Decision Fatigue With First Concealed Carry

[Shootingfish]

Hubby and I carried a gun for the first time on our trip this past weekend. We left Friday morning and by Sat morning I was exhausted worrying about that gun and what to do with it. Every time we stopped to get gas, we took turns leaving the car. The hotel did not have a safe. He wore the wrong clothes to conceal. I carried in my cross-body handbag most of the time. Sometimes we said *** and left it in the car shoved up under the seat. 10 hours on the road Monday and constantly concerned when we stopped. The gun was never loaded but we acted as if. Hopefully CC will get easier.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Yeah, dressing for on-body carry is a thing. Generally, except for formal wear when I carry in a handbag, I replaced my day-to-day wardrobe to comfortably permit dressing for my preferred carry type, inside-the-waistband at four o'clock. But the adjusted wardrobe is loose enough to conceal my 3" 686 outside waistband at four o'clock in a Galco Combat Master holster. Waistband carry needs a purpose-built holster belt (I like Galco belts) to securely pull the holsters tight to the body, so that clothing slips over your grip without printing.

Hubby and I both have two lock boxes in our cars, to secure our arms when necessary. They are cabled to the car seat frames, stowed underseat, and easily moved for use in guest rooms when traveling, like when staying with our kids and taking a dip in their pool with the grandkids.

Don't worry, you'll do better quickly. After the first few times, you'll realize the necessary adjustments, and it'll be second nature.

Oh, one more thing. Are you careless? Do you have a history of losing control of your handbag? Had your bag snatched often? No. Then ignore the naysayers who'll swear it's an awful idea to handbag carry. It's way more important that your proficient with your daily carry than be concerned about the method.
Also, become familiar with self-defense modes of shooting at close-quarters, not just the outstretched two-handed isosceles target stance.

Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have managed over the years to come up with something that works for me about 90% of the time. I typically wear a T-shirt with some non-gun graphics design on it. Gun is in an OWB pancake at 4 o'clock. I wear a short sleeved nice quality work shirt, usually Dickies, with a long, square tail worn untucked obviously. it is comfortable, looks decent and covers the artillery very nicely while allowing rapid access.

 

[robvious]

you will feel weird at first.. very self conscious of:
am I printing?
is my shirt long enough?
everyone is looking at it...

it eventually becomes like a wallet, watch or purse..
feels weird if it ISN'T there

 

[.455_Hunter]

Amazing how simple armed life is with a small firearm in a pocket holster.

 

[Echo40]

Getting started with Concealed Carry isn't easy, but if you stick with it, it will become second nature in a hurry, no different than grabbing your wallet/purse, keys, and phone when you get up and go.

It's simply a matter of finding the right carry method. Some folks will insist that (much like firearms) there exists some objective, universal optimal method of Concealed Carry which requires a very specific holster, retention system, position/alignment, and method of deployment, but I urge you to ignore them and to find the right method for you.
Experiment with different holsters, positions, and methods of deployment until you find one which feels natural for you.

Personally, I carry my primary pistols in an IWB (Inside the Waistband) Leather Holster at about a 4:00 position. Some folks will insist that such is a terrible method and that I need to carry it so that it's tucked straight down the front of my pants (12:00) inside of a hard Kydex Holster, but I am neither comfortable nor confident carrying in such a manner, and thusly can safely say that it's not right for me, regardless of how many authoritarian figures may insist that it's the best method and that mine is terrible, because I don't allow others to make personal decisions for me, nor do I accept that their opinions/experience override my own. I know what works for me because I am me and that's an attitude that I think more folks ought to take when it comes to Concealed Carry. You're an individual, not a statistic, ergo statistics don't amount to anything if you should find that the approved method doesn't suit you personally.

 

[mikerjf]

You will get used to it. I have a lockbox under the seat but seldom need it.

 

[hyena]

You'll figure it out pretty quick, then get to the point you don't think about it. Hubby has it easier, with pants more likely to have larger pockets. I know we all gave you advice on your 642's. You may be already thinking of a true pocket gun. Suggestion - buy a used LCP. You'll be amazed at how much easier it is to conceal than the 642. ( My opinion, not presented as fact.) I am very comfortable with my Bodyguard 380. Just put 25 rounds through it today.

 

[JH1951]

when you settle on a comfortable carry method it will shortly thereafter become second nature. Best of luck on this journey.
On another note, many, but certainly not all, do not recommend a purse as a carry method. A gunshop that sells them talked me out of the idea with one question: "What is the first thing that a thug will take from your wife?"

 

[Johnnu2]

What do you do with the darn thing when you have to use a public restroom...?
p.s. This is just a rhetorical question.

J.

 

[fatcat3]

What do you do with the darn thing when you have to use a public restroom...?
p.s. This is just a rhetorical question.

J.

sit it on the T.P holder and walk away forgetting it?

 

[Johnnu2]

Let's not forget leaving it on the floor under the bowl when you exit.... Or maybe hanging it on the hook of the door and.....

 

[Greyman50]

Bought my wife a special CCW handbag. Pocket with adjustable holster with a easy zip opening for quick access. One side is brown, other black and the adjustable strap is cut proof.
Been carrying since 70's so its second nature. Usually tee shirt tucked in shorts, jeans or dress slacks with a square tail non tuck shirt. IWB or pancake if during cold weather when jacket is worn. Always check before leaving house that it is concealed.
I never leave whatever I'm carrying in vehicle unless going in Doctors office or post office.
Concealed carry is that, concealed so no one knows you are

 

[richrd]

Good info above. About the underwear lockbox, I keep spare cash and a credit card in mine all the time for emergency.

Another option for carry is a sneaky pete holster. Carry in plain sight, nobody knows what it is and no body looks at it.

 

[stanmerrell]

Try carrying at home first before going out. After about a month of at home carry I started carrying in public and was comfortable.

 

[CouchPotato]

Hubby and I carried a gun for the first time on our trip this past weekend. We left Friday morning and by Sat morning I was exhausted worrying about that gun and what to do with it. Every time we stopped to get gas, we took turns leaving the car. The hotel did not have a safe. He wore the wrong clothes to conceal. I carried in my cross-body handbag most of the time. Sometimes we said *** and left it in the car shoved up under the seat. 10 hours on the road Monday and constantly concerned when we stopped. The gun was never loaded but we acted as if. Hopefully CC will get easier.

Women generally have the advantage of the drape in their shirt around the belly area, in which case a belly band or corset holster can be advantageous. Just make sure you've got the gun in a kydex holder that covers the trigger.

Try the Crossbreed Belly Band, it comes with the Kydex for your gun. Men can also use it. I personally use one to appendix carry while wearing sweat pants or shorts. I can also appendix carry with dress pants and a dress shirt fully tucked in. It could also be used for 4 o'clock IWB carry but for that I definitely prefer the Crossbreed MiniTuck for my M&P Shield.

A better and purpose built appendix rig would be something like a Tier 1 Concealment Axis Elite. There's many other good ones too.

I'm not sure what you're trying to carry, but I'd strongly recommend an M&P Shield. They are much easier to conceal than most other guns but still big enough to be shootable for most people.

 

[.455_Hunter]

About the underwear lockbox, I keep spare cash and a credit card in mine all the time for emergency.

I don't know if I like the sound of an underwear lockbox. Is that kind of like a chastity belt?

 

[Smoke]

Amazing how simple armed life is with a small firearm in a pocket holster.

Until you actually need it.

 

[somorris]

It will get easier, Shootingfish. I never leave a gun in our car unless I stop somewhere like a post office or government office where carrying is prohibited. Stop to get gas, I keep the weapon on me. That is a relatively high risk endeavor and you may need it. Stop at a hotel, the gun stays with me.

Hang in there!

 

[.455_Hunter]

Until you actually need it.

Not this again.