ARGarrison
Member
The one thing I noticed right away, when first carrying a handgun out in public, was bumping in to things with my firearm. Tables, chairs, desk, you name it. It took a while to get use carrying extra on my hip.
The willies from carrying the first time
- Thread starter squarooticus
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Texshooter
Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2004
- Messages
- 481
DON'T get over it.
Always be aware that you indeed are in possession of a deadly weapon, and as such, will be "judged" by a higher standard of care. Do not get "comfortable" with the weapon on you. Make sure you are the only one who knows it is on you. Be aware of potential problems and try to walk away from any trouble.
This wonderful freedom you are expressing comes with a heavy price tag.
Always be aware that you indeed are in possession of a deadly weapon, and as such, will be "judged" by a higher standard of care. Do not get "comfortable" with the weapon on you. Make sure you are the only one who knows it is on you. Be aware of potential problems and try to walk away from any trouble.
This wonderful freedom you are expressing comes with a heavy price tag.
Zen21Tao
Member
The perfect solution
Carry your gun unloaded with a single bullet in your pocket.
Carry your gun unloaded with a single bullet in your pocket.
Hemicuda
member
Maybe I'm just weird, but... I never fealt this... the day I got my permit, I grabbed my Smith 5904 9mm, 2 standard capacity magazines, 31 rounds of Black Talon Winchester ammo, a Galco Jak-Slide, and a mag holster, put it all together, and went about normal business...
to me, it wasn't a big thing!
to me, it wasn't a big thing!
chopinbloc
Member
i just want to say thank you. i am grateful that another morally upright human being decided to shoulder his own burden and take responsibility for his and his loved ones' safety.
i've been carrying for about five years now and let me tell you, it will get to the point that you won't feel fully dressed until you have that piece of steel hanging there, reminding you that you are now fully human and no longer subject to the whims of others.
i've been carrying for about five years now and let me tell you, it will get to the point that you won't feel fully dressed until you have that piece of steel hanging there, reminding you that you are now fully human and no longer subject to the whims of others.
RTFM
member
Texshooter hit it on the head. Like everyone else here has said, you will get use to it over time and hopefully become so comfortable with it that you'll feel nekid' with out it.
But always be aware that it is a loaded weapon on your hip, although you;ll hopefully become comfortable with it - never become complacent with it. Always respect the weapon.
And remember - An armed society is a polite society.
Welcome to the club.
SIG P.229 .40S&W for 6+ years and I can think of 4 times that I have had to take it off and all of them were entering a court house of other Federal office building with security and metal detectors at the entrances. Other than that, it's on me anytime I have clothes on.
But always be aware that it is a loaded weapon on your hip, although you;ll hopefully become comfortable with it - never become complacent with it. Always respect the weapon.
And remember - An armed society is a polite society.
Welcome to the club.
SIG P.229 .40S&W for 6+ years and I can think of 4 times that I have had to take it off and all of them were entering a court house of other Federal office building with security and metal detectors at the entrances. Other than that, it's on me anytime I have clothes on.
RaetherEnt
Member
Since we are on-topic, there is a related comment / question that I have as well. I have already applied for my Florida CCW through the mail so I will be able to carry in neighboring Missouri. All my classes are done for Kansas, and I can apply in July for permit in January.
So, I want to start practice carrying around the house and get myself prepared.
Can anyone recommend a good carry holster and belt for a Kimber Pro size 45?
My carry gun will be my TLE Pro, and my wife will carry an Kimber Ultra.
Any suggestions will be GREATLY appreciated!
So, I want to start practice carrying around the house and get myself prepared.
Can anyone recommend a good carry holster and belt for a Kimber Pro size 45?
My carry gun will be my TLE Pro, and my wife will carry an Kimber Ultra.
Any suggestions will be GREATLY appreciated!
hemicuda said:
I felt different the first time, and that was it. Literally, just the first time. Second time, it seemed natural.
But I was already used to wearing it around the house and working outside.
Once I made the decision to get a CHL, I "practiced" carrying where I could -- that being on my own property -- while I waited for the actual permit. The day I got the permit, I simply left it on when I left the house. It felt different that first time, in the sense of my being aware that I was doing something new, but I never really felt odd about it.
And I never had the feeling that all eyes were on me, as I've long understood just how little situational awareness most people have about what's going on around them. And if they do see the bulge on my hip -- in the summer, it is usually just a shirt loosely hanging over it, often unbuttoned in the front -- I don't sweat it. Most will not presume it is a gun, and if they do, so what?
Rickstir
Member
I can't carry at work, college, but I do everywhere else. Been carrying for almost two years. My wife will most times than not check that I am carrying when we drive into St. Louis. I remember feeling the way you do, but it didn't last long. We were coming out of a bar (we had attended a Cardinal game and this bar owner keeps my weapon in his safe while we are at the game), and a representative sample of the local hip-hop boys club were shucking and jiving in the alley about 20 yards from my truck. They gave us the once over as I let her in on her side, and I purposely walked around the truck on their side to keep an eye on them. Nothing happened, but I was sure glad I had my "Little Friend" on my hip. So was my wife.
Manedwolf
member
I would do the latter, except that I've found that putting the PT745 in a Smartcarry will sometimes push the safety off by the end of the day. And even though it's DAO, I'm still a bit...eh...with that.
bigun15
Member
Not true. I'd move in a second if I had 1) Money and 2) Emancipation papers. But where I am, moving is absolutely NOT an option.
MIL-DOT
member
i don't carry everyday,usually when work has me "down in the southside",and even then i don't feel entirely comfortable, like i'm commiting a felony (i'm not) and that everyone's staring at the bulge in my pocket. i think it was dave r that recommended carrying at home to get used to it, i did the same thing, walking around the house and yard,getting used to the weight......and responsibility.
Texfire
Member
After getting used to wearing it I lost that hightened sense of, "everyone knows I'm wearing a gun, surely it's obvious." I'm fairly sure that the only people who even potentially make me are those who also carry, and they don't care.
What I wasn't prepared for was my heightened sense of my surroundings. It's like strapping on that gun made me more aware of what other people were doing. Even though I'd tried to cultivate a better awareness before getting my CCW, afterwards I found it sharper.
I remember I was waiting for an order at a local fast food spot and a guy walks in. It wasn't the tatoos, or the fact that he looked a little off-kilter that set off my alarms, it was the fact that he was wearing a a baggy hooded sweatshirt with shorts when it was way too warm to reasonably do so. I had my eye on him the whole time I he was there, either directly or in my peripheral vision. Nothing happened, and I'm thankful for that, but I felt like my thoughts were clear and focused.
Tex
What I wasn't prepared for was my heightened sense of my surroundings. It's like strapping on that gun made me more aware of what other people were doing. Even though I'd tried to cultivate a better awareness before getting my CCW, afterwards I found it sharper.
I remember I was waiting for an order at a local fast food spot and a guy walks in. It wasn't the tatoos, or the fact that he looked a little off-kilter that set off my alarms, it was the fact that he was wearing a a baggy hooded sweatshirt with shorts when it was way too warm to reasonably do so. I had my eye on him the whole time I he was there, either directly or in my peripheral vision. Nothing happened, and I'm thankful for that, but I felt like my thoughts were clear and focused.
Tex
Congrats, In a month you will feel better about it.
One suggestion is to have a routine on handling the gun when you take it off to go into a prohibited location or when you come home. That routine will make you always know where and what condition you left the gun, holster ect... Mine always stay loaded so the "treat all guns as loaded" is fully true. I also taught my wife the same thing and she knows how to handle and unload the guns if necessary. That way if your every in an accident or have a medical issue your wife or sig. other can unload the gun approperately and store it unless they have a permit.
Lots of things to think about but have a plan and stick to it!
One suggestion is to have a routine on handling the gun when you take it off to go into a prohibited location or when you come home. That routine will make you always know where and what condition you left the gun, holster ect... Mine always stay loaded so the "treat all guns as loaded" is fully true. I also taught my wife the same thing and she knows how to handle and unload the guns if necessary. That way if your every in an accident or have a medical issue your wife or sig. other can unload the gun approperately and store it unless they have a permit.
Lots of things to think about but have a plan and stick to it!
Working Man
Member
Amen
Soon you will be at the point when even the thought of not having your CCW
on you gives you the willies and you can sleep like a baby with it in place.
Soon you will be at the point when even the thought of not having your CCW
on you gives you the willies and you can sleep like a baby with it in place.
romma
Member
Here In Connecticut
It feels like I am doing something illegal because if I blow concealment, I practically am breaking the law. You can potentially lose your permit or worse if that happens in Connecticut.
God Save The Sheep!
It feels like I am doing something illegal because if I blow concealment, I practically am breaking the law. You can potentially lose your permit or worse if that happens in Connecticut.
God Save The Sheep!CNYCacher
Member
Blindness knows no bounds
My aunt once left her diaper bag at my cousin's school. It had her wallet, keys, and credit cards in it. My uncle and I went to look for it together, and when we came back with it, we decided to trick her into thinking that we hadn't found it. Then I was going to 'find it' in the house somewhere, so we could tease her about it "it's right here next to the couch!" but the tricky part was getting it into the house.
Standing outside the front door, I took one arm out of the leather coat I was wearing, hung the bag by that shoulder, and put the coat back on over the bag, concealing it with my coat. I kept it at about 5 o'clock with my elbow. Bear in mind that this bag was about the size and weight of a gallon of milk!
Out of about 10 people in the room I walked though, guess how many people actually noticed the huge bulge under my coat? Zero. Most of the poeple were sitting in chairs or on a couch talking with others in the room on other chairs or couches while I walked around between them. No one noticed. I was actually standing in the middle of a room with 10 people more or less facing me from every direction at one point explaining to my aunt how we didn't find her bag at the school. No one noticed that I had what could have been a second head growing from my back under my coat!
I'll be reminding myself of that day if I ever feel like "everyone" knows I'm carrying. Check back in November and I'll let you know if it works. . . Only had my permit app in for a month or so, so it'll be 5 more before I get it :banghead:
My aunt once left her diaper bag at my cousin's school. It had her wallet, keys, and credit cards in it. My uncle and I went to look for it together, and when we came back with it, we decided to trick her into thinking that we hadn't found it. Then I was going to 'find it' in the house somewhere, so we could tease her about it "it's right here next to the couch!" but the tricky part was getting it into the house.
Standing outside the front door, I took one arm out of the leather coat I was wearing, hung the bag by that shoulder, and put the coat back on over the bag, concealing it with my coat. I kept it at about 5 o'clock with my elbow. Bear in mind that this bag was about the size and weight of a gallon of milk!
Out of about 10 people in the room I walked though, guess how many people actually noticed the huge bulge under my coat? Zero. Most of the poeple were sitting in chairs or on a couch talking with others in the room on other chairs or couches while I walked around between them. No one noticed. I was actually standing in the middle of a room with 10 people more or less facing me from every direction at one point explaining to my aunt how we didn't find her bag at the school. No one noticed that I had what could have been a second head growing from my back under my coat!
I'll be reminding myself of that day if I ever feel like "everyone" knows I'm carrying. Check back in November and I'll let you know if it works. . . Only had my permit app in for a month or so, so it'll be 5 more before I get it :banghead:
JesseJames
Member
Careful romma, you'll scare all the Democrats.
SSN Vet
Member
I can definately relate...
I can definately relate...
It's only been two months for me, but I'm slowly getting more comfortable.
I've been practicing some "mental tactics" that are helping me build confidence.
Tactic #1. I try to be as "routine" as possible about doing things the same way every day. But already I'm finding that I have to have a lot of "different routines" for different situations, as I can't have it on my person all the time.
Tactic #2. No matter what happens during the day, I make sure I know the EXACT status and location of the piece at ALL times. (i.e. condition 1 in truck console w/ doors locked).
Tactic #3 I'm very deliberate about being "indiscrete" and casual, such that I had carried daily for 3 weeks before my wife even realized I had started.
Pretty basic I guess, but as I convince myself I know what's going on and am in control, the less "freaked out" I am.
I had my first "boo boo" at work last week. When I got in my car at the end of the day, the worn latch on my truck console had poped the top open and "Jr." had been in plane site to any one walking by and looking in.
Last week in the ticket line at the theatre with my wife, while maneuvering around the metal post I heard a distinct "tink" of metal on metal (and it wasn't my belt buckle).
I can definately relate...
It's only been two months for me, but I'm slowly getting more comfortable.
I've been practicing some "mental tactics" that are helping me build confidence.
Tactic #1. I try to be as "routine" as possible about doing things the same way every day. But already I'm finding that I have to have a lot of "different routines" for different situations, as I can't have it on my person all the time.
Tactic #2. No matter what happens during the day, I make sure I know the EXACT status and location of the piece at ALL times. (i.e. condition 1 in truck console w/ doors locked).
Tactic #3 I'm very deliberate about being "indiscrete" and casual, such that I had carried daily for 3 weeks before my wife even realized I had started.
Pretty basic I guess, but as I convince myself I know what's going on and am in control, the less "freaked out" I am.
I had my first "boo boo" at work last week. When I got in my car at the end of the day, the worn latch on my truck console had poped the top open and "Jr." had been in plane site to any one walking by and looking in.
Last week in the ticket line at the theatre with my wife, while maneuvering around the metal post I heard a distinct "tink" of metal on metal (and it wasn't my belt buckle).
cxm
Member
The First Time You Carry
The first time you carry it feels like there is a big neon sign over you flashing on and off that says "GUN" "GUN." It's normal... happens to everyone.
Keep in mind the average person is VERY stupid and totally unaware of the world around them... if they do see a bulge they assume it is a cell phone.
All you need to do is use good judgement and be circumspect.
FWIW
Chuck
The first time you carry it feels like there is a big neon sign over you flashing on and off that says "GUN" "GUN." It's normal... happens to everyone.
Keep in mind the average person is VERY stupid and totally unaware of the world around them... if they do see a bulge they assume it is a cell phone.
All you need to do is use good judgement and be circumspect.
FWIW
Chuck
ezypikns
Member
What Texshooter Said
This cannot be emphasized enough.
This cannot be emphasized enough.
romma
Member
I Am
around the kids and my girlfriend all night and weekends after work. My Girlfriend doesn't know unless she hugs me and feels for it. The kids never have a clue. And they know I have guns and shoot.
around the kids and my girlfriend all night and weekends after work. My Girlfriend doesn't know unless she hugs me and feels for it. The kids never have a clue. And they know I have guns and shoot.
GeorgiaGlocker
Member
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2006
- Messages
- 217
As everyone has mentioned above your feelings are normal and will subside in a few weeks. As someone else also mentioned I get the willies when I don't carry! It has just become so natural to me now. Although here it is legal to carry open and concealed, I always carry concelaed IWB. Just act normal. Don't do anything that shouts "hey I have a gun". You will get use to it. Believe me.
bamawrx
Member
My vote is for the:
Milt Sparks VMII with tuckable clips. Go ahead and order a belt while your at it.
You need to anticipate a long wait time, so get it ordered so its here before you get your FL non-res and so you can get used to the gear. I wear one every day and the tuckable clips give me the wardrobe options I need at work. I can't walk around with an untucked shirt all day and look unprofessional.
I carry a full size 1911, tucket, and it is invisible even when I ask friends to "find the gun". I have developed a habit of doing a slight shirt check if I've been seated or whatever. Just to make sure I am not printing.
It does feel strange to be unarmed. I had the feeling while flying and while visiting a navy base recently. I prefer the "I'm armed" feeling for sure.
Milt Sparks VMII with tuckable clips. Go ahead and order a belt while your at it.
You need to anticipate a long wait time, so get it ordered so its here before you get your FL non-res and so you can get used to the gear. I wear one every day and the tuckable clips give me the wardrobe options I need at work. I can't walk around with an untucked shirt all day and look unprofessional.
I carry a full size 1911, tucket, and it is invisible even when I ask friends to "find the gun". I have developed a habit of doing a slight shirt check if I've been seated or whatever. Just to make sure I am not printing.
It does feel strange to be unarmed. I had the feeling while flying and while visiting a navy base recently. I prefer the "I'm armed" feeling for sure.
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