You NEW Concealed Carry people -

[ImDrRich]

Wondering about your thinking processes here.

When you first began to carry, what did you think about? Were you concerned with concealment? Did you think others might be able to tell? Did you have concerns about your holster, the cant, your ammo, carrying one in the pipe?

Also curious as to how you moved through the process and acclimated.

Thanks!

Rich

 

[stansdds]

My biggest fear was that my concealment would be poor and my weapon spotted. I'm still concerned about it, it is simply not something I take lightly. So far, the only time someone noticed I was carrying was in my office and I had not had my CCW permit for very long. I was carrying my S&W 640-1 in a Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster under a sport coat. That was the last time I carried it in that fashion, went to IWB, which is a much easier way to conceal.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I was a rookie policeman and a lot of old timers had great advice. BTW, when I was a rookie it was a requirement to carry.

Today LE Management wants you to be a great witness and you do not have to carry off duty. Just another reason I am thankful to be retired.

New Concealed Carriers should seek out mentors who will give them great advice.

 

[SweetMK]

I have had the permit in my wallet for over a decade,
(actually, several of them, renewed periodically,,)

I read that if you ignore what you are carrying, others will also ignore it.
(or, if you "fuss" with it, others will notice it)

So, I thought I would try it,,

My recently purchased 3 inch 629 fits my pants pocket.
I have carried it to more than a dozen places over the last couple weeks.

So far, it works,, no snide glances,, or anything,,

I think the reason that this works for me, is at my age ANYTHING is easy to forget.

I drop the 629 into my pocket at the car,, by the time I am in the supermarket,, I have forgotten that I have it !!

LOL!!

 

[balin]

I have had the permit in my wallet for over a decade,
(actually, several of them, renewed periodically,,)

I read that if you ignore what you are carrying, others will also ignore it.
(or, if you "fuss" with it, others will notice it)

So, I thought I would try it,,

My recently purchased 3 inch 629 fits my pants pocket.
I have carried it to more than a dozen places over the last couple weeks.

So far, it works,, no snide glances,, or anything,,

I think the reason that this works for me, is at my age ANYTHING is easy to forget.

I drop the 629 into my pocket at the car,, by the time I am in the supermarket,, I have forgotten that I have it !!

LOL!!

That is quite the pants pocket to accept the size and weight of a 3 inch 629.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

All of the above at one point or another. The big one was worrying someone would notice, but that lasted about a week until I realized that those who noticed would not care, and those who care did not notice.

I only owned one autoloader, so one in the pipe took about three days to get used to, never felt fully comfortable with the light trigger of the SIG P365 so traded it and went back to the revolver.

Never really had concerns about my holsters as I always buy quality stuff, so that was never really an issue. I guess one time when I "modified" a holster with a strap by cutting the strap for faster draw the gun almost flew out of the holster when I ran down the beach after my dog. Learned to either go with holsters made without a strap or to not cut them if they had them (duh...)

Three years later and none of these are concerns for me and I carry confidently almost every single day.

 

[billdeserthills]

I've been carrying two guns in my front pockets for years-- I like to put a thick wad of cash between the gun and the outside, so that covers any printing. I've also been wearing shorts/pants that are a size larger than I need, to make extra room

 

[Smoke]

The longer I've carried a gun the less of a big deal it's become.

 

[snowman1967]

The biggest thing for me was concealment, followed by the proper holster. I bought quality holsters for both iwb and owb carry. Cant is very important for me, as I carry on my strong side. I want to have the cant where I can sit down and bend/stoop without it digging in or jutting out when I do. I always carried with one in the pipe and still do. Main thing is practicing to draw without having your finger automatically going to the trigger. A lot of drawing with snap caps. With people having their faces buried in their phones, most won't notice if you have a slight print, or won't know what it is if you do. Situational awareness is crucial and needs to be at all times. I have been carrying for about 4 years, and don't worry about it. My clothing and holsters do the job, and sometimes I don't even feel like I am carrying. A slight print is not noticeable by most.

 

[Michaelp57]

I've only been carrying for about two years now. My initial main concern was concealment, but that hasn't been as big of a concern. My main concern nowadays is wardrobe choice. I usually like to wear basketball shorts when it's nice outside and concealing my shield is easy enough, but it always feels like the shorts are tied too tight, or they're tied too loose and the grip starts to try and dip below my waistline. Last thing I need is to have to fish for my gun in a moment when I need to quickly draw, because I didnt tie my shorts quite tight enough that day

 

[max503]

My first time carrying, I got stuck in a supermarket checkout line for about 10 minutes at 1 a.m. with a cop right behind me. I had a Taurus 605, which is not a small gun, in my front pocket. Thought there would be a scene, for sure.
After that I've never really gotten nervous about carrying.

 

[USMCshooter]

I CC always (OC not legal here and I see no advantage). IWB, OWB or Pocket depending where I expect to be and what I will carry. I always make an honest attempt to conceal, but I'm not over concerned about printing or flashing. I don't think anyones looking anyway.

 

[Echo40]

I was never really concerned about the visibility of my concealed carry weapon because all I had to do was look in a mirror or ask family members if I was printing to confirm that nobody could tell.

That being said, I do wear 5.11 brand cargo pants/shorts, which some folks on gun forums insist that literally everyone on planet earth is aware of and has a reputation for being worn by law enforcement officers and civilians who carry concealed, so according to them every I pass on the street automatically knows that I'm carrying a firearm based on the brand of pants I'm wearing.

 

[Wyo]

I’ve carried one way or another most days for more than 45 years. I was a bit concerned at first about being spotted, but I realized years ago that most people are so self-absorbed and/or busy with their own concerns or phones or whatever that you could carry a gun on a string around your neck and 99% of the people you pass by wouldn’t notice it. Those that did would probably just say “Hey, nice gun!”

 

[chief38]

Wondering about your thinking processes here.

When you first began to carry, what did you think about? Were you concerned with concealment? Did you think others might be able to tell? Did you have concerns about your holster, the cant, your ammo, carrying one in the pipe?

Also curious as to how you moved through the process and acclimated.

Thanks!

Rich

Concealment (especially in NYS) is numero uno! It is against the law to carry opened and in NYS and a gun peaking out is considered brandishing a weapon. Not only can you be arrested you will loose your CCW. I used to live in NYS so I am familiar with their anti gun laws.

The right combo of caliber, size, weight, bulk, caliber, shoot-ability, ease of carry and concealment is what must be found for you. I'd also suggest a caliber that is potent, easy to find in any configuration and available in local stores (again, NYS does not allow shipping ammo to individuals any longer).

NYS is now going through lots of litigation, law suites and political power struggles, so make sure you read, understand and follow all their rules - as nonsensical as some of them are!

 

[robvious]

When I started, concealment was my biggest concern, closely followed by learning to not check it manually or visually, that took the longest time for me at least. Nervous hands on is a dead giveaway that you are up to something. Eventually you acclimate to carrying it, just like a wallet.. it only becomes noticeable when it is NOT there.

 

[1911haulic]

I think my cap gives me away, I usually wear a black cap with the American flag on it. If it does, that's ok with me.

 

[Benton Quest]

I was never really concerned about the visibility of my concealed carry weapon because all I had to do was look in a mirror or ask family members if I was printing to confirm that nobody could tell.

That being said, I do wear 5.11 brand cargo pants/shorts, which some folks on gun forums insist that literally everyone on planet earth is aware of and has a reputation for being worn by law enforcement officers and civilians who carry concealed, so according to them every I pass on the street automatically knows that I'm carrying a firearm based on the brand of pants I'm wearing.

Ah yes. The "Shoot Me First" pants.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

 

[Marshal Tom]

I have been carrying for over 50 years pretty much daily with never an issue. I have never been made, stopped etc. that i know of in all that time. I'm with Wyo above when he says that most people are so oblivious that they don't notice anything! Now if Balin above was to carry that 3" 629 AIWB, I bet the woman would notice and maybe ask for his contact information!

 

[Bald1]

Been carrying concealed in NY since 1990. I applied for permit as soon as I turned 21. Took 6 months to get approved. Now it takes a year and six months. I grew up shooting my dads S&Ws so I was plenty experienced by the time I got my permit. I was perfectly comfortable but concealment was always in the back of my mind. Always one in the pipe. If your gun is not loaded you are not armed. It always makes me laugh when people in the movies have to rack their slide or work their bolt before engaging bad guys. Especially when they show a cop or soldier doing it.