If you could (and would) open carry, would you...

[RKBABob]

EZ CZ75,

Ditto!
+1
Me, too.

One on each hip.

 

[M2 Carbine]

If Texas had open carry, which I think we will eventually get, I'd sometimes open carry.
I don't think I'd buy a special pistol though. I'd just carry my concealed carry choice. Kimber Tactical Ultra in a Don Hume JIT holster.

I might change the holster to a better retention holster.

 

[CajunBass]

Why would I change?

 

[f4t9r]

no , i do not have the money to go bling. If I did I would go Rhinestone Cowboy

 

[ripcurlksm]

This topic belongs in the hen house not THR

 

[Pax Jordana]

I'd think if open carry became the cool thing to do again (let's face it, according to THR an open gun is the moral equivalent of wearing that unicorn sweater grandmom bought you) you'd probably see fancy guns the way you see fancy cars.

I.e. there are some cars that're really good looking and you'd love to be seen in one.. but beyond a certain price point there are cars you'd NEVER want to actually leave in the supermarket parking lot because they cost you so darn much.

The BHP (is that a bhp?) at the top of pg 3 is a great example - I'd have to take up pacifism because it'd hurt me too much to get that thing dirty!

 

[WayneConrad]

A few of y'all must have missed a post way back on the first page, where the original poster asked us not to get into a debate about the merits of open carry. Honest mistake, I'm sure. Some of you also have described open carry in words that would be downright insulting to those who do, 'cept it's the holiday, and even coarse things look cheerier this time of year.

 

[skidooman]

I do open carry sometimes, I use my crappy old Uncle Mike's holster, with my Black Kimber TLE. However, if I could afford a super fancy rig, you better believe I would. I like that Kimber a few above my post, like you said a little better retentive holster, and that gun in fullsize. Thats a nice set up there.

 

[Mike OTDP]

If open carry were legal, I'd do it...just because it avoids the whole issue of concealing the piece.

But the guns and holsters would remain the same. I don't buy junk.

 

[Urbana John]

Open Carry !!

Heck yes!!!

I've got a "set" of SS Ruger Mags. with a Western style gunslinger double holster set, just itching to show off!!!

BTW---got another "set" of SS Ruger 22's, with the same holster set.

My BIG and LITTLE sets of "twins"

UJ

 

[novaDAK]

people that open carry at this point in time don't get much respect from me. Right or no right, its just stupid and arrogant.

Well guess what. Those who don't respect me because I Open Carry won't get any respect in return. Some people CAN'T CCW. For example, those between 18 and 20, and people new to the state, etc. I fall into the former category.
And if/when I OC, I only carry one of my Ruger autos, nothing fancy. Well, sometimes my Hi-power. But usually not the HP because I don't want the beautiful blued finish to get scratched or rust due to the elements.

If people don't OC even if it's legal, it's a right lost. People if they don't see ordinary citizens with guns, they'll continue along this horrid path of assuming only cops or bad guys have guns. YES WE NEED CCW, but we also need people OCing.

 

[Broadhead]

Good point, NovaDAK. I agree and admit I am failing to advance the OC cause. It is legal to carry openly in my state (outside Denver). Virtually no one does so, including me. But if, say, 25% or more of the populace carried openly where I lived, then I would definitely join in. I won't do it if I'm the only 1 in 10,000.

I would stick with my plain Glock in a black kydex OWB, however---I am not into fashion...

 

[cpttango30]

I can carry openly and due from time to time. It makes no differance to me what a gun looks like. I do however want a nice galco holster. It makes me feel kind of goofy carrying a $900 pistol in a $10 holster that has a ill fit.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Now if I realy wanted to make a "statement" with open carry, I think my Kel Tec pistol would do it.



Although I doubt I'd buy a fancy finished gun just for open carry, the option would allow me to carry guns that due to size or other reasons I don't carry concealed.

This East German Makarov safe queen would look pretty good in a black holster.

 

[Mac45]

I sorta like the tradition of the "Barbecue Gun".
Folks don't open carry much here in Indiana, but if it was the custom where I lived, sure, I'd play.
If that makes me stupid and arrogant, oh well

 

[Frandy]

One of three...

If I could, it would probably be the same rig I use now when I carry concealed OWB:

Jim (the beltman) Speidel elephant hide holster (and sheath) with a 1911 wearing Altamont grips:

Of course, I could really go bling with the holster and wear my Mernickle Custom Holster that
includes my initials, based on my own handwriting.

And, on Sundays, my Stampede with Ajax faux ivory grips in a Speidel holster and belt:

 

[sixgunner455]

The BHP (is that a bhp?) at the top of pg 3 is a great example

That's a CZ75, and it's a factory job. They do special runs like that every once in a while.

It makes me feel kind of goofy carrying a $900 pistol in a $10 holster that has a ill fit.

That's because it is. Been there, done that.

Get something nice, you'll be glad you did. I have a Galco Concealable, and it is a great holster. There are other makers you could check out, too.

 

[Seancass]

if i could, i would carry a SAA .45 or cap n ball in a leather holster on my hip.

 

[The Annoyed Man]

Well, I don't open carry, but I spent a fair amount of money on the two pistols I CCW (a Sig and an H&K). So I guess the answer is, "No, open carry would not make me spend more money on a fancy carry gun."

 

[RKBABob]

M2, is that bright, shiny Makarov a factory job? Or, did you have it refinished?

Just curious.

 

[Old Dog]

Last time I visited Mom in Arizona, met a guy sportin' a beautiful hand-tooled belt and floral-carved EPS rig with a classic bright nickle Series 70 Colt, real ivory stocks ... I said, "Wow!" Great way to open up good gun conversation.

To answer the question, yep, I sure would. Probably stay away from the flashy, but quality is timeless. Why not sport a high-quality gun rig as accessories to whatever fashion you subscribe to? Is driving a classic 'Vette, going forth shod in custom-made boots or wearing the Submariner your dad gave you for graduation "stupid and arrogant?" We're all slaves to some sort of fashion or another, making our public statement in one form or another -- whether we shop at Goodwill or Nordstrom's, drive a BMW or a Kia. Personally, give me quality every time -- doing things on the cheap just doesn't last, doesn't function as well, doesn't look nearly as good, and it's throwing money away. That $150 Milt Sparks will last a lot longer than 10 $20 Uncle Mike's ...

 

[Josh Aston]

I think I'd carry a hard chromed lightly customized 1911 with TruIvory grips in this.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

If you lived in a place and could (and would) open carry, would you spend more money on a fancy carry gun? Would you step up your belt/holster combination? Would you carry a Les Baer/Ed Brown etc... instead of a basic Springer or Kimber or even Glock?

If I could legally open carry, I would legally open carry the same pistol I now carry concealed. Why would I go out and buy a more expensive pistol? It ain't about looks. As long as I know it's 100 percent reliable, I carry the pistol I like the least, because in the event I actually have to use it for the intended purpose, I fully expect that said pistol is going to spend a looooong time in a police evidence room ... after which I might, or might not, eventually get it back.

 

[shadowalker]

I live in a state where open carry is constitutionally protected and open carry around 40% of the time. I have my own tastes in firearms but I'm not trying to impress anyone and wouldn't select a "prettier" one for open carry. I have the same expectations for my firearm whether I am concealing or open carrying and the only difference for me is whether the shirt is tucked in or untucked.

I prefer to carry black for both handgun and magazine, it doesn't reflect light or attention like stainless. I've found that people tend to lock onto shiny things like XD magazines which are very reflective.

 

[jrfoxx]

I carry open occasionally, and when I do, I carry 1 of the same 2 I cary concealed.I carry them because they are reliable, I shoot them well, and they are comfortable.my holsters are simple, plain kydex or leather with retention straps.I tend to not care for engraving, fancy grips (I think rubber is the most comfortable), bright colors, etc, so no reason to get a "fancy" gun to carry.also, I think all my guns are good looking, as are 99.9% of ALL guns, really, so....