How to Conceal Carry a Gun While Riding a Bicycle
Daily bicycle commutes tend to range anywhere from 5-20 miles one way. While you do your best to obey the rules of the road, there's never any way to know how fellow motorists will handle the situation. Being on the road and exposed can also be perceived as being an easy target.
We have covered concealed carry on a motorcycle before, however If there's any group of people that need to keep a concealed carry pistol on them, it's going to be bicyclists. This article will go into depth about how to carry a concealed pistol while riding a bicycle. Note, we're saying pistol for this. And there's a reason.
Keep your Firearm on your Body at all Times
If you're going to carry a concealed firearm as a cyclist, do yourself a favor and make sure it's attached to your body. There's limited space to work with because a shoulder holster won't commonly do and an ankle holster can encumber your pedaling.
Go with an inside the waistband gun holster that you can position to a 5 o'clock position. That's just above your left or right buttocks depending upon which hand you carry with.
Use A High-Retention Holster
This isn't the time for fashion statements.
A high retention pistol holster will help. Look for an inside the waistband holster with a neoprene backpad great for wicking away sweat. You'll also want one that has a holster shell for tightly grasping your pistol until you need to draw it. And lastly, make sure the holster system clips on at more than one point. You don't want something that clips on at a single point. A single point means a single point of failure.
Think Flat -- Single Stack Micro Or Sub Compact Pistol
The reason you're not going to use a revolver is because you might land on top of whatever firearm you're using. When choosing a firearm, look for ones that are ideally single stack, flat and flush with no large extrusions of any kind. The thinner it is, the less of an inconvenience it's going to be to fit it along your waistline and a LOT less damage if you land on it.
Striker Fire Preferred For Cyclists
Hammers jut out. Hammers are something that can dig in if you flip or bail. You want something that stays flush with the symmetry of your body. Striker fire pistols also offer a greater degree of flexibility when engaging possible targets at close or medium range. If you're nervous about it going off prematurely, make sure you select a high retention holster that protects the trigger housing group. If the trigger is secured by a holster shell that forms to the specific pistol you're using, you have nothing to fear.
Practice Dismounting To Engage Targets
This could potentially be the most fun part of training to be an armed cyclist – practical drills. Always train to come to a complete stop before you engage a target. Never engage while mounted or especially while moving.
The advantage of riding a bicycle is being able to put distance between you and attackers on foot. It also gives you the advantage of outmaneuvering vehicles in tight spaces. Use this to your advantage. Practice coming to a stop, dismounting from your bicycle, crouching or going prone, and engaging your targets at 15 yds.
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About The Author James England (@sir_jim_england) is the contributing editor for Alien Gear Holsters. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and private defense contracting in Afghanistan. |
