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Pregnant Gun Carry

PistolPackingMomma

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2011
Messages
1,884
Location
SC
(Let me apologize for the cruddy picture quality; I'm due in six weeks, so the fact that I got this done at all is :monkey)

It's difficult to find a comfortable means of carrying when pregnant that is also readily accessible. Ankle holsters are challenging and awkward to reach quickly, waist holsters are uncomfortable, and I won't even go into compression concealment garments. Fortunately, shoulder holsters make a great solution. This is for my Kimber Ultra Carry II, 9mm.

I chose to make my own rig out of a Bianchi x-15 shoulder harness and a Galco Jackass holster component. I would have sprung for a Galco Miami Classic II, but chose this set up partially because of cost ($80 versus $150) and partially because the other rigs we were looking at had some "excess" I didn't want to have to try and conceal. Having mag holders flapping loose at my weak side didn't appeal to me, and any rig with a belt loop or belt clip gets rather irritating to deal with when you consider how frequently pregnant women need to visit the facilities.

One of the appealing factors of the Bianchi X-15 rig is that since it does not depend on being secured to my waist, I can wear dresses and still shoulder carry. Plus, most maternity pants have very stretchy material starting at the hips and generally covers the entire belly. It's not exactly a stable material to secure a holster to.

I did initially want a vertical holster, but the only ones we could find for my gun (Kimber 1911 Ultra Carry II) were the long kind that secured to the belt strong side. As it is, a horizontal draw is easier for me to access, since I have to reach across my belly. This is only speculation, as I haven't practiced with a vertical draw, but I imagine trying to draw vertically from an loose (unsecured) shoulder holster would probably bring the holster with the gun, at least for a few inches. With the horizontal draw, I just grab and pull forward.
There is the issue of muzzling, but guns do not generally go off by themselves, and the trigger guard is covered, so it's not possible for me to shoot while it's engaged in the holster. So, to me, the muzzling issue here is not the same as muzzling someone while the gun is in hand.

Another bonus to this set up is that I can adjust the cant of the holster, so it's tilted upwards rather than perfectly horizontal. This makes it slightly easier to conceal and easier to grip, when needed.

You can also see my other thread about concealed carry holsters/outfits for women here for more ideas.

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PistolPackingMomma

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2011
Messages
1,884
Location
SC
There is also the Flashbang option, for concealed carry. I had the original Flashbang model, but I had issues getting the mag well to lie flat against my core. Not sure if this was due to the bra, the holster or something else, but it just didn't work for me. Further experimentation is needed, but I sold the holster.

I did decide to purchase the "Marilyn", by Flashbang, for my Sig P238. It's a clamshell holster that tucks into the side band of the bra, and is secured by a leather strap and a small clip that hooks over the edge of the cup. I personally found it difficult to conceal the protrusion of the clip, as it poked outward, so I removed it, and found it worked much better. If Flashbang would make this clip flat instead of curved, I think it would be perfect. The holster will shift a little without the clip, but it's a lot less noticeable than having something poking out noticeably from under the side of your shirt.


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The Marilyn does give the chest a lopsided appearance, but is probably less noticeable with a looser fitting top. I will continue to use this holster after pregnancy, so I'll experiment with other tops then. In the meantime, I hope this helps!
 
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Firearms Iinstuctor

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
3,428
Location
northern wis
I carried in a horizontal shoulder rigs for over 30 years. You well not have any trouble with them. Most people get in
trouble with their guns and holsters when they are playing with them when they should not be.

I have had vertical shoulder holster didn't like them don't use them. All 5 or 6 of my shoulder rigs are horizontal.
 

carsontech

Activist Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
529
Location
Anderson, SC
Good stuff Momma!

Say, weren't you pregnant just a year and a half ago as well? ;)

I think I remember seeing some youtube videos of you and some non-gun folk while you were 8 months pregnant and open carrying. You always drummed up some interesting conversations. :lol:
 
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Jack House

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2010
Messages
2,611
Location
I80, USA
Good stuff Momma!

Say, weren't you pregnant just a year and a half ago as well? ;)

I think I remember seeing some youtube videos of you and some non-gun folk while you were 8 months pregnant and open carrying. You always drummed up some interesting conversations. :lol:
She was, you see PPM is actually Bonnie Swanson. :D


Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
 

PistolPackingMomma

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2011
Messages
1,884
Location
SC
Good stuff Momma!

Say, weren't you pregnant just a year and a half ago as well? ;)

I think I remember seeing some youtube videos of you and some non-gun folk while you were 8 months pregnant and open carrying. You always drummed up some interesting conversations. :lol:

Waffle!

She was, you see PPM is actually Bonnie Swanson. :D


Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

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KBCraig

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
4,886
Location
Granite State of Mind
Excellent. We need more of our ladies posting carry methods that work for them, since body types vary so much. Man-style strong side holsters just don't work for many women, even when OCing. And, let me be the first to praise the curves that create the problem!

You might want to reconsider the opposite-side double magazine holder. They do a good job of counterbalancing the weight of the pistol.
 
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