This thread is mostly meant for guys and gals new to EDC / CCW and addresses something most people don't think about in the beginning. I have learned this lesson over the years and thought I might pass it along for those who are interested and have an opened mind. Not lecturing here - just trying to throw out what I feel is some good advise that I have learned from making these mistakes myself along the way. Food for thought for others as well.
Over my lifetime of CCW / EDC (50 years and counting) I have owned a plethora of gun belts, holsters, pouches and cartridge loop carriers. When I started out 50 years ago I bought what ever color I liked best at the time, mostly tan, mahogany, light brown, etc. No doubt - custom made gun leather in a gorgeous color is very beautiful and satisfying to look at after spending big bucks. That said, over the years I have learned a valuable lesson! Since then I have only bought basic black CCW equipment over the last 25 years.
I have never carried exposed (open carry), except at the range, private property or at a sanctioned match and in fact in some States it is actually illegal to do so. Since the concept of CCW is having the gun and accessories completely concealed, color can make a huge difference. In NY State which I lived in most of my gun totin' life, if your handgun was exposed (even by accident) you were subject to getting your permit yanked! They were quite eager to pull your permit for any excuse they could find too! Getting it back after that isn't easy or cheap, so you don't want to screw up! Thankfully I no longer live there but the main point I am making is that even the very gun friendly State that I live in now, your want your concealed weapon to remain concealed. You do not want to tip your hand and let anyone know you are packin' - until the weapon is drawn and presented. If there is a shooter in a public place looking to start trouble and he sees someone packin', he is likely to want to shoot the gun toter first!
Anyway, if you are packin' and your shirt climbs up, your jacket gets blown opened by the wind, your equipment peeks out when bending over, reaching, or whatever, I have found the absolute best color for equipment is black. Yes, plain old boring black! Once in a blue moon, even if being careful, we have all accidentally had our CCW rigs peek out for a second or two. When using tan, brown, mahogany etc. those colors stick out like sore thumb against most clothing. Black is almost a non color and tends to blend in, especially with blue jeans. I understand that some guys like the beautiful lighter colors showing off the makers talented work, but for CCW that is not in your best interest IMO. Sometimes boring, basic black just makes more sense. Oh and the big bonus here is that all the nicks, scratches and minor gouges can easily be made to disappear just by using a little Kiwi or Lincoln shoe polish. Tan, brown and mahogany do not respond as well. Black is black - works great!
If you are buying a rig strictly for competition, Cowboy Action Shooting matches at a range, own many acres of land and want to "strut your stuff", that of course is a horse of a different color. I am strictly discussing CCW in public here. It took me a while but I have either purchased all new gun leather rigs, had the lighter colored stuff dyed black and reserve my beautiful colored rigs and holsters for the range, private property and match shooting where it matters not. When I leave the house my CCW rigs are all black and it truly seems to work the best. Just passing my experience along. Hope it helps a few........
