Need some CCW encouragement here.......

[38snapcaps]

I've had my permit since 2001. I started out with a Bersa, then a .38 snub, and now sometimes a Kahr CW9. Usually my holster is IWB appendix, sometimes a leather belt holster on my right hip bone. Or just drop the snub in my coat pocket. Now I'm eyeing a Kahr MK9 wondering if that size pistol and that caliber will satisfy me.

I'm sure many of you have come to this point so I need to hear what you have to say: I'm tired of the struggle. Struggle? What struggle? The struggle of which gun is the right one, which holster is the right one. I'm driving myself nuts trying to figure out which gun/holster combination works.

I've tried Uncle Mike's nylon (my favorite) but some say they're junk. I wore a Fobus for six months and felt stupid with it pushing my jackets/shirts out to the side. I have an ankle holster for the snub but I feel like I'm limping and I wonder if I could really get the piece out in time? Belt holsters, in front of the pelvic bone or behind, allow the grips to jam into my ribs when I sit down or I have to adjust it from behind the pelvis to the front when I sit in a chair to keep the grip from thunking on the back of the chair. Really guys, think about how silly some of the holster ads look showing these huge 1911's, Glock 17's, and Sigs hanging off the waist of someone. Really now, do people really go around all day like that? I can't believe they do.

The 642 seems perfect but it's only five shots of .38. I was very fast and accurate with the Bersa but I worried it wasn't enough. The Kahr 9mm is a delight to shoot, and I shoot it the best, but its grip jabs me no matter where I carry it. And there's the nagging thought-is it (or any auto) as reliable as a revolver? After a couple of days of that I get the snub back out!

And then there's grips. I can barely get a secure hold on the original Smith's grips. I bought some Rosewood ones that weren't any better. So now I have full three finger rugger grips that give me a real secure hold and absorb alot of the recoil. But the grip is too long to use with the ankle holster, makes my pant leg stick out.

I am so tired of it all that I am about to give up and just stick whatever in my waistband or put whatever in my car's console. Or, perhaps, just carry a knife. I know several people that have permits that never wear their handguns.

I wonder if all this is really worth it. I am an avid reader of this forum and I constantly see- "I'll never really need it", or "I've been carrying for thirty years and have never felt threatened", etc. Then I read here, and in self defense articles, that an attack is going to happen so fast you have very little chance of getting the piece out. Or if the threat isn't that close you're going to get in hot water for shooting someone that's thirty feet away because he wasn't really a deadly threat. All this tough talk about two to the body and one to the head and practicing hostage secenarios is just alot of fantasy. Ever read an issue of Combat Handguns? Oh brother, practice this, practice that, go to this school, train, train, train. For what!? You just said the chances of ever needing it are near zero. I'm a musician and I understand the value of practice, but I don't practice Rumbas because I've never played one in over forty years and I doubt I ever will.

And then there's the Endless arguing over which works best, cocked n' locked, revolvers, Glock triggers vs XD's, DA/SA. I am of the opinion a double action only trigger is the best system. I dare not mention caliber wars!

So, is it a matter of accepting "not comfortable but comforting" i.e. I'll never find the right combination, but having the gun is worth it and that's just reality? Or should I keep trying?

A thought came to me today: Quit chasing, just pick one, none of them is going to be perfect anyway, and be done with it.

From your experience, what would your advice be?

 

[Caimlas]

"Live free or die." That's not necessarily a threat to someone who would threaten your liberty; it can also be implied to mean that you'll die if you don't live freely. It might be argued that you aren't free in your current situation - that you're a slave to fear and woe over which gun combination is the right one.

There comes a point where you just have to let go, and realize no matter what you do it's never going to be enough. You've prepared to the best of your ability, physically and mentally, and that's just going to be good enough. I don't know where you live and what the laws are, but here it's not such an essential point that a person doesn't print. So, for me, I just say 'f*ck it' and go on; if I print, or my shirt rides up and someone sees my pistol, so be it. I don't really care; it's not worth worrying about.

My current setup isn't terribly comfortable, but it has gotten to the point where it's an extension to my person, just like a jacket during cold weather or a pair of pants is: I feel naked without them, as if something were missing. Like when you leave your keys on the dresser while heading out the door. I imagine things would be different for me if I'd switched holsters frequently, but honestly that's not the case. Yeah, it's uncomfortable and chaffs or digs into me from time to time. But I guess I'm either not too prone to gripeing or I've just gotten used to it, because I've not bothered changing.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I've carried daily whenever I've left the house four years and a half now, and can assure you there's not a comfortable, secure, sure, instantly accessible way to lug about a gun of large, small, medium, or any other dimensions.

In plain English: guns are bothersome to carry, and anyone who'd tell you otherwise hasn't done it any length of time.

That said™, I've found it useful to limit myself to an assortment of (normally) four guns. All mine happen to be revolvers whose calibers end in the word "magnum," but small matter: whichever gun I choose will seem to weigh at least 30 pounds by the time I return it to the shelf after returning home. I looked at a pretty little Rohrbaugh micro-pistol in 9 millimeter this afternoon, and even put a few rounds through it. I started to think, "Now, this might be it," but smirked at myself and shook my head and resolutely refused even to consider the possibility.

I've concluded there isn't an easy gun to carry. I've poured hundreds upon hundreds of dollars into holsters, not a single one of which eases the strain upon my lower back by day's end.

I find I've abandoned the effort to find the ideal carry gun, and returned to the more interesting tasks of accumulating the last of the Pythons on my list, as well as acquiring a first class .22 caliber match pistol. I've decided good enough is just going to have to be good enough.

I just do carry: that's all. Nobody ever said doing the right thing is always easy, eh?

 

[Stevie-Ray]

My advice to you is to use the equipment that you like the most. It's going to be different for everybody. I wear several different gun/holster combos. DiSantis bellyband with H&K USP45C, Kimber UCDP45, or G26. Uncle Mikes IWB with the same weapons. Ace Case OWB with either the H&K or the Kimber. KelTec P-32 in Uncle Mikes size 1 in back pocket, always. I wouldn't presume to think this ideal for everyone. But this has been satisfactory for me for about 2 years. (I've been carrying for over 5) Mostly for me, it depends on weather.

 

[stormspotter]

Need some CCW encouragement

Fairly new to CCW use, as Missouri is one of the later states to allow CCW.

I am around 6 ft and 190 lbs. and find that I can cover my Glock 19, in a quality IWB, carried at between 3 and 4 o'clock. I can carry this way using a dark colored t-shirt and no one is the wiser. I have also done this with my Glock 21 when weather is on the cooler side and heavier shirts are worn.

I have settled on these two for CCW, but mainly the G19, and have gotten to the point where I seldom notice it is there. After you settle on a good quality holster, don't scrimp on a cheap belt. A quality belt will improve your carry comfort.

Pick a gun and rig that you are comfortable with and then carry it everyday. It will soon be second nature.

 

[CB900F]

38Snapcaps;

I've been carrying awhile now, maybe even awhile and a half. There is no perfect solution. But there are long-term acceptable solutions. Part of making them acceptable is your mind set. If you're always second-guessing yourself, you'll never come to a long-term solution, you won't let yourself. That's not a gun or equipment issue, that's a psychological issue.

As for gun, get what works for you. Do some research, try a few, make a decision. Holsters are available by the hundreds, many choices. But a very few names always crop up as being comfortable quality units. Go there, pay the money, and live with your choice long enough to truly get used to it before you decide to change.

I've been carrying my H&K USPc .40 in a Milt Sparks Exec's Companion daily for around 10 years now. I'm 5'10", 165 lbs, and getting into old farthood.

900F

 

[g5reality]

I carry my glock 19 in a Bianchi nylon paddle holster. With belt, without doesn't make a difference It's light and relatively comfortable. I wear it @ 3-4 o'clock depending on the clothing I wear. I have a leather jacket that it fits unnoticeably in the brest pocket. I'm looking at getting a Glock 26 and a S & W 442 or 637 38 revolver as a backup.

As far as a preferance...I like the thinner auto's w/a 3-4" barrel. I looking to get a Glock 26 and Kimber Ultra compact II and Aegis II

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Wasn't it Jeff Cooper who said something to the effect of: "A gun is supposed to be comforting, not comfortable"?

Do the best you can. I've been carrying a full sized 1911 this winter, and I'm 5'7", 140# and 57 years old.

The extra weight is "comforting".

 

[Snarlingiron]

A thought came to me today: Quit chasing, just pick one, none of them is going to be perfect anyway, and be done with it.

Pretty close. On a buddy's advice I bought a Glock 19. From the benifit of his experience I picked 2 holsters. One, and my favorite is a $14.00 molded plastic Glock holster. The other is a Galco Matrix paddle. I keep it in the truck for quick on and quick off. Thing is, I didn't, don't have the financial means to buy and try many different guns and hoslters. I made an educated choice, and trained and practiced with those choices until I am totally comfortable with them. I am to the point that I have total confidence in the gun and my ability to effectively use it. Make your best choice, train and practice, practice, practice.

You are way overthinking it. It is a poor workman that blames his tools.

I took Tom Givens basic combative pistol class, and I remember him saying, "Is carrying a gun everyday inconvenient? Yes! Is it uncomfortable? Yes! Are they heavy? Yes! Am I going to do it every single day? Without question, Yes!"

 

[strat81]

I went through something similar when I picked out my CCW piece and holster. "Is this the right decision???" Sometimes you gotta sh** or get off the pot. If you second guess everything, you'll never be happy. We all go through it, to one degree or another. I am happy with my choices. Maybe if I had more time and money, my choice would have been different, but given the resources, I made a good decision.

 

[Soybomb]

Wasn't it Jeff Cooper who said something to the effect of: "A gun is supposed to be comforting, not comfortable"?

While catchy, I'm not sure how useful that slogan is. I wonder how many people have kept wearing a big gun because it was comforting and how many quit carrying all together because it was a pain. Comfort can't be neglected for most people.

I'd say quit worrying about your stuff and just carry what you can shoot and whats comfortable for you to carry. If you like an uncle mike's holster and a 5 shot .38, why care that I don't like uncle mike's holsters? Don't worry about caliber, or that some internet commando says that revolvers are always more reliable. If your bersa is reliable for you, it doesn't matter if every other semi-auto is a jamming piece of junk. I can carry a sig 226 under a tshirt fairly easily and fairly comfortably, that doesn't mean you have to. Stop the over analysis and just carry what works for you even if its a .32 keltec in your pocket.

Thats my professional internet commando opinion too

 

[TX1911fan]

I carry a S&W 340PD. It weighs 12 ounces empty, not much more loaded with 5 shots. It's OWB in a Don Hume pancake holster. I feel it all the time, but most of the time it is not uncomfortable. When I sit in a car with lateral seat support, I cannot get comfortable (those 3 hour rides to Dallas are a killer), but otherwise, I can always make an accomodation. I've bought holsters to try and carry a 1911, and just can't do it. I hate IWB, so I won't be carrying a 1911 until (1) I get a reliable 3 inch barrel model, or (2) Texas allows open carry, or (3) the SHTF and I WANT everyone to know I'm carrying one or two .45s around. I've had the same thoughts about carrying my snub around, but came to the conclusion that 5 shots is a heck of a lot better than no shots, so I carry the snub.

 

[Fred Fuller]

It always boils down to 'Different strokes for different folks.' You have to experiment long enough to find out what works for YOU. It's an individual thing and there are an infinite variety of solutions out there.

Personally I like to pocket carry. I have adapted my wardrobe to doing that, so I don't have a problem with too small/too shallow pants pockets. Pleated dress pants- may they never go out of style!

As to pistols, I have come down to either a S&W 642 or a Kahr PM9, depending on where I'm going to carry. The Kahr is a hip pocket gun, and is carried in a leather pocket holster, the Smith goes in a side pocket in a DeSantis.

Enough gun? In a fight you NEVER have enough gun. Or enough ammo for that matter. But you have to be reasonable, and ANY gun that you have with you is better than 'enough gun' back home in the safe. I carry a reload (spare magazine in a nylon knife pouch for the Kahr, or a Speed Strip in a watch pocket for the Smith) and let it go at that.

No, odds are you won't ever need it. But it isn't the ODDS that matter- it's the STAKES. You might never need your pistol, but if you do you'll need it badly. And right there, right then. The only way to be sure you have a gun when you need it, is to have one ALL THE TIME.

Find something that works for you, and carry it, all the time. Nuff said...

lpl/nc

 

[38snapcaps]

Excellent responses, it's good to hear my experiences are not out of the ordinary. I especially appreciate hearing what your inner thoughts are as you have dealt with this topic.

Special thanks to Standing Wolf, CB900F, and TX1911fan.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I'm still new to CCW and gradually finding my way so I can sure sympathize but I'll tell you this, the discomfort here and there with a CCW gun just doesn't hold a patch to 3 years with the "batbelt" when I was an LEO. Every day on duty I'd walk around with about 8 lbs of stuff attached to my midsection and constantly banging my arms against the flashlight, gun, pr-24, radio, cuffs, and so forth.

Though you can minimize it, I think you just have to get used to a bit of discomfort here and there if you are going to carry.

 

[romma]

The 642 seems perfect but it's only five shots of .38

There you go! Better than cowering and pleading for your life while someone gets to decide whether or not you will live. I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it! Sorry for the cliche...

 

[fiVe]

642!

Just change your viewpoint. NOT-"its only 5 rounds of shots of .38"...BUT INSTEAD-"its 5 sure rounds of .38+P".

I carry in a Robert Mika round cut pocket holster with 1 Bianchi speed strip. For me, this is the best & most comfortable carry configuration.

Keep safe. Keep packin'.

Regards,
fiVe

 

[Wesson Smith]

I'm probably going to take some grief for this, in that I am stirring up the pot. Oh, well.

One of the endless debates that often amuses me is the "are you carrying enough gun" one. As a newbie (way back when) I purchased my first semi-auto - a Glock 17. I was feeling pretty good about my new acquisition until I sort of fell into "analysis paralysis" due to a lot of research curiosity on my part. The more I read, the more I started to believe that I didn’t stand a chance against a crazed BG with my 9MM. To make a long story short, I ended up going through the whole range of handgun purchases, finally calling it quits at a .45 ACP and a .357 mag. Don’t get me wrong – the purchases were all well thought out, and essentially “labors of love”. After a lot of range time and tactical instruction, what do I carry (with confidence) now? A S&W model 642. I’ve become totally comfortable with the weapon, both shooting and as a carry. I’m more than confident that a .38 +P JHP will inflict some unacceptable damage to a potential threat. That having been said, I’m still not sure I’d want to engage in a long-range fight with multiple assailants, but that scenario is not why I carry. In any event, I guess it really does come down to a personal preference, and comfort level.

 

[MrPeter]

I may be overreaching by your post, but it sounds to me like you're a pretty small-framed person living somewhere where a lot of clothes aren't appropriate all the time. No one wil argue that it's easy to conceal a gun on a small person in warm-weathered clothing, but is that a reason not to carry?

I personally have the complete opposite situation, making it fairly easy to carry. I am 6'4", 300lbs, and live in the cool/cold northwest. I can easily conceal my CZ75B 5" barreled .40S&W on pretty much anywhere on me no matter what I wear, combined with the fact that most people would be insane to go outside with less than 3 layers on, and I'm set. That said, will I still carry if I travel to Arizona, or lose 100lbs, or if I lost a foot of height (hypothetically)? Absolutely not. I probably wouldn't carry a full-sized semi-auto on me, but I would certainly not stop carrying.

As for why I carry, some time ago, here where I live, there was a shooting at the local mall by a BG with some semi-auto rifle, who was stopped by the owner of a store who was carrying his glock on him. It's likely he saved many lives, granted, and that is wonderful and fantastic and commendable and great. The problem was though, that when this story got out, my peers commonly reacted by questioning why the shop owner had a gun in a mall! At least in my area, or at least the people that I know on my camus had no idea that it is a constitutionally protected right to be able to use guns to protect yourself both inside and outside the home, and furthermore, were ready to criticise the shop owner for having a firearm.

This story is getting a little long, but the point is I carry first to exercise and protect my rights as a citizen of this country, and second to be prepared if I were to find myself in an undesireable situation.

I hope that made sense, I'm a little out of it today

 

[-terry]

I guess I'll chime in (bing!) because I am just starting to carry. All the decisions in CCW are trade-offs. Caliber, training, holsters, situational awareness, etc. all are compromises.

After a bunch of research, I bought a semi automatic Walther P99c for carry. The trade-offs are, 9mm power vs. higher caliber weight and mag capacity, and the higher probability of jamming bs. higher magazine capacity. To carry it, I bought a Galco OWB holster. Trade off? Better concealment with IWB, more comfort with OWB.

Will I ever use it...I hope not. Am I a trained commando with it, not even close. I'm taking a 7 hour course this sunday, with a 4-day course in a few weeks. That will probably be it for me for training. Trade off? Cost/time for training vs. flexibility and capability provided by more training. I'm not partucularly a gun collector or a commando. I just want to be able to protect myself and my family if I am in a position to do so.

The gun is reasonable to carry. For stretches of time, I forget I'm wearing it. I carry it just behind my right hip bone and I can drive comfortably and sit comfortably with it. My holster has a forward "FBI" cant so that helps keep the handle from digging in to my side.

I do not carry all the time, every day. I carry about half the time. Trade off? Comfort in my dress and freedom from the anxiety of being found out vs. the probability that I won't have the gun when I need it.

All these trade-offs are personal decisions. I'm not anxious about being underpowered with a 9mm. I believe that 10 rounds is enough for any likely scenario. I can't draw real fast, but I don't want to spend the next two years training.

My suggestion is to look at the trade-offs you're willing to make, choose a set up, use it, and stop worrying. You've done what makes sense to you and no matter what, you're a giant step ahead of most of the rest of us.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

No Experience

I don't carry yet.

What I'm looking at, for when that day comes, is SmartCarry (see www.smartcarry.com for details).

I'll probably order one next month just to try it out.

My guess is that I'll have to go up one waist size, or lose 25 pounds, but either way it does look comfortable.

 

[38snapcaps]

MrPeter, you have it half right I'm 5'10" and weigh 135, thin framed but not too skinny. A thirty inch waist doesn't leave much room for handgun grips except into my ribs.

Thanks to everyone for their input. The impression I've gotten thus far from your comments is I'm already where I want to be with the snub .38. Hmmm, well ain't that interesting ? But I maybe it shouldn't be such a surprise, that's the one I keep coming back to even tho I keep Wanting something else.

FiVe really hit the spot! And yeah, Wesson Smith I've got "analysis paralysis" all right (I like that term, I'm going to remember it for the Next time, or should I be honest and admit the next timeS).

-terry, you are one up front honest guy. I can relate to what you said in every way. I truly believe your post is reality for most of us and you should be commended for having the courage to say it.

I'll never forget one day standing in Gander Mountain at the gun counter and listening to the clerk talk with a customer about a .22 for defense. I casually mentioned I thought ten rounds of .22lr in the face would be quite effective in stopping an assailant. A guy standing next to me bristles all up, yanks his shirt tail up to expose a 1911 and bellows,"THIS is the only thing that will stop a crook!"
I just walked away. As I left the store my snub asked me, "You don't really believe that do you?"

 

[Leanwolf]

WESSON SMITH - "I’m more than confident that a .38 +P JHP will inflict some unacceptable damage to a potential threat."

You've got that damned straight!!!


More than anything else, ACCURATE shooting is the most important!

As said above, if you poke a bad guy eight or nine times in the face and neck with a .22 L.R., even if you don't kill him, you'll definitely make him think very seriously about taking up a different profession!

Good luck.

L.W.

 

[Stretchman]

Everyone that I know has at least one place around their girth where there is room bewteen their pants and their body. Different places for different people. When you put your pants on, use your hand and try to stuff it down the opening of your pants at the fron, on the sides, behind your hip, or in the small of your back. One of these places, your hand will slide in. It's because your body is shaped differently than your pants are. Try it.

When you do find that one sweet spot, it should stay loose sitting or standing. For some it is appendix carry, some go right from the front, others behind the hip, some, the small of the back. That's where you should think about carrying your piece.

After figuring out where you want to carry that is most comfortable for you, then unload your weapon, put it there, and go by feel for the cant of the weapon, and how low, or how high you want to carry it, then pick your holster accordingly. Works pretty well for me. I have a Galco Sky ops that I carry a G 19 in. Took a while to find that sweet spot. Once you do, you will be able to wear your gun all day, and not want to take it off. Like I said earlier, for everyone, it's different. Depends on your build mostly. When I was slim, it was about appendix carry for my revolver. Now, it's closer to SOB, but with a right hand rig, and the only way I could draw it. For some, SOB, you will want to reverse the grip. I couldn't get my hand on my piece that way, but to each, their own.

Takes time to get comfy with your piece and mode of carry. When you find it, it will be like good sex. You won't want it to stop.

Stretch
Quit cigs 4W 16h 53m ago. So far saved $172.22, 1,148 cigs not smoked and counting ...

 

[SniperStraz]

I've tried Uncle Mike's nylon (my favorite) but some say they're junk.

My advise to you would be to use w/e you think is best based on your own experiences. Most people think that a CCL is "junk" but that shouldn't stop you. Its concealed anyway so no one is gonna accuse you of being cheap or anything. As far as all the advise that's thrown your way... the best thing to do is to learn from the experts and apply it to your own life-style. Addaptation (sp) is key. If you're exceptionally large than maybe carrying 7 BUGs on different parts of your body that you can't reach anyway is not for you. if you can't shoot well with +p+ ammo that maybe thats not for you, no matter what Bubba and Billy Bob have to say on the matter. Its your gun, its your life, its your safety, do what you're comfortable with.