Winter carry, any changes? - Page 2

roadrash · January 12, 2017, 04:22 AM

I carry the same gun year round,it may be cold outside but I also spend a lot of time inside in light clothing during the winter.

BearBrimstone · January 12, 2017, 10:27 AM

If I know I'm going to be outside and thus will wear a large coat the entire time I carry a larger gun.

fastbolt · January 12, 2017, 11:59 AM

I didn't carry a different service revolver or pistol due to seasonal changes when I was working, whether in uniform or in plainclothes.

On my own time, and now retired? Well, as someone else mentioned, it's handy to be able to use changes in (seasonal) clothing to accommodate carrying a different concealed handgun, if desired (or considered necessary).

P5 Guy · January 12, 2017, 12:41 PM

Not necessary in Florida.

shafter · January 12, 2017, 02:15 PM

Keep it the same. Muscle memory counts. Besides, why change? Go to the store and look at winter coats. Do you seriously think a little fabric is going to make a difference? If it does then you're using the wrong gun to begin with.

Cosmodragoon · January 14, 2017, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Keep it the same. Muscle memory counts. Besides, why change? Go to the store and look at winter coats. Do you seriously think a little fabric is going to make a difference? If it does then you're using the wrong gun to begin with.

Muscle memory is a wonderful thing. Ideally, it would be developed for use in different types of situations. It would be developed with diverse drills and training courses. It... wait a minute... at this point, isn't it also flexible? Why wouldn't that "muscle memory" apply to a variety of different firearms, at least if they all had similar actions or controls?

Consider the the maxim that you should always carry the most powerful (or at least most effective) weapon that you reasonably and comfortably can. The difference between a humid 96 and a dry 10 is more than a "little fabric". That can also be true for work vs play, casual vs formal, or even sitting vs standing depending on what you do. There might be a wrong gun for a particular circumstance but having a few practiced options can go a long way towards helping you to have the right one.

Ozzieman · January 14, 2017, 12:03 PM

Left side shoulder holster Bulldog.

JC57 · January 14, 2017, 10:14 PM

No changes.

Cosmodragoon · January 15, 2017, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Left side shoulder holster Bulldog.

Ozzieman, I've been thinking about getting a Bulldog. Three seasons out of the year, I'm already carrying semi-automatics under my left shoulder. What kind of holster are you using for your Bulldog and do you like it?

old bear · January 16, 2017, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Winter carry, any changes?

No, Here in NC we generally don't have lost of bitterly cold weather, so for the most part people don't ware lots of heavy clothing, which could start to slow down a bullet. I carry either a model 640 or a 2 1/2" model 19. Both are loaded with hot 38 special ammo.

peggysue · January 16, 2017, 06:39 PM

Same old Colt lightweight Cobra in OTB holster.

shurshot · January 16, 2017, 06:56 PM

Cold weather means lots of extra clothing (and therefore additional concealability), up here in Maine, so I switch to OWB and more horsepower. Either the S&W 629 Talo 3", or the S&W 29 Classic 4" , both .44 Magnums loaded with Hornady 240 XTP's Magnum loads. Warm weather may find me carrying (IWB), a Springfield 1911A1 .45, a Sig 220 .45, Beretta M9 9MM and or my S&W 642 or 638 in a pocket holster. All carried with lots of spare ammo.

Rangerrich99 · January 16, 2017, 08:31 PM

Summer carry: either IWB at about 4 o'clock or in a pocket (LCP).

Winter carry: IWB/OWB at about 3 o'clock or a little forward of that. Holster position changed just last winter during a training session, as I noticed that once I was wearing a couple layers and a jacket, trying to execute a smooth draw from 4 o'clock was a lot more difficult. Either I wasn't always pulling my clothing out of the way far enough, or my gunbutt was getting caught on said clothing as I was trying to pull it out of the way. So I started moving my holster forward a little at a time until I could draw efficiently almost regardless of how much clothing I had on. For me that's about 2:45.

Oh, and in the winter I carry larger calibers; either a .40 or a .45 acp.

North East Redneck · January 18, 2017, 08:20 PM

Normally carry a 442 in pocket and/or M&P .45c IWB. .45 sees a lot more carry in winter.

john in jax · January 18, 2017, 10:43 PM

It is Winter, here in Jacksonville, FL we are only getting into the upper 70's every afternoon. No real change in what I am carrying where or how.

chaim · January 19, 2017, 05:34 AM

During the winter, people wear more layers (in most of the country). While clothing layers won't stop a bullet, they can certainly clog a hollowpoint and effectively make your round a FMJ. Thus, I am more likely to carry a .40 or .45 over a 9mm or .38+P over the winter. Note, I said more likely...Once upon a time (as in, for 5-10 years until about a year ago) it was pretty much a given that I'd carry the bigger caliber, but now, with improvements in JHP through clothing I barely make a distinction in winter caliber. Also, I often carry a .45 during the summer now as well. Which I pick depends upon my mood, year round.

Because most of us are also wearing more layers, it is easier to conceal a bigger gun. Since that changes the size/capability v. concealment compromise, it makes sense to move up the size of the gun you carry. So, I used to carry a bigger gun (when in a state where I can carry) during the winter. I used to... My winter carry gun was a .45ACP P250 Compact and sometimes my S&W 625MG. I've added a CZ P01 which is similar in size to the P250 Compact. The rest of the time I usually carried a SIG P290 (before that a Taurus 85). Now, I have found that for the way I dress, 90% of the time I can carry my winter guns (with the usual exception of the N-frame) year round, and I go for a big increase in capability over a marginal increase in comfort and carry the larger compact guns year round.

Doc Holliday 1950 · January 21, 2017, 11:25 PM

T45,
Since I now live in Southern Fl. my carry doesn't change too much.

ifithitu · January 22, 2017, 03:30 AM

Yes in the winner months I edc larger auto's and revolvers,but not 1911's.

ifithitu · January 22, 2017, 03:31 AM

Yes in the winner months I edc larger auto's and revolvers in my rotation,but not 1911's.

iviax · February 2, 2017, 10:32 AM

P938 iwb in summer, HK USPc owb 3:30 in winter

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Beentown71 · February 2, 2017, 01:32 PM

The Glock 27 sees more time in winter in an OWB as I almost always have a vest on.

Summer the LCP II will be getting more time in pocket carry mode.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

BIGR · February 5, 2017, 10:42 AM

OWB with jacket or coat on, when its cold enough. Also occasional carry in coat pocket. Other times the usual ankle holster.

keithdog · February 13, 2017, 07:36 PM

The only thing I change is going more often with a OWB holster rather than the IWB I wear in the warmer months. When you have a coat, a sweater and you need to get your hands on the gun, OWB is simply more convenient and quicker.

Mike1 · February 13, 2017, 11:27 PM

My winter gun is usually a SW 1911 SC, normally OWB. Summer gun varies but mostly it is a SW Shield, 9mm, IWB

coolbreezy · February 14, 2017, 11:59 AM

Same beat up sig p220 match elite in 45 flavor.

January 12, 2017, 11:59 AM	#28
fastbolt Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2002 Location: northern CA for a little while longer Posts: 1,931	I didn't carry a different service revolver or pistol due to seasonal changes when I was working, whether in uniform or in plainclothes. On my own time, and now retired? Well, as someone else mentioned, it's handy to be able to use changes in (seasonal) clothing to accommodate carrying a different concealed handgun, if desired (or considered necessary). __________________ Retired LE - firearms instructor & armorer

January 14, 2017, 12:03 PM	#32
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	Left side shoulder holster Bulldog. __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.

January 16, 2017, 06:56 PM	#37
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 1,819	Cold weather means lots of extra clothing (and therefore additional concealability), up here in Maine, so I switch to OWB and more horsepower. Either the S&W 629 Talo 3", or the S&W 29 Classic 4" , both .44 Magnums loaded with Hornady 240 XTP's Magnum loads. Warm weather may find me carrying (IWB), a Springfield 1911A1 .45, a Sig 220 .45, Beretta M9 9MM and or my S&W 642 or 638 in a pocket holster. All carried with lots of spare ammo. Last edited by shurshot; January 16, 2017 at 07:07 PM.

January 18, 2017, 08:20 PM	#39
North East Redneck Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2012 Location: Berkshire Hills Posts: 741	Normally carry a 442 in pocket and/or M&P .45c IWB. .45 sees a lot more carry in winter. __________________ NRA Patron Member SAF Life Member GOAL Member

January 18, 2017, 10:43 PM	#40
john in jax Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2005 Posts: 1,177	It is Winter, here in Jacksonville, FL we are only getting into the upper 70's every afternoon. No real change in what I am carrying where or how. __________________ America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards. Claire Wolfe

January 12, 2017, 04:22 AM	#26
roadrash Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 367	I carry the same gun year round,it may be cold outside but I also spend a lot of time inside in light clothing during the winter.

January 12, 2017, 10:27 AM	#27
BearBrimstone Member Join Date: January 5, 2017 Posts: 67	If I know I'm going to be outside and thus will wear a large coat the entire time I carry a larger gun.

January 12, 2017, 12:41 PM	#29
P5 Guy Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,804	Not necessary in Florida.

January 12, 2017, 02:15 PM	#30
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	Keep it the same. Muscle memory counts. Besides, why change? Go to the store and look at winter coats. Do you seriously think a little fabric is going to make a difference? If it does then you're using the wrong gun to begin with.

January 14, 2017, 10:14 PM	#33
JC57 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Posts: 375	No changes.

January 16, 2017, 06:39 PM	#36
peggysue Junior member Join Date: May 20, 2014 Posts: 1,835	Same old Colt lightweight Cobra in OTB holster.

January 16, 2017, 08:31 PM	#38
Rangerrich99 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Location: Kinda near Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,254	Summer carry: either IWB at about 4 o'clock or in a pocket (LCP). Winter carry: IWB/OWB at about 3 o'clock or a little forward of that. Holster position changed just last winter during a training session, as I noticed that once I was wearing a couple layers and a jacket, trying to execute a smooth draw from 4 o'clock was a lot more difficult. Either I wasn't always pulling my clothing out of the way far enough, or my gunbutt was getting caught on said clothing as I was trying to pull it out of the way. So I started moving my holster forward a little at a time until I could draw efficiently almost regardless of how much clothing I had on. For me that's about 2:45. Oh, and in the winter I carry larger calibers; either a .40 or a .45 acp.

January 19, 2017, 05:34 AM	#41
chaim Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,095	During the winter, people wear more layers (in most of the country). While clothing layers won't stop a bullet, they can certainly clog a hollowpoint and effectively make your round a FMJ. Thus, I am more likely to carry a .40 or .45 over a 9mm or .38+P over the winter. Note, I said more likely...Once upon a time (as in, for 5-10 years until about a year ago) it was pretty much a given that I'd carry the bigger caliber, but now, with improvements in JHP through clothing I barely make a distinction in winter caliber. Also, I often carry a .45 during the summer now as well. Which I pick depends upon my mood, year round. Because most of us are also wearing more layers, it is easier to conceal a bigger gun. Since that changes the size/capability v. concealment compromise, it makes sense to move up the size of the gun you carry. So, I used to carry a bigger gun (when in a state where I can carry) during the winter. I used to... My winter carry gun was a .45ACP P250 Compact and sometimes my S&W 625MG. I've added a CZ P01 which is similar in size to the P250 Compact. The rest of the time I usually carried a SIG P290 (before that a Taurus 85). Now, I have found that for the way I dress, 90% of the time I can carry my winter guns (with the usual exception of the N-frame) year round, and I go for a big increase in capability over a marginal increase in comfort and carry the larger compact guns year round.

January 21, 2017, 11:25 PM	#42
Doc Holliday 1950 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2014 Location: Bout as south as it gets Posts: 1,238	T45, Since I now live in Southern Fl. my carry doesn't change too much. __________________ Shoot well and be Accurate, Doc

January 22, 2017, 03:30 AM	#43
ifithitu Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2016 Location: Derby City KY. Posts: 243	Yes in the winner months I edc larger auto's and revolvers,but not 1911's. __________________ USMC Vietnam Veteran,0311 Grunt. 6/68 to 7/69 Semper Fi

January 22, 2017, 03:31 AM	#44
ifithitu Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2016 Location: Derby City KY. Posts: 243	Yes in the winner months I edc larger auto's and revolvers in my rotation,but not 1911's. __________________ USMC Vietnam Veteran,0311 Grunt. 6/68 to 7/69 Semper Fi

February 2, 2017, 10:32 AM	#45
iviax Member Join Date: August 13, 2013 Posts: 30	P938 iwb in summer, HK USPc owb 3:30 in winter Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

February 2, 2017, 01:32 PM	#46
Beentown71 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,560	The Glock 27 sees more time in winter in an OWB as I almost always have a vest on. Summer the LCP II will be getting more time in pocket carry mode. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

February 5, 2017, 10:42 AM	#47
BIGR Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2000 Location: Mountains Posts: 1,385	OWB with jacket or coat on, when its cold enough. Also occasional carry in coat pocket. Other times the usual ankle holster.

February 13, 2017, 07:36 PM	#48
keithdog Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2013 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 321	The only thing I change is going more often with a OWB holster rather than the IWB I wear in the warmer months. When you have a coat, a sweater and you need to get your hands on the gun, OWB is simply more convenient and quicker. __________________ In MY house, I AM 911

February 13, 2017, 11:27 PM	#49
Mike1 Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 178	My winter gun is usually a SW 1911 SC, normally OWB. Summer gun varies but mostly it is a SW Shield, 9mm, IWB

February 14, 2017, 11:59 AM	#50
coolbreezy Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2010 Posts: 271	Same beat up sig p220 match elite in 45 flavor. __________________ S&W highway patrolman 28-2/ Springfield mil spec 1911 (semi custom)/ Sig P220 match elite .45 acp/Kimber micro 9 stainless/ Remington 870 tac14/ Taurus pt22/ S&W 629-1 3" .44 mag/ S&W 629 PC V-Comp/ Beretta M9/ Stevens/Savage 311A 12 ga double bbl/ Magnum research Desert Eagle XIX .44 mag/ S&W 460 xvr/ Glock g40 10mm longslide/ H&K usp compact .45 acp/ Ruger SuperBlackhawk Lipsey Edition/ S&W 686+ 3-5-7 talo edition