In last month's Firearms Tactics article, the 12 rules for off-duty conduct were explored. This month's article will focus on deploying the full-sized firearm.

When choosing the off-duty firearm, the tenet "carry the most effective weapon the wardrobe will allow" should not be taken lightly. Most experts agree the term "effective weapon" usually refers to guns that fire cartridges generally used in the law enforcement field. Firearms that accurately deliver large, fast, heavy bullets should be considered first.

When the "fight or flight" decision is initiated, the dump of adrenaline gives the officer survival tools but diminishes several other skills taken for granted. For example, strength is increased but fine motor skills are reduced. The officer might be able to punch harder and grapple better but fitting a key into a keyhole might be out of the question. When it comes to holsters, the fewer snaps and straps, unbuttoning or finding cords an officer has to do, the better. The better products will not include "find the…" in their instructions but a version of "grab this and rip it open."

Strong side carry
When shopping for options, the officer should consider tools similar to their duty systems or strong side carry. Strong side carry, sometimes called weapon side carry, refers to the wearing of the weapon on the dominant hip. This style includes belt slides, Yaqui slides, inside the waistband (IWB), paddle, scabbard and "pancake" holsters.

Strong side holsters are easy to learn, quickly deployed and allow for the full range of weapon sizes. Generally, strong side holsters permit safe reholstering of the weapon, allowing alternatives such as chasing suspects and other force options.

Starting with an unloaded weapon, the user should practice a fluid sequence of clear, grip, deploy and engage. This routine must be practiced over and over. Once established, the user must learn the footwork that goes with it. The footwork consists of the officer looking for cover and seeking it while simultaneously presenting the weapon. When it comes to footwork, the rule for concealed carry is to NEVER DRAW STANDING STILL. The officer must practice drawing while glide stepping until it is instinctive.

Glide stepping
For any draw sequence, begin with feet shoulder-width apart, hands at chin level. As the weapon hand and non-firing hand seek their initial positions, the officer shifts one foot to the left, right, front or rear, moving toward the nearest cover. The foot in motion barely skims the ground, as in dancing. The other foot moves in the same direction as soon as the first foot is planted. Most officers just learning the glide step tend to end up with the feet too close together. Remember that lowering the center of gravity by taking a deep stance will tend to create a more solid shooting platform. When practicing, officers should concentrate on creating a solid shooting platform with every step.

An officer should never be a target. For suspects who do not understand this rule, an officer should be moving, less exposed or behind cover when confronting high-risk situations. The glide step should be incorporated in every range training session.

Clearing for strong side carry
For blazer wear, the weapon-hand thumb is used to hook the clothing. The user pokes the stomach between the navel and sternum with the tip of the weapon-hand thumb and draws a line horizontally toward the gun with the thumb, using the fingers to help clear, if necessary. If the holster has a retention device, it is cleared by the firing hand. The user then places the web of the hand as high on the grip as possible.

For over-shirt wear, the non-firing hand grabs a fistful of clothing near the bottom of the rib cage on the weapon side and lifts the clothing up as the weapon hand establishes a firm grip.

The other part of "clearing" is ridding the field of fire from obstructions. When moving during the draw, the non-firing hand clears objects such as branches, doors, curtains or bystanders away from the weapon side. If the threat is at contact distance, the non-firing hand may be called upon to jam the opponent's draw. In this case the glide step is toward the target.

Grip, deploy and engage
The purchase on the gun must be fully established before drawing. As the dominant hand is established, the palm of the non-weapon hand is placed directly against the sternum.

As soon as the weapon clears the holster, the muzzle points at the threat. The user begins to thrust the weapon toward the threat while the non-firing hand wraps around the firing hand. Both hands continue to thrust the weapon straight out from the body.

The officer must continuously assess the target. Has the threat continued, increased or dissipated? Is there more than one threat? What is beyond the target?

Other concealed carry options
If a rifle (the ideal choice in a gunfight) or a strong side holster are not practical, there are alternatives. First, there are several other waistband options. A small of back (SOB) holster places a firearm at the belt line with a horizontal muzzle pointing away from the weapon-side hip. It allows for quick draw and invisibility when seen from the front. Bending over, however, is a dead giveaway. This disadvantage is compounded by the fact that an SOB wearer can quickly be disarmed without warning, due to the lack of peripheral vision in the rear. On the other hand, the SOB offers mobility and comfort while walking around or running. There are also inside-the-waistband SOB holsters that provide approximately the same comfort and additional concealment.

SOB holsters are not good for road trips but excellent for casual wear that includes a blazer, currently a popular fashion accessory. Even if the officer reaches into a front pocket, the gun is unseen. The lowest part of the gun protruding from the rear is at or near the belt line. Only the IWB style, which goes in the pants, will show less of the muzzle.

The cross draw
The cross draw holster is similar in design to the saddled gunfighter design popular for mounted soldiers in the turn of the century. They are fast but significantly harder to conceal. The most obvious advantage is when the user is primarily seated in a car, hence the occasional name "car holster." A seated user can discreetly extract a weapon using a motion similar to unbuckling the seat belt.

A shoulder holster is a cross draw device, meaning the user reaches from the weapon side to the non-weapon side in order to extract the weapon. Most shoulder holsters have a snap or friction retention device with magazine or handcuff holders on the non-gun side to balance the weight of the weapon. If manufactured correctly, the rear straps will swivel in certain areas, thus sitting flat across the shoulder blades.

Although most shoulder holsters are made of leather or leather-like materials, they occasionally come in fabric designs. Despite the fact they require heavier clothing, horizontal shoulder holsters are the easiest design to discreetly deploy. The user can fake a heart attack, coughing fit or cross the arms in front of the chest and already have the gun in hand, which is worth two in the holster anytime. Clear the unbuttoned shirt or blazer by dragging the non-firing fingertips against the chest, below sternum level.

Reholstering is generally a two-handed operation. The shoulder holster is not the best choice for vigorous operations like running and wrestling but ideal if the user goes from car seats to walking around on a regular basis. One may also wear a partially buttoned shirt, tucked in.

When wearing a shoulder holster, think henley-style or V-neck undershirts. The telltale sign of a shoulder holster from the front is the "bunched up" crew neck collar.

The shoulder holster also can be a very capable patrol solution to the "carries one gun" type of officer. When the officer wears a shoulder holster over the vest and under a loose fitting uniform shirt while on duty, the transition to off duty is seamless. The formula is simple: If the duty weapon is the XD 9 4-inch duty model or Glock 22, the 3-inch XD 9 or Glock 27 goes in the shoulder holster. When off duty, only the shoulder holster is worn.

Belly band holsters
The belly band is placed on the strong side with the bottom portion of the elastic and the muzzle tucked in the waistband of the pants. It is basically a large ace bandage with a sewn in holster. The belly band holster is an excellent way to carry a larger firearm under a T-shirt. The user draws the gun by reaching inside an open shirt or jacket, or lifting the shirt using the non-strong side hand and securing a good grip. If the belly band is of a proper material, it can secure a full-sized duty weapon.

Drawing a belly band holster weapon is similar to a shoulder holster draw. The user hooks the open shirt or jacket with the non-weapon hand and reaches them. Once a proper grip is obtained, the presentation begins where the weapon hand and non-weapon hand are met at about sternum level, thrusting the muzzle forward. Alternately, a belly band can be set up for a cross draw by reversing the direction of the weapon.

Fanny packs, briefcases and folios
Traditionally cops have been notorious for wearing big, black fanny packs. Fortunately, most holster companies have recognized the need for colorful, civilian looking items and have answered the call. Camelbak offers a colorful waist pack called the Goblin and a hidden compartment pack called the Demon. Innocuous looking, they are comfortable wear for a family outing and are roomy enough for almost any duty weapon.

Waist packs, briefcases, folios and specialized backpacks are for expert handlers. The concept of hiding a weapon in plain sight requires convincing strategies and complete familiarity with the system. Besides the black, tactical-looking cover, the other obvious giveaway of a holster waist pack is the fact that officers wear them in front.

Occasionally, it is healthy conduct to reach into one of the pockets and withdraw a digital camera or similar item, convincing the audience of the urgency of wearing the pack in the front. A quick draw from a waist pack or briefcase is also a tactic that prepositions the user's hands near the weapon.

Using a waist pack requires practice. First, the user must know where the gun is positioned in the pack. Most products have VELCRO holsters or similar devices to hold the gun in place. The gun is usually mounted diagonally, not vertically. The user has to rip open noisy VELCRO, or yank on a ripcord to get the dual zippers moving. Either motion will immediately announce the true purpose of the waist pack. Therefore, users of these items must practice identifying a threat early and discreetly gripping the weapon in a partially opened case. In other words, get a hand on the gun early.

For the VELCRO openers, the officer can work the fingers in from the top, thus pre opening the case. For dual zipper packs, pulling the dual zippers apart one to two inches when on alert for problems may improve the tactical edge.

When using a briefcase device, the strap should be adjusted and worn so the users non-firing fingertips can naturally hover around the holster opening. The non-firing hand yanks the VELCRO open and the firing hand presents the concealed weapon. Users who carry a briefcase on a regular basis should consider placing a bullet-resistant panel inside. When drawing, the briefcase can be held in front of the chest.

Underwear holsters
Underwear holsters allow nearly invisible carry and allow deployment of a respectable sized gun. They are best employed with jeans and a tucked-in shirt. However, they are also suitable for a range of wardrobe choices. Although their construction appears to be a simple mating of two flat pieces of material in a little VELCRO, their design is critical, especially at the pouch seam. Well-made underwear holsters use the outer garment to keep the gun flat against the lower pelvic area.

When drawing an underwear holster, the non-firing thumb hooks the waist band above the gun grip. The firing fingertips reach in, thumbnail toward stomach, to secure the gun.

Ankle holsters
Ankle holster wearers rarely wear pants long enough or baggy enough. The cuffs need to be long enough to touch the ground if the foot was not there to hold them up. Test concealment by sitting in a chair at the dining table and crossing the legs. If the muzzle shows, it is time for new pants. To draw, step forward in a deep lunge. While stepping, grab a handful of pants leg just above the knee, exposing the weapon.

Carrying a concealed weapon is a serious responsibility. It must be nearly invisible until needed and have enough security to prevent arming the wrong person. Most importantly, practice, practice, practice.