What was your first CCW firearm and experience like?

[Swifty Morgan]

I took my "course" in a shop in Miami. Cuban guy behind the counter told me I should not open fire on anyone more than 7 yards away. He said it was different if they were "big n____rs." Assumed I would be okay with him saying that.

So glad I left that town.

I started with a Glock 26 and an Uncle Mike's pocket holster.

 

[unclenunzie]

Started with a post recall gen 1 Ruger LCP with laser. IWB hybrid type holster (kholster). It took a while for the odd feeling of exposure (OMG people will know!) to go away. I most definitely did not feel empowered to do anything more than to quietly go about my business and to avoid trouble. After a while of daily carry this feeling went away, as most everyone reports. Did the Wally World Walk as a rite of passage.

My first "CCW" experience was one with no weapon at all, because I lived in NJ at the time. A shopping center parking lot during the day, two men laughing about violent criminal activity they personally knew about, hair on my neck standing up. I was on my way from my car to the store and had to pass nearby. That experience remembered later turned from fear to anger that such men could feel free and ordinary people had to take it. Been gone from there several years now, and good riddance.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I took my "course" in a shop in Miami. Cuban guy behind the counter told me I should not open fire on anyone more than 7 yards away. He said it was different if they were "big n____rs." Assumed I would be okay with him saying that.

So glad I left that town.

I started with a Glock 26 and an Uncle Mike's pocket holster.

"Florida Man teaches concealed carry class"

 

[Trunk Monkey]

My carry pistol is a Remington R 51 9mm (the new and improved one). I always carry it in my glove box and occasionally on my person. It is a sobering experience and I'm keenly aware of the responsibility.

I used to leave my gun in my car. Then a coworker of mine was murdered at work. I started to Imagine myself being killed like that right next to my car and having my last thought be "If only I could reach my gun."

I decided I am not going to die like that and I now carry any time I legally can

 

[Trunk Monkey]

My first carry gun was a CZ75B chambered in. 40 S&W. I spent about a hundred bucks on cheap nylon holsters trying to find one that worked before laying out the sixty bucks for a Galco.

I remember reading about people who thought an all steel gun was too much to carry all day long and thinking "That will never happen to me." but as I got older it happened to me. I also remember thinking "I'll never carry any caliber that doesn't start with a "4". To make a long story short through a lot of evolutions I went from a full sized CZ75Beast to a Glock 26.

When I started carrying I remember thinking that if anyone found out I'd be "in trouble" even though I had the permit in my pocket.

I also made the mistake of telling two of my "friends" and having one of them randomly out me to a third party and the other telling the entire pastoral staff at the church we used to attend and and all of his buddies because he thought it was "cool".

To make another long story short I cut the "friends" loose and got over my paranoia.

 

[armoredman]

First handgun, Jennings J-22, but I didn't really carry it, First carry sidearm was a Charter Arms Off Duty 5 shot snub 38 Special. First CCW sidearm, after we finally got CCW, was a Walther PPK in an Uncle Mikes shoulder holster, then pocket, then replaced with the trust rusty Witness for years afterwards.

 

[22250Rem]

Got my pistol permit in 1974..... And a used but mint Mod. 39 S&W .22 which I didn't really carry, either. Back then I just thought it cool to have a pistol permit and wanted something for cheap plinking. That Mod. 39 was a dream come true. Sold it to a friend a couple years later when money got real tight. Been regretting it ever since. That guy still has it, and now lives in Washington State, and if he ever sells it I want first dibs.

 

[tarosean]

PPK

 

[Vern56]

Old guy I guess. 1978. Graduated from the CT state police academy. Revolvers were it boys. Stainless model 60's had just came out and were in demand. In the 400-600 range. Way too much for a new guy. (we made a little over 10K then). Ruger speed six had come out. I found a new model 19 2.5 barrel. New for about 300.
Took a while getting used to carry. Shot like a laser. Wish I still had it.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

The handgun was a G22, I have no recollection of the experience beyond that.

 

[.308 Norma]

The handgun was a G22, I have no recollection of the experience beyond that.

That's me, except my handgun was probably a Smith 38 snubby. And the experience must have been pleasant because I'm still carrying a Smith 38 snubby...probably not the same one though.