Very self-conscious with my first concealed carry rig (G17)

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newbie4help

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I know...it's a large gun, but it's all I have money for now.

I got some jeans that are a couple sizes big, and it fits nice and snug now, so that's not a problem.

I bought a hawaiian shirt that's 1 size big, I *think* it hides it unless I'm bending down or something, but when I go in public I'm so self conscious, I feel like everyone can see it!

Is this normal? I've even gotten so worried a few times I leave it in my car when I go in to a store.
 
Don't be self-conscious. You have a permit. Half the people today half a cell-phone on their hip that bulges their clothes.

Even if someone does see it, it doesn't matter.

Short answer = get over it.
 
Some of us never get over that problem. Been carrying for 20 years and there are times and places that it bothers me.

Be aware that 80% of the people around you would not know. They have no clue. They will not notice anything.

18% may glimpse/notice the bulge/print but gun will never occur to them.

The other 2% are guys like us. Vest=gun. Fannypack=your kidding me! Touching the butt of the gub. Hey Velma, that guy has a gun. Hitching your pants. Must be a 45.

Another thing. That 2% includes cops and bad guys.

Like he said, don't worry too much about it. You are legal.
 
You may want to read some of the stories posted here from the guys who carry openly. Oftentimes folks don't notice the gun THEN!

The best answer is to just live with that self-consciousness for a while until the paranoia subsides. With all the junk that people strap to themselves these days and all the variety in attire, to say that 80% won't notice ANYTHING about you is ridiculously understating the case. I'd say 95% don't even register that you're standing there, and of the 5% left over, only about 1% notices an odd bulge at your middle. Of that 1% ... well, you're legal, so what difference does it make?

In fact, the longer I've been carrying the more I feel the absolute RIGHTNESS of it, rather than any concern or discomfort. I have the law on my side, and I'm acting in a MORE responsible way than most of my fellow citizens who choose to go through their day unarmed.

As the sticky says, "You are not a guilty criminal! Stop acting like it!"

Good luck!

-Sam
 
It's perfectly natural to think that it must be obvious to everyone within a ten-mile radius that you're carrying. But the truth is that most people are so unobservant of their surroundings that they wouldn't even notice a handgun out in the open. They're sure not likely to notice a bulge under the shirt, and for the few that do, most won't even begin to think it's a gun.

How does your state feel about open carry? Some states, like Texas are pretty unforgiving of printing. But others, like TN, allow open carry, so even if I do accidentally expose, I've done nothing wrong. I'm not even worried about someone spotting my weapon. I'm completely within both my rights and the law to carry it, so I don't much care what personal opinions people might have about it.
 
Thanks for all the helpful responses guys.

I'm in TX, which I'd heard is unfriendly about printing, like you said.

That's partly the reason I'm so worried - if I were in Michigan, Virginia, Tennessee, or NH I wouldn't be worried really.

How unforgiving is Texas? Like will they take my license for a bulge, or does it have to be pretty clearly a gun.

The language of a law says it must not be discernible to the ordinary observation of a reasonable person - so that legally should mean just because a cop or guys like us notice it, that's not enough to be in violation! We are not average people in this regard.
 
Newbie, I never knew texas was like that. I often visit my inlaws and I carry there. they accept my Pa LTCF. I guess i will be more self conscience about printing now that i know that. However, everyone who posted here is right, people do not notice unless they carry or have family that carry and actually care to notice their surroundings.

I dont want to hijack however, do you know the law regarding notifying LE's if you are pulled over? Is it a must notify right away or just if he asks?
 
You may want to read some of the stories posted here from the guys who carry openly. Oftentimes folks don't notice the gun THEN!
Click to expand...

You wouldn't happen to have any links to those stories would you?
 
Everyone can see it... and they all think you're dangerous!:neener:

I keed, I keed! Brother, nobody notices. My wife carries open and doesn't get noticed. I carry a gun IWB and often just untuck a t-shirt a little to fold over the gun. Nobody notices. I put it in in the morning and take it off at night. The last stage of difficulty was going to a venue that bans guns (not a legal ban, just a locations choice) and might search. I put the gun in my crotch and put the belt-latch on my underoos. Put it back IWB in the biffy once inside. Wife did the same thing. It becomes second nature. I feel wierd without it now. Stop worrying.
 
Funny you should me mentioning it. I carried S&W J-Frame revolvers for several years until this year when I switched to the larger L-Frame snubby and a Sig P-226, a full sized 9mmP pistol for daily pocket carry. Last week, I was carrying the 226 in my front pocket (Carharrt trousers) using a foam holster that's designed for IWB carry. Because the butt sticks out of the pocket somewhat, I cover her up with a polar fleece pullover.

So, we get out for some lunch and there's 4 deputies getting out of their vehicles, going to the same sandwhich shop as us! I felt like I used to when I first started carrying, like I was sticking out like a happy fella in a brothel, but decided to just be cool. If these professional observers did not discern that I was packing a full sized gun, you should be OK. Mindset will carry you a long way when legally packing a piece.
 
The more aware you are, the more aware others will be.

If you're self concious, you'll stand out. the real test of if you're comfortable with yourself is walking into a convenience store in a high crime area. If the clerk doesn't get suspicious right off the bat, no one is going to notice.
 
Look in the mirror.

Ask your wife, SO, or a friend.

A G17 is big and some people are going to notice some of the time, especially if they know you and are observant enough to watch the way you move when you get in and out of chairs or cars or pick up heavy things. If you are in a situation where that poses a problem, sell the Glock and get a Kel Tec. Otherwise, you should be OK. As others have said, law enforcement and other people who carry routinely are most likely to notice. For everyone else, they see what they want to see, they see what they are accustomed to seeing, so they see you and they don't see the gun.
 
Yep, that's normal. Keep doin it, and in a couple of years, after no one notices, you'll come to realize that no one IS EVER going to notice it, and if they do, they're not gonna say anything anyway. Don't worry about it!
 
I, too, just received my carry permit and started carrying this weekend. My new M&P 45c hasn't arrived yet, so I carried my HiPower clone instead. I felt it stood out like I was trying to conceal the cat on my waistband. But no one, not even my wife, noticed I was carrying anything. The feeling of "sticking out" has already started to pass.
 
Geronimo:

In TX, any time a law enforcement officer interacts with you, you must inform them that you're carrying and that you're a CHL holder.

If they ask for your firearm during the duration of your interaction, you have to do that too.

I like this rule - simplifies matters and lessens chance the cop sees your gun and thinks you're a BG.
 
When you get the money get the Glock 26.
Click to expand...

When you get the money, get the Glock 29.

In TX, any time a law enforcement officer interacts with you, you must inform them that you're carrying and that you're a CHL holder.

If they ask for your firearm during the duration of your interaction, you have to do that too.

I like this rule - simplifies matters and lessens chance the cop sees your gun and thinks you're a BG.
Click to expand...

Who cares what the cops think? Just stay with what's legal and forget the rest. One advantage to having a Glock in many places is that when people see it, they just think you're a cop yourself and don't say a word.
 
Nobody ever notices the bulge on my side where the gun is concealed.

For some reason I can't fathom they're always staring at my codpiece.

Go figure.

:cool:
 
It takes about 2 weeks to get over the "my gosh, EVERYONE knows I'm carrying!" transition.

Of course, this presumes you're using a good holster along with good concealment techniques. (Like bending at the knees, keeping the back straight to pick up your keys, or reaching with your off side hand for the top magazine, etc.)

It takes awhile, so practice good techniques at home, so you know what really can be seen.
 
I carried a G17 concealed for about 7-8 years. it just seems big and you'll get used to it. If you buy another Glock 9MM I'd suggest the 26. The 19 is so close in size to the others a little smaller than the 17; a little larger than the 26 but the perfect size if you only have one Glock 9mm.
 
I'm a little weird about it too. Just got my permit 3 weeks ago and was carrying in coat pockets. Didn't really think anyone would notice but just felt a bit strange but soon even forgot I was carrying..rami P in 40mm. Last week I got a smartcarry since I knew I could return it if I didn't like it. Gonna take some getting used to and might have to buy a size larger pants but I like how the gun is completely out of sight even if my shirt comes up or coat comes open.
 
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True story I swear.

The other day at work happened to overhear one of our "security technicians" regaling two co-workers with what I believe are called "Mall Ninja stories". I walked over to better hear this gentleman's stories and at some point he noticed that I was carrying a maglite on my left side (under a jacket) and stated that his cat like senses had allowed him to discern that I was carrying something concealed under the sport coat. I immediately produced the light and 'for good measure, my multi-tool both from the left side. The tech stated that even though neither item was a firearm the principle held because he had detected them. He then chastised me for not wearing my company ID.

To make a long story short the "security technician" never did notice the magazine pouch I had right behind the multi-tool or the full sized 1911 I had on my RIGHT hip.

Carry your Glock even those who are looking (or flatter themselves that they are) probably won't notice.

PS a used smart carry? I think not.
 
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They don't know it's a gun. As someone pointed out above, most people probably assume it's a cell phone. People around here know I carry, so when I go somewhere I cannot carry (like while out drinking in a tavern) I place my cellphone on my belt under my coat where a holster might be, so that my topcoat hangs up a little on it and the bulge shows. If a cop searches me, he finds a cellphone. But if some of the local toughs see it, they all think I'm carrying. Everybody's happy.
 
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