CCW weight and Program Compliance

[farm23]

Livin Cincy I like your style. I have carried almost every day since 58 so I am old. Around the farm it is a 44 or + something [not so much for people]. When I so to town it is the same except Sunday's when I do security and then it is a Glock 30S. I believe in "air in blood out".

 

[MedWheeler]

Work days are off-limits to my regular carry, but I answered as if they are not.

I have been carrying a PF9 for the last eight years, which weighs in at less than 24 ounces fully-loaded. However, I am transitioning to a Kahr CW45, which will probably become my primary for at least as frequently as the Kel-Tec has been. I'm not sure of its loaded weight, but it might well be right at 24 ounces.

Incidentally, I've been dropping a GI-type 1911 into the same holster as the other two have fit in at night as I sit outside on the porch, just to see how it feels. I have noticed nothing discouraging about the weight, and, if the 1911 were more southpaw-friendly, I would consider it, though in the Commander platform instead (I have one of those as well.)

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I wear the Carhartts too. But I weigh about 50 pounds less than you. 50 pounds... that's like an 8 year old kid -- a lot less real estate to carry on. I wear 30" waist but it's a loose fit. I tried AIWB with a medium-frame non-snubnose revolver and it looked very "immodest." An untucked flannel shirt wouldn't hide it at all. If I put it anywhere outside my hip bones, it sticks out from my waist substantially. A vertical shoulder holster worked best, but the butt still printed through a loose flannel shirt. A 36" chest doesn't give much depth to conceal it. I need somewhat deep concealment too as I interact closely with kids and adults, ride skateboards, play with a dog and so on, so I can't just stand in the corner and keep my sport-jacket properly adjusted. I carry one or two .357 j-frames everyday without issue, but haven't made the full size thing work yet. I any event, thanks for the response.

Body shape really plays a lot into this, I totally agree. I am 5'10" and 161.2 lbs with a slender build. I carry either a P365 or a P320 (compact grip frame, full-length slide). Both are concealable, but I have to work a lot harder to keep the P320 concealed with regular motion because I just don't have the bulk to conceal it like I could when I was fat.

 

[AK103K]

Body shape really plays a lot into this, I totally agree.

I dont know. Ive carried fat and skinny, and Ive always found skinnier was a bit easier. Not that fat was hard. Just a bit less comfortable in general.

I think more than body type, your mental outlook/attitude on things is even more important. If you are self-conscious, act a little guilty, act like youre carrying a gun, etc, even at a subconscious level, it will look suspicious, to anyone paying attention anyway, and even to those who really arent. How you carry yourself is actually more important than how youre dressed and carry your gun.

You just need to find your gun a sweet spot, get your head right and to the level that the gun is just part of your everyday attire, and you pay as much attention to it, as the knives, wallet, light, etc, in your pockets. Things tend to go much easier at that point.

 

[Tallball]

Deleted

 

[AK103K]

An important question is what do you think you're carrying for?

Is it because you feel you might be a target for mugging, car jacking, or sexual assault?

Or is it because you feel you might be involved in some sort of mass shooting or terror incident?

One is not extremely unlikely (though violent crime has been declining since 1991 or so). The other is literally less likely than being struck by lightning.

What did the magic ball say you need this morning when you got up?

I still think you should base things on what you shoot best, and practice the most with, and go from there. I really dont see how you can pick and choose by the weather, or day, or whatever.

Same gun, same place, day in, day out. The one you use and practice with, all the time, and dont have to think about using, and just seems to appear in your hands when you do think "shoot the guy or guys that need shooting, right now".

Id also prefer to have 16 left out of 17, than to need #6, and only have 5.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

The poll is only about concealed carry. If you carry openly, only answer with respect to your concealed carry.

Since I now live someplace where open carry is legal, I don't carry concealed as much as when I lived in a "no open carry" state. I do own heavier guns that I don't carry much because of weight.

Just sayin'

 

[Trunk Monkey]

This is a pretty simple question do you carry a gun that weighs more than 24 OZ yes or no? Do you carry it more than 4 hours a day yes or no? And half the responses are about how none of the answers apply to them but they're going to answer anyway

I carry a Glock 26 in my pocket (26 OZ rounded off ) from the time I put my pants on until I take them off (more than four hours) If I'm not carrying the 26 I'm carrying a Glock 19 (30 OZ rounded off).

 

[Nuclear]

The OP asked about our Concealed carry specifically. I answered about my current concealed carry, WITH a clarification, since the OP wanted to know about weight and hours of carrying.

When I lived in Florida, it would have been less than 24 ounces, more than 4 hours a day.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I dont know. Ive carried fat and skinny, and Ive always found skinnier was a bit easier. Not that fat was hard. Just a bit less comfortable in general.

I think more than body type, your mental outlook/attitude on things is even more important. If you are self-conscious, act a little guilty, act like youre carrying a gun, etc, even at a subconscious level, it will look suspicious, to anyone paying attention anyway, and even to those who really arent. How you carry yourself is actually more important than how youre dressed and carry your gun.

You just need to find your gun a sweet spot, get your head right and to the level that the gun is just part of your everyday attire, and you pay as much attention to it, as the knives, wallet, light, etc, in your pockets. Things tend to go much easier at that point.

I think it's hard for me with my P320 because the gun is only a smidge shorter, from top of the rear sight to the bottom of the loaded magazine base plate, than I am from navel to back. That combined with a narrow waist and the fact that pants are virtually all designed to fall at the waist or just below it, and it can be difficult.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Have no idea what it weighs, gets carried 2-3hrs a day M-F as I can't carry at work, and 8-10hrs a day on the weekends.

 

[Steveo_1704]

what holster is that?

 

[Capt.Roll]

LOL.......I've carried my P229 since 1994, concealed. Once dressed for the day I'm armed with at least two weapon systems and they aren't removed until I'm ready to shower and head to bed in the evening.

The first 20 years was IWB and the comfort was okay. The last 4 years I've changed to OWB, but still concealed, as I'm not real concerned about printing now that Texas has open carry legislation on the books. When out in public I think most people aren't very observant of their surroundings or aren't particularly looking for someone that may be carrying a firearm.

Weight wise my 229 with holster, 2 magazines/carrier plus gun belt is right at 5 pounds.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

what holster is that?

Tagua.

 

[somethingbenign]

I carried about 20% of the time if not less when I was trying to make a IWB compact 9mm work into my lifestyle and workplace. Ever since I've switched to pocket carrying and micro 380 I've been carrying all waking hours except when showering and working out. Even then I put one of my "house guns" nearby.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I've carried an M1911 for more than 50 years.

 

[RETG]

When I was working, I carried only full size SIG/H&K/Beretta handguns but when retired I only carried PX4s or occasionally a Stoeger Cougar (9 and .40). Now, I'm satisfied carrying around a P30SK around town (highly doubt I'll ever run into any people I used to know when working so the 9mm is fine. During camping, hiking, etc I carry a PX4 .40.

 

[Hertzer]

Carry everyday more than 4 hours answer is yes. However the answer to weighing more or less than 24 ounces is a double yes as well. always have a gun but depending what I am wearing, doing, and where I will be doing it at changes what is being carried. In a suit it's something 1911 sized. wearing gym shorts with a string tie wast at home probably something more like Kel-Tec P-11 or S&W model 642.

 

[mljdeckard]

I have carried full-size handguns for 23 years now. Except, I recently bumped up to double-stack 1911s, most recently a RIA 9mm. I have never weighed it.

 

[ATLDave]

My "program" does not involve carrying most days. That is a conscious decision, driven by an assessment of risks. I fully "comply" with my program. Every time I intend to carry, I carry. You seem to be assuming that anytime someone (who ever carries) chooses not to carry, they are failing to meet their own intentions. I think that is a silly assumption.

 

[CDW4ME]

I've been carrying concealed legally for 25 years, no I did not imply anything.
Jogging, mow yard, walk dog... just pocket 9mm; leave house for other than that: 1911 IWB, two spare mags, and pocket 9mm.

However, prior to retirement I could carry at work and I carried a 1911 IWB + 2 spare mags + pocket 9mm every day (desk job) for months.
That ^ is still what I carry for trips to the store, restaurant, church, errands, ect...

Glock 35 conceals about as easily as the 1911 and is equivalent for IWB comfort; IME longer slides distribute pressure better (5'' 1911, Glock 35)
Glock 35 getting carried more now, considering a 41.
Mercifully pictured with t-shirt rather than the "wife beater" (A Frame) I'm wearing in the heat; add a loose fitting cover shirt, Glock 35 disappears.
Some people may think Glock 35 anit concealable like that, but it do. (I'm 6'1 / 215# for perspective)

 

[Texas10mm]

I don't leave the house much. When I do I carry a LW Commander in .45 ACP with two spare mags. I've carried it for hours at a time. It's the gun I'm comfortable with and shoot the best.

 

[JTQ]

Glock 35 conceals about as easily as the 1911 and is equivalent for IWB comfort; IME longer slides distribute pressure better (5'' 1911, Glock 35)

Tom Givens also left the 1911 for a G35.

There is even a special "Tom Givens Package" available from JM Custom Kydex https://www.jmcustomkydex.com/p/TOM-GIVENS-PACKAGE-G34.html

 

[CDW4ME]

Tom Givens also left the 1911 for a G35.

There is even a special "Tom Givens Package" available from JM Custom Kydex https://www.jmcustomkydex.com/p/TOM-GIVENS-PACKAGE-G34.html

Thanks for the info (link), but that Glock 35 and holster work just fine "as is".