Being new to the ccw world, and still waiting for my permit to come in(as of Tuesday it was issued) I was just wanting everyone's opinion on wearing just the IWB holster I ordered to get used to having it on and figuring out what position feels most comfortable.. keep in mind this is also on top of testing around the house with the gun unloaded.

I think you'll find that holster + gun is vastly different than holster alone.

I would suggest wearing it around the house, and also when you're at the range.

Seems to me not a bad idea - the empty holster outside the home. Get a feel of it:
-Against your skin
-Commando or not
-Position on your body (numbers on a clock)
-Teaching yourself not to fiddle with it
-Seeing if you need bigger pants although if it crushes w/o the bulk of the gun in it, will not be a fair test
-Checking what type of a bulge it adds
-Seeing how your cover garment(s) keep it hidden
-etc...

As for at home, why NOT carry your gun in it. Are you not permitted to for some reason? This will be a more accurate "test" of what it will feel like.

And please, do not fall into the mindset that you do not NEED to carry in your home. Search forum and google the net about crime in areas where people "didn't think it could happen here" stories. You will be surprised.

Train, Train, Train!

GL and welcome to the world of protecting "you and yours".


"I regard giving as necessary to right the balance..." Hu Chung
 
"Please remember the 2nd Amendment each and every time you vote".....Cork
 
"If one does not understand a person, one tends to regard him as a fool".......Carl Jung  

"...it's hard to explain...you can be much more alone with other people than you are by yourself...." Lucia Muir

“While open carry makes me uncomfortable (her words, not mine) my discomfort should have no bearing on constitutionally protected rights.” – Tyler Kee’s wife

I have noticed the difference, and have worn it around the house, haven't had a chance for try it at the range (including the one we have at my work) just because haven't had the time to yet.

I have been carrying it in the house, but most of the time it's been unloaded or with dummy rounds in it as I practice my draw and re holstering
It would be kind of hard to fall into that mindset when the house across the street from mine and one a few doors down are potential drug houses with traffic in and out of it at all hours of the day/night (cars only there for a few minutes at a time).. also always keep it close when I'm home because with the way the world is these days, I'd rather "have it and not need it, instead of not having it and needing it"

Your plan won't do you any harm. It may even help a little, but honestly I would carry the pistol while at home. You don't need a license to carry a pistol in your own home in Florida, do you?

You really need to accustom yourself to the weight of the pistol plus holster in order to determine what works best for you.

I carried at home during the 9 weeks I was waiting for my Texas LTC to arrive. It certainly helps to get used to the feel of it, but doesn't do much to prepare you for carrying in public. It takes a while to overcome the self consciousness.

For a leather holster, I think you may damage it by wearing it without the gun. It will flex in strange ways and collapse the mouth. For Kydex, no problem go for it!

I don't think you need one to carry in your own home. In fact, before leaving for work today I had it in the holster carrying it around the house, right up until the moment I set my SD into my duty holster and walked to my car.

We all go through the self consciousness and over thinking when we start carrying concealed. Lots of great advice in this string. I will tell you it is normal and says you are paying attention to the right things. You worry about printing, access, safety, and people noticing. I assure you most people walk through life completely unaware and/or intentionally looking for people carrying a firearm. If you don't dress in an aggressive manner (camouflage, obvious tactical vests, and advertising 2nd Amendment slogans, etc...) people will be paying zero attention. Remember a smile, kindness, and chivalry is disarming and concealed carry gives you an advantage. I am a life member of the NRA, a 27 year veteran of the Army and a proud supporter of the Second Amendment. I just choose when to advertise my beliefs and that mindset. Doing these things while carrying could make you the first target in an untimely entrance to a crime scene because you are perceived as a threat to the criminal thug. Take every advantage by dressing appropriate to your business, life style, and environment. Going to the range wearing all your advertisement is OK. Walking through the mall advertising is maybe not a clever thing to do. You will be fine and you are on the right track. You must read, "In the Gravest Extreme" an excellent book about your responsibility when carrying, among other things. Good luck.

Any IWB holster I use involves a belt, so I'd not imagine I'm getting a feel for anything relevant wandering ng about with just a holster.

did/ have you ever tried a OWB holster?

Yes, I have a safariland model 578 GLS that I carry the gun in when on duty. And I might wear it for concealed carry when we get the "colder" days in Florida and I need to throw on a flannel or a heavier jacket.

Duty holster? are you a LEO? If so do you need a permit to carry of duty?

IMHO, you ought to look into the purchase of a training gun commonly called a "Blue Gun". Go ahead and carry that while you're out and about. Just never draw it and wave it around while outside your house. ......

I agree that some holsters can be damaged if carried for extended times without a gun shaped object being holstered.

Almost anything you can do to get more comfortable carrying will be of help, so "go for it."

If your carry gun is a 1911, and you intend to carry in Condition One, I suggest, if you are having any reservations about doing so (many people do because of the way it looks, or the idea the pistol is "cocked"), then carry in cocked and locked withe an EMPTY chamber long enough to satisfy yourself that the hammer isn't going to drop on its own.

You would be surprised how many are uncomfortable about this mode of carry, yet have no qualms about carrying the M&P, the XD, or other polymer pistols loaded without thumb safeties. Although I am not sure about this, the difference seems to be the visible hammer in the 1911.

This is exactly it. "They" can see the cocked hammer (but seemingly can't see the engaged thumb safety) so they automatically assume it's going to go off all by itself.

I would fall on the other side of what most above say.

I don't carry my badge when I don't have a gun and I wouldn't carry a holster when I didn't have a gun.

If you get yourself in some form of situation and are compromised a person meaning ill harm will either assume you are armed or will assume the gun is somewhere close at hand and you have hidden it.

I would also agree that it might compromise the shape of the holster and cause some issues.

Just my thoughts.

Good thoughts. Not sure about some form of situation and being compromised if the holster is concealed as it shoud be.

I usually carry IWB and often it's the holster only when I have to frequent gun free zones - Post Office, state office buildings, YMCA, grand kid's school, etc. because the firearm stays in the truck.

I wish constitutional carry was nationwide.

licensed armed security officer. And to my knowledge only way I can carry off duty right now is if I'm in uniform and heading to or from my house to my post

everyone thanks for the advice it's greatly appreciated and I look forward to taking a little bit of everything said and find what works for me.

Carry the pistol in your holster around the house so that you will get a feel for it while you are waiting for your CCP. Carry it loaded with full weight if you can do so safely. This will also help break in your holster to your new gun.