How did it feel when you first started carrying?

[Bud11]

My CCW permit (called CHP here in CO) should be here soon and I will start to carry. So, everyone had to have there first day/week/month when it was all new to you. I figure I'll start with the 642 in my Desantis Nemesis or Uncle Mike's pocket holsters and then later try the 60 in my Lobo belt holster.

How did everyone feel when they first started carrying? Take a while to get used to it or no problem at all?

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Hi Bud:

While I was waiting for my CHL to arrive, I started acquiring holsters, belts, cover gear, etc. I fully anticipated carrying, at a minimum, a K-framed S&W revolver in .357 Magnum at all times -maybe a .40 semi-auto when I was feeling more "modern", or perhaps on a sunny day and in a good mood, a 9mm semi-auto. For back-up, that was easy - a .32ACP Seecamp semiauto in the off-side pants pocket. I didn't own, nor anticipate owning a J-frame revolver at the time. I was shocked beyond belief to learn a J-frame revolver in .38 Special slipped into a pant's pocket worked just fine. I now own 5 J-frames and it's very rare to find me without at least one on my person at all times. In fact, I was getting ready to walk the dogs around the block one day when the wife spotted me putting a Model 60 inside my pocket. She rolled her eyes and asked: "Do you really think that's necessary?" My two word reply took care of her question: "pit bulls".

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[everReady Rob]

In a word _ AWARE.

Thinking ahead of where I would be going, Federal bldg's, doctor office, shopping, church, work areas, ball games, home situations, dentist chair, driving, to name just a few events in daily life that require thinking ahead and being aware of weapon concealment, how much ammunition, where to store the ammo for fast access.

Another word _ SAFE(R).

Its great to feel in control the best you can.

 

[venomballistics]

felt heavy ... way back in the day my sidearm was an 8 3/8" 629

 

[TNFrank]

Never really gave it much thought. I started packin' when we moved to AZ. at the age of 18, it was open carry and a '58 Remington Cap n' Ball repro.

 

[P&R Fan]

That was a long time ago. Almost 27 years ago, when I was all of 20 years old. I felt like EVERYBODY was gonna know I had a gun on.
With a M60 that was unlikely. Feeling went away quickly. Now I literally forget I have a gun (or two) on.
Jim

 

[TNFrank]

I felt like EVERYBODY was gonna know I had a gun on.

That's the nice thing about living in an Open Carry State like AZ. when you first start out. After a short while you learn not to give a hoot,LOL.
I remember getting a laugh at the Snow Birds(mostly folks from British Columbia, Canada) that'd come down to Phoenix, AZ. for the winter time. I'd be standing at the magazine rack in the local grocery with my Ruger Super Blackhawk or M29 S&W in a Crossdraw holster reading the recent gun rags and they'd give me a look like I was about to eat a baby or something. It was priceless.

 

[august1410]

I live in NC, in an area where open carry is common.

I carry a 5" Model 27. No one even gives it a second glance.

 

[russp1]

A little self conscious at first wondering who might be noticing the slight lump on my hip when I sat down and what they might think it was. That went away pretty quickly after sitting at the local pizza joint with cops sitting at a couple of tables and no one saying a word.

 

[Will Carry]

I have a grocery bag full of holsters and concealed carry junk that I bought when I first started carrying. You will do that too. The NRA fanny pack, the cheap gun show shoulder holster, the concealed carry T shirt, the "shoot me first" tactical vest, the cheap holsters than looked cool in the store or on line. By the time you do find what works, you'll have a grocery bag-o-junk too.

 

[venomballistics]

That was a long time ago. Almost 27 years ago, when I was all of 20 years old. I felt like EVERYBODY was gonna know I had a gun on.
With a M60 that was unlikely. Feeling went away quickly. Now I literally forget I have a gun (or two) on.
Jim

packing a massive 44 mag with success took care of that paranoia LONG before I transitioned to something a "little more practical" which encompasses nearly everything

 

[Garland]

I got my CCW about 2 years ago. I remember feeling nervous and self-conscious for the first week or so. Now I feel uncomfortable even walking the dog or getting the mail without carrying a pistol. It feels as natural as my watch or wallet.

 

[oldafsp]

I really never gave it any thought.

I have been carrying a weapon since I went on active duty in the Air Force at age 18.....

I do it as a matter of fact. It just comes naturally.

 

[Arik]

Felt odd. There was this heavy thing on my hip that I wasn't used to and it was in a crappy holster. Thought everyone noticed it. Couldn't help adjusting it constantly. Now I don't even notice it. In fact I'm a little afraid if something happened I might forget I even have a gun

 

[loknload]

Started carrying when I was 21, my first was a model 37 and I carried in a good shoulder holster and it never bothered me. Of course I was always aware that I was doing so and really never had a problem. I've carried many different ways over the years and you get use to it and never really notice it.

 

[feralmerril]

I was hungry all the time.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

In addition to what many of the others have stated, I also felt as if I had taken on a big responsibility. A responsibilty that if I messed up handling would have long term, serious, repercussions for not only myself, but for others.

I also understood that when I was handed my CPL (concealed pistol license) that I wasn't handed a Badge to go along with it. Meaning certain situations that I might find myself in weren't my responsibility to deal with, but were better left to the pros, those who do wear a Badge.

 

[Chuck1217]

The guy that said 'aware' was right on with me. So was the guy that said self-conscious. I think one of the best pieces of adcie I got was- keep your hands off your pistol. It's only natural for us to keep reaching for it, touching it through our clothes- like, kinda making sure it's there, not falling out- or that it's not showing. The other advice was to remember, nobody is paying any attention to you, regardless of how you FEEL. They have no idea you have a gun, and you only need to resist the temptation to touch it.

 

[Knightrider03m]

My 1st time? It felt like my gun was sticking out about 5 feet away from my hip. Every time someone looked at me, it felt like they saw my gun and was talking about it. I tried to keep 3-4 feet away from people so people won't run into my gun. Every time I got out of my truck, I had to rush to cover my gun that was already covered.

That feeling went away a little bit after a few weeks. After more research and trail and errors, I no longer feel that way at all.

 

[smithman 10]

How did I feel?

I can't remember and that's the way it will be with you after you carry for awhile.

It will become second nature and the only thing that will make you feel strange is when you leave home without your EDC, like forgetting your watch or wedding ring.