Carrying a handgun for self-defense sounds straightforward. Just tuck it away, and you’re good to go, right? Unfortunately, like most things in life, it’s not that easy.
The reality of wearing a duty-style holster is that it comes with its own set of challenges, especially in cold weather with a coat and gloves.
When I’m carrying a concealed firearm, I tend to carry larger ones in the winter because a coat or jacket makes it easier to hide.
But if you need to open carry a full-size handgun in a duty holster, it’s a different story. You need to stay warm, but you also need to have quick access to your firearm and the ability to control it with your winter gear on.
Holster Accessibility in Cold Weather
Winter gear can complicate the process of drawing your firearm quickly. For police, security personnel, and others who carry a gun for a living, accessibility isn’t optional, it’s a must.
Accessibility can be an issue for hunters, as well.
I know a hunter who was attacked once during a hunting trip in the winter. The animal ended up running away before he was hurt badly, but he couldn’t get his handgun out of his holster and his rifle wasn’t loaded.
After that incident, he started wearing a tactical holster and a full-size handgun for quick access.
Your Coat
Where I live, winter months can be bitterly cold and windy. Wearing a coat is the only option on some days, but a coat covers up all your gear.
To some extent, there’s nothing you can do about this. But you can keep your duty gun accessible, even with a coat on.
One way is to pull your coat up over the top of your gun. This isn’t ideal, but it may be better than having it cover up your gun. I’ve had to do this a few times when I wore a coat that wasn’t made for use with a duty holster.
The preferred way is to use a coat that’s made to wear with a duty or tactical holster. These types of coats are not hard to find and allow you to bundle up while keeping your gun accessible.
I prefer to use Safariland holsters for this type of carry because the holsters sit away from your side just enough to allow a coat to be secured around it. In the photo below, I’m wearing my Elbeco Shield coat with my Safariland 6354RDSO holster and Walther PDP.
What Type of Coat Should You Wear?
Not all coats are made to accommodate a duty holster. In fact, most are not, so you must find those brands that design coats just for this purpose.
Some brands like Blauer, 5.11, Galls, First Tactical, and others manufacture coats with strategic zipper systems. These coats have short zippers that unzip on the left or right side where your holster rides. Most also have an elastic band on the bottom of the coat that pulls the coat together behind the holster.
When selecting a tactical or duty coat, make sure it fits properly. You want it to allow easy movement, but you don’t want it to be too baggy either.
You also want to pay attention to pockets, sleeve length and overall length of the coat when electing one. Most of these types of coats will have adjustable Velcro around the sleeves so you can tighten or loosen them to your needs.
One of my favorite coats for duty is the Elbeco Shield. I’ve worn this coat for years on duty. It’s warm, has a removable liner, and a hood.
Some coats have internal holster pockets that allow you to carry a sidearm within the jacket itself. These might be more suitable for those who are looking for concealment instead of a tactical holster with a duty gun.
Your Gloves
The gloves you wear are just as important as your coat. Warm gloves tend to be thick and bulky and don’t really allow you to do anything with them on. Sure, you can drive a car and maybe open a door, but probably not grip a handgun and handle it.
Just like coats, companies make gloves just for use with firearms. When it’s not really cold, I wear a low-profile pair that is skintight and allows me to easily handle all my gear without any issues. For gloves to be warm, however, they are going to be thicker.
The key is balancing warmth with a design thin enough for firearm handling.
One of my favorite pairs for winter is the Hatch Leather Insulated Winter Patrol Gloves. These gloves are warm and durable. They are a little bulkier than standard shooting gloves, but I can still handle my handgun with them on and my fingers don’t go numb from the cold weather.
When selecting gloves for winter carry, you also want to pay attention to flexibility. Do they allow you to easily grip items or are they stiff and restrict movement of your fingers?
Also, look at the palm of the glove to make sure it has some type of texture. If it’s snowing or sleeting, gloves can become slippery if there is no grip texture on them.
Adjust and train with your Cold Weather Gear
Ensure you can access your handgun while wearing cold-weather gear, and be prepared to adjust your setup to suit the demands of the winter months.
Duty Belt
First, examine your duty belt setup. Adding layers for warmth may affect the way your belt fits, shifting the position of your gear and potentially obstructing access to your weapon.
I like to wear an extra undershirt during winter months, but that makes my duty belt a little tighter. I loosen it during the winter and adjust it again in the spring.
Practice Your Draw
Next, practice drawing your firearm in winter gear. It’s not just about having specialized clothing; you need to train with it as well. Wear your coat, gloves, and whatever else you’ll have during the colder months for a range day.
What feels simple at the range in summer can be a very different experience when your fingers are numb. Practice drawing and firing, but also reloading and reholstering.
Lights, Batteries, and Optics
Finally, don’t overlook other equipment that might be impacted by cold weather. Some flashlights may function poorly in freezing conditions, and batteries drain faster in the cold. The same goes for optics like red dots, which may fog up or dim.
Keep your gear in top shape by checking batteries regularly and investing in cold-weather-rated equipment if necessary.
Remember, the key is not just to prepare for the cold but to adapt your gear and habits so that winter becomes another season you’re ready to face.
Ready for winter?
Wearing a duty or tactical holster in the winter requires more than just putting on an extra coat. It requires preparation and practice. A little effort goes a long way.
Take a little time to set up your gear for the cold months. Remember, winter is a season, not an excuse; make sure your holster and other gear are as accessible as ever, no matter the weather.
