Daily Carry. What Works for You?

[eb07]

A while back I wrote and article on why I carry lightweight.

Why My Carry Setup is Lightweight

I am interested as to what others carry daily. Always interested in new things to try based upon other's setups.

I have been fine tuning my setup constantly to find the best balance of weight and utility.

As of right now here is what works for me:

Colt Cobra with a tyler T and 6 rounds of hand loaded 135gr Speer GD Short Barrel 38+P ( on the light end of +P) and either a speed strip or hks speeloader.

I alternate with a Beretta Nano, Ruger LCR 357, and Keltec P3AT depending on where I am going.

Yeah I know, no J-Frames for day to day ..... I am a sinner. but as I mentioned before I am here on the forum for the K frames

Rides in either a galco stow and go or a sideguard quick snap. The Galco rides low for deeper conceal. The sideguard rides high for quick access.

Here is the difference: (Galco then Sideguard)

Knife:

Work is the Original Leatherman Wave
Outside of work is the Case Jr. Scout

I found that the leatherman skeletool just wasn't enough for day to day jobs at work and was more than enough for outside of work so I rotate between the case jr scout and leatherman wave.

The wave is an original wave without the bit set, and it is tough enough to get me through my work day. The skeletool has weak pliers that broke and had to go back, it is just a light duty knife.

The Case Jr Scout has everything I need outside of work. A sharp blade, an awl for dirty work, bottle opener, can opener, screwdriver. It is a high quality, american made, lightweight miniaturized version of the camilius I had as a kid ( and wish I still had). It is all I need when hiking, camping, or just bouncing around.

I am just not into tactical folders, knives are tools for me. These two knives do the job for me.

Light: Maratac AAA . Small as a chapstick container, one common battery, long life, and takes up little pocket real estate. Strong enough for day to day jobs and bright enough for night work. Yes, not an instant on push button tactical light, but I am not clearing rooms or chasing perps.

Wallet: Carhartt front pocket wallet. I have a new Kings ranch wallet I got for christmas but the carhartt just wont fall apart. I bought it back in July of 2011. I highly recommend it.

Everything I have on my outside of keys and phone weighs less than 2 lbs.

Just wanted to share and see what others are carrying. I love photos of gear!

For you tinfoil types, you can skip the firearm so the black helis won't come take it one day and just share what works for you as far as day to day gear.

 

[SAFireman]

Chief's special (pre-36), bobbed hammer. Wrapped in a bandana, dropped into a front jeans pocket. I added a Tyler grip adapter to help it fill up my big mitts

Big Benchmade assisted opening tanto style folder with the axis lock. Six extra rounds on a speed strip in the off-side pocket.

 

[moosedog]

Ruger LCP or my S&W model 49 in my jeans pocket, no holster for warm weather.
Colt 1911 or Glock 23 in appendix carry for cold weather, no holster.

 

[RobzGuns]

For over three years now, it's been a S&W Shield, Front pocket carry (yes... I'm one of those who really can,) in a Galco 'Pocket Protector' series holster.

 

[ContinentalOp]

4Sevens Quark X Tactical 123^2 flashlight.

Keychain has a Leatherman Style PS and a Fenix PD20 flashlight.

Small pocket first aid kit (band-aids, alcohol wipes, 2x2 gauze pads, gloves).

Where permitted:

642-1 with Spegel boot grips, loaded with Speer 135gr SB-GDHP. Nearly always carried in a Side Guard Holsters Quick Clip IWB holster. Usually 2 reloads in strips.

A Spyderco Delica 4 FFG.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Depending on weather/attire, I carry a Bersa Thunder (IWB) or an LCP in my pocket. Both are reliable and reassuring.

I also carry my dad's old switchblade.(shhh...Don't tell anyone.)

 

[BAM-BAM]

3913 in a Sparks Summer Special & extra mag......Kershaw blur (semi-tactical)/or 3/4 ton( working) ....streamlight micro ( single AAA)

 

[gmiller0737]

I Live in Florida so it's warm weather most of the year Most often Carried is a Talo Edition (Hard Chromed Slide) Ruger LCP In a Nemisis Pocket Holster, Other guns sometimes carried are a 3913,HK USP 9,Model 60-7,& Once in a while a Stainless Colt Officers ACP all the Listed guns are carried in IWB Holsters Most are Milt Sparks Holsters

 

[sawlog]

model 60-14 iwb and a ruger lcp 380 in front pocket. I do this at work so if I am doing something where im worried about my iwb gun showing then I can leave it in the truck and I still have one in my pocket

 

[BB57]

I usually carry a Model 60 with a single speed loader, wallet, keys, Leatherman Style CS (on "suit" days) or a Leatherman Sidekick (on my normal jeans and boots days), and a pair of reading glasses jus' becuz I'm 50. If I'm going to be out after dark I'll add a tactical light -currently a PowerTac E5.

 

[eb07]

What speed loader holder is that?

 

[sturtyboy]

Here's mine...

10.5 oz. 337 w/Crimson Trace on the ankle and easy to forget it's there.

The heavier one 29 Magnaport Custom Combat...no kidding...and I know it's there, but not on the ankle, in the waistband.

 

[Seraphim]

FN FiveSeven

 

[GunarSailors]

My Model 66 no dash...

 

[raisedin99]

terry

 

[petepeterson]

3914 Ladysmith IWB, extra mag, and a Husky razor knife. If I'm running, or lounging around the house, it's a P3AT.

 

[Moe Mentum]

Ruger LC9s in a Ramora clip-less holster

 

[BB57]

What speed loader holder is that?

It's this one from Wild Bill's Concealment:

Wild Bill's Concealment | The Professional's Choice

The nice thing about it is that the speed loader sits on top of your belt so that either 2 or 3 rounds are inside the belt, giving it a much lower profile. 3 rounds is lower profile than 2, but you'll have to determine for yourself if that's comfortable for you or not.

 

[Highhawk1948]

Lately around the house and the farm I carry my SW 642 loaded with plus P ammo. I carry either a Buck Folding Hunter or Buck. Stockman plus 5 rounds for the 642 in my pockets. If I am going to town I may slip my Colt Commander on. I usually have a Marlin lever action rifle and a Model #1, Randall Made Knife under some old saddle blankets in the truck.

 

[Mtnfolk325]

Model 38-0 in a Mika in right front, Speed Strip of the same ammo in the watch pocket. Leatherman P-4 on a small keyring with back-up house & Jeep key, Nail Clipper loose, 2 Werther's candies ( Type II Diabetic ) & a folded Bandana in the left front. Flat Badge Wallet, comb & another folded Bandana in the right rear. Wallet in the left rear. Usually another Speed Strip in a flat pouch on the belt to the right of the buckle and either a 2" SB 10-5 or a 4" SB 64-3 in a Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake at about 4 o'clock. BTW, I wear a 5-stitch Instructor Belt and
Perry 3-point Suspenders ...... ;o) Still haven't found an EDC light that I will carry & am experimenting with the split 5 & 6 Speed Loader Holders.

EDIT: As a poster below said, I also walk with an aluminum cane ...... ;o)

 

[WC145]

 

[BAM-BAM]

What speed loader holder is that?

Looks like a Safariland ....... "Split 6" or a split 5 for J-frames LOL

Next to a Jacket pocket they work pretty well ....... I've got several K/L and J frame sizes.

 

[Arik]

Glock 19 Galco King Tuck IWB holster

 

[OLDSTER]

EDC

 

[Old cop]

I have medical problems that preclude OWB or IWB carry of anything. My 442 (or Model 38) is pocket carried w/a speed strip, both loaded w/the FBI +P round. The only other stuff I tote is a cell phone, small pocket knife, wallet and keys. The M&P .380 picks up duties when I am wearing dress slacks or a suit and tie.

 

[Jim1392]

640 Pro in Remora IWB holster. Usually at least one or two speed strips.

 

[old bear]

For general out and about time, I carry my M 640-1, loaded with Underwood brand 158Gr 38 special P+ ammo, one speed strip, and a Benchmade mini griptillian. I generally carry IBW or inverted shoulder holster.

 

[JayAychOh]

Today it's a Sig 226 navy model in a cheap Uncle Mike's IWB holster, one spare mag, and a Buck Vantage Force lockblade, two iPhones, wallet, and two rings of keys.

 

[.455Eley]

I carry a 3" SB Model 36 with BB 158gr LSWCHP+P right now in my left front pocket. Also keys, wallet, a camp king pocket knife, assorted change, a small flashlight, a Spyderco Endura and two speed loaders. And my lucky silver piece in my watch pocket.

 

[Fastbolt]

I spent my fair share of years wearing heavy leather gun belts on-duty, and then IWB & OWB holsters ... and magazine carriers ... on my own time. I came to dislike the thought of carrying a L/N frame revolver (or a Ruger Redhawk) IWB.

Over time I developed a sensitivity to pressure against my hips and glutes where the various uniform & civie belts rode, as well as the holsters & mag carriers. Not an uncommon complaint to hear voiced among cops who have worn gun belts for enough years.

I've even had to change the way some of my jeans, and regular belts, sit on my hips when I'm not wearing a holstered handgun. Anything pressing against those well-worn & abused spots on either iliac crest can risk causing discomfort and pain to radiate down the thigh to a knee.

Appendix-carry? Tried that before it was being promoted as "new" and "tactical" on internet gun forums. I dislike having something snugged deep into the inguinal area of my anatomy, especially when crouching, bending and sitting.

Shoulder holsters? Never cared for them. Tried a BUNCH of them over the years. Different issues with different designs, but mostly I just don't like having a handgun dangling underneath an arm, or having to draw and present from one. (Weapon retention can sometimes become an interesting exercise, too.)


Small of Back holsters? No. Hell no. (A thin, leather single cuff case on the back of a duty belt once broke me of that habit.)

Ankle holsters. Maybe while seated behind the wheel (easy to unobtrusively reach, depending on the person and seating, of course), but not something I desire for other circumstances. Easily seen with different pant leg hems shifting and leg movement (crossing legs is a hard habit for some folks to break). Puts the weapon closest to puddled water, wind blown dirt, sand, etc, which can create more potential for "environmental contamination". Also complicates the drawing/presentation process ... and puts the gun about as far from the owner's hands as it's possible to get on the body. Can also put it more easily within reach of an attacker during kicking and any "ground fighting" situations. Can cause some lop-sideness during walking, too.

So ...

Nowadays, I prefer to carry retirement weapons which can be pocket-holstered. Sure, I can still occasionally slip on a nicely made & balanced belt scabbard or paddle, and some of the lighter OWB mag carriers can be tolerated for while, but pocket-holstered is more comfortable.

Thus, unless I'm wearing a heavier jacket which can support a pocket-holstered subcompact Glock or similarly small & light S&W (CS9 or SW999c, for example), my daily pocket holster choices are usually one or another of my J-frames, or one of my LCP's.

I save my breaking out the bigger guns and belt holsters for those days when I feel there's really a potential for an elevated risk, or I just feel like it ... or when I'm working as a firearms instructor.

FWIW, I have to spend more time thinking about how I can prioritize and carry the other **** that needs to go along ... and which will probably be of much more frequent use and utility. 2 wallets (ID/badge & the other one); 1-3 pocket knives; small light; cellphone ... cigar cutter or punch & torch for the days I'm going to the club ... and the things I like to have along when taking the grand daughter out for an adventure.

Fortunately, the CA central coastal & mountain area where we moved a couple years ago makes cargo-type pants & shorts seem pretty normal, and even ubiquitous. Gives me more pockets and options.