How did it feel when you first started carrying?

Bud11 · #51 02-09-2012, 09:21 PM

Just got a phone message today saying my permit is ready to picked up. Guess I'll know soon how it feels to carry. Will let you know how it goes. Bud

GTbob · #52 02-09-2012, 10:41 PM

What are you waiting for?! When they called me she said I could pick it anytime...blah, blah, blah..... I said I will be there in an hour!!!!

Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bud11

Just got a phone message today saying my permit is ready to picked up. Guess I'll know soon how it feels to carry. Will let you know how it goes. Bud

bitstream · #53 02-09-2012, 11:17 PM

I agree with pretty much everything said above. I felt like everyone could see it until I stood in front of a full length mirror in my bathroom and turned this way and that and realized it really was invisible.

Two thumbs up on the tip to keep your hands off it. If you're not fiddling with it, then nobody will notice.

Practical tips: Take care and think ahead:

Don't just plop down in a seat and then hear the thud of your CCW banging the seat back. Do sit smoothly and then lean back so that the grip doesn't hit.

Don't forget to notice if it's windy out and have a gust blow your cover shirt up. Do turn slightly or put your hand in your pocket as you walk to subtly pin your shirt down from flapping. Just look natural.

Bathrooms are probably one of the biggest things to plan for. Don't use the urinals. Go into a stall. Make sure the door is locked. CAREFULLY ensure your weapon is safe from falling out and clattering on the floor!!! I do not using a thumb break holster. I discovered at home that it WILL fall out if you just drop your drawers and sit down. Thankfully I discovered this in the privacy and safety of my own home. (It's also good that it was my Sigma and is completely drop safe). Since then, when I'm out, I always draw my weapon and place it where it will be 100% safe while I complete my business. Almost every stall has some flat on the toilet back, or on the paper holder. Or I use my lap. Be sure to safe it! After you are done, take care re-holstering and don't open the door until you are safe and your clothes are all in position. Take your time and use caution. You will read a story about a cop or citizen accidentally dropping their gun or shooting it by accident in a restroom a few times a year. That's because it is the only time all day that your weapon is dislodged. The other thing, even if your holster is a retention style, you don't want it flopping on the floor with your pants and either making a distinctive sound of metal or (especially) you don't want it visible underneath the stall. Just be careful and think ahead.

Also, watch for kids. Their eye level is pretty low and they can see up at you... That means they might see under your shirt/jacket from below, especially if you are going up stairs.

Good luck!

Bud11 · #54 02-10-2012, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTbob

What are you waiting for?! When they called me she said I could pick it anytime...blah, blah, blah..... I said I will be there in an hour!!!!

Bob

I hear you Bob. Got the phone message while in Texas, so will be there bright and early this morning to pick it up.

GTbob · #55 02-10-2012, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bud11

I hear you Bob. Got the phone message while in Texas, so will be there bright and early this morning to pick it up.

Ahh... Well I guess you were more than an hour away, LOL.

GTbob · #56 02-10-2012, 10:33 AM

This is all really great advice. Stuff I do and take for granted. Never thought to put it down into words quite like that.

Thanks for the great post!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitstream

I agree with pretty much everything said above. I felt like everyone could see it until I stood in front of a full length mirror in my bathroom and turned this way and that and realized it really was invisible.

Two thumbs up on the tip to keep your hands off it. If you're not fiddling with it, then nobody will notice.

Practical tips: Take care and think ahead:

Don't just plop down in a seat and then hear the thud of your CCW banging the seat back. Do sit smoothly and then lean back so that the grip doesn't hit.

Don't forget to notice if it's windy out and have a gust blow your cover shirt up. Do turn slightly or put your hand in your pocket as you walk to subtly pin your shirt down from flapping. Just look natural.

Bathrooms are probably one of the biggest things to plan for. Don't use the urinals. Go into a stall. Make sure the door is locked. CAREFULLY ensure your weapon is safe from falling out and clattering on the floor!!! I do not using a thumb break holster. I discovered at home that it WILL fall out if you just drop your drawers and sit down. Thankfully I discovered this in the privacy and safety of my own home. (It's also good that it was my Sigma and is completely drop safe). Since then, when I'm out, I always draw my weapon and place it where it will be 100% safe while I complete my business. Almost every stall has some flat on the toilet back, or on the paper holder. Or I use my lap. Be sure to safe it! After you are done, take care re-holstering and don't open the door until you are safe and your clothes are all in position. Take your time and use caution. You will read a story about a cop or citizen accidentally dropping their gun or shooting it by accident in a restroom a few times a year. That's because it is the only time all day that your weapon is dislodged. The other thing, even if your holster is a retention style, you don't want it flopping on the floor with your pants and either making a distinctive sound of metal or (especially) you don't want it visible underneath the stall. Just be careful and think ahead.

Also, watch for kids. Their eye level is pretty low and they can see up at you... That means they might see under your shirt/jacket from below, especially if you are going up stairs.

Good luck!

Chuck1217 · #57 02-10-2012, 03:03 PM

bitstream's post reminded me of something- saw a post a while back about using a public terlit, and this guy said that one time he sat his pistol on the toilet paper holder, and forgot it- had to run back in and get it. Ever since, he puts it in his drawers as he sits- said if he forgets now, soon as he pulls up the pants he gets a cold, hard reminder.
Also a tip on hugging- yep, hugging- sometimes a woman will want a hug, and she could put her arms around the waist (especially if she's shorter than you) and feel the weapon there. I try and always get my right arm UNDER hers, so I can raise MY arm up a little, and keep hers away from the belt area.

woodsltc · #58 02-10-2012, 10:23 PM

It's when (for whatever reason) I'm "NOT" carrying that I feel ill-at-ease and vulnerable!!

I've carried for years ..... so to carry a weapon is just normal now!

Don

bitstream · #59 02-21-2012, 01:00 AM

Saw this today and thought I'd bubble this thread back up to the top. This is one of the things I warned about:

Mesa police: Man's gun goes off in Walmart bathroom stall

Again, a public restroom is probably the single most dangerous thing you'll likely do when carrying concealed. The likelihood of you actually facing a thug is extremely tiny; the statistical likelihood of you needing to make a pitstop while carrying, however, is nearly 100%.

Take Care. Be Careful. I heavily recommend a careful draw, safe the weapon, put it where it will be safe while you do your business, and then get yourself back together and carefully reholster. Double check yourself before leaving (be sure your shirt is positioned, etc.).

cracker57 · #60 02-22-2012, 11:46 AM

I have only been carrying since legal in wisconsin (permit issued in nov.) I knew cc was going to pass so I started to prepare before I recieved my permit. I started by carrying in my house with a IWB holster, gun unloaded. This got me used to the weight of the gun and the holster. After a short while I forgot about it. Next step carrying with gun loaded in the house, just for the fact I felt uneasy at first but I got used to it. After my permit arrived I started to carry everywhere all the time, however at first on the street I carried with an empty chamber. I knew an empty chamber was not the way to fly, so after much more practice at home on reloading, malfunctions and a couple more handgun classes its on me all the time ready to rock and roll with a full clip and one in the tube. I was carrying for a very short time without a back up mag, anymore a back up mag is with me, needed for malfunctions and hopefully never for more rounds but I have them if needed.
Now I feel like I am naked without my gun coming with me, along with my spare mag. The main thing is concealed carry means just that, conceal the fact you have a gun. Most my friends don't even know I have a permit. A friend call just Monday to see if I wanted to go to lunch with him. We went to a place we hadn't been to for a long time and he drove, when we got there the no guns allowed signs were on the door. I didn't want to let him know I had a gun and I also didn't want to leave it in his car, so we walked in had lunch and no one was the wiser. Now if I had driven I would have said I left my wallet or something in the car and put my gun in the safe thats cabled to the seat. this safe is for the fast break a window and get what you can real fast type of safe and I would not leave a gun in it overnight or for a long time. I am not saying you should break the law and carry where its not allowed however sometimes its the safest and best thing to do.
Also you will hopefully see your mind set change to always be aware of what the hell is going on around you. You will more then likely drive better, not wanting to have any conflict with the BG or LEO.
" Always carry never tell" has become a favorite line for me
Cracker57