I recently bought a S&W M&P 9mm Shield and am now trying to figure out what belt and holster combo to buy. If you have any specific recommendations in regards to the Shield that would be helpful. However, I really wanted to ask more generally...

To the women who CC (or men who want to weigh in), what do you use to carry? Also what are the challenges you face with concealment? Summer vs winter? Finding jeans with belt loops large enough?

Not a Shield, but I've been completely happy with my OHC holsters for my P320 & P11.
As far as challenges, for me, it's shirts with a long enough 'tail' to keep covered. Easier in the winter with a coat/jacket, but winter is short-lived in Houston, TX.

I'll be in the same boat as you soon, as my wife will be getting her LTC in the near future.
Difference is, she rarely wears jeans. More dresses, skirts & leggings. So finding a suitable carry solution is going to be interesting with some trial & error.
Thinking about something like a belly band, or some form of thigh holster.

Welcome to the forum! Here's some lady giving some tips. I stumbled upon this years ago while looking for something for my GF.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Skins2881,

Deplorable_Dixie, here is my wife’s reply:

“I’ve been carrying since the mid 80s, lots of different guns over the years. Over the last 10 years or so my daily carry gun has been a Glock 26. I carry it in an inside the waistband FIST ultra-thin kydex holster. I also carry a spare mag in a comp-tac mag pouch. I only buy belts that are 1 ¼” and the holster and mag pouch match the belt width.

When I go shopping for my clothes, it is with concealed carry in mind. I have been doing so for 30 years and sometimes it is a pain, but it is just something that needs to be done. I do have a couple of other carry options for some occasions that require it – a fanny pack and a belly band.

Hope this helps”

My wife carries everyday in her right front pocket. She mostly wears jeans and hates IWB holsters.

My current Go To source for women's carry stuff is Melody Lauer

The biggest thing you want to look at is weapons access. AIWB is very concealable and very fast on the draw. But many people are not comfortable with it.

I carry a P239 in a VMII every day. I work as an appliance service tech and am squeezing behind and around appliances all day long. It's the most comfortable carry holster I've found but it would depend on your body shape if it would work well for you.

My wife is very curvy and drawing straight up from AIWB, a belly band or other front riding carry methods, she has trouble clearing her chest without pointing the gun back at herself.

I haven't read the entire contents of this site, but it might have some carrying tips in it. http://corneredcat.com

Thank you all for your input. I'm thinking about the appendix carry... I think I just need to try them on at this point.

I can't tell you a thing about hiding a gun on a woman's build. You may want to google Cornered Cat. Much good info there for the ladies. Good luck and be safe. The Cornered Cat

My wife just got her CCW license a few weeks ago. She doesn't really like OWB or IWB, being that she rarely wears pants with belt loops. She is gonna give Dene Adams a try.

Here's a video for women on Remora IWB holsters.

The introduction is a little long, but the holster demonstration that starts after the first few minutes is very good.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike S:
My wife just got her CCW license a few weeks ago. She doesn't really like OWB or IWB, being that she rarely wears pants with belt loops. She is gonna give Dene Adams a try.

YEP https://www.youtube.com/embed/vM6dL7HCfP8

I carry my PC Shield in a Remora pocket or Dara kydex owb.

For wearing on the belt I use a Richie leather cq-qr. It's a snap on the belt holster. To avoid a long wait you may be able to purchase it online from Top Gun Supply. But it's expensive.

Having a tiny wife, I am always interested in the outcome of women carry quandaries. Dix, did you get it settled for yourself?

Old thread, but seems to still have life.
I carry a S&W Shield 9 about 50-60% of the time (the remainder is a M&P 9c). OWB, IWB, pocket...I've gone through them all.
For OWB: a Garrett Silent Thunder STX 2.0 on a 1.75" Wilderness Instructor belt. Solid.
For IWB: Most days, I simply pop the Shield into the Remora that I use for pocket carry, and call it a day. It works well.
Pocket: I've gone through quite a few, and the Remora seems to be the best fit. Guy pockets are teardrop-shaped, and the Remora is also this shape. A square holster in a sort-of-roundish pocket just doesn't work.
Running: I have a Comfort Tac neoprene belly band that is really hard to beat. Very secure.

quote:

Originally posted by BigNC:
Having a tiny wife, I am always interested in the outcome of women carry quandaries. Dix, did you get it settled for yourself?

I actually have finally gotten everything together. Thank yall for all the input. Here's what I ended up with:

Belt: La Rue Tactical
http://www.larue.com/ranger-belt-ares-gear

Holster: Well Armed Woman's convertible OTWB
http://thewellarmedwoman.com/i...ers/twaw-owb-holster

Really love the holster. It's curved so it fits on a woman's hips more snugly. And the belt is sturdy. As far as what to wear for concealment, I'm still figuring that out, especially now it's warmer.

Take a look at the Stealthgear Ventcore https://stealthgearusa.com