First carry experience - no hurry to do it again

[WVleo]

I didn't bother going through all the post once I got the gest of the responses and I see You have just started CCW . What You have yet to learn Grasshopper is the reason most here if not all have a drawer loaded with holsters, belts and magazine pouches aquired over the years searching for what works for You. Once You can snatch the 15-20 holsters from My drawer You must leave here ! LOL ! Yes CCW comes with issues, but experience can make it more comfortable. I recall the days of My Ruger P-89 stuffed with a aftermarket 19 round magazine in a SOB holster with a 19 round magazine at 8 O'clock in a OWB magpouch. Want to buy a uncle mike's holster for a P-89 LOL LOL.....WVleo

 

[jbrown50]

That was certainly part of it.

I was carrying a S&W 3913 which is not a pocket pistol, but certainly not large. Had it in a High Noon IWB holster.

I guess I was not aware of how much planning needs to take place to make it work smoothly. Problem is that it will be so seldom that I can carry that I'll never get good at it unless I move to another state. And that's a possibility after I retire in about ten years.

I remember going through that first carry phase in my life. I was extremely conscious of my carrying specifically whether or not it was showing. Even as a cop back then I was still overly conscious about my off duty carry. Later it just became a routine of which I got better and better at over time. It didn't take long, maybe about a month, to develop and begin to perfect my routine. It then became second nature.

I began adjusting my wardrobe accordingly. I effectively concealed even 5" 1911 .45s inside the waistband in the Summertime with nothing more than an inner t-shirt, an outer big loose fitting t-shirt, and a properly fitted and canted holster. Today I carry a Kahr PM40 in a pocket holster and I don't have to wear giant bozo the clown pants to do it. Just loose fitting jeans and dress pants with large enough pockets that fit my physique.

Even in Maryland you can carry on your person, without a permit, within your home and on your property. That's where you can work on and perfect your carry mode.

 

[huntsman]

I know that everone will now tell me that I should have had the gun with me at all times because you never know when something will go wrong.

Pocket carry

An old man's friend

 

[MisterMike]

At least at first, it's a little odd. Try different methods of carrying (tuckable IWB holsters are great and pocket carry is extremely easy with the right pistol and pocket holster). If you find it more of a hassle than it's worth, don't sweat it.

Ultimately, I think you'll come to appreciate the peace of mind it imparts, but most people go through a period similar to what the OP described, where they're focused on the gun and cannot find a comfortable solution to concealed carry.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I'm sure that I'm in the minority here, but carrying was not the wonderful experience that I imagined it to be.

I can't recall ever thinking that carrying a gun was a wonderful experience, and I've been carrying since about 1975, when and where it was legal to do so. At best it gets to be something that you don't really think about, not that the fact that you're armed ever really slips your mind. Usually it's a pain in the butt one way or another. It's a big responsibility and not one to be taken lightly.

The only thing I know of that's worse than carrying a gun all the time is needing one and not having it. I know that from experience, from the days before NC offered a concealed carry permit. Fortunately it was legal to carry in your vehicle (just not on your person) in those days, and I won the walking race across the parking lot to my car, before the poor disadvantaged young man with the knife was able to do a little self-directed income redistribution - or worse.

Carrying a gun is a personal decision, and is a very individual thing. It isn't my business whether anyone else carries or not. I'm going to carry, wherever and whenever it's legal to do so.

 

[CoRoMo]

..not the wonderful experience that I imagined...

LOL! That made me laugh hard. No offense though. I just never thought it could be imagined to be some sort of marvelous phenomenon. I don't much recall putting on my holster/gun this morning, and I had to check just now to be sure that I was in fact carrying. It's like my wallet, I take it everywhere, but I don't think it is some special act.

 

[ZeSpectre]

If I have Sherman set the Waybac machine I can remember my first few weeks of carry pretty clearly. It was stressful and there were several times I wondered if it was the wrong thing for me and I did some serious re-considering about it.

Then I had the good luck to be taken under the wing of an older gent with lots of experience under his belt (no pun intended) who helped me select some more appropriate gear and who taught me some techniques that made it almost completely different experience.

The tops, number 1 thing.....have a good belt. A REAL gun belt (Personally I swear by the belts by "the beltman"). A solid belt makes so much difference in carry that you wouldn't hardly believe it.

Next is planning your wardrobe and that includes thinking to yourself "gee if it gets hot how can I handle that".

Finally, I recommend a good gunsafe for the car because sometimes you just need a break from the gun especially when you are first starting out.

 

[woad_yurt]

How about a Hawaian shirt for holster carry or a smaller gun for your pocket?

 

[Skyshot]

My true carry gun is an LCR. I have several different handguns but I don't carry them if they feel bulky or I have to wear a garment to conceal them. I never liked the "plastic" new guns until I wanted to carry while in Florida a couple of summers ago. I bought one of the LCP's and I like the fact that I can carry the LCP or LCR in my shorts with a T-shirt and flipflops and no one knows that I am carrying. Needles to say that in the winter it's no problem at all with one of the new pocket guns. Some will feel they need a full size double stack mag and multiple magazines, but I like to go lightweight. I keep the the big stuff in the car. Its just a matter of what you think you need. The more size you think you need the more difficult and more uncofortable the carry becomes.

 

[Pilot]

You may want to try a Walther PPS which is slimmer and lighter than the 3913. Instead of a jacket, an untucked jean shirt is usually my cover garment in moderate weather.

 

[kd7nqb]

Ok so not to be mean but you never even carried for a full day. Was it awkward the first time you drove a car? Work to get Maryland laws changed and then carry the hell out of it at home. You will adjust real quick.

 

[wbwanzer]

Ok so not to be mean but you never even carried for a full day. Was it awkward the first time you drove a car? Work to get Maryland laws changed and then carry the hell out of it at home. You will adjust real quick.

Maryland is a Democratic controlled, liberal state. I'm not holding my breath for things to change that much here.

I appreciate all the responses, and no one has really flamed me yet. Some are posting as if I'll get used to the carry situation. Please remember, I can't carry in my day-to-day life here in Maryland, and will be limited to those occasions when we visit Virginia or Pa. When we visit my in-laws in N.C. I won't be able to carry because they're anti-gun and will not appreciate me carrying while visiting. So I'll probably always be a 'newby' until I move to another state.

 

[EddieNFL]

There are several factors to consider when carrying and each person has to set their own priorities. Personally, comfort is last on the list.

 

[Threeband]

A fellow Marylander here.

Maryland is a Democratic controlled, liberal state. I'm not holding my breath for things to change that much here.

Don't hold your breath. Join Maryland Shall Issue. http://www.marylandshallissue.org/

We are the ones keeping Maryland from becoming New Jersey. Please join us.

There may be big changes coming to Maryland in the next year or two. Don't give up. Don't give in to Battered Gun Owners Syndrome. http://www.calgunsfoundation.org/bl...ight-for-the-right-to-keep-and-bear-arms.html


http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=40649

 

[basicblur]

The operative word here is "understand"!?

Also I as understand it you can carry in a National Park as long as you are in accordance with the state laws where the park is located. Since it is legal to open carry in Virginia could you open carry in the Shenandoah National Park?

He came looking for info on that before he took his trip, and chose the path of least resistence by opting to CC only (which is legal).

It gets a little muddy when trying to find whether OC is legal in a NP or not.

In VA, you have 3 different laws/rules, etc concerning OC:
1. In and about the general public (legal)
2. In state parks (just made so by our governor's 'directive')
3. Not yet in state forests-to wit: The governor has also given initial approval to a proposed regulatory change allowing the carrying of weapons, openly or concealed, in state forests. Those proposed regulations are in the public comment stage, Martin said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/19/AR2011011907001.html

Now, is it legal to OC in a NP located in VA?
Darn if I know (or have had any luck finding out).

I'm sure, based on his earlier thread, he wisely chose not to find out the OC law was a little too inside baseball for every park ranger/employee he would encounter if he OCed in SNP.

 

[wbwanzer]

He came looking for info on that before he took his trip, and chose the path of least resistence by opting to CC only (which is legal).

Now, is it legal to OC in a NP located in VA?
Darn if I know (or have had any luck finding out).

I'm sure, based on his earlier thead, he wisely chose not to find out the OC law was a little too inside baseball for every park ranger/employee he would encounter if he OCed in SNP.

Exactly! I didn't want to push the boundaries in such a grey area. I wanted to keep it as simple as possible. Only CC in areas where I was certain (certain as I could be) that it was OK.

 

[gymguy]

Hide-it Holster

Have you considered a Hide-it Holster? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJr0rvioIK0. It may be more comfortable regardless of what you carry and doesn't require covering garments.

 

[wbwanzer]

Have you considered a Hide-it Holster? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJr0rvioIK0. It may be more comfortable regardless of what you carry and doesn't require covering garments.

I've actually got something just like that by another name. The gun sort of shows in my jeans though. But it is a possibility.

 

[dusty14u]

When we visit my in-laws in N.C. I won't be able to carry because they're anti-gun and will not appreciate me carrying while visiting.

Why would this be? Although NC has many archaic Jim Crow laws and some other absurd ones I wouldn't consider the state to be anti-gun. From several letters I have seen from the AG's office they don't distinguish resident or non-resident CCW carry. Your non-resident Utah is perfectly legal in NC since Utah has reciprocity with NC. And- open carry is legal in NC if you don't want to conceal carry.

I recently married a NC resident and I am living and working in Va until I can get a job and relocate to NC. I have done quite a bit of research in NC gun laws because I am there every other weekend and holidays. I am helping my wife and her sons get their CHP's so I am familiar with most of the processes in NC.

 

[bearcreek]

He's talking about his in-laws, not the state. Personally, in that situation, I would get a pocket pistol and carry anyway. What they don't know won't hurt them and in this case has the possibility of helping them.

 

[basicblur]

As one who lives on the border, I've also done a lot of research on NC laws, and they really suck.

It would be easier/a shorter list if NC just told you where you could carry! :banghead:

 

[bearcreek]

I've actually got something just like that by another name. The gun sort of shows in my jeans though. But it is a possibility.

I saw one of those at the NRA show in Pittsburgh this year. Looks like it'd work as long as you never want to sit down.

 

[dusty14u]

As one who lives on the border, I've also done a lot of research on NC laws, and they really suck.

It would be easier/a shorter list if NC just told you where you could carry! :banghead:

Agreed, especially when compared to Va laws. I have often heard NC referred to as the Mass of the south.

 

[hermannr]

First a little background: I live in Maryland, so I can't carry where I live, which is where I definately feel most vulnerable. I got my Utah non-resident carry permit two years ago which allows nme to carry in my neighboring states. I have not been able to use it until this past weekend. The wife and I went to to the mountains in Virginia for two nights. First day we were at Graves Mtn Lodge for their Apple Harvest festival. Lots of people with lots of kids and dogs. No alcohol being sold or consumed anywhere. Too warm for a jacket. I did not carry. When it was dark after dinner we used the car to get to our cabin to resolve any bear issues the wife was having.

Next day we went to the Skyline Drive. I carried for the two hours while we walked up Hawksbill Gap and back. Nearing the peak of our hike I was getting pretty warm, but I couldn't remove my coat because of the gun. I didn't carry the rest of the day or the next morning when leaving. Ninty percent of the other guests at Big Meadows Lodge were between 65 and dead. I was a youngster at 60. I realize that one of these oldtimers could have started some crap with me, but I was willing to take my chances.

Of course on the day we came home I almost forgot to take the pistol out of the glovebox and move it to the trunk before we reentered Maryland.

So my maiden voyage with a carry gun pretty much seemed like more hassle than I wanted. I know that everone will now tell me that I should have had the gun with me at all times because you never know when something will go wrong. That is true (the part about not knowing). I'm sure that I'm in the minority here, but carrying was not the wonderful experience that I imagined it to be. Maybe I made it out to be something that it's not because I've never beem able to carry before. Anyway, I'm in no hurry to do it again (unless I could carry in my home territory which includes Baltimore city, but that isn't happening)

Eddited to add: I was carrying a S&W 3913 in a High Noon IWB holster.

Oct 29 Edited to add: I appreciate all the responses, and no one has really flamed me yet. Some are posting as if I'll get used to the carry situation. Please remember, I can't carry in my day-to-day life here in Maryland, and will be limited to those occasions when we visit Virginia or Pa. So I'll probably always be a 'newby' until I move to another state.

On second thought though, the suggestion that I carry in my home to get used to it is a very good suggestion. That would help except for not wearing colder weather coats in the house.

Why were you concerned about exposing your carry? It is perfectly legal to OC in both VA and PA. I OC by default, I never cover on purpose, ever. If my carry is covered, it is because it is cold and I am wearing a coat. I have been carrying for 40+ years,,,it's never been a problem for me (no I am not LE)

Next time you are in VA, PA (or WA) and it is hot, Take your coat off and enjoy the freedom a real state has to offer.

I just noticed a snip on OC in a NP in VA. If you can OC in a State park (you can in VA, PA, and WA) you can in a NP. The rule is, whatever state law is. Remember, a law PROHIBITS an activity, law's do not allow, unless they are an exemption to a prohibition.

BTW: I would also like to state, here in WA we can OC without a permit, and when I sarted to carry, that is how I was introduced to carry...OC to me is the most comfortable, and comforting way to carry...I have a CPL, Why? For winter when I wear a coat.

 

[basicblur]

If you can OC in a State park (you can in VA, PA, and WA) you can in a NP. The rule is, whatever state law is.

We've already been over this-stating you can OC in a NP (in VA) just because you can in a SP and The rule is, whatever state law is may not necessarily be the same thing.

Again, what state law are we mirroring to justify OC in a NP?
As has been pointed out, there are 3 different rules/laws/directives covering OC in VA-if anyone can point out an official document stating it's OK to OC in a NP according to VA law, I'd be glad to see it (and print and carry should I go to a NP).

Apparently it has only recently become legal to OC in a VA SP, and it was made so by a directive from the governor-it was reported carrying in a NF located in VA was currently open for feedback etc, and may be subject to a future directive from the governor as has recently been done for the SPs.

I'm still a little fuzzy on the directive thang-our current governor was formerly our AG, but what if the current AG doesn't agree with the governor and his directive? Who is the highest LE official of the state, and who is going to have the final say? Exactly where does a directive fit in AFA state laws, which one carries more weight, and which one is the local DA going to enforce, etc?

Now I would assume the governor would consult with the current AG when issuing his directive, but I've seen nothing to indicate such.

I CC, but have on occasion OCed in VA, but ain't no way I'm going to OC in a NP located in VA since this is still a VERY gray area.
99% of the time in a NP I'd still prefer CC-I could see OCing while hiking on a trail etc during warm weather etc, but I see no reason to scare the natives when in the lodges/restaurants etc.