How does weather affect how you carry?

[Stonebridge]

Hey guys,

NE Ohio just got hit with its first 'blizzard' of the season. I would've much preferred to stay at home and let the soccer moms in their H3s duke it out on the highways. Instead I was getting paid to escort a couple of our finest locals to a court date up in Stark County.

I like cooler weather because it obviously makes carrying a larger handgun much easier. Cold weather is something else entirely. Now I've got several layers to clear, plus gloves to worry about. One of the things I really try to work on is keeping my gun on me and accessible while driving which I find can be tough with a lot of layered bulk.

The best method I've come up with so far is -after buckling in- tucking the shoulder restraint behind the butt of my pistol. This keeps the gun as free as possible to draw.

Supposedly a significant percentage of dangerous encounters happen while seated in a vehicle, which makes sense. And that's one good argument for a back-up in an ankle holster since that's relatively easy to access while seated behind the wheel and can be drawn much more clandestinely. I've not tried an ankle holster out yet.

What're your thoughts? What changes for you once the weather turns colder? Have any better suggestions/solutions? Live in Florida and don't care?

Thanks,

-'bridge

[Rhutch]

The good news is that criminals don't really like the cold either.

[Rosco Benson]

I've shot in cold weather enough to have some ideas on the subject. The coat/parka needs to have snap closures. If it has a zipper under the storm flap, that's fine. Just ignore the zipper and use the snaps. This makes clearing the coat much easier.

Gloves; thin gloves, that allow for decent weapon manipulation, aren't very warm. I prefer fleece gloves (mine are by Columbia) that are fairly loose fitting. With these, the right glove can be snatched off by the left hand during the presentation. If the left hand is occupied or disabled, they right glove can be pulled off with one's teeth.

In extreme cold, the sherling lined "chopper mittens" can be flung off at the outset of one's presentation by just flinging one's hands downward forcefully.

In a car, one can just run the heater and keep one's attire pretty much the same as usual. Put the coat and gloves on when you exit the vehicle.

Rosco

[Hootiewho]

Something to think about, carry your normal rig on your belt; but in cold weather it is very normal to stick your hands in your jacket pocket, which a J frame fits perfectly. I infact know of a local LEO in plain clothes who years back shot a guy who came after him with a J frame through a jacket pocket. The Booger would be none the wiser to you having your hand already on the gun.

[Stonebridge]

+1 Hootie.

I keep a lot of old denim material around. It's very quick and easy to sew a handful of 'pockets' to have on hand. When people take one of my classes they can have the opportunity to fire their weapons at the hip with their hand and weapon inside one of these pockets. It's a very different sensation and takes some getting used to.

Examining the inside of these pockets shows how much powder and residue blows out the sides of a revolver. The outside can get pretty charred too, depending on what loads are used. It's not terribly infrequent that an auto will get hung up on the cloth either. It's a good learning exercise and something I think pocket-carriers should experience and practice.

-'bridge

[RyanB]

When I wear a heavy jacket I carry a J frame in my right hand pocket where I can hold it without appearing to be armed. I figure five rounds of .38 and some lateral movement will buy me time to get to my 9mm.