Concealed carry problem- Does anybody else run into this.

[Capt. Bob]

Over the years I have had numerous people out to my range wanting to shoot their new concealed carry gun. Most of the time the really newbes can't hit the side of a barn from the inside. I tell them that they need to "practice from time to time and always have the gun with you where you can". Most of these folks are members of my church or people that I ride with on our motorcycles. Very often is the case when I see them. I will say "you haven't been out to shoot lately and where is your carry piece". More often than not they say they left it at home.

 

[Northdallas7]

Over the years I have had numerous people out to my range wanting to shoot their new concealed carry gun. Most of the time the really newbes can't hit the side of a barn from the inside. I tell them that they need to "practice from time to time and always have the gun with you where you can". Most of these folks are members of my church or people that I ride with on our motorcycles. Very often is the case when I see them. I will say "you haven't been out to shoot lately and where is your carry piece". More often than not they say they left it at home.

I carry a ruger lcp (380 auto) and it's very hard to hit anything with it. It has some recoil with a very small handle grip. So I need to practice more with it but with all the madness, the ranges around here (North Dallas) have wait times of over an hour. It's ridiculous.

I always carry, rarely forget to carry. I just need more practice or I need to carry something a little bigger.

I just wish you were in North Dallas. Sounds like you have an outdoor range and a cool guy to let people come and shoot.....

 

[joeintexas]

I just wish you were in North Dallas. Sounds like you have an outdoor range and a cool guy to let people come and shoot.....[/QUOTE]

If you are ever in the Abilene area we have an outdoor range here that is very user friendly and since you live more than 50 miles away you can shoot all day free of charge. I am a member there and would be happy to have you drop in sometime, let me know if you ever need the address.

 

[QuickDrawMcGraw]

Hey' Bob* .. yah I know what you mean, my brother (who has a few hand guns) thinks
I'm a bit of a finatic for Never' leaving home without it,
hey' .. some people just dont Get It' & to Each their Own*
Hopefuly I'll be able to protect him if a situation arises.

~ Joe

 

[rond]

I just wish you were in North Dallas. Sounds like you have an outdoor range and a cool guy to let people come and shoot.....

If you are ever in the Abilene area we have an outdoor range here that is very user friendly and since you live more than 50 miles away you can shoot all day free of charge. I am a member there and would be happy to have you drop in sometime, let me know if you ever need the address.[/QUOTE]

You could check out Top Gun Range in Trenton, TX.

 

[Berserker]

I carry a ruger lcp (380 auto) and it's very hard to hit anything with it. It has some recoil with a very small handle grip. )

At about 5-7 yards I think I can shoot my LCP better then snubbies. I like the gun, cause being small I have it more often. But I have had lots of jams. Sent it to Ruger. They said 5 jams in 400 was pretty good. I said it is not a range gun, but for self defense.

It may be the first gun I ever sell. I consider it just a 1 shot.

 

[DeadAye]

At about 5-7 yards I think I can shoot my LCP better then snubbies. I like the gun, cause being small I have it more often. But I have had lots of jams. Sent it to Ruger. They said 5 jams in 400 was pretty good. I said it is not a range gun, but for self defense.

It may be the first gun I ever sell. I consider it just a 1 shot.

Maybe try some different ammunition(s)?
My wife's LCP runs 90g Aguila JHP just fine - No jams (yet - knock knock).
Hers shoots pretty well too - She can keep them in a 3" circle @ 7 /12 yards.

P.S. Her LCP has a laser.

 

[USAF385]

But if they forget their cell phone they'll turn around and drive 10 minutes back home to get it.

To some it becomes a habit and a necessity to carry all the time. Some don't view it as seriously and pick and choose when and where they carry. For others, it's like someone who makes a new year resolution to go to the gym.


(Sent via phone so please forgive any typing errors)

 

[The Big D]

The only "problem" is they can't shoot. But you, me, or anyone else should not mandate anyone "always have the gun with you when you can."

Why some people insist others do the same things they do is beyond me; it's a free country, and people are still free to make their own decisions.

Very few of my friends carry a gun; that's their choice and their choice, only.

That said, your post seems in favor of mandatory training and standards...on that we do agree. (But suspect that is not actually your stance. )

Be safe.

PS: I think it is simply great that you allow people to use your range and you do want people to shoot better. That is very cool, indeed.

Over the years I have had numerous people out to my range wanting to shoot their new concealed carry gun. Most of the time the really newbes can't hit the side of a barn from the inside. I tell them that they need to "practice from time to time and always have the gun with you where you can". Most of these folks are members of my church or people that I ride with on our motorcycles. Very often is the case when I see them. I will say "you haven't been out to shoot lately and where is your carry piece". More often than not they say they left it at home.

 

[photoman]

A few thoughts on the subject... My experience is...

1. 50% of the people that get a CHL never even carry a gun.

2. 40% of the people that get a CHL buy the biggest, baddest, highest capacity "master blaster" semi-auto they can find. Then proceed to carry it for about a week and then stop carrying after complaining about how heavy or hard it is to carry and conceal. Or... they buy the smallest, lightweight gun they see on the shelf because, "it will be easy to carry." They take it to the range ONCE and then put in in the drawer, never to be shot or carried again.

3. The other 10% are "shooters" and are already familiar with guns, know how to shoot them well and buy a reasonable carry gun that fits their lifestyle so that they can be armed daily.

One of my "missions" in life is to convince new shooters that a tuned Centennial, that is always carried, is a much better option than a high capacity semi-auto that is left at home.

 

[Ransom]

A few thoughts on the subject... My experience is...

1. 50% of the people that get a CHL never even carry a gun.

2. 40% of the people that get a CHL buy the biggest, baddest, highest capacity "master blaster" semi-auto they can find. Then proceed to carry it for about a week and then stop carrying after complaining about how heavy or hard it is to carry and conceal. Or... they buy the smallest, lightweight gun they see on the shelf because, "it will be easy to carry." They take it to the range ONCE and then put in in the drawer, never to be shot or carried again.

3. The other 10% are "shooters" and are already familiar with guns, know how to shoot them well and buy a reasonable carry gun that fits their lifestyle so that they can be armed daily.

One of my "missions" in life is to convince new shooters that a tuned Centennial, that is always carried, is a much better option than a high capacity semi-auto that is left at home.

That may be your experience, but in the real world there are also a percentage of people like me. I was not previously a shooter. I got my CCW permit last June and I've got two compact carry guns. I never leave home without one of my guns and I practice at the range almost every week. I agree with your "mission" by the way, however my two guns are a Shield 9 (main daily carry) and a BG 380. I practice with both and also a Ruger 22/45.

My point is, your numbers add up to 100% but there are those of us who don't fit in any of your categories. One of my "missions" is to get new permit holders to carry every day and practice at least monthly.

Cheers.

 

[J Rich]

I see your point Bob.

When I first got my CCL several years back. I had to make myself carry. I was uneasy at first, but I did get in plenty of practice and as much education as I could on proper carry, and shooting. I feel they may just need to fall into their "comfort zone". Now a days I and my wife carry everywhere we can. We are not shooting as much these days. I am working on gathering a surplus of ammo just to hold on to. When my funds get better I will be buying ammo for target shooting.

I do have a neighbor and a friend who have a few guns, but they don't carry. One keeps asking me about carrying and aquiring a CCL, but he just won't go get it.

I will just leave it at carrying is just not their thing, but at leased their home is protected.

 

[The Big D]

SPOT ON!

Absolutely spot on re: the Centennial advice, P-man44.

Be safe.

A few thoughts on the subject... My experience is...

1. 50% of the people that get a CHL never even carry a gun.

2. 40% of the people that get a CHL buy the biggest, baddest, highest capacity "master blaster" semi-auto they can find. Then proceed to carry it for about a week and then stop carrying after complaining about how heavy or hard it is to carry and conceal. Or... they buy the smallest, lightweight gun they see on the shelf because, "it will be easy to carry." They take it to the range ONCE and then put in in the drawer, never to be shot or carried again.

3. The other 10% are "shooters" and are already familiar with guns, know how to shoot them well and buy a reasonable carry gun that fits their lifestyle so that they can be armed daily.

One of my "missions" in life is to convince new shooters that a tuned Centennial, that is always carried, is a much better option than a high capacity semi-auto that is left at home.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

Here in NC after spending $80 to take the conceal carry class, then another $100 in getting the permit paperwork/fingerprinting done and then a $15 filing fee (Mecklenburg county charged me this), and 4 months of waiting time to be called in by the sheriff so I could sign the permit, you better bet I am carrying. For those who choose not to it is just a waste of their time and money. And if they are shooting their carry piece bad I would recommend some snap caps and dry firing. When I can't make it to the range I practice the basics at home (sometimes while watching tv), by just pointing and aiming. It should become a natural reflex. They need to learn to know their gun and to point at target without thinking twice. This practice will have them shooting better in no time.

 

[Old cop]

Bersker: If your gun is "jamming" you should either get it fixed or sell it. Any self defense weapon that does not function perfectly may let you down when you need it in an emergency.

 

[Poodle Soup]

That may be your experience, but in the real world there are also a percentage of people like me. I was not previously a shooter. I got my CCW permit last June and I've got two compact carry guns. I never leave home without one of my guns and I practice at the range almost every week. I agree with your "mission" by the way, however my two guns are a Shield 9 (main daily carry) and a BG 380. I practice with both and also a Ruger 22/45.

My point is, your numbers add up to 100% but there are those of us who don't fit in any of your categories. One of my "missions" is to get new permit holders to carry every day and practice at least monthly.

Cheers.

You are a minority in that regard I believe. Im in the same boat. But my first gun purchase was for home defense and a carry gun so it is one of those "high cap" bottom feeders

 

[Berserker]

Maybe try some different ammunition(s)?
.

Most of the jams have been with cheap ammo. But what finally did it for me was when Hornady CD jammed, with the plastic ball. When the Ruger tech tells me 5 jams in 400 is pretty good, I really doubt this gun.

I went on a LCP forum. You can read lots of stuff about try this spring or that.

So far Remington has been jam free. I thought about putting couple hundred rounds through it, then calling it good. But not sure if I want to spend any more on this gun. Plus I read guys talking about replacing spring at 500-1000. Which I guess is ok, as long as you know to do it. Do test it with every spring?

I guess I could buy a new spring, put 200 rounds through it and then carry it. But we are talking another $100.

 

[snubbyfan]

Here in NC after spending $80 to take the conceal carry class, then another $100 in getting the permit paperwork/fingerprinting done and then a $15 filing fee (Mecklenburg county charged me this), and 4 months of waiting time to be called in by the sheriff so I could sign the permit, you better bet I am carrying. For those who choose not to it is just a waste of their time and money. And if they are shooting their carry piece bad I would recommend some snap caps and dry firing. When I can't make it to the range I practice the basics at home (sometimes while watching tv), by just pointing and aiming. It should become a natural reflex. They need to learn to know their gun and to point at target without thinking twice. This practice will have them shooting better in no time.

Same here, after all the traveling, the money spent, making all the arrangments and getting a concealed carry permit, not to mention the firearm research and choice of holsters carry ammo and a way to carry extra ammo, I'm definitely going to carry.
I do my dry fire practice and trigger control practice every night while watching tv. I practice point shooting by pointing my gun at something and activating the laser to see if i'm pointing where I want to be. I also practice trigger control by putting a red dot on the belly of my wife's favorite Pooh Bear and keeping it there while I pull the trigger.
I carry a 442 either in a pocket or owb in one of my homemade holsters.

 

[Berserker]

Bersker: If your gun is "jamming" you should either get it fixed or sell it. Any self defense weapon that does not function perfectly may let you down when you need it in an emergency.

I haven't carried it since I got it back from Ruger. I did buy a J frame. Doesn't fit in the pocket as well, but it will go off.

 

[crofoot629]

I'm a retired LEO.
I have a weekly lunch date with active and retired Deputy's.
We tend to clank when we walk.

A few weeks ago after lunch we drove over to Noveske Rifle Works to poke around. One of my friends noted we were well armed and the old advise of always carry a gun and bring lots of friends with guns.

Emory