Help me set up my 1st CCW

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From my experience as a pocket carrier 98% of the time since 2008, pocket holsters don't stop lint from getting into a gun at all. At least with cotton based clothing washed in a clothes washer and dryer.

I can't speak to synthetic clothing that sees only dry cleaning, though. Could be different. :)
That is very useful information, thanks. I bought a belly band with a built-in holster now that I got a carryable-size gun, haven't tried it yet. Only pockets that would apply for me anyway would be in jackets as I always wear skirts and I don't have a single one that has pockets.
 
All I got to say is don't carry a gun without a holster or something to cover the trigger ever.

I will admit to having done so in an empty jacket pocket with a double action revolver (although it's been 20 years). I don't own a pistol I would even think of doing it with though. On the other hand I don't think I could ever become comfortable with Appendix Carry flagging my femoral artery among other things ...
 
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. . . . I wear mine with the zipper down (the pocket zippers that is :what:). . . . .
Thanks for the clarification. I was afraid to scroll down to the pictures. :D

Dang. I like the looks of those. Thanks for posting thte link.
I think the first thing I'm going to do is buy a couple different pants in different sizes so I have something to wear to the LGS to try some different guns.
That does not seem unreasonable.
Something I've already noticed in the past 2 days...do you guys carry things in your strong hand when you're concealed carrying? For example, I went into a fast food place and came out with a to-go bag. Bag was in my right hand. Came out of a store with my truck keys...in my right hand. Should I be making a conscious effort to form a new habit of never having anything in my strong side hand?
I am overwhelmingly right-handed, so I tend to carry bags or 'cargo' with my left hand, and keys in my right. I try to remember to keep my right hand free, and I'm moderately successful, but only moderately.

The more I read in this thread, the more I think a micro-pistol and pocket carry may be the answer for you. I know what works for me, but it sounds like my situation may be little more forgiving of occasional printing and exposure than yours.
 
I am overwhelmingly right-handed, so I tend to carry bags or 'cargo' with my left hand, and keys in my right. I try to remember to keep my right hand free, and I'm moderately successful, but only moderately.

Over thinking it? Can't you simply open your hand and allow whatever is in it to drop as you're reaching for your firearm?
 
Over thinking it? Can't you simply open your hand and allow whatever is in it to drop as you're reaching for your firearm?
Yes. And I overthink everything. It's one of my more endearing qualities. :D

ETA: I'm not sure why your post says "Browning said," but it looks like me that you quoted.
 
1. For pocket carry, use a j frame revolver. I have found them more reliable than small pocket autos. (Use a pocket holster. )

I wear a short sleeve button down shirt untucked...to help cover the top part of the jeans pocket. Helps to break up the gun outline..which may be there.. even with the pocket holster. It also prevents anyone from peeking at the top part of the pocket.

2. For belt AIWB carry, the key is picking the holster with the correct height ride. Get the low ride holster where the gun handle height is closer to the beltline. This can make the difference between being able to carry a subcompact (like a G26) versus a compact (like a G19).

This makes it slower to draw the gun than if you use a "combat" height holster....but that's the trade off .

Then wear an untucked button down shirt. I also wear an undershirt to help prevent the gun from printing.
 
Ahhh...I missed that "tucked in". Sorry.

I have yet to figure that one out. My j frame revolver's handle tends to peek out at times. Hence, the untucked shirt for me.
 
A pleated black pant with a pocket holster works well. The dark color and pleat break up printing. Depending on your positioning, it may be apparent that you have something in your pocket, but not suspiciously so.

I know you specified a safety for an auto loader, but a true DAO hammer fired semi auto will have the same heavy trigger that a revolver offers to provide assurance of no accidental trigger pull. Pair it with a hard kydex holster and I personally feel safe that way.

Good luck in your search.
 
People worry way too much about concealment, at least if they carry a small Pistol or revolver. Tuck out your shirt and you can wear most anything. I seldom use a holster and many times will use the watch pocket of my jeans when carrying the Pico, Kahr, Kel-tec P32. Most of my carry guns now just have the Clip. Or the trigger guard for a holster.
 
People worry way too much about concealment, at least if they carry a small Pistol or revolver. Tuck out your shirt and you can wear most anything. I seldom use a holster and many times will use the watch pocket of my jeans when carrying the Pico, Kahr, Kel-tec P32. Most of my carry guns now just have the Clip. Or the trigger guard for a holster.
It's more of a self conscious problem for most people than a concealment problem/issue IMHO. The only time I have "needed" to pocket carry was the doctors or at the beach... Basically anywhere I had to remove/lift up my shirt. Otherwise, it's not necessarily, and IMHO, a less than ideal way to carry.
 
Perhaps you both just aren’t in situations quite often or in jobs that require a degree of high concealability.

Or use modes of dress or in jobs are require that you tuck in your shirt.

So for both of you the issue is basically a non-issue. So you attach little importance to it.

Different strokes for different folks and all that.
 
Perhaps you both just aren’t in situations quite often or in jobs that require a degree of high concealability.

Or use modes of dress or in jobs are require that you tuck in your shirt.

So for both of you the issue is basically a non-issue. So you attach little importance to it.

Different strokes for different folks and all that.
I've been at my current job for about 6 years now. I work 12 hour days sometimes up to 72 hours a week. I'd be fired on the spot, walked out by security, and law enforcement would probably be called if I was outed. I've been IWB carrying a small 380 or a j frame without there ever being an issue or drawing any suspicion. Just recently, I switched to carrying a Kahr MK40...

I wear a single clip IWB holster. If my shirt is tucked in, I'll clip the the holster to my pants, and I'll run my belt over top of the clip... Like I stated, I carry small lightweight revolvers or 380s, so the little bit of weight does not weigh down my pants, and my gun belt is still keeping my pants up... Alternatively, you could also use a holster with C style clips...

Me personally, I do not want to work all day with a firearm taking up a pocket. I can feel the weight of the pistol being in my pocket much more so than on my waist. If I ws sitting down all day behind a computer, I might be okay with it, but I am not. If I do have to use my firearm suddenly or why in a scuffle, I don't want to have to dig around in my pocket to get to it... But yea, to each their own. This is just my take on it..
 
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Perhaps you both just aren’t in situations quite often or in jobs that require a degree of high concealability.

Or use modes of dress or in jobs are require that you tuck in your shirt.

So for both of you the issue is basically a non-issue. So you attach little importance to it.

Different strokes for different folks and all that.

Absolutely. For me, an untucked shirt is a dress code violation. Do other employees violate the dress code every single day without consequence? Absolutely. Do I wish to risk drawing that attention to me while I'm also carrying a firearm? Absolutely not.
 
There is more to concealment than a pistol so small that it can not be seen. A small pistol is more easily concealed, but:
*Learn to sit with your strong side to the wall.
*If sitting in a crowd, have mrs sit directly on your strong side.
*Learn to let your arm hang so that it obscures your piece.
*Invest the $$ necessary for a tuckable holster if you like to wear your shirts tucked(like me).
*Dont carry where it's not legal, or avoid altogether.
*if someone is dumb enough to mention the bulge in your waistband, say "yea, that's my colostomy bag, you wanna see it?".
 
I know there are tuckable holsters for strong side hip, anyone do the same thing for appendix? I'm fairly certain the OP said something about having to wear a tucked in shirt to work.
I don't know anyone that uses them, but I know I've seen AIWB holsters. I looked at Stealthgear and they offer one.
Absolutely. For me, an untucked shirt is a dress code violation. Do other employees violate the dress code every single day without consequence? Absolutely. Do I wish to risk drawing that attention to me while I'm also carrying a firearm? Absolutely not.
That sounds pretty reasonable to me.
 
. . . . *if someone is dumb enough to mention the bulge in your waistband, say "yea, that's my colostomy bag, you wanna see it?".
This is truly one of my favorite lines, but I always worry that I will then be hit with questions about my colostomy bag. I'd also be tempted to answer that question ("What's the lump on your waistband?") with another question: "Why are you so interested on what's inside my clothes?"
 
If you plan on pocket carry its going to matter how much weight and bulk you can put up with, and how easily you can draw it. Hand size and dexterity have a lot to say here. I can wholeheartedly recommend the Truspec 24\7 tactical pants, as I have been wearing them for about 9 years and they seem to last forever. You probably don't want the cotton blend, but the straight up polyester. (I have seen wear in some of our guys that bought the cotton blend.) I have carried a Glock 27 with +2 extension in a Galco Nemesis with no issues, and I have large to X-large hands.

The hard part about this set up is the safety. Most of your lightweight polymer pistols these days don't seem to have them, and those that do are too big for your application. I was looking around and online window shopping and found this:

SIG SAUER P365 9MM 3.1” MANUAL SAFETY PISTOL, BLACK - 365-9-BXR3-MS

If you can stand a P365 sizewise in a pocket, that might work for you. The claim about an inch wide, which isn't too bad for 10 rounds of 9mm, in a +P capable package from a known manufacturer. They are not out just jet, but internet rumors, and we all know how reliable they are, are saying mid Summer.

Slap one of these on it for ~$90.00

TLR-6

I'm partial to meprolight night sights, so lets throw them in here, and figure another $40 for a decent pocket holster, and about twice that for a belt holster of some sort, this comes to mind, although they don't list it for the SIG yet. One of the classics, the Crossbreed can be seen here. The Sneaky Pete line offers a lot of serviceability for $50-70, but you would have some twit asking whats in it. The up side is that it isn't in a pocket or waistband, so its more accessible and more comfortable.

So lets look at our costs
Sig P365ms $500.00
TLR-6 $90.00
Meprolights $83.00
Pocket holster $40.00
Belt holster $75.00
For a grand total of $788.

Of course we haven't discussed ammo and cleaning supplies, but as I recall from other posts, you have an M9, so you'd already be set up for that. Shipping would be extra, of course, so ordering as much of this stuff from the same source would keep that down.
 
If you plan on pocket carry its going to matter how much weight and bulk you can put up with, and how easily you can draw it. Hand size and dexterity have a lot to say here. I can wholeheartedly recommend the Truspec 24\7 tactical pants, as I have been wearing them for about 9 years and they seem to last forever. You probably don't want the cotton blend, but the straight up polyester. (I have seen wear in some of our guys that bought the cotton blend.) I have carried a Glock 27 with +2 extension in a Galco Nemesis with no issues, and I have large to X-large hands.

The hard part about this set up is the safety. Most of your lightweight polymer pistols these days don't seem to have them, and those that do are too big for your application. I was looking around and online window shopping and found this:

SIG SAUER P365 9MM 3.1” MANUAL SAFETY PISTOL, BLACK - 365-9-BXR3-MS

If you can stand a P365 sizewise in a pocket, that might work for you. The claim about an inch wide, which isn't too bad for 10 rounds of 9mm, in a +P capable package from a known manufacturer. They are not out just jet, but internet rumors, and we all know how reliable they are, are saying mid Summer.

Slap one of these on it for ~$90.00

TLR-6

I'm partial to meprolight night sights, so lets throw them in here, and figure another $40 for a decent pocket holster, and about twice that for a belt holster of some sort, this comes to mind, although they don't list it for the SIG yet. One of the classics, the Crossbreed can be seen here. The Sneaky Pete line offers a lot of serviceability for $50-70, but you would have some twit asking whats in it. The up side is that it isn't in a pocket or waistband, so its more accessible and more comfortable.

So lets look at our costs
Sig P365ms $500.00
TLR-6 $90.00
Meprolights $83.00
Pocket holster $40.00
Belt holster $75.00
For a grand total of $788.

Of course we haven't discussed ammo and cleaning supplies, but as I recall from other posts, you have an M9, so you'd already be set up for that. Shipping would be extra, of course, so ordering as much of this stuff from the same source would keep that down.

Interesting. Today I was carrying a Ke.-tec P32 I bought last month for $161.00 with a $11.00 clip. Perfect concealment. - Grand total $172.00

It went to the range with me and a range bag with other guns.Shot 50 rounds of fast shooting head shots at 7 yds.

Out of the bag, I pulled a old LC9s and shot 100 rounds of head shots at 10 yds. Even a new LC9E is less than half the price of the Sig 365 and shoots just as well. Have plenty of holsters, for it. Have accumulated a dozen magazines for it over the years.
In reality, you do not really need a whole lot in a defensive weapon. Just a lot of time and ammo.
 
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Interesting. Today I was carrying a Ke.-tec P32 I bought last month for $161.00 with a $11.00 clip. Perfect concealment. - Grand total $172.00

It went to the range with me and a range bag with other guns. Pulled gun out from Apex carry and did 8 quick head shots at 7 yds with Underwood ammo.

Out of the bag, I pulled a old LC9s and shot 100 rounds of head shots at 10 yds. Even a new LC9E is less than half the price of the Sig 365 and shoots just as well. Have plenty of holsters, for it. Have accumulated a dozen magazines for it over the years.
In reality, you do not really need a whole lot in a defensive weapon. Just a lot of time and ammo.

Yes, and that's a perfectly legitimate setup. Truth be known, if I was looking for something for deep concealment, I'd go with something more like that, but that wasn't the question on the table. There are very few truly tiny guns that are lightweight AND come with a safety. Its that pesky little lever that made this a little more complicated. I figured that if we were spending as much as $1000, we might as well go big or go home.

Its always hard telling someone else what to buy. As an FTO, I told my guys that your weapon is a lot like your underwear, if it ain't right, everything is wrong. My niece came to me asking for a recommendation for EDC. We talked, and went to the gun shop and she fell in love with a Glock 43. I'm talking her to the rental range next week. She asked me about the light\laser options, which when they are so small and affordable, I can't see NOT doing it, but it is a preference issue.

There's certainly nothing wrong with the Ruger. My first gun was a 10\22 that I still have. Since we were mandating a safety, I found the ones on the LC9 series to be too small and not terribly comfortable. The other issue is that if one is confined to an itty bitty gun carried in a pocket, more rounds onboard tends to be better than fewer.

The kel tec is not a bad choice. (My mother used to carry a P11) I'm not as big a fan of .32 as 9mm, and I do prefer to carry manual safety less guns in a holster because I've seen the result NDs that went from embarrassing to comical to tragic. If you remember that it does have limitations and plan accordingly, they are useful little guns.
 
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