Initially, I was content to leave discussion of the flashbang bra holster to female bloggers. This was for several reasons:
– Number one, I don’t like to discuss products that I have no experience with.
– Number two, I didn’t really think I’d ever get any actual experience with this product.
– Number three, I don’t think that I have a very large female audience, so it didn’t seem like a pressing issue when I first heard of the product.
Recently, though, I spent some time with someone who was using the flash bang bra holster. This was on a strictly professional level, so it could be said that I was deliberately trying not to stare at her chest, or any other part of her body below the neck. Still, I like to think that I am fairly aware of whether or not someone I am near is carrying a firearm, especially when I’m in close proximity with them for hours at a time.
I had no idea that she was carrying until she told me. I think I asked her if she could spot my 1911 or my J frame, to which she replied “No, can you see my LCP?”
Despite this being a perfect excuse to check her out, I don’t think I gave her more than a cursory examination. I still couldn’t spot the pistol, although I was looking at the more traditional areas for carry a hip, ankle, and so on.
She was dressed in rather fashionable/stylish clothing, not skintight, but not baggy. My initial thoughts were that whatever the male equivalent of her clothing would have been, trying to find a place to conceal a handgun would be difficult. I said, “I don’t see it.”
That’s when she tapped her chest and said, “I’m using the flashbang holster.”
Needless to say, I was surprised. I don’t even think that it was very noticeable or easy to spot after I had been informed of its location. Now, a Ruger LCP is not exactly a 1911 in terms of size, but it’s something that I have carried in the past and would carry again.
I was discussing the issue with a friend and fellow male later on, and he brought up the point that it’s a great location for carry, because it’s rather impolite to stare at a woman’s chest in public. Neither he nor I thought that “I was just trying to see if you are carrying a gun” is a good enough excuse in the face of righteous indignation from a female.
I’ll leave discussions of its actual use to those who have the experience to discuss it with authority, but I can say that it offers a unique carry option that should not, in my opinion, be ignored.
“I think I asked her if she could spot my 1911 or my J frame, to which she replied ‘No, can you see my LCP?'”
This sentence unintentionally, I’m sure, makes for some humorous firearm innuendo. Keep up the good work, Andrew.
I was thinking…no ones going to touch that?! “Is that a J frame in your pants..?” (smiles all around..)
I will admit that this is an interesting and novel way to carry a handgun and nearly unnoticeable even on that slender young lady, but I would have concerns about carrying a firearm where the muzzle is pointed generally at your grape. I know trigger discipline etc, but there is little margin for error there. I noticed in the video that she appears to not only point the handgun at her head while holstering, it appears most of the reholstering sequence has her pointing the muzzle near or directly at some vital organs in the chest. In iwb, if your handgun discharges during reholster for whatever reason, the worst that could happen is you would bleed out arterially, but it seems that you could in fact shoot yourself in the head with this rig. No amount of tourniquets and quick clot will help you then.
To Micah:
I don’t know what video you were watching but at no point in reholstering or wearing the flashbang is the firearm pointed at my head or any other vital or non vital organ. It points just below the breast and if somehow it was accidentally discharged (virtually impossible with proper gun handling and with the long trigger pull on the LCP) it may graze across the skin and hit whatever I am standing beside. Holstering should be practiced no matter WHAT holster you are wearing, as improper gun handling can cause an accident at any time.
Upon further review, I see that the holster is oriented toward the left of the shooter. I was watching the video linked in the above blog post and in the video it appears that the handgun is pointed at her head during reholstering. Other videos show the holster without the shirt and it makes it clear that the weapon is never pointed at the head.
The holster being oriented to the left would be no more dangerous than a shoulder holster to the wearer and obviously, the burden of safety is upon the wearer of ANY holster. Anything that makes it easier for the fairer sex to carry is great in my book! Great to hear from a lady who carries.
I once asked my girlfriend where she’s hide a concealed firearm. “Between my boobs, probably. If it sticks out a bit I can always berate people for staring at my boobs.”
My man-boobs aren’t big enough to hide a gun underneath, unfortunately (ehh…).
Not wanting to be that guy but men look at boobs quite a lot. It might not be polite but we still do…
Yeah, I will admit that I have glanced at boobs once or twice in my life. But I think that the carry location provides a lot of deniability.
I dont think my wife would go for one of those. She loves her Crossbreed IWB holster too much.
I am the person who made the flashbang bra holster. It was created as a means to study the effectiveness and safety of the holster. We now recommend the user remove the holster before inserting a loaded pistol in the holster. If you watch the second video (Less interesting with no female) I explain more of the mechanics of the design. The muzzle never points at the head. I realize most folks are unfamiliar with the clamshell and assume the pistol inserts into the holster in the traditional fashion. The trigger guard of the pistol is completely encased by the holster and cannot be accessed until completely clear which for most people occurs at about belly button level. The sudden release of tension from the holster causes the pistol and shooting hand to quickly move away from the body after the muzzle has already cleared the opposite arm that is pulling up the shirt.
Hope this helps!
OOps Typo. I made the holster video, NOT the holster! IT is a product of Looper Brand. Patent Pending.
In regards to the comments of inadvertently shooting a vital body part off, I have considered that as a woman and one that wants the flashbang. I have a S&W .38 j frame that has a long trigger pull and realize this is a necessary function. I am a petite woman and carrying a weapon on my body is difficult but with the flashbang it’s doable.
I use the Flashbang as my EDC method. It’s a lifesaver as I work in a very Liberal community in the heart of Seattle. I could potentially lose clients if they thought for a second that I was a lifetime NRA member and carried a gun literally everywhere I go. The Flashbang is the purest form of concealed carry. I can guarantee it is always concealed, I have years of practice keeping my boobs covered in public. It doesn’t accidentally print through any of my clothes, I don’t have to readjust it constantly, and I don’t worry about dropping it on the floor in the bathroom. Honestly the only way someone would know is if I told them and because it’s a concealed weapon I dont discuss it with anyone I wouldn’t invite to shoot with me.
That said if you’re interested in buying a Flashbang for yourself or a loved one be sure to buy it directly from Lisa Looper. The fuckhead on eBay is only reselling what he bought at wholesale and has nothing to do with the company or product.
I use the Flashbang to carry my S&W .38 J Frame every day. Like Debra said, it has a long trigger pull and would be very difficult to inadvertently discharge. The muzzle never points at my head. The gun enters the holster from below, not in the way it would enter an IWB holster. And it usually is holstered before I attach the Flashbang to my bra. When drawing my gun, I pull straight down and it again never points at my head or body, other than my left breast that the gun rests under. I almost never wear clothing that I could conceal an IWB holster in so the Flashbang allows me to carry when I usually would not be able to.
I hadn’t really taken the Flashbang seriously prior to this article. Thanks for the post! Note to self: Don’t be so quick to judge newish holsters…
I have a flashbang holster for my LCP. I love it for me it has been the most convient way to carry, it’s also very comfortable. I don’t have to worry about anyone spotting it, no one knows unless I tell them. I don’t have to worry about what jacket, shirt or pants I want to wear anymore, heck I wear it with a tank top. At first I was a little concerned about the placement with the girls but after buying one, wearing it and practicing I am very comfortable with it and the way I typically carry now.
yup, looks like you have only guys that read your site…
Looks great, but my wife wants to know how comfortable is it while you are sitting.
That’s a good question. I’ll leave it up to one of the women to answer…