CCW - If You Could Do It All Over Again, What Would You Change?

[metallic]

Be more selective about who you tell that you carry. It's pretty much an open secret in certain parts of the company that I work for.

Other than that, if you are a white color worker and wear dress clothes a lot then buy something that you'll be more likely to carry. I end up changing out of button up shirts after work so that I can conceal a mid-sized handgun. Sometimes if it's too much of a hassle or I'm in a hurry, I'll leave the house without a gun.

 

[Feanaro]

Gotta disagree with that in regards to flashlight/pepper spray. I do agree that "shoot to kill" is horrible advice.

I never said it was bad advice but having a flashlight/pepper spray doesn't make CCW easier. It's more Strategy and Tactics material. That's the forum for discussing things like "shooting to stop" and carrying a flashlight to ID targets. The point of the thread is to help people avoid common CCW mistakes, like the drawer full of holsters and limp belts. Confusing one line of advice with other issues is usually unhelpful, in my experience.

Carrying a flashlight and pepper spray doesn't make ccw and harder

I disagree, partly. If someone (like me) already has plenty of stuff they have to carry on their pants and then you tell them they need to carry a pistol, plus ammo, plus a flashlight, plus pepper spray, it begins to sound like a lot of stuff. I don't have a single pocket available and I can't wear pepper spray and a flashlight on my hip. Customers start wondering what kind of business you do. Simple is better for beginners.

 

[Samgotit]

Something I quickly learned:

1. Practice and Training are two different things. Seek out professional Training beyond a CCW class. Training is not range time or shooting matches, that's practice.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Actually not much. About the only thing I would have done differently was get professional training and get a lawyer first and keep them on retainer.

I bought a good custom holster for a good carry gun and rarely change from it. Only when my 9mm is too big do I drop to a 380 and that is about it.

 

[Guillermo]

If I had it to do over again I would have gotten a reinforced belt.

Several people have mentioned that a good belt is critical. I have a Biachi leather belt which is good but the reinforced 5.11 Instructor Belt literally changed my life.

It is hard to express how much more comfortable it is to carry.

The weight of my daily carry (either a Kahr PM9 or a Colt Detective Special) is almost indiscernible. A full size 357 or 45 is more comfortable that a mouse gun on a regular belt.

I really wish I had known what a difference a reinforced belt makes.

Without question it is the best 30 bucks I ever spent on a carry accessory.

 

[gbran]

If I could do it all over again, I'd have just went out and bought a Glock 26 instead of buying/trying numerous ccw guns and ending up with the G26 anyway.

 

[kd7nqb]

1. Buy a good holster- we all say it, but many of us have made this mistake more than once. Its amazing we dont fret about spending 600 for a gun but gosh 75 for a good holster seems like a crime. (Until you wear it and understand)

2. Carry what suits you

3. Shoot every gun you can before choosing

4. Think about caliber

5. Talk to the guys who know a lot about this stuff, but still take everything they say with a grain of salt.

 

[bigfatdave]

-Don't ever take someone's advice on what gun will suit you as the only answer to your question. And the flipside - don't ever pronounce what gun will solve another person's problems.
-Practice some fun shooting every range trip. It builds comfort and familiarity with your chosen CC gun.
-Just go get the permit, dammit. We all know it is wrong that you need to do so, and we all know it is a pain in the rear, but having a valid CC permit means you have gone through the motions and declared yourself a law-abiding citizen that takes an interest in effective self-defense. So get off the computer and go get the silly class, and go visit the permit office even though it is beneath you to associate with law enforcement.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

Has anyone mentioned the Wilderness Instructor belt?


In many ways it is much better than a leather belt.

the most important being that there are infinitely more points on the belt to lock up the buckle, while on a leather belt, there are 4 or 5 holes.

This allows you to get the belt as tight as you need i, and reposition your holster if need be (something I found myself doing in bathrooms or right after exiting my car) in a jiffy.

 

[KegCommando]

Learn from my mistake.

Don't live in a CCW unfriendly state.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I would buy a J frame 38 snubnose style revolver.

 

[Clarence]

Order a Milt Sparks VM-2 at least 8 months before you plan on getting your CCW.

 

[jimk0512]

Always carry. And own at least one handgun that you can always carry. The larger pistol that could only be carried IWB got left behind when the clothing I wore that day didn't work with IWB carry.

 

[mrt949]

Try before you buy. I could have saved a lot of money.But when you buy get the best and practice .IT IS YOUR LIFE ON THE LINE.

 

[RDak]

I would try and change the law to allow me to carry while drinking!!

I'm kidding.......GEEZ!!

 

[B yond]

I would try and change the law to allow me to carry while drinking!!

I'm kidding.......GEEZ!!

Honestly, I don't have a problem with people responsively enjoying a drink while carrying their weapon.

I don't think people should be out in public getting hammered while carrying, but I don't think a drink over dinner with friends in unreasonable. It would be nice if the law agreed with me (it does in some states, just not the one I reside in).

Sorry to post off-topic.

 

[LightningJoe]

The question is about "If you could do it all over again..." It's not random, dumb advice. It's if you could do it all over again, what would you do differently.


I"d buy an aluminum-framed snubnose .38 and save the rest for long guns.

 

[B yond]

The question is about "If you could do it all over again..." It's not random, dumb advice.

Very HighRoad.

If I could do it all over again, I'd get some advice instead of trying to figure it out on my own.

 

[maniak]

PUSH bag

+1 on psyopspec's

3) The 5.11 Tactical Vest.

It's a good vest, but a lousy holster. My experience with that (and most "concealment clothing") has not been good.

That having been said, of my literally dozens of "holsters," the one that probably sees the most use is my 5.11 "PUSH" bag. PUSH = "Practical Utility Shoulder Hold." Whatever.

It easily accomodates sunglasses, pocket knife, (the oft-recommended) flashlight, book, MP3 player, my book, my wife's Kindle, a couple of beverages and an IWB holster for whatever pistol I've tucked into its (fairly) discrete, zippered CCW pocket. Tack on a MOLLE attachment or two, and there's room for a cell phone and a Leatherman.

A similar bag is the Maxpedition Versipack: more sizes and great design, extremely rugged, but also very stiff material.

When I enrolled in my CCW classes I imagined myself as one day having a gun on my hip, and I guess I do; it's just in a purse about half the time and that I did not see coming. But it works.

Typically, when I carry a sidearm on my body, I go IWB in the small of my back. When I'm not sitting ... in a car ... that's the most comfortable and reachable place to put a concealed sidearm.

But most places I go, I drive or ride in a car. And IWB in the small of your back while driving or riding in a car, even with the sweat strap, isn't all that comfortable and it's still less accessible. With the PUSH bag, neither comfort nor accessibility are issues. I put the bag where I can reach and if the neighborhood is nasty enough, I unzip the CCW pocket. It's accessible and I'm comfortable while I'm en route; and once I'm on site, I can grab the pack or pack the piece.

Similarly, I'v found the easiest way to carry on a bicycle is to strap a SafePacker to the handlebars. (Way better than the PUSH bag for this application. That thing nearly killed my shoulder on a 50-mile ride last year.) It's an easy one-handed pull while mounted, and easily slung over the shoulder when dismounted.

So I guess my advice to the newcomer would be: (1) don't reject any carrying option out of hand, and (2) it's okay to mix and match.

 

[m2steven]

Very good post. And this "but realize that when certain people talk about certain subjects, their opinions ought to be given considerable weight" is very important. I'm recently active in shooting after being out for over 35 years. I've made some recent purchases and my decisions were based upon what experienced people in this forum and a few others have stated. I've got several great pistols and revolvers because of advice I've read.

Also, I've been reading up on improving my aim. I read an article by Massad Ayoob concerning the importance of the front sight. I tried to take a couple of his insights to heart, and lo and behold - my shooting got better by about 25 percent (don't ask how I arrived at that figure - it feels like 25 percent).

Oh, on topic, I just got my first REAL 'tactical' gunbelt. I could hang my laundry off this thing. Maybe use it as a diving board. At any rate, all my holsters fit better on this belt. (I got this belt free with a pair of on-sale pants from LA PoliceGear). Good tip.

 

[jlg]

I would have gone ahead and bought a full size 1911 instead of a 4". Concealing isn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

I agree, jig.

Everyone told me to get a 1 inch barreled short grip 1911, but I have absolutely no problems carrying the full sized gun

 

[sm]

Nothing.
I am damn grateful to those I respectfully refer to as mentors and elders.

I was born in the last great decade and there was no "license" or "permit" issued, one carried concealed because "how raised-what you do".

In some ways we were better off not having the guns, ammo, holsters, belts, gear, equipment ...and Internet.

We did not have students looking for a guru, nor gurus looking for students.

By request, since some pm-ed me:

-It is not what you know that often allows you to survive, instead what you don't know that gets you killed.

-It is not so much what you carry as much as how you carry yourself.

-All any of this is, is doing the correct basic fundamentals over and over and over again.
Hence you cannot buy skill and targets.
When you mess up, it can always be traced back to one or more of the correct basics you did not do correctly.

-You may get knifed, shot, injured, maimed or dead. Just do so under your terms and not the terms of some other sumbitch.

-There will always be more evil out there, than one can have ammunition contained in a gun, and spare ammunition on person in which to deal with evil.
Accept this, and take prudent steps to not get into a situation. If evil does show make sure ever damn shot is placed.

-"Young'un remember always":
Be the firstest with the mostest - Gen. Nathan Bedford Forest, CSA

-Be nice to everyone you meet, even while you make a plan and backup plan to kill them.

-You want the lady or gent with the well worn gun to watch your back, and by the same token fear the evil toting a well worn firearm.

-Watch hands , just remember eyes are the key to the soul.

-There are three or so things evil does before he strikes, so watch for these.
[SouthNarc calls these "3 +1".]

In the same token do not do these things to let evil know your intentions.

-Don't look like prey, think like a criminal.

-Always always always keep an open invitation for Lady Luck to be involved in your life.

-We are gonna mentor you to be non conformist, rebel, unpredictable, non punctual, and to give perceptions you need to give. Evil knows the law, protocol and lesson plans and will be sizing you up, and will know your moves before you, if you are a conformist, predictable, punctual and you are what you appear to be.

-There will always be those better off and worse off than you. The same can be said in regard to there will always be evil with better skill sets and worse skill sets than you. The trick is to never get into a situation and find out -period.

-Action beats reaction.

-Plans go out the window upon being implemented.

-In a crowd you have two options: Retreat or Attack.

-When you find what fits you, get multiples of four.
One is primary, one is back up to primary, one is back up to secondary backup when primary is being serviced or being attended to and one is off site.

-Serious guns get a gold bead front sight -period!

-Rush a gun, run from a knife.

-Shooting and hitting is easy- front sight press. It all the garbage in your head that gets in the way. Shoot don't think.

-Know your guns and gear as if they were a body part. The only way for these to become like body parts is to shoot and take lessons with the damn things.

-Pay attention to the threat, not your damn gun and gear!

-Run what you brung.

-It ain't what you got, so much as attitude.
Play for keeps lest we have to bury your butt and we hate fancy clothes, ties, silly arse dress shoes, funerals and all that crap.

-Fair? Fair is cheating, and playing dirty in a fight, as we assure you evil ain't gonna play fair.

-Being young is fine and dandy, just to survive you need be like a old man /old lady that don't give a rip, and give 'em hell , as you ain't going down easy.

-A bigger person can always use a smaller firearm, whereas a smaller person cannot always effectively use a bigger firearm. So always keep this in mind with others in a home, or business setting.

-Always always always have a .22 handgun , as you never know if'n you gonna get No Recoil orders from a doctor, surgeon or physical therapist.

-What keeps a gun running is feeding, extraction , chamber and magazines if'n it a auto.

-Always carry a dirty gun, always.

-Quail, you gotta thing about quail which is good. There is a lot one can learn from quail to stay safe and how to deal with evil.


Thanks mentors, I miss you ...

s

 

[dkk73]

Awesome thread!

My thoughts:

(1) Take received wisdom, especially popular internet opinion, with a big grain of salt. A lot of the things and practices I finally found worked best were minority recommendations. A lot of the "best choices" I eventually made reflected my personal values and situation. The internet firearms community is chock-full of strong opinions, mob psychology, and people trying to identify themselves culturally through their choices (e.g. angrily insisting on the 1911 for people whom it doesn't suit... and I love the 1911). Also, numbers do not make correctness. The Glocks may not be a good choice for all people, either. Sort carefully, and consider the source.

(2) Be very honest with yourself about what works for *you*. The coolest, most exclusive and expensive holster might not be the one that actually feels good and conceals well. Even if some person insists you can conceal a BAR, maybe you can't.
Eg. my most-used and most-useful holsters are a simple cloth SmartCarry and an IWB AKJ concealco. Both were inexpensive and quick to obtain. And both work far better, for me in context, than my beautiful Alessi rig or the extremely popular C-TAC.

(3) Take practical training earlier. It's very helpful, even if you are the sort of person who learns well by reading and self-study. Few other situations will cause you to drill and practice to the same degree as a quality 2-day course.

(4) Be honest about safety. There's a lot of swagger out there. In reality, most people reading this are not really likely to get into a gunfight. So, it's probably important to concentrate on the real but unglamorous thought of negligent discharge. Figure out the equipment, habits, and mindset that will keep *you* from shooting someone accidentally. I read a lot of stuff about why I would be a bad person if I ever got a gun with a "safety" of any sort. But it ends up working much much better for me (chose the HK P7 ultimately, which dodges the issue in an elegant way).

(5) Buy a J-frame .38 earlier. So damn useful even if not very sexy.

(6) Try as much as possible in terms of equipment. I believe it's probably best to own only a few CCW guns, in order to maintain proficiency, but it's good to try a lot on the way.

(7) Skimping on quality, on the other hand, will only cause you to spend more later. I would personally have spent less time considering teeny weeny mouse guns (hold the flames; they do have their place!)

(8) View caliber opinions with skepticism. What you like to shoot might be very different from what you think or what other people find. My wife likes the .44sp/mag. I like the 357SIG but hate the .40. I like the .45 but find the 9mm actually a very good choice by the #s, despite its "small size".

(9) Buy a good belt right away. It doesn't have to be expensive or huge, just stiff and of good quality. Today, all my belts are technically "gun belts" but they sure don't look it. (e.g. 1.5" tapering to 1.25" inches)

 

[lawboy]

Nothing. I have enjoyed the ride.