CCW - If You Could Do It All Over Again, What Would You Change?

[B yond]

-Wear shoes that allow you to move/run. It's best to avoid or evade danger rather than shoot at it.

-+1000 carrying a flashlight. Make sure it's one you can access and operate with one hand. If it's bright enough to blind someone, even better.

-Pepper spray. Fist fights aren't an option when you're carrying a loaded weapon. Pepper spray allows you to apply a certain level of force to create an opportunity to evade a threat that doesn't yet require deadly force.

 

[onlymeself]

The one thing I would do different, isn't a CCW thing, but might be beneficial to the new shooter.

My 14 year old son has been wanting a .357 revolver. He's a big boy, almost man sized, but I wanted him to start with a .22 revolver before getting a .357. Just like he got the .22 rifle before his 7mm.

So for Easter him and 12 year old son both got .22 revolvers in there baskets. One of the reasons we liked the idea for the revolvers is they will shoot anything you put into them, where the P22's are ammo sensitive.

The revolvers we bought are the kind where you flip open the side rotate the cylinder and use the rod to push spent brass out. Now we have never had an AD, but son somehow skipped a round twice, once when shooting, once when emptying the spent brass. Upon reloading he found it. It scared him a little for he seen the potential for disaster. His revolver was on safe, and he never pointed the muzzle at anyone, but he seen that had he not been following safety rules something terrible could have happened, when he thought his gun was unloaded. Drill safety into the kids, and going over the rules everytime we go to the range does work.

Anyway, what I would do differently... For a new, inexperianced, or young shooter, I would suggest a revolver where the whole cylinder flips out for reloading or for emptying spent brass. Then there is no going to fast, emptying brass, so skip a live round. Sure it probably could still happen, but I think it would be less likely.

One thing I do and won't change. Take your kids shooting! But everytime you go to the range go over safety!! Make a game out of it, who ever recites the most rules, and can explain why that rules is in place, gets to shoot first. Don't just tell them the rules, make THEM tell you!!

 

[Zach S]

Built my AMT Hardballer into a dedicated rimfire much sooner.

Got the VM2 when I was single (and had money - still don't have either).

 

[B yond]

-Study anatomy. I think it's helpful to know where the bullet has to go to disable a threat as quickly as possible. Even though the best you can do is often to aim for COM and hope you hit something important, it could be helpful to know where the important stuff is.

 

[NDGeek]

CCW - If You Could Do It All Over Again, What Would You Change?

How about not posting to threads started by people you know, in which you have nothing relevant to say?

Wait.. too late

 

[B yond]

How about not posting to threads started by people you know, in which you have nothing relevant to say?

Wait.. too late

Was that a bump?

This thread really should be stickied.

 

[Feanaro]

"Carry a flashlight/pepper spray" and "shoot to kill" are not ideas that make CCW easier for new people. Some of these are good points but I think newcomers would be better served by tips that saved them from common mistakes. Buying a good belt can save lots of grief and money. Buying a flashlight doesn't prevent you from wasting time and money. (It does allow you to blind friends and enemies for fun and survival, respectively. Not that I endorse doing this to your friends. Unless it's really funny.)

It's technically the property of THR

Only if you want it to be. Messages posted on a forum are copyrighted to the poster, unless some other agreement is arranged. There's nothing in the terms of use about releasing your copyrights, AFAIK.

 

[AKElroy]

4. Don't get paranoid about people seeing your gun under your clothing. Nobody cares.

When I first started carrying 20 years ago, I was obsessed with concern over being detected & I have a closet full of mouse guns to prove it. Now, I regularly carry a full size 1911 in an open top high ride OWB pancake under a light tee or polo shirt. Nobody notices. Nobody cares. Nobody pays attention.

 

[Philip Marlowe]

You are dead-on with a solid belt. A good .22 is another terrific investment.

I'd also avoid trying to dress, and then decide what I could conceal, instead of concealing and dressing around it...

 

[kyo]

I would have read more of the "how to shoot" books before I went to the range. I also agree on the holster/belt. I bought like 1 belt, 3 holsters before I figured it out. Now I have my 1 that fits, and the belt that fits.
I did skip the 22. Went from a 9 to a 45. I also went with ruger although they are "anti-gun" < lol.
Yea, be less paranoid but I learned it happens to all new people. Im pretty much over it now, and sometimes I forget its there.
oh and flashlights. I learned that one quick, keep one on you

 

[ir3e971]

I would say that when getting started you should take a hard, critical look at what you are willing to carry regularly. Especially if you do not have the resources to purchase multiple firearms for different styles of dress.

Choose something that you are likely to carry most of the time, in circumstances both formal and relaxed.

Try and balance effectiveness with portability. Otherwise you may find that you leave behind your CCW during rushed trips to the store, etc.

Also would suggest that for CCW your firearm should be somewhat utilitarian. Constant carrying will take a toll on showpiece weapons. Especially if you do work or activities where you can get wet or bang up against things.

 

[JPP]

I would have bought smaller and lighter carry guns.
(I will probably never carry the Sig P220C I bought)

JP

 

[B yond]

"Carry a flashlight/pepper spray" and "shoot to kill" are not ideas that make CCW easier for new people.

Gotta disagree with that in regards to flashlight/pepper spray. I do agree that "shoot to kill" is horrible advice.

Carrying a flashlight and pepper spray doesn't make ccw and harder. In fact, I think it's very important for a CCWer to carry both.

-A flashlight at night helps you to be aware of your surroundings, which could give you more time to employ your weapon should you need it as well as possibly providing you with early warning of approaching danger so you can take appropriate evasive action before deadly force becomes necessary. Personally, my morality (and state law) won't allow me to engage a target with deadly force unless I'm positive I have no other choice and will not harm innocent bystanders by doing so. A flashlight could help me to make that determination in low-light situations.

-Pepper spray is a good tool to allow you to escape a non-life-threatening situation where some level of violence is necessary but lethal force is not called for. I don't think physical confrontations are wise when CCWing, as you could lose control of your weapon. PS gives you an opportunity to spray and run instead of getting into a fist fight or drawing your weapon.

 

[lawboy]

There really is not a lot I would have done differently.
I bought good holsters and good belts.
At the time I started carrying I already owned at least 30 handguns so I had options enough for experimentation right in the safe, and I took advantage of that.
Like most people, I did evolve in terms of the guns I prefer to carry and I may continue to evolve in the future. I don't think that is a process you can end run no matter how much forethought you put into it.
All of that said, Maybe the one think I could have done differently is to immediately go to a short 1911 with alloy frame instead of taking the long way their via years of experimenting. But, then, had I don't that, would I really know how good a choice it is? I don't know.

 

[tinygnat219]

I'd have gotten mine sooner.

 

[cpirtle]

These are my suggestions, not necessarily what I'd do differently. I know they will probably hit a nerve with some people so keep in mind they are just my opinions..

1: Be committed to pull the trigger before you start carrying. I know people that have their permit that are still unsure that they could shoot if needed. If you need to decide when the time comes, it's too late.

2: If you are not willing to carry a 1911 cocked & locked with one in the pipe, consider a different choice of firearm.

3: If you are not comfortable with any pistol having one in the pipe consider spending more time with the gun to build your confidence or consider a revolver.

4: Practice clearing leather, deactivating safeties and "point" aiming more than shooting. All the range time in the world does you no good if you can't break leather fast enough or fumble with a safety. (ETA: I don't mean to imply that you should not also shoot a lot)


+1 on competing and I would even add CAS to the list of other shooting competitions. Anything with live fire, spectators, a competitive environment and a timer is going get you closer to the feelings you will have in a real situation than putting lead on paper in a casual environment.

 

[MisterMike]

I don't know if I'd actually change anything, but I think I've picked up or have been reminded of a few pointers.

1. Before you decide to carry concealed, make sure you understand the law, the potential liabilities, and, most of all, yourself. If you're a hothead, if people tell you you drink too much, or if you think that carrying a weapon will elevate you to a position above others, forget it. It is something for mature individuals, and if you screw it up you'll cost all of us.

2. Consider carefully the way you usually dress, the places you usually go, and the activities in which you usually engage before deciding on a gun and a holster. Discount 90% of what you read on line about the "best" self-defense caliber. Bear in mind that your ability to shoot a gun accurately is more important than any other consideration.

3. Before you buy a holster, read as many reviews of it as you can. But, also be prepared to try about a half dozen holsters before you find the one that works for you. A reinforced belt makes most IWB and OWB holsters work a little better; they look the same as a regular belt.

4. Practice. Remember that the more you handle your gun, the more likely you are to become complacent about handling it safely. Don't.

5. Never forget that your decisions with a gun have the potential to alter your life and others irrevocably. If you have a chance to de-escalate a confrontation, always do so. If you have a means of retreat or escape, always use it. If you have a chance to call the police to handle a situation, do it. Your gun is there only to defend your life and those of others whose lives you may be obligated or choose to defend, after you've made reasonable efforts to avoid its use. If you live a long life and never draw it in self-defense, you've done well.

 

[thales]

"Shoot to stop. It's about stopping a violent attack, not about killing the attacker. We're not bloodthirsty gun nuts, we're people who take responsibility for our own safety."

While "shooting to stop" seems like an attractive concept, the practical difference between shoot-to-stop and shoot-to-kill is nearly non-existent. First, the only reliable shoot-to-stop target areas, i.e., center of mass (heart/lung/aorta/spine) and head (brain/brain stem/spine) are also shoot-to-kill targets. Second, if shoot-to-kill is not morally or legally justified, then neither is shoot-to-stop: it is still deadly force.

If you waste precious time and probability of success in a life-or-death situation trying to shoot-to-stop while trying to avoid shoot-to-kill, you increase the likelihood of getting killed yourself. The use of a firearm in self-defense is not to intimidate or wound an adversary: it is deadly force. If you disagree with that notion or if you are not ready, willing, and able to use deadly force then don't carry a gun.

 

[Ed Ames]

The difference between homicide and murder is mostly intent.

So, do you intend to stop, or intend to kill? Think carefully. If you answer the latter, sell your guns.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

If you waste precious time and probability of success in a life-or-death situation trying to shoot-to-stop while trying to avoid shoot-to-kill, you increase the likelihood of getting killed yourself.

You miss the point, entirely.

From the actual mechanics, there is no difference -- you shoot for center of mass. And hence there is no delay.

But you always shoot to stop -- if your assailant drops his gun, falls to the ground, or turns around and runs, you stop shooting because his attack has stopped.

 

[orionengnr]

Excellent thread.

6) Don't skip getting a .22 pistol. I waited about 5 years after I started shooting handguns to get one because I only wanted pistols that could serve "serious" purposes. Turns out I can spend a couple bucks for an afternoon at the range and get as much serious practice and fun as if I were shooting a larger handgun.

Of all the suggestions, I believe this is the best, especially given today's ammo prices. I cannot tell you how much my shooting improved since I quit worrying about the cost of ammo and added 100 rounds of .22LR to begin every shooting session.

I also agree with the advice to borrow or rent as many different pistols as possible. I have bought and sold at least two dozen pistols in the last ten years. I wanted each very much, convinced that it would be "the one" but didn't work out for whatever reason. They span a wide berth from double-stack 1911s to P3ATs, from Glocks to Scandium S&Ws.

All have since departed the premises. None are likely to be invited back.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My carry gun is a Kimber Custom Classic. I have a few more M1911-types, including an M1927 Argentine, with a Colt Service Ace conversion kit mounted on it. Long ago, I heard that the really good competition shooters tracked the front sight through the firing cycle. I didn't believe it could be done, but I began trying it with my .22 Conversion kit -- and by golly, it can. And it makes for really fast, accurate shooting.

I'd probably never have mastered that skill with full-charge .45 ACP rounds.

 

[thales]

"You miss the point, entirely."

No I don't.

"Second, if shoot-to-kill is not morally or legally justified, then neither is shoot-to-stop: it is still deadly force."

"if your assailant drops his gun, falls to the ground, or turns around and runs, you stop shooting because his attack has stopped."

If your assailant's attack has stopped, you are no longer morally or legally justified in using deadly force against him.

 

[thales]

"Long ago, I heard that the really good competition shooters tracked the front sight through the firing cycle. I didn't believe it could be done, but I began trying it with my .22 Conversion kit -- and by golly, it can. And it makes for really fast, accurate shooting."

This appears to be one of the key concepts of both precision and combat marksmanship. Thanks for mentioning it.

 

[LightningJoe]

Buy an aluminum-framed snubnose .38 first thing. Buy quality.