Posted on 09/13/2008 8:47:02 PM PDT by mountainbunny
I'd like some advise on conceal carry options for women.
The weapon is a Smith and Wesson 36 Lady Smith revolver. See here *pops*, although I'm sure it's familiar to most everyone here.
Specific questions are: would one be better off getting a brand new bag specifically meant for CCW, or would a holster for a "regular" bag do? Currently carrying a smallish, soft-sided, teardrop shaped "better back bag from LL Bean (example here *pops*). The main zipper is on the side toward the handle & runs almost the entire length of the side of the bag, probably 14 inches or so. Easy to open when walking if needed. There are pockets inside and everything else is in individual cases. Nothing floats around free. The zipper faces the user when the bag is on the shoulder.
If a new bag would be preferable, are there suggested sources for either bags or holsters or both? Leather or Microfiber handbags would be preferred in the above style if possible. This would be for a petite woman, so it can't be a huge hulking bag. Added points if it's pretty/fashionable and easy on the back :)
Ease of access, protecting the weapon in the bag, and safety are paramount concerns.
Thanks so very much in advance.
That gun is what my wife will carry and what was recommended at our CC last night by the NRA instructor....for both men and women.
Actually it was a close variant of the Ladysmith, .38 cal.
Get rid of the Lady Smith. Go with the S&W Airweight hammerless revolver.
Internal hammer? If not, get rid of it and get an S&W that does have an internal hammer.
Did he give her any advice as far as the type of bag?
As an aside, I have been a bit surprised (happily, mind you) at the number of women who are getting permits.
It can only be a good thing.
Also, forget the bag. Situations in which you will use the gun occur in a split second. You won’t stand a chance with the gun in a bag.
You might be able to take your favorite purse to someone that works with leather and they could customize if for you....good luck
The person who did the NRA class said that he has never actually seen an example of hammers snagging (I’m going to assume that that is your concern). He’s an NRA certified trainer and a military weapons tester and said that it is a concern that doesn’t seem to materialize.
Also, from personal experience, I find that the internal hammer type seemed to kick too much.
Not so fast...they make CCW purses specificly designed to slip open for a fast draw...but a purse itself is a target of crime...
I would suggest you have several options...there might be times when you dont want a loose bag...times when you can use a thigh/calf holster...or a shoulder rig when wearing a jacket..
Dont limit your self to one mode....and practice draws from each mode well...
If you wear suits you can easily carry concealed even if you are petite.
Otherwise a big shirt works.
Why can't you carry on your person? I keep a S&W 642 in my pocket with a Mika pocket holster. Of course, I'm a guy...
I have been considering the laser-grip version of the Lady Smith (the laser grip one isn’t actually called a Lady Smith). Can you give me more reasons the S&W Airweight hammerless revolver is better? The more detail the better. I would also like some advice on a holster. I don’t like the idea of carrying my gun in a bag. I saw a Galco underwraps belly band that looks interesting, but have no idea how that would actually feel.
Why can't you carry on your person? I keep a S&W 642 in my pocket with a Mika pocket holster. Of course, I'm a guy...
Discussing bags is all well and good. The main question is do you have both the skill and the will to use it if necessary. If you do not have the will and ability to kill to defend yourself, a gun is useless. You need to consider a gun as simply part of your immune system and let it function accordingly to protect you, without thought. You need to get to that point before a gun is effective for unexpected situations.
Hi,
I carry the Lady Smith and Wesson 39 also. However, I carry it inside my waistband in a soft holster. I carry it on my left side as I am right handed, and cross draw.
This works wonderfully for me. If I’m wearing a t-shirt, I will layer and unbuttoned shirt over it to be sure there is no “impression” of the gun showing. I live in TX where it is hot a lot of the time, but do not find this arrangement uncomfortably hot.
Practice, practice, practice is the key!
Mari
(president and founder of Second Amendment Sisters)
Have you handled this gun? It is remarkably small, and as you may know, the Ladysmith is designed for a woman’s smaller, more delicate hands. No, he did not discuss specific bag options, but it is so small it would fit in nearly any ladies handbag, or pocket. The guy who sold us the gun, was carrying one in the front(!) pocket of his jeans.
Have you looked at some of the holsters that are available? Most are quite small and unobtrusive.
The NRA instructor likes this gun, because it is so small and light that it WILL be carried as opposed to some of the bazookas out there; I have a Kimber .45 ACP for CC and it a real piece of engineering, but I’ll probably get a small revolver for summer carry.
BTW, he like the idea of the Crimson Trace laser grips as well.
I am assuming that you attended a handgun carry class.
Did they cover holsters and other means of carrying/concealing???
If not, get your money back.
The problem with purse carry is that the crime often starts with the bad guy grabbing the purse. How do you defend yourself if the BG has your gun? A small pocket carry gun seems a better choice to me.
“Also, from personal experience, I find that the internal hammer type seemed to kick too much.”
I don’t see why that should be the case. Maybe you were shooting it with a different load.
Hey, a hammer is not that bad. In fact I own two j-frames, a all steel hammer model and an Airweight Centennial and prefer the hammer model. Just overall balance and accuracy works better for me. (And no, I’m not thumbing it back to cock, but you can if you need to. Not sure why you would need to in a self defense situation, though, true.)
A good “inside the pocket” holster in the purse describes would probably work really well. If you wanted to get really trick you could sew the holster into the compartment in the purse (on the inside of the pocket) and have a cool, custom carry rig that is not identifable as a “gun purse” but works great as one.
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