My apologies to the forum if this thread has been brought up before but, I could not find a reference to it via topic searches.

I'm interested in seeing the current "trend" (if you will) in what the members who are legally permitted to carry firearms are going with these days. Light carry? Moderate carry? Heavy carry? It makes no difference to me however, at a minimum, please list your EDC items and briefly explain why you choose such equipment.

Hopefully, this thread can be used as a learning tool for those who are new to concealed carry and, maybe a though-provoker (in a good way) for those of us who have been carrying concealed for a while. The day we stop learning is a sad day indeed.

So, let me be the first to start off by saying that I have been carrying concealed for over 20 years (6.5 years while wearing a badge) and the lessons I've learned are vast and personally meaningful. The photos are below the descriptions, for those of you who are more image-orientated.

The gear I choose is based on my life-experience and mine alone. I normally carry a Colt Mk IV Series 70, .45 ACP in a OWB holster but have recently switched over to a Galco IWB Summer Comfort rig. At a minimum, one spare magazine is carried along with the weapon, usually (for the Colt) in a kydex carrier. The removal/re-attachment process is a breeze and it is light-weight and very secure.

Season, environment, threat-anticipation and my mood may dictate carrying my S&W Performance Center Shorty Forty. The only item that changes is the spare magazine carrier. I went with a Galco leather snap-off model. Both the Summer Comfort holsters are carried in the same 3:30 position.

A cell phone is about mandatory these days and a thing for the better in my opinion. Calling 911 for emergency services, loved ones after surviving a lethal encounter...a good lawyer, etc. The phone case is made by Nite-Ize and also features easy on/easy off capability.

My choice of knife is a Carson-designed M16 large blade folder, based on the fact that a bigger knife can do most everything - in general - that a smaller one can but, not visa-verse. It's also comforting to know that it is a handful should the handgun malfunction.

The flashlight is a Surefire 9P and I never venture anywhere without it. (I used to work the graveyard shift.) At times when I'm dressing in thinner garments, I swap it out for a smaller LED flashlight made by T.O.P.

Yeah, know, I carry way too many keys, I must though. It seems we all live in a world that revolves around keys and locks. Between two different residences and a detached garage with multiple doors for each...the keys are mandatory. Attached to the keys is a very handy Gerber Clutch tool. A modern marvel of engineering, to say the least.

I almost always wear some sort of vest or a jacket as an outer garment and I find that by placing the keys, wallet or flashlight in the front pockets, helps keep the vest (or jacket) from blowing open, thus perhaps exposing my firearm, should a gust of wind or passing vehicle have the audacity to do so.

Not pictured is the Price-Western gun belt that tries to hold back my size 34 waistline.

And now, the obligatory photos...

Excalibur and Company:


...and Windsucker and Company:

__________________
JWS3
1SG, USA (Retired)