CONCEALMENT 3 Preview – CCW Holsters for Women Candice Horner Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Female Concealed Carry Holster Buyer's Guide Women are buying and carrying guns more than ever, and that’s a huge leap in the right direction. The conundrum for every concealed carry gun owner is ensuring the firearm stays out of sight. Unfortunately there are few options for women when it comes to ways they can successfully hide a gun on their body. Everyone’s different, right? We learn that simple fact in grade school, but historically, most holsters were cookie-cutter copies of each other. Over the past two decades, holster designs have improved, resulting in versatility, better fit, and improved gun retention. Holster choice is a lot like gun preference — the selection ends up being very personal. Since women are shaped differently than men, they need holsters that complement their body. “What’s been missing in the firearms industry is a full understanding of the many ways women are different and then meeting those needs,” says Carrie Lightfoot, owner and founder of The Well Armed Women. Tatiana Whitlock, director of training at Ann Arbor Arms Academy says, “As women, we have so many more wardrobe options to conceal a firearm. We’re masters of camouflage. We’ve spent years perfecting how to accentuate or hide aspects of our bodies with how we dress.” So, this boils down to perspective. As a woman, as long as you’re willing to arm yourself with the knowledge to carry concealed, you can do it. There are a vast array of holsters to choose from that don’t look like the one grandpa used to carry. A few things to consider when determining the best carry position: * In what position are you able to conceal your firearm of choice? * How can you carry in a position that is comfortable and easily accessible? * What type of clothing do you usually wear? For example, skirts, pants, dresses, jeans, yoga pants, etc. For most, the best type of concealed carry is inside the waistband (IWB), utilizing a holster that firmly attaches to a rigid belt. Since many women don’t wear a belt on a regular basis, all of the holsters featured in this buyer’s guide are not dependent on one. These holsters either clip onto a waistband, can be worn with any attire, or rely on compression to maintain their position. Once you’ve figured out where you can conceal your gun, it’s time to look at the holsters that best fit that position and your style of dress. Read on for holster choices that will accommodate your needs. 5.11 Tactical Women’s Sleeveless Holster Shirt Material: Polyester/spandex blend Colors: Black, white MSRP: $60 URL: www.511tactical.com 411: Wearing a shirt with a holster built in is beneficial for when you want to carry a gun, but don’t want to feel like you’re carrying a gun. During extended wear, the weight of an IWB holster can be more apparent. If uniform restrictions, activities, or your job prevent you from wearing a holster IWB, this shirt is the answer. This holster shirt can be compared to a shoulder holster as both have similar drawstrokes and drawbacks. Pros: * Ideal for long wear, especially while sitting * Form fitting * Ambidextrous Cons: * Location of holster causes a slow gun draw * Gun moves inside of the holster pocket UnderTech Undercover Women’s Concealment Shorts Material: MicroPoly/Lycra blend Colors: Black, nude, white MSRP: $60 URL: www.undertechundercover.com 411: This holster option comes in a several different variations, from short shorts, to the ones pictured, to leggings. The compression material allows for layering without bulging. Pros: * Exceptionally comfortable * Accommodates small- and medium-framed guns * Can be washed and dried with regular laundry Cons: * Only allows for traditional “kidney” carry position Dene Adams Petite Sun-Kissed Material: Fabric Colors: Nude, white and nude, black, and limited-edition colors MSRP: $120 URL: www.deneadams.com 411: This is not the uncomfortable, waist-slimming, hard-to-breathe-in undergarment usually associated with the term “corset.” Once on, it’s almost unnoticeable to the wearer, and true to how a holster should be, you can wear this corset doing your normal day-to-day activities. Pros: * Lightweight and very comfortable * Ambidextrous * Can be worn on the front or back * Optional Kydex trigger guard insert for additional security Cons: * Due to location, it requires a longer gun draw * Must be hand washed and line dried For the rest of this article, subscribe here: Concealment 3 Explore RECOILweb:Tokarev Type 54: ChiCom Bring-Back Tok [Old School]Surefire XH35: 1,000 Lumens on Your PistolHandgun Holster SelectionNew Rhodesian Chest Rig and Dry Pouch from S&S Precision NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. 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