doc hamer
Member
What is your e.d.c.? At home I usually wear an El Paso holster & gunbelt with a single-action Colt or Colt clone. I can't get used to Kydex for some reason.
For those of us who live in an open carry state
- Thread starter doc hamer
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The Night Rider
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I don't Open Carry ever.
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doc hamer
Member
not generally, maybe down to the hardware store or the farmer's market.
Electrod47
Member
I do not carry open in public....I do carry always, but that's for me to know. In Kingman AZ a couple years ago I was in a my favorite mexican food place and noted a an older dude (like me) and his wife sitting in a booth. He's wearing shorts.......His right hip is in the aisle with a (good lookin') 1911 hangng in some kinda speed holster (non-retained) out into the aisle. Not only did he look like an idiot, but he had "Take my gun and kill me" wrote all over him.
AlexanderA
Member
Virginia is an open carry state (no permit required). Not a good idea to do so, in most situations.
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doc hamer
Member
yes. i agree. just b/c one can doesn't mean they should.
It is worthwhile to keep in mind that carrying without a permit issued by the state you are carrying in means that you can't legally carry in federally defined Gun Free School Zones. Having a qualifying permit issued by your state is an exception to the Gun Free School Zones Act while carrying in your state. Without that exception, carrying on public property (roads, etc.) within 1000 feet of school property is a federal crime punishable by up to 5 years in Club Fed.
Unless you plan your routes carefully, to avoid coming within 1000 feet of school property while you are carrying, it would probably be best not to "advertise". It's not likely to become an issue--the feds aren't staking out school zones as far as I know--but it's something we should be aware of.
I can open carry, but don't. No permit required for me in GA either, but I travel, and the permit helps in other states. Depending on the situation and my mood I carry IWB at 4 o'clock with a G19. G43 or Sig 365. During cooler months the same guns OWB occasionally. I do have a KelTec 380 that gets pocket carried at times.
The only time I open carry is when I'm hunting or hiking in areas where other human contact is unlikely unless it is other hunters. On hiking trails where human contact is frequent, I like to use a belt pack or chest pack.
The only time I open carry is when I'm hunting or hiking in areas where other human contact is unlikely unless it is other hunters. On hiking trails where human contact is frequent, I like to use a belt pack or chest pack.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
In Pa we can open carry without a permit. Myself i carry concealed. EDC is my Taurus spectrum pocket carry. Sometimes i'll carry my Taurus PT 111 9mm on my belt.
.308 Norma
Member
"For those of us who live in an open carry state"
Sorry doc, but I'm having a hard time answering that question. Idaho (where I live) has been an "open carry state" since before my dad was born, I think. And I'm 76! Yet the only time I open carry a gun of any flavor is when I'm either on my own property, goofing around in the hills, fishing or hunting. And it's not always the same gun, much less holster.
On the other hand, when we're in town, I'm usually wearing a Glock G19 in an IWB Kydex holster these days. But I used to wear a snub-nosed .38 Special in a leather, OWB holster tucked behind my right hip. Either way, when we're in town, the gun I'm carrying is concealed.
BTW, I have absolutely nothing against open carry. It's just that I don't like drawing attention to myself, and I think open carrying a gun might do just that. As a matter of fact, my wife and I were in Walmart yesterday, and I spotted a whole rack of those loose fitting, brightly colored Hawaiian print men's shirts. So, I told my wife that I might get myself one of those things because it would work well if I wanted to carry a gun OWB this summer. But my wife asked, "WHY???" She said, "You won't wear a shirt that outrageous looking anyway because you think it would draw too much attention."
As usual, I knew my wife was right, so I didn't buy the danged shirt.
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doc hamer
Member
no worries. thank you for the nice reply."For those of us who live in an open carry state"
Sorry doc, but I'm having a hard time answering that question. Idaho (where I live) has been an "open carry state" since before my dad was born, I think. And I'm 76! Yet the only time I open carry a gun of any flavor is when I'm either on my own property, goofing around in the hills, fishing or hunting. And it's not always the same gun, much less holster.
On the other hand, when we're in town, I'm usually wearing a Glock G19 in an IWB Kydex holster these days. But I used to wear a snub-nosed .38 Special in a leather, OWB holster tucked behind my right hip. Either way, when we're in town, the gun I'm carrying is concealed.
BTW, I have absolutely nothing against open carry. It's just that I don't like drawing attention to myself, and I think open carrying a gun might do just that. As a matter of fact, my wife and I were in Walmart yesterday, and I spotted a whole rack of those loose fitting, brightly colored Hawaiian print men's shirts. So, I told my wife that I might get myself one of those things because it would work well if I wanted to carry a gun OWB this summer. But my wife asked, "WHY???" She said, "You won't wear a shirt that outrageous looking anyway because you think it would draw too much attention."
As usual, I knew my wife was right, so I didn't buy the danged shirt.
jar
Contributing Member
We are an open carry state and I'm down by the Rio Grande and so far, at least the last couple decades I've had no issues with open carry or kinda/sorta concealed carry or discreet carry. I can be IWB or OWB, most often new (less than 25 years old) holsters from Aker, Kramer, High Noon, Andrews, Privateer, Grizzle or Rosen or more experienced ones from Bucheimer, Roy's Original Pancake, Strong, Brauer Bros or Hunter. Concealed means slipping a fishing, Hawaiian/Key West print or Guayabera over the t-shirt. In the past in Georgia and California (just post Ronnie) and Arizona and long long ago in Maryland I also never had anyone complain, run about and loudly shout or call the cops. And over somewhat more than a half century I can remember maybe a handful of conversations generated by me wearing a handgun.
Hillbilly Hydrographics
Member
I live in NC which is open carry state. And I open carry cause that's what the current laws say I'm legal to do without a permit. I refuse to pay and take a class so I can get a worthless piece of paper saying I can conceal. So until NC gets off there ass and goes constitutional carry I open carry. Even I we get the votes eventually for constitutional carry I'll still be fine carrying open. My usual edc is my taurus 605 2 inch 357mag with 2 extra speed strips. And everything gets carried in leather since leather is my business. I absolutely hate plastic holsters.
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doc hamer
Member
uh..isn't open carry and consitutional carry two different terms for the same thing? no permit, no training if 18+ and legally able to own a firearm?
Hillbilly Hydrographics
Member
Open carry means open carry constitutional carry means carry open or concealed with or without stupid paperwork.
bangswitch
Member
I don't carry openly, it's an open invitation to questions from the woke left about why I'm armed (and my answer is always "because 2A"), and seen as a challenge possibly by others. My ECD is either a Commander-size 1911 or a snubbie .357. Both are worn OWB in leather.
Just give wide berth to Gun Free Zones for schools K-12.
tws3b2
Member
I've lived in this mid size town for 10 years. I've seen exactly 3 people open carry in that 10 years. I don't and personally don't know anyone that does.
It's not for me to say if you should or not. To each his own.
It's not for me to say if you should or not. To each his own.
357smallbore
Member
Unless you live in rural back woods America or are on your property/farm.
Open Carry is a very stupid thing to do .
Like highly stupid, why draw attention to yourself. Let alone all the Karen's that will be calling the cops
Open Carry is a very stupid thing to do .
Like highly stupid, why draw attention to yourself. Let alone all the Karen's that will be calling the cops
Old Dog
Member
Here I was getting all perplexed by some of the self-righteous, judgmental comments on a gun rights forum.
Then comes this
It's more comfortable (generally), more convenient, offers a faster draw stroke. It's not uncommon in the state in which I reside.
But I'm sorry, I guess I typically err on the side of assuming that even someone that open carries is a grown-up, has considered the risks and is ready to be held accountable if something goes wrong as a result of his/her actions.
Threads such as this sometimes garner responses that make me think I actually clicked into Democrat Underground.
Then comes this
Sigh. I have it on good authority there are some that engage in the practice of open carry and aren't trying to draw attention to themselves, as some here would believe. I myself actually do this in the woods and on the trails, even when -- gasp -- I know I'm likely to run into other hikers or those otherwise enjoying the great outdoors. (Note: I do not OC in any Wal-Mart nor do I own any floppy Uncle Mike's nylon holsters.)
It's more comfortable (generally), more convenient, offers a faster draw stroke. It's not uncommon in the state in which I reside.
But I'm sorry, I guess I typically err on the side of assuming that even someone that open carries is a grown-up, has considered the risks and is ready to be held accountable if something goes wrong as a result of his/her actions.
Threads such as this sometimes garner responses that make me think I actually clicked into Democrat Underground.
Old Dog
Member
Perhaps if we answered these questions more often rather than hiding the fact that we are in favor of the right to keep and bear arms -- and actually do so, the "woke left" might actually have to consider the fact that RKBA support and gun-ownership is more common than they believe and might not be quite so routinely emboldened with their extreme efforts.
Anyway, in the spirit of actually answering the OP's question and not further contributing to the pretty pointless discussion of the efficacy or stupidity of open carry -- which was NOT the OP's thread topic -- I favor the Safariland ALS paddle holsters. Faux suede lined, great retention holsters and incredibly durable. Got one for most of my carry handguns.
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