Getting use to carry

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Willy G.

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I've been around firearms all my life but never carried. Now that I have my permit, I was wondering how long it took before (those how carry) got use to it.
Meaning, it (the weapon) being on your person as well as actually carrying a firearm.
Maybe It's just me but the more I do it the more I'm feeling comfortable with it as well as feeling more observant of my surroundings and safe.
 
it does take a little adjusting to get used to. i started with an hk auto but felt like i needed to take a chunk out of my a** to make it feel comfy! now im on a med frame s&w 357 in a 4 inch trim heehee. outside the belt scabbord makes for a comfy fit!
 
I heard a phrase that's stuck with me since I started carrying.

Carrying a gun is supposed to be comforting but not necessarily comfortable.

But with the right gun, the right holster, the right belt, the right carry location, you can truly forget you're even wearing one. It takes lots of experimentation. Don't be afraid to spend a little time trying different cants on your holster, different locations on your belt, etc. That's the good part because it's free.
 
But with the right gun, the right holster, the right belt, the right carry location, you can truly forget you're even wearing one. It takes lots of experimentation. Don't be afraid to spend a little time trying different cants on your holster, different locations on your belt, etc. That's the good part because it's free.
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Thanks, That's exactly what I've been doing. I always come back to either pocket carry or IWB just above my front right pocket/with the pocket holster, it seems to work the best for me though I do not like a weapon aimed at the jewels :eek:
 
I've carried for many years. Some years back, I wound up in a bad part of Little Rock, Arkansas, and had to get gas. As I stepped out of the truck, I looked around me and thought, "I sure wish I had my .45 with me."

Then I realized I did have it.

The moral of this story is, after a while you don't even notice it's there.;)
 
Carrying a gun is supposed to be comforting but not necessarily comfortable.

But with the right gun, the right holster, the right belt, the right carry location, you can truly forget you're even wearing one. It takes lots of experimentation.
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This is very true. The 5" 1911 in my IWB holster is barely noticeable as I type this. When I first started carrying (a S&W 642 in a pocket holster), I was very much aware of it/adjusting to it for the first week. When I started carrying my 1911 it took only a few hours to adjust. If your gear is good, it won't take long at all.
 
so.... what do you do when you need to sit down in a public restroom?
(assuming I/OWB carry)

-Daizee
 
so.... what do you do when you need to sit down in a public restroom?
(assuming I/OWB carry)

-Daizee
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Oh!!!! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! :eek: never sit, wait till ya get home. For those who dare sit, drop it in your pocket.
 
Oh!!!! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! never sit, wait till ya get home.
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:D

This is the rule I follow, so I haven't had to find out, yet.

As a side note, I read a story on THR about a cop who left his piece on top of the toilet tank while he did his business. When he finished, he went to grab his gun and it slipped on the slick porcelan and headed for the drink. I'm guessing this gun didn't have a safety, because he instinctively grabbed at it and blew the crap (literally) out of the crapper :neener: ... just remember that story next time you are looking for a place to park your weapon.
 
Oh!!!! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! never sit, wait till ya get home.
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That's why I like wearing my CCW vest. There's a top pocket for reading glasses and pen. Two lower, inside pockets for speedloaders. And when I need to SIT, I take the vest off and put the hook on the back of the door through both arm holes, then put the gun into one of the lower outside pockets. The gun is easily accessible if I should need it, it's not going to fall in the toilet, and it's not likely to go skidding across the floor. When I'm done, I pull the gun out of the pocket, back into the OWB holster it goes--and mission accomplished!

Vest looks like this:
http://www.concealedcarry.com/
 
Couple of thoughts...

When you first start carrying, you're really paranoid because no matter how small the pistol, you think that everyone can see it.
The reality is that most any pistol can be carried concealed in the right holster and by choosing reasonable clothing.
When I started carrying, I just knew that my PPK in IWB holster could be seen by everyone, but the truth is that no one as ever "made me" carrying it.
Then I went to a Colt stainless Commander in a VM2 holster, and I'll be damned if I've still never been made with that much larger pistol.

Also, I try very, very hard to not have to "sit down" in a public restroom, but on the rare occasion when there is no other option, what I do is to pull out my rig and set it on top of my pants between my legs that are now around my ankles.
It's pretty much impossible to forget it because you have to pick it up to pull your pants up, and I slip my belt through it and have it in place before I zip up.
This way, the pistol/holster never even touches anything that doesn't belong to me during the entire maneuver.
 
Hello, I'm fairly new to carrying on a regular basis, and you will find ways to do it and at times you may have to adjust to conditions. Like now thats its winter in my area makes it easier to carry pretty much anything within reason with the heaver clothing. Summer time with 90+ degree temps and high humidity, things get a little tougher. You may find you will have to sacrafice that hand cannon for something a little smaller and less effective, at least I have to. LM
 
This is very true. The 5" 1911 in my IWB holster is barely noticeable as I type this.
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Something else I've found is that different guns are comfortable in different positions. At one point I had a G17, a G26 and a 1911 with CTACs and different cants for all 3. The G17 went about 4:30, the 26 about 3:30 and the 1911 dead at 3. I did have to swap in smooth grips for the 1911. I loved the factory checkered walnut grips but they chewed on my love handle. :D

ctacs.gif
 
Carrying a gun is supposed to be comforting but not necessarily comfortable.
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I completely agree. I forgot I was carrying (snubbie in pocket) until I read this. Too comfortable. I do not want to be physically uncomfortable but I never want to forget that I am carrying.
 
LoneViking,,Thanks for posting that website.That vest is just what Ive been looking for. I ordered one. They have some in limited colors on sale now for $53.00.Thanks again..Dale
 
When you gotta go, you gotta go. I very carefully find a pocket like in cargo pants, a photo journalist vest, or a jacket, and very carefully put my carry weapon in there (I carry a 642 so I can). Then, you guessed it, I very carefully put it back in my IWB at 4:00.

With a 642, I am much more worried about dropping it than anything else.

Never, ever prop the thing up on the toilet paper or whatever.

But...when you gotta go, you gotta go so you'd better have a process in place.
 
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