Pro Secret: I Hate Carrying a Gun! — GMP #250

[Brian Parrish]

Just speaking for myself, I've never had an issue carrying any size gun. But I'm 6'4, 205. And when carrying a heavy gun, after about 10 minutes, I forget it's there...

Me too neither. I am 5'8" and 165#'s.
To be perfectly honest I do sometimes neglect to drop my second gun in my pocket. Sometimes I only carry one reload, (blush with shame).
Thanks to advice of LoboGunLeather and Red Nichols the Holstorian, I know what kind of belt and holster to use to be comfortable all day every day.

"It ain't in the way of nuthin'!"

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I grew up just outside suburbia and worked in town until Retirment. Before Ohio had ccw licenses, we had "Justified Carry" with a long list of reasons to carry when needed. I usually carried some type of 45 auto. After we got ccw, we are allowed to carry a lot fewer places! Now we have Constitutional Carry!

If I have something on with a pocket, I am EDCing a S&W Model 49 no dash! I don't leave the house without pants, so I'm carrying, 16 to20 hours a day. After about a week or so, the steel j-frames no longer register as a weight, same goes for ankle carry.

I bought a 629 Snubby, and good holsters. I haven't carried it enough to make it disappear yet.

I was once told a 1911 is "Too Much" to carry. I told that person I would CC a 45 the following Sunday to Church, and they wouldn't notice it! The following Sunday, they sat next to me, and after service we went in a classroom to inspect my carry arrangement. He never saw it until li lifted my sweater. A belly band with a Sig 220 and a spare mag on the left and the same on the right. A Colt Commander and a spare mag holstered Small of the Back, AND a Para-Ordinance Carry 3.25 & a spare mag at 3:00 IWB. Four 45's four and spare mags, nothing noticeable! I had that set-up on for about 6 hours, and didn't feel weighed down! (I just didn't dare go swimming!) That was 60 rounds of 230 grain ammo alone!

My real EDC is the 49 and a 8 round speed strip, 13 rounds is more than enough for my lifestyle.

Ivan

 

[30-30remchester]

It is still amazes me the number of people who always carry. I have a gun close a hand but seldom carry. I guess my work and the people that I work with lead different lives. Can't imagine laying down 9 yards of concrete, screeding, and edging while wearing a gun. Nor strapping on a tool belt, ascending a ladder and fixing shingles or installing a Bay window while carrying. I can tell you for certain that when laying on your back, under a vehicle that even a skinny wallet is uncomfortable. All these things I did last week. This week it is rolling large boulders onto a skid by hand, pulling tumbleweeds, and falling several Ponderosa Pines. Can't imagine where you could carry a gun comfortably in activities that entail constant bending and struggling without a gun hanging up on something and constantly poking me in the ribs with every bend. I do have one close at hand, usually within a hundred yards but that is about it. If I get up close and personal, I will have to use a chainsaw, polaski , shovel, or shop hammer to settle things.

 

[30-30remchester]

Of course, if I didn't have a muffin top maybe I could be a little less uncomfortable.

 

[S-W4EVER]

It is still amazes me the number of people who always carry. I have a gun close a hand but seldom carry. I guess my work and the people that I work with lead different lives. Can't imagine laying down 9 yards of concrete, screeding, and edging while wearing a gun. Nor strapping on a tool belt, ascending a ladder and fixing shingles or installing a Bay window while carrying. I can tell you for certain that when laying on your back, under a vehicle that even a skinny wallet is uncomfortable. All these things I did last week. This week it is rolling large boulders onto a skid by hand, pulling tumbleweeds, and falling several Ponderosa Pines. Can't imagine where you could carry a gun comfortably in activities that entail constant bending and struggling without a gun hanging up on something and constantly poking me in the ribs with every bend. I do have one close at hand, usually within a hundred yards but that is about it. If I get up close and personal, I will have to use a chainsaw, polaski , shovel, or shop hammer to settle things.

I wouldn’t be carrying a firearm under those circumstances either, that’s work and most bad guys are afraid of work so you’re probably pretty safe.

 

[Imissedagain]

The 22Mag was always in my pocket, since new around '80, when working/crawling around vessels, especially in certain boat yards during the Crack years. Carried it when working on Customs and DEA vessels.
Lotsa other choices now.
Evil doers travel, so heads up always, except when swimming
laps in a Speedo.

The Gator is not evil, just hungry.
Water is just across the street.
Some of my Northern buddies, that moved down to various parts of Florida, got greeted by snakes and Gators on the Links and the Lakes.
It's not if, but when.

 

[mckenney99]

IVAN,
"If I have something on with a pocket, I am EDCing a S&W Model 49 no dash! I don't leave the house without pants, so I'm carrying, 16 to20 hours a day."

The rest of Ohio, THANKS YOU.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I can get along with this part but around 1100 hrs. I get together with other cops, deputies and special agents and go to the range to practice for the day evil comes. Then we all go to a non wife approved lunch and tell war stories. Most are even true.

We have a monthly Retired Officers Breakfast. The Agenda is who has been travelling and who has died in the last month.

Usually I go shoot alone. For the annual LEOSA qualification the numbers are always getting smaller.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

It is still amazes me the number of people who always carry.

Can't imagine where you could carry a gun comfortably in activities that entail constant bending and struggling without a gun hanging up on something and constantly poking me in the ribs with every bend ...

My guess is, you are not a cowboy.

 

[John Patrick]

Relatively small and light, with a good leather holster, makes carrying easier for me.

This is true whether carrying concealed or open.


A Sig Sauer P365 X Macro with a red dot in a TT Gunleather holster is the easiest “full size” (17rnds) for me to carry open at work or concealed under a fleece, jacket, sweatshirt.

A Sig Sauer P365X is easy enough to carry concealed in a tuckable Galco holster. The 10rnd P365 is a bit easier but harder to shoot well compared to the 12rnd X.

I still carry my revolvers from time to time, but mostly when hunting.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I carry an NAA mini revolver in a grip holster. 5 shots of 22LR single action is better than nothing at all. I found that I will not carry anything that is a hassle and that is as small as it gets. I also venture into anti-gun areas/households where it is my only choice.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

We have a monthly Retired Officers Breakfast. The Agenda is who has been travelling and who has died in the last month.

Usually I go shoot alone. For the annual LEOSA qualification the numbers are always getting smaller.

I'm an hour west of DC so lots of retired government types carrying guns in our "active adult community " I shoot once or twice a week, mostly smallbore benchrest. Then a couple of times a month anywhere from 3 to 10 of us go and take over the pistol range. Then off to lunch, it's a great time.

The older we get the smaller the carry guns. Which is OK cause you can hide a LCP or LCP Max anywhere. As geezers we all believe a big surprise is our best defense. LEOSA qualifications for me is a 442 and G42. I go with a couple of the guys. The rest depend on the standard Virginia CC permit.

 

[WildBillWJW]

I haven’t any law enforcement experience, but have CC’d for about the last 30+ years…since permits were available in KY, and now in LA. I started carrying a Glock 23, while backpacking in the Red River Gorge, when black bears started becoming prevalent. Took a chance on its little brother, and found the 27, with std mags, plenty easy to shoot and control. It’s become my EDC/CC since. Can generally keep it concealed under loose fitting T’s. But, rarely pack a spare mag. At home or near a vehicle, there’s always some close…plus we rarely go anywhere after dark. And never in dangerous environs. Nine rounds of 40 cal hollow points should be plenty.
WJW