Unconventional Carry Methods: Podcast 327

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We can’t always carry a gun in a conventional method, sometimes you have to learn unconventional carry methods to be able to carry a gun every day.

Carrying every day is an art. It’s one you have to work on all the time. And sometimes you can’t always carry an optimal way.

When I worked for an armored car company I carried in an optimal way. And I carried two 1911’s. One on my right thigh in a tactical rig before tactical rigs were popular. The other was in a pancake holster on my left side high just behind my hip.

Then there was a third gun no one knew about in my left back pocket. Everything was optimized for what I did for a living and did every day. My left side 1911 actually set further back behind my hip than you would think was optimal. But it fit perfectly there under my body armor because it sat just behind the piece that wrapped around my side. This way the gun didn’t get caught by my body armor and pinch my skin or get caught on the draw.

It took me almost three years working on my setup to come up with my perfect carry methods. Then my company changed the policy and thigh rigs were no longer permitted. Then it changed again to say 1911’s were no longer permitted.

Things always change, and you should be open to new things if they continue to let you carry a gun daily.

Conventional Carry

Conventional carry right now would be behind the hip or on the hip in an inside the waistband holster or outside in a traditional holster. I really pancake style for outside and wrap holsters for inside.

In the last ten years, appendix carry has become a conventional carry method. I don’t really like it and don’t use it anymore, but it is really popular and works well.

Unconventional Carry Methods

Unconventional carry methods are everything else. I use it every day and another one weekly. I’ve tried a bunch.

Unconventional Carry Methods I Use

Pocket Carry

I carry a pocket revolver daily. It is my constant companion whether I’m carrying a gun conventionally or not.

If you have ever met me, chances are I’ve been carrying a Ruger in my pocket. It has been there for years and I love it.

My only downside is replacing the holster every six months because they wear out and no longer stick in my pocket when I draw them.

I use a Sticky Holster and it works great for me.

Just make sure whatever you get for a pocket covers the trigger guard so you cannot fire the gun in your pocket. And, the only thing that goes in that pocket is your gun. Nothing else.

Belly Band

I use a belly band holster when I’m working out or especially on my bike where there is no room for a belt or belt loops on bike shorts.

The only one I would ever use is the Cross Bread Belly Band Holster because it has a Kydex shell that holds the gun so you cannot pull the trigger while the gun is inside the holster. And, from what I’ve seen, the holster is about 50/50 for crashes and staying in. I’d love for it to hold the gun tighter but, that is expecting a lot from a holster.

Bag Carry

Sometimes referred to off-body carry. I do this all the time and love “tactical” bags that have a special pocket for my gun. Again, the only thing that goes in that pocket is my gun and nothing else.

I keep the gun in a holster so that nothing can accidentally discharge the gun.

My favorite companies that make great bags, right now, are 5.11 Tactical and Vertx.

I currently carry a 5.11 Rush Delivery Mike Messenger bag every day with my full-sized gun in it. The bag is a little small but carries as an emergency go-bag and work bag nicely.

Unconventional Carry Methods I Don’t Like

I’ve tried all three of these and had horrible results. They are not for me but might work for you.

Ankle Holsters

I bought an ankle holster with a thumb break to carry a backup while working for the armored car company. I dropped the gun out of it and was lucky to recover it. So, ankle holsters are not for me.

Thunder Wear

There have been a hundred different versions of this, but it’s a pouch that you wear under your clothes and between your legs to hide your gun with your “gun”?

I’ve tried them, they are uncomfortable, slow, and not secure. On top of that, I could never hide any gun bigger than a pocket gun without it printing really badly. Not that you could see a bulge, but you could see the outline of the firearm.

Fanny Packs

Whether it was a sleek small bag designed to carry only the gun, or a giant bag that carried everything, I never liked them. I worked with a couple and tried one for a couple of weeks as a gym carry solution, but none of them worked for me.

Conclusion

Carrying a gun is the way. Whatever way you choose to carry is up to you. Above all, make sure your carry method is safe. Safe has two components to it: 1) (and most important) is the gun cannot be fired while in the holster, period, 2) the gun will not fall out of the holster during your normal activities.

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Stay Safe,

Ben