Ultimately it should be up to her 100%, regarding whether or not she wants to carry, what gun to carry, and how to carry it. The only thing left for you should be showing her all the different types of holsters, and demonstrating that carrying is not as uncomfortable as she may think.
I don't know what type of job she has, or how she has to dress for work but there is always an option. For deep concealment maybe thunderwear or smart carry. There are quick opening day planners, and attache cases that are made to hide a handgun if she works in an office type setting.
Have her check out this website:
Cornered Cat
I wish there were a forum here for WOMEN who carry, stating their height, weight, body shape, weapon, method of carry, and any other relevant/helpful information (ladies, this is anonymous so no need to hedge about the true statistics! [grin]) It would save the rest of us a lot of trial and error (and the requisite collection of holsters!).
I don't know how this is done but you can always talk to Luke McCoy, the site's owner, about setting one up. I think it's a great idea! I'd join!
Luke: Link Removed
Great stuff.
Right now we are looking at either a Ruger LCP or a Bersa Thunder. Still stumped on the carry method. She is not a big fan of off body carry. Her mother had her purse snatched in a parking lot by a guy hanging out of a car window driving by. The thought of someone taking her gun is not comfortable.
I think she likes the super tuck with jeans, just not sure what she will do in slacks/sweats/ or dresses yet.
We are getting there, keep the great ideas coming!!
Hey CaptAmerica
What part of Florida are you from. I have a nice selection of handguns including a Keltec P3AT with pocket holsters, IWB, and ankle setups. I also have a female co-worker that has a LCP with a below the belt inside the waste band holster. If you are anywhere near Clearwater I'd be willing to meet up. She could mess with the different configurations and that may help her decide. Most likely she'll end up with several different methods of carry depending on how she's dressing that day.
My grandma just bought a 2" hammerless revolver and really likes it. I think she plans on getting one of the carry purses to carry in.
I would love to meet up, but I am up near Jacksonville.
I agree about several methods of carrying. We have discussed that. I am not a big fan of that. To me it is better to have the same thing in the same place every time, but as my daughter put it I am CDO... that's like being OCD but in alphabetical order. :sarcastic:
Great stuff.
Right now we are looking at either a Ruger LCP or a Bersa Thunder. Still stumped on the carry method. She is not a big fan of off body carry. Her mother had her purse snatched in a parking lot by a guy hanging out of a car window driving by. The thought of someone taking her gun is not comfortable.
I think she likes the super tuck with jeans, just not sure what she will do in slacks/sweats/ or dresses yet.
We are getting there, keep the great ideas coming!!
My wife has shot and is familiar with both the Bersa, LCP and other 380acp handguns. She'll tell you it's Bersa hands down!
There are benefits of a super small pocket gun like the LCP; especially when it comes to womens body hugging fashions and use as a BUG.
BUT!!!
My wife will also tell you that she wants a little more gun when she is out alone or with the kids.
IMO; I would tell her to buy TWO hand guns. A mid-size for everyday carry in 380acp; 9mm or larger AND a small gun like an LCP, Kahr or Kel-tec for dress up; dating and special occassions when a larger hg isn't practical.
IF buying two guns is not an option, my wife will tell you that you can't go wrong with a Bersa 380. I would concur that it would be one of my first choices as a "compromise" between a good everyday carry and a BUG.
As far as holsters go:
There is really nothing wrong with having several. We use several different ones from a cheap "Uncle Mikes" to a "Supertuck" and "Smartcarry" to more expensive Leather IWB holsters. We've just discovered different holsters work better under different situations.
Incidently;
My wifes overall favorite holster is a cheap but comfortable "Uncle Mikes". My overall favorite is the "Smartcarry" for summer and a cheap "Maverick Tuckable" for winter. (These are the "ONLY" two holsters I actually forget I have on.)
I will tell you that a "Smartcarry" can nicely conceal a Bersa and two extra magazines under "most" clothing except skin tight jeans and tight dresses. (Sweats and normal dresses included)
A garter holster and LCP work well under a body hugging dress; and my wife usually carrys her Bersa 380 in a cheap "Uncle Mikes" in her tighter jeans and slacks.
I hope this has been helpful.
I would think women would be especially reluctant to make the fashion concessions necessary to concealed carry.
I just sent this message to Luke. I'll let you know when I hear back from him.
I'm not looking for an argument, but that's a pretty hefty assumption and I'm not buying into that generalization, sorry. Where there's a will, there's a way. If there's no will, then okay. Fashion should be absolutely no deterrent to safety. There are too many choices out there for cc for both men and women. I don't think that each and every holster, holder, or whatever that is available for men or women are all especially the most comfortable items possible, neither are shoes. We learn to live with things. If fashion is the foremost thought on the brain then safety is taking a back seat. Not acceptable imho. If a woman really wanted to carry and is not just talked into carry, they would work out a way to accomplish it.
Well, you found an argument.
You're projecting your set of priorities onto others. You place safety above fashion. Good for you. But, you can't tell me that for the vast majority of women, fashion doesn't weigh heavily into any decision regarding concealment.
I did not talk my GF into anything. She is the one who wanted to get into this, not me. It's because of her that I got into it. But, she learned that there's a whole lot more to this than she realized at first.
Again, the presumption was that women used purses to carry their weapons. Granted, that's not necessarily true, but I can guarantee you that my GF will choose to not carry if she has to wear and conceal a holster. Fact of life. And I can guarantee you that there are many others out there of the same opinion. For most women, I submit that they think "it's not worth it".
You may disagree with her priorities, but you can't deny that fashion enters into the equation FAR more often for women than men. If you don't believe me, just look at some closets.
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