Holsters, Heat

Me | 2/24/03 | oldfashionedvalues

[oldfashionedvalues]

Hi all,
My darling wife, bless her heart, with her bonus, bought me a Kel-Tec P11 this afternoon. I was surprised, to say the least. Quite small and lightweight. Trying it out Saturday. Now, a few questions.
1) I am 5' 8", and stocky. Any recomendations for a concealed holster? Preferably a "belly" type. There seem to be hundreds to choose from. I generally go around in shorts and a t-shirt probably nine or so months out of the year.
2) Is there a general rule regarding storage and heat? I know in my ARMY days our ammo cans would get quite hot. If I have to leave my gun in the car.....better left at home?
3) As far as leaving a gun in the car (and heat too)....There are a few places I can not bring a gun here in Florida. My kids' school is one of them them. (Though, I'd rather be armed in their school than someone else shooting up the place). I am real hesitant about leaving my gun in the car, always have, makes it worthless, stolen, etc. Do you go by "don't know, won't hurt them"(might help them)? I do not like the idea of leaving the house in the morning unarmed just to go to a meeting that evening in a "restricted area", etc.
4) As always, the wise advice of you all is greatly appreciated.
ofv

[Henrietta]

"Hate to be the bringer of bad news, but that combo, if the gun can be fired from within the holster, is classified as an "AOW,"

Um, if you shot the gun from that holster (assuming you could somehow reach through the trigger cover on the holster) you'd shoot yourself in the leg.

Somehow, I don't think that's what the BATFags had in mind when they made their stupid regulation.

[Britton J Wingfield]

I've kept ammo in the trunk of my car in the AZ summer, 117 degrees outside, probably 170 in the trunk. Our ammo cans get too hot to pick up here, and nothing ever cooks off.

A kel-tek p11 is on my wish list. Have fun :)

[Trailerpark Badass]

Ma'am, I believe the holster he is referring to is the pocket holster that has a hole through which one can reach the trigger and fire the gun. The holster is not a "holster," as such, but a rectangular holder for the pistol that keeps it from "printing," that is, from showing the outline of the pistol through the pants pocket. What one does is pull the pistol and "holster," together, out of the pocket, reaches through the hole in the holster and pulls the trigger.

One definition of "AOW" is a firearm that has been made so that it does not look like a firearm. BATF has ruled on these types of pocket holsters, and they are AOWs and they DO have to be registered.

And don't worry, I don't take your sarcasm and condescension personally. Suffice it to say that, from this limited exchange, it seems I know quite a bit more about guns and gun regulations than you. I'm happy to have had the chance to educate you.

[Trailerpark Badass]

To add to my earlier post, it's very possible that the gentleman has a later model of DeSantis wallet holster, which requires the gun to be removed from the holster to be fired. Such a set-up is completely legal and not subject to the NFA. DeSantis no longer makes the original wallet holster that has a hole through which one can reach the trigger, but they are still fairly common.

[c-b 1]

Heat isn't a problem, perspiration is a problem. Carrying a blued weapon in a belt holster I had to clean the rust, and oil the weapon twice a week in the summer. I solved the problem by buying a stainless weapon, which I carry in a pocket holster in my right front pants pocket.

Be sure to rotate your ammo at least 3 times a year.

[oldfashionedvalues]

Again,

Thank you all. You're the best.

ofv

[Atlas Sneezed]

"that combo, if the gun can be fired from within the holster, is classified as an "AOW,"

The pocket holster, like all normal holsters, covers the trigger, so this is not a worry. (And no maker would send a Class III AOW to a consumer without proper paperwork.)

[Double Tap]

I carry in IWB kydex holsters made by Comp-tac. www.Comp-tac.com.

I would rather leave the pistol hidden in the car than not have one at all.

[Unknowing]

Why not leave it in the car? Check and see if your insurance will pay for a replacement piece if yours was to be stolen. Separate the ammunition from the pistol, and you'll stay legal under Colorado law at least. Lock it up in the glove box (if yours locks) when you're at school, but "don't leave home without it."

[Atlas Sneezed]

1) Any recomendations for a concealed holster? Preferably a "belly" type.

Plan to get several, for different circumstances. A Fobus paddle is great for when you have a jacket, sweater, or untucked shirt to cover the gun.

If you have baggy pants, a pocket holster might work well. Certainly, a fanny pack works for summertime. If you are heavy in the belly, an in-the-pants deep cover holster (like "Thunderwear") might not be easy to draw from.

For summer, you could get a light nylon shirt with lots of mesh and vents (they are sold as "fisherman's shirts") in a light color to wear as an overshirt, keeping you cool as it shades you from the sun. If you have problems with it sliding up over the gun, sew some shot or drapery weights into the hem (I'm serious!)

2) Is there a general rule regarding storage and heat?

No problem. Mayber the powder will measurably degrade after a few decades in a hot car, but you should be shooting up your carry ammo at practice sessions, and then replacing it with fresh.

3) There are a few places I can not bring a gun here in Florida... Do you go by "don't know, won't hurt them"(might help them)?

It's up to you what kind of minor criminal violations you are willing to risk to protect your family and yourself. It is not "wrong" to carry a gun where prohibited. It is merely prohibited. I suggest deep carry for such occasions (bars are also carry-prohibited in Florida, if I recall.) Consider adding a $250 Kel-Tec P32 pocket pistol to your repertoire, or having a jacket that you are CERTAIN will not show under any circumstances. A cop who spots a fanny pack in a school may take you aside and spoil the day; they are obvious carry modes to the informed.

There are very rare occasions for which one probably should not carry in any circumstance. Such as visiting the Sheriff's office to apply for one's first carry permit. Your common sense will instruct you.

One final thing. GET TRAINING! Plan on about 40 hours of coursework, to get to the point that you are drawing from a holster (dangerous to you and others if done wrong), clearing stoppages, shooting with the wrong hand, shooting under time pressure, and maybe shooting from "other" positions, whil moving, or at moving targets. And bring youe wife along. Good training will help with the emotional/moral/adrenaline issues that can lead to seriously wrong action by an untrained shooter in a bad circumstance.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"At a gun show last weekend, I saw a holster that I almost couldn't resist. It is an inside-the-waistband concealed holster, and it looks just like a pager on a waist clip on the outside."

They are excellent, but not ideal for a heavier guy with a gut.
http://www.pagerpal.com/

[S.O.S121.500]

http://www.klnullholsters.com/

[toddst]

. . . it's very possible that the gentleman has a later model of DeSantis wallet holster, which requires the gun to be removed from the holster to be fired.

The holster I have is of recent manufacture, covers the trigger guard. It's also designed to stay in your pocket while the gun is withdrawn. No possibility one might fire the gun while it's in your pocket OR still in the holster. Works like a champ.

[Trailerpark Badass]

Gotcha. Sorry for the false alarm.

[Trailerpark Badass]

The pocket holster, like all normal holsters, covers the trigger, so this is not a worry. (And no maker would send a Class III AOW to a consumer without proper paperwork.)

The type of wallet holster I was referring to is not an AOW by itself; it is only the combo of the gun and the holster together which is an AOW. Kind of like the H&K MP5K or MAC 10 "operational briefcases:" without the gun in them they are unregulated. Put the firearm in them and they are AOWs.