quoheleth wrote: Given my Sunday attire, would you concur that pocket carry is the best bet? If so, I need to go with small autoloader. Or, if another carry option is viable (ankle?) that would permit a larger framed weapon, I would be very open to that. I know ankle carry isn't the best, but I would have a better chance - I think - of diving for my ankle than digging through layers to an IWB carried pistol.
Welcome (officially) to the forum! It's good to hear from another clergyman mulling the same questions I am. I'm waiting for my plastic now, too, and pondering Sunday AM more than M-F. Even though I haven't tried it yet, I would recommend against pocket carry with an alb. When vested, I can't get my monkey hands into my pockets on a good day, much less in a hurry or state of stress. As long as you don't have real high steps in the chancel, aren't kneeling where people can see up your pants leg (which really shouldn't be an issue), or doing too much "chancel prancing"
you should be fine with ankle carry.
That seems to be my main option for Sunday, but I wear boots, so I've got to figure that out, too. I've got a Taurus PT-145, but it's a shade too big for ankle carry, especially in boots, so I'm thinking of a S&W 442 or something like it for that purpose. Just like any other shooting practice, if you go with ankle carry, practice dropping to one knee and sweeping those yards of fabric out of the way -- the billowing cloth should distract the BG long enough to neutralize the threat.
For M-F carry, I'll likely go with IWB, probably the CrossBreed Supertuck or some such, but I'm also seriously considering the Kangaroo shoulder holster, seen here:
http://www.kangarooind.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and reviewed by GunBlast here:
http://www.gunblast.com/Kangaroo.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I'm 6'2" and 220#, so my clerical shirts (a mix of Almy, Autom and Friar Tuck. Yeah, I know, I can't decide, and I HATE ties - haven't worn one in 5 years out here!) tend to blouse out a bit and I think they'll hide the Kangaroo quite well. Another option is the 5.11 holster shirt:
http://www.511tactical.com/Shop" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; which has been reviewed favorably on this forum.
I'm the only one in the office usually, too, at a little church in the country. Every now and again, I get a questionable individual that stops by, so its nice to have the comfort of a CCW since help is only minutes away.
Hope these ramblings help a little!
