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Save EDC for close to 15 years.
I'm very confident with it.
I'm very confident with it.
How Confident Are You With Your EDC?
- Thread starter Good Ol' Boy
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This was in your original post, no?
How is it not the same as this?
How is it not the same as this?
Bottom line for me... If I weren't confident enough in my EDC to prevail in a SD scenario, I wouldn't bother to carry.
You found a comparison where I have to say I'd rather carry a LCP (SD against humans) and that is coming from someone who carries 9mm minimum.
Don't worry, its still in my 'rotation' for those 'less dangerous places'.......
You got me. My disappointment.
The Night Rider
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I mean, he's basically asking your eternal question
WisBorn
Contributing Member
How confident are you with your EDC?
If I was not confident with my EDC I wouldn't carry it.
1) Does the firearm fire everytime?
2) How quickly can I clear a misfire or jam?
3) Is the carry comfortable?
4) Does the firearm have acceptable accuracy?
5) Does the firearm fit your lifestyle?
I apply the questions before it enters my rotation as a primary carry.
With the newer carry options like the Hellcat, Ruger Max, Sig 365, Taurus GX4 I'm considering an addition to my arsenal.
The first thing: Does it fit in my front pocket comfortably? Time for some testing!
If I was not confident with my EDC I wouldn't carry it.
1) Does the firearm fire everytime?
2) How quickly can I clear a misfire or jam?
3) Is the carry comfortable?
4) Does the firearm have acceptable accuracy?
5) Does the firearm fit your lifestyle?
I apply the questions before it enters my rotation as a primary carry.
With the newer carry options like the Hellcat, Ruger Max, Sig 365, Taurus GX4 I'm considering an addition to my arsenal.
The first thing: Does it fit in my front pocket comfortably? Time for some testing!
EMC45
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In addition (as has been said), I also practice situational awareness, threat assessment and risk management. I'm not trying to be a hero or some door kicking tough guy by stating the above, It's just what I do. I think that mindset and awareness is equally important to equipment manipulation and ability. You can be a total steel clanging, gun banging bad dude, but if you're face is buried in your phone or you are head in the clouds you are then behind.
When I go anywhere I listen and look - Faces, hands, sights, sounds, exits, egress etc. Mindset may prevent you from ever having to put your hand on your EDC gun.
When I go anywhere I listen and look - Faces, hands, sights, sounds, exits, egress etc. Mindset may prevent you from ever having to put your hand on your EDC gun.
What is your draw time from your front pocket?
WrongHanded
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That's a very good point, and one certainly worth assessing whether pocket carry is for a primary, or a secondary gun.
I do both, depending on the venue. Which is to say, there's almost always a gun in my pocket, whether or not one is elsewhere on my person. But draw time is certainly reduced, and the possibility for fumbling that draw definitely increased. Both of which are things to be aware of. 2.5s is about my par time for draw to first shot from the pocket. Other carry methods are faster, including from a clipped safepacker holster.
Pocket carry isn't inherently bad. But it can be limiting. For example: those moving off the X dry fire drills I do, are almost impossible with front pocket carry.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
What is your draw time from an IWB or OWB holster?
Can you have your hand on your carry gun with out being noticed?
I carry OWB. Draw time varies depending upon my position.
That depends upon the surroundings and my position. I used to carry in a front pants pocket, but I can neither put my hand on the gun nor draw timely if I am seated or moving. I do not recommend tit.
Bazoo
Member
I practice situational awareness to a point. I also don’t set there like a prairie dog at my hole the whole time I’m in town.
Y’all could very well see me on the news, dead, and they say he was looking at THR while his wife shopped forever in Walmart.
Or, you could see a news story where I made it and I was saying “I wasn’t paying attention cause I was looking at THR and someone tried to mug me. I produced a hand cannon and upon sight, of what can only be described as a tribute to Elmer Keith, the bad guy desisted and ran without shots being fired.”
I practice being aware but I also practice blending in.
Y’all could very well see me on the news, dead, and they say he was looking at THR while his wife shopped forever in Walmart.
Or, you could see a news story where I made it and I was saying “I wasn’t paying attention cause I was looking at THR and someone tried to mug me. I produced a hand cannon and upon sight, of what can only be described as a tribute to Elmer Keith, the bad guy desisted and ran without shots being fired.”
I practice being aware but I also practice blending in.
trackskippy
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My normal draw time from concealed to first shot is usually right around 1.5 - 2.0 seconds,+/- these days. Depending on time of year. And I dont have a little back up gun in my hand when its done either.
Having your hand on the gun in your pocket "might" give you an edge, but I think more is made of that than its really an advantage, and I dont think its all that much quicker, and its definitely something that's noticed if you're paying attention. I would say hands in pockets are a big flag and more noticeable than a covered belt gun.
Most people dont walk around with their hand in their pocket all day either, so the reality is, the draw is more likely to start from a "startle" position, not a hand on the gun. If you dont yet have your hand on the gun and then start to go there, and it is trouble coming, you're probably not going to get to it in time either.
The other scary thing there is, getting that hand trapped in the pocket, with the gun, in the split second it takes to step in and trap it. Drawing from a holster on the belt has more advantages if you have to do something else before getting to the draw, and it can be easily done on the move when you need it. Pocket carry has a lot more going wrong with it.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
Drawing from a sitting position is difficult no matter what your type of carry.
Pocket carry works for me, my lifestyle, and attire. At times I carry a second handgun, but the pocket carry is my primary. I practice drawing from the pocket.
As @Bazoo mentioned situational awareness is a key.
I often laugh when people make the comment don't bring a knife to a gun fight?
Can you draw a gun faster than an attacker with a knife can close seven yards?
Hand on the gun helps....
Armored farmer
Member
Thats exactly what got me looking at the Hellcat.....that and limited ammo for my .380. I couldn't practice like I wanted to because I was always low on ammo. Its weird but the Hellcat has more pleasant recoil than the lcp. Maybe because it is more justified?....I dunno
trackskippy
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Absolutely, situational awareness is a good thing to have, but its not something you have 100% of the time, and Id be willing to bet, most dont come anything close to it 50% of the time.
I carry AIWB, and I can easily draw from seated, and with very little if any telegraphing. Its quick and easy. Next to that, drawing from my Smart Carry is just a tad slower, but definitely a lot quicker than from a pocket. It doesn't look like Im reaching for a "weapon" either.
I think the problem with "distance" is, most people will let someone get very close, even if they dont really like it and do think something is up, and for a couple of reasons. Denial, uncertainty, conditioning, etc. Unless you're absolutely sure you're being attacked, its all in the other guys hands when things start, and unfortunately, you're most likely going to be behind the curve and have to react. Maybe he really does only want directions, etc, and you're just overreacting.
If you're sure you're going to be attacked, the gun should already be in your hand, and out of its holster. No point in being coy.
If you think "hand on the gun" helps, try it with a buddy at somewhat conversational distances. I think you're going to find, that running away and trying to open up the distance is a much better strategy, than trying to force a draw. If they are close and ready, they will likely be on you before you can draw, and now you're in a really bad spot.
That knife doesn't run out of ammo or jam either.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
You are exactly right when it comes to what ammo is available right now.
9mm is fairly easy to get now. 380 & 38 special is harder to find.
I have seen instructor videos of demonstrations showing the advantages, in some situations, of jacket pocket carry. It allows keeping the hand on the gun when moving among possibly suspicious persons. A snub revolver with a concealed hammer can be fired from within the pocket at extremely close range, should the need arise, The gun can be drawn quickly while walking (and from a sitting position). Accessing the gun does not impair walking, or prevent drawing while moving off the x. Walking with hands in jacket pockets does not appear unnatural, and would not necessarily telegraph concealed carry or alert a potential attacker.
None of the foregoing can be said about pants pocket carry.
All of the defensive pistol courses I have looked into specified the use of an OWB belt holster. I have received permission to bring an IWB holster, because that was my EDC, but it put me at a disadvantage. Also, it proved less than comfortable for all day carry. I now carry OWB.
My backup gun is a light semi-auto, carried in a weak hand pants pocket holster. There is no way that I could use it in realistic training drills. Its purpose is to provide surreptitious access, when the time presents itself, to a firearm while I am strapped into the driver seat wigh the arm that cannot easily be controlled by a car-jacker in the passenger seat. I am not "confident" with it.
None of the foregoing can be said about pants pocket carry.
All of the defensive pistol courses I have looked into specified the use of an OWB belt holster. I have received permission to bring an IWB holster, because that was my EDC, but it put me at a disadvantage. Also, it proved less than comfortable for all day carry. I now carry OWB.
My backup gun is a light semi-auto, carried in a weak hand pants pocket holster. There is no way that I could use it in realistic training drills. Its purpose is to provide surreptitious access, when the time presents itself, to a firearm while I am strapped into the driver seat wigh the arm that cannot easily be controlled by a car-jacker in the passenger seat. I am not "confident" with it.
I call those kind of people "Bangers". They buy a gun on Saturday along with a box of 50 rounds. Sunday they head into the National Forest and bring their new gun, ammo and targets. Targets are usually old toilets, TV's, etc... They shoot half the box of ammo while drinking Fireball and consider themselves proficient. They leave the shot up targets behind.
I started shooting IDPA 5 years ago and found out that I sucked in the reloading process when the 1911 went to slide lock. While IDPA is a game it does teach proficiency in gun handling while on the move and shooting. My EDC is a Ruger 1911 in 9mm. I compete with WC 1911's in 45 ACP.
Hangingrock
Member
The avoidance of stupid people, places and things usually defers the use of a weapon. My last shooting incident was in my USMC days decades in the past.
MrChicken
Member
To bring this just down to gear.
Carry gear:
Is it secure, stays where it should and hold the firearm securely.
The way you use it, can you easily access it when needed. May require multiple sets, ex: iwb + pocket.
Does it facilitate a clean presentation every single time?
Firearm(s)
Reliable, accurate, adequate for the job in your hands?
Knives, batons and chemical deterrents have similar requirements.
If you are confident in the gear, it takes a burden away that slows your thought process while in the situation. Such as, I hope I don't foul the draw, hit the mag release, I should have had brought 50AE instead of .32, etc. If you have confidence in the gear your focus is on solving the issue at hand
Carry gear:
Is it secure, stays where it should and hold the firearm securely.
The way you use it, can you easily access it when needed. May require multiple sets, ex: iwb + pocket.
Does it facilitate a clean presentation every single time?
Firearm(s)
Reliable, accurate, adequate for the job in your hands?
Knives, batons and chemical deterrents have similar requirements.
If you are confident in the gear, it takes a burden away that slows your thought process while in the situation. Such as, I hope I don't foul the draw, hit the mag release, I should have had brought 50AE instead of .32, etc. If you have confidence in the gear your focus is on solving the issue at hand
trackskippy
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You want your skill level to be at the point where you dont have to think about deploying and/or shooting the gun. That should just happen when your brain calls for it. Your focus should be on the threat.
Yep. The priorities are mindset, skillset, and toolset, in that order.
citizenconn
Member
I live just north of Houston and have to drive through downtown to work every weekday and every other Saturday on I-45 (voted as the most dangerous stretch of road in North America.)
I have seen people stop their car in the middle of the freeway and have a gunfight right there more than once. Have seen people run other cars off the road all the time, passing on the left hand breakdown lane, etc, etc. We have had dozens of road rage shootings just this year and hundreds of bump and rob carjackings.
Thankfully I have only had to show my handgun 3 times during all this and have never had to use it. I practice avoidance as you say, as much as possible. Practice and preach situational awareness. I hope I never have to pull the trigger because some idiot is too stupid to value their life.
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