How to spot a ccw holder?

[BIGDADDYLONGSTROKE]

Yesterday as my visiting in laws and I were out and about and naturaly Im carrying a hand gun I got to thinking, I wonder how many other people in this building are carrying a firearm. So I was wondering how do the good folks here on THR spot someone whos got a weapon on them. I mean I know the typical bulge in the pocket or thigh or hip or under the jacket bulge.

And please I already know, a good ccw holder you wont be able to spot, but seriously folks what to yall look for when trying to spot a ccw holder?

 

[Pilgrim]

Someone constantly fidgeting with something on his belt under his shirt or jacket.

Pilgrim

 

[Silver Bullet]

The confident, rugged individualists.

 

[geekWithA.45]

How to spot a CCW holder?

Sneak up behind him.

Pick his pocket.

Look under his driver's license.




In seriousness, behavioral cues are usually the biggest giveaways.

 

[das028]

A grown man wearing a fanny pack, is a dead give away, unless he is from europe, of course.

 

[marklbucla]

A wilderness tactical instructor's belt is a dead giveaway. Royal Robbins pants are too to a lesser extent.

I also think one of those pocketknives with the clip for the end of the pocket gives the impression of gun owner, at least. Not sure about CCW though.

 

[TallPine]

I really couldn't care less - neither does it bother me to meet someone openly armed as long as they are not acting belligerant (sp?). We were out fighting a fire a few weeks ago and a neighboring landowner walked up with a 1911 (i think?) in a shoulder holster. It didn't bother me and I don't think it bothered anyone else either.

Sometimes I meet someone who I would expect to be armed, so out of curiosity I discreetly try to discern if/how he/she is carrying.

 

[Iggy]

Look for the guy looking at every other guy's waist, pockets, armpits, etc.

 

[Byron Quick]

I like simplicity in my life. I simply assume that everyone is armed, act accordingly, and forget about the non-issue.

 

[FilJos]

I second the fanny pack thing. Any time I see a grown man wearing one who doesn't look "special" I tend to think that he is packing.

 

[Rumble]

I have noticed that I have a "tell," which I'm trying to break myself of in all but the required moments: I tend to flip down the right side of my shirt hem (carry IWB on the right side) to make sure the shirt hangs free. Now, I do it when I get out of a car or out of a seat just to make sure the shirt hasn't rucked up or snagged on a part of the gun, but I catch myself doing it when it's totally unnecessary, and it strikes me that it would be a pretty good giveaway that something is under there.

So yeah, somebody fidgeting with their belt, shirt, etc. might be worth watching to see if you can "make" them.

 

[mattk]

Always have one hand free(usually their strong hand).

 

[Whirlwind06]

Anybody wearing a vest in 95 degree weather. Unless he is getting off/on a Harley. If that is the case I'm pretty sure is his carrying anyway.

 

[atlctyslkr]

Someone who is constantly scanning the area in a crowded place is a good give away. I got busted that way once by an off duty cop. Was waiting in a long line with groceries. As I was leaving I was approached by this cop and he asked me what department I was with. I told him I was not a cop and why did he ask. He said the haircut and the fact that I was constantly sizing people up never looking in one place for very long. He said he noticed I wasn't talking on my phone or fidgeting with something and the fact i was alone with a cartload of stuff in the middle of the day.

He smiled and said be safe and went on his way. He knew and he knew I knew he did.

 

[the naked prophet]

Someone who, while wearing an unbuttoned shirt, keeps the wind from blowing it around to their sides. That's my biggest thing, but I try to usually button just one button about 2/3 of the way down, so I can still sweep it away from my gun but that it won't blow away exposing me.

Exposed reloads are a dead giveaway. Saw a guy with a fanny pack, and I started wondering "is he carrying" when I saw two speedloaders on his belt

 

[The_Shootist]

I've Always Wondered...

...about reloads. here in Texas, you have to keep your sidearm CONCEALED - no printing or exposure of the gun or else its bordeline "brandishing".

But I've often wondered if my reloads were to be exposed, would that be the same thing? I'm less concerned when I carry one of my revolvers....probably most people out and about wouldn't know what a speedloader is anyway.

I think I've only been made once. Years ago, a couple weeks after I got my CHL was carrying my 1911 and standard garb was shorts and a dark t-shirt (untucked) with the .45 in an IWB.

Coming out of the grocery store (both hands on bags) the wind was pretty gusty and hit me dead on, pressing the shirt briefly against my body. I noticed a grizzled old timer coming towards me going into the store giving me a REAL hard look and then sort of shaking his head and walking on. As if to say "Young whipper-snappers these days just don't know how to pack!"

I guess he thought I didn't fit his threat profile (30ish guy, white. glasses, short hair carrying two bags of groceries). Not sure if I should be relieved or insulted

Thats the trick to CCW - be obscure and ordinairy so that nobody gives you a second glance.

 

[Taurus 66]

He was most likely thinking, "Sheesh, next time just put your gun in the grocery bag, preferrably between the milk and eggs, alright whippersnapper? Sheesh."

Every time it's windy and I'm wearing a 2x pullover shirt, I try to make it not look so obvious I'm trying to reduce the print by taking my right hand and gently pulling down and out on the right side while walking along. I've gotten pretty good at it. I make it look natural and only someone who knows what to look for is going to suspect I'm packing. I look for others doing the same.

 

[Seminole]

Someone who is constantly scanning the area in a crowded place is a good give away.

I once walked into a restaurant (Ruby Tueday? TGI Friday?) and as I walked to my table, began scanning the crowd as I normally do, sizing up the apparent threat level, locating the exits, etc. A gentleman seated across from his wife, with his back against the wall where he could see the entrance, made definite, purposeful eye contact in a way that let me know he knew exactly what I was doing. I looked back in--I think--such a way as to let him know I knew he knew what I was doing, and took a seat with my back against another wall from which I too could see the entrance as well as him. Though I didn't see any evidence of his weapon, there is no doubt in my mind that he was carrying and that he knew I was carrying, too, though I'm certain he didn't actually spot my own weapon. It was nice to know there was another sheepdog in the restaurant.

 

[Trebor]

Look for the "Tactical" folder clipped to their pants pocket. That's the most reliable "tell" I've found.

 

[ambush]

Living in NJ, its not something you would think about ('cept when you're in Newark, Camden, etc., then its for the wrong reason).

 

[Hazwaste]

Look for the guy looking at every other guy's waist, pockets, armpits, etc.

That could also indicate something else.

 

[Soybomb]

I can't help but think some of you don't have the ESP you think you might. I fiddle with my shirt and belt all the time. Its no indication that we have some sort of unspoken concealed carry bond, I'm just trying to keep my butt covered especially after I get out of a car.

Short of seeing belt clips that disappear mysteriously inside the pants or obvious printing I don't tend to think most people are carrying. And really they aren't.

 

[Vitamin G]

1) People who keep looking around.
2) People who get into brief verbal judo with the friends as to who "gets the window seat" (facing the exit) based on who "has the right of way" (bigger caliber) (Then again, all my friends carry so maybe thats just our own little code/honor system)
3) People with fanny packs, especially with "tactical zippers" (small piece of material attached through the eye so that the zipper is easier to grasp)
4) People with photographer vests
5) Hawaiian shirts, unbuttoned.
6) NRA hats, sheepdog Tshirts, Molon Labe polo's, etc. (actually saw one)
7) People who are eating at a bar, and not drinking (It seems like some of the best food in Pittsburgh can only be had in bars)
8) The guy with an overloaded left or right arm, but nothing in the opposite hand. (Think a guy carrying 5 bags of groceries all in one hand, and nothing in the other)
9) The guy with a suit coat in 90degree weather, who doesn't take it off.
10) Exposed clips from a "tuckable" holster.

And my favorite... The guy who just started carrying who keeps pulling his pants up, that isn't between 11-22 years old.

I agree with the above statement that all of these people aren't automatically carrying, especially vests and fannypacks, its just such a higher probability that its worth taking a closer look.

 

[KINGMAX]

I consider that everyone is armed

I consider that everyone is armed. If not they should be. It is a crazy world out there. Your best defense is your SA, (situational awareness, not your single action).

Remember: Hope for the best, be perpared for the worst !!

 

[xds&gsps]

"I second the fanny pack thing. Any time I see a grown man wearing one who doesn't look "special" I tend to think that he is packing."

Hey my Dad wears a fanny pack doesn't carry & isn't special!! j/k

I too think the fanny pack is a dead give away, though, all the above mentioned things are also good. I have trouble noticing, as I am a rookie myself, but I am picking it up more & more. I noticed an off duty LEO (I don't remember how, but I know he was LEO) the other day with a shirt that was a bit too tight to be carrying under, printing pretty bad. I don't know that anyone else would have noticed (that wasn't looking for it), but I did (I was actually pretty excited I know it is a rookie thing)