I have been carrying for 50 years now and have learned a few things about every day carry and concealing a firearm and ammunition. I have never been in law enforcement so the art of concealment is even more important! In my old State, if you get reported for a gun "peeking out" even for second, you lost your permit! One of the most important points in carrying concealed is that what ever gun, caliber, and rig you are using is comfortable enough for ALL day carry. Simply stated, if your rig is annoying, uncomfortable, tight, too lose, etc. to the point where it's annoying, too heavy or bulky you will tend to not have it on your person all the time, in a desk drawer, in a glove compartment, etc. which IMHO is not where it belongs. To me, a concealed weapon belongs on your person all the time when out of the house. If only carried on your person 95% of the time - well you know Murphy's Law..... The one time you need it, it might not be readily accessible.
I have read many articles, have personally heard from different people that they would only carry a gun chambered in a caliber starting with a 4. That would mean .41 mag, 44 spl, Mag, 45 Colt or acp. In semi auto's we are referring to 40 S&W and I'll include 10mm which is basically a .40 caliber Mag. Those guns are large, heavy and bulky and downright uncomfortable for many to EDC all day long, IMHO. Maybe for an hour or two but if one is a working man, businessman, professional or executive in a public environment, I don't really understand how one could wear a gun that weighs that much and is that big in comfort all day long while still being properly concealed. If the gun is uncomfortable it will eventually be taken off and left somewhere. I believe that comfort is often over looked as being very important!
I have also heard the phrase, "dress around the gun". I am not in agreement with that. I believe a gun to be carried should fit in with normal dress code for the environment, venue, temperature and climate. I do not think one should be wearing clothing that is out of place for the situation or climate and therefore look out of place or abnormal. The trick is to pick a gun and rig that can fit in with your daily routine. If you live in a hot, humid climate, carry a gun that will work in cargo shorts and a Tee shirt if that is your daily attire. Wearing clothing for the sole purpose of concealment is going to make you sweat, restrict movement and be miserable when doing a task that is a little out of your ordinary daily routine. We must be prepared for those times and still be able to conceal our firearms.
Bigger is not always better! A firearm that is comfortable and concealable will always be on your person and is always better than the .44 magnum N frame you left somewhere because you had to remove your jacket or cover. The rig you use is also very important. While some favor shoulder holsters, they all require a garment of some type to conceal them - not a great way to roll in the Summer's heat!
The reason I am bringing attention to this is that some try and intimidate others into carrying a gun that is sometimes just too large, heavy and bulky for them and they wind up either in discomfort or not having their gun on them if and when needed. Once again, better to have a .380 or 9mm on your person all the time than a .45 Gov't model in the desk drawer. I know when I first started out, some people told me I "needed" to carry a "man's gun" starting off in a caliber with a .4 but after trying to carry a .45acp Gov't model IWB and concealed, I gave that up after 2 weeks! Couldn't take more than 10 steps before having to hike up my pants - lol. Had a constant red spot on my side from the gun rubbing on me.
Be your own person. Think about what you can and are willing to wear all day long - including a reload. Do not be intimidated by "keyboard commando's" who don't follow their own rules. Try different guns and rigs and determine what is practical, comfortable and right for your situation. Practice with what you carry and stick with it instead of constantly rotating guns. You never want to have to think about what gun you have with you, if and when you need it. Consistency might be boring, but it is reliable and predictable.
NOTE: My so-called "credentials" come from carrying concealed for 50 years as a legally armed citizen in multiple States with completely different laws & regulations, in every type of situation one could encounter, trying what so called "experts" have initially written and said, extrapolating that information and then (most importantly) finding what worked for me. Trial & error and being honest with myself as to what I was willing & able to carry comfortably. I was a businessman in the NE and wore all kinds of clothing from suits to jeans and button down shirts with dress pants. My daily dress for the last 4 years now has been a pair of cargo shorts and a Tee shirt. I now rarely get dress up and almost never wear long pants. My equipment works absolutely perfectly with any clothing I wear and any where I go. I know what works for me - find what works for you, but be realistic and honest with yourself. Hope some here take away at least a little. I like to share from what I have learned the hard way, for others to benefit from - especially new EDC-er's.
)
