My advice to people just getting into carry

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Wanderling

Wanderling

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It took me a good few years between getting my license and actually carrying daily. The problem ? I was constantly torn between being uncomfortable or printing too much (or believing that I was). I believe that’s the problem a lot of people are facing... more than care to admit.

Here’s what I learned the hard way - and would like to share *my* experience and hard learned lesson.

Forget about caliber. Forget about round count.

Get the smallest gun that you absolutely are comfortable carrying, in all circumstances and clothing. For me it was an LCP in .380, for someone else it may be a Shield or a .32 or even a .22. Doesn’t matter. It’s still a whole lot better than nothing.

The idea is to carry it daily and carry it everywhere it’s legally possible, until it becomes your second nature and you no longer feel like the entire world is staring at you.

Once the novelty is gone and you are confident and used to carrying daily, then you will be able to try larger guns in larger calibers and different carry options. You will no longer be as frustrated (because you know that, no matter what, you have a guaranteed backup plan), you will no longer feel overwhelmed or intimidated, and you will have enough experience to know whether you have a real or imaginary printing issue. It took me a couple years to admit to myself that, no matter how I tried, I just couldn’t stand carrying a double stack 9mm IWB. Now, I am getting back to carrying it more and more - OWB, in the Glock’s own cheap-yet-excellent plastic holster, first in winter, then finding some combinations of lighter clothing that work, and if it doesn’t seem to work that day, hello LCP. I don’t think that I would have progressed that far with G26 have I not went the LCP route.

Just my two cents...
 
An unbuttoned button down shirt goes a long was, as does a light jacket, vest or sweatshirt. I agree it feels awkward at first, took me a couple months to feel confident. Just carry every day. Ill carry a glock 20 for months on end, when i holster up my glock 30 (still a large gun) it feels like a sub compact. Beyond that i have a few subcompact 380s and that feels like nothing. Buy a million holsters and usually end up with what you started with or something simple, just seems to work that way. My most comfortable rig is a weapons education verticle shoulder holster, my most concealable (with glock 20) is a galco king tuck, either do fine with a cover garment. Ive got a bladetech appendix holster i use in any position with a glock 42 that disappears with a tanktop and shorts no problem. But i know what you mean, work up to it. Hilarious how in the movies they stick a 1911 in their waist band with no holster and its gone, if only.
Good post.
 
My advice..... no one sees it....stop touching it.....lose the paranoia.


In my 15 years of carrying legally in Ohio, I have seen exactly one person printing. And I look for it. This was a guy with an NRA shirt that was two sizes too small. The NRA billboard was why I looked. As I sit here with my Patriot Member hat on.


That being said, the OP is correct. Carry what you will actually carry. I carried a 642 for years and then I found the Walther PPS to be the right gun for me. I prefer the classic in an IWB. Cliche, I know, but I forget it's there.
 
Forget about caliber. Forget about round count.

Get the smallest gun that you absolutely are comfortable carrying, in all circumstances and clothing. For me it was an LCP in .380, for someone else it may be a Shield or a .32 or even a .22. Doesn’t matter. It’s still a whole lot better than nothing.
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I agree that if you're having trouble making the decision to start carrying, that this is a great strategy. You may find that you can increase caliber or round count down the road, but the first step is carrying.

I sometimes carry a subcompact .380, sometimes a compact 9mm, sometimes a full-sized 9mm. But I started out carrying the subcompact .380 and it was a long time before I carried anything else. It was small enough that I was comfortable that it wouldn't print and it was also easy to deal with in situations like bathrooms because I could just put it in a pocket during periods when it couldn't be in my normal carry position.

Over time I learned methods for dealing with carrying and also tried different carry options and decided I could change to a 9mm compact pistol. But, as you say, I always had a fallback for times when I couldn't manage to conceal the 9mm for some reason.

Another benefit of starting out with a smaller gun is that you don't have to commit to a new wardrobe as you might have to if you try to carry a full-sized gun IWB.

Some other tips:

1. Carry a gun you can shoot. Guns aren't magic--you need to be able to use the gun. If you pick something so tiny that you can't shoot it, or so small and light that recoil is prohibitive, you're not doing yourself any favors.

2. Buy a quality holster made specifically for the gun you are carrying.

3. By a quality belt that fits the belt loops for the holster you picked. Make sure its of a decent width and sturdy--this will make things a lot easier.

4. Carry garments need to come down 6" below the bottom-most visible part of the firearm you're carrying. This allows for you to reach up, sit down and bend over without flashing your gun. Obviously IWB allows a much shorter carry garment since the gun isn't visible below the belt. If you're going to wear a full-sized gun in an OWB, you're going to need something closer to a short dress than a large shirt if you want to conceal through a normal range of activities.

5. Dark colors conceal better than light colors. Patterns conceal better than solid colors. Heavy material conceals better than light material.
 
Obturation said:
But i know what you mean, work up to it. Hilarious how in the movies they stick a 1911 in their waist band with no holster and its gone, if only.
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Depends on your body type and location.

I can carry a full size 1911 at 2 oclock in a Vedder light tuck as easy as a Glock 19, my VBob further disappears under a tshirt very easy. Heck even my 226 is easy to carry under just a tshirt with my setup (my EDC). Typically I have a much harder time concealing my spare mag acceptably.

Yet due to body type and posture even an LCP is really tough for me to conceal at the typically suggested 4 oclock spot.
 
One of my major suggestions is to stick it out when a gun or position is uncomfortable. Typically when I change holster or gun (or currently spare mag pouch) its terribly uncomfortable for about 2 weeks until my body gets used to it.

I think far too many people dont stick out a gun or holster long enough due to discomfort, just gotta power through and many will be surprised what can and will work.
 
It is valuable to carefully consider the perspective of all those who have set themselves on the path of self defense. I have been a firearms trainer for 40 years. I have had the honor and privilege of training hundreds of students from a wide range of backgrounds/experience levels from teenage rape victims to experienced police/federal officers. The one consistent element between these disparate people is the recognition of what they did not know and their willingness to seek professional training. My message is that professional training can shortcut the learning curve dramatically. You do NOT have to do this alone. YMMV.
 
My personal choice is to carry as much gun as possible and I began carrying with a double stack compact. I've always tended toward loose clothes so it really wasn't much of adjustment. First few times I'd check the mirror, then stopped thinking about it.
I have a few shirts that tend to print more than others, so maybe I'll go IWB or stick my LC9 in my pocket. But as others said, nobody really looks that closely.
 
When I first started carrying I used an old Ruger P94. I went from that to an XD-40. Then I succumbed to the lure of smaller & lighter. I have went through a few pistols figuring out what I like & what I don't when it comes to carry. Currently I carry a M&P 2.0 40 compact. I also have a Kahr CM9 as the gun I carry when I can't carry a gun. I pretty much agree with John K SA's post above. It is necessary to dress around the gun. A good holster & belt are essential. I try to carry the largest pistol possible because it is easier to make good hits with a larger firearm. I really don't want to miss if I do have to use a gun for defensive purposes. Lets face it carrying a gun is a huge hassle. Like they say though it ain't the odds it is what's at stake.
 
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That's the beauty of these newer CC pistols. Small size, good fit, higher capacities. My P365 has almost the same rounds on board as my P01, but thinner, smaller and lighter. Still has a fat enough grip for my longer fingers.
 
Although I get the concept of a smaller and more comfortable gun for carry, I'd rather stick to something larger with a decent round, capacity, and rail to attach a light.

Small pocket guns are more difficult to draw from concealment and place rapid hits with. Not something somebody who is new to concealed carry should be dealing with.
 
I prefer full size guns for carry and accept smaller if the situation demands it. I do go swimming sometimes and i make sure im armed when i do, because of guppys and what not . I recomend swimming only with the smallest gun you have.
 
Jesse H said:
I'd rather stick to something larger with a decent round, capacity, and rail to attach a light.
Small pocket guns are more difficult to draw from concealment and place rapid hits with. Not something somebody who is new to concealed carry should be dealing with.
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And here is the unanswerable question for people who carry; Am I preparing to be attacked by John Wick from 25 yards out or am I preparing for the average self defense encounter which is almost exclusively contact distance and over with very few shots fired? Only one person can make that decision, you. I offer no advice other than to consider which encounter you feel like YOU need to prepare for.
 
Plan2Live said:
And here is the unanswerable question for people who carry; Am I preparing to be attacked by John Wick from 25 yards out or am I preparing for the average self defense encounter which is almost exclusively contact distance and over with very few shots fired? Only one person can make that decision, you. I offer no advice other than to consider which encounter you feel like YOU need to prepare for.
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My answer to your question is echoed repeatedly in this forum during every.single.caliber discussion... shot placement rules. Another oft heard point is rarely do pistol calibers of any type stop an assailant with a single shot.
Even with one BG coming at me, my accuracy and follow-up shots are consistently better with with my larger pistols than my micro 9's and i want every advantage at my disposal.
 
I started carrying my LCP about 6 months after I got my license. Prior to that it was a Browning BDA which isn’t a big gun but was hard to find quality left hand holsters for.

Over the last 10 years I’ve occasionally CC a 4566 and P-11 with limited success, but that learning curve has brought me to the guns I’m comfortable with now.

My “big” gun is a G23, it gives me capacity/caliber ratio confidence and a Shield9 is my bopping around town gun, LCP has been demoted to a house gun because it’ll go from jeans to sweats to shorts and still carry easy.
 
I've carried since 1975. Things I've learned;

I was forced to draw my gun, then an Astra Constable, once, in the dark. Although it was hard to be positively identified by my opponent he knew I was armed and he immediately, (and I mean immediately), reacted by retreating. Game changer turned into a game ender. Having a CCW counts a great deal. Willing to use it counts too. Be willing to shoot. Be competent enough to not shoot upon de-escalation. A better outcome for all.

Practice makes you better. Shooting is a perishable skill.

Don't ever show your pistol. The flip side is the truth that nobody is looking at you. Hide it, keep it hidden, then forget about it.

Invest in quality... quality firearm, ammo, holster, belt and practice.

Practice point shooting and other less than aimed shots. Life happens and it happens fast and in less than perfect conditions.
 
Concealed Carry is a way of life. You will find that you have to make a few adjustments when you start to carry. The biggest change is what you wear. If your going to carry IWB you will need to buy bigger pants. Putting a gun in the waist band of a snug fitting pair of pants is very uncomfortable. As others have said, shirts with patterns help hid the fact that you have a gun, but what you wear will help you blend in or make you stick out like a hot dog at a stake house. Why do you think Magnum PI wore those ugly shirts. Who wears 511s or other tactical clothing? Don't wear stuff that says "I'm a gun guy."
When you first start carrying or if your still uncomfortable, go to a coffee shop like Starbucks. Yes, I know that they don't want you in there with a gun, But the police do not enforce store or company policy. Just order a cup of coffee, have a seat and read the paper or something non gun related. NO ONE WILL SEE YOU. Unless you are sitting in some Hipster's favorite spot. But be sure that your back is to a wall and that you can see who's coming and going. The more places you go, you will find that most people are more worried about the text they just got on their phone then you.
 
chris in va said:
That's the beauty of these newer CC pistols. Small size, good fit, higher capacities. My P365 has almost the same rounds on board as my P01, but thinner, smaller and lighter. Still has a fat enough grip for my longer fingers.
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Not my hands, just too danged small.

Sure I shot the 365 OK when I had it and it was capable of some excellent accuracy, but it was night and day on how much better I ran my other small gun (Glock 26). I just need something that fills the palm more and the flat profile of the 365 just doesnt work for me. Pretty much everything smaller than the Glock 26 does this, but luckily I can easily carry a 26 under any outfit I'd leave the house in, personally.

But I'm certainly in the carry the bigger gun I can shoot better camp. Even if i only get 3 close range shots, from practice and training I'm a heckuva lot better with a 226, glock 17 or 1911 on those first 3 shots than I am with a pocket 9 or j frame.
 
I'm a big baby about my carry gun. I've purchased a small fortune worth of guns, belts, and holsters. Anything remotely large or heavy hits my hip/waistline in an odd way and either makes my leg tingle or causes a headache. I get that carrying is supposed to be comforting and not comfortable, but I'm not giving myself nerve damage over a tool.

I have found, for me, one of 3 methods works:
A small .380 stuck in my pocket. No big deal. Easy peasy. Always there. I have had a few mags drop on accident due to the release getting bumped.

A lightweight revolver held high and tight at 4 o clock owb in a holster I made for it on a wide belt I also made. It hides well under something as mundane and common as a large sweatshirt. No Hawaiian shirt needed.

A full size polymer pistol owb at 2 o'clock in a stiff holster. I only carry this set up for hiking in a place where I wanted more gun or if I were strapping on for real trouble. Since neither of those situations happens much, the full size stays home until range day.
 
My advice to anyone that wants to get a CCW. Is to think of it like buying a dog. You have responsibility. Be prepared to invest a lot of money in ammo. Be prepared to make sacrifices like making the time to train often and frequently. A CCW IMO could do more harm than good, If you cannot draw it fast and hit center mass, it is worthless. It is on going cost and time. KNOW what you are getting into.Too lazy to take your dog to the park for exercise each day. Don't get a dog.
 
I recommend the smallest in suitable for defense caliber. The choice boils down to 9x17, 9x19 or .38 special. I'm moving to .38 to shed weight and to take advantage of Federal HST .38 Micro load.
 
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