awkward ccw places

[fjblair]

Sorry us working joe/under 35yo like to dress comfortably not like dr phil!

Same for some of us over 35 Joe's too!

 

[wildcatter109]

Inside the belt, with the thinnest and flattest pistol ever made, a 1911, in commander length, with bobtail for no printing, on a body my size,,,, never even think about the impossible when it is in the best, quietest, most comfortable and secure holster I can get for IWB, that's LEATHER, and makes that possible.

I only fear knowing I am the calmest most worry free there, and about to screw up his whole day, by take his life before I produce it, "if there was one this intelligent enough to realize that", he may take me out first before anyone knew his intentions, and worry about the rest later! That is always my only concern, because if you THINK there is a possibility, ANYONE, could know you have it,, it isn't CC, and you just lost 75% of the advantage of carrying anyways. Pretty useless to carry if a perp as well as anyone else, could no who is a threat, and they are intelligent enough to understand that if you allow it. This is something that makes selection of what you carry, as well as what you carry it in, two of the three most important decisions in what to carry, with the most important being what you personally can swiftly and accurately use.

 

[JONWILL]

Not really...

I have been carrying daily since getting my permit nearly 15 years ago. I pocket carry 95% of the time when out and about in public, and have NEVER had an unintended exposure issue.

This is exactly what I do. Pocket holster and a Smith 442.

 

[Kevinq6]

Any of you guys ccw in a store or specifically a restaurant and it just drives you crazy thinking its going to come uncovered, someone might see it and start problems, etc?
... I was carrying in a home depot one summer and lifted my arm to reach for something and it came undone and some guy kept following me around the store...

OP, as you carry you will stop being nervous.

I don't really care if 1% of the time someone might think I have a gun. It is normal and I do not have to explain myself. I sometimes open carry and unless it's a very large gun most people don't even notice. I remember the guy who invented the phone gun said he had some kid yell that he had a gun since he was conceal carrying in a restaurant. Really, having someone see it once every 3 or 4 years isn't a big deal.

The home depot guy has a problem, not you.

Appendix carry seems to be a good option if you keep worrying about it. It's nice that it's always in front of you so you don't worry. You need to practice with it very carefully though ...

Oh and yes you can't keep feeling for it that's just asking for attention lol. Make sure you have a good holster and wear it. Wear it at home, wear it around the block, wear it everywhere.

 

[SteveChuck]

The truth is that nobody notices. People are so caught up in their lives, phones, or other activities that they rarely notice if you are printing a bit or if the butt is exposed because you reached for the detergent on the top shelf at the grocery store. An untucked t-shirt will cover most carry guns adequately that nobody will notice. Even a thicker white shirt will cover a gun pretty well.

To me, what gives most CCW carriers away is the constant checking and touching of their gun. Instinctively who are carrying will all too often reach back and check their cover garment, touch the butt of the gun, or pull up their pants in a manner consistent with carrying a gun. If you watch, it is an almost compulsive behavior with many carriers, like every minute or so. I can only think of one or two times over the years when I actually saw a holstered gun that was supposed to be concealed.

From a choice of gun standpoint I have settled on a smaller framed gun with a shorter butt to minimize what printing does occur, however even when I carried a full size 1911 in a DeSantis Mad Max, I never had an issue.

Another piece of advice (living in a SE State with long, hot summers) - I have found that wearing a "busy" summer shirt is more effective. One that has a design versus a solid color definitely causes the human eye to miss a "print" much more often. When I teach my CCH class during warm weather, I wear a shirt that has a design on it, short sleeve, cotton with a wife beater T shirt under it - I ask the students to guess where I am carrying and they usually cannot spot it, and that's a full size Kimber 1911 with a Galco Pancake Holster. So, you are right - most folks are so distracted or clueless - looking at phones, distracted etc..I just wish it wasn't when they are driving down the road in a 3,000 lb automobile at 45 mph...

 

[Iggy]

There comes a time in your life when either your chest settles a mite or you get Dunlop's syndrome where IWB or Appendix carry don't work so good.

You young fellers won't understand, but I'll bet the older ones do..

 

[.308 Norma]

You young fellers won't understand, but I'll bet the older ones do..

At 69, I do understand. But what's "Dunlop's" syndrome? Is that like "furniture" syndrome - my chest is in my drawers?

 

[Iggy]

Dunlops Syndrome.. My belly has dun lopped over my belt.

 

[RETG]

I'm 69, very soon to be 70, but so far the DUNLOP syndrome has not arrived; it's sure is trying. However, IWB has never been for me. Someone sees my handgun, so be it!

 

[Blacksmoke]

Colt Cobra (1964) in a front pocket. Never worry about it.

People are just glad to see me.

 

[BigRugerLover]

I found a good solution in carrying a j-frame in a Galco executive holster under my black or navy blue casual shirt (and on top of my undershirt). I leave one button unbuttoned and practice drawing from that position. When I carried IWB, back when any exposure could be brandishing, I bent over to pick up my dropped quarter from the floor and wondered why the circuit court judge behind me was chuckling, and then realized that I had printed clearly. Another time, my clipped IWB holster under a light jacket worked its way over my belt and my Glock almost hit the floor at a bookstore. I grabbed it and held my hand back there, put a very pained look on my face, and walked quickly to my car. If anyone had asked, I would have lied boldly, through clenched teeth, and said, "kidney stone."

 

[zignal_zero]

This is going to sound really bad. I have not used a holster in probably 20 years. Spent hundreds trying different ones, actually built and sold holsters, still hate 'em.

I catch all the grief about the hypothetical ND and retention but 20yr of DAILY carry carries more weight (with me) than all the "what ifs". I have been in mtc crashes, while carrying this method, no issues. Participated in sports, you name it.

Now, I'm changing, for one reason - I've relocated to a Constitutional Carry state and really don't care how well concealed my weapon is. Probably going with a horizontal shoulder rig and leaving my hoodie open. Weight on shoulders, easy seated draw (vehicle), frees up strong side hip for my fixed blade.

Going holsterless made concealment A LOT easier. Back when I carried a striker fired pistol, I cleared it and TRIED to dry fire it in my pants. It is almost impossible. I even pulled my shirt tail through my trigger guard then stuffed it back in my waistband. Keep in mind - I had a 3.5# connector on that weapon. Still wasn't entirely comfortable, so I went to a da/sa (cz p01).

 

[Phaedrus/69]

The feelings of awkwardness go away, being dead does not. Keep packin' and you'll get used to it.