One phone call changed how I feel about my safety. I was twenty years old and had a stalker. He called to tell me how cute I looked in my pink sweater, and then my hands began to shake when he told me he had been watching me for days. That call changed how I thought about personal safety, and the next thing I knew, I had a snubnose .38 Spl revolver riding in my purse.
Concealed Carry of a Revolver
Back then, I had no real idea what concealed carry really meant or how to do it well. There were no “concealed-carry purses,” and holsters were not part of my wardrobe. I just did my best to keep my revolver secure and handy.
I have carried firearms in many ways, from holstering on my hip to appendix carry and in my purse. While I agree with experts who say concealing in a purse is not optimal, I am also a realist and know women will carry that way. Concealed carry with revolvers is not new, but with a resurgence of revolver popularity, there are some things to consider.
Revolver enthusiast and retired federal agent, Doug Gilmer explained his use of a revolver for both on and off duty.
“Throughout my career, I carried both 2-inch and 3-inch models, often in a pocket ankle, or belt holster. When working in HQ assignments where I wasn’t conducting operational law enforcement missions, I’d carry two of them. Usually, one on the belt (strongside) and one in the pocket or on the ankle,” he said.
“Even working on the street in casual undercover roles, I would carry a J-frame and have been able to get the drop on a suspect before they could ever see I was armed. I could often approach a situation with my hand in my pocket, on my gun, looking very much like anyone else but with an immediate ability to draw,” Doug explained. “When I was off duty, and now retired, I usually carry my revolver either in a pocket holster or appendix carry using a DeSantis Flex-Tuk, leather holster (I am old school and still prefer leather over Kydex for several reasons).”
Choosing the Perfect Revolver to Conceal
Every firearm choice has pros and cons. Revolvers can feel bulky and carry fewer rounds than most semi-automatic pistols, but I disagree that fewer rounds make them a lesser option. I appreciate the simple ease of use and reliability of revolvers for concealed carry.
Several manufacturers produce revolvers designed expressly for concealment. A couple of my favorites are the Lipsey’s Exclusive S&W Model 432 Ultimate Carry and the Lipsey’s Exclusive Ruger LCR 32 H&R Mag. These lightweight J-frame hammerless revolvers designed with smooth frames that won’t get hung up on clothing, are comfortable to carry and shoot with a reasonable amount of felt recoil.
Holstering for Concealment
Carrying a revolver, or any concealed gun comfortably, comes down to having the right holster for your firearm and intended carry style. Finding the right holster can take some trial and error, however, as the box of holsters in my closet attests. There are several popular methods to carry a revolver on your body, and each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.
- Inside-the-waistband (IWB): The holster is clipped inside the waistband against your body. The wearer can choose from several positions, left or right side, appendix or in the small of the back. This versatile method can also mean less of a wardrobe consideration.
- Outside-the-waistband (OWB): This method requires the user to wear a cover garment to conceal the firearm, such as a jacket or loose shirt. I like to use my Simply Rugged “Boomer” with my J-Frame.
- Pocket carry: Pocket carry is best accomplished with a small revolver in a snug holster that covers the trigger, and a good practice is to carry in the same pocket without any other items.
- Purse or bag carry: When using a purse or fanny pack make sure you have a dedicated holster pocket and a holster that covers the trigger securely. Keep the purse, backpack or bag on your body and don’t sling it over a chair when you are seated. I prefer Gun Tote’n Mamas crossbody bags for their quality and sturdiness.
- Built-in holster garments: A less traditional method of carrying a firearm on your body is by utilizing a built-in holster either in a waistband or side pockets that are sewn into snug leggings and shorts allowing it to fit under clothing like dresses.
“The way I carry varies with my outfit, but I do carry the Kimber K6S often when I go to church. I have a pair of Dene Adams shorts with a thigh holster,” says Mia Anstine, outdoor writer
When deciding on your method of carry, also make sure to consider how you are going to carry backup loads. The most common way to carry revolver reloads is either with a speed strip, speed loader or moon clips. Not all revolvers are moon-clip compatible, however. Commonly, moon clips are used in revolvers chambered for rimless semi-automatic cartridges like 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.
Practice With What You Choose to Carry With
Make sure your revolver is well cared for and practice with it often, both in live-fire and dry-fire sessions, which will improve muscle memory, speed, accuracy and confidence. Practice carrying your revolver in different ways until you find the best fit. Be smart about your carry gun and have a plan for your self-protection and the protection of your loved ones. Dragging your gun out of your jeans pocket or purse, along with your Tic-Tacs, lint, and wadded-up receipts won’t help you in a serious situation. Above all, practice careful situational awareness and trust your intuition, knowing, that if a situation feels dangerous, it probably is.
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