A stranger ever mentioned your gun?

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oldman45

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Occasionally I will go out using open carry. This was one of those days and I carried a S&W 1911 stainless in a Miami Vice shoulder holster.

It was also very unusual in another way.

Went to a local I-HOP and ate breakfast. As I was about to leave and paying the ticket at the front desk, a man got up from his table to come talk with me about my gun. He praised the looks of it, asked how it shot and how it compared to other guns in .45acp. The man was very complimentary about everything and as I walked away, he said he wished more would carry openly as I had done.

Then I was entering my car in the parking lot, a local PD officer I have casually known for years came over asking what happened to the Glock I carried for years. I explained the S&W 1911 makes a person forget Glocks and he sat down in my car so he could handle the gun without alarming people passing by. He left wanting one.

Later in the day, I made a stop at a photo lab. An area sheriff's deputy was there and he volunteered a comment about how nice my gun looked. Then the questions began. 1. Caliber. 2. Cost. 3 Capacity. 4. Accuracy. We ended up going to a restaurant where we could talk while sitting down. He invited my to his farm so his wife could see and shoot my1911 and possibly take a hint that one would be a nice Christmas present.

This was the first day I had three people stop me to talk guns other than at a range. It made me feel good that people actually notice the type guns we carry.

Anyone else ever have strangers stop you to talk about your gun?
 
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that's one of the nice things about living in the South (although from where I live you are technically in the frozen nawth :D)
 
I open carry about 90-95% of the time.

I have had several instances where people comment not only on the fact I have a gun and I am carrying openly but several have asked how I like the 10mm. If they get to the 10mm part I know they are observant and somewhat knowledgable about guns. I carry a Colt Delta Elite and the grips have the red triangular "Delta" symbol.

The most memorable was recently on a trip and when I was in a smaller town quite a ways from home. I was browsing in a fruit stand and a guy there for lunch got up and asked how I liked the Delta Elite. It turns out he had one at home he had just changed the barrel on hoping to get more accuracy. He asked how mine was in that department and when I told him I had a Schuemann AET barrel he got really interested.

Bottom line was when I told him who built the gun, Ted Yost, he had not only heard of him but knew in the ballpark how much I spent on it. To say I was impressed was an understatement.

He had to go back to work but the next time I go through there I am supposed to look him up so we can compare guns and go shooting.

That was the most memorable experience but I have had many more where people will see the gun and strike up a conversation, not only about guns but also open carry in the state of WA.

bob
 
Back to the question, no. I work security part-time, and for some years, did it full-time. Can't say much for it, other than that I never got laid off when many in other fields did. And I am a freelance writer, and can often write on the job, where I am usually alone.

I've mainly worn an S&W M-66 in a Bianchi 5BHL holster on a Bianchi River belt, black basketweave. Have sometimes subbed a Ruger GP-100 and used the same model of holster.
(Not the same one; the Ruger needs a larger one.) Have also worn the old Safariland Model 29 holster.

I carry openly, of course. Have to, by law, and am in uniform.
I can't recall a single occasion when anyone noticed or mentioned my gun, except that a resident of the upscale apartment complex where I now work (there's also a retail area of the property) said that he was glad that I was armed. Some people were being too loud in the swimming pool. I got Dallas PD for backup and evicted them, as they were not residents. It was about 1:00 AM, too.

I am continually amazed that so few have remarked on my gun, or even asked why I don't carry an autoloader. They just seem to think the uniform and gun are something that they expect to see, and don't care. Even the real cops with whom I interact seem to ignore it.

Oh: I used to protect a private residence. The client was a grouchy old lady who had received death threats after she found a way to get all of her late husband's money, enraging his adult kids from a prior marriage.

One guy she dated briefly did say that he was glad to see that I had a gun. He asked the model. And the old lady's daughter told me to keep it ready one night, as the upset non-heirs had been seen in the area that day.

One supervisor has remarked on my carrying a revolver, but didn't elaborate on it. He carries one of the cheap S&W autos. I frankly don't keep up with them. I've never met anyone who had one, other than some guards wanting a cheap auto pistol. I think you can get a CZ-75 for about what some pay for those S&W's. But few dealers stock CZ's here, and few guards know enough about guns to look for one.

Anyway, my gun has largely gone unnoticed, although some tough guys have looked at it and left without causing further trouble. That made me feel pretty good. I quite like that gun...
 
I have commented on duty guns if I find them more interesting than your standard fare. A stag gripped revolver will get noticed, a standard duty gun, not so much. A lot often depends on the feel of situation. If the person is otherwise engaged I don't interrupt just to make small talk, if we are already shooting the breeze then the conversation generally will get around to shooting at some point.
 
I have had strangers come up and tell me my gun was cocked. I'm always amused by their reaction when I tell them, "Yes, I know. Thank you."
 
I don't open carry, but once when I was working in New Orleans my pals and I treated ourselves to a lunch at Jack Dempsey's. It was during my Don Johnson phase, and I had my 220 in a Miami Classic. I took off my jacket and was about to dig in when someone tapped me on my shoulder. It was a nice old Southern lady seated at the table behind us, who asked me very politely if I would mind putting my jacket back on because "that great big pistol is pointed right at my head".

I thought it was cool that she didn't mind that it would still be pointed at her head with my jacket on.

I apologized and stuck the Sig under my leg while I ate.
 
I did get embaressed once. I went in a sporting goods shop and spotted a set of herrit shooting star grips for my S&W model 60. I went back to my truck and got my gun, went back to the shop, bought them and put them on at the counter. I just slipped the gun in my tight levi`s front pocket and forgot about it. Instead of going right back to my truck I went to a nearby liquer store to buy a can of cope and probley a gun rag.
A guy kind of started a conversation. For some reason I immediately figuered him as a leo. He asked me "How do you like those herrit grips"?
I looked down and sure enough, the larger grips than standard was sticking out of my pocket. Now this was in california about 38 years ago.
I mumbled something about buying them 10 minuets ago. He never did ID himself as a deputy. But a week or two later I had to requal for my job. I went to the sheriffs dept range and guess who was the range officer? Yup, him!
 
Recently I DID have a comment, from a LEO, and it was quite positive.

My 26 year old son, who is living with us at the moment, had just arrived home from his night job. He'd gotten a cell phone message threat from some drunk, trouble-making guy who said he know where my son lived and was coming to kick the door down and kick my son's tail . . . he incorrectly thought his girlfriend was messing with my son.:rolleyes:

My son played the threat, and mentioned that the guy's one-headlight truck had just passed by our house.

Well . . . that door is MY door and if that guy had stormed in at that moment he'd have seen just how fast my "always" M37 can come out of a pocket!

My wife called 911 as I headed for the safe where I removed a high cap. Para 14.45 LDA "Limited" .45ACP/holster and put it on. I also took out the AR15 and the 12 gauge too and put them in strategic spots. Better safe than sorry.

A cop came by and we invited him in. He sat down and took down the information and listened to the threat and told us how to file a report the next morning.

As he was leaving, he casually asked me about my sidearm. I told him what it was and he said, "That's a nice weapon."

I said "thanks," but he hurt my feelings . . . for he never noticed my "always" M37 in its pocket holster. Then again, that's what concealed carry means ain't it?:D

T.
 
During my LEO days, I mostly carried a 1911. I received the usual comments about the cocked n' locked status.

I'm now doing armed security and I've had several questions about my duty gun (Glock 17 9mm).
 
I had a doofus at a public range look at my Glock and say "what caliber gun is that 9mm?" Apparently Glock=9mm and also dope=stupid.
 
same here. kept out of site with trigger lock,inside a locked case,locked in the trunk of your car ,ammo in separate container valid long term transport to and from approved restricted range only
 
We can open carry here but I can count the times I have actualy seen it on one hand here in cedar city. Sure, on the trails its common. Anyway, yesterday also at IHOP I seen a guy packing. I was a little too far to know the model but it lookes like a nickle N frame smith or maybe colt new service in a old floral holster. The couple looked real back country type and were old. Concealed permits are popular here and thats probley why you dont see much open carry.
 
No, and none will unless it comes out for a pressing reason. It's NOBODY'S business, period.
 
I have a "guy at church" that usually wants to shoot the breeze after service for a few minutes and twice now in the last couple months he has asked how many guns do you have. Both times I explained I don't go into that with people for multiple reasons. The second time he apologized and explained that he is only asking because he is only allowed to have his hunting rifle per his wife as they have a limited income and four young kids. He then followed that with really wanting to go shooting with me some time to shoot different kinds of guns. While I do empathize with him trying to live a little, I kind of brushed it off, as people have mentioned before, because I really don't like people I dont know well knowing my gun business. He means no harm, but comes across too forceful for my likes.
 
The only time anyone ever comments on what I'm carrying is when I take off the Goodyears and put the Craig Spegel grips on it. They get noticed!
 
I can legally carry concealed or open..The older I get the less I care if the primary firearm is completely concealed and for I quick trip to the local stop and rob in the summer I may open carry rather than slip a jacket on to cover the firearm. BUT, my BUG is alway concealed and no one knows it there till it goes bang!

Yes, I get the typical comments when carrying my Model 1911 style pistols cock and locked.
 
i carry "indifferently concealed" most of the time, but do open carry from time to time, especially in hot weather. I have never had a negative comment from either law enforcement, or the general population. I have had a few comments.

"Did you know you pistol is cocked?" (Colt Commander) This lead to an explanation of "cocked and locked". The fellow thanked me for explaining it, and said he had never heard of that before.

"Do you carry at church?" (from one of the deacons wives). Upon being told that I did, she replied, "I'm glad someone does."

"Can I do that too?" This is the most common question in one form or another. This usually will lead to a conversation about open carry vs concealed carry. How to get a concealed carry permit, and such things.

"Hey...be careful...there is a bear on the loose...Oh, You're packing. You're ok." This one was the funniest one. A bear had been seen in our neighborhood a few times. The fellow who told me that, stopped me while I was taking my morning walk. I was carrying a Ruger Bearcat at the time. Better than a walking stick I suppose. :D
 
kamloops67 said:
same here. kept out of site with trigger lock,inside a locked case,locked in the trunk of your car ,ammo in separate container valid long term transport to and from approved restricted range only
Click to expand...

I would love to see you practicing quick draw.

Art
 
Caj
Us Texians believed only Cajuns lived S of I10 and all the rest were louisiana red necks---It wasn't I10 then it was HWY 190.
They are not Yankees. But I understand the sentiment.
Blessings
 
kamloops67 said:
same here. kept out of site with trigger lock,inside a locked case,locked in the trunk of your car ,ammo in separate container valid long term transport to and from approved restricted range only
Click to expand...

At first I was thinking you were from CA. ;)
 
kamloops67 said:
same here. kept out of site with trigger lock,inside a locked case,locked in the trunk of your car ,ammo in separate container valid long term transport to and from approved restricted range only
Click to expand...

Sounds about like how we have it in Illinois. :(
 
sipowicz said:
I guess it has to do with my upbringing and where I live/lived, but I can never see myself comfortably walking around in civies with an exposed gun.
Click to expand...

Has something to do with those soccer moms screaming "Oh my God... he's got a gun !!!"
 
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