Choosing a Concealed Carry Jacket, Handgun and Holster

Choosing a handgun for personal defense as well as a concealed carry jacket is not just a matter of taste and comfort, but of much more serious importance. It could even be a matter of life and death.

Therefore it behooves you to pay close attention to the gun you carry, the jacket you choose, and if the jacket doesn’t have an integral holster or pocket, the holster as well.

Here are some considerations to take before selecting one of each of these.

Considerations to Take for Your Carry Handgun

                          

You need to make sure the gun you carry daily for self defense is comfortable to carry, and that you are proficient, confident, and safe when handling it. Here are a few things to take into consideration.

• Size and footprint: The size, weight and footprint will impact your handling of the gun. All in all, smaller, lighter handguns are easier to conceal and carry for longer periods of time. They are less likely to print (show through your clothing). While they will handle more friskily and generate a little more recoil, as a general rule, many prefer smaller, lighter handguns to those with larger, full-sized frames.

• Action: You can take your pick of handguns, but as a general rule you will need to choose between a revolver and a slide-action semi-automatic. Revolvers are very reliable, but most have heavy trigger pulls and no external safeties. Some shooters also find them harder to use. External hammers on some models can also result in hangups when you draw. At the same time, slide-action semi-autos can jam if limp-wristed, but at the same time they can offer extended capacity. Still, the choice is yours.

• Capacity: You will also have to consider capacity. Most revolvers offer between 6 and 8 rounds of capacity, some pocket pistols may offer 6 shots or fewer. At the same time, double-stack handguns like the G19 offer a standard capacity of 15 rounds (or more with extended magazines).

• Caliber: Caliber influences capacity, stopping power, dropping power, and also recoil and handling. You don’t want a cartridge that’s too anemic and doesn’t produce enough stopping power, like .22LR or .380 ACP, but at the same time, you need a cartridge that you can actually control. Cartridges like .357 Magnum and 10mm Auto produce excellent stopping power, but many shooters also find them hard to control. Other cartridges, like 9mm and 45. ACP are in the middle of the road, and most shooters consider them reasonably easy to control, while also offering good stopping power and with proper shot placement, good dropping power. Ultimately, the choice is yours. You may want to visit a range with a friend experienced in the shooting sports so you can shoot a few different handguns in different chamberings to find the one that will work best for you.

• Fire controls: Some revolvers are single action only, which means they need to be manually cocked before firing each time. These are not suitable for defensive carry. Also, many revolvers lack safety mechanisms. At the same time, you need to be sure that all controls - cylinder latches, external hammers, safeties, slide releases, mag releases, and others, are easy to access, and that you can comfortably manipulate them. Consider also your dominant hand; some handgun designs inherently favor right vs. left-handed shooters.

In addition to these considerations, you should also spend plenty of time at the range drilling with your handgun, clearing jams and malfunctions, charging and dropping magazines, and of course, shooting. You should drill to the point that operating the handgun comes to you as second nature.

How to Shop for Concealed Carry Jackets

The concealed carry jacket you wear has as much of an impact on your safety as the gun you choose because it will ensure that the gun is both concealed and secured, while at the same time allowing rapid access to it.

Here are some important pointers to make sure you choose an effective concealed carry jacket.

• Function over form, no exceptions. It should go without saying, but the concealed carry jacket you buy must be well-made from quality materials. Many jackets are bought for aesthetics and it’s acceptable to buy a CC jacket that looks good as long as (and only as long as) it also is well made and meets all of the other criteria here.

• A concealed carry jacket should fit you comfortably but should allow for layering. You don’t want a jacket that’s too small and which limits your range of motion. As a general rule, buy a half size or a size up from your normal size. That will afford you the greatest range of motion, while also enabling you to layer in colder weather.

• You should have easy access to the handgun. Regardless of how you carry or where on your body, a concealed carry jacket must offer sure, rapid, easy access to your handgun.

                 

• No buttons on concealed carry jackets. Buttons may look cool but they have no place on a concealed carry jacket. Here it’s zipper only; they can be rapidly opened, and buttons can get stuck. You can’t afford that on a jacket for concealed carry.

• Opt for a three-season jacket. If the jacket’s too heavy, it will be uncomfortable to wear in the spring and fall (not to mention summer). Meanwhile, if it’s a very light jacket, you can wear it in the summer, fall, and spring, and layer in the winter during cooler temperatures.

• Your jacket should have space for more than one mag. If you carry concealed, you should carry two if not three spare loaded mags with you.

As for the Holster

If the concealed carry jacket you choose does not have an integral holster, there are several considerations you’ll want to take as to which handgun holster you choose as well.

 

• Holster material: Pistol holsters are typically made of nylon, Kydex, or leather. The former two offer excellent friction fits and can protect the gun from moisture related damage. As for leather, it will stretch over time offering a custom-like fit, though it can trap moisture next to the gun, leading to rust.

• The design of the holster: Regardless of the material you choose for your holster, the holster should fully enclose the trigger as well as any exposed fire controls, as an added layer of safety.

• How you carry: You should also consider how you carry. The majority of those who carry concealed either carry on their belt inside their waistband (IWB) or outside their waistband (OWB) though some may also practice cross-draw or shoulder carry. You will want to make sure the holster you choose works for you.

• Whether or not the holster offers secondary retention features: Some holsters only offer a friction fit. Others offer secondary retention measures, such as locks or straps that must be disengaged or removed before the gun can be drawn, helping to prevent anyone but you from accessing your weapon.

Now that you’re equipped with these tips, the road to a concealed carry handgun, as well as a jacket and a holster that work well for you considering your unique needs, should be easier. Keep them in mind as you’re looking at concealed carry accessories, and remember to take your time. This is an important decision and you shouldn’t snap to it.