First Time Out w/CCW

[lizziedog1]

Yesterday I got a call from our Sheriff's office. My CCW was in. I went and signed the paperwork and picked it up.

I had been open carrying on my evening dog walks. Truth be told, in the small town I live in a gun isn't really needed for human type crimes, but we have a good number of stray and feral dogs. Any how, I put my 38 special on my belt like I have been doing and put a heavy jacket on. The jacket covered the gun and I was fully legal.

To be honest, I was a little nervous. I spent more then four decades living in a state with very restrictive gun laws. It takes awhile to get used to freedom.

I was about two blocks from home and I spot a dog walking towards us. I am thinking ...great!, my first day of CCW and I shoot a dog. I wonder how that will look to the sheriff? The dog did detour before we got too close to it.

Here is my question.

When you first starting CCW'ing, were you nervous?

 

[Mousegun]

Anyone who says they were from a restrictive state (like I was --- New Jersey) and says they weren't just a little nervous ain't zakale tellin' the truth.

You have to do the Wal-Mart walk. That is a given when you first get your carry permit.

Go to the nearest Wal-Mart and even if you don't buy anything, although ammo would be a good start, just walk around. There is a good chance just by walking and looking, you will see the need for CCW.

 

[lizziedog1]

There is a good chance just by walking and looking, you will see the need for CCW.

Come on, the employees there are not that bad.

 

[Ryanxia]

I was nervous when I first started carrying, just carry as often as you can and pretty soon it will become second nature. I don't even think twice about it now (which can be a problem too) but I'm in a pretty easy going state anyway.

The Walmart walk is kind of stupid IMO but I did it, at the time I didn't have a very good setup and I was walking the store with my 1911, OWB carry with my jacket concealing it.

The next thing to do is to lookup the typical signs that let you spot people carrying, this is for both Situational Awareness and also so you can cut down on how much you are broadcasting yourself carrying (subtle things most people do when they first start carrying).

Glad you got your permit!

 

[ny32182]

I wouldn't say I was "nervous", but I cared waaaay more about printing than I do now.

 

[2WheelsGood]

Darwin Awards are always given to those who aren't nervous the first time they do something. Nervousness, fear, caution, trepidation... they all serve the evolutionary role of keeping us from doing something stupid. If you weren't nervous the first time you carried, I'd be far more worried.

Go to a range some time, and watch a group of brand new shooters. The ones who scare me the most are the ones who are NOT nervous. Usually, the ones waving guns around with their finger on the trigger, and the ones looking down the barrel trying to figure out why they won't fire are the ones without a healthy dose of fear.

My wife and I were just talking about this. There are very few things in your life, if any, that you will ever hold in your hand with so much power and therefore so much responsibility as a gun.

 

[Standing Wolf]

When you first starting CCW'ing, were you nervous?

Everyone is. Freedom or any other new thing tends to be unsettling at first. Give yourself a few weeks, and you'll feel naked without your gun.

May you always have a gun near to hand, and may you never need it.

 

[BP Hunter]

I was also nervous the first time I CCWed. I kept on feeling the gun, making sure that it was still there. My body language showed it all that I was hiding something under my right hip. It get's getting use to. It has been a few years since I CCWed and have every single day when I can legally carry. It actually feels funny when you are not carrying. My wife and I travel outside the country alot and I cannot obviously bring my gun. It feels odd wittout having my companion on my side. But now it feels like second nature to carry a gun.

My advise is to get a GOOD HOLSTER on a good GUN BELT. I personally like the in waist band holster that supports the gun with front and back clips, like the "crossbreed holsters". They evenly distribute the weight of the gun and is very comfortable. I also use a 5.11 tactical belt which is very stiff and thick that easily supports the weight of the gun.

Good luck and keep it safe!

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

Here in Florida we play a game called "Spot The Glock". A guy dressed for an Alaskan winter is a dead giveaway. But it's usually just an obvious Glock-shaped bulge under a T-shirt.

 

[SG1]

I was very nervous that I would print when I first started CCWing. I did the "walmart walk". Believe it or not, it can inspire confidence.

The first week I carried I went into a mall. In one of the stores, while I was paying for my merchandise, the girl behind the counter suddenly started talking about how she recently got her CCW but the boss won't let her carrying in the store, etc, etc. I never knew what prompted her to start that conversation out of the blue but I thought maybe I was giving myself away. I had a bad habit of pulling my shirt down on that side to make sure I was not exposing myself. I figure I must have given myself away, but it could have been total coincidence.

Now, it doesn't bother me at all. I still am careful about what I wear and how it might expose me if I'm not careful, but I'm not nearly as worried about being "made". It takes time and experience.

A good quote (which I probably won't get exactly right) that I read once said something like "Carrying concealed isn't supposed to be comfortable, it's supposed to be comforting."

 

[NMGonzo]

I was at the tailor and the Russian girl was fitting me a new jacket.

"Is that your cellphone?!?" ...

"Yes, blackberry"

She did not fuzz, but she asked TWICE

 

[CoRoMo]

I don't recall, but I doubt 'nervous' is the right word; more like cautions. I don't know what there is to be nervous about, but it certainly heightened my situational awareness for a few days. Nowadays, I forget that I'm carrying until I read threads like this.

 

[speaksoftly]

When you first starting CCW'ing, were you nervous?

Absolutely. I've been carrying for some time now and though I'm not nervous anymore, I still have a healthy respect for the lethal weapon being concealed as well as aware of the repercussions if someone sees my weapon and reacts poorly. I don't think that being nervous is a good thing but I think it's healthy to always have the fact that you're carrying something that can potentially decimate your life or the life of another in the back of your head.

The second you fail to take a firearm seriously, is when you're opening the door for bad things to happen.

 

[longhair75]

The first time was really strange. I took my wife to the jewelry store in the Mall to get all of her jewelry cleaned and inspected. I was just positive every security guard and off duty LEO in the place could see the Beretta through my jacket. Maybe they could and just did not care.

It was sure a strange feeling.

 

[WNC Seabee]

I agree with the poster who said he cares much less about printing now. After a couple months of carrying I started to not even notice the gun on my hip. Then, one day I did forget about it, took off my sweatshirt on a warm day and went about my day Open Carrying (legal in my state).

Did all my business that day without a word being said or cross-eyed glance shot my way. I've come to realize people just aren't that observant.

 

[Tpr0811]

When I first started carring off duty (mandatory) I was like just most people and thought every eye was on me. I'm sure some were because it was a 4 inch Model 19, couldn't afford anything else at the time. After a while you you'll feel lost without your weapon.
Congratulations!

 

[TempestP226]

Started carrying about two and a half years ago. At first it felt like I was doing taboo, even though I was completely legal. Nowadays my belt feels empty if I don't have it on me. Actually, if I'm not carrying, I occasionally startle myself if hop in my truck and realize my weapon isn't there pressing between the seat and my hip. Pretty much like, "Oh **** where's my....oh yeah, I'm not carrying today."

 

[DFW1911]

Sure was...and I was pretty sure everyone could see my concealed weapon.

I was worried about printing and I was certainly concerned that the wind would blow just right and expose my CCW for the world to see (that happened later and is a different story!).

Confidence will come with time and, before long, carrying will be as natural as putting your keys in you pocket.

Welcome to the CHL club. We need more of us, not fewer!

Take care,
DFW1911

 

[jon_in_wv]

It did feel strange at first. I was paranoid someone would "make" me and cause a fuss. But in reality, MOST people pay little attention to others around them. MOST people, even if they saw a bulge would assume it is something else. I even tried to make people carrying myself and after about a month I still hadn't made anyone. Don't worry about it.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Kinda Depends

I live in an area where, the first year I was up here, some guy next to me in a shop leaned over and dropped his pistol from his shoulder holster.

Clatter! Thunk!

He got a number of amused glances, rolled eyes, and some shaking heads. The attitude around him was, Dude! For God's sake, put that thing away and fasten the damned holster! Were you raised in a barn?

Now, when I lived where you currently live, it wasn't quite like that. Dropping a pistol in public would get you more than a harsh look. Yeah, I know, your state isn't all that bad, but things are a lot more relaxed where guns are concerned once you get out of Clark County.

BTW, did they ever resolve that mess with the officer-involved shooting up on the northwest side, at that CostCo? I mean, that guy didn't even drop his. All he did was expose it, and a store employee freaked out.

Well done on getting your CCW.

Make sure you get some training to go with it.

 

[Packman]

A little, but not really.

I dropped my paperwork in the mail on my 21st birthday, so I had a couple weeks to wait for my permit to arrive. I had already bought my holster/belt setup, and the gun was purchased a couple days later.

Right away, I started carrying the empty holster everywhere I went. THAT was really strange, but I think it helped me a lot. I got used to the feel of the holster in my pants, and got the "bulge" in my waistline established and settled, along with making the clip on my belt visible before there was anything that'd get me in trouble at work. So, when I added the pistol to the ensemble, it wasn't really a big deal at all...just a little heavier was all.

As a note, I carry IWB Appendix, so the holster doesn't print any different with the gun in or out of it, really.

 

[True Grit]

I'm glad someone brought this topic up! Haha.. I'm currently waiting for my phone call so i can go pick up my CCW permit and I'm already nervous! This must be a common syndrome. I guess after awile it will be just like putting on your pants in the morning =]

 

[Snowdog]

I vaguely remember the feeling, but I got the permit in '97 as soon as I became eligible by turning 21. That was about 14 years ago and I'm on my 3rd or 4 renewal now.

If it hasn't been said already, you'll soon have a very similar feeling when you can't carry, such as during trips to locations where carrying firearms is forbidden or heavily regulated (my parents moved to Mexico to retire). Having a pistol on me is second nature now. Even my wife of 5 years is completely used to it and she and her family are from Garden City.

 

[lizziedog1]

Thanks for all the feedback. Tomorow I plan on going for a long walk. I will carry. Monday I am going into the "big" city. Ditto on the carry. That should be a good test for me. If I went walking down the street in the small town I live in carrying a BAR I would hardly be noticed. But the big city is going to be different.

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

I remember my first time, I was in the basement, I was scared, It was dark and I was alone, and then I went to walmart and did the WALK! I carry in wal mart almost everytime I go.