Tips For Starting to Carry?

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I saw you asked what was important in a belt: Here's a couple of considerations for you.

Get a reinforced belt. You're not looking for a monster-thick, double ply beast, but there are many that have a piece of synthetic material sewn in between 2 pieces of leather.

Listen to what the manufacturer tells you about how to figure out your size. They all have their own (weird) methods, but they know what they're talking about.

Custom leather is sweet, but it's pricey too. Start off basic.

I have found that a 1.5 inch belt is the ideal width, provided you have the belt loops big enough for it. 1.25 allows too much play, and most pants don't have big enough loops for a 1.75.

Horsehide is really nice leather, but cowhide does the same thing and costs a lot less. I'll probably get a nice exotic leather belt/holster someday, but not real soon.


Here's a couple of links for you:

http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Product_Line/Rock_Steady_Belts_/rock_steady_belts_.html
Great belt, my personal choice. They also have a fantastic FAQ section about belts, holsters and carrying in general.

http://www.thewilderness.com/storepinnacle/index.php?p=catalog&parent=142&pg=1
I hear good things, lots of folks swear by them. No personal experience.

http://www.thebeltman.net/
Again, good reviews, no personal experience

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterP2.asp
Same story. Good reputation, never tried them myself.


That oughta get you started, hope that helps.
 
What do you carry?
Glock 19, mostly. Sometimes with a spare magazine, sometimes not.​

Where do you carry it/them?
Pistol is carried IWB, just behind hip. Spare magazine is carried just behind the opposite hip, sometimes (rarely), in front pocket.​

Using a body clock (12 o' clock dead ahead, 6 o' clock behind you) where do you carry?
4:00 to 5:30. Mostly the latter, though, because that's where it'll end up anyway, unless I'm driving.​

Concealed or open?
Concealed.​

What holster do you use?
Bladetech, mostly, although I used a Kramer #3 in horsehide for many, many years. I still have the Kramer, but I switched to Bladetech because it has a full sweat guard/body shield, the Kramer does not, and I got tired of sweating on the last ½ inch of pistol slide the Kramer didn't cover.​

Belt:
The Bulman UGBS is excellent, as are belts mentioned by others. The same holsters mentioned above (and others unmentioned), sag on non gunbelts. What's more, guns carried on cheap-o belts soon feel heavier as the cheap-o belts put all that weight right where they sag; real gun belts, on the other hand, distribute that weight more effectively. In fact, proper gun belts are much more like belt-shaped hoops, whereas cheap-o belts are more like rubber bands... What you're looking for in a belt is one specifically designed as a gun belt, whether leather, synthetic, or a combination of such materials.​

Loaded with one in the chamber?
90% of the time, yes. The other 10% is due to laziness.​

Why or why not?
I want every conceivable advantage. Not having to chamber a round is one less thing I need to do. This is why I buckle up before driving anywhere, too. I don't want to buckle my seatbelt while in the midst of a crash. Putting that another way, I used to work in a business where threats (few that there were, and not as interesting as you may imagine) came close and quick. What impressed itself upon me during those times was the necessity of speed, followed by useful accuracy and useful power. The old diligentia, vis and celeritas comes to mind (accuracy, power, speed, in which all hold equal rank).​

Has carrying ever caused you any issues?
Not that I'm aware of, other than not visiting certain businesses that bear the No Guns signs.​

Does your significant other/family approve?
Yes. In fact, she insists. / Some family members carry, too.​

Had an embarrassing moment?
Concealed-carry related? No. On other matters, yes.​

How often do you carry?
90% of the time I step away from the humble abode. In the other 10%, it's because I know I'm going someplace that discriminates.​
 
When off duty I carry a Seecamp .32 in an Aker wallet holster. I carry in my left front pocket since I'm a southpaw. My actual wallet is in the other front pocket after experiencing the gypsys in southern Europe. My best advice after nearly two decades of concealed carry is keep it concealed and get a gun you don't have to dress around. If you get that cool 1911 you will initially dress to carry. Over time this will become a pain and you will stop carrying. It's nice to be able to carry a large caliber but not practical year round. A .32 or .380 pocket pistol will drop into a set of bathing trunks and no one is any the wiser.
 
The following are things that I would recommend to someone who wants to carry a gun.

Get quality instruction. Even someone who has grown up around guns and done a lot of shooting will greatly benefit from good instruction. There is a world of difference between target shooting and plinking and the skill sets involved with defensive shooting.

Get quality gear: People like to fret over what gun to get but seem to gloss over decisions about buying a good belt and a good holster, good mag pouch etc. These items will go a long ways in comfort and function.

Practice: Shooting and self defense skills are like anything else they require practice to develop, improve, and maintain. Getting good instruction will allow you to know what to practice and to practice things correctly. Not all practice needs to be or should be live fire. Thus it is possible to practice regularly and improve valuable skills even if one cannot shoot every day. For practice I would recommend a shot timer as a way to get feedback on what you are doing and to measure improvement.

Practice and training combined will help you sort out equipment that works. Carry methods that work and those that don't and many other things.

Know the law: Get a firm understanding from authoritative sources concerning the applicable laws where you live and or travel to.


Now as to your questions


What do you carry?

I typically carry one primary weapon that is chambered in 9mm or larger. The smallest I like to go with a gun like this is a sub compact, something the size of a glock 26 or kahr P9. I find that guns smaller than that present too much of a compromise in terms of being able to shoot them well and run them well. I tend to carry one additional magazine and typically carry a small BUG chambered in .380

Where do you carry it/them?

Everywhere it is legally permissible to do so.

Using a body clock (12 o' clock dead ahead, 6 o' clock behind you) where do you carry?
Concealed or open?

Typically one in roughly the 4 o'clock position and one in roughly the 9 o'clock position. Typically concealed.

What holster do you use?

This can change but I like raven concealment holsters a lot and also have a IWB FIST that I use a lot.

Loaded with one in the chamber?

Of course.

Why or why not?

In a time is life situation one does not want to be trying to deal with the extra step of chambering a round. There is IMHO no real compelling reason not to carry with a round chambered and it is a huge liability not to.

Has carrying ever caused you any issues?

No.

Does your significant other/family approve?

Yes.

Had an embarrassing moment?

No.

How often do you carry?

Almost all the time, the exceptions would be when engaged in an activity that precludes it, say waterskiing (but I'd have one on the boat), or when I going some place it is not legally permitted, say onto an air plane.

To carry with an empty chamber is to assume that you will have both hands free AND enough time to rack the slide when your life is in danger.
Click to expand...

Well really, if you are going to carry a gun you ought to be able to rack your gun with only one hand if needed, it is what I would consider a basic skill. That said, I agree with everything else and the sentiment that it is generally a bad idea to carry without one in the pipe.
 
I just wanted to thank everyone for the good info in this thread. I just got my CCW on Friday and am still trying to figure out carry techniques. I have a holster that keeps my SD9 at about 5 'o clock. This is very comfortable walking around, but not so much sitting down. I have another different holster on the way to see if that's any better. I have a feeling I'm going to have to go a size larger on the pants to be comfy, if it will ever be comfy.

Quick question, do you remove the gun when you get into a vehicle if you're driving? At work, I am not allowed to carry (I'm sure that's not unique) so I have been leaving the gun in the car in my locked glove box. It's much easier to move the gun from the seat to the glove box than the small of my back to the glove box. I have also found that I cannot draw the gun while seated in my car if it's still on my person.
 
What do you carry?
in town, Glock 19, in the woods, 1911
Where do you carry it/them?
Using a body clock (12 o' clock dead ahead, 6 o' clock behind you) where do you carry?
9 o'clock (lefty)
Concealed or open?
concealed,
What holster do you use?
Desantis intruder, or Fobus paddle
Loaded with one in the chamber?
yes
Why or why not?
best advantage for me, least for BG
Has carrying ever caused you any issues?
no
Does your significant other/family approve?
yes, she has CCW also
Had an embarrassing moment?
left the house with holster, spare mags, no gun
How often do you carry?
everyday where legal
 
What do you carry? Kel-Tec P3AT during the day, CZ P07 at night and on the weekends
Where do you carry it/them? The Kel-Tec is strong side front pocket, the CZ in a SuperTuck at 4 o'clock
Using a body clock (12 o' clock dead ahead, 6 o' clock behind you) where do you carry?
Concealed or open? Concealed. Open carry is legal here, but I don't want to tip my hand
What holster do you use? A cheapo nylon pocket holster for the Kel-Tec, SuperTuck for the CZ
Loaded with one in the chamber? Absolutely
Why or why not? Because it's safe for both guns to be carried that way, and a whole lot faster if they're needed
Has carrying ever caused you any issues? Nope
Does your significant other/family approve? Yes
Had an embarrassing moment? Not yet. :D
How often do you carry? As often as possible

One of the best things a newcomer to concealed carry can do is the "Wal-Mart Walk". It's a purpose-driven version of something you do without thinking, just to get to used to carrying a firearm with you every day.
 
What do you carry?
Kel Tec P32. (I have a Glock 26 but I'm still working on finding a comfortable IWB holster.)

Where do you carry it/them?
Right front pants pocket.

Concealed or open?
Concealed.

What holster do you use?
DeSantis Nemesis

Loaded with one in the chamber?
Yes.

Why or why not?
Ready to use. Long DA trigger pull and holster that completely covers the trigger make it safe.

Has carrying ever caused you any issues?
Not so much--a few inconveniences, like having to stash it in the car to go in the PO, etc.

Does your significant other/family approve?
No significant other currently.

Had an embarrassing moment?
Not so far.

How often do you carry?
Not at work--it's illegal. Most of the time when I'm not at work.
 
Quick question, do you remove the gun when you get into a vehicle if you're driving?

Not unless it's a long trip, and even then I'm more likely to slide it around to just about 3:00. Then again, that often depends on what I'm driving. Some seats are simply more comfortable than others when I'm wearing a gun.
 
My answers are mostly the same as 9mmepiphany's; except:

What holster do you use?
Usually a paddle, sometimes IWB.


For tips on carrying issues, I would recommend several books; both by Massad Ayoob.
In The Gravest Extreme
StressFire: Gunfighting for Police

Picking a firearm that fits you and practicing are good, too.
 
What do you carry?

Ruger sp101

Where do you carry it/them?
12 - 1 in the pants holster, it's where i can most quickly draw it from and where i can hide it best.

Concealed or open?
concealed

What holster do you use?
and uncle mike's in the pants holster, it's most comfortable to me

Loaded with one in the chamber?
always loaded

Why or why not?
with the transfer bar system the sp101 can' go off by itself unless a bullet randomly shoots without contact of any kind, in other words its 99.99 percent safe to carry loaded.

Has carrying ever caused you any issues?
not other than dominos saying you can't have a weapon on you. although my managers all know i do and one of them has a gun on her too lol.

Does your significant other/family approve?
no, but f$%$ em lol.

Had an embarrassing moment?
not yet

How often do you carry?
whenever i'm not in school or at home or in any other area where it's not allowed/impractical.
 
What do you carry?
Ruger LCP

Where do you carry it?
Right back pocket

Concealed or open?
Concealed, which is why I chose a small gun.

What holster do you use?
Leather pocket holster

Loaded with one in the chamber?
No point in doing it any other way

Has carrying ever caused you any issues?
Had to move my real wallet to a front pocket so the appearance of two wallets wouldn't look strange to women checking out my butt.

Does your significant other/family approve?
Immediate family, yes. Others are of no consequence.

Had an embarrassing moment?
No

How often do you carry?
Always, where legal. Again, no point in doing it any other way.
 
What do you carry?
9mm Hi-Power
Where do you carry it/them?
on hip, outside of waist
Using a body clock (12 o' clock dead ahead, 6 o' clock behind you) where do you carry?
3:30
Concealed or open?
Depends on circumstances. Usually open, except in heavy jacket weather.
What holster do you use?
Formed Leather - no strap
Loaded with one in the chamber?
Yes. Cocked with thumb safety on
Why or why not?
Boy Scout Motto.
Has carrying ever caused you any issues?
Not any significant ones yet!
Does your significant other/family approve?
Yes.
Had an embarrassing moment?
Not that I remember.
How often do you carry?
Whenever out of the house as a rule.

Tip:

Practice....
 
Ruger GP100 4" bbl in Miami Classic II vertical shoulder holster. 6 bullets in the cylinder, no safety, long DA trigger pull. Carry every day, except when I go to school.
 
Bersa 40 UC

In a Crossbreed IWB holster (VERY COMFORTABLE) and great people as well

I use a belly band as well (for jogging) it really works well

A little hint........

My current wardrobe I did not want to change.

I bought a "button extenders" which allows a more comfortable holster wear
and cost less than $10.

They also come out easily as they go on, so when I dont carry, I go back to the original button

Bets $10 I ever spent
 
What do you carry? ---9mm springfield xd and/or ruger lcr
Where do you carry it/them?--- xd 4:00 IWB strong lcr weakside IWB or pocket
What holster do you use? --- crossbreeds for both IWB and a Nemesis for pocket
Loaded with one in the chamber? --- Ready to go. Id rather not have to be racking it when I need it.
Has carrying ever caused you any issues?--- nope
Does your significant other/family approve?--Yes
Had an embarrassing moment?--- not yet
How often do you carry?--- pretty much all the time
 
Advice

The best advice I have is to relax, when you first start carrying you will feel self conscious about it and be worried about someone noticing.

It is more likely that you will give away the fact that you are carrying by being nervous, adjusting your holster/ belt than printing. Remind yourself that most people would not notice if you were open carrying. Most people are walking around in condition white and are not paying much attention to their surroundings (you included). I have been carrying for almost 10 years ,and occasionally open carry only once has anyone noticed while open carrying.

Regarding hardware,
What do you carry? Primary carry is a HK USP 9mm
Where do you carry it/them? strong side 3-4 oclock
What holster do you use? Comp-Tac CTAC IWB or Paddle Holster
Loaded with one in the chamber? Yes, cocked and locked
Has carrying ever caused you any issues? None
Does your significant other/family approve? Yes
Had an embarrassing moment? No
How often do you carry? Always
 
I carry a Kel Tec PF9.

I carry it in a pocket holster when I'm wearing cargo shorts or a coat with decent pockets. I carry on a belt holster otherwise.

If I'm using the belt holster, I have one chambered. If I'm using the pocket holster, no... only because it points at friends/family when I sit down. I consider that unacceptable while I have one chambered.

Never caused me any major issues. Once though, I returned to put it back in the car after I realized a building I was going into had security and a metal detector.

Significant other approves. Father approves. Friends all carry as well. Mother and stepfather do NOT approve.

Embarrassing moments: I hit my pistol on a table once at the girlfriends family dinner at Olive Garden. Made a loud thunk (sounded just like a hunk of metal hitting the table), but I'm not sure whether everyone realized that the noise came from a pistol hitting the table. If they knew what it was, they didn't say anything. Also, at a new years party, a friend from high school bumped into me and felt it on my belt. She asked me rather loudly if I had a pistol on me. She told me later that she thought it was just stuck into my pants and that she thought I was drinking at the time. Just so happens that I was not drinking and was using a holster. Also, little kids sometimes like to reach into pockets... puts you in a tight spot when you let them pull your keys out of one pocket but you wont let them reach into another pocket.

If it's legal, I'm carrying. If it's not legal but I can get away with it I'm probably carrying then too. Someone who is willing to rob you isn't going to pay attention to gun laws.
 
What do you carry?
Glock 26 or USP compact
Where do you carry it/them?
Everywhere I can legally
Using a body clock (12 o' clock dead ahead, 6 o' clock behind you) where do you carry?
3:00 Right under where the right arm hangs.
Concealed or open?
Concealed almost always unless I'm doing something like hiking.
What holster do you use?
DeSanti Cozy Partner for the Glock when concealed, Blackhawk Serpa Paddle when carried openly and Don Hume IWB for the USP.
Loaded with one in the chamber?
Always
Why or why not?
Bad guys aren't going to stand idly by while I chamber a round to defend myself.
Has carrying ever caused you any issues?
Not yet.
Does your significant other/family approve?
Yes, they approve.
Had an embarrassing moment?
Had a pistol fall out of a holster once in a parking lot and my GF's little girl loudly yelled "Thats a GUN!!!"
How often do you carry?
Everyday
 
What do you carry?
Kahr PM9, KT P3AT, Para LDA CCo .45

Where do you carry it/them?
Everywhere allowed by law.

Using a body clock (12 o' clock dead ahead, 6 o' clock behind you) where do you carry?
Depends. The PM9 frequently rides in a Thunderwear type system, different brand. The P3AT gets pocket carried. The LDA .45 I use a tuckable in waist band Comp-Tac holster at the 5 o'clock position.

Concealed or open?
Concealed.

What holster do you use?
See above.

Loaded with one in the chamber?
Yes.

Why or why not?
If you have to draw your weapon you most likely need it quickly. You also may not have the luxury of using both hands to cycle the weapon. I want to be able to draw and fire with one hand.

Has carrying ever caused you any issues?
Not really. A little inconvienient sometimes.

Does your significant other/family approve?
Yes. At first my wife wasn't crazy about it. But she is a huge news hound and sees what kind of craziness goes on in the world every day. Now she's totally OK with it.

Had an embarrassing moment?
Not yet.

How often do you carry?
Not as often as I should.
 
What do you carry?
Currently a Diamondback .380

Where?
Everywhere it is legal to do so except while I am actually working as my job is physical.

Using a body clock where do you carry?
Well I either use a nice firm fitting leather pocket holster that goes into the right front pocket or cargo pocket.
I also use a Bulldog cell phone style holster that I carry at three o'clock while wearing jeans or nice slacks.

Concealed or open?
Texas is a concealed only state and even if it was not I would not open carry.

What holster do you use?
As previously noted.

Loaded with one in the chamber?
Yes and that also includes the pocket pistol which I find absolutely acceptable.

Why or why not?
It better be ready to go when trouble rears it's ugly head.

Has carrying ever caused you any issues?
Not once.

Has your significant other/family approve?
Yes,never ever been an issue with them.

Had an embarrasing moment?
Sort of....Got invited to meet and eat with my g/f one Sunday after her church service and her preacher was there with his family and he grabbed my Bulldog holster and asked loudly what was in there and I promptly told him none of his business,which was akward for everyone but hey!!
Keep your hands to yourself!!

How often do you carry?
I dont carry at my job but everywhere else that I can legally do so I carry it.
 
What do you carry?
Depends. I change around a lot. Everything from a snub revolver to a full size semi-auto.
Where do you carry it/them?
Anywhere I want to.
Using a body clock (12 o' clock dead ahead, 6 o' clock behind you) where do you carry?
Usually at the 3:00 position. Sometimes pocket carry, but not often.
Concealed or open?
Both. About 50-50.
What holster do you use?
OWB. Various manufacturers.
Loaded with one in the chamber?
Yes
Why or why not?
I never saw any sense in carrying an unloaded gun.
Has carrying ever caused you any issues?
Nope.
Does your significant other/family approve?
Wife? Yes. She does too. Family? I'm a big boy. I didn't ask them.
Had an embarrassing moment?
Nope
How often do you carry?
Every day.

Freebie: Get a good belt.
 
I'd like to thank everyone for all this great input, and it's very interesting to learn all of this from you :)

I'm still a little hesitant to carry with one chambered for safety reasons. Can anyone give me some more insight/info on this? It seems all of you carry with one ready to go.

I'm looking into getting a new holster, and I like the retention feature of the Blackhawk SERPA holster. Also, from what I've read, the Sig 2220 model will hold my Taurus 145SSP snug.
Definitely looking into a new belt as well, as the current web belt I have now is not sufficient.
I've seen the Wildnerness belts mentioned, though $80 for a belt is something I would like to avoid if at all possible.
Think the Frequent Flyer Belt would suffice? http://www.thewilderness.com/storepinnacle/index.php?p=product&id=2503&parent=142
 
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