Alternate Carry Locations
So we’ve talked about pocket carry and IWB carry. From the way people talk, it seems like those are the only two options. In actuality, they’re the most talked about because they’re the most efficient. Sometimes, however, your outfit, situation or body shape just doesn’t allow for the big two.
So with that in mind, let’s take a quick run-through of some other options. Keep in mind, these may not be the most preferable but as I like to say: I’d rather have this than a pointy stick.
Ankle
Ankle holsters have been around for a very long time. Typically, they’re used to carry a small, backup gun. What that means is you have your primary gun in its usual spot and a smaller revolver or derringer in the ankle holster. If the main gun stops working, you still have something to defend yourself with.
Upside: That’s not to say it can’t hold a primary gun. Much like IWB carry, you can likely fit a wide variety of guns in an ankle holster but you will be limited with size. The most popular gun, like I said, revolvers and derringers. Now, I’ll be blunt here: I hate derringers and believe 100% that they are a terrible primary carry pistol for defense. That leaves us with snubnose revolvers and they work great in ankle holsters.
Downside: You’re going to be hopping on one foot or crouching/kneeling down to draw your weapon. Either way, it’ll be tough to draw while retreating or on the move at all. The gun just won’t be readily available.
Thigh
Just like the name implies, this is carrying the gun using a belt that goes around the upper thigh. You generally find women using this particular method because it pretty much only works with skirts and dresses. Of course men can do this too and we won’t judge. You’re going to want to stick with small guns for this one. Something like a Ruger LCP or Taurus 738 would work great here. The same things that make pocket pistols great for pocket carry, like lightness, no sharp edges and rounded corners, also makes them great for carry in the…uhm…more sensitive area.
Upside: You can carry and be fashionable still. It’s also quicker to draw than some of other methods on this list.
Downside: You’re going to have a gun rubbing in an area that already kind of rubs together anyway. Different holster styles will, of course, be more comfortable than others however. Also, you’re going to give the attacker a heck of a show before you drop him. Granted, if someone is attacking you that should be the least of your worries.
Belly Band
You get two guesses where this goes and the first two don’t count. If you said “around the stomach”, give yourself a prize! If you said “in a car” I’m going to have to insist that you not be allowed around firearms unsupervised. Anyway, this is a strap that goes around your stomach and then it has a holster that attaches to it or the strap itself acts as the holster (depending on the design).
Upside: You can hold a wide variety of guns and it’s a relatively fast draw. You also don’t have to give away Victoria’s secret in the process.
Downside: This one is very dependent on a combination of the shirt style you’re wearing as well as stomach and chest size. That is to say, it’s very body shape dependent. There’s also the point that the gun is essentially aiming at a cornucopia of vital body parts while it’s waiting for you to draw it.
Flash Bang
The famous flash bang. This has been a controversial holster from the moment it was released. To say it’s been polarizing is an understatement. I’ve seen just as many reviews praising it as I have seen tearing it to shreds. It’s just a holster that attaches to a bra in the center. Operation is simple: lift your shirt like a sorority girl on Bourbon Street and then draw the gun.
Upside: This too allows for a relatively fast draw with practice. It also supports a wide variety of potential guns.
Downside: Like the belly band, this is very outfit and body shape dependent as well. It also sits with the barrel pointing directly at “one of the girls”. I’ve heard of some complain about weighing down the bra or making a bra not fit correctly.
5.11 Tactical Holster Shirt
This is a very thin and light shirt with two underarm holsters built into the shirt itself. It can be worn with just about any kind of shirt but I get the feeling it was meant to be paired with 5.11’s tactical shirts with the breakaway buttons and such.
Upside: I’ve yet to find a shirt I can’t wear this with. I can see where it could be a bit body shape, however. With a bit of practice, you can also draw surprisingly quickly from this shirt even under a t-shirt.
Downside: While the fabric is very light, it’s still an extra layer. That might not be so bad in areas up north but here in FL, even a small layer like this might as well be throwing a quilt over my shoulders. Also, the gun is kept very close to one of the sweatiest parts of your body. Make sure you clean often to prevent corrosion.
Underarm
Watch any cop drama. Chances are, you’ll see one of the plain clothes officers carrying his gun with an underarm holster. It’s been used for years and years. You can easily carry two guns or one gun and a bunch of magazines. It’s tried and tested.
Upside: Body size and shape is no factor at all. You can carry just about anything like this. Heck, you could probably conceal a Desert Eagle. It’s also very quick and easy to draw.
Downside: You have to wear a jacket at all times. You can’t take it off no matter where you go. Again, not a problem for those of you in cooler climates. In Florida, there’s only 2 months out of the year one could comfortably get away with it.
Purse/Off Body
I left purse carry as the last option because, frankly, it should be your last option. You really should try and eliminate every other method before going with this style. In previous sections, I’ve broken out the upside and downside. Here, I’m going to start with the downsides in the description itself. For starters, it’s slow to draw unless you get a special purse and even then there will be a lot of fumbling. Also, purses are easily lost, forgotten and stolen. Heck, there’s a special criminal class called “purse snatchers”. If your purse gets stolen, you now have a criminal with not only your gun but your address via your driver’s license or photo id and, more than likely, the keys to your house and car. Congrats, you’ve just disarmed yourself and armed a potential burglar.
The only upsides are that you can carry it with any outfit and you can literally carry any pistol there is. Still, I implore you to avoid this if you can.
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