Many of you remember my review on the Flashbang Holster from Looper Law Enforcement. If you haven't read it, you can here.
I recently got to tour the workshop where the Flashbang and her new sisters are constructed. I tell you what, the Looper family has something to be proud of and after three generations of hard work, they sure do know what they are doing.
As much as I love the Flashbang, there are sometimes when it is simply not the solution but the Looper family have come up with the answer to those problems too. Over the next few days, I hope to share each of these sweet ladies with you.
Today, as I was wearing a dress, I spent the day with Marilyn. Marilyn is a bra holster, like her big sister, the Flashbang; however, Marilyn rides in the side of the bra instead of the front, similar to a shoulder holster. It works for situation when a woman is wearing a sports bra or a dress. Drawing is by reaching into the neckline of the cover garment.
The Marilyn is a Kydex clamshell like the Flashbang, it has a leather retention strap with a safety snap, and a clip to keep it from slipping down into the bra cup. The Marilyn is made to fit to over 20 models and growing all of the time.
You have to find the adjustment of the Marilyn to where it can be concealed, yet easily drawn, but once you do, this holster is an asset to any wardrobe. It conceals completely as you can see in the pictures.
The draw of the Marilyn is fast and easy. I am not as fast with the Marilyn as I am with the Flashbang, but with some practice, I am sure that I will be. It is a simple pull right out of the Kydex clamshell, just like the Flashbang.
The Marilyn is super comfortable. Once it is situated and concealed, you hardly notice it's there. It doesn't slip or move and makes it possible to wear even more styles of clothing and completely conceal a firearm.
The price is super affordable. At around $40 plus shipping, this great little holster fits most any budget. You can order yours at many places including Looper Brand and Bang Bang Boutique.
Several people (mostly men) have asked about safety while holstering and drawing, flagging and more...so I really want to address that. When holstering and drawing, at no point am I flagging myself. I am completely safe at all times and my muzzle direction is at no time what I would consider unsafe. The holster has a full trigger guard, giving me 100% peace of mind that my firearm is safe from UD at all times in the Marilyn holster. The muzzle is pointed at the ground and the trigger is completely covered.
Would I recommend this holster for other women? Absolutely. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them here or on my Facebook page. And don't forget to look for reviews for two more Looper brand products in the week to come.
Out of the Flashbang and the Marilyn, which one would you recommend if I only wanted to buy 1 holster?
ReplyDeleteIf I could only get one, it would be the Marilyn.
ReplyDeleteDo you find the Kydex pinches your skin if you are active, like walking, or if in a sports bra, running?
ReplyDeleteI have never had a problem with the Marilyn pinching. After wearing it faithfully for some time now, I even find it more secure and more comfortable than the Flashbang.
ReplyDeleteDo either (or both) the Flashbang or the Marilyn conceal completely with any size bust?
ReplyDeleteIs the Marilyn designed strong arm or weak arm carry?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm very modestly busted after breast reconstruction following breast cancer. I'm at best a full B cup. Do you think that would be good enough to conceal with this holster?
I wear primarily dresses, so most other holsters are unsuitable. Thanks for the honest critique. :-)
Anon & Erika,
ReplyDeleteThe Flashbang and Marilyn both work best with B-cup or larger. In a recent holster cliinc, I demonstrated the Deep Conceal holster as an under the shirt option for smaller busted women. Looper does have many holster options for women, though, if you don't require the kind of concealment that Erika is discussing. Erika, I think with a full B cup, that Marilyn would be your girl. I faithfully take her with me wherever I go and love her to pieces. I am excited to try out the Annie O and the new belts offered by Looper.
Marilyn is worn on the weak side, for quick draw by the strong arm. To explain, I am right handed, so I wear Marilyn in the outside of my left bra cup so that I can reach inside the neck of my shirt, draw and bang. I have some video somewhere, I will try to post it this evening.
Thanks for asking questions. Let me know if you have any more and thanks for hanging out with me!
Lady
I am petite and a d cup. I am planning on purchasing a Springfield xds. Do u think that would conceal well? It's a small pistol but its definitely bigger than a .380!
ReplyDeleteI can promise you this, you can conceal anything, just not in your bra. I can perfectly conceal my husband's full size 1911, but not in my bra. If you want to carry the XDs, you can, you will just have to make adjustments to fit your style and choice of firearm.
ReplyDeleteI have not had the pleasure yet of getting my sweet fingers on an XDs yet, so I am not sure how well it would conceal. I would reccomend asking Lisa at Looper Law Enforcement (the creator of the Flashbang) she would be thrilled to help you!
I would also LOVE to hear back from ou about what you decide.
I have a Sig P290 I want to carry while I jog would you recommend the Marilyn or the Flash bang holster for "Sports Bra"
ReplyDeleteMarilyn was made with sports bras in mind and would definately be my choice.
ReplyDeleteTexas Lady, did you have problems with the clip sticking up? Today was the first day I wore the Marilyn, as I'm reviewing some holsters for a womens holster/gun clinic I'm having in a couple weeks and I'm not satisfied with the way the clip pokes out. I actually ended up taking the clip off and wore it all day with no issues, I actually liked it a lot better than the flashbang. . .
ReplyDeleteI have not had any issues with the Marilyn at all. It is my current fave!!!
ReplyDeletewhat size is your gun? i have a glock 19 and i would love to get this holster but it looks like my gun would be too big to fit it.
ReplyDeleteShe doesn't currently have one to fit a Glock 19 as far as I know, and I doubt you want a firearm that size in your bra. If you go to flashbangholsters.com you can find a full list.
ReplyDeleteI carry a S&W .38sp, would a J-frame revolver be too bulky for this type of carry?
ReplyDeleteI am built very small and am not able to effectively conceal using a holster like the Marilyn (or other upper-body style holsters).
ReplyDeleteI have a Colt DS NP .32 2" and want to carry OWB, (so I can wear my blouse over it). I have only been able to find one mfg (Kramer) that makes a "low-rider" owb holster - which keeps the butt of the gun off my rib cage. I'm not sure why more mfgs don't focus a little more on providing this type of holster for ladies like me - but if you have any suggestions, I would appreciate your input.
Looper also makes a few amazing OWB holsters, me and my Cowboy both love "Sophia" which is very comfy http://www.looperlawenforcement.com/sophia-holster.html and the "Annie O" which I haven't tried yet http://www.looperlawenforcement.com/annie-o-holster.html. Then there's "Betty" another one of my favorite ladies but she's made for IWB http://www.looperlawenforcement.com/betty-holster.html
DeleteIf you order, please be sure to let them know you found them here.
I am thinking about ordering a Marilyn Holster (I have a flashbang, and love it, but want another option). I am right handed, so should I select right or left draw? I am just wondering as it's a cross-draw type holster. Is right-draw right handed, or drawn on the right? I am fairly new to holsters.
ReplyDeleteRight draw is right handed, even though it is on your left side.
DeleteWho manufactures this holster?
ReplyDeleteLike the above poster, my wife carries a S&W J frame revolver, but it wasn't listed as an available model. I was hoping I could send a mold and have a holster custom made, but I need contact info first.
Looper Law Enfoecement www.looperlawenforcement.com/ 2124 S I-35 Service Rd Oklahoma City, OK 73129 (405) 677-1655
DeleteThanks for this review! I think I'll be ordering one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your info. I to have 'a reason to care' and can empathize with your need to protect yourself and famiy. I have a hoster issue that you might have experience with.
ReplyDelete1. The handle of my .380 flips out with the Flashbang. When mounted in the front of my bra, it does not ride flush with my body. I tried it on my weak side inside my bra. This has less printing but it still flips out. It seems the balance of the gun is off with the Flashbang when mounting with one flexible strap. I have since attached an elastic strap to the Flashbang which goes over my shoulder. I then have to attach it to my bra strap (front & back). The position of the gun is secured under my bra which is below my armpit. It is comfortable and easily retrieved from under the shirt.
2. I also adapted a man's right handed, foreward cant, IWB holster. It is clipped inside my bra on the weak side. This is most comfortable and easily retrieved through the neckline. This particular holster has a longer clip so the weapon is lower down on my rib cage. Only problem is, it is does not secure the weapon in the holster. A snap would be bulky and print. The design is similar to the Marilyn but I believe the weapon rides down under my armpit more and is less obvious at the breast.
I am 5'7", 130 lbs and a B cup. I have an ACTIVE job. Under the arm seems to conceal well for my frame. Are there any other options out there with limited straps around my torso?
I purchased the Marilyn holster and it activates the lazer on my firearm when I place it in the holster. It also in my opinion is very uncomfortable,I wish it was leather or canvas instead of plastic. I'll have to try something else that will work better for me.
ReplyDeleteTexas Lady I am looking for a holster to conceal and fit my taurus .380. I am small framed and a B cup and I don't wear clothes big or baggy, therefore you can see everything I try. I have tried the holster that fits in my waist band, but my shirts usually don't cover low enough to conceal a handgun. My mother has the flash bang but I didn't feel it comfortable due to wearing mainly push up bras. I wanted to know if the Marilyn holster can be easily worn with a push up bra? Or do you have another recommendation?
ReplyDeleteI wear my Marilyn most of the time with my fave push-up! I agree with you that the Flashbang can be a little less comfortable. Marilyn is still my favorite holster even over a year and many holster reviews later!
DeleteI have a full size 1911 I want to carry, but how? I am an A cup and wear sports bras. I wear fairly tight jeans and shirts for work. I have tried carrying other smaller guns but don't shoot near as well with them. I am partial to the 1911 full size.
ReplyDeleteHolly, thanks for asking. When I carry hubby's 1911, I use the Crossbreed (I reviewed their compact holster here http://www.thattexaslady.com/2011/07/crossbreed-microclip-review-and.html). Flashbang's new Ava is made similar to this, if you want one made with a woman's body in mind, but I haven't had the joy of trying one out yet. Either way, I think you should be able to conceal a 1911. You may need to employ a light jacket or vest, just depending on the cant and position. If you choose either of these, please be sure to let them know that I recommended their product, I would appreciate it. Also let us know what you decided on and how it worked for you.
DeleteJust found your site! Thanks for all the great info. I was just at my parents house and got to try out my dad's CrossBreed MiniTuck in the appendix carry position. Loved it! Couldn't see it at all and was very comfy. I'll check out the Ava before I purchase the CrossBreed. My carry gun is a P238…most of the forums debating the MiniTuck with the MicroClip say that the MicroClip moves around more…with my smaller gun do you think that would be an issue for me? Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI reviewed the Microclip here http://www.thattexaslady.com/2011/07/crossbreed-microclip-review-and.html and, as you can see, with my LCP I didn't have any problems with it moving around. Since the LCP and P238 are very similar, I don't thin that you would have any problems. However, after trying them both, the MiniTuck is still my fave IWB holster of all time. Like I said to Holly, I haven't had the pleasure of trying out the Ava yet, but I love the products from Lisa and her great gals over at Flashbang and I am sure it's a great product!
DeleteBe sure to come back and let us know which one you tried, which one you ended up with, and how they worked for you. I love to get differing points of view!!
Just jumping in to give my review of the Flashbang holster. I am a B cup, but I am a very small woman. I bought the Flashbang for my S&W J Frame with a Crimson Trace Laser Grip. The gun is just too bulky for me to wear, it hangs too low for me and unless I was wearing a big bulky sweatshirt there is no way the gun would be concealed. I'm sure that with a smaller gun the holster would be fine. I have been carrying my Beretta 950 Jetfire in a holster in my bra and it works great but I may order the Marilyn holster for that gun and try it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your response. I love hearing from others how they like a holster!!
DeleteThank you for passing along all of this great information on bra holsters. After a mastectomy 6 years ago I have been carrying my current favorite, XD-S, in my bra between my chest and my prosthetic. It fits well but can move around too much. I have even concealed my Glock 17 this way too. The Marilyn sounds like a great solution for this issue. I am not sure which site I was on but it did list the Marilyn was available for the XD-S. I will let Looper know I found out about the holster from your site.
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome. It is still my most favorite holster! I will be ordering new products from Lisa very soon, as I am needing a new belt and some other things! Thanks so much for reading me!!!
DeleteHow does this stand up while wearing with a sports bra and being active? I'd love to have something besides a fannypack for jogging, but I'm worried about chafing for me and sweat getting through to the gun, it doesn't look like there's anything between skin and metal but that one layer of kydex.
ReplyDeleteIt's great for jogging. I've worn it horseback, on a treadmill, karate class and even weight lifting. I've had sweat between the kydex and skin but never between the kydex and gun. Never had any issue with chafing. When the Texas heat gets real bad, I wear a thin sports bra then my Marilyn and then the bra I have it attached to. I've had so many holsters to try and so far nothing that I like better than Marilyn even in the sweltering Texas summers and my busy life.
DeleteI have the flashbang and a 38sp. revolver. I have some concerns now about wearing this holster with my gun since I have no safety. What do you think about this. I also just got a 380 semi, and am thinking about what kind of holster would work best with it.
ReplyDeleteThe LCP also has no actual safety but the flashbang and the Marilyn both fully cover the trigger. To me, it's safe, but you have to make that call for yourself.
DeleteI bought an LCP just this week to have for deep concealment. I usually carry a 9mm Shield AIWB, but there are some situations and/or clothing options that call for non-belt carry. The LCP works wonderfully with the Marilyn. I had to tweak it a bit to remove the clip and reverse the strap. This means I carry it totally under my arm, but I can still get it it quickly. The best part is that since I often wear tanks with a cardi over it, no one can tell I'm carrying. My good dress has a shrug, so it's totally invisible there as well
ReplyDeleteMy wife has an LCR. Can the Marilyn handle it?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, sorry, I didn't realize that I wasn't getting my notifications, I promise I usually respond much faster. Unfortunately, the Marilyn is not made for the LCR only the LCP and LC9, probably because the revolver is too heavy...
Delete