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

[steveracer]

Try open carry. It's legal in VA, and having done it a bit, people don't even notice your gun UN-CONCEALED, buch less under a cover garment.
Steve

 

[Duke of Doubt]

They notice open carry, they just assume you're a cop or a fed or a security guy. Lots of those in NoVa.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

Something that helped me a lot was to carry in places where I wouldn't meet a lot of people; that got me into the mechanics of carrying without the self-consciousness of "Oh my God they all know I've got a gun!"

For example, I'd carry while taking hikes through my local nature center. I never saw anybody, and got me into the habit of being aware of the revolver, but not uncomfortable about it.

Then, carrying became a routine, like having a Swiss Army knife.

 

[expvideo]

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!

Welcome to the world of CCW! Everyone feels like this for about the first 6 months to a year. You get used to it, and then you start to forget that your carrying a gun. Well maybe not to that extent, but it at least stops being a worry.

Open carry for a couple days. You'll notice that barely anyone notices when the gun is completely exposed. Then you won't be too concerned about concealing it.

Also, with the right holster you don't have to wear oversized clothes. I carry a Sig P226 and I can conceal it in jeans and a shirt that both fit because I have a holster that will do that for me. Eventually you will discover that your actions, your loose clothes and your nervousness are much bigger give-aways to the fact that you are carrying than a small bulge.

Try different holsters. I had to go through quite a few before I found the cheapest, simplest holster which was actually a lot better at concealing than my expensive Galco or Safariland holsters. Also experiment with where you are carrying. 5-o'clock through 2-o'clock on your right hip could all have different levels of concealment. When I started carrying, I put my holster at 5-o'clock, but now I carry it much less noticeably at 3-o'clock.

 

[Owen]

I carry a G17 at 3 o'clock. Given, I'm a chunky monkey...

I use a Comp-Tac Holster which is a tuckable leather-kydex hybrid, and I have it adjusted for the maximum forward cant. As far as concealment goes, forward cant is your friend.

On top of that, what people are saying here is correct. The vast majority of the people at there will never ever notice you have a gun.

 

[Byron Quick]

Back in the seventies when I was running around in faded bellbottoms and shoulder length hair, I had three or four people ask if I was an undercover cop while open carrying. Noticed three or four more looking at the gun. So maybe eight people noticed during years of open carry.

I open carry now from time to time mainly just to keep the police and public aware that it is 'permitted.' Now I know many of the people I carry around. Including the anti lady who would shrilly get into my face about it. She doesn't. People really don't notice much. And that's with a full size 1911 at 3 o'clock.

Attn: Georgia newcomers-open carry is only legal in Georgia with a concealed carry permit. I would not want you to assume that it was legal without permission because it's not.

 

[misANTHrope]

Folks, the OP can't carry openly; he's in TX. Well, unless he wants to see the inside of a jail cell.

 

[LKB3rd]

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!

I openly carried a Colt Python in the Dartmouth College book store(liberals, hippies, militant lesbians, liberal hippy militant lesbian college professors, wall to wall) and no one even noticed as far as I could tell. If they did notice, they didn't care enough to do anything that I noticed. I bought a book, and sat and read it with a cup of coffee for half an hour.
I am with the "don't worry" crowd.
1. Even if it "prints" you aren't breaking any laws
2. If it does print 90% of the people won't know it is a gun.
3. The ones who do know it is a gun probably know because they carry too, and they aren't going to care.
Most people don't generally pay much attention to their surroundings unfortunately.
Edited to add: I have nothing against liberal hippy militant lesbian college professors, or any combination of those things. Just trying to make a point with some silly humor

 

[doorman]

Yep. Seem to be the process that most people go through. I rotate a G17, 1911 and a Kahr P45.

I have an IWB and a OWB for each and over time have ended up carrying at 3 o' clock with a slight forward cant.

 

[newbie4help]

thanks guys.

I have been carrying at 3'o clock because after experimentation in the mirror that's the best place.

My Bianchi holster doesn't forward cant :-(

 

[LKB3rd]

I find that if I put it at around 8- 8:15 O'clock(lefty- 3:45 or so righty) just in front of where I'd be sitting on it when seated, it sits just enough in the small of my back where my shirt sort of billows out over it, and it creates less of a funny looking lopsided big hip effect. I carry in the summer with an XD45 and just a t shirt like this, with no problems.
The more you do it, the more normal and less of a big deal it becomes.

 

[VegasOPM]

Get a good belt, a good holster and get used to carrying it. Wear it at home for a couple of weeks, until it becomes natural. The way that you will get noticed is if you are always fidgeting and checking the pistol. How often do you intently look at a strangers waist? If you have ever noticed someone with a gun, it is likely that their behavior tipped you off- not printing. The primary caveat is when you are bending over or squatting. That takes some practice to get right.

 

[mr.trooper]

i was in the same boat. Only handguns i had were a CZ-75 and a Glock 17. Both were far two large to conceal well, and i was self concious.

im a poor college student working part time in a deli. I make less than $200 per week, and that has to pay my credit card, phone, and gasoline bills, as well as lunches and personal funds.

i saved up and got a KelTec P32 with a Fobus paddle holster. The entire rig cost me $250. It has proven reliable, and its so small and light that i often forget i have it on.

if the .32 acp is too small for you, consider a PF9.

 

[.cheese.]

You WILL get used to it. I promise.

Eventually you won't even think about it.

You're the only person who knows the gun is there. Other people aren't looking at you wondering if you have a gun, they probably wouldn't even notice if you were printing (but it's still a good idea to avoid it).

 

[misANTHrope]

i saved up and got a KelTec P32 with a Fobus paddle holster. The entire rig cost me $250. It has proven reliable, and its so small and light that i often forget i have it on.

Just out of curiosity, why did you go with a paddle holster instead of doing pocket carry?

 

[KBintheSLC]

I felt the same way for the first month or two when carrying, but over time it went away. Remember that most normal people lack the spacial awareness needed to detect a concealed firearm.
Those that do possess that level of awareness are usually also carrying. Just make sure your garment covers it and don't worry too much.

 

[Th3_M4d_1r1shm4n]

Hitching your pants. Must be a 45.

::raising hand guiltily::

That would be me. Although cinching the belt down an extra notch tends to help.

Newbie - you get used to it. I CC a 5" XD45, and for the first few months every time I had it I was convinced that it was obvious, even though I am fairly tall and broad-shouldered and actually quite well-designed for carrying concealed. Like everyone else has said - don't worry about it. Wear it around the house to help get used to it. Eventually, you'll forget that it's there. And even if people do see it, it never registers to them that you're carrying a gun. I've had people think it was a cell-phone, PDA...even one person who thought it was an insulin pump (although I have yet to meet someone who carries their pump in the small of their back).

Anyways. Stop worrying. Enjoy your freedom. Think before you act. Go well.

 

[NMBLACKGOLD]

Help 4 Newbie4??

Newbie4, the biggest tip off that you (or others) are carrying concealed is an unnatural armswing while your walking.... ..... or an unnatural arm position while your standing/waiting etc. If your elbow/tricep/upper arm is brushing the holster or even preventing a full armswing to the rear (the biggest tip-off) while walking, you almost appear handicapped, and boy do people love to point out (watch you) other peoples flaws. While your standing...arms to the side, you can have an unatural "chicken wing" look to you if your holstering a 3 o'clock. (i.e.the body builder with big lats looks that draws attention to himself)
Your arm brushing the holster forward and back is an unnatural feeling, and makes you self-concious of its presence (can even make some noise). Suggestion: Wear it a 5 and let it ride!!!
Best of luck!

Hi to all, have been long time viewer but never have posted....

PS: how do I add a "quote" to my response. I don't see a button to add one. Sorry to be so laim with computers...

 

[newbie4help]

Thanks NM black gold - I was guilty of doing some of those.

I'm slowly coming into it....I wear it at my apartment often, and go outside and do little chores with it on.

 

[slim76]

If you find someone staring at you just say "Gee, my colostomy bag is heavy today!", this will get you weird looks and people will shuffle away from you.

 

[wuchak]

+1 on carry at home. All the time. You can adjust it there until you hit on just the right place where it is comfortable and stays tight to your body. This will also help you get used to the weight. Once you get it comfortable then keep your hands off it. You don't want to be touching it or fiddling with it in public.

Couple of tips.

If you carry your wallet in your back right pocket switch it to the back left. This puts the weight on the other side to help balance your pants plus it lessens the chance that you'll expose your firearm when getting your wallet. It will feel awkward in the other pocket at first and out of habit you'll still reach for it in the right pocket. After a couple of weeks it will feel normal in the left. Having it in the off side pocket is also an advantage if you get a smaller gun for pocket carry. If you have your gun in your front right pocket and your wallet in your back left than there is no angle where two wallet sized lumps are visible.

When putting a jacket on always put your hand on the side where your gun is in first. This lets you use the entire coat as cover when you raise your arm to put it in the sleeve. When taking it off always remove the arm on the non-gun side first for the same reason.

 

[John_galt]

I will occassionally carry my full size 92, but it pokes my ribs. Now I most often carry a G26 or Beretta 8000L. After 15 yrs, my wife still has to ask, or check by putting her arm around my waist. I am not claiming any special talent, just practice, like everyone else posted. I've made a game of trying to recognize people carrying, it's hard to be sure. Only once have I ever been 100% sure someone was carrying. It was painfully obvious, I think the print was enough to be almost a full silohuette. Try finding people in public who are carrying, makes you realize how aware you need to be to pick up on it, and if you do notice someone carrying you learn how you can be spotted.

 

[YammyMonkey]

I would look at how you're carrying before altering what you're carrying. A G-17 is a concealable weapon, you just have to work a little harder (I carry a full size M&P9 with light so I know where you're coming from). Moving the gun forward or back just an inch or two can make a world of difference. Try everything from 12:00 on around to 4:30 (if you're right handed) & see what works. I carried a 1911 for years just barely in front of my hip & it concealed very well even with a t-shirt.

Make sure you have a solid belt. That'll anchor the whole system & keep the gun from flopping around.

I'm not familiar with the holster you're using but an Appendix carry IWB holster works very well if you have the right body shape. If you're fat it probably won't fly. Fix that. You can try sliding your holster around to the appendix position & try that for a while but I found the ACR from Raven Concealment Systems to be a great AIWB setup. Their Phantom is also a great holster if you can't go AIWB.

There is no real reason to go to one of the baby Glocks. You can conceal a full size fighting gun in a pair of slacks with a tucked in shirt with a SmartCarry if you have to.

 

[coloradokevin]

Newbie,

A couple things to consider:

1) If you are new to CCW, then it is a bit natural for it to feel awkward for a little while! You can help yourself get past this issue by carrying every time you are out for about a month or so. Eventually it becomes just another wardrobe accessory.

2) You are carrying a fairly large gun, and larger guns are more obvious, thereby making you more self-conscious. Still, I carry a Glock 37 almost exclusively as an off-duty CCW these days, and you can make it work!

3) Think about your clothing. You can go beyond a Hawaiian shirt and also consider how sweatshirts, jackets, pullovers, and other such garments may conceal your weapon. My favorite 3-season choice is to wear my Ohio State pull-over wind breaker... It does an excellent job of concealing even my largest weapons, and I can draw from this concealment with barely any time lost as compared with open carry. Odds are that you have something in your closet that will work well for CCW purposes!

4) Spend time in front of the mirror. Move around, and see if you can make the gun print, or observe how it prints. Enlist the help of your significant other when you are wearing the gun. My closest friends/family already know the drill when I'm getting dressed: "Yes, Kevin, your gun is concealed" or "Hey, you might try on a different shirt, Rambo".

5) Finally, keep in mind that many folks won't have the slightest clue that the object under your shirt is a gun. Gun folks might recognize a "print", and most cops will. Beyond that, your typical anti-gun liberal will probably just assume that you are carrying a PDA, or something (in fact, you are carrying a "PDA": A Personal Defense Accessory!!!)

 

[JohnKSa]

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

That's worth repeating.

When I carry concealed I make sure it's actually CONCEALED, not just hidden from casual observers. Frankly I couldn't care less about the casual observers.

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.

That is not correct. In fact I'd advise against immediately informing a cop that you're a CHL holder and carrying UNLESS he asks you for ID.

You're only required to notify a police officer if he asks for ID. At that point you're required to provide him your CHL along with the ID he requested IF you are carrying at the time.

A bill has been introduced to remove this law. It's a bit inconsistent since a person legally carrying concealed without a CHL (it's legal to do so in your own vehicle) does not have to notify an officer.