I have a concealed carry question

[jashobeam]

When carrying a gun in the 4 o'clock to 6 o'clock positions (for right-handers), do you worry about someone touching the small of your back and accidentally feeling your gun? I'm not sure why anyone would touch a stranger at his/her waistline, but it seems it would be impossible to guard against.

What about friends/co-workers horsing around with you unexpectedly?

Obviously, if you carried in the front you would be more likely to intercept the hand of a buddy trying to give you a friendly slap on the gut, thus avoiding discolsure.

Am I the only one who works with young, rambunctious, hyperactive men and touchy-feely women who might at any moment land a mock-punch to my stomach? Maybe SmartCarry would be my only safe bet were I to decide to carry at work. Maybe I need to grow up and redefine my personal boundaries.

[jpIII]

There are two main times that you have to be careful in my opinion.

#1 - relatives (especially aunts) who want to give you a hug.
solution - go low in the hug and make the other person reach over you. If the other person goes low act like you don't realize it and go low anyway. Most people will change if you keep your arms low.

#2 - friends (especially girls) etc, patting your back
solution - .... not much of a solution there. If you're trying to prevent girls from touching your back, it might be a solution in search of a problem.:neener: Sorry I know that wasn't much help.

I carry at 4 o'clock. It is much more comfortable when seated. I find it to be the best all around solution.

If you frequent areas like you describe, it sounds like you may need a small pocket revolver and pocket holster. I suggest a S&W 642.

[jashobeam]

Like many here at THR, I daydream incessantly about guns. Concealed carry is only a dream for most of us here in CA, but nevertheless I am attempting to prepare my options just in case.

[carebear]

If they ask, say you're just happy to see them. If they mention that it is on your back, tell them it wraps around.

:evil:

What are they gonna say then?

[ccw007]

If they ask, say you're just happy to see them. If they mention that it is on your back, tell them it wraps around.

:evil:

What are they gonna say then?


Now that is funny. The wife came to see what I was laughing at.

I have only had someone bump into my gun once. I was a 6 year old kid running around not listening to his mom. Well he ended up running into to me hitting his head on the butt of my gun. He walked off looking at me funny rubbing his head. He started listening to him mom after that too. The look on his face was priceless.
When it comes to hugs I go low on my carry side

[Cacique500]

Well he ended up running into to me hitting his head on the butt of my gun. He walked off looking at me funny rubbing his head. He started listening to him mom after that too. The look on his face was priceless.

http://www.1911pistolgrips.com/img/miscwebpics/rofl.gif

Am I the only one who works with young, rambunctious, hyperactive men and touchy-feely women who might at any moment land a mock-punch to my stomach?

Next time you get 'mock punched' do a 'mock draw' ;)

[EddieCoyle]

I carry at 8:00 (I'm a lefty) in a high ride pancake. Guys don't generally touch me (I'm 42 and look like a Sopranos cast member). Any time a girl or relative has touched me and felt my gun, I try to ignore it. If they persist and ask me, "Really, what is that?" I tell them, "That's my gun". If it's a relative, they'll smile and ask me what I'm carrying (gun family). If I'm on a date, I'll watch her reaction. If she's horrified, I know enough to not have any more dates with her (it happens). If she's turned on (happens a lot) or tells me about her carry gun, then she's a keeper.

[Zundfolge]

I have only had someone bump into my gun once. I was a 6 year old kid running around not listening to his mom. Well he ended up running into to me hitting his head on the butt of my gun. He walked off looking at me funny rubbing his head. He started listening to him mom after that too. The look on his face was priceless.

I had the exact thing happen to me (only the kid was with his dad). Kid and his sister where playing tag among the people waiting in line at McDonalds.

[Colt]

I share many of your concerns.

My solution is to let the situation dictate the carry method.

For example, around the office, where one of my buddies may give me a fake shot to the kidney, or a female coworker may sidle up to me in the break room to complain about her boss (yes, I have it rough), I ankle carry. The relatively low likelyhood that I'll need to quick draw in the office, coupled with the moderate risk of being discovered carrying in a belt holster, makes this a good choice. At home, as well, I don't like my family or relatives feeling my pistol as we hug or play together, and again, the likely necessity of a fast draw is relatively low, so I ankle carry again.

Now when we go out to dinner, venture out hiking, visit the city, or plan to be in any other remote and/or crowded area, I always carry either IWB or regular belt holster. These activities represent my highest risk situations, and warrant higly-accessible carry methods. The likelyhood of casual contact with other individuals is very small, and outweighed by accessibility needs.

YMMV.

[AirForceShooter]

so they found out you're packing. So What!!!

AFS

[DelayedReaction]

I'm tall enough that a 'low hug' would result in me picking people up. :rolleyes:

Any other suggestions?

[Super Trucker]

so they found out you're packing. So What!!!

AFS

+1

If it is a real issue , just say it is an insulin pump.

[Too Many Choices!?]

As long as it isn't somewhere else visible that is...I've used this one once, funny look(alarm level 2) was changed to whoops...:neener:

[Alex45ACP]

Just say it's your cell phone.

[mike benedict]

If you can carry in the workplase without being fired that you do not have a problem
If you can't go to a more discrete method.
Ankle holsters by Lou Allessi are great.
a pocket holster for a J-frames is a great choice. (I always have a J-frame in my pocket)
For the office off body carry is also good, a day-planner or briefcase works for me.

Mike
www.talontactical,com
Kydex concealed carry holsters

[Meta4]

"Oh, that's just my colostomy bag. I think it's getting full."

-James

[sturmruger]

I have had a few people bump into my gun. One of them even said "wow that is hard" I was wearing my Steyr S40 at 3 o'clock. I told her it was a cellphone since most people assume it is a cellphone or leatherman tool they will not disagree.

[spacemanspiff]

its a PDA.

personal defense accessory.
protection device alpha.


so what line of work would i have to get in where i get molested by female co-workers?

[jashobeam]

so what line of work would i have to get in where i get molested by female co-workers?
I work in a grocery store. These girls are baggers and cashiers. Their ages range from 16 to 23. I'm 35. They only joke around with me because I treat them like sisters and they trust me and consider me safe. If I ever even acted like I thought they were flirting with me or if I were to come on to any one of them, they would probably be disgusted and have nothing to do with me. I've seen how they react to "flattery" from older men. They don't find it remotely flattering or even amusing. Oh, and I'm their supervisor.

It's not being robbed that I'm really afraid of, it's the thought of being unable to help one of these girls in some robbery-turned-rape scenario. I also wouldn't much like getting killed over a measly $10k+/- either.

[Ryder]

I can't recall the last time anyone tried to touch me. No problem maintaining a respectable personal space here. Maybe because I don't touch them?

I've warned Asian co-workers away from me several times. Don't know why they like standing on my toes. They seem to like me.

When I get in a crowded situation where risk of a bump is a concern I cover the area I want to protect with my arm.

[clt46910]

When I worked in a office I could get away with wearing cowboy boots. It covered my ankle holster that I wore a little on the high side. I used a knee strap to help keep it higher on my leg. This was an office that did not allow guns onsite.

Ryder..Most Asians(raised in their country not stateside raised) do not have as large a personal or comfort space as we are use to. They will get right up next to you, and a lot of them will touch you as they talk to you. Just part of their culture. I found this also in a lot of Arab countries. Standing in line is a real experience...:rolleyes: 30 people in a ten foot long line...:uhoh:

[Red_SC]

I carry at 4:00 if I'm wearing a coat, or 12:00 any other time. I've had my gun hit a couple of times- usually the people act a little surprised, but that's it. Usually you can guard it with your arms pretty well, though.

The funniest time was about a year ago. My wife's family was talking about gaining 'holiday pounds', and her cousin made the comment that my wife must be feeding me well, as she patted my stomach (or rather, my 1911).

Her::what: Ummm, that's not stomach!

[Havegunjoe]

That likes to put his arm around you as you walk down the hall talking. It's just that European culture nothing else. I have to make sure I approch him with the gun away and keep my arm over it.

[Brian Williams]

so they found out you're packing. So What!!!
I'm fired, thats what.

[jashobeam]

My boss told me the other day that he doesn't want anyone to carry knives at work! The day before, a female co-worker saw someone playing with my knife (he was flicking it open, closed, open, closed). I saw her coming and told him to stop. The idiot thinks I tell him what to do just to give him an opportunity to defy me. Sure enough, he just continues playing with my "weapon-in-the-workplace" (as I'm sure she described it to my boss) right until she walks up to him. It's my fault. He learned it from me--the flicking thing, not the defiance thing ("I learned it from you, Dad!"...nevermind). Unfortunately, what he didn't learn from me was timing and location, location, location.

My boss told me that if I see anyone with an "inappropriate item", such as a knife, I have to "tell them to leave it in their car."

I said, "No problem."

Then, after leaving his office, I unclipped my knife from the top of my pocket, where it was visible, and let it slide all the way down inside my pocket and out of sight. No way I'm coming to work without my Benchmade. While I do cut some boxes or plastic with it every now and then, this particular model is best suited for a different purpose. I don't recall the model number, but it's similar to an AFCK (Advanced Folding Combat Knife), only it has the 'Axis' lock. I paid about $120 for it. Black, partially serrated 4-or so-inch blade.

So, needless to say, CCW would not be happily welcomed at work, and would have to remain very concealed and on the low-down. If I am ever legally able to carry, and choose to do so at work, disclosure would be catastrophic.

[buddy.sxdp]

I usually use a shoulder holster under my suits. Its usually a little tricky to hide when given a hug.Any suggestions?
Maybe i should use belt or ankle holster?

-buddy

[carebear]

Go in low and inside with your gun side arm. You want them hugging the outside of your arm and back, not feeling up your torso. Since the "normal hug" typically involves one arm in, one out for each person (otherwise it's a bear hug) that doesn't help your ammo or off-gun side.

Not sure why you feel obliged to hug people who don't already know you carry. It is a fairly intimate action and isn't yet a culturally expected thing between strangers anywhere I've been in the US. You can always short cut the closing move to hug by subtly moving away/aside while simultaneously obtrusively interposing your handshake hand in between your bodies.

If it's a first date situation, you might bring it up prior or let that be the conversation starter or, as you suggest, go to an alternate carry location.

[buddy.sxdp]

Thanks much Carebear
and yes it's a dating issue
sometimes guns scare them off

-buddy

[Zundfolge]

I'm not much of a hugger ... I hug my wife and mother and thats pretty much it. People who insist on hugging generally get their right hand grabbed and a firm handshake when they go in for the hug.

yes it's a dating issue sometimes guns scare them off

Thinks of your gun as a litmus test ... any woman "scared off" by it is a good thing.



I've experimented with a lot of different carry positions and setups over the years and I still find that IWB at 3 O'Clock is about the overall best spot for CCW.

It conceals best (when bending over the butt of the pistol doesn't stick out ... also your arm covers the piece so you can hold down your cover garment in the wind just by sticking your hand in your pocket).
You can access your piece when belted into the car.
I find it most comfortable (no pistol jabbing you in the kidney or muzzle poking you in the leg).
You can carry a pretty large gun a 3 O'Clock (even so, my EDC is a Kahr MK9).

[carebear]

...I still find that IWB at 3 O'Clock is about the overall best spot for CCW.

...and, if you are hugging someone, you do the "low and inside" move on your gun side and they never feel the gun. Offside ammo on your belt they will often rationalize as phone, multitool, something innocuous.

I now tend to ease guns into conversation to weed out the hard-core anti's early and soften the blow for the one's who never considered it. More fair for both sides and opens up honesty and trust points for you.

[Slinger]

Carry your gun right at 12 o'clock, just south of your belt buckle.

I can almost guarantee nobody is gonna touch you there, deliberately. If they touch you there by accident just tell them how "happy" you are to see them!:p

[JamisJockey]

Firstly, I'm really short, so people rarely touch the small of my back. Usually its my shoulder.
However, in an accidental encounter, i'd just lie. Its a PDA.