Tips for a new CCW holder?

Get a good belt, good holster and concealable gun you shoot well. Then take the time to get used to it. A lot of newbies get a cheaper, large gun and Walmart nylon holster that sticks out 12 inches or so. Then say carrying concealed isn't for me. Don't be that guy.
 
Welcome to the club:

Now, you'll have to forget about flipping people off when you're driving,

Even thinking you're going to "get even",

Being impolite,

Getting into arguments, etc.

Carrying a firearm entails great responsibility, the first of which is one can no longer get mad or irritated with other people's gaffes or stupidity.
 
delcrossv said:
Welcome to the club:

Now, you'll have to forget about flipping people off when you're driving,

Even thinking you're going to "get even",

Being impolite,

Getting into arguments, etc.

Carrying a firearm entails great responsibility, the first of which is one can no longer get mad or irritated with other people's gaffes or stupidity.
Click to expand...

100% Every argument or potential fist fight has you bringing a gun into it. That means lose the fight, you have to protect the gun. Don't be a Zimmerman. IF you wouldn't start something without the gun, don't do it because now you have one.
 
If a cop stops you for any traffic infraction, what is the first thing he asks
for? Driver's license, right? I learned that it is handy to carry your
concealed weapons license right behind your driver's license to remind
you that you should notify the cop, if you are required to do so in your
state. Last time a cop pulled me over, I just handed him both, and he
thanked me.

If, or when, you need your concealed handgun, it will probably be very
unexpected, and very up close and personal. Practice your presentation
(draw) hundreds of times, until you are quick, smooth, and sure.

Not a bad idea to get some training in jiu jitsu, aikido, or some similar
martial art with focus on close fighting, holds, and locks.
 
Thanks for all the tips! I'll be checking out the trainers referenced, even if they don't offer anything that I can attend, they are regional enough that they might know someone in my area.

Unfortunately my indoor range does not allow any drawing from the holster, so I am limited to dry fire practice which I've been doing some and will continue.

I did carry chambered today.

Also, the idea that CCW should be motivation to adopt the grey man approach is something that makes perfect sense but not something that I would have thought of myself. Thanks!
 
I only have one idea to add: What about your wife/girl friend? My wife has her own permit and grew up around guns and around people who watched other people (lots of cops in the family), so she does not get upset if I focus on someone ore something across the mall! We have it worked out where she walks, stands and retreats to in a bad situation. She won't be in my way (and she has my back, so I won't be in hers!) We went for lots of evening walks to work out the details, wives and girlfriends like walks, so that just made it more interesting! Then one night after dark we were walking and something stepped out of the dark! By second nature we both did what we had determined. It turned out to be a just deer (where we lived, wild dogs were a real issue) but the surprise was real and the response was instinct!

I realize not all women are so easy to get to react the same way every time, it takes time and repeated practice.

Ivan
 
This is some excellent information and advice, much appreciated as I patiently wait for my CCL from the state of Illinois.
Been wearing my rig in the house for a month or so. Hanks 1.75 belt. TT Gunleather XC Slim. CZ75 Compact. Heavyish pistol, yes, don't like plastic.
Again, thanks for the info. This site is awesome.
 
Dude, you've received more advice than I did when starting my LEO career in 1986. I got a gun, a badge, a set of car keys, and "Hey, Let's be careful out there . . . " Relax, learn how your pistol works, don't be afraid of it, and find a comfortable way to carry it. I hate when people start preaching "Oooohhhhh, you can't assert yourself or express your opinion, because now that you're carrying a pistol, you're gonna end the argument by taking a shot at them." Those arguments are akin to the blood in the street proclamations inherent in the passage of CCW legislation to begin with. If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. I'm guessing at this stage in your life you've got a lot more tools. Trust yourself. Problem solved . . .
 
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One more suggestion...

...put the 'quick draw' practice low on your list of priorities.

KNOWING 'WHEN' TO SHOOT IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT!

Have carried a gun professionally and as an armed citizen for now more than forty-five (45!) years. In that time I have used a handgun more times than I can recall. Seriously.

(BTW, don't even think about listening to anyone who says something like: 'If you pull your gun it's only to destroy something.' :mad: )

Never ever a 'quick draw' scenario...my gun 'appeared' when I needed it. Observation and awareness were my keys to success.

Might not be explaining this properly but I know what is going on in my instant world...wherever I am. And I am one who is regularly out and about in the world.. I like people, big cities, events, sports, etc.

Be safe.
 
Muss Muggins said:
Dude, you've received more advice than I did when starting my LEO career in 1986. I got a gun, a badge, a set of car keys, and "Hey, Let's be careful out there . . . " Relax, learn how your pistol works, don't be afraid of it, and find a comfortable way to carry it. I hate when people start preaching "Oooohhhhh, you can't assert yourself or express your opinion, because now that you're carrying a pistol, you're gonna end the argument by taking a shot at them." Those arguments are akin to the blood in the street proclamations inherent in the passage of CCW legislation to begin with. If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. I'm guessing at this stage in your life you've got a lot more tools. Trust yourself. Problem solved . . .
Click to expand...
I think you jumped to a huge conclusion. Its not that you can not express your opinion, but any behavior that seems aggressive & turns into a say road rage, if shots are fired, you may be looked at as the aggressor. I know you hate the example, but Zimmerman always comes to mind. Don't do something carrying the gun you wouldn't do without & vise versa. JMO.
 
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Duly noted . . .

fredj338 said:
I think you jumped to a huge conclusion. Its not that you can not express your opinion, but any behavior that seems aggressive & turns into a say road rage, if shots are fired, you may be looked at as the aggressor. I know you hate the example, but Zimmerman always comes to mind. Don't do something carrying the gun you wouldn't do without & vise versa. JMO.
Click to expand...
 
So, to clarify, are you of the mindset that if you draw your pistol, you must use it?

Edit: I haven't worn a uniform since 1995, and I've been retired since 2015. It's a mindset, not driven by whatever bravado you think a uniform provides. Be safe . . .

fredj338 said:
So are you saying what, feel free to deploy your pistol as a deterrent? I will use as many options as I can to avoid presenting my ccw in a confrontation. In uniform it looks diff to everyone than when in civis.
Click to expand...
 
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Yep.

In my crime fighting days my gun was 'used' quite regularly. Very regularly. Never shot anybody.

'Use' was defined by SOP's as any presentation of a gun.

Some use was preventative...some pro-active. A deterrent if you want to use that term.

In my off duty and armed citizen use the same applied/applies. Yes, a deterrent.

In my personal history offering an option to 'bad guys' has forever worked.

Trust it still will. And any then/now use was/will forever be accompanied by proper LEO notification.

Be safe.



fredj338 said:
So are you saying what, feel free to deploy your pistol as a deterrent? I will use as many options as I can to avoid presenting my ccw in a confrontation. In uniform it looks diff to everyone than when in civis.
Click to expand...
 
Fred makes a valid point, Muss. I'd hate to be the one trying to defend a shaky self defense claim because I either instigated, or didn't reasonably withdraw from, some encounter.
The only thing dumber than someone intent on "monkey dancing " is an armed fool intent on monkey dancing.
 
Fred lives in California. That is all . . .

Edit: Don't insert yourself in shaky self defense claims . . .

delcrossv said:
Fred makes a valid point, Muss. I'd hate to be the one trying to defend a shaky self defense claim because I either instigated, or didn't reasonably withdraw from, some encounter.
The only thing dumber than someone intent on "monkey dancing " is an armed fool intent on monkey dancing.
Click to expand...
 
You'll get a lot of advice from the internet. The more urgently it is delivered, the less urgently you should take it. Exclamation marks - disregard. All caps - do the opposite.

You're fine with your empty chamber until you are more comfortable carrying with a round ready to go.

I was a LEO who worked violent crime for 33 years. Quick draw is great fun on the range, but over-emphasized. In all that time I did 2 quick draws, both on dogs who appeared unexpectedly. I was in plenty of scrapes, but always had my stuff in my hand going in. Practice the fine art of gun-in-hand but out-of-sight.

No training is better than bad training. Be critical. Ask what actual experience the instructor has had. Trust your instincts.

Its just something you carry. It isn't a lifestyle. Be careful, use your head. Enjoy your family.

Again, nothing on the internet is completely trustworthy, even this.
 
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