Tips for Someone Just Starting to CC?

Go to your local range on Ladies Night .. talk to all the women there and find out what they are using .. how they carry and how they use cover garments for women ..

you'll get a much better ideal there then here talking to mostly a bunch of guys .. there are some YouTube videos you might watch also ..
 
Many years ago I had a friend who finally got his one and only promotion on the PD. He went to celebrate at a local hotel w/his wife and some friends, and wanted to remove his jacket and dance w/his wife. He removed his holstered weapon, put it on the seat and covered it w/his jakcet. When he returned the gun, his issued weapon, was gone. Lesson, avoid off body carry if at all possible.
 
The J frame is a great EDC choice, I carry a 640 as a bug and sometimes as my EDC. My wife's carry choice is a 642-1 nl and she uses an old Buchiemer holster at 4-4:30. My daughter and daughter-n-law carry a Glock 42 and Sig 938, respectively, appendix with inside the waist band holsters. You will have to work it out to see what works best for you. Check YouTube... there are several women that have channels that can help educate you and learn of their choices and how they found a way to carry a sidearm.

Good luck and congrats for being pro-active in defense of yourself and those close to you.
 
Many woman ankle carry as that is the only way they can carry comfortably while still being able to wear whatever pants they want. Purse carry is another option but the experts don't recommend that, you should always have your gun on your person just like the guys. You never know when some purse snatcher will strike, who will then get your gun along with everything else or if a toddler gets a hold of your gun left in an unattended purse and shoots you like what happened to that poor woman at Walmart a few years back.
Unfortunately I don't think I can wear an ankle holster due to my severe psoriasis. However I know, me personally, I would rather not carry at all then have it in a purse for the safety of my children. My 3 yr old son I am sure would point it at me or himself if he were to get a hold of it and that is why I am extra cautious when the gun is on me (I also have it in it's own little safe up high when in the house so the children cannot get to it. It may be harder to reach in an emergency but I want to make sure my kids cannot get it it, all my other guns are unloaded with the ammo in a separate area).
 
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My standard advice for new concealed carriers is: Get a mouse gun and plenty of practice.
 
Sorry, but to me, that is very poor advice; mouse guns are some of the hardest to shoot and operate proficiently. In any cartridge size worth using, the recoil can be harsh, the controls small, the trigger or slide difficult to operate.
 
I have a question. So I have been told to use the same gun, grips, ammo, ect. when training so you get used to shooting with the setup you are more likely to have when needing to defend yourself. I wear glasses but I take them off at night and leave them on my bathroom counter, I was wondering, if someone broke in and I had to go out without having the time to go get my glasses should I try training some without my glasses? My sight is blurry but I might be able to learn where to hold.
 
should I try training some without my glasses? My sight is blurry but I might be able to learn where to hold.

Definitely. Before getting cataract surgery on my left (non-dominant) eye, I was legally blind without my glasses (I couldn't clearly see the "E" at the top of the eye chart), as well as being horribly near-sighted. My wife one time asked how far could I shoot a handgun without glasses, so I experimented the next time I went to the range. At the range, I found I could put shots into the kill zone of a standard B-27 target at up to 20 yards without glasses. That was plenty enough for me. Since my cataract surgery, my left eye is 20/20 (I wear a contact lens in my right eye). I also hope the cataract in my right eye matures soon so that I can have corrective surgery in that eye and have 20/20 vision in both eyes.

You should be in good shape if you can put hits in the kill zone of a B-27 target at 5-7 yards without glasses.

Best of luck,

Dave
 
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BTW, something you might consider is leaving a can of Wasp/Hornet spray close to your nightstand to use as anti-insect, as well as for antipersonnel purposes. You get 15-20 ft. range out of the can, and while I wouldn't want that stuff in my face or mouth, it would incapacitate temporarily without lasting effect (giving you enough time to run, or put your glasses on).

I try not to take a firm stand with regards to advice/opinions, but I have to say that this is some of the worst advice I've heard. DO NOT DO THIS!
 
Definitely. Before getting cataract surgery on my left (non-dominant) eye, I was legally blind without my glasses (I couldn't clearly see the "E" at the top of the eye chart), as well as being horribly near-sighted. My wife one time asked how far could I shoot a handgun without glasses, so I experimented the next time I went to the range. At the range, I found I could put shots into the kill zone of a standard B-27 target at up to 20 yards without glasses. That was plenty enough for me. Since my cataract surgery, my left eye is 20/20 (I wear a contact lens in my right eye). I also hope the cataract in my right eye matures soon so that I can have corrective surgery in that eye and have 20/20 vision in both eyes.

Best of luck,

Dave

I have a cataract in my left eye but surgery would not help in my case. I was born with it and it has caused my eye to develop poorly, I have been told the eye itself doesn't not have sight even if the cataract was removed. I am 27 and starting to get glaucoma. :/
 
And your advice would be...?

Since you asked...

1. Make your home as much of a hard target as you can. How much depends on the nature of your home (apartment, small house, big house, multi-floor, etc.) and your budget. Solid-core exterior doors with good quality, deep deadbolts, hinges and locks secured with longer-than-standard screws; exterior lighting, including motion detection if possible; clear shrubs and trees from blocking the view of doors and windows (gives thieves the ability to break in without being seen); make sure windows and doors are locked; place wooden dowels in window/sliding glass door tracks to keep them from being opened from the outside; install a security system; etc. For more budget-restricted options you can get inexpensive braces that wedge between the inside of the door and the floor to make it more difficult for intruders to break in. Additional options are available if you want to seek them out. These things can make thieves/intruders decide to seek easier targets elsewhere (CPTED: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). If intruders do decide to invade your home, these measures can slow them down and alert you of danger, possibly with enough time to put your glasses on before investigating/responding, as appropriate.

2. Come up with a plan. Without your gun, go through your home and determine potential lines of fire, especially in relation to your kids' rooms. You may be able to arrange your furniture to mitigate the risk of wall pass-throughs, but also be aware that you won't likely be able completely eliminate that risk. You may even be able to arrange your furniture such that it would make it difficult for intruders to make their way through your home without making any noise. Work out how you plan to get to your kids and possibly bring them back to your designated "safe room" (this can be your master bedroom with extra reinforcement on the door, or possibly even one of your kids' rooms). Do this process with your home well lit, in the dark, with your glasses, and without your glasses. You may identify issues that might not have occurred to you otherwise, such as placing night lights in strategic places. Give some forethought as to what you'll do if an intruder gives up (Do you hold them at gun point? Call police? Tell them to get out?); this will depend on the laws in your state. Very important: Know the laws regarding self defense and use of force in your state. Also, develop contingency plans in case your primary plan doesn't work (i.e., if your plan is in response to someone coming through your front door, have a plan in place in case someone comes in through the kitchen window). Do try to keep the plans simple and consistent; that will help make them workable under stress. Note: You can also apply this to other emergencies, such as fires.

3. Keep your gun, a fully-charged cell phone, a flashlight, and your glasses close by. If you want the option of a less-lethal tool like pepper spray (that's specifically designed for self defense), keep that handy, too. Don't rely on landlines, as clever thieves have cut phone lines before breaking in. The flashlight is necessary to help identify intruders, as well as make them visible if you need to shoot.

4. Rehearse your plan(s). Physically do whatever it is you've planned, ideally multiple times. This will help reinforce it as well as help to identify potential issues. Incorporate your tools from #3 in your rehearsals (a triple-checked unloaded gun can be used, or for improved safety you can get a plastic blue gun, toy gun, or just use your finger...*pew pew pew* ;) ). I've put my cell phone in airplane mode and practiced dialing 911. "People don't rise to the occasion, they sink to their lowest level of training." Depending on the age of your kids, you can make it into a game to help prepare them without freaking them out. You also don't need to make a big production out of it. Spend a few minutes running through everything, maybe a couple times a week. And don't be afraid to revise something if things change, i.e. the kids get older, other changes in your life, etc.

5. Don't follow advice based on bogus internet myths. It will literally take you seconds to find out how bad an idea it is to use wasp spray for self defense. Feel free to research my advice, or any advice you get. You don't need to accept advice on face value. You may get advice that may be generally good, but may not be applicable or appropriate for your situation.

6. Don't stop learning. This applies to life in general as well as self defense.
 
ContinentalOp:

Thank you for your enhanced answer. I did not realize that wasp/hornet spray had been made safer - I just looked at a can and see that it is now water based. In previous form, it was petroleum based, and I've seen plastic sunglass lenses melted by it. I have edited my earlier post to eliminate this erroneous and bad advice. Thank you for pointing this out, and my apologies for any confusion for my bad information.

Regards,

Dave
 
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Since you asked...

1. Make your home as much of a hard target as you can. How much depends on the nature of your home (apartment, small house, big house, multi-floor, etc.) and your budget. Solid-core exterior doors with good quality, deep deadbolts, hinges and locks secured with longer-than-standard screws; exterior lighting, including motion detection if possible; clear shrubs and trees from blocking the view of doors and windows (gives thieves the ability to break in without being seen); make sure windows and doors are locked; place wooden dowels in window/sliding glass door tracks to keep them from being opened from the outside; install a security system; etc. For more budget-restricted options you can get inexpensive braces that wedge between the inside of the door and the floor to make it more difficult for intruders to break in. Additional options are available if you want to seek them out. These things can make thieves/intruders decide to seek easier targets elsewhere (CPTED: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). If intruders do decide to invade your home, these measures can slow them down and alert you of danger, possibly with enough time to put your glasses on before investigating/responding, as appropriate.

2. Come up with a plan. Without your gun, go through your home and determine potential lines of fire, especially in relation to your kids' rooms. You may be able to arrange your furniture to mitigate the risk of wall pass-throughs, but also be aware that you won't likely be able completely eliminate that risk. You may even be able to arrange your furniture such that it would make it difficult for intruders to make their way through your home without making any noise. Work out how you plan to get to your kids and possibly bring them back to your designated "safe room" (this can be your master bedroom with extra reinforcement on the door, or possibly even one of your kids' rooms). Do this process with your home well lit, in the dark, with your glasses, and without your glasses. You may identify issues that might not have occurred to you otherwise, such as placing night lights in strategic places. Give some forethought as to what you'll do if an intruder gives up (Do you hold them at gun point? Call police? Tell them to get out?); this will depend on the laws in your state. Very important: Know the laws regarding self defense and use of force in your state. Also, develop contingency plans in case your primary plan doesn't work (i.e., if your plan is in response to someone coming through your front door, have a plan in place in case someone comes in through the kitchen window). Do try to keep the plans simple and consistent; that will help make them workable under stress. Note: You can also apply this to other emergencies, such as fires.

3. Keep your gun, a fully-charged cell phone, a flashlight, and your glasses close by. If you want the option of a less-lethal tool like pepper spray (that's specifically designed for self defense), keep that handy, too. Don't rely on landlines, as clever thieves have cut phone lines before breaking in. The flashlight is necessary to help identify intruders, as well as make them visible if you need to shoot.

4. Rehearse your plan(s). Physically do whatever it is you've planned, ideally multiple times. This will help reinforce it as well as help to identify potential issues. Incorporate your tools from #3 in your rehearsals (a triple-checked unloaded gun can be used, or for improved safety you can get a plastic blue gun, toy gun, or just use your finger...*pew pew pew* ;) ). I've put my cell phone in airplane mode and practiced dialing 911. "People don't rise to the occasion, they sink to their lowest level of training." Depending on the age of your kids, you can make it into a game to help prepare them without freaking them out. You also don't need to make a big production out of it. Spend a few minutes running through everything, maybe a couple times a week. And don't be afraid to revise something if things change, i.e. the kids get older, other changes in your life, etc.

5. Don't follow advice based on bogus internet myths. It will literally take you seconds to find out how bad an idea it is to use wasp spray for self defense. Feel free to research my advice, or any advice you get. You don't need to accept advice on face value. You may get advice that may be generally good, but may not be applicable or appropriate for your situation.

6. Don't stop learning. This applies to life in general as well as self defense.

Thank you for the advice, I have done a few of the little things already (like having a night light in every room), I also have a habit of rechecking locks before I go to sleep. I already have wedges in the windows and sliding glass door too. One of the nice things about my house is all the bedrooms are in a hallway that, if I stand at the end of the hallway, I will block an intruder from getting to any family members.
 
Trial, and error what works for one may not work for you. I would suggest buying a training gun to safely get accustomed to your choice of carry. You will have to keep in mind deployment of your firearm when needed. Certain types of carry have distinct advantages, but also disadvantages. You have to try out, and find what works best for you. A firearm you cannot get to without going through gymnastics is like having no firearm at all.
 
I gave my wife as many options as possible. She always open carries when possible, that solves a lot of problems with access. She bought a CC purse for her BUG, but she got tired of the constant vigilance that entails. Smaller bug, and pocket holster has replaced purse carry. I also bought her a kydex neck holster for the Black Widow, and she likes that also. But she went through a lot of guns, and holsters to find what she likes.

Pocket carry, and purse carry have the same distinct advantage. A person can have their hand on their gun without raising alarm, making draw much faster. The purse carry demands constant attention to the security of the purse though. Pocket carry is a problem for certain clothes on a lady, with some guns there will be a bulge.

IWB, and appendix while more comfortable, it takes more to deploy than pocket, or purse. It could result in charges if the gun is accessed before an incident takes place. Pull your shirt up, and grab your gun will probably result in a police detention if you are not justified to shoot. Most unarmed women put their hands in their pocket, or purse, and nobody thinks anything of it. So a woman can walk through the parking lot, where a lot of attacks happen, with her hand on her gun.
 
I think women do have some advantages as far as concealment goes. Of course for men, wearing one size larger is generally not a problem. Try suggesting that to a women might be dangerous. [emoji57]
 
To the OP - if you are an NRA member or have access to the current American Rifleman magazine, there is an article about a small sample of women and handguns. However, nothing about carry methods, but it sounds as though the project is an ongoing matter.
 
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