In the first part of our discussion of carrying with a thigh holster, we talked about getting the right holster. Now that you have one picked out, how are you going to use it?
Position
Picking out the holster that suits your needs best is half the battle. The other half is learning just how to wear the thing without looking like you’re doing your best duck waddle impression. Finding the right spot on your leg to situate your holster depends on the hem length of your skirt or dress, and the length of your pistol. Practically, we want to be sure the pistol and holster stay concealed. After all, a holster protruding below the hem of one’s skirt kind of loses its subtlety (Warning: a holster that hides while standing may not hide once sitting). However, there are some comfort issues if the gun is positioned too high up on the thigh. It can only sit so high before the grip of the gun becomes, well, …awkward.
Another placement factor to consider is whether you want it cross draw (firearm on the inner thigh, weak side leg) or strong side (firearm on the outer thigh, dominant side leg). Cross draw requires a little more care when drawing (don’t want to sweep your feet while removing the firearm from its holster), but it’s more easily concealed than strong side.
When carrying cross draw, the way your legs rub together while walking can become a concern. While wearing a thigh holster, the gun will bump up against the thigh opposite the holster. Without a comfortable enough holster, the wearer can even chafe from this movement. This issue is what causes some unprepared thigh holster wearers to adopt a humorously waddling gait (to keep the holster from rubbing uncomfortably on the inside of the opposite thigh). Tweaking the position of the holster to the narrower part of the thigh can improve this. Narrower pistols are also less of a discomfort than wider ones. You may also wish to affix a more comfortable material to the outside of the holster so that thigh-to-holster contact is less of an irritation.
Taking the time to shop around for the holster that best suits your needs, and taking some time to find the best position for your holster can be tricky. But for skirts and dresses, there are few better CCW solutions. It may be trickier than it looks on the silver screen, but a great thigh holster is the ultimate ladies’ concealed carry accessory: feminine but deadly.
Featured image screen shot from Die Another Day courtesy of imfdb.org
As a male, I really do like this article, It is neat knowing the different methods that the opposite sex uses to conceal firearms, and that females have just as much of a problem concealing a firearm as I do. Great article Des!
Z0mb3hHunt3r It can get pretty complicated, at times lol Glad you liked it :] Thanks!
FateofDestinee Z0mb3hHunt3r I hope it didn’t come off as rude. I have a hell of a time concealing given that I wear Boot cut jeans and pocket t shirts most of the time, I still haven’t figured out how to conceal my Gen 4 Glock 17 in the manner I find it comfortable to wear and draw. After about 20 holsters, I might get a Aliengear Hybrid. I just hate the idea of getting the finish worn out just from carrying concealed, as I dropped over $600 on the firearm itself, and I wouldn’t dare conceal my Remington Rand M1911A1, and my CZ-52 is too long. For now, I open carry it in a Gould and Goodrich 4500 Basketweave duty holster. Around the house I use a Blackhawk! CQC Sportster holster and just pull my shirt over it. The only pistol I own that I can halfway conceal is my M36 Chief’s Special, and it is a tussle getting it inside my waistband and adjusting my undershirt so it’s comfortable. I guess this is too much info but I have a Fobus Paddle Double Mag pouch for my Glock, and the dang paddle winds up on the other side of my underwear. I guess you see how much trouble it is for me personally to conceal a firearm, I might end up getting a Glock 30 and a CZ-82 to see how they conceal.
I’m fairly certain that garter on Angelina wouldn’t hold any gun. It’s probably super glued to her leg and made of balsa wood. Hey…I think I’m on to something here. What about Velcro? One side on the skin and the other side on the holster. Beats having a tourniquet wrapped around your thigh, eh?
Kidding aside, I still think the best support for a thigh holster would have to be some sort of garter belt that clips onto the holster to keep it from slipping down. But then how do you keep the holster from riding up when you attempt to draw the weapon? Another belt pulling down? Arg…I’m glad I don’t need to worry about this.
JoeFabeetz “I’m fairly certain that garter on Angelina wouldn’t hold any gun… super glued to her leg and made of balsa wood.” bahahaha I’m allergic to adhesives, so I couldn’t wear any type of holster that required me to stick something onto my bare skin ._.
That’s why I make a recommendation for garter holsters in Part 1 of this mini series. The combo elastic/garter holsters are the most secure bet for a thigh holster.
JoeFabeetz “I’m fairly certain that garter on Angelina wouldn’t hold any gun… super glued to her leg and made of balsa wood.” bahahaha I’m allergic to adhesives, so I couldn’t wear any type of holster that required me to stick something onto my bare skin ._.
That’s why I make a recommendation for garter holsters in Part 1 of this mini series. The combo elastic/garter holsters are the most secure bet for a thigh holster.
Plus speaking from a purely male perspective the old fashioned garter hose stockings are more fun to remove…….
Great article, very helpful for the ladies, and for man who wants to help your lady.
EricKmiecik Glad you like it. Thanks for reading! Took me a lot of trial and error figuring out what worked best for me, so I hope that these pieces save other ladies some of the headache lol
As a side note (because of the picture) Brad and Angelina recently built their own shooting range to practice on. 🙂
Actually, it was wedding present from Brad for Angelina. Great actor and great man Pitt 😉
Yeah, I just generalized it to make it brief.
JunkfoodZombie Great to see some of the “Hollywood” celebs supporting 2A.
JunkfoodZombie I heard Brad built Angelina a 400k range for her wedding gift… lucky gal! lol
Yeah, no kidding! $400,000?! I’d be happy if Brangelina built me a $4,000 range! XD
I’m trying to figure out how is possible to carry on the inner thigh… with an above the knee skirt, you have to carry on your adductor muscle, if you carry lower the muzzle will show up when you sit. But there’s not so much space between the adductors to pit even an inch wide pistol plus holster. Or at least, there is the dpace, but are you really able to ealk naturslly with the holster scratching the opposite thigh? And thrn, when you sit, can you cross your legs?
A convenient position could be at 4-5 o’ clock of strong side thigh, just under the glute, am i wrong? It’s not comfortable when sitting though…
Well, if i was a womsn, i
I’m trying to figure out how is possible to carry on the inner thigh… with an above the knee skirt, you have to carry on your adductor muscle, if you carry lower the muzzle will show up when you sit. But there’s not so much space between the adductors to pit even an inch wide pistol plus holster. Or at least, there is the dpace, but are you really able to ealk naturslly with the holster scratching the opposite thigh? And thrn, when you sit, can you cross your legs?
A convenient position could be at 4-5 o’ clock of strong side thigh, just under the glute, am i wrong? It’s not comfortable when sitting though…
Well, if i was a womsn, i
I’d definelly purse carry xD
I’d definelly purse carry xD
AlessioBaldi It depends on how low the hem of your skirt hangs, and how long the gun and holster are. Some gun/holster combos may be too long. My Remora holster and Beretta Nano are small enough in dimension to hide, even when sitting, but I have other thigh holsters that I cannot wear above-the-knee skirts, but do conceal just fine with knee-length skirts. There is a process of adapting to thigh carry with the cross draw style, but it can be done. I know a lady who sewed sheepskin to the outer surface of her holster so that when it rubs her thigh, it doesn’t chafe or cause any other discomfort. I just got used to the feeling of my holsters, and it doesn’t feel “weird” anymore (and I don’t have rough-surfaced holsters that may be uncomfortable on the skin). Crossing one’s legs is actually more comfortable as it provides more space, while still concealing the holster. If I strong side carry, I prefer 3 o’clock carry; at 4 or 5 o’clock position, I still “sit” on the gun, somewhat, and it is uncomfortable. However, carrying on the hip side, rather than the thigh side is harder to conceal, and I don’t usually wear dresses/skirts that are “flowing” enough to hide that well. So, I normally opt for a narrow pistol in thigh carry. At the moment, I’m using an elastic holster with my XD-S .45 ;]
Thanks for the clarification Dest 😉 I’ll be honest with you, i’m still a little doubtful. I’m like San Thomas, i have to see and try myself xD
Mine it’s only curiosity though. It’d be interesting to read other female experience here. Afterall this is a topic for women no?
Anyway, i’m glad to know you ladies don’t have to sacrifice your femininity to be able to protect yourself 🙂
FateofDestinee AlessioBaldi Prove it…….;o)
AlessioBaldi It depends on how low the hem of your skirt hangs, and how long the gun and holster are. Some gun/holster combos may be too long. My Remora holster and Beretta Nano are small enough in dimension to hide, even when sitting, but I have other thigh holsters that I cannot wear above-the-knee skirts, but do conceal just fine with knee-length skirts. There is a process of adapting to thigh carry with the cross draw style, but it can be done. I know a lady who sewed sheepskin to the outer surface of her holster so that when it rubs her thigh, it doesn’t chafe or cause any other discomfort. I just got used to the feeling of my holsters, and it doesn’t feel “weird” anymore (and I don’t have rough-surfaced holsters that may be uncomfortable on the skin). Crossing one’s legs is actually more comfortable as it provides more space, while still concealing the holster. If I strong side carry, I prefer 3 o’clock carry; at 4 or 5 o’clock position, I still “sit” on the gun, somewhat, and it is uncomfortable. However, carrying on the hip side, rather than the thigh side is harder to conceal, and I don’t usually wear dresses/skirts that are “flowing” enough to hide that well. So, I normally opt for a narrow pistol in thigh carry. At the moment, I’m using an elastic holster with my XD-S .45 ;]
Yikes .. Either in the car ! Or in a bag ! It’s to hot in Texas ! How do you hide a firearm with a spandex tank top and shorts ? The flashbang isn’t going to work either !:(
ladyvalea Pockets. :). I carry my Smith and Wesson Model 36 Chief’s Special in the pocket of my Gym shorts during the summer. Pocket carry is a viable option given the holsters on the market, and the small firearms.
ladyvalea Pockets. :). I carry my Smith and Wesson Model 36 Chief’s Special in the pocket of my Gym shorts during the summer. Pocket carry is a viable option given the holsters on the market, and the small firearms.
Nice to read another lady’s feedback. Welcome ladyvalea 😉
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