What is your preferred carry method?

[Vern Humphrey]

For a long time I've wished that I could open carry, but even if Illinois law allowed for it I can't see myself going into clients' offices with a gun on my hip. The majority of them would ask that I never step foot on their premises again. I currently pocket carry and I think I still would Monday through Friday even if the laws were changed in Illinois. The laws might change but the attitudes of many of the people haven't.

But the attitudes of many others HAVE changed. In many states where there used to be a frantic resistance to concealed carry, it's now a ho-hum thing. Over the last 30 years or so, people have seen how allowing honest people to carry hasn't hurt anything.

 

[C0untZer0]

There was this theory in Illinois that once people saw that law-abiding gun owners weren't going to be shooting it out in the streets, that people would come to accept licensed carry, but that theory ignores the fact that the streets weren't running red with blood from law-abiding citizens getting into shootouts when all the towns in Illinois began enacting gun bans in the first place. There were assassination attempts on the Pope and President Reagan and then Morton Grove, Chicago, Oak Park, Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka and Highland Park enacted gun bans. There might have been a few other cities that also enacted bans - I can't remember.

It wasn't a fluke that gun bans passed in Illinois. There are a lot of people in Illinois who hate guns and hate gun owners even more.

Every legislative session we have to fight bills intended to achieve the same effect of the former gun bans but through new and more devious means - like putting gun dealers out of business or raising the cost of firearms and ammunition to the point where it is prohibitively expensive.

I really really want attitudes to change, I hope they do, but I know that there are a lot of people, a lot of business owners and managers and employees in the Chicago area who do not like guns, and if I walked into their busness with a gun on my hip - it would be the last time for me going to their site.

I'd still probably open carry on the weekends though. It makes carrying a larger pistol more comfortable, especially getting in and out of vehicles

 

[Kendahl]

For those who carry in a front pocket: Do you worry that, when you sit down, your muzzle points at everyone in front of you?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I really really want attitudes to change, I hope they do, but I know that there are a lot of people, a lot of business owners and managers and employees in the Chicago area who do not like guns, and if I walked into their busness with a gun on my hip - it would be the last time for me going to their site.

That's the way it should be -- if I can't carry in a business, I won't do business with them.

 

[C0untZer0]

They're clients. I go onsite to fix their stuff. So I'm saying that if I showed up with a gun on my hip - I'd lose business.

As a customer / consumer, I do pass out the "No Guns No Money" cards to businesses that post the Illinois "No Guns Allowed" signs.

 

[C0untZer0]

For those who carry in a front pocket: Do you worry that, when you sit down, your muzzle points at everyone in front of you?

No.

I know about the gun safety rules, but I have a rigid holster that covers the trigger and it is a stock DAO trigger, and I don't have anything in the pocket besides the gun. Its not going to go off.

 

[golfer_ray]

For those who carry in a front pocket: Do you worry that, when you sit down, your muzzle points at everyone in front of you?

Well, to be honest, if I carried with a bullet in the chamber, perhaps, but since I don't, no.

 

[ChanceMcCall]

For those who carry in a front pocket: Do you worry that, when you sit down, your muzzle points at everyone in front of you?

Maybe they just think you are glad to see them?

Seriously, I've been carrying for 45 years with normally a back up in my right front pocket and never had an accidental discharge - thank god. I also always used to carry a .25ACP in a groin holster cocked and locked, and I don't want to even think about what it was pointed at if it were to go off. In my experience, gun "accidental discharges" are because of operator error almost all of the time. The only time I ever had a gun go off when I did not want it to was when my very well used Colt Combat Commander LW went "full auto" after the trigger was pulled at a range. That scared the Hell out of me and everyone else standing there, which meant a different gun until a new one could be purchased. Guns can get old and can break.

For years I used a JAK slide between the belt and pants at 3:30 when a covering garment was appropriate. When I carry my XDs in .45 ACP I found a tight leather on the belt with features I really like. When I carry a Bond Arms Bulldog I have found a plastic one that works pretty well.

 

[Kendahl]

I also always used to carry a .25ACP in a groin holster cocked and locked, and I don't want to even think about what it was pointed at if it were to go off. In my experience, gun "accidental discharges" are because of operator error almost all of the time.

A local cop used to carry a .25 in his back pocket without, I suspect, a holster to cover the trigger. The gun fired during a meeting. The cop excused himself and went to the hospital for treatment.

One comforting feature of double action handguns, whether revolver or automatic, is that there is no energy stored in the spring that powers the hammer until you pull the trigger.

 

[phique2000]

Ruger LCP. Pocket holster in right rear pocket, or sometimes a Sneaky Pete.

 

[CraigC]

OWB with cover garment, which is usually just a silk camp shirt or a sport coat. Prefer a Desantis mini-scabbard or my own similar design over a pancake. Or a .380 in the pocket.

Couldn't even imagine carrying IWB.

 

[james nicholson]

Always carry the cross, crossbreed iwb

 

[sparkyfender]

OWB, under a cover shirt, leather holster.

 

[Garandimal]

IWB GALCO Stow-N-Go at 3:30.

​

GR

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I prefer an OWB leather pancake holster (Tucker Gun Leather) and an untucked shirt.
I also use a Cross Breed IWB and a Remora, nearly always untucked.

 

[Hondo 60]

I like the tucked in look.
Kinda limits my choice.

 

[Chompiras]

I'm a fan ov pocket carry in cargo pants, and thus always wear such along with an LCR in a desantis pocket for work. Outside ov work i dress more fashionably, and although i can usually fit my Mustang inside the pocket ov my tighter pants, it's more convenient to 3:30 IWB the LCR or Mustang in a simply rugged or azula respectively.

 

[Al-jim19]

I have a few ways I carry. With lighter clothing, when I’ll be out all day I like aiwb. With heavier clothing I go iwb or owb around 3-4 o’clock because I find it hard to clear a coat up front. I also always carry a second magazine unless I’m making a fast run to the grocery store. I carry a shield or G19.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I prefer OWB with a cover, which for me is usually a sportcoat/blazer. I don't do it as often, because I like to be able to take my jacket off at work on warm days.
So, I usually have a S&W Bodyguard .380 in a DeSantis pocket holster.

I went through a stage where I ankle carried for a while, but rarely do that anymore. It did make sense for my situation though. I sit at a desk for the vast majority of my job, so it's convenient to get to that way. Of course if you're standing when trouble arrives, you're in screwed.

 

[buck460XVR]

as the title says, what is the method most used by you to carry your firearm?

No....the title asks, "What is your preferred carry method?". To me, there is a difference.

 

[Ks5shooter]

IWB untucked crossdraw

 

[beeenbag]

No....the title asks, "What is your preferred carry method?". To me, there is a difference.

I feel like, generally speaking, you probably use your most preferred. If not, then there has to be some limitation that has kept you from using a method you prefer over what is available. I'd be interested to know the scenario here.

 

[buck460XVR]

I feel like, generally speaking, you probably use your most preferred. If not, then there has to be some limitation that has kept you from using a method you prefer over what is available. I'd be interested to know the scenario here.

What I prefer is my full size 1911 or 4" 686 open, in a shoulder holster. For me, it carries the weight well, and is very comfortable while allowing easy access to the guns. While OC is legal here and I do OC quite a bit, there are those times when OC is not prudent, nor is wearing something suitable to conceal a shoulder holster, while leaving it easily accessible, ideal. Most times, it's easier to carry something smaller, and more easily concealed, while not the preferred weapon or method. Now if you had asked, "What is your preferred way to conceal carry?" or, "How do you EDC?" my answer would have been different. But those were not the question asked.

 

[beeenbag]

What I prefer is my full size 1911 or 4" 686 open, in a shoulder holster. For me, it carries the weight well, and is very comfortable while allowing easy access to the guns. While OC is legal here and I do OC quite a bit, there are those times when OC is not prudent, nor is wearing something suitable to conceal a shoulder holster, while leaving it easily accessible, ideal. Most times, it's easier to carry something smaller, and more easily concealed, while not the preferred weapon or method. Now if you had asked, "What is your preferred way to conceal carry?" or, "How do you EDC?" my answer would have been different. But those were not the question asked.

Which is also why more than one choice was allowed in the pole

 

[hdwhit]

What is your preferred carry method?

If I'm open carrying (which both Texas and Arkansas - the states where I spend most of my time - allow) then I use a beautiful, elaborate tooled-leather western style gunbelt and integral holster that my father bought back in the 1970's.

If not that, then the so-called "Mexican style".

And why not? It saves money on an expensive holster and as George Harrison sang many years ago, "Happiness is a Warm Gun".