[Scire.Factor]

I am going to be driving from Florida to Texas in a few months and I am looking for recommendations for what type and brand of holster you would suggest that is both comfortable and practical in case I have to (god forbid) use it for self defense. I currently have an IWB which is ok for short drives, but after a while it gets very uncomfortable. Thank you in advance.

Oh, I also searched for this within the forum, and surprisingly it couldn't find any matches....

 

[shooter4]

i cant remember exactly the brand, but i would look for something you can cross-draw. Easy access and comfortable.

 

[usfslacker]

Couple things you may want to consider:
Taking your regular holster out of your pants and just putting it between/under the seat while you're driving if it becomes uncomfortable. (What I do)
Make/mount a holster in your glovebox or between seat.
Sit it on your lap, lol.

O and be sure of the laws for each state that you're driving thru, some may require it to be locked in a trunk, or in glovebox, or etc... Each state has different laws.

 

[SwampRat]

I'e got an old shoulder holster I keep for just that purpose..Anything over 3-4 hours and I'll put it on..

 

[rocketsteve]

I'e got an old shoulder holster I keep for just that purpose..Anything over 3-4 hours and I'll put it on..

+1 on the shoulder holster. If that's not an option, the maybe a small fanny pack. :thumsup

 

[Reaper]

i have a littlebear iwb and have made a few 9 hour runs from south florida(ft.lauderdale ) to north florida (destin) and still been ok

 

[Franklin]

What about a paddle holster, Focus under $20? Don Hume makes a great IWB holster on a clip, $30. Both would be very easy to take on and off. What about a fanny pack? I love my Tommy Gun Pack.
Good luck finding just the right set up. The search is a lot of fun!

 

[Mountain Dew Man]

Mitch Rosen Car Jack rig has alot of good write ups. I agree w/ the shoulder rig idea as well. However, it is all going to depend on: your body type, size of car, room in car, ability to draw across the body...
I have talked to some that put them in: arm rests, velcro'd under dash boards, in between the seat and so forth.

Good way to get an idea is just sit in the car and see what makes sense. Keep it simple. When the bullets start flying, the first thing out the window is the plan. It has to be natural and can be excecuted w/o thought.

Good luck to ya!

 

[tphinney]

I drive between Tampa and Panama City at least once every couple of months and i use my Little bear Hoaste IWB average about 8 hours of straight driving and bearly notice it.

 

[brownie]

Gun goes right behind my left knee [ right handed ] under my leg.

 

[Ruby]

I use a crossbreed supertuck and drive long distances frequently. Too darn comfortable to remove it and when I get out it's right where I need it to be.

 

[ZO6Vettever]

I use a cheapie IWB clipped to the seatbealt. Just pull your shirt over it. Works for me.

 

[GlockComa]

I use a crossbreed supertuck and drive long distances frequently. Too darn comfortable to remove it and when I get out it's right where I need it to be.

+1 :thumsup

 

[birdman]

I've used a shoulder holster for long drives with some success. Feels wierd for the first hour or so. A couple times a year I make drives in excess of 12 hours so I know what you mean wrt the IWB. My bigger concern is accessability while strapped in.

I tried a cross draw paddle holster a week or so ago. Didn't work for me. My ample stomach hanging over the hammer of a "cocked & locked"1911 got painful fast. Maybe I was doing it wrong...

If you have a FL CWFL then your license is valid from here to TX unless you take some real weird route..., but as a previous poster said be sure to know the rules in the State you're in (like whether or not you need to notify LEO...)

Allan

 

[apvbguy]

what you need to watch out for is rules regarding rest areas, banks and restaurants that serve alcohol. not all states are like FLA which allow you to go to places that serve. for example Texas does not allow weapons in licensed places, also in Texas businesses are allowed to post no gun signs and if you ignore them you can be prosecuted. some states prohibit guns in banks, so be careful and learn the rules of wherever it is you are going

 

[Scire.Factor]

what you need to watch out for is rules regarding rest areas, banks and restaurants that serve alcohol. not all states are like FLA which allow you to go to places that serve. for example Texas does not allow weapons in licensed places, also in Texas businesses are allowed to post no gun signs and if you ignore them you can be prosecuted. some states prohibit guns in banks, so be careful and learn the rules of wherever it is you are going

Thank you for everyones input. I think I am going to have to wait until I get back to the states to see what is best for me. I ordered a crossbreed holster, so I am excited about trying it out as I have only heard positive things.

The following is FYI and some of the stuff I found interesting about TX laws.

I have spent the last 6 months while overseas researching Texas laws. One of the big differences is that in Texas, you cannot carry if there is a 51% sign (meaning the restaurant or bar type restaurant makes more than 50% of its income via alcohol) and the sign HAS to be posted by law. I have also learned that the sign in Texas that you mention has strict guidelines in format, i.e. 1 inch tall letters, and has to be in both English and Spanish and say exactly what is written in the law:

"Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by holder of license to carry a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (concealed handgun law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun."

It is pretty interesting and from what I hear from the TX forum, many places that have these signs have either too small of letters, not the exact verbiage required by law, or not in both required languages.

 

[apvbguy]

when it comes to places that serve alcohol those signs you refer to are irrelevant, TABC determines what establishments serve 51+% and those signs are found within an establishment. the signs you refer to are for other types of businesses and you are right about the fact they have to follow the prescribed format, but are you going to carry a ruler to measure the signs and risk a felony charge if you measure wrong?

 

[Mountain Dew Man]

To get back on track:

If you have access to a POV, you may want to imagine where things would suit you. I agree w/ Brownie's idea, in certain areas of Jax (Hey Scott... is this Downtown??). I am sure your choice will work very well. The backing is very pliable and forms well to the body. The kydex allows for easier reholstering, if need be. Not to mention a large selection of cant/depth/etc choices.
I do believe, as a shooter, certain holsters work well under certain conditions. It is a tool in the tool box waiting to be used. I own other makers rigs because they fill that need: kydex paddle, kydex mag carriers, leather paddles for odd guns, drop leg for the woods, etc.
I do have some rigs I would NEVER wear on long drives just because of size, where it sits and materials. Once you get back, you will be able to try some others on and talk to folks at the range who can show you what they wear.
Good luck and THANK YOU for your service!

 

[bladenbullet]

ive driven several hours with a hume iwb at 3:30-4:00 with no issue whatsoever...dont even know the gun is there...and the draw from this position is relatively easy....and in a mustang i dont have a great deal of room to move around...

 

[Scire.Factor]

...but are you going to carry a ruler to measure the signs and risk a felony charge if you measure wrong?

No, but I will carry if they misspell a word, forget either language, or the letters are obviously too small. I was just stating that I found Texas law to be very interesting compared to what I am used to in FL. Thank you for the tip though to make sure I am familiar with the other states. Correct me if I am wrong, from what I can find it is legal in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas to carry at a rest stop - which is convenient and comforting as I will be traveling alone.