Pocket carry bulge.

[Rail Driver]

If Mr BG notices it and you get targeted you may be the first on his list for unpleasant treatment.

Can you cite even one instance of this happening? This is the same strawman argument used against Open Carry, and it's a complete myth. I'm all for informative advice, and even constructive criticism, but this is neither.

As far as the rest of your post, I'd avoid checking your gun too much in public. The more you covertly check position, the more chances you have of drawing attention... Use a quality belt and holster (or pocket holster) and you won't have to worry about the gun NOT being in the proper position.
Dressing properly to conceal isn't difficult at all as long as you're not wearing clothes that are too small. I don't know what you're talking about in your comment "a ccw is not there so you can say too bad I got a piece of paper" ... I don't understand what you're saying, so I can't comment on it. Who mentioned using their CWP/CCW/CWL for "bragging rights"?
As far as not spotting another CWL holder, I've spotted more than a few since I started carrying though I never spotted any prior to carrying (never thought about it before).

 

[oldbear]

Nasser, if someone asks if the bulge in your pocket is a gun, reply no I'm just happy to see you. That should be an interesting way to end the conversation.

 

[Owen Sparks]

There have been a few times that I made a point to let people "accidentaly" see that I was armed.

 

[Rail Driver]

There have been a few times that I made a point to let people "accidentaly" see that I was armed.

I can't say I haven't done the same. It's a useful de-escalation tactic if used properly.

 

[holdencm9]

Guy Open Carrying - Gun Stolen and Used to Rob Him

Can you cite even one instance of this happening? This is the same strawman argument used against Open Carry, and it's a complete myth. I'm all for informative advice, and even constructive criticism, but this is neither.

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/95999354.html

Not saying it happens often but it DOES happen. I have heard of other instances where it has happened, but this one instance just happened to occur while I was living in Milwaukee. A proper holster probably would have helped, but the point and rationale of concealing a weapon I think is still valid.

 

[jahwarrior]

Is that a pocket pistol, or are you just happy the law changed?

LOL, awesome. Nasser, it's natural to be overly self conscious about various bulges and outlines when you first start carrying. for weeks i was worried everyone would see the bulge on my hip; i came from an environment where the carry of guns was banned (NYC), and the only people there that concealed were criminals. therefore, i felt like a criminal while legally concealing in PA. i got over it, and stopped worrying so much. besides, plenty of folks have bulges in their pockets: cell phones, wallets, wads of cash, keys...really, you could be carrying anything.

 

[ForumSurfer]

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/95999354.html

Not saying it happens often but it DOES happen. I have heard of other instances where it has happened, but this one instance just happened to occur while I was living in Milwaukee. A proper holster probably would have helped, but the point and rationale of concealing a weapon I think is still valid.

There is a big difference between open carrying and slight printing.

If I have an ever so slight bulge in my pocket or hip, I really don't see how anyone can automatically know if it is gun...or an iPhone, or a droid, or a heart monitor, or a fat roll, or a walkie talkie or bat-a-rang. Now If I'm carring a glock 17L or a 1911 long slide with 2 inches of barrel poking out from under my t-shirt the undeniable imprint of a gun up top through a really super-thin t-shirt...that's a different story. But the average slight print? You have no way of knowing what is under there unless it is shaped like a gun.

 

[holdencm9]

There is a big difference between open carrying and slight printing.

I agree and realize it was somewhat out of the scope of this thread, but was just responding to the assertion that open carrying never makes one a target. Of course, regardless of if you are CCing or OCing, you should keep your wits about you and maintain SA. I still think keeping it "concealed" is sound reasoning.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I still think keeping it "concealed" is sound reasoning.

I agree. But many people preach darn near invisibility.

IMHO, a slight bulge that isn't gun shaped is impossible to discern. How can you know what it is?

I have a friend that preaches on complete concealment, yet carries a brick of a phone on the other side that looks like it could be half of a cinder block under his shirt and a wad of keys that has to weigh more than his pistol.

A bulge is a bulge is a bulge until it becomes gun shaped.

 

[holdencm9]

A bulge is a bulge is a bulge until it becomes gun shaped.

Agreed! Also, regarding self-consciousness, and back to the OP, the OP will get over it, but how long it takes depends on what he is used to having in his pockets. For me, it took awhile because I have a very slim phone (just messaging, nothing fancy) and a slim wallet with just a few cards and rarely any cash. So I was used to near-weightlessness.

If you are used to a 1990's cell phone and are one of those folks who keeps 30 credit cards, a wad of cash, and receipts from the past 10 years in your wallet (like my dad), and a keychain bigger than a custodian, then pocket-carrying a pistol will be no issue for you!

 

[holdencm9]

Workplace

Also, and I don't mean to hijack the thread, but a person's reasoning for concealment could be important. Sure, if some person at the grocery store asks, we can be dismissive or joke, but if your boss asks, it is different. I choose not to carry to work based on company policy banning guns and I'd rather not risk my livelihood based on my commute and office environment. Some people may say "pfft, just don't get caught" which is why if someone feels the absolute need to carry, they need absolute concealment in those cases.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Some people may say "pfft, just don't get caught" which is why if someone feels the absolute need to carry, they need absolute concealment in those cases.

Agreed.

I'm legal and not breaking any company policies when I carry, so I don't need deep concealment. I'll gladly wear IWB or OWB at 3 o'clock with the benefits od wearing the clothes I want, not being forced to dress for the gun, being able to draw from any position, being able to draw fast with the only negative being a slight bulge from time to time. Deep concealment complicates the draw stroke, adds precious time to the draw stroke and is completely unnecessary for me.

 

[Gato Montés]

Yeah, I'm pretty much over it now. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel almost made it a point to stir up a fear mongering article every day until CCW went into effect, so I was kinda conscious of people who may be caught up in all that keeping there eyes out for signs of a concealed carrier. Kinda a stupid thought, I mean who is really going to go up to a complete stranger and inquire about a possible firearm.

Hell, it's only 23 days after CCW went into effect and most forgot about the whole thing already like it never happened.

 

[jahwarrior]

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/95999354.html

Not saying it happens often but it DOES happen. I have heard of other instances where it has happened, but this one instance just happened to occur while I was living in Milwaukee. A proper holster probably would have helped, but the point and rationale of concealing a weapon I think is still valid.

this particular event is shrouded in some murky circumstances. this happened during a huge push by people in WI to get CC passed there. the incident, IMO, was contrived as an immediate example of why they needed CC, as OC obviously will get you robbed. too many things don't smell right to me about the whole thing

 

[ForumSurfer]

Hell, it's only 23 days after CCW went into effect and most forgot about the whole thing already like it never happened.

I discovered something about firearm law changes. The general public has no clue (despite grassroot efforts or mail/email campaigns) until someone does a 5 minute piece on the local evening news. That was the case during the last round of changes here in NC. Most of my friends and coworkers (even those that are shooters) were completely oblivious until the news piece or hearing me harp on and on about it.

 

[Owen Sparks]

I think that when most people catch a glimps of a handgun they will assume you are a policeman and not even give it a second thought. This would probably include potential muggers who will simply move on to an easier target.

 

[holdencm9]

this particular event is shrouded in some murky circumstances. this happened during a huge push by people in WI to get CC passed there. the incident, IMO, was contrived as an immediate example of why they needed CC, as OC obviously will get you robbed. too many things don't smell right to me about the whole thing

Well, I don't necessarily smell conspiracy; other than the timing, what smells fishy?

I think that when most people catch a glimps of a handgun they will assume you are a policeman and not even give it a second thought. This would probably include potential muggers who will simply move on to an easier target.

Agreed about the potential muggers. As far as "most people" it depends. Just yesterday a guy was OCing at Target near me and one of the employees radio'd to the manager, "there is a guy heading toward the cash registers with a gun! What do we do?!?" Luckily the manager was calm and knew that he was within his rights, told everyone not to panic, but you get a person who overreacts and you just have a huge hassle on your hands.

 

[CollinLeon]

First of all, if you have a permit why would you care if a cop notices a bulge in your pocket? You have a license for it right? So what? Anyone else who might notice has no legal power to search you.



"Is that a pistol in your pocket or are you just glad to se me?"

__ May West

Because there are some cops out there that are so anti-2nd-Amendment that they believe that only THEY should be able to be armed. They are more than willing to make your life miserable. They can claim that you were not concealed and then you can get arrested and have to prove that you were concealed. The best thing is to be so concealed that even the cops can't tell whether you are carrying. I've carried a .45 while visiting NYC and it was concealed enough that even when I was talking to the cops on the street corners who were periodically directing traffic, they did not notice that I was carrying. That's something that you can do in a cold climate that you can't get away with in a place where anything more than a t-shirt during the summer is considered overdressed.

 

[Steel Talon]

Nasser,

You have a good pistol size for your CCW. With pocket carry it requires a better wardrobe. Think pleated, deeper wider pockets.

*Dockers are a great choice.
*Carpenter Style Levis are another because of the pocket construction
*Cargo pants are ok but you gotta be careful with some brands. the opening is wide enough to allow the pistol to fall out at times.

A good carry holster is needed. I make my own from leather. There are plenty of market options such as the DeSantis Nemesis is quit popular.

For a wheelie pocket holster you want a tall wide smooth forward facing panel to break the pattern of the pistol against the pocket. One with enough tention to hold but easily release the pistol from the holster. The holster should have enough "gripping" material on the outside to hold it in place in the pocket.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Because there are some cops out there that are so anti-2nd-Amendment that they believe that only THEY should be able to be armed. They are more than willing to make your life miserable.

True, but they are few and far between. I've talked with many LEO buddies and they may or may not know I'm armed. They'll agree. In this day and age...a bulge could be anything. If I felt there were that many out there who felt like that, I would go for deep concealment. I don't feel that way and until I see some documented cases, I'll avoid deep concealment for something more comfortable for me and faster to to deploy.

They can claim that you were not concealed and then you can get arrested and have to prove that you were concealed.

Depending on where you live, that may or may not matter.

Plus, honestly I just like good fitting jeans and shirts. OWB with a thin single stack is just easier and feels better for me.

 

[Kendal Black]

I guess I've just had good luck with cops. Most of them are not looking for more work than they have already. If you present a reasonable demeanor while on or about your lawful occasions you probably don't even blip their radar, even if your pockets are bulging.

I know a few cops personally, shooting guys you meet at the range, and they are certainly not into the guns=evil (except for themselves) mentality; I suppose there is a range of opinion among cops, though. We have a great many police in America; feds, state and local, and cities even boast both police and sheriffs. So I suppose it is inevitable that their number includes some sour minded grumps.

The most basic reason why laws should be few, limited to the essentials of good order, is that few men are really suited to be policemen. That's the problem; if you have millions of laws you need millions of police. But do we need either, really?

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

I carry my model-36 in a Mika holster w/o a problem. No one pays any attention to someone below the waist.

If you are still concerned, carry a bandana in that pocket and let it hang out of as an excuse for the bulge.

 

[Owen Sparks]

As long as I am legal I don't care what people think. If it is totaly covered it is concealed.

 

[Gato Montés]

carry a bandana in that pocket and let it hang out of as an excuse for the bulge.

In some parts that could identify you as being a gang member..., or "available".

I have a DeSantis Nemesis, Mika round cut, as well as a Silver Dollar pancake holster from Simply Rugged, so for all you cats making recommendations I'm pretty much squared away; thanks though.

Unless I wear suspenders barf I have issues keeping the pants up with the Silver Dollar holster, which is a shame cause I love that holster (I have an instructors belt from Wilderness Tactical(?) but still have the same problem, non existent ass I suppose).

I was really excited about the Mika holster. Robert Mika, seeing that I was also from Wisconsin and placed an order on the day CCW went into effect, expedited my order so I got it in only 4 days. Awesome guy BTW. However, I still find that my Nemesis does a better job, being slimmer in profile while still breaking up the outline of the gun. Still gonna keep the Mika as I like to have variety, but still kinda bummed it wasn't the Godsend most folks made it out to be, at least for me and my wardrobe.

 

[theicemanmpls]

Because there are some cops out there that are so anti-2nd-Amendment that they believe that only THEY should be able to be armed. They are more than willing to make your life miserable. They can claim that you were not concealed and then you can get arrested and have to prove that you were concealed. The best thing is to be so concealed that even the cops can't tell whether you are carrying. I've carried a .45 while visiting NYC and it was concealed enough that even when I was talking to the cops on the street corners who were periodically directing traffic, they did not notice that I was carrying. That's something that you can do in a cold climate that you can't get away with in a place where anything more than a t-shirt during the summer is considered overdressed.

Have you looked up the penalty for packing a loaded, unlicensed pistol within the boundaries of Mayor Blomberg's NYC? 3 1/2 years mandatory. There are other methods when visiting NYC to keep yourself out of harms way.
While you are stuffing your face with that fantastic pastrami sandwich from the 2nd ave Deli, just keep saying, "I am not in Texas anymore".

Only the cops, connected, and criminals carry pistols in NYC.


http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycg...07b/pr242-07.html&cc=unused1978&rc=1194&ndi=1