It’s easy to hide a firearm under layers of clothing, but the principle of concealed carry requires that you still be able to access it quickly and safely in a critical situation. With a few tips and a rundown of the features to look for in CCW jackets when you can keep your gun handy and avoid hypothermia at the same time.
How to Carry a Concealed Firearm in Winter
The “right” way to conceal carry a gun in the winter really depends on what works best for you – your body type, location, and comfort level. You should experiment with concealed carry jackets, tactical outerwear and shirts to find the best way to carry responsibly and have access to your firearm when it’s cold outside. Use the tips below.
Simple solutions for winter concealed carry
As a rule, the best solution for carrying a gun in winter is to combine a shoulder or waist holster with a concealed carry jacket. You can adjust your holster around the waist to accommodate the built-in, easy-through-access pocket typically found on CCW jackets, or leave the top of the jacket unzipped for quick access to the shoulder holster. You may not be able to access your weapon as quickly as you would without a jacket, but it’s an easy way to ensure access to your firearm when you’re wearing bulky outerwear.
A holster pocket can also be a great idea. It will ensure the correct orientation of the firearm for quick extraction, and there will be no entanglement under layers of clothing. One of the biggest advantages of using a pocket holster is that you can keep your hand on the gun without being seen by others. Downside: You have to have your jacket on all the time when you need your gun – if you take the jacket off, the gun stays inside.
What doesn’t work with concealed carry in the winter
A holster inside your pants is the worst way to carry it in winter, along with bulky winter jackets. These holsters are difficult to access even without a jacket, and when you’re wearing multiple layers, your holster can move up, down, or sideways and easily get tangled in your underwear. Of course, we shouldn’t even mention why stuffing a gun in your waistband without a holster is a bad idea, right?
Carrying in a regular pocket without a holster is almost as bad a decision as simply tucking a gun into your pants. Your firearm can get tangled up in your pocket quite easily, making it potentially useless and even dangerous if you need to access it quickly.
FEATURES required from concealed carry jackets
A good concealed carry jacket will give you freedom of movement and easy and quick access to your firearm. The best concealed carry jackets usually have the following features:
- Lightweight construction that won’t tip over, won’t collect, and won’t stick out.
- Holster attachment compatibility.
- Elastic cuffs that will not interfere with your hands in the sleeves, if necessary, when you need to quickly get the weapon.
- Through pockets for access on the belt
- Durable fabrics and construction that won’t wear out from the gun or holster.
The right fit is just as important as the features you look for in a concealed carry jacket. If your outerwear is too big, it will get in the way when you move quickly. If it is too small or tight, it will tighten the holster and prevent it from being used quickly.
Tactical outerwear made specifically for concealed carry, combined with a pocket holster or shoulder holster that you can easily access under your jacket, is the best choice for CCW in the winter