Motorcycle carry?

[Bcs guy]

So over the past week I went from not having a permit, to having my motorcycle license thanks to a Motorcycle safety foundation class and road test wavier. Being that it was spur of the moment (2 spots opened up and my wife and I grabbed them) I didn't get the chance to purchase my own riding gear. Now that it is done I am looking for a riding jacket (plus the other safety gear). Most of the ones I have looked at look like they fit tight around the torso. I was wondering what people are using to CC while riding. I have seen on some websites where some jackets have built in holsters. How do those fair? I worry about that route because of taking the jacket off once I reach my destination. Although once there I could transfer to a standard IWB holster. I don't have a bike yet, but when I do get one it will be a cruiser style, not a sport bike.

Thanks for the input.

 

[VietnamEraVet]

I ride a cruiser these days... even if I am carrying in an open state while riding (PA for example, if you have a CCW license), I am not 100% comfortable carrying OWB even in holsters with snap retention, - just on the off chance that it might come loose with my luck! And if it did, the odds of backtracking and finding it (or worse, NOT finding it) are too ugly for me to risk.

So, basically, I carry an M&P Shield in a front jeans pocket, or I carry in my riding vest, or my full leather jacket in colder weather. Both of those have deep inner zipper pockets that I use along with a pocket holster for my EDC. I bought both with that in mind and they are oversized. Also, the vest has side laces that allow me to further expand as time and food take their toll.

More often than not, I will pants pocket carry when riding. If I am going to be walking around a bit while off the bike, and I am in a free open carry state, I will tend to carry OWB in a DeSantis or Galco leather holster with snap retention, and carry the gun in a pocket when back on the road..

I did recently pick up a Triple K shoulder holster for the Shield 45 for use when driving a car for work, and I could use that when riding. But then, as soon as I stopped somewhere, it would become awkward to conceal it again if I took off my vest or jacket.

 

[Jackalope]

I ride a couple of dual sports and a Ural Gear Up sidecar rig, depending upon my mood and which one is running decently. Anyways, like VietnamEraVet, I've always carried in my front jeans pocket. My EDC is a Keltec PF-9, so it's quite small and concealable. I just picked up a H&K VP9 today, and I've been considering different holsters for it, I'll probably end up with an IWB holster, which will typically be covered by either a sweater or a vest as the weather gets cooler. Summertime, I'll stick with the PF-9

 

[Magnus]

I usually ride with hoody on, OWB. I haven't tried my alien gear yet, I'm sure it will be a little more uncomfortable.

 

[Bananabandit]

@BuellSix8 is a rider I believe. Maybe if you asked on his birthday he would reply

 

[Uzi]

I've found the best way and certainly the very safest way to carry is appendix for pretty much everything including motorcycle riding on and off road. other options I'd choose if the gun had to be on my person would be just inside the lower jacket side pockets somewhere underneath the rib cage region, or just a shoulder holster that holsters the weapon straight underneath the armpit, but neither is still as ideal and might set you up for some broken ribs later down the line. I would never ever recommend carrying any handgun on the SOB or side of the hip while on a motorcycle! it's a really bad idea! The reason for that is simple, in the event in which you crash you can significantly increase the chances of additional contact point injuries to yourself like your lower spine or hip etc. while falling, or tumbling around. The appendix is going to be the best bet because it's not exposed to the contact regions like your lower back and hips are while sliding on pavement or anything else for that matter. I've been riding a long time. I've crashed my old dual sport bike several times on and off road while carrying appendix. Never had any issues ever. Had I been carrying SOB I'd probably be paralyzed. I ride supermoto, dual sports and sport bikes. They all have different riding positions, not an issue. On a side note, You'll want a nice snug jacket too, otherwise the armor won't do its job when it's shifting around during a crash. Gear is so important. Just ask yourself if you're carrying past 2:00 if you'd be willing to jump off a set of stairs with your gun on you and gear and land directly on the gun while hitting pavement if you'd think it would be okay.... then think about doing that on the expressway. There was a police officer that was paralyzed from the neck down after slipping on ice I believe while carrying a backup weapon on the SOB from just walking from his patrol car. In any event, It's nice to know that you're someone that will be wearing some proper gear unlike many many silly knobs in wife beaters and sandals only with useless brain bucket helmets just because "it's the law".

 

[HDMotorCop]

if I may, I'd like to weigh in on this one seeing as I've got a bit of experience in this realm.

First of all, congrats on taking the MSF class. Excellent beginning, don't stop learning....don't stop training. Riding skills can and DO degrade without practice. Take the experienced rider class next season and then every couple years. You'll be surprised how much you've lost if you don't drill yourself in a parking lot somewhere to keep up! If you can find any other "advanced" skills schools consider that too......and yes, you will drop and scratch your crash bars...it's inevitable.

Now, onto the pistolero...........

Obviously, I open carry at work. Good duty retension holster. Retension is the same as anyother cop, the motor is not the factor here.
Off duty, I would recommend a good quality OWB leather holster with snap retension and a good quality gun belt for the support. Wearing OWB is more comfortable on an MC, I think it gives you more finite positioning options ( alittle more towards the front, a bit more towards the back) for both comfort and concealment. Also, if you should go down, remember that thick good quality gun belt I mentioned for support? It's also gonna give you some protection from your gun grinding into the upper portions of you pelvic bone girdle and kidney area (dependent on placement). The holster should be one that's comfortable for your body style, ride tight in against your side and have a good quality snap/thumb break closure. Don't skimp and be cheap. Now, I am NOT going to market any brand or model, just keep in mind the application as I described. I've changed holsters a couple times over the years as I've gotten older and ah...ahem....slightly porcine!

Jackets....

Personal preference as to either leather or synthetic. And, emphasis on quality and MADE FOR THE JOB OF RIDING A MOTORCYCLE! Lots of cool looking leather in the mall.....most of it is shit as far as a riding jacket! A riding jacket should have longer, forward curved sleeves (think...riding position, to looking cool in the bar!), the back lower should be longer/extended beyond the length of the front (again, riding position...job specific). Now this design will also naturally help conceal you Jammie while your in that rider's position. All of these jacket recommendations apply to either leather or Syn. I like synthetic because usually it's more versatile. thermal liners, moisture/wind barrier liners, the jacket shell it self (mesh, solid, vented etc). Also, synthetics often can come in "BABB" (bad ass biker black) but have cleverly worked in HiViz reflectives for added safety.......or you can go wild ass neons for lotsa HiViz and anywhere in between.

If you've read this far.....and I haven't bored you to tears, I hope I shed some light on your questions. Enjoy the ride and carry on!!!!!!!!!

So over the past week I went from not having a permit, to having my motorcycle license thanks to a Motorcycle safety foundation class and road test wavier. Being that it was spur of the moment (2 spots opened up and my wife and I grabbed them) I didn't get the chance to purchase my own riding gear. Now that it is done I am looking for a riding jacket (plus the other safety gear). Most of the ones I have looked at look like they fit tight around the torso. I was wondering what people are using to CC while riding. I have seen on some websites where some jackets have built in holsters. How do those fair? I worry about that route because of taking the jacket off once I reach my destination. Although once there I could transfer to a standard IWB holster. I don't have a bike yet, but when I do get one it will be a cruiser style, not a sport bike.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Acer-m14]

come on man .. carry like you mean it .. LOL ...

 

[Acer-m14]

but if your into leather ... hehee ...

 

[FLA45fan]

Welcome to the Club! I've been riding for about 10 years now, and have been carrying all of them. I started in Florida and continue here behind enemy lines. My early mesh jacket had just enough room for a Smith j-frame in a side zippered pocket. After I bought the Shadow (mid sized cruiser) I bought a perforated leather jacket for summer use, complete with elbow and spine protection. I grabbed a solid leather jacket with less airflow to extend my riding season and both of these allow for pocket carry of my Glock 43. I also have a couple of pairs of Kevlar lined jeans, most recently a pair of Scorpion Coverts ( that actually look like regular jeans) and have deep enough pockets to allow for carry of the 43 or a .38 revolver in #3 pocket holster when the jacket is off. The Coverts also have pockets in the knees and hips for armor but it adds a bit of bulk and can shift around. But fully lined with Kevlar from the waist down to the shins. Trust me, when you hit the pavement, your levis offer little protection to your knees. Also boots and full gloves.
I have a couple of mesh jackets, helmets, and some other Kevlar jeans that I am not using for cheap if you are just starting, but buy once, cry once.
More later, gotta run, but listen to the Motor above. He knows.

 

[Harry Hood]

So this is what I ride.
And this is what I wear for a coat.
I carry IWB Aegis Armory holster with my S&W Shield in 40 S&W at the 4 o'clock position, Never had any problems. I don't print and don't expose my weapon ever. I couldn't even imagine pocket carry after a few hundred miles, it would drive me nuts.

 

[togmaster]

Normally you would only have to carry your bike if you owned a Harley.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

I might be missing something here but. I carry just like I would normally. IWB strong side with or without a jacket. If your holster is good it won't be a problem. Riding a dual sport I once went flying over some train tracks that were on a mound. The bike was on one side of the mound and I was on the other but my pistol was still in place.

 

[ProgSpear]

I'm into option # 2 with the leather. At least I could tip the sucker back up if I laid it down. Them Boss Hoss's make Harleys feel like dirt bikes. But that is one Hoss with serious attitude!

come on man .. carry like you mean it .. LOL ...

but if your into leather ... hehee ...

 

[stokes]

Riding for over 45 yrs and CC for over 30.I've always carried on the bike just like off.Glock,and .38 mod 60 either a simple IWB with a t shirt or a pancake when covered with a jacket or long shirt.Never had a problem even when I totaled my Harley it didnt come out as I rolled down the street.Dont overthink these things.

 

[Bcs guy]

Thanks for all the replies, I did read all of them fully. Yes, even yours @HDMotorCop very informative, thank you. We are serious about safety, my wife and I both took the class. I am still looking for proper riding jacket, and I was looking at those riding jeans last night. I did recently pick up a Hanks belt but I don't think I can do an appendix carry. I am to "big boned" for that.

Again, thanks for all the replies, and keep them coming. I know there is lots of experience to share here and I appreciate that.

 

[Catskillkid]

Just shove it in the small of your back like they did in Sons of Anarchy...lol

All kidding aside, that was a great show if you've ever seen it.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Going to jump in here for my pointless.$0.02 lol

Me personally when i ride I carry appendix still, based on how my bike is set up it works for me, if not it's at the 3 o'clock, the gun still needs to be accessible and fast to get to.

Again personally I'm not a fan of the jacket carry, few reasons 1) you are going to need to keep the jacket on at all times if you want any kind of control over the gun, 2) and more importantly, speed of access.

Here is a video, not sure if it's been talked about on this forum or post, but let's take this scenario and pretend the dbag officer isn't an officer, but someone trying to jack your bike (much easier to do than a car), think getting a cross draw from inside a pocket on a jacket (usually zipped, velcroed, or snapped shut) will be fast or easy? .

Now I'm also not saying this is a deff shoot situation, maybe losing a bike isn't worth pulling your gun, but someone is pointing one at me and maybe they decided once they got my bike they are just going to shoot me idk maybe they will let me go home and call the police and all that hmmm who knows.


Subsequently attached is a good read by Gabe Suarez on how it's a shame but honestly this officer is lucky to have walked away from this incidence and how the rider would have been justified (states law not withstanding)
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNFORTUNATE BUT JUSTIFIED

 

[FLA45fan]

I find that jacket pocket carry works great for me. I put the G43 in an Uncle Mikes #3 pocket holster which is placed in my right jacket pocket. I put a length of paracord on the zipper tab so I can access it with gloves. If needed, unzip and draw. I doubt I'll be in a position to be accessing it while actually riding. When I get off I simply unzip, reach deeply into the pocket and remove gun and holster together (looks like a wallet) and slip into my jeans pocket. Most people are not watching anyone closely enough to notice that it's anything but a large wallet in the 2 seconds that the transfer takes. Then the jacket comes off.

 

[Bcs guy]

I guess I should have mentioned my carry was a G26

 

[stokes]

I guess I should have mentioned my carry was a G26

How do you carry when not riding?Just do the same when on the bike.

 

[Bcs guy]

4 o-clock IWB.

 

[stokes]

So put it at 4 o'clock IWB ,get on the bike and ride.

 

[Marine Cpl]

T-shirt rides up with the wind. That's why most appendix carry or ankle carry.

OP, if appendix is too uncomfortable, ankle is probably your best bet.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

So put it at 4 o'clock IWB ,get on the bike and ride.

Yup. I do. I can just like i normally do.....I just add the bike when needed.

(Imo. Posted above, "Transferring the gun when i get somewhere" is not an option. I do not remove my gun when i am in public if i can help it. Sometimes i do.....post office. Police station when prohibited. Etc)

 

[Wildman1024]

I carry my Ruger LCP in my front jeans pocket. Extra mag in other pocket. Works for me.