What would you change if you had Open Carry?

357 or 41 mag in leather holster with FBI cant as the most powerful weapon I could carry in a small package that won't get in the way of sitting or getting in and out of cars.

 

Good advice about the whole dress package.

Keep in mind that here in Texas, if your jacket flaps open and someone sees your gun and has a conniption, you can be charged with brandishing. Despite the obvious definition of "brandishing" as being "intentional", that's not the way it plays here in Texas. Casual concealment is not concealment. In Nevada you're not under those strictures. Trust me, they're no fun.

And of course, as a woman, concealment has its own peculiar problems. If I looked like Twiggy it might be easier, but I outgrew that at about age 12. With a statuesque figure (read: curves) the whole issue becomes a lot more difficult with large guns.

It's not as easy as all that, really.

Springmom

 

Mossberg Persuader or 5.56 carbine on a sling. Steyr Scout if I could afford it.

 

If I were going to OC on a regular basis (and in Va I can) I would buy some retention holsters. Don't worry about it when CCW. Other than that it would be same guns and business as usual.

 

I OC daily - SIG229. The Serpa is a great choice for OC with retention.

 

We have OC. Right now I carry a PT145, Taurus Mil Pro .45 ACP.

Is a bit small for an OC gun imho (small frame that is, not caliber) I am looking to get a 1911, I will OC that and CC the Mil Pro.

Granted, if I could afford it, I would also carry a .480 or .454 5 shot revolver, possibly scoped and certainly ported.

As far as holsters, I am using a retention holster right now, it does keep me a 'bit' nervous about retention....granted most people move away when they see the gun, and I normally keep my arm on top of it.

For the 1911, I will probably get a leather OWB holster with a thumb break. I am also considering (even though it may be too 'tacticool' for some of you folks) a thigh holster for said 1911 for certain occasions/dress

As far as customization, I would like to do some slight work on said 1911, get a smooth slide and have it engraved (getting rid of the manuf. emblems etc.) And some slightly worked handles, maybe the American Flag on one side and an Eagle on the other, nothing too over the top, but still personalized.....or maybe a grim reaper with the motto 'kill em all!' cant decide...

 

Honestly?

I know this is gonna sound strange...but if there was a no-problem acceptance of open carry...none of this "Armed to the terror" sheepdip...

And if there was:

"Good morning, Officer Friendly."

"Good morning to you sir. That's a fine-lookin' piece you've got there. Have a nice day."

I think I'd carry a Peacemaker. No! I'd carry one. There's a cool factor with packin' a Peacemaker that nothin' else can match...and recently, I've been working with a pair of copies.

Once ya get the hang of'em...from the right holster...these things are wicked deadly from the leather to point-shoulder, and faster than one would think after the drill is learned...and the learning curve is pretty short. The gun just falls into my hand...or my hand just falls onto the gun. Whichever. It works. I'm startin' to understand why they were so popular. The only single-actions that I've messed with were the Rugers...and that just for metallic silhouette back in the 80s...so I never really appreciated the Peacemaker's balance and ergonomics when used as a weapon.

So...In the face of the trends to hi-cap 9s and tactical this and that...I'd carry a Peacemaker, by gol'...and I'd carry it hammer down on an empty chamber.

 

I carry an officers or Commander for concealed , I would switch to a either my Gov or a P14 ( and do ) for open carry.

 

I normally carry guns that are pocketable. I would switch to my Glock 19 to carry open.

If I was re-thinking carrying entirely, I would consider an alloy frame high cap DA/SA (Sig or CZ).

 

This says it all. Well Put.

 

Full size Kimber 1911 if I were going to OC. Currently a Glock 26 beneath the suit coat to the office then nothing into the courthouse. S&W642 would remain in its concealed position even if primary did change.(bug)

 

I would carry OWB concealed instead of my IWB, just for comfort. I'd consider getting a larger gun. Right now my CCW is a Sig P6. I've always wanted a full size 1911, but can't afford or justify it right now (too big for me to carry, too big for my paycheck). If I could OC, I would think about springing for a 1911 in some high quality leather with a retention strap...

In this case, methinks Sig P220 in a dropleg. The dropleg would look better with a H&K Socom, but A) I suck and they hate me, B) I'm not that much of a mall ninja.

 

Glad someone liked it

 

We have open carry (with a permit) in Tennessee, and I continue to carry concealed.

 

Here in Va you can't have your cake and eat it too. If you are carrying concealed then it must be concealed 100% of the time. If open carried then it must be uncovered 100% of the time. Anything different and you may find yourself in front of a judge.

 

Most of the guns I have now are perfectly suitable for open carry. I would not have much use for my Kahr PM9 in such a role. What I would change is my carry gear. I would want a holster with some degree of retention (at least a thumb break strap) instead of the open-top holsters I favor for concealment, so someone cannot come along, yank my gun and run away - or shoot me! - with it.

While I am at it, I would not be opposed to some embellishment, e.g., basketweave or floral carving, jeweling, etc. on the belt/holster. This is a little oxymoronic with a utilitarian handgun like a Glock, but I can see a 1911 (I do not own one at present), my CZ PCR with its cocobolo grips or S&W Ladysmith in such a rig.

 

Charged with what?

Don't a lot of folks in VA transition from CC to OC when they go into restaurants?

 

That is almost exactly what we've got here and I have to tell you, it's really nice.

 

We already have it and nobody knows it, even the cops. Consequently, as you might imagine, it is a pain in the butt. If I could get everybody that wants to carry a gun openly to do it for one week, maybe people would get used to it. Then again maybe they would enact a law against it.

 

jezzz... i need to move to AZ...

 

Not to mention those of us who have been limping along with Uncle Mike's would finally have to pony up and get a decent looking leather holster....

Springmom

 

My state already allows open carry. I choose not to. I prefer concealed carry.

 

Majic,
Where in the world did you get that notion? Open carry is completely legal in Va and if you have a CCW permit you can transition back and forth at any time. In fact you HAVE to transition to open carry if you are entering any food establishment that serves alcohol.

Making a big production of the transition may be stupid, but it's not illegal.

 

I can OC in Nevada, it just isn't worth the arguments. I would carry a full size GLOCK or 1911 in an offset Kydex holster, with dual mag holders on the other side. That rig is comfy for all-day, every day carry- including sitting, standing, driving and watching TV. I know because that is my IDPA, USPSA, training and "boonie" rig. Unfortunately, I would need to wear a knee length parka to effectively conceal it in every day use.

 

I'd carry my Remington NMA replicas with .45 Colt conversion cylinders in my double duelist CAS rig. The gun belt holds 40 rounds of reloads.

But, since I don't dress "cowboy" every day, I'd probably carry my S&W M681 4 inch in its Bianchi 7 holster or take the Bianchi Lightning grips off my S&W M13 and carry it in my old Bucheimer pancake.

ECS