Pistol found the first day I decided to carry

[odessastraight]

Beware Touching The Trouser Snake

I think you are 100% correct in that you don't want it known that you are carrying. I have friends in LE who know I carry and critique my concealment effort every time they see me. I've tried about everything reasonable to conceal what I consider a reasonably effective CCW (minimum of .357 full up loads) and have come to either crossdraw or pocket carry. I've been carrying a snubby in my front trouser pocket daily for over a year now. There are tradeoffs to any carry method. Pocket carry is no good if you happen to get carjacked, but for any situation where you are standing I like it...lots. Hey, and if anyone touches my front pocket...I tell 'em to watch out for the trouser snake.

OK, and just a side note...; many folks think of pocket carry as being only for some little .380, .32, or such, but you might be surprized at the size of the iron you can hide in there. You've just gotta dedicate that strong side pocket for your CCW only; no keys, coins, tic tacs, etc.

 

[Hutch]

I've only been "made" one time that I'm aware of. I was at a softball game, seated in the stands with safari vest covering my 3" K-frame. Well, apparently the butt must have shown thru the arm-hole of the vest, 'cause the guy next to me in the stands casually asks "You a cop?". I give him an honest, one-word reply, "Nope". He didn't draw any attention to it, nor seem to let it affect him thereafter.

I casually repositioned things so that the problem was resolved. And got a vest with smaller arm-holes

 

[Byron Quick]

I carry my BUG in a pocket holster in my right front pocket. I've had several people over the years hit my thigh horsing around trying to give me a charley horse or something. No one has ever said you've got a gun in your pocket! They ask what was in my pocket. I just smile and ask if it hurts and if they'd like to do it again.

People have come in contact with my 1911 on occasion. Judginf from reactions, I don't think anyone who doesn't know I carry has ever realized it was a firearm.

 

[HerrWolfe]

Carry owb on hip under an untucked shirt, and don't think I ever want to tuck my shirt in again! If just normal running around, it is a .380 PPK/S in plastic, but if going out at night or might be through a less suitable part of town, it's a Colt Commander .45, which actually feels better with forward tilt molded case. Tried the leather and they are nothing compared to the tupperware.

Try to watch reaching for stuff and exposing my weapon or if wind is blowing, take extra care, only to prevent someone from shouting the obvious and attracting LEO. Have been advised at local gun store that local LEO might just put me on the ground until they can confirm I have a license. If I absolutely must be discreet with shirt tucked in, the PPK/S is carried in a front pocket leather holster.

Wife says why not try an ankle holster for the little gun; she is a constant amazement...keep me guessing. Other times she thinks it is ridiculous to carry when just going out to eat or to the big box stores. I have told her I need another pistol, perhaps 9 mm and very high capacity cause I maybe see some problems in the near future Saw a video on a maybe Glock 17, full auto, now that I like .

 

[CB900F]

Joe;

Don't worry about it. Literally, don't bother worrying.

I started carrying on duty in Europe in the 60's, where getting made could be a very big deal. I've been carrying most of the time since. Every so often, you're gonna get made. The law of averages just caught up with you a little sooner on the curve. OK, a lot sooner.

I carry an H&K USPc in a Milt Sparks Exec's Companion & have for about 10 years now. It's on the hip & protected by the arm, & as stated earlier, that's a good place to put it IMHO. My stock prepared answer: "It's just a USP, don't worry about it". Knowing as I do that around 99% of the general populace has no idea what a USP is & will just accept the explanation as given. And, if it should ever become an issue, I've told the person exactly what it is, no lies involved. Evasion yes, lie, no.

900F

 

[redneck2]

I to had that Wal-Mart experience a few years ago when my son was three , he had a pop gun he had picked out that was attached to a piece of cardboard, he was riding in the cart looking it over and cocking it every now and then , a woman goes by and looked at what he was doing , she gave me the meanest look and said to her friend with the eyebrow ring, 'did you see what he was letting his kid play with? A toy gun!

You should have said "yeah, but in a few years he'll be old enough for a real gun".

 

[gunsmith]

I've

been asked the "are you a cop" question many times
(I barely conceal) I've started answering with a question..."why, is there something going on that needs a cop"?
or "why, are you a criminal"?

 

[evan price]

In summer it is too darn sweaty for an IWB so I reverted back to a paddle holster, like a Fobus OWB. The Sig rides at 4 o'clock when I am driving so it does not interfere with the seat belt and I can "Buckeye Tuck" my shirt over the butt (OH requires "OPEN CARRY" while in a CAR!! Stupid law!) Then when I get out, I slide the holster to 2 o'clock around my hip, lower my shirt or jacket, and good to go. Only problem I have had is high winds also. Was walking into a Super Wal*Mart to buy ammo (Which even though, not posted no guns, does not allow guns!) & a Delaware County Sheriff was parked out front talking to a greeter as I walked past... gust of wind came up and I flashed everybody as I walked across the fire lane in front of the store.. was sweating bullets! But nobody said anything.
So now what I do is let the fingers of my right hand slip into the top of my right front pants pocket, thumb outside the pocket on my belt.. Looks sort of casual and the inside of my right wrist holds the shirt down on the butt of the pistol.
I also started buying all of my "nicer" shirts XL Tall. More length at the bottom to conceal what is beneath.
I really need to buy a mouse gun for hot weather CCW.

 

[TonyB]

I have to remember the"why are you a criminal?" line,,that's aewsome...I've never been made,but my response will be..oh it's a insulin pump.I pocket carry now,so it just looks like a wallet or something....I'm also a fat guy,so holsters can be tricky..high ride ones are out of the question,and IWB doesn't work either..I found Desantis thumb breaks don't ride too high.But Pocket carry is THE way to go for me.also holsters designed for women ride lower and may work.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I'm still looking for a better holster which fits my Sigma, right now I'm using the Uncle Mikes IWB holster.

So you don't have your box of holsters you never use yet? Welcome to one of the more frustrating (and fun) aspects of CCW. The easiest way to do that is to talk to people with a similar body size/shape who own the same pistol and ask their opinions (or if they are local try out their holsters before buying a new one).

The great holster hunt is a tradition for every new concealed handgun holder. It is like a rite of passage almost

 

[Sawdust]

The great holster hunt is a tradition for every new concealed handgun holder. It is like a rite of passage almost

Truer words have never been spoken...

Sawdust

 

[danang]

Small of back carry

As a comment, consider what could happen in an accidental discharge with a SOB carry. Nerve damage to the sciatic nerve or spinal cord is highly likely. Or you may just need a new rectum. Hip or pocket carry is more likely to produce a flesh/muscle wound, which while highly unpleasant, is not nearly as disabling to you as a severed spinal cord or sciatic nerve. The crotch carry thing might lose your wee wee, but depending on your age might or might not matter. JMHO

 

[Hemicuda]

the day I got my permit, a friend gave me a Galco Jak-Slide holster, old, beat up, and absolutely perfect...

I have since gotten a brain-fart at different times, and bought other high-end gunleather (and plastic)...

all the others have gone away, or been relegated to the holster box...

Moral of the story? even when you have the perfect carry method, most of us still try new stuff, for no good reason...

Note: same Galco Jak-Slide, I can use it for everything from a Smith 4006 Semi, a Smith 4506, a Smith 637 snubby, a Dan Wesson 15-2 revolver, a NAA Black Widow Mini, a High Standard Double-Nine Longhorn, or a Ruger MK-1, just about any handgun I've ever had... see, I told y'all it was perfect!