One of those big milestones in a new gun owners life

I remember; big deal at the time - carrying a firearm and all. From the novelty came the reality of the responsibility and the disgust that I think I need to carry one at all. I feel the need and hate the need all at the same time. I learned to be humble and courteous, bite my tongue and walk away. It gets old but seems necessary - kind of a thankless task.

I can certainly relate - first time I carried in public was when this whole mess first started back in early March so that memory is still pretty fresh. Carrying in public is still fairly new - particularly since I don't carry all the time. It was still cold out then, and I found it pretty easy to conceal beneath un-tucked, buttoned flannel shirts (which I tend to wear a lot anyway). Of course I still felt like everybody was staring... When weather got warmer I switched to Hawaiian shirts.

Biggest thing I remember was how uncomfortable I was that first time loading and chambering a live round in the house. Been shooting for years at ranges, but never loaded a live round at home (I keep shells in the buttstock holder on my HD gun, but not in the tube). I think I was more nervous about chambering that round than I was about carrying a loaded gun, as I figured something was more likely to go wrong loading it than once the gun was tucked in a holster with the trigger covered and safety on. Before that "first time," I spent some time practicing holstering with an empty gun, watching the trigger like a hawk the whole way into the holster. That apprehension over loading a carry gun passed rather quickly, though I'm quite careful to make sure I don't get complacent about it. I watch that trigger all the way in every time...

For what it's worth, a P365 is my carry gun also, though mine is the version with the safety. I find it most comfortable at 4:00 IWB, and use a simple kydex holster and a Hank's Xtreme belt. My back isn't what it once was, and I found carrying on the front of my body would aggravate it. Wrapped around the back beyond 3:00 seems to keep the grip from poking out as much as it does at 3:00. Body types differ of course and YMMV.

It was not that long ago I got a S&W AirWeight 38Spcl. In fact my first renewal came last year, so six years.
It was in my pocket, IWB, in my jacket, in the console, in the backpack, everywhere!

I still have it, and it shoots great, but looks like the down end of a shovel. I am not enamored with Cerakote.
The past year I’ve had a Keltec P-32 in my pocket or under my pillow. I am amazed at the accuracy of the first shot from concealment. Every bit as good as the Smith, but flatter and three more.

I thought I would like the Sig P-938, and I do, just not for carry. If everything could be melted a little it would do it justice.

I like the 365, but I would like to try a HellCat too. I’m due for a new handgun.


As far as not concealed carry, my 1911s makes yard work duty often, and one sleeps in the night stand. It gives me a neck ache under the pillow!

I remember. S&W 4013, mid 1990s. Took me a couple of years to get an unrestricted carry permit in NY State.

I started carrying in 2010. The first time I ventured out I thought EVERYONE would know I had a heater IWB at 3:00! I have learned the people just don’t pay attention to that and I don’t think about it anymore.

My current CCW is a S&W Shield in 9mm with a Remora holster. I appendix carry now.

2011 was when I first got my permit. First two handguns I bought that were intended for carry were a Bersa Thunder and NAA 22mag. I decided the Bersa was too big for a 380 and the 22mag too small. I went through a string of trials: LC9, Bersa 380CC, LCP, Glock 26, various j-frames, and many others, but also learned I could carry just about anything without 99 percent noticing (At work, teaching, is another matter). Now I choose for a combination of comfort and shootability. I mostly carry a G4 Glock 30 and a 4 inch Shield 2.0. I have carried virtually everyday since I got my permit.

The very first time I carried a gun concealed was when my Battalion Sergeant Major signed out the BNCDR's 1911 from the Arms Room the first day of a training exercise and told me to keep it with me until the Colonel was ready to leave for the field.

I stuck it in the cargo pocket of my BDUs and went to chow. I do remember sitting in the chow hall with that I've got a secret feeling but having it bang into my knee rapidly became a pain in the ass. I'm sure I was glad to turn it over to the Battalion Commander.

I got my concealed handgun permit in 2007 and I don't remember the first time I carried concealed.

Back then there was a thing called "The Walmart Walk". The idea was to put on your gun and walk around Walmart to convince yourself that it wasn't that big of a deal and nobody noticed anyway. So I probably did that.

One thing that I learned quickly was that your gun does not come out of the holster in public. Not for adjustments. Not for selfies. Not to show it off to your buddy. The gun stays in the holster.

Another thing that I learned was to get a purpose-designed gun belt. I remember having to call my wife at home because I was at work and my belt split and she had to go buy me a belt and bring it to me at work. I ordered a Wilderness Tactical Instructor belt the next day.

I also learned the hard way to buy a quality holster from a reputable manufacturer. I use Galco holsters.

At some point carrying a gun becomes no different than carrying a wallet. It's just something I do.

Began carrying age 59, in 2014 or so. It was with a thin, small .380 Makarov, the "commercial" version of the famously reliable Russian military handgun.

*Only one stranger ever made a comment--an off-duty Lady Deputy with Shelby County TN. She could see the grip of the Sig P229 clearly protrude into my then, white t-shirt, as she stood behind me at Walgreen's checkout. That was about 2016.
That rigid plastic Crossbreed holster was gone very quickly.

My classic IWB Remora --which has no clip-- is snug, and keeps every grip (Sig P6, Walther P99 or CZ PCR) against my left hip, worn about the 9:00 position.

Mars5l said:

After 2 months, should have been less than a month due to incorrect address, I finally received my states CWP yesterday. I already had a pistol bought and some holsters for it. I've been waiting and it finally arrived in the mail, I was rather filled with inner glee to see the envelope from the Dept of Agriculture waiting for me when I got home from work. I tucked my Sig P365 into my IWB holster after winding down from work and went for my evening walk around the neighborhood as I usually do. Nothing big just seeing how the holster was going to work out.

Today was the bigger day. Brought it with me as I went shopping. Stopped into Wal-MART to check on ammo and a couple of gun stores followed by the gun store. Still trying to figure out best carry and transport. I kept the Sig in my center console in a leather holster then when I got out it was transferred to a lighter holster that I was already wearing at the 6 o clock position. I tried the 2 and 3 o clock position but found the grip was poking with my shirt and I dont wear loose clothing.

The evening I was more excited to finally be allowed to carry while hiking since I do this once or twice a week every week. I tried an OWB holster up under my fishing style shirt at the 3 o clock, but quickly realized it made my hiking knife bounce to much since it was out front. So I had to swap them around. Also need a new belt since I've lost 25 lbs since January, belt was okay with a knife hiking but supporting a gun was too much.

Do you remember your first you could carry, what did you carry and how long ago was it?

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Those pics almost look like your firearm has it's own Tinder account. Very soulful! Kidding aside, congrats.

I started about 9 or 10 years ago. Like others have said it felt weird at first but soon became second nature.
I started with a G23 because it was winter and easy to conceal. Soon realized I needed a better belt. When summer came I switched to a G43, but now I carry my G48 year round. It's the perfect size for me.
When I get dressed in the morning it goes IWB at 3 o'clock. I NEVER holster the gun while the the holster is clipped on my belt. I ALWAYS holster the gun and clip it on my belt with the gun inside the holster.

I'm a target shooter only, but I can definitely imagine that first time out is quite an experience! Congrats! Regarding comments above about feeling like everyone could tell you are carrying, is the opposite true? That is, do folks who carry notice other people carrying?

I carried a ruger superblackhawk in .44 mag, with the 3.75 inch barrel IWB with a CME holster. Things I remember were:

- Always being concerned about printing (now realize that most people dont pay attention to their kids let alone you)
- Get a good belt
- an SA .44 may not be the best option for CCW
- Who cares, Marty Robbins was my hero.

My carry like many here has diverged over the years, glocks and Smith's and revolvers mainly. Now I've settled on carrying either my Colt .45 or my Smith .44 a taurus 856 always rides backup. Oh yeah and get some training, you'll save alot of money going to one training class then buying useless gadgets, equipment doesnt make up for lack of knowledge.

MrBitey said:

That is, do folks who carry notice other people carrying?

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It depends on how the person is carrying. There are certain things that are automatic indicators. Firearms related clothing for instance. The most often way that I notice somebody else carrying a gun is if they're wearing a tuckable holster and the belt clips are visible.

Back when we were allowed to do such things I noticed two or three people every time I went to church

Trunk Monkey said:

One thing that I learned quickly was that your gun does not come out of the holster in public. Not for adjustments. Not for selfies. Not to show it off to your buddy. The gun stays in the holster.

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Yup.

Mars5l said:

While I was hiking, I did do pull magazine and try some dry firing practice while moving. Just to see if I could and how fast. . .

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Nope.

Unless you aspire to stardom in your local paper as "man with a gun, arrested and charged" stop that.

MrBitey said:

That is, do folks who carry notice other people carrying?

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Let's just say that carrying (should!) leads to a heightened awareness, and that includes what an insufficiently concealed weapon looks like.

In addition to reiterating the good rigid belt and quality holster (I prefer leather but have a few good kydex) specific to your gun, also I'd avoid off-body carry (for reasons detailed in numerous threads). In my first months carrying, I stowed a ruger p95 in a smallish cross-body bag, then realized I would be a fool to take it off, in a social situation it would have been more appropriate to do so ...

I have also found that I genwerally don't even need to use an iwb holster to conceal. A good belt holster at 2:15 with an untucked shirt keeps a g30 hidden and easy to draw. But I'm broad across the shoulders.

Mars5l said:

While I was hiking, I did do pull magazine and try some dry firing practice while moving. Just to see if I could and how fast I could slide my Columbia style fishing shirt up and draw then fire one round.

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Ooh boy - THAT is a recipe for trouble. The stick man sign gives the impression that you were not on private land ... such practice should only be undertaken in a secure , private location.
As stated above , unless you "aspire to stardom" for brandishing , and you also wish to kiss your permit goodbye.
Keep it concealed. That's the idea.

I got CCW license soon after moving to Missouri in 2010 and have renewed it twice now. I moved from Illinois where I thought there was no chance of CCW happening in my lifetime. Amazingly that changed and Illinois now has it.

Lately I've been impressed by the number of people I see open carrying both locally and in Springfield, MO.
I love seeing it. Means times are changing.

Big knife and little gun lol

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This one. 10+ years ago in a Galco IWB holster.

The Evangelist Cowboy said:

Always being concerned about printing (now realize that most people dont pay attention to their kids let alone you).

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I'm not concerned with the 95% of people who aren't paying attention. I'm worried about the 5% who do.

Not a response to you specifically but I've also noticed that every once in awhile you'll run into somebody who wants everybody to know they're carrying a gun but they don't want to be so crass as to actually open carry.

So, they'll cover their 3X gut with a 2X T-Shirt and then "conceal" a Model 29 under it

Trunk Monkey said:

I'm not concerned with the 95% of people who aren't paying attention. I'm worried about the 5% who do.

Not a response to you specifically but I've also noticed that every once in awhile you'll run into somebody who wants everybody to know they're carrying a gun but they don't want to be so crass as to actually open carry.

So, they'll cover their 3X gut with a 2X T-Shirt and then "conceal" a Model 29 under it

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That was when I was first starting out not today, I actually can and do conceal model 29s quite easily, I'm not super tall (6'1 ish) and do it with a simply rugged or a mernickle holster.