Dont carry yet, but thats going to change SOON.

[Roadwild17]

I just filled the papers for my CCW class. Now that I'm going to be waiting for 3 weeks to my class, do anyone have any good information on carrying (styles of holster and belts, carry positions, what the acronyms mean ex. IWB, stuff like that)?

 

[highdesert]

whatever works for you

Everyone will tell you that the style of carry that works for you is the best one. For me it's a Kahr PM9 in a Desantis Tuck This IWB holster. I feel comfortable carrying anywhere*, anytime with this. Someone else might hate it.

Practice often with your carry rig, drawing from concealment, even if it's a little more difficult to re-holster between shots.

One piece of advice: when you first start carrying, you'll feel that everyone can see your weapon. It's all in your head. You may want to not carry so as to avoid the uncomfortable feeling. I made myself carry all the time* (even to pick up passengers at LAX, which is crawling with security) until it became a habit. Think of it as the opposite of quitting "cold turkey." I highly recommend it.

*Unfortunately I can't carry at work, and I have a great job, so for now I don't. It's a risk I accept for now.

Good luck,
highdesert

EDIT to add: IWB is Inside the WaistBand, which is just a holster that rides inside your pants. Many find it a great way to conceal even a large handgun. It's the opposite of OWB, Outside the WaistBand.

 

[redneckrepairs]

LOL that pretty much nailed it , on another forum we send the new guys to wallmart to buy wwb practice ammo and have nachos , both are the worst , but spend the time at wally world to do both and you will figure out no one is looking at you like you have a tumor on your side . pm me for a ccw board which may well help you start out , i just dont like to spam other boards here , this is a great board in and of itself lol

 

[pax]

Re the acronyms & such, come visit my site. There's a lengthy glossary section which may be of some use. (Link is in my sig line.)

pax

 

[modifiedbrowning]

For CCW I prefer IWB.
For holsters, in Kydex I like Blade Tech and for leather I like Grahams.
For belts I would check out Rafter S.
I have been very happy with my purchases from all three companies.

 

[Dacoda]

Pax,

Can you add "TackDriver" and "M.O.A." to your glossary for me?

I'm still uncertain exactly what's considered a tackdriver... and... the definition of MOA.

Thanks

 

[Lew]

To save you time:

A tackdriver is a very accurate firearm. A little imagination will offer you the etymology, I'm sure.

MOA stands for minutes of angle. (A circle has 360 degrees; a degree has 60 minutes; a minute has 60 seconds) It's a way of describing accuracy in a way that is independent of distance. You can search or have someone explain it in detail, but most people use a convenient approximation. 1 MOA is approx. 1" at 100 yds, 2" at 200 yds, .7" at 70 yds, etc. So, if you have a rifle in a machine rest and fire a few rounds at a target 300 yards away, and all the little holes are within a circle with a 6 inch diameter, you're shooting within 2 MOA, and can expect to shoot twice the distance (600 yds) with a grouping twice as big. Make sense?

A .02 explanation, I know, but you can easily search it, now that you know the full name, anyway!

 

[Srigs]

Here is what I have found to be important.

#1 - Good gun belt not a dress belt
#2 - Pocket carry is great
#3 - A small BUG I consider a must for pocket carry. (I use it as a NY reload)
#4 - Belt and Inside the Waist Band (IWB) are the best for carry mediium or large gun
#5 - Get different sized guns to meet your needs depending on the situation and weather
#6 - Gun must be 100% reliable
#7 - Gun must point well for you and no one else (Glocks don't work for me but that is just me)
#8 - Follow a routine on how you handle your gun when you take it on and off or load and unload.
#9 - Teach your wife or sig. other how to do #8 incase of accident or medical issue
#10 - Hits are more important that caliber or bullet type.
#11 - 99% of people are obilious about gun carriers (sheeple)
#12 - #1 way to survive a gun encounter is not to be in one

Hope this helps and carry in good health!

 

[Dacoda]

Lew

Thanks.. it actually is a good explanation. I appreciate it