Winter presents unique challenges for concealed carry permit holders. Heavy coats, layers of clothing, and cold weather gear can complicate access to your firearm and affect your holster placement. In order to maintain quick access and ensure safe, effective concealed carry, it’s important to adjust your practices for the winter season. This blog provides essential tips on how to modify your concealed carry approach while keeping comfort and safety in mind.
Choose the Right Holster for Winter Carry
When it comes to concealed carry, the holster you choose is one of the most critical factors, especially in the winter months. During this time, you’ll likely be wearing heavier clothing, which can impact your draw speed and overall comfort.
- Outside-the-Waistband (OWB) Holsters
An OWB holster is a great choice for winter carry because your firearm will remain outside of your waistband, reducing the discomfort that can occur when wearing multiple layers. The added benefit of heavy coats makes concealment easier, allowing you to carry larger handguns without worrying about printing through your clothing. However, the key is to ensure the holster is securely attached and doesn’t shift while wearing bulkier attire. - Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) Holsters
For those who prefer to carry inside the waistband, an IWB holster can still be effective in winter, but it requires some adjustments. Make sure your clothing layers aren’t too tight, as this could make drawing your firearm more difficult. Additionally, consider repositioning the holster for quicker access. Wearing your IWB holster closer to the appendix area may provide easier access in winter when lifting multiple layers is necessary.
Adjusting for Layered Clothing
Winter gear often means more layers, and while those layers offer extra concealment, they can also slow down your draw if you’re not prepared. Adjusting your carry method to account for these layers is crucial for maintaining quick access to your firearm.
- Practice Drawing with Winter Clothing
One of the most important things you can do is practice drawing your firearm while wearing winter gear. Layers of clothing and thick gloves can make drawing slower and more challenging, so frequent practice is key. Ensure that you can smoothly lift or open your outer layers to access your holster, and if you wear gloves, practice drawing with them on to ensure you maintain a secure grip on your firearm. - Strategically Layer Clothing
When dressing for cold weather, think about how you layer your clothing. It’s best to avoid zippers or buttons on your inner layers that could get caught when drawing your firearm. Consider wearing pull-over style tops or jackets with quick-access zippers for easier access. Always ensure your outermost layer is easy to manipulate so that you can reach your firearm quickly if needed. - Avoid Overly Tight Clothing
While fitted clothing may work for concealment in the warmer months, tight clothing under multiple layers can be a hindrance during winter. Overly tight shirts or sweaters make it more difficult to lift and clear the layers to reach your firearm. Opt for slightly looser clothing that still maintains effective concealment but allows for easier movement when drawing.
Dealing with Gloves and Cold Hands
Cold weather often requires the use of gloves, but gloves can complicate handling a firearm. When preparing for concealed carry in winter, consider how you will manage gloves and cold hands in a self-defense situation.
- Wear Tactile Gloves
Traditional winter gloves are bulky and can make it difficult to feel or grip your firearm securely. Investing in tactical gloves designed for shooting can solve this problem. These gloves are thin enough to allow for proper trigger control and handling but still offer protection against the cold. Be sure to practice drawing and shooting with these gloves to ensure they don’t interfere with your ability to operate your firearm safely. - Carry Hand Warmers
Cold, numb fingers can slow down your response time and make it difficult to manipulate your firearm’s safety, magazine release, or trigger. Carrying disposable hand warmers in your pockets is a simple way to keep your hands warm and ready for action, even in freezing temperatures. - Glove-Free Option
Some concealed carriers opt to avoid gloves altogether to ensure better firearm handling, but this requires frequent practice in cold conditions to maintain dexterity. If you choose to carry without gloves, make sure you can still quickly access your firearm and operate it effectively in the cold.
Holster Placement for Quick Access
Winter weather requires reevaluating the placement of your holster to maintain accessibility. What works in the summer may not be as effective when wearing multiple layers.
- Appendix Carry for Quick Access
Many concealed carriers find that appendix carry offers the fastest draw speed during the winter months. This is because the firearm is located in a position that’s easier to reach without having to move heavy coats or outer layers. Additionally, appendix carry allows for a more natural draw, even with thick clothing, as you’re lifting layers in a single motion from the front of your body. - Strong Side Carry with Adjustments
If you prefer to carry on your strong side, you may need to make adjustments for winter carry. Placing your holster slightly higher on your waist or opting for an OWB holster can provide easier access, as long as you practice lifting your coat and clearing any layers in the process. - Consider Cross-Draw
Cross-draw holsters can be an effective solution for winter carry, especially if you spend a lot of time seated, such as in a vehicle. This position allows for easier access without having to reach across thick layers of clothing, and it can be a practical option if you wear long coats that make strong side or appendix carry more cumbersome.
Conclusion
Concealed carrying in winter requires adjusting your gear and techniques to account for heavy coats, gloves, and layered clothing. By selecting the right holster, practicing with winter gear, and considering holster placement, you can maintain quick access to your firearm and stay prepared, even in the coldest conditions. With the right preparation, concealed carry during winter can be safe, effective, and comfortable.