I used purse & fanny-pack carry for some time when I got my permit. They aren't the best way to carry, but certainly better than leaving the gun at home. I'll still use them occasionally, although I really prefer on-board carry now. Here's some tips I picked up at the time...
1. Clean out the purse! Literally. One does NOT need to carry around 15 pounds worth of makeup, accessories, keys, "Honey-can-you-carry's," and 6 months of paid bill receipts & bank statements, everywhere you go. (I'm preaching to myself as well, here
) Pare it down to the minimum, & then see what else can be discarded. For example, my personal minimum for "in town" - small wallet or card-holder for cash/cc, another separate holder for DL and CHL, comb, cell phone, car/house keys, pen & small notepad, & small maglight. I tuck a copy of the auto insurance in with my CHL. I may add the checkbook but not always. The less clutter in a purse, the easier it is to remember which pocket everything is in, and the easier it is to get to the gun and get it out of the purse.
2. I've tried both CC purses and WalMart $15 specials for carrying. Best one I found so far is a rip-stop type nylon purse from WalMart, with two large center zippered pockets and several zippered & velcroe'd outside pockets. When I use it to carry, the gun goes in the "front" of the two center pockets, and my wallet & sundries go in all the others. ID/CHL case goes in one of the outside small pockets. The gun always goes in its own pocket by itself, oriented the same way each time, and I always carry with the same side of the purse towards me. NOTHING else goes into the gun pocket. Zipper is opened up just far enough that it's easy for me to jam a couple fingers in and force the zipper open. Price, $14.98.
3. Use a purse with shoulder straps, not just a hand strap, and keep it firmly tucked between your ribs & elbow with one hand on the straps as well. Never loosen that tuck unless you have a
firm hand on the straps. And carry it more toward the front of the hip; don't let it get "bumped" into hanging behind the hip where it's easier for someone else to grab or reach into.
4. If you can get away with it, fannypacks are a bit more secure than a purse. The CC fannypack usually has straps on the back of the back panel that velcro or snap around your belt as well, making it a little bit harder to grab away, and you don't need to "let go" of it or put it down if you need both hands for something. Just remember that both purses and fannypacks have straps that can be cut or grabbed, and while you can stop payment on a checkbook and credit card with a couple phone calls, it isn't so simple to "cancel" a stolen pistol.
5. If you carry in a purse, be prepared to sacrifice the purse. You may have to shoot through it, or you may have to drop it. In fact, if you have to draw your gun, DON'T RETAIN THE PURSE once you have your hand firmly on the grips. It's faster and easier to let the purse fall OFF of the gun than to pull the gun up and OUT of the purse. Plus, not having that extra weight swinging off your elbow makes it easier to steady your aim.
6. PRACTICE - learn how to draw quickly, with either hand, no matter how you carry!
Hope this helps.
--------------------
edited for spelling & to clarify a point....