Mrs. Peel

Thank you for asking! Yeah, "journey" is the word for it! As far as "how to" carry - your story, @High Exposure, of the "totes full of holsters no longer used" was illuminating. I have since seen other similar tales (in articles, on YouTube, etc.). I now realize there will be an evolution as I try things, but then try better things, etc. I've also come to realize that there is no "one size fits all" carry solution for me. All this helped me realize that although I should choose wisely, I can't have analysis paralysis either... because I too will probably still end up with my own tote or drawer of unused holsters, lol. I just need to crack open the wallet and start purchasing. Initially, I'm moving in 2 directions simultaneously: 1) modestly increase my wardrobe by buying some carry-friendly clothing - a couple pair of jeans or pants with belt loops and a couple of women's belts designed for CCW, so that I can do a traditional "belt + holster" set-up. That search is well underway! I've already found a couple of belts - one more dressy, one more casual - but designed for concealed carry so they'll be rigid enough for the job. At least 1 order will happen this week. 2) That said, since I do have sooo many dresses in my wardrobe, I'm not about to replace my entire wardrobe! So, I'm also on the hunt for a compact CCW purse with a steel-wire-reinforced cross-body strap. I may try other things over time - but initially, those 2 basic methods - some belts + a purse (and eventual holster obvi) - would allow me to carry with ANYTHING in my wardrobe. BTW, in addition to the many nice people contributing suggestions on this thread - there have been folks I know a bit better who have been offering help off-thread, too - like you, @High Exposure, @brucin (& his lovely wife Cindy whose brain I was just picking tonight), and @10X who was offering up handgun tryouts, etc. So, thanks to all - on- and off-thread!! Oh, those "horrible, horrible gun nuts" we always read about - they're soooo terrible, I tell ya! As far as "what" to carry, I admit... I'm even more confused! I have decided to purchase a new gun just for carry - probably in 9mm. Other than a reasonably compact size, my other concern is racking the gun - although I can rack my 1911 smoothly enough, I DON'T have strong hands, and I worry if I was under stress (hands sweating, etc.) that it could cause an issue. Because I can't fully shake that concern, and I'm not ready to go the revolver route; I'm intrigued by a couple of semi-auto models touting easy to rack slides - namely, the S&W Shield "EZ" - and the Walther PDP-"F series". I have checked the rental lists of big commercial ranges (Heritage Guild, TTC, Gun for Hire, Weshoot), because it's an important enough decision that I am willing to rent both - so that I can compare side-by-side. So far, I didn't find a range that listed BOTH models on their rental page. I need to start making phone calls this week - RTSP doesn't list rentals on their page and, who knows, the others might have out-of-date websites...? Hopefully, I can locate a place this week and then compare the 2 models head-to-head this coming month. I'm also going to put in for a couple of purchase permits this month... I figure by the time those are ready, I'll have my purchasing decision made (and probably already have CCW belt + purse), then will just need to get a holster to fit the gun. I'm guessing I'll do a qualification test probably in June and apply for the carry permit immediately after that. Yeah, I know, I know... I'm moving s-l-o-w-l-y compared to many on here... at this pace, I'm thinking I'll probably be carrying sometime late summer at best? Whatever! It seems many of you just assumed the mantle of CCW with relative ease... either you're more experienced, competent shooters than me or you just have more natural swagger, lol! But in my case, the whole CCW option just made me suddenly (and acutely) aware of what a CASUAL, hobbyist-type shooter I've been... and just the thought of carrying concealed has generated a wholly different attitude. I think it is an AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY! Suddenly, I find myself wanting to do mo' practice, mo' training, and to try things I was too timid to do before (like local comps, and IDPA). Although I still intend to have FUN - something has definitely shifted - even more than the fun, I'm interested in getting GOOD and feeling CONFIDENT in my gun-handling abilities. It's going to be a VERY busy, firearms-focused summer for me!... with much more range time, and with a far different and more serious mindset. Everyone's unique and I don't question how anyone else has moved on this process. I just need to do this in a way that's comfortable for me... slow and steady... like the tortoise!

I can't help myself... I'm a sucker for any story where a kid steps up and calmly handles a dangerous situation. What can I say? It gives me hope for the future! Happy Friday, everyone. https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/27/us/michigan-student-hero-school-bus/index.html

NJ will continue, with all conscious and deliberative intent, to make this process as costly... cumbersome... and confusing as possible. You can take that to the bank. They don't WANT you to carry! They prefer to punish you, the law-abiding, while - for instance - setting aside millions to provide people who came here illegally with fully funded legal services...or, doing away with cash bail so that common criminals can be released back onto the streets as rapidly as possible. This is a truly ass-backwards state!

NOW we're getting creative... and hey, anyone I date might appreciate that design as well... value add!

You're not inferring carrying BOTH are you? I don't think you are... but in case you did mean that, FYI concealed carry purses today all seem have to have a similar construction in that they have 2 completely separate compartments accessed by external quick-pull zippers. One compartment is typically lined with velcro and then you add velcro to your holster of choice so you can attach the holster right inside the purse. So you're drawing from a holster but it's inside the purse. (Nothing but the gun and holster go in that side - because you don't want loose change or your lipstick tube rolling around with your gun,, for instance). That still leaves you with a separate, completely isolated, zipped section of the bag that then becomes your de facto "normal" purse (where you'd stash your wallet, make-up, sundries). Maybe you knew that... and if so, forgive the lesson. I'm just learning all this myself... and thought it also might be new to you... (despite your apparent former bag-carrying glory).

You know, I had noticed that already... and that was yet another reason why either a waist- or cross-carry purse is the only thing I would consider. That said, you make an excellent point... the holster isn't the issue in a carry purse (as those purses typically have an actual holster that you attach to the inside of the bag)... but "on your person" could be, I suppose, open to interpretation. What "I" think it means... might not be what a prosecutor, judge or jury thinks it means. Hmmmm...! I'm guessing our various 2A attorneys are too absorbed with the other egregious aspects of the carry law they're fighting right now, but certainly, I hope they do push at some point to get a reasonably broad concession by the state on what that definition means...so that women aren't disadvantaged... and that they get it "on the record". I'm hoping for a lot, I realize! It's more likely to be tested during a DGU case.

That's not a bad suggestion, and I may do that. But from watching so many of her videos... I feel like I already know what her answer will be... because she herself admits to owning MULTIPLE methods of carry. So, she has - by her very habits - tossed the advice to dress for the gun - and instead, she makes the carry method conform to her outfit any given day. And, to her credit, it sounds like she puts in a ton of practice with each of those methods so that she's competent - I think that's probably key to any of this. It's just that I can see where that would start to "add up" expense-wise. It's costly enough to get a belt/holster - but add a carry purse - and maybe a carry garment for other outfits - cha-CHING! cha-CHING! cha-CHING! Oh, well... it is what it is... like I said upthread, I'll probably have to start with a belt/holster AND a couple new pairs of jeans or pants AND ALSO a cross-carry bag, too (for when I'm wearing my dresses, since that's MY most prevalent mode of dressing). I mean, no one ever said shooting was cheap!

That's even a step beyond those NJ Legislators who hired their own outside council to present to Judge Bumb. This whole is getting not only more complicated, but clearly it's getting more politicized by the moment. That's NEVER good IMO.

Not that I've seen thus far... interesting idea though... like the thigh one, just worn a little lower. If it's not out there, someone will probably come up with it soon enough.

Uhh... no! You can halt your important research. But, thank you!

I just think it's a little easier for a guy to keep the purchases more limited if he wants to carry for his existing (simple) wardrobe (shirt/pants/shorts)... as opposed to a woman equipping herself to carry with a wardrobe of MUCH more variety than that - because she has to get arguably MORE "carry equipment" - something that works for a dress, something else that works for separates, etc., etc.). That said, we totally agree... it's not CHEAP for anyone! Quality gear is expensive, period!!!

Thank you... I'm probably not explaining myself properly though! A lot of the options you guys are sending are great for "separates" - in other words a top + a skirt (or pants). My issues is that most of my wardrobe is comprised of DRESSES (a one-piece garment), not separates! So there's no accessible waistline. So, I can't just "yank up the shirt hem" and grab the gun from the holster - which is what all three of those designs require. Noooo... I'd have to bend down, grab the hem of my dress, shimmy the entire dress up above my waist, flash my whole body (why...hello, everyone! I'm here to help!) just in order to access the gun. That is not only... well, more than a bit rude, lol... but it's entirely impractical and time-consuming and risky (trying to draw around a bunch of bundled up fabric, etc.). IMO, it's a "no go". So, that's why I was saying - dresses are just ONE reason why women carrying concealed is a tad more complicated. And I agree with @Krdshrk... and seeing your reply, we now know more about you than we needed to, lol. That said, he was posting a different type of undergarment shot - so not in a position to criticize you. I swear, all threads, left unattended, eventually lead to bathroom humor or smut around here... I swear, what is WITH you guys?

Yeah, you probably just logged on and are doing a quick reply... and thank you for that! But, if you look upthread... you'll see that YES, I have watched her videos... and I fully agree, she's putting out some of the better content on this topic! I like her videos a lot. That said, it's still a lot more complicated AND EXPENSIVE if you have to adapt around a woman's varied wardrobe. I kind of chuckle (and cringe) when I see the prices of some of those carry garments designed for women - holy kamoley! - and it looks like she owns a whole BUNCH of items (some of which she bought herself). It's just dizzying options... but none that will do everything. So yeah, I do stand by my original statement that you guys have it so much easier equipping yourselves for concealed carry - due to your relatively uniform, simple type of wardrobe! I think for a lot of guys it's "Belt & holster, maybe a new type of t-shirt. Done, done and done!" I could only hope it would be that simple and inexpensive ...! I can see I'll be shelling out in a few different ways above and beyond that. Ugh.

Yes, I am! Thank you. Frankly, of all the videos I've watched, I thought hers were by far the BEST on the topic of purse carry specifically... (again, a topic often quite poorly covered IMO). You can tell from her videos she's a real "thinker" - she really analyzes all the plusses and minuses and seems to give a very balanced presentation. I like her videos very much! I'll share one of her videos on the topic here:

How charmingly High Exposure describes a woman's body! Lovely. That's why he's one of my favs. But, it's true - when I've seen male friends wearing holsters, because I'm "pear-shaped" (hips bigger than waist & bust), and most guys are pretty straight through the waist/hip area, I immediately noticed they often wore their guns in a fairly neutral up & down angle. I would just chuckle to myself because if I were to wear the exact same belt/holster/gun, it would not lay the same on me at all. In fact, I know my hip would be pushing the barrel away from my body. I'd probably have to have the holster angled (canted as they say) completely differently than most guys would. I think that would be a case for most pear-shaped women - which is a big proportion of the female population. It's also the TYPE of garment though. As I said - with a dress - you have NO WAISTBAND to work with. That's just a design limitation of the garment itself. Vive la difference, I guess!

Welcome aboard!

Wow! I thought you were going to drop on me like a HAMMER for even suggesting purse carry! Lol. I do prefer the thought of something "attached" to me via some sort of belt "system". But, as noted, for "dresses" that's a real problem. Believe me, I'm not crazy about the purse options either - I already ruled most of those out just from looking at them. Frankly? I would not even consider a purse unless it was cross carry (meaning the strap goes over your head and sits diagonally across your chest). I have owned that style of (non-carry) purse frequently over the years. They stay in place, they leave you hands-free, and they're comfortable left "on" even in a restaurant. Honestly? The other "must have" would be this feature - some of them have a thin steel cable that is stitched in-between the layers of the strap - so someone can't come up and slice through the strap and run off with the bag. That said, I don't think purse carry is an ideal option for sure... if I were to guess I'd say I'm going to likely split the difference. Get a pair or 2 of pants with belt loops and get a traditional belt/holster, etc.(would be necessary for IDPA anyway) ... but also get some kind of system that would work with all of my existing wardrobe (and that MIGHT have to be waist-pack or a carry purse). As noted, I already have an entire wardrobe - I should be able to find something that works WITH how I already dress. I've "probably" been on that site, because I've pretty much been on ALL the concealed carry purse sites. I found only a few options I liked. Most were all VERY Western/cowgirl looking - not really my jam! OMG!! THAT's what I need!!!!

Unless I'm missing something (which is always possible)... I think ALL all of those options are designed to be used in place of a belt but you STILL need to reach into your waistband to draw, isn't that right? So, though they might work with a skirt, they wouldn't work with a dress... I don't see how reaching down to one's ankles, pulling a dress all the way up to your waist () and THEN trying to draw it away from all that bunched up fabric sounds "more efficient" than drawing from, for instance, a cross-carry purse, which at least is more readily reached. Edit: OK, nevermind, I didnt realize there were 2 links there - yeah, I see the first one goes on the leg. Hmmm... but would still need to yank up and "wrestle" dress fabric to get to it. I dunno! But thank you! I will look at all options! I have seen Michulek in videos - everytime I saw her though she was was wearing pants and drawing from a holster at her waist. But I'll do a keyword search - maybe she has info I didn't come across! And I'm not sure of CC gun yet - I need to buy something new - my 1911 is too chunky and the .22 is not appropriate. I have smallish, and fairly weak hands - but not so weak that I'm considering the revolver route yet. I've called around a few ranges already re: rentals - I'm trying to find ONE range that has BOTH the S&W Shield EZ and the Walther PDP-F available for rent. (Most have an EZ but not that particular Walther which is fairly newish). Both models are designed with, apparently, a much easier-racking slide - and I'd like to do a side-by-side comparison between the 2 and see if one feels better than the other. I know I've shot a few Shields before and liked them. I wouldn't rule out a slimmer Glock either. I seem to do OK with those - I like the light weight. I always like to take my time with a decision like that... so, yeah, I'm thoroughly undecided.

I have not applied for concealed carry "yet" - but I will def'ly be doing so. In the meantime, have been reading all of the related threads intently, have been watching videos/reading articles about DGUs and legalities, etc., and am planning to start IDPA pretty soon as well. So, in my usual tortoise-like fashion, lol, I'm slowly moving towards the CC goal... will no doubt have it sometime this year. I have been following the recent thread on shoulder holsters... and honestly, I have hesitated to even post about this topic in the past... because I can only imagine the TIDAL WAVE of criticism it will cause (), but one of the rabbit holes I've been diving down in recent months is methods of concealed carry for women. And goodness, what a mess that subject is! Most of the videos I've seen suck btw - many are done by men who clearly don't have a clue about carrying a purse (good god, man... just stay in your lane, lol), others are done by women who - you can tell just by looking at them - are total tomboys who spend their entire lives in jeans and t-shirts. (Hey, that's fine, but guess what? ...Not all women dress like that). Guys, let me tell you... I don't like to complain or get into "battle of the sexes" territory... but on this front, honestly, you have it EASY! It's relatively simple to say "dress for the gun" when you have a man's wardrobe that consists entirely of shirts and pants/shorts! It's 1000x more complicated for most women (unless you happen to be one of those aforementioned tomboys who already owns a boyish type wardrobe). Here's my typical summer outfit (just toolin' around town, shopping, meeting friends for a drink or lunch, etc.)... a casual, sleeveless maxi dress/sundress, usually in a light knit jersey and with a self-tie belt, cute sandals, and if it's really sunny, I add a wide-brimmed hat. I mean, that describes 95 percent of my summer wardrobe, right there! Literally, my closet in the summer is overflowing with dresses. Pretty much the only time I'm in pants is if I'm gardening -or- at a range - or some other outdoorsy activity. (And I don't even own a single pair of pants with "belt loops" - my closet wouldn't recognize a belt or a belt loop if it fell on one). My cold weather outfits aren't much different - more casual dresses but in heavier weight fabric with longer sleeves, maybe a shawl draped over the shoulders, replace the summer sandals with tights and ankle boots, and topped off with a beret or newsboy cap if it's really cold out. Where, pray tell, do you "conceal" a gun on those outfits? Maybe in the beret? I'd have to buy an entire new wardrobe for all seasons. Most of us, by a certain age, have figured out what looks most flattering on us (and for a lot of women, that's wearing things that nip in your waist, not that add bulk around the waist) - so "dressing for the gun" would not only be incredibly pricey for me, but it would also have me moving to a less flattering wardrobe. Hey, I'm not particularly vain, but I ask you... who among us wants to spend a bunch of money to look LESS attractive rather than MORE attractive? Even a low-vanity person doesn't find that option appealing! Yeah, I've read (and been advised by people I respect) over and over... and over... that the much-maligned "purse carry" (oh, the horror!) is actually the "worst carry of all" - but honestly, I can totally see why women end up going with that option, particularly since most women are carrying a purse ANYWAY (and if you're not packing IN the purse, then the purse is now merely an "obstacle" if drawing from your waist). Most purse carry videos I've watched actually suggest that you THROW the purse down... and THEN draw. Yet not ONE of those videos has addressed this: what happens after that? Suppose you're able to take cover someplace relatively secure, and you assess that you can safely dial 911 and report what's happening... well, guess what? You can't do that now... because your phone is sitting however many feet or yards away IN THE PURSE that you just threw down on the ground! The fact is, the vast majority of these carry methods - IWB, OWB, etc. - simply don't mesh with how a lot of women dress or live their lives. It's frustrating. I don't mean to be a Negative Nellie, but for a wardrobe heavy on "dresses" in particular (because there's no open waistband to work with) it seems there really are no great or even adequate solutions. Let the flaming begin!

Just a heads-up for anyone who occasionally uses the Clinton WMA during the week.. rifle range is closed the next 2 days. The good news is... yet more improvements underway! Clinton WMA Centerfire Rifle Range Will Be Closed April 4-5, 2023 The Clinton WMA Centerfire Rifle Range in Hunterdon County will be CLOSED on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, and Wednesday, April 5, 2023, for entrance road improvements. New Jersey Fish & Wildlife sincerely appreciates your patience and understanding while this work is being completed and improvements are made. Thank you! Check out NJ Fish & Wildlife's Wildlife Management Area Explorer App NJ Fish & Wildlife Range Information

Am I misunderstanding... are you saying you recently relocated to our fair state and live here now? If so, my condolences. To get better acquainted... pls feel free to share where you live, where you shoot, and what you shoot. And welcome to the Forums! Update: never mind... I just saw your other post showing you still live in Virginia. What prompted you to apply here? A second house?

If I admit I've never had this Shiner Bock you all speak of... will there be a collective gasp of horror quaking across the forums?

I gave you a "like" for being so literate. [even though you remain on the wrong side]

Yes, it did wander a little... but left to their own devices, they got it back on-track... and quite magnificently I might add. After all, this thread, identifying a problem in need of fixing, was opened Sunday night. Less than 48 hours later - there's "A Grand Plan" in the works - involving weaponry, a cross-country roadtrip, and a BBQ (with the smoking wood already cut and stacked). Sometimes I find it hard to criticize the process when the results are so very good! In fact, the only surprise is that the thread hasn't yet morphed into which beverages to consume during the BBQ... but I'm confident that will happen any minute now... obviously, this team is rising to all the logistical challenges presented. These poor bastard feral pigs don't stand a chance.

Well now... perhaps, there IS some room for mutual disdain of this interloper product? @CMJeepster - what say you? Your effort, @Displaced Texan at attempting to forge detente between two long-warring factions is duly noted.