I read lots of posts here on how, where and when to carry. There are many different types of guns being carried, different sized people, builds, climate differences, dress codes, laws, etc. that of course will all contribute to the mix. Sometimes sacrifices must be made as to caliber, gun designs, capacities, holster types etc. as well.

I can only comment on my personal experience but I try desperately to convey this to everyone that asks me locally. IMHO, if you intend on carrying - then carry all the time. You know Murphy's Law, the one time you leave it home is the one time you might need it. If you don't feel the need to carry - that's fine too - personal choice.

I can not and will not carry a gun for any length of time that is uncomfortable, period! If the gun is uncomfortable then you will tend not to have it on you. Obviously there is a fine line between comfort, the type of gun being carried by said individual and how it is carried. Now I realize that when you first start to carry, you will feel "different". There is something to be said about getting used to carrying an unnatural piece of metal on you. That's sort of a "learning curve" if you will. I am taking about something like this..... When I was in my 20's, I read many Gun Rag articles about how real men only carried 1911's, .44 N Frames, etc. I tried desperately to carry a 1911 concealed. That ordeal lasted only 2 weeks - and I could not take it any longer! Way too heavy, bulky and large for a CCW the way I had to dress. Of course I did not have the great, well designed holsters I now own, but still..... I could not walk 5 steps without hiking up my pants! I had to be honest with myself and back down to a J frame 2" Chief's Special. OK - not nearly as high capacity, powerful or authoritative as the .45 is, but at least I could carry, conceal and move around all day in everyday life with the J Frame on. At that time I felt reasonably well armed, never let my gun show and was never spotted carrying. I always had the gun with me! You know the saying, better to have a 5 shot .38 Spl. in your pocket than the much more powerful .45 you left at home.

I am also one that could NEVER "dress around the gun". I want to wear what I want when I want and not have to look out of place wearing a Photographer's vest, Biker's vest, sweater, etc. when it's 90º outside. Don't want to wear long pants when it's 100º outside or look like a slob wearing a shirt out when it is inappropriate.

Therefore, when "new to gun people" ask my advise on what to buy for CCW, I let them come over and see what gun options and caliber options there are (only if I know them well of course). Then if possible I suggest they rent different models and brands at the Range and let them shoot them. I also suggest they be honest with themselves about what they are and are not willing to tote around all day. Believe it or not, sometimes that's not so easy!

Anyway, although I have my likes and dislikes (as we all do) about calibers, gun brands, auto's vs semi-auto's etc. I always try to settle on what truly will always work for me and will always be with me. I feel well armed, practice a lot, and maintain said CCW gun.

Just figured I'd post this because in the last few years in our new home I have been asked many many times about this very subject and feel it just might help a few new guys here. In general I say, carry the best caliber in the highest capacity that you will feel comfortable wearing all day and every day. If that means stepping down a size in gun or caliber, better that than to leave it at home.

This is really meant mostly for newbies as I realize most of us here have lots of experience, knowledge and toting experience and truthfully, I don't really know how many here are new to gun toting. But hey, if this helps only a handful of people, better that than none. AND.... if you have been carrying for a while and not comfortable, it might help too.

Regards,
Chief38

Good advice chief. The easier carrying is the more likely you’ll carry. I always try to steer people towards pocket carry in something like a Nemisis holster.

When I became a Policeman we were required to carry a handgun and arrest bad guys. No cell phones back then. I always went with a OWB leather holster with thumb snap for retention.

Even for LEOs I suggest Professional Training because it creates the mindset. I can tell 187 stories about people who was robbed and or murdered and their gun was in their front pocket or in the glovebox. Another reaction in the “Fight or Flight” response is complying another is negotiating and another is begging.

Back On Topic: Handguns are not comfortable but you volunteer to be a “gunfighter” so be like Wyatt Earp and others and be good at it.

AMEN!! Let's face facts...nobody wants to get shot! Doesn't matter the caliber. Bottom line...nobody wants to get shot. When somebody downplays carrying one of the smaller calibers, there's always some person who smarts off with, "Okay! Why don't you stand there while I shoot you with a .22 and see how you like it." In all my years, I've never heard of any takers.

Miss Judy has arthritis in her hands. She has trouble shooting a double-action. She has trouble shooting even a .38 special. Her solution? She packs a Browning 1911 in .22LR. Am I going to argue with her? Heck, no!! I'm just glad she's carrying. She likes the gun and she's a great shot with it. Who am I to disagree?

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Pack light and cinch tight.

The most comfortable carry I've found in quite a while is appendix carry, been doing that for my P365.

Works great for right now where it's cool enough to be wearing a hoodie to cover, summertime may well be different because I don't like wearing a shirt untucked, even a t-shirt...we'll see.

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Life Member GOA and NRA

I’ve traded guns for years trying to find the right handgun caliber and a solution to “comfortable carry “. I’ve found two things that have made a bigger difference than weapon/caliber. First, I discovered Wrangler jeans with a flexible waist. My jeans feel comfortable when I’m not carrying and they stretch to accommodate a pistol and holster. The second thing is a good belt that doesn’t twist. I use a Kore ratchet belt that can be micro adjusted so the fit is just right to eliminate sagging. It is also very stiff and supports the weapon and holster. With this combination, and a good holster, I carry my Browning Hi Power very comfortably, as I do my smaller firearms; currently a Glock 43. I love the .38/.357 but scarcity and price of ammo have caused me to go strictly 9mm. I’m not quite ready to give up my Hi Power but arthritic hands will force me to eventually pass it on to my son and get a S&W EZ-9. Bottom line is that a good belt and proper clothing can open up options that make it easier for someone to comfortably carry a larger firearm.

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otis

Another insightful and well thought out post by @Chief38. This should be stickied because it would save a lot of people time asking what gun to carry, I know a thread like this would have helped me avoid certain guns when I was starting out a few years back.

I also agree with Chief38.

The primary "weapon" if you think about it, is between your ears.

Thinking things through is the cure for lots of aggravation and wasted money, another thing is to be honest with yourself - what are you trying to accomplish?

Self awareness is a key factor, planning your action (or reactions) are another.

The hardware comes later.

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Tony

Just want to go on record with BabaBlueJay in his post above. Chief38’s post should become a sticky.

Well stated, chief38. Your post really resonated with me. You covered a lot of ground in one excellent, concise post. Having read some of your other posts about Sig's P365, I bought one for myself. It has turned out to be an excellent combination of size, power and usability. It ticks all of the boxes in your post above. At times, I'm tempted to go back to my P228 but you outline just why it doesn't quite work 100% for me. Yes, it's completely reliable and I shoot it well, but it isn't "comfortable" enough that I always had it with me. Paraphrasing your post: "Have a gun."

Do not over look the holster you pick for carry be it iwb or in a pocket but especially for those of us that carry with a iwb. We all will find a handgun size an weight limited for a handgun we can carry over long days . The wrong holster and or position can make even a light handgun uncomfortable after only a couple hours carry .

Thanks. I needed to hear this.

I absolutely agree! When I first started CCW back in the late 1970's, the holsters available were Bianchi, Strong, Cobra Gun-skin, Jaypee, etc. They required snaps, straps, screws, etc. for retention (for the most part). They were also made of Cowhide which back in the day and were not boned and form fitted and were slightly more than a semi fitted pouch. There were custom makers like Bruce Nelson and his friend Milt Sparks that made the "Summer Special" but they were only slightly better, still very bulky and just not the technology we now have.

My OWB holster of choice today come down to one company, Kramer Horsehide Leather. Super lightweight, super strong, no retention devises needed, and about the most comfortable I know of. Covers the parts of the gun that should be covered and never wears out. For pocket carry I find nothing better than the DeSantis Nemesis soft pocket holster. Super lightweight, sweat proof, sticks in the pocket when gun is drawn, inexpensive and breaks up the profile of the gun. IWB, which I rarely use anymore I have a few old fashioned very thin suede holsters with the thin blue spring steel clip. They offer no real retention by themselves, however once in a waistband the gun will never just come out. If you get one of these, I suggest getting one with the clip mounted high so the holster sits deep down. A bit harder to get to the gun but is a solid and relatively comfortable was to carry a Micro 9 or Chief's Special style gun. The other downside to the soft suede IWB holsters is they require a two handed re-holster for the most part. That doesn't concern me much since once you draw, everyone sees your gun anyway. If you need to stash it, just gently shove it in your waistband without using the holster, until you can properly do it.

Well, this is what works for me. I never kept track of how much money I have spent on holsters, gun belts, mag pouches, bullets loops, etc, but I can tell you I could have purchased quite a few guns with that money!

Yes, thank you.

“I am also one that could NEVER "dress around the gun". I want to wear what I want when I want and not have to look out of place wearing a Photographer's vest, Biker's vest, sweater, etc. when it's 90º outside. Don't want to wear long pants when it's 100º outside or look like a slob wearing a shirt out when it is inappropriate.”

Likewise.

I have to wear what I have to wear for work, and a gun/holster combo has to work for that situation. But that combo, or another combo, needs to work summer weekends and winter weekends too.

About the only “dress around” compromise I’ll make is wearing in undershirt to provide a barrier between gun and holster and skin.

I used to dress around my gun and finally got fed up with planning everything around that. Seeing experienced carry guys like @Chief38 and @Ladder13 carrying smaller guns made me more confident in moving in that direction.

Growing up in SW FL I found out I liked the look of square tail linen shirts l like an island cuban styles with alsorts of colors and paterns and designs to pick from and carry comfortably when going out in the evening . Or a square tail work shirts like from Red Kap or Dickies to Carhartt Force Delmont t's that you can buy cut fuller around the waist but not over sized .

I have warn a lw commander as my primary carry over the years along with several single stack 40sw too and for the last 10 or 11 years an m&p 4.25 40 . No one ever noticed I cc including a buddy I have hunted with , fished with and worked with building homes since I have first carried 37 years ago . At least until he almost had to physically deal some guy when he and his wife were back in florida on a night out on the town back in naples fl 5th ave . He knew I had an interest in handguns so he asked me what I thought about CC'n a handgun since he knew I hunted with a revolver and like shooting an old colt huntsman so I raised my shirt and surprised him with a lw commander on my side .

My couple of holsters have a nice smooth leather body guard on them and no extra protection from clothing is needed , not even with the new m&p texure on the grip . I'm also not a slender guy .

Agree 100%. That NAA in your pocket that is actually with you when needed will trump the model 29 that’s back home every single time��. Try different things and find the easiest carrying pistol for YOU that you can hit with. Almost everyone can shoot a larger piece easier than a small one, and most can far more comfortably carry and conceal the little one. What works for ME may not for you and vice versa. Mostly though, if it’s not comfortable to carry, eventually it’ll be left home. If you believe Murphy was an optimist, that’ll be the time you need it. Be careful out there it’s a crazy world..

Been carrying for about nine years now. I carry on the belt at 3:30 with a Kydex IWB holster for my Shield Plus 9mm. A few things I’ve learned about my carry preferences:

o. Pocket carry is not for me. Way too inaccessible and slow to draw.

o. Would never be comfortable with a striker fired pistol pointing at my junk, so appendix carry is also out for me.

o. I can shoot a Glock 19 more effectively but it crosses the line for me as just too much to lug around.

o. My holster has to be tuckable. Going through life untucked just isn’t for me.

o. The Shield Plus is sized as a good compromise between a genuine duty/combat pistol and a too small deep concealment weapon. With my big mits, the Shield is about as small as I feel I can go and still have confidence I can fight effectively with it.

Everyone has to spend time, effort and yes, some money, figuring out the right formula that works best for them.

This topic comes up frequently.

I guess I'm lucky in that I just happen to dress in a way that's conducive to concealed carry.

When I was a kid it was jeans, a Tee Shirt and a flannel over the top of it. When I lived in Florida it was the OD Fatigue pants and a Hawaiian Shirt. Now, when I actually wear street clothes, it's Wrangler cargoes and a Camp shirt and as I've mentioned previously about half of the guys my age I see out and about dress the same. When I dress like that I carry a Glock 19. At the gym it's a Glock 26.

This is my opinion but if you suddenly make a drastic change to your wardrobe people will wonder why. So you've got to work with what you've got.

But as I mentioned in the other discussion all the micro nines companies are putting out for sale make it that much easier to conceal a good self defense handgun.

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Retired Career Security Guard

Pockets were meant for puttin' stuff in. That includes guns.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I’ve worn Levi’s (501’s I think they are) for decades. Nice deep pockets. A Jframe or a Sig 938 flush magazine in a Mika holster disappears in them and can be drawn very quickly from a standing position. Even when wearing a heavy closed winter jacket your firearm is readily available. The only downside I’ve found is that it is difficult to draw while seated.

I was always a Fat Guy. I would generally buy shirts that were meant to wear out. Us Fat Guys think we are hiding it. Well I was hiding a gun. One in the waist and one in my off hand pocket. When I buy pants all is tried out in the dressing room. When I can’t have a shirt out I’ll hide things under a sport jacket. If no jacket I still carry in a pocket or use a belly band under my pants. I can wear a belly band like a smart carry and place the gun in a area that is comfortable. Usually the pocket gun is a J-Frame the second gun varies. It could be a big high cap down to a second J-Frame. I have done this since 2004. To my knowledge I haven’t been made. My Wife has noticed at times and suggests adjustment is needed. The times I’ve been at doings that the legality of my carry was questionable, it was easy to stay undetected. The weather is no problem. I spend most of the Winter in South Florida. Most days I carry Two Guns, Pepper Gell, Knife, well, you get the picture. I live in Cargo Shorts or Pants.

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Two Handguns every day

My go to concealed carry for 35 years has been a S&W 3913 or 3913NL with a flush fitting 7rd mag. 7+1 +8/16 =16 or 24 total

Want a few more bullets; it's a 6906 or PC Shorty-9 12+1 +15 =28total

Both in a Milt Sparks Summer Special or Executive Companion IWB holster

Chief,

If I may add. As most of us know, the parameters of how, what, when, and when change with age.

Some can’t tighten their belts due to back problems. Some of us get weaker and have trouble racking a slide or controlling recoil.

Aging gracefully ain’t easy. But we do what we gotta do.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

While they may not have been thinking of guns so much as cigars and lighters, I think our friends way down south got it right with their guayabera shirts. Great for hiding a little something like a Hellcat or Kahr or J frame.

dsf Note that some carhartt force t-shirts can be bought in a Loose Fit - larger around the waist , not the shoulders and hiding a full size pistol is more about the holster and position than the handgun size . I carry a 5" m&p 2.0 pc or a older m&p core with dot optic at 3:00. Even longer a 1911 commander for 22 years in an early comp-tac neutral holster at 3:00 . I have always been heavy but over the years I lost an inch and 30 lbs so today I 5-9 205lb retired builder. I wear ether an MTAC or a Infidel Ultra Max both made by Comp-Tac . The MTAC body's come optic ready now but the kydex body on mine is 11 or 12 years old on a C-T Neutral holster I still use but for a 1911 today - off a earlier neutral holster now set up with a 1911 body. All 3 holsters are from Comp-Tac and I m&p model kydex bodys did have to cut the kydex from the front top of the kydex so the optic would fit nicely but thats 8 to 10 minute job and a razor knife . So my everyday concealed carry is nut'n special to manage .

I pocket carry 99% of the time.When Ive got big pockets I use a J frame..usually my 642 sometimes my 649. If I feel I may need to use my weapon I can tuck my hand in and grab the firearm.From there it is a draw out which is quicker than you might think, especially if practiced. Summer with smaller pockets usually means I carry my P32.If I want to carry the big iron in a cross draw, the pocket gun still goes along for the ride.

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My Daddy was a pistol..

Sage advise Chief 38. I began carrying a J Frame in 1968 and haven’t carried anything bigger in all that time. If my J Frame doesn’t conceal with what I’m wearing the LCP .380 goes into a pocket holster.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

My life's worth of experience ... going back to 1967 .

If it's comfortable you will carry it , all day every day .

If it is Un-comfortable ... at some point during the day , you will stop carrying it ... or worse , you will walk out the door and leave it at home .

The only place a handgun does you any good is if it is ...
on your person ...

That saying about a handgun should be comforting and not comfortable is Horse Pucky .
If it isn't comfortable it wont be on your person ... that is simply human nature .

Carry whatever you can carry comfortably and shoot well with ...
If it's a Air-Lite J-frame in 22 LR ... then so be it !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

My 642 in a Desantis holster in my right front pocket is what I carry most of the time as I leave my home. Unlike OWB or IWB, pocket carry allows you to have your hand on the gun, ready to draw if needed, without anyone around you being aware that you are carrying.

I agree with your assessment!

I have come to love and appreciate the JFrame platform. It's all I carry, 99% of the time. I am also 100% revolver guy.

I live a casual lifestyle. I am not kicking in doors and busting punks. I avoid trouble as much as possible. It's better to be armed at all times, than to have a big blaster at home. That's how I feel.

In 15+ years of CCW (since I was 18) and got my first permit (my state was 18) I've never had to use it or have a shoot out. Reality vs Fantasy is, thankfully, most of us don't have to use our guns in defense and we might as well be comfortable toting it.

Two back injuries as well from working hard, I don't need any extra unneeded weight.

The older we get, the more you realize what's important, what's not, and what you don't want. I don't want to be uncomfortable as much as possible...

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Go ahead... make my day.

I watch guys closely that have there hand in the pocket for any length of time. When your hand is over the grip or wrapped around a grip it is noticeable to some of us at least . Don't get caught needing your pocket carry NOW when your seated . You can gather attention worming around to draw that pocket carry .

Just when you feel like your fast on the draw you see a guy like this at the range ! - He makes me feel like a turtle on a cold day .
UP CLOSE❗️❗️❗️❗️#glock #fyp #shorts #training #thegunhuddx - YouTube

I'm amazed the number of people I know who have a CC permit but seldom carry.

I'm uncomfortable without it.

[QUOTE=hardluk1;141941384 When your hand is over the grip or wrapped around a grip it is noticeable to some of us at least . [/QUOTE]

It's not against the law to do that and it makes for a very fast draw. If I was looking for a victim I would dodge that person. Larry

I pocket carry wearing commercially available carry shorts and trousers. The ambidextrous holster pockets allow carry of almost any pistol I would want. More importantly, the pocket opening has concealed snaps under the waistband which allows the pocket to be instantly opened wide during a draw from the seated position. I agree that pocket carry in traditional clothing can be dicey if seated.

This is a really good discussion. The most important point in the OP is that if it’s not comfortable, how likely are you to carry every day? Remember 5 shots of .38 Special in your front pocket is infinitely superior to 15 shots of 9mm Luger some place in your house.

Practice makes perfect. There are times for me when a 642/M&P 340 is most practical. That is a difficult firearm to shoot consistently. I try to take a small J-frame with me on every range trip. Just 10 or 15 rounds down range keeps me familiar with it. Similarly, any semiauto I carry has a thumb safety that functions like a 1911. Even my Sig P365. Disengaging the safety has to be part of presenting the gun. Always. You can choose not to have a thumb safety, but don’t go back & forth.

I think it’s also important to think about whether or not there may be circumstances where you need to leave your pistol in your vehicle or put it somewhere close but not on your person. When I traveled all over Virginia for business by car, I sometimes had to transfer my pocket carry to my briefcase/computer bag before going into a meeting. An IWB setup just wouldn’t be practical, but tucking it into an outside pocket of my bag was fine provided I never left it behind anywhere.

A last thought is what are you going to do if you must use a public restroom? That may sound like a joke but anyone who had to travel for 2 or 3 days by car on business will understand what I’m talking about. Again IWB gets clumsy there.

Change is hard. I’ve added too many pounds over the past 10 years and don’t have much of a waist anymore. Belt & suspenders was always a joke but that’s the best way to keep my pants up if I’m am carrying either pocket or on my belt.

I finally decided on a Colt Pony for everyday carry. 380, double action only. I shoot it well enough to keep all shot in a 6 inch circle shooting rapidly. It rides in a DeSantis 98 IWB holster and I have driven with it holstered for as many as 12 hours.

Interestingly I read an article today written by former LEO, Gary Johnston, and found this paragraph particularly telling.

"During my 28-year career in law enforcement and during the more than 25 years thereafter, I’ve continued to informally study as many handgun wounds as possible. Here’s the kicker: I’ve either witnessed or known of more people stopped or killed instantly from one hit with a .22 LR or .22 Magnum bullet than any other. Seriously.

The most graphic example was an armed robber who was shot point blank with a .22 Magnum derringer. The bullet hit the lower part of perp’s clavicle, breaking it, and went straight down doing extensive damage to most of his organs, glancing off his inner pelvis and stopping in his upper right thigh, rendering him a candidate for the Vienna Boys Choir in the process. Testing bullet paths and terminal ballistics in gelatin is fine, but you’ll never shoot gelatin in a gunfight."

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

Late to the party but..............

First off, even Jeff Cooper owned a model 60 for suit & tie occasions. Apparently didn't have a good tailor, but let's let the fact stand.

It's true that the vast majority of defensive gun uses don't involve actually firing the gun. However, while most folks don't want to get shot, there are those who accept the possibility/fact of getting shot as the price of doing business. There are some highly motivated (or medicated) individuals out there. Also, psychopaths/sociopaths regard the rest of us as a lower life form existing to satisfy their needs.

When I first started carrying the choices were pretty much service size guns and snubbys with itty bitty grips. I mostly went for the service size and found good holsters. As Clint Smith notes, carry is supposed to be comforting, not (necessarily) comfortable.

Regardless of your personal choice, should you have to use the gun, you need to be able to hit one of the aggressors "off switches" with whatever you carry. A hit anywhere between the chin and the 'nads might work, but don't bet your life on it. The guys with the .22s in the post above knew where the "off switches" were (or got lucky) and hit them.

I agree, folks ought to carry what they are comfortable carrying and shooting.

I too have gone to a tad bit lighter in my twilight days.

Cobbled up myself another holster to carry my lightweight
Commander 10mm on my pant belt.



///

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

A must for those that CCW every day is lots of practice drawing from concealment. If not, try getting to a holstered gun with a heavy coat on or drawing from a pocket when you are thrown to the ground.

I have lots of great duty type guns that were great for self defense but big , heavy and uncomfortable to carry. I’d carry about 50 % of the time , at best. Still have all those great guns , but since I got a S&W 340 , 357 ,and a pocket holster , I carry 100% of the time. For that reason I say it’s my best EDC gun, because I always have it.

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S&WHF 483 , S&WCA 1699

I tried to carry a Kimber 1911 ultra carry in a very good leather iwb holster but just couldn’t carry it comfortably. My daily carry now is either a hellcat or a s&w equalizer with 13 plus one and a 15 round back up in a Gould and Goodrich mag holder along with a Kershaw knife. I can carry this with jeans and a t shirt or shorts and a t shirt year round comfortably with no issues. I have never tucked my shirts so this isn’t an issue. I used to carry a lcp in a back pocket holster on the rare occasion I had to dress up but never felt comfortable sitting on it loaded so I never carried it with one in the chamber.

Any gun is better than no gun.

It is against human nature to want to be shot. 22s and 22 Mags from a medical standpoint do work and do cause a lot of damage. They tend to act erratic or ricochet in the body. I prefer 38 and above, but they work more often then not... plus, quick follow-up shots.

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Go ahead... make my day.