

That is always a fond memory for me also. Never dropped mine in the service but felt sorry for those poor SOBs who did. When I am in a public restroom I am always mindful of a temporary resting place for my weapon and if there is none I keep it in one hand or another....I know that sounds hard but it is better than dropping it.

 

[hardballer]

I make all my holsters thumb breaks now whether OC or CC so no worries. I never use a public toilet for anything other than number 1. Thanks. :biggrin:

Click to enlarge. . .
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[sweetokole]

I agree with Hardballer... only No. 1.... but I carry when I'm home so I am aware of the issues... I have designed and built this holster which seems to work in the restroom situation. It's called the PHANTOM and made from some high tech materials... extremely comfortable and totally concealed yet easy access in most situations.

 

[sweetokole]

Help... pics won't upload... checked size and that seems okay... am I doing something wrong?

 

[sweetokole]

Trying again.

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[sweetokole]

OMT!!!!

 

[1911 Headbanger]

Must be tough times! I wait until I can get home so I can keep up with my reading.
Or if timing is off just run into the woods with the bears:laugh:

Yeah, or with a wireless like I have here at home, I might be typing this on my laptop while sittin' on the john. :biggrin:

 

[gdcleanfun]

...It was nice when I had my paddle holster as I could un-clip it and hang holster and all on the little hook on the back of the door. ...
.

I don't know if there are the same types of hooks on the back of the doors or on the walls in the fellow's bathroom stalls, but in most gal's stalls there are often two hooks, one directly below the other. The bottom hook is the only one I'll use. Often, when using public restrooms, there are thieves who walk by the stalls and reach over the doors and grab what's hanging on the top hook. The things hanging on the bottom hook are harder to "lift." Some stalls, especially in the malls or department stores or casino shopping areas, used to have pull-down shelves. I haven't seen those lately.

I have taken to cc'ing on my hip, not IWB, but wearing an over-sized shirt for concealment. I use my fanny pack also. I use the handicap stall almost exclusively, remove my fanny pack and clip it around the rails, and take my pistol out of the holster and put it in the fanny pack while I do my business. This keeps me from having to worry about tension around the pant's waistband whilst sitting down. (We women usually don't have the luxury to stand up for #1.) Then when business is complete I simply reverse the process. I never, ever, place my pack on the floor, way too germy! I don't carry a purse, haven't in over 20 years, though sometimes I carry my project bag, and I can place my pistol in there while busy. I don't place it on the floor either. This is not my favorite option as it's difficult to retrieve it quickly. My point is, tho, if you carry a man's purse, or backpack, it can be clipped around the hand rails in the HC stall and used for temporary storage.

Just .02 worth of this woman's perspective.:biggrin:

 

[Big Gay Al]

I was in one of the stores in town, and had to visit the restroom. As I was all finished in the stall pulling myself together, my .357 fell out of my holster. There was someone else in there, so I did grab up my firearm rather quickly. It was in my "In the waistband" holster when it fell, so it was a careless error on my part. I feared the worse, but nothing happened. Lesson learned! Keep tight grip on my holstered weapon in this type of situation. Even though I am licensed to carry, I could have been charged with insighting a riot, disturbing the peace, and maybe other charges. I was lucky this man didn't see the gun. He could have reported it quickly, and then I would have had to answer to the police probably in cuffs.

Bathroom mopery with intent to gawk. :laugh:

 

[tj_cubin]

I read somewhere else on these forums that it is beneficial to sort of pull your underwear over your belt/gun before you drop pants to ensure that it is continually hidden. Then all those rascally kids can see is your underwear and not your other under garment. :biggrin:

Yesterday i used a public restroom for the first time while carrying. I would have put my pistol in my 5.11 coat, but the hook on the stall door was broken so i hung the coat over an overhead cross bar. I tried this thing with rolling my underwear waistband over the top of the pants/holster, and i gotta say it worked great. i didn't really have the risk of someone seeing it under the stall, but it kept it totally concealed and had no chance of falling out.

 

[Jeffrey1235]

If you are using an IWB holster with a thumb break you can also take your gun and holster off of your pants and place it in the seat of your drawers or pants if you are more concerned about it being seen while sitting on the thrown. If you do this though be carefull about standing up and putting it back in place on your pants band. If you don't watch out someone will see you replace it through the cracks in between the stall door and wall. I wouldn't do this with an open top holster though because you may dump your gun on the floor.