View Full Version : Best Conceal Carry Setup For Female Shooter...Springfield Hellcat
Ok, get me current on carry setups for a Springfield Hellcat 9mm.
Have a friend who carries in a office environment, usually long skirt, blouse and blazer sort of thing. Sort of limits the options. Her current setup is less than ideal, IWB belt clip flop holster without a gun belt of any kind.
She is serious about EDC and training, she shoots a couple times a week and wants to focus more towards defensive shooting from concealed. I want to recommend a more reliable setup but really don't know what the options are.
I've heard good things about the Hellcat but I have zero first hand experience with them.
I am very familiar with S&W Shield (gen 1) and Sig P365, 365X and XL. Those four guns run without a problem in practice, training and class. Bottom line is, all of those guns mentioned are about the same size and they challenge/ease in concealment is about the same.
I've heard good things about the Hellcat but I have zero first hand experience with them.
I am very familiar with S&W Shield (gen 1) and Sig P365, 365X and XL. Those four guns run without a problem in practice, training and class. Bottom line is, all of those guns mentioned are about the same size and they challenge/ease in concealment is about the same.
For clarification, she owns a Hellcat and happy with it. I'm looking for the best carry setup for her office environment.
Coal Dragger
08-13-22, 23:23
This would work: https://www.phlsterholsters.com/enigma-landing/
No belt even needed.
This would work: https://www.phlsterholsters.com/enigma-landing/
No belt even needed.
If she wore scrubs, that would work. But it's gonna print like hell in female office attire. She's gonna have to do something IWB under a blazer that she won't be able to take off. Just trying to find the best holster for a skirt without a gun belt.
She's gonna be wearing something like this.
https://fashiongum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Office-Wear-Ideas-For-Women-35.jpg
Defaultmp3
08-14-22, 01:36
The Enigma I would guess is probably the most viable product, besides going the classic belly band route. Compromises will simply have to be made between attire, acceptable printing, and gun size. The Enigma may very well work just fine with office attire, depending on your friend's specific build and wardrobe. I know of a relatively petite lady that rocked the belly band just fine in office attire, and by all accounts, the Enigma is typically a better solution than the belly band, so I would definitely not rule it out at this point without giving it a fair shake.
Is this a serious NPE? Never taking your jacket off could seem kinda weird, and end up being a tell of some sort, especially if this is going to be a routine daily thing where she'll be seeing the same people every day consistently.
While there are certainly clips that are suppose to be able to be used without a belt for IWB (Discreet Carry Concepts, UltiClip, etc.), I wouldn't really put too much faith in how well they might hold onto the thinner material of dressier clothing; I'd also be leery as to the wear and tear of said clips on said thinner material.
The Enigma I would guess is probably the most viable product, besides going the classic belly band route. Compromises will simply have to be made between attire, acceptable printing, and gun size. The Enigma may very well work just fine with office attire, depending on your friend's specific build and wardrobe. I know of a relatively petite lady that rocked the belly band just fine in office attire, and by all accounts, the Enigma is typically a better solution than the belly band, so I would definitely not rule it out at this point without giving it a fair shake.
Is this a serious NPE? Never taking your jacket off could seem kinda weird, and end up being a tell of some sort, especially if this is going to be a routine daily thing where she'll be seeing the same people every day consistently.
While there are certainly clips that are suppose to be able to be used without a belt for IWB (Discreet Carry Concepts, UltiClip, etc.), I wouldn't really put too much faith in how well they might hold onto the thinner material of dressier clothing; I'd also be leery as to the wear and tear of said clips on said thinner material.
Ok, appendix carry is NOT gonna work...at all.
And if she takes off her blazer, gun goes in a desk because while her employer allows her to carry, most employees do not know she carries. The work environment is professional, like an investment firm. She's in skirts, shirts, blazers and heels. Belts sometimes, but mostly of the useless fashion variety.
Trying to get her into something better than the floppy belt clip IWB she is currently using. The big challenge (at least to me) is without a real gun belt it's going to be hard to get a quality IWB holster.
Ok, get me current on carry setups for a Springfield Hellcat 9mm.
Have a friend who carries in a office environment, usually long skirt, blouse and blazer sort of thing. Sort of limits the options. Her current setup is less than ideal, IWB belt clip flop holster without a gun belt of any kind.
She is serious about EDC and training, she shoots a couple times a week and wants to focus more towards defensive shooting from concealed. I want to recommend a more reliable setup but really don't know what the options are.
Less than idea is always about the compromises, but what about CCW dedicated hand bags? Also, these conceal really well and are very comfortable. Only problem for me, is I will sweat like crazy in FL wearing one, but for those not an issue (in AC all day, etc) these work, especially for a woman who can wear a loose fitting blouse or jacket, which I posted in the thread someone started about how they could only CCW in their pocket at work, so mouse calibers, only, and they ignored it:
https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Holster-Concealed-Bodyguard-Similar/dp/B01N7CT2FJ/
OP- Most I know similarly situated end up off-body carry. In a business environment, one of the leather bound CCW portfolios pass well.
If she isn't willing to compromise what she wears, she may consider something smaller like a Ruger LCP. Those disappear just about anywhere.
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OP- Most I know similarly situated end up off-body carry. In a business environment, one of the leather bound CCW portfolios pass well.
I would concur with this, she could also get a low vis cross body “fanny pack”, all the ladies are wearing them right now, shoot even some men are as well. Hill People Gear makes a decently low vis version that doesn’t “scream” tacticool. https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/1/ProductID/184
OP- Most I know similarly situated end up off-body carry. In a business environment, one of the leather bound CCW portfolios pass well.
It's been considered and she does not want to do off the body carry for a few reasons.
Less than idea is always about the compromises, but what about CCW dedicated hand bags? Also, these conceal really well and are very comfortable. Only problem for me, is I will sweat like crazy in FL wearing one, but for those not an issue (in AC all day, etc) these work, especially for a woman who can wear a loose fitting blouse or jacket, which I posted in the thread someone started about how they could only CCW in their pocket at work, so mouse calibers, only, and they ignored it:
https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Holster-Concealed-Bodyguard-Similar/dp/B01N7CT2FJ/
She might end up trying to make a belly band work, it's one of the options we are trying to beat currently.
If she isn't willing to compromise what she wears, she may consider something smaller like a Ruger LCP. Those disappear just about anywhere.
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Clothing attire really isn't her decision to make. She's already decided on 9mm and I don't see her firearm choice changing.
Defaultmp3
08-14-22, 15:51
Clothing attire really isn't her decision to make.I'm curious about this. Does her work mandate a uniform? If not, women's informal wear is far more varied than men's, and while it may necessitate a new wardrobe, which in itself may raise eyebrows, I struggle to see how a change in clothing choices isn't in the cards, e.g., going from the form fitting top you posted a picture of to something like a ruffled blouse, where the looser fit combined with the obfuscation of the ruffles helping to minimize printing, while still being perfectly a part of typical Western female informal wear.
If she had C cup or more boobs this holster works for office people.
It attachs to the side of the bra in a vertical position and is carried similar to a shoulder holster. The gun pushes into the boob and isn't noticed like a shoulder holster would be.
It us drawn by inserting her had into the neck line if the shirt and pulling gun out.
Made by the same company as the horrible idea "Flashbang" holster.
The flashbang is a poor design and had already caused death of the user.
This one is different.
If she is flat chested, this will not work.
https://www.flashbangstore.com/products/marilyn-holster
If your office friend is looking into belly bands as an option, here is nice quick overview of several.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfw1QSEbhCw
Her channel also has some pretty good overviews of a variety of other ultra-low-profile options for women. Maybe there will be something useful in these videos as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvKaaj6e7Vk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMF9bdYKZlY
I'm curious about this. Does her work mandate a uniform? If not, women's informal wear is far more varied than men's, and while it may necessitate a new wardrobe, which in itself may raise eyebrows, I struggle to see how a change in clothing choices isn't in the cards, e.g., going from the form fitting top you posted a picture of to something like a ruffled blouse, where the looser fit combined with the obfuscation of the ruffles helping to minimize printing, while still being perfectly a part of typical Western female informal wear.
She is very, upper upper management. I've had this discussion with her and she told me what is very much expected of her. The fact that she is allowed to carry in an environment that typically doesn't allow it is due to her senior position status.
If she had C cup or more boobs this holster works for office people.
It attachs to the side of the bra in a vertical position and is carried similar to a shoulder holster. The gun pushes into the boob and isn't noticed like a shoulder holster would be.
It us drawn by inserting her had into the neck line if the shirt and pulling gun out.
Made by the same company as the horrible idea "Flashbang" holster.
The flashbang is a poor design and had already caused death of the user.
This one is different.
If she is flat chested, this will not work.
https://www.flashbangstore.com/products/marilyn-holster
I was aware of that one, brought it to her attention and already got a firm "NO."
If your office friend is looking into belly bands as an option, here is nice quick overview of several.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfw1QSEbhCw
Her channel also has some pretty good overviews of a variety of other ultra-low-profile options for women. Maybe there will be something useful in these videos as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvKaaj6e7Vk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMF9bdYKZlY
Thanks for the channel. Right now looking at using a belly band as an actual IWB holster where she can carry at 4 to 5, might be her best option.
Here is another possibly helpful video set - this is some comparison of a belly band Vs the Phlster Enigma that was mentioned earlier, from the perspective of a VERY petite girl - so not sure if your office friend is more like this, or a bit more "stacked" like the above girl, but either way, it's a good point as to how small a person this can work with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubxjpa9xvUc
In this video, the same petite also talks about her experiences with using a later version of the enigma that's a bit slimmer/cut down for better comfort options than the original.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DMnPPuUsUM
Not sure if any of what I've posted will help in an office environment, but also something for her/you to maybe think about is that there are only so many options available until you run out of options....at which point, something else has got to give.
Also, for reference, this micro girl in the vids here (5'0, 108lb) carries a legit setup on the daily, so, for other fellas with women in the CCW market, show them this and tell them to get over it... :laugh:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2eOJCFCQRg
Here is another possibly helpful video set - this is some comparison of a belly band Vs the Phlster Enigma that was mentioned earlier, from the perspective of a VERY petite girl - so not sure if your office friend is more like this, or a bit more "stacked" like the above girl, but either way, it's a good point as to how small a person this can work with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubxjpa9xvUc
In this video, the same petite also talks about her experiences with using a later version of the enigma that's a bit slimmer/cut down for better comfort options than the original.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DMnPPuUsUM
Not sure if any of what I've posted will help in an office environment, but also something for her/you to maybe think about is that there are only so many options available until you run out of options....at which point, something else has got to give.
Also, for reference, this micro girl in the vids here (5'0, 108lb) carries a legit setup on the daily, so, for other fellas with women in the CCW market, show them this and tell them to get over it... :laugh:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2eOJCFCQRg
Right now just gathering material to see what is out there so she can arrive at a better set up. Ironically in THAT video I just realized the Enigma could probably ALSO function as an IWB holster at 4 to 5 and might do it a lot better than a belly band rig.
Some ideas here:
https://www.gungoddess.com/
Galco used to make a garter type holster that(best I can recall) was made of leather so it wasn't floppy/junky, but so far I am not seeing a picture of it online.
Some ideas here:
https://www.gungoddess.com/
Galco used to make a garter type holster that(best I can recall) was made of leather so it wasn't floppy/junky, but so far I am not seeing a picture of it online.
Thank you, some excellent options there. She is probably gonna kill me but the Spanx with kidney carry might prove to be the best setup for her.
I tried a Hellcat. (Bought and put a few hundred rounds through it)
Grip was too small, it's very jumpy in recoil, and it would quickly blister my finger as recoil drove some meat under the trigger.
However it was accurate and reliable.
Wouldn't recommend.
My favorite recommendation for a non gun enthusiast who wants a small, reliable gun is a Ruger LCR .327 loaded with .32 Magnum.
Don't rule out an NAA mini, either, like the Black Widow model. It has good sights and a good, oversize grip.
It will take real dedication to carry in those kind of clothes unless she goes off-body carry.
Being a professional woman, having to dress accordingly is a big challenge when it comes to carrying.
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