Arizona open carry gun choice

[Ian]

I'm going to be spending a few days in Arizona in a a little while, and I read that it's legal and at least somewhat socially accepted to open carry there. I'm planning to carry something, but I'm not sure whether to go with a 1911 (in black Kydex hip holster) or repro (very reliable) 1860 Army revolver (in plain leather Slim Jim holster). I'm a good shot with each, each packs a good wallop, and it's virtually unthinkable that I'll actually need to use whatever I carry.

Anyway, I'll be on private property most of the time, but I'm wondering if one would make more of an "I'm a friendly guy with a gun, not a paranoid nut" impression on any local folks I might encounter.

Thoughts?

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

I spent a summer in Arizona and carried my 1911 every day wherever i went. Never had a single problem whatsoever in fact had several people compliment me on my nice sidearm. I often saw others with open carried pistols as well. Went in just about any store you can think of, WalMart, Kmart, supermarkets, gunstores, resturants, etc. Be responsible and have fun.

 

[MikeJ]

I have lived in Arizona for almost 50 years and don't see a lot of open carry. It does go on and is legal but not terribly common in the metropolitan Phoenix area. If I were to choose between the guns you mentioned it would be the 1911 simply to avoid the "hey, I'm a cowboy" look. Keep in mind that any establishment that sells alcohol is off limits to guns as well as every gun shop I know of prohibits loaded firearms on the premises. In addition, many stores and even a few shopping centers prohibit firearms, so unless you can easily stash your gun conveniently close by, open carry can pose a problem. Quite honestly, I seriously doubt whether most indiviuals that carry concealed ever give some of these off limits signs a second thought since no one knows they are carrying anyway. If you are in the more rural areas then open carry is much more common. BTW, hope you enjoy your stay and welcome.

 

[Jac]

I'd go with the 1911... but that might be because I grew up around guys who open-carried .45s all the time. O'course, that town's changed... a LOT! Sad...

Anyway, the sixgun might make you look like a *gasp* tourist , (depending on where you're going, of course).

But that's me.

 

[Wildalaska]

I have lived in Arizona for almost 50 years and don't see a lot of open carry. It does go on and is legal but not terribly common in the metropolitan Phoenix area

Based on what Ive read hereI thought everybody walks arounbd Arizona with a piece on dere hip


WildcowboyAlaska

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

Never ventured down to Phoenix, but in northwestern AZ where I stayed for the summer I saw quite a few people carrying. Also found very few places where I couldn't carry save for govn't buildings. Even the gun store that I would go to about once a week had no problems with my having a cocked and locked 1911 on my hip.

 

[Jac]

I wish! We have a lot of city slickers.

 

[Old Fuff]

Outside of Phoenix and Tucson no one in the rural parts of the state worry about open carry. I tend to lean toward a lightweight .45 Colt Commander because of the combination of weight vs. power. Glocks are popular for the same reason. You will encounter revolvers of every description. In the southern part of the state many, if not most people go armed because of illegal "border crossers," and by this we don't mean farm workers.

As it's starting to get hot think in terms of a light gun because you're going to need to carry plenty of water. That can be more important then any firearm.

 

[Travis McGee]

Rural, si. Urban, no.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Considering the only time I leave the city is to go shoot... I just about never open carry now that I have my concealed carry license. Most people probably wouldn't even see it, until someone does and screams "terrorists!"

 

[AZG23]

Out of the 2 choices, I voted for the .45.....

however, Id carry a Glock. Most people dont see them anyway..but if they did, they'd think you were a cop and leave you alone. I havent open carried for the past 10-11 years...CCW is so much better.

 

[Treylis]

every gun shop I know of prohibits loaded firearms on the premises.

If you keep it holstered, they have no problem. That sign is there more so to prevent people from walking in with a loaded gun that they're going to handle/try to sell.

I carry openly in the most urban areas of Phoenix/Tempe/Chandler/Mesa/Scottsdale all the time and I've had zero problems. I don't see every twentieth person out there packing heat, exactly, but I do see a lot of folks carrying openly--at least one every few weeks.

Don't even worry about being hassled by the police. I always seem to run into them in droves when I'm packing, and there's never even been as much as a single "ah, excuse me, can I ask you" put in my direction by them. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on how you dress.

As to the gun choice, I voted 1911s because I like 1911s. Pick what you shoot best.

 

[BuckeyePPC]

I was in Tombstone Memorial Day weekend and didn't realize they were having a wild west weekend. I think it was Wyatt Earp weekend or something like that. Anyways a lot of folks were dressed in period clothing and a whole lot of 6 shooters, some rifles and shotguns were in plain view. It was great to see that many people carrying that many weapons with all the tourist types around. I wish I would have known 'cause I would have gotten all duded up myself with my Ruger Vaqueros 45 Colts hanging on both hips.

I see someone every once in a while in Tucson open carrying. One young guy wore a Glock in black tactical holster in WalMart so I chatted with him a bit. He said he always open carrys and never gets hassled. I told him I carry concealed and only open carry when I'm out in the desert or mountains. Had a nice chat and a bunch of people walked by,, must have heard us talking, and paid us no mind.

 

[Old Partner]

I open carry in and around Tucson and Phoenix all the time and have never had a bit of trouble. I have had one or two people open their eyes wider a bit when they notice the Walther P99 on my hip but that was the extent of it. And I really mean only a couple of people in the last three years. For posted places (primarily the malls) I just conceal it...

 

[Lennyjoe]

Only time I open carry round these parts is when Im headed out into the bush. Other than that its concealed carry.

I see folks open carrying round from time to time and no one gives them any grief.

Id wear the cap n ball if I went to Tombstone just to fit in a bit.

 

[JCM298]

We eat lunch at a local restaurant that attracts all types of LEO's: City, county, state, and federal. Some are uniformed, some are plain clothes, some are under-cover types. My table usually consists of three deFectives and me, a civilian employee/retired LEO.

There are a number of people who come in that have no connection with law enforcement who are wearing various types of guns. they don't get a second glance from any of the LEO's. Once in a while, a stranger will start a conversation about what so-and-so is carrying.

Today a Border Patrolman joined me outside for a smoke and commented that anybody who tried to rob that place would be in for the surprise of his life. There must have been 30 to 40 people with guns in the place and not all were LEO's.

Years ago, in rural AZ, it was not unusual to make a traffic stop and write a ticket to a driver carrying a single action Colt, Ruger, or DA Smith. I never had a problem with that. After issuing the ticket, I even talked about guns with the drivers.

Things have changed a little. I don't see open carry as often as I used to,

John

 

[Ian]

Cool - thanks for the info, guys.

 

[El Tejon]

Maybe cap and ball. That way you can strike up a conversation at the buffet with someone who actually used it against Johnny Reb.

I carry a 1911 there. Of course, I open carry a 1911 here so I'm biased.

 

[Len_in_Phoenix]

While I usually carry concealed, I try to "go open" at least once a week just because. The last time I carried openly I took my 12 yr old daughter out for ice cream with my Kimber and a spare mag openly displayed on my belt. Nobody cared.

I'd go with the 1911 simply because I like 1911's.

Len

 

[Lennyjoe]

JCM298, that restraunt doesnt serve alcohol does it?

 

[JCM298]

Of course not! CCW is not allowed in bars or restaurants that have an on-site consumption liquor license. I'm not about to risk loosing the CCW permit by violating a law concerning the use of the permit.

John

 

[aguyindallas]

Ok, I can't resist this one...

Neither, what you need is a gun wit da switch!

*ahhh*, I feel better now.

It's been a rough day folks, THR has been my outlet!

 

[Lennyjoe]

None of us would of had to worry about carrying in the restraunt if the politicians would of passed that darn bill.:banghead:

 

[Treylis]

None of us would of had to worry about carrying in the restraunt if the politicians would of passed that darn bill.

Yeah, I've been seeing a few signs for the re-election of Slade Mead, who's my district senator (Republican) and voted against it... man, I've just got an urge to tear those suckers down. I e-mailed and talked with the guy about it, he's a real moron.

Sign, we really didn't do too well when we got shall-issue in this state.