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Public Restrooms & IWB

19K views 143 replies 76 participants last post by  SpringerTGO 
#1 ·
Can someone please give me a little advice on how to handle using public restrooms when carrying IWB. basically i need to know what you all do with your firearm when it is attached to your pants, pulled down around the ankles. it seems a little floppy and unpredictable when not pressed against my body... i would hate to have it end up in the toilet when i am in a "high pressure situation"

-not kidding
 
#38 ·
#39 ·
The holstered gun should stay with your belt and pants. What are you going to do, shoot on the move with your pants around your ankles?

Screwing around with carry guns in public is a bad idea. God, how many news stories are there with some dolt dicking around with his carry gun and setting off a catastrophe. Keep it in yer pants!
 
#40 ·
It's about Glocking in General amigo, with a bodily function every handgun carrier needs to deal with at some point.

I couldn't agree more! (everyone has to "go" every now & then; )

But to apply my expertise to the OP's question.............first of all, just about any time I'm "out & about", it's a 95% chance I'll be in good old Terre Haute, In. I'm very "selective" as to where I "drop my pants" (for any reason ), and any time I have this need while in TH, I will almost always go to one of two places; #1 is a Union Hospital; I'm totally familiar with ALL public facilities at UH, and I can always count of world-class cleanliness at UH; also, the other folks you're apt to encounter in a public rest room at UH is generally way above average.

Also........because I'm also very "into" photography, I happen to have something that's called a "Clik Elite Body Link" which is essentially a small pack designed to carry a full size D-SLR with a 70-200 mm zoom lens, and has a harness that allows it to be worn either as a back-pack or a chest-pack; I generally keep it in my car, (empty), and anytime I'm going to need to have my pants down, my G-34 (and anything that may fall out of my pockets, like car keys, wallet, loose quarters, etc go in the pack and stay on my chest while I'm "busy".

No laying valuables down on the floor, toilet tank, or any place else for me; I left my wallet on a sink counter in a service station once when I was getting out of my dress blues and into my levis and MC boots one time while I was in the Navy in 1952; I discovered I was missing my wallet 20 minutes later, took 10 minutes to return, and my wallet was still where I left it after half an hour! You don't get that lucky more than twice in a lifetime.

In certain circumstances I carry my G-34 in the chest pack; if the need arises, I can have it on-target quicker from there than I can from my IWB holster and no shirt to mess with.
 
#41 ·
I couldn't agree more! (everyone has to "go" every now & then; )

But to apply my expertise to the OP's question.............first of all, just about any time I'm "out & about", it's a 95% chance I'll be in good old Terre Haute, In. I'm very "selective" as to where I "drop my pants" (for any reason ), and any time I have this need while in TH, I will almost always go to one of two places; #1 is a Union Hospital; I'm totally familiar with ALL public facilities at UH, and I can always count of world-class cleanliness at UH; also, the other folks you're apt to encounter in a public rest room at UH is generally way above average.

Also........because I'm also very "into" photography, I happen to have something that's called a "Clik Elite Body Link" which is essentially a small pack designed to carry a full size D-SLR with a 70-200 mm zoom lens, and has a harness that allows it to be worn either as a back-pack or a chest-pack; I generally keep it in my car, (empty), and anytime I'm going to need to have my pants down, my G-34 (and anything that may fall out of my pockets, like car keys, wallet, loose quarters, etc go in the pack and stay on my chest while I'm "busy".

No laying valuables down on the floor, toilet tank, or any place else for me; I left my wallet on a sink counter in a service station once when I was getting out of my dress blues and into my levis and MC boots one time while I was in the Navy in 1952; I discovered I was missing my wallet 20 minutes later, took 10 minutes to return, and my wallet was still where I left it after half an hour! You don't get that lucky more than twice in a lifetime.

In certain circumstances I carry my G-34 in the chest pack; if the need arises, I can have it on-target quicker from there than I can from my IWB holster and no shirt to mess with.
 
#42 ·
Hang-on...... while I get up off the floor. HAHAHAHAH !
Sadly , I wish I had this problem in Australia.
I've read this thread/subject before. The best solution I've read is to use a "handicapped stall/toilet",
where you can remove whatever gear you want(plenty of room), and then do you business.
 
#44 ·
Lmao.....that play on words was awesome even if unintended. If it's a number 1, I opt for a stall. If only a urinal is available, it is a balancing act between keeping my pants high enough to keep my shirt over it (the pistol) without peeing on myself while it (the pistol) flops around. In a stall for whatever number I don't worry too much about it (the pistol) being exposed.
 
#45 ·
What has worked for me for the last 35 years:

Always use a holster that will retain the gun upside down, friction alone is ok if it's tight enough and stays that way.
Some people say they don't need friction retention for IWB, but they've never been in a fall or fight that had them upside down for a moment- that's when your belt tends to gets slack and the gun falls out.

So, with your hand over the gun for security, unhitch your trousers and lower them just enough to sit on the pot. That should have your belt (and the holstered gun) just above your knees. Drape your hand over the gun, to keep it secure and also to cover it if someone peeks through the door gap or even barges through the door.

When finished, carefully stand up and pull up your trou at the same time. Close up and you're done.

It's possible, but more difficult and more dangerous, to do this with a loose holster. Don't take the chance, get a holster that wll retain your gun and avoid the hassles/dangers.
What about the "clean up?"

I carry strong side (RH), and do, ummm, most other things right handed. I'd either have to reach across my body to hold the gun while the right hand cleans up, or learn to clean up ambidextrously.

Unless I misunderstood the above.
 
#55 ·
What about the "clean up?"

I carry strong side (RH), and do, ummm, most other things right handed. I'd either have to reach across my body to hold the gun while the right hand cleans up, or learn to clean up ambidextrously.

Unless I misunderstood the above.
You understood correctly, I just failed to mention the "cleanup" issue.

My procedure is to switch my left hand to secure the holstered gun while I clean up with right hand, then pull up/close up everything. Seems to work well for me.
BTW, my system works equally well for IWB or OWB holsters, even "works" for holsters that don't hold the gun securely but nothing is going to be truly safe with a loose holster.
And as others mentioned, pocket carry is another solution if you can fit it.
:thumbsup:
 
#49 · (Edited)
What is an upper decker??
From the Urban Dictionary:
The act of defecating in the upper tank of the toilet. When the next poor unsuspecting person flushes the toilet they get a bowl of beef stew. the upper decker is a weapon of terror and should only be used on people who deserve it. The positioning of the feet on the toilet lid instead of the floor would, however, greatly reduce instances of concealed weapon recognition among fellow restroom occupants.

Wow, I totally didn't make that last part up.
 
#57 · (Edited)
Easy: while standing, remove your weapon and holster from your belt, and KEEP IT IN THE HOLSTER. Place holstered weapon in your armpit. Assume normal and unarmed position on toilet prior to going code brown. Place holstered weapon between underwear and crotch area of outer garment, taking full advantage of elastic capabilities of underwear or excess fabric on outer garment. For extra concealment, lay your shirt on top of the aforementioned pile.

There are other obvious modifications to this method depending on just how covert you need to be.

With this method, you'll never leave your gun behind.

ETA: if you're in a jurisdiction that frowns upon inadvertent displays of a firearm in such situations, you can take some solace in the fact that THERE IS NOT A SINGLE LEO ALIVE that hasn't been in your shoes and perhaps you can appeal to his/her personal experiences. Also, the old timers will wait for you to finish your business before making contact -- unless you sound like you're fighting the Kraken in the stall.


- D. Rifle
 
#59 ·
One other option that no one has mentioned so far, is to buy a UnderTech/Undercover gun shirt; you'll never have to worry about your weapon when you "do your business" because your pistol "stays put" in it's custom-fitted pouch underneath your upper-arm.

These things don't afford quite as quick access and draw of your weapon, but for anyone who has to spend much of their time in an office or even a court room environment, the UnderTech garments have become very popular with attorneys, judges and LEO's of late; they also afford probably the best concealment option you'll find on the market.

Although I haven't tried one of these yet, I'm contemplating buying one just to see how it would work for me in certain situations where having the weight and bulk of a gun held in place all day long by my belt can sometimes get to be a little "much". (one thing is for sure.......you'll never know how something "works" unless you have tried it. )
 
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#60 ·
Easy: while standing, remove your weapon and holster from your belt, and KEEP IT IN THE HOLSTER. Place holstered weapon in your armpit. Assume normal and unarmed position on toilet prior to going code brown. Place holstered weapon between underwear and crotch area of outer garment, taking full advantage of elastic capabilities of underwear or excess fabric on outer garment. For extra concealment, lay your shirt on top of the aforementioned pile.

There are other obvious modifications to this method depending on just how covert you need to be.

With this method, you'll never leave your gun behind.

ETA: if you're in a jurisdiction that frowns upon inadvertent displays of a firearm in such situations, you can take some solace in the fact that THERE IS NOT A SINGLE LEO ALIVE that hasn't been in your shoes and perhaps you can appeal to his/her personal experiences. Also, the old timers will wait for you to finish your business before making contact -- unless you sound like you're fighting the Kraken in the stall.


- D. Rifle
 
#63 ·
It beats the heck out of the alternative if you've really just got to go. I gotta say though, this one of the dumber questions/threads I've seen on GlockTalk. With a decent IWB setup, it's not going anywhere. If you're worried about someone seeing it under the stall walls or through the cracks:

a) you're just being paranoid. Someone would have to get down on the floor/upside down/right up against the door/wall crack to see anything

b) fold your underwear over the grip / let it flop inward and sit under your underwear. If you're not wearing underwear, get creative.

As someone else said, it's not rocket science. If you can't figure this stuff out for yourself, you should give your guns back to your parents for safe keeping.
 
#67 · (Edited)
I'm honored my thread became an article! thanks for all the sound advice!

in my case i have been carrying my 43 using a desantis tuck this 2 in the front IWB. since i have been placing the holster clip in front on the 1st left belt loop near the buckle, i had the "control issue". I think either moving my carry style to MOB or to strong side may allow for the tactics in the video to work for me.
otherwise some combo of removing the holstered firearm and placing it in my pants/pocket/jacket will have to do.

thanks again!
 
#69 ·
I'm not about to drop my belt and drawers with a gun strapped in. I am one who takes it out. As others have said - TP dispenser or toilet bowl (unholstered). If neither of these are an option, the entire holster comes off and will rest in my pants. out of sight. I am not about to forget my gun, knock on wood. At this point, I feel weird when my gun is not on me, as opposed to when it is on. I would notice right away.
That was with my Aliengear. Now I have a single clip kydex AIWB and I've yet to poop with it, but I imagine it'll streamline the process.
 
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