Left hand

[tombogan03884]

This is just a thought that crossed my mind.
In several discussions of CCW people have mentioned that when they are shopping or what ever they keep their right/dominant hand empty in case they need to draw their weapon.
Up here in NH it is now pretty cold, (31 as I type this,) I was just coming home from the corner store with a bag in my left hand, when I reached for the house key in my right hand pocket, my jacket was covering the pocket and I had to reach across with my left hand to clear it.
The thought crossed my mind that this was similar to an SD situation where you need to get your cover garment out of the way before you have any hope of drawing your weapon. Would it not be better to keep the left hand clear for this action, during which time you would be releasing the burden carried in the right hand then carrying on to the draw stroke ?
As I said, it is just a thought.
 Let the debate begin.  

[MikeBjerum]

Well Tom, here in the tropical zone of Minnesota (SW) it was a balmy 7.2 F when I just filled my coffee cup.  Unlike the "Cat" who lives where the biggest fashion decision made is which floral print shirt or whether to shave his legs today or not, up here we have different layers for each of four seasons, and we use most of them in any given month.

When I shop I try to keep my right hand clear as much as possible, but as a part of my practice I practice dropping packages before "draw."  I started this, because when traveling, a daily curse with the new job, unless I want to take three trips out of the hotel I must use both hands.

My ideal is exactly what I saw Ed Head and Masad do this past week - Hand on the gun in a way no one knows.  With the "mouse guns," I can have my hand in my pocket, and nobody knows I am in contact with the grip.  When I am carrying items in both hands and waiting for something like an elevator or in line I will set the item in my right hand down.

Back to part of your original point, I chose clothes based on carry options and how things could go.  I do occasionally find that I am putting on clothes that will make draw more difficult, and then I file it away for the next shopping trip.  For those that are concerned about heavy coats in the "cold zone," an extra 500 calories a day for a month and a half will make it possible to wear lighter jackets for easier carry options 

[fightingquaker13]

Well, even living where I DO spend a while deciding which floral print shirt works .... That option does require a two handed draw in an IWB. One to lift the shirt, the other to grab the gun. It will only be bulkier in the winter. The only one handed draws I have are out of a poket holster or an OWB hidden under the Blaser. Winter coat or Hawiian Flower shirt, its still two hands. Drop the packages and move. In the pocket? Its easier down here than up there.
FQ13

[Timothy]

Funny....

"Gonna be a warm one today folks, the Twin Cities expects a low of 7.2 F this morning to a high of 7.8 F in the afternoon!"


 

You know you're in the north when they measure degrees to the 1/10......

[fightingquaker13]

Funny....

You know you're in the north when they measure degrees to the 1/10......

As though it freaking matters. "Oh, its 7.3b degrees today, rather than 7.2. And here I thought it would be stupidly cold" . Whatever works.
FQ13

[Sponsor]

[kmitch200]

If I have a choice I'll keep the gun hand empty, it's not something I really dwell on.
Anything in my hands is getting set down, thrown or dropped depending on time frame.

Clearing the cover garment with the off hand works best for me and my chosen CCW carry. In Phx, that's usually just a shirt. We usually have 2-3 weeks of winter, just not one after another.  (right now is 'Chamber of Commerce' weather, 70's)

In colder climes, my carry changes to the pocket of the coat I'm wearing if I'm going somewhere for a quick trip and not taking the coat off.

[MikeBjerum]

As though it freaking matters. "Oh, its 7.3b degrees today, rather than 7.2. And here I thought it would be stupidly cold" . Whatever works.
FQ13

Ok florida boy, I will admit to "degree envy."  If we didn't measure in 10th's we would hardly be able to use double digits most of the year!

Also, it isn't really about the temp. - It's all about windchill and heat factor!

[Timothy]

Ok florida boy, I will admit to "degree envy."  If we didn't measure in 10th's we would hardly be able to use double digits most of the year!

As a fellow northerner.....can I suggest the double digit of 07 degrees?

 

The whole year I lived in Florida I wished for colder weather....

[Ichiban]

IWB does make it a bit more cumbersome to draw when wearing a coat or jacket.  Unless I'm going into the hills my jackets are of the shorter variety so can do my usual draw technique - hook the thumb under the cover garment, pull up past the firearm, then drop down onto the grip.

The next problem that presents itself is dealing with gloves.  Do you practice drawing and firing with your gloves on?  Do you even know if you gloved finger will fit into the finger guard?   I normally wear a thinner dress glove.  It doesn't do a very good job of keeping my hands warm but they do keep them warm enough to get me from the car to the building while retaining a great deal of manual dexterity.

[tombogan03884]

IWB does make it a bit more cumbersome to draw when wearing a coat or jacket.  Unless I'm going into the hills my jackets are of the shorter variety so can do my usual draw technique - hook the thumb under the cover garment, pull up past the firearm, then drop down onto the grip.

The next problem that presents itself is dealing with gloves.  Do you practice drawing and firing with your gloves on?  Do you even know if you gloved finger will fit into the finger guard?   I normally wear a thinner dress glove.  It doesn't do a very good job of keeping my hands warm but they do keep them warm enough to get me from the car to the building while retaining a great deal of manual dexterity.

That's the beauty of the mouse gun, I usually don't bother with gloves unless I'll actually be working outside.
I just keep my hands in my pockets.
Isn't it funny how a pocket holster seems to fit best in the warmest pocket ?