Concealed Carry Corner: The Benefits of Winter Carry
Welcome back to another episode of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we talked about some of the hard truths when it comes to carrying various handguns and accessories. If you missed that article, click the link here to check it out. This week, I want to talk about some of the major benefits of carrying in the winter and how things can change when the surroundings become colder. Although it may be more difficult to draw from concealment and present the pistol, there are a number of benefits that people can have once winter rolls around. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of winter carry.
Larger Handgun Season
One of the biggest benefits of carrying in the winter months is the ability to carry a larger firearm due to the extra coverage from coats or other items. In the summer months, it’s hard to carry a full-size pistol or something with a number of attachments on it. The vast majority of people who train on a regular basis will have a range gun as well as a primary carry gun. When the weather turns cold, those range guns you had a hard time carrying can easily be switched to a carry gun with the proper holster. Your larger Glock 17s and full-size handgun variants can be carried with little effort under a larger winter coat.
The joke among my friends is that it’s possible to carry an MP5 under your jacket in the cold Michigan winters but it’s really easy to carry a larger framed handgun. During the winter months, I will typically carry a full-size Glock 17 or my trusty P226 Elite with a Surefire X300. My Glock has a Trijicon RMR and X300 as well so it’s really easy to carry a larger framed pistol with accessories with a heavier coat as a cover garment. You can also easily carry magazines on your support side where you can’t in the summer months. Having more options is what winter carry is all about.
Outside The Waistband
The other major plus to carrying in the winter months is that since you’ll have several layers on your body, there’s no need to carry strictly inside the waistband holsters. I really enjoy carrying a well-made leather or Kydex belt-mounted holster for a number of different reasons. The biggest benefit to outside the waistband holsters is the overall level of comfort even if you’re carrying a larger framed handgun. Carrying a mid or full-size firearm all day inside your waistband can create hot spots where your skin can get rubbed raw. Larger firearms mean more contact area so carrying in a sturdy outside the waistband holster can oftentimes be the more comfortable option.
When looking to start carrying in an OWB holster there are two main items you need to consider to succeed. The first is a sturdy holster like I said earlier. Having a quality holster whether it’s leather or Kydex is vital to keep your gun secure with some sort of retention. I will typically go with a lighter color holster for the outside the waistband external color in a neutral tone to not bring any attention if your cover garment gets moved to the side.
The second big factor when carrying outside the waistband is a thick carry belt either synthetic or leather depending on your preference. You can have the nicest holster with a fantastic firearm but if you carry it with a $15 floppy belt, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Having a thick belt that you can’t easily bend is one of the best ways to ensure you have a support structure for your holster and carry gun. Out of everything I see, the lack of a good carry belt is one of the most common problems among people who carry a concealed handgun.
Layering Up Is Key
I cannot tell you how many times people have reached out and asked how they can carry a larger gun while still having it concealed. Starting out, this can be really tricky if you are typically carrying something small like a Glock 43 or SIG P365. The number one way I have carried my larger firearms is to have 2-3 thinner layers to keep you warm but also each layer will slowly break up the hot spots on your carry gun like the grip or bulging that can occur. Layers like zip-up hoodies, quarter zips, and jackets will do a great job of breaking up any printing you may have. I always try to find a balance between staying warm and having easy access to my firearm. With a little practice and sometimes dry firing, you’ll have no problem learning the best method of presenting your gun.
Overall Thoughts
Although some of you will carry the same gun you have every day in and out, I encourage you to try a larger firearm along with seeing how comfortable carrying outside the waistband can really be. Carrying in the winter is one of my favorite times to try different setups and see if I can find a new favorite for three-quarters of the year.
What kind of carry guns do you guys use in the winter months? Do you carry the same gun all year round or do you bump up to a larger firearm? Let me know in the comments below. If you have questions about carrying or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you next week for another edition of Concealed Carry Corner.