I'll be a newbie to ccw in a couple of months (fingers crossed for the few months’ part). My question however is that I've not carried before and would like an opinion as to the best way for me. I'm about 5'11" and 230 lbs. I just got in my Tucker Gunleather Silent Thunder IWB of my G23. I'm looking for any tips I can get. On your mark, get set, go.
CCW Tips
- Thread starter payden
- Start date
Personally, I can't, or won't, do the IWB carry. I have no butt, and there seems to be precious little space for me in my britches let alone a firearm. I prefer the paddle holsters (Safariland and Bianchi). But either way, providing you don't have to get larger britches to accomodate your pistola, then stick with your present course of action for 2 or 3 weeks of constant carry until you get comfortable with it. Then, try domething else so you can have a basis for your own educated comparison. We're about the same height and, well, you have a few pounds on me- but I've learned to carry a full size 1911 without hesitation, question, or issue.
imthegrumpyone
New member
Use to carry one of my .40s in a Don Hume at 6:00, now I've traded for a Clipdraw in the same spot, I've found out SOB works best for me, carry *every where*, you'll get use to it. In a short while it'll be second nature.
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Good for you! Glad to have another good guy with a gun.
First of all, concealability is overrated.
People are way too wrapped up in their own lives to pay attention to any bulges under your clothes. Nobody’s looking for guns. They’re oblivious.
I've been carrying a gun daily here in Florida since 1988. It took quite a while for me to realize how little people see of what's happening around them. The fact is, unless you're a supermodel or on fire, no one will give you a 2nd look. Hell, they won't give you a 1st look.
I generally carry a Glock 19, but I carried a M-29 Smith .44 Maggie in an OWB holster complete with 2 speedloaders under a Hawaiian shirt for a few weeks just for fun. The thing stuck out a mile. Felt like half a steel grapefruit hung on my belt. At 5'9" and 150 lbs, it was obvious as hell. No one noticed a thing.
I know it seems like there's a big Neon sign over your head that says, "GUN!!", but there isn't.
Relax.
I have a strong aversion to any holster that requires two hands. Tuckables, fanny pacs, etc. You might not have both hands available during an attack, especially if it starts at very close range, which they usually do.
If you're like the rest of us, you'll change your gun (and number of guns you carry) and holster several times until you find what you really like. Then you'll do it again as your tastes change. Be prepared to own a bunch of holsters you no longer use. After all these years, I recently changed from a G19 to an XD45 to a G17. I always carry a P3AT in my front left pocket as a backup and in case I can't get to my main gun.
YMMV.
Have fun!!
First of all, concealability is overrated.
People are way too wrapped up in their own lives to pay attention to any bulges under your clothes. Nobody’s looking for guns. They’re oblivious.
I've been carrying a gun daily here in Florida since 1988. It took quite a while for me to realize how little people see of what's happening around them. The fact is, unless you're a supermodel or on fire, no one will give you a 2nd look. Hell, they won't give you a 1st look.
I generally carry a Glock 19, but I carried a M-29 Smith .44 Maggie in an OWB holster complete with 2 speedloaders under a Hawaiian shirt for a few weeks just for fun. The thing stuck out a mile. Felt like half a steel grapefruit hung on my belt. At 5'9" and 150 lbs, it was obvious as hell. No one noticed a thing.
I know it seems like there's a big Neon sign over your head that says, "GUN!!", but there isn't.
Relax.
I have a strong aversion to any holster that requires two hands. Tuckables, fanny pacs, etc. You might not have both hands available during an attack, especially if it starts at very close range, which they usually do.
If you're like the rest of us, you'll change your gun (and number of guns you carry) and holster several times until you find what you really like. Then you'll do it again as your tastes change. Be prepared to own a bunch of holsters you no longer use. After all these years, I recently changed from a G19 to an XD45 to a G17. I always carry a P3AT in my front left pocket as a backup and in case I can't get to my main gun.
YMMV.
Have fun!!
I've had my CC permit for a year now and I've bought and sold several holtsters. Unfortunately there is no easy answer. It is a matter of gun, body type and comfort. All varies from one to another.
I've settled on a S&W 442 in a desantis pocket holster and a makarov in a cheap IWB nylon holster.
I've ordered a leather pancake holster for my Mak.
We'll see. If I don't like it you may see it on gunbroker.
I've settled on a S&W 442 in a desantis pocket holster and a makarov in a cheap IWB nylon holster.
I've ordered a leather pancake holster for my Mak.
We'll see. If I don't like it you may see it on gunbroker.
Here's what I've learned:
Don't be afraid to experiment a little bit. Most people will go through multiple handguns and countless holster before they find the right combination.
Don't assume that one gun must do everything. While you need to be familiar with any handgun you trust your life to, It's OK to trust more than one. Many people own both a full-size and compact or subcompact version of a given gun and carry the one best suited to the situation, (Eg. Glock 17 and 19 or 26, Govt Model 1911 and a Commander or Officers model, S&W K, L, or N Frame revolver and a J-Frame).
Making any reasonably sized handgun invisible is not practical. It will either be extremely uncomfortable or not easily accessable. The goal, instead should be to "camouflauge" the gun rather than make it disappear. A little printing is OK so long as it's not immediately recognizable as a gun. If you absolutely must perform a handgun vanishing act, you need to accept that you're going to have to do it with a pretty small gun.
Too much of a good thing is still too much. Beware of guns that are both too large and too small. A large cailber is fine and good, but not if the gun required to shoot it is so large that you can't conceal it and thusly don't carry it. While carrying a large gun is doable, anyone who claims to carry a Govt Model 1911 or S&W N-Frame in their swim trunks at the beach is likely full of it. Conversely, beware of guns that are too small. The trend in defensive handguns these days seems to be miniaturizing everything as much as possible. While this is nice to carry, there's no free lunch. Miniaturizing means that capacity, controlability, reliability, caliber, sights, or any combination of the preceding must be sacrificed to some degree. Even the smallest handgun that you carry all the time is no good if it doesn't work, doesn't have the desired effect downrange, or you can't hit anything with it.
Don't skimp on equipment. You're not saving yourself a dime by buying a cheapo nylon holster (not that you would do such a thing anyway) because you'll only wind up buying a good one later after you get tired of fighting with the cheapo. IMHO, leather is the material of choice as it both holds the gun securely yet can be made concealable. Kydex or whatever other name they choose to call a plastic holster by is OK, but in my experience leather can be made more concealable. There is absolutely no excuse for buying inferior quality magazines, speedloaders, or carry ammo (again, not that you would do such a thing). These items, particularly in no larger quantity than they are needed, are relativley cheap. Do not try to save a nickel by buying El Cheapo mags from Jerkwater Egypt or Billy Bob's super discount reloads when you life may very well depend on these items. You don't need 25 mags or speedloaders (2-3 are plenty) or 2000 rounds of carry ammo (a few boxes which are periodically rotated out for new should suffice) so the premium stuff isn't all that expensive.
Practice. Don't get so caught up in everything else that you forget to actually shoot once in a while. As a general rule, I try to go to the range and shoot at least 50-100 rounds at least once a month. While I understand you can't always make it that often (I know I can't sometimes), if you're only shooting annually or semi-anually you're not shooting enough.
Don't be afraid to experiment a little bit. Most people will go through multiple handguns and countless holster before they find the right combination.
Don't assume that one gun must do everything. While you need to be familiar with any handgun you trust your life to, It's OK to trust more than one. Many people own both a full-size and compact or subcompact version of a given gun and carry the one best suited to the situation, (Eg. Glock 17 and 19 or 26, Govt Model 1911 and a Commander or Officers model, S&W K, L, or N Frame revolver and a J-Frame).
Making any reasonably sized handgun invisible is not practical. It will either be extremely uncomfortable or not easily accessable. The goal, instead should be to "camouflauge" the gun rather than make it disappear. A little printing is OK so long as it's not immediately recognizable as a gun. If you absolutely must perform a handgun vanishing act, you need to accept that you're going to have to do it with a pretty small gun.
Too much of a good thing is still too much. Beware of guns that are both too large and too small. A large cailber is fine and good, but not if the gun required to shoot it is so large that you can't conceal it and thusly don't carry it. While carrying a large gun is doable, anyone who claims to carry a Govt Model 1911 or S&W N-Frame in their swim trunks at the beach is likely full of it. Conversely, beware of guns that are too small. The trend in defensive handguns these days seems to be miniaturizing everything as much as possible. While this is nice to carry, there's no free lunch. Miniaturizing means that capacity, controlability, reliability, caliber, sights, or any combination of the preceding must be sacrificed to some degree. Even the smallest handgun that you carry all the time is no good if it doesn't work, doesn't have the desired effect downrange, or you can't hit anything with it.
Don't skimp on equipment. You're not saving yourself a dime by buying a cheapo nylon holster (not that you would do such a thing anyway) because you'll only wind up buying a good one later after you get tired of fighting with the cheapo. IMHO, leather is the material of choice as it both holds the gun securely yet can be made concealable. Kydex or whatever other name they choose to call a plastic holster by is OK, but in my experience leather can be made more concealable. There is absolutely no excuse for buying inferior quality magazines, speedloaders, or carry ammo (again, not that you would do such a thing). These items, particularly in no larger quantity than they are needed, are relativley cheap. Do not try to save a nickel by buying El Cheapo mags from Jerkwater Egypt or Billy Bob's super discount reloads when you life may very well depend on these items. You don't need 25 mags or speedloaders (2-3 are plenty) or 2000 rounds of carry ammo (a few boxes which are periodically rotated out for new should suffice) so the premium stuff isn't all that expensive.
Practice. Don't get so caught up in everything else that you forget to actually shoot once in a while. As a general rule, I try to go to the range and shoot at least 50-100 rounds at least once a month. While I understand you can't always make it that often (I know I can't sometimes), if you're only shooting annually or semi-anually you're not shooting enough.
My advice: a good belt makes a whole lot of difference in how comfortable you are over a long period. A good gun belt is THICK and STIFF. That's how it spreads the load around.
First choice would be a "purpose built" gun belt. All the (leather) holster makers have them. Second choice would be anything really stiff.
After 6 hours you'll notice the difference.
First choice would be a "purpose built" gun belt. All the (leather) holster makers have them. Second choice would be anything really stiff.
After 6 hours you'll notice the difference.
What about those IWB Blackhawk holsters that seem to like neroprene?
I bought one for my full size m/p as something to start with and I've come to like it (as long as I'm wearing a belt). Thankfully I have enough mass (belly) that it hides easily under a shirt. However, I'm looking for a compact m/p now and I'm not sure if I want the same thing since I plan on carrying more now, and I'd like something that I can keep just as incognito.
I bought one for my full size m/p as something to start with and I've come to like it (as long as I'm wearing a belt). Thankfully I have enough mass (belly) that it hides easily under a shirt. However, I'm looking for a compact m/p now and I'm not sure if I want the same thing since I plan on carrying more now, and I'd like something that I can keep just as incognito.
I want a CCW, but the stealthy yearly background checks and insidious (rather indirect but there - read your state's gun owners guide you will be surprised how much tracking is actually going on in supposedly gun-friendly states.) bother me and keep me from applying for one. Not that I am a criminal or anything, I get checked every time I buy a fire arm anyway, but I just feel the intrusiveness is a bit much. I also undergo random and frequent background checks for my job. It bothers me they insist so much on tracking and tracking more all the law abiding citizens who exercise the 2nd amendment rights, and get checked before the acquire the permits anyway, but oh, there is never enough money to track the criminals.
There are so many gun restrictions that without a CCW you don't even realistically know what they can trump up and get you on, merely transporting your fire arm. Federal guarantees not with standing ofcourse. Now to alleviate some of the risk, a CCW is a good idea even if you won't carry often, but you open yourself to relentless privacy intrusions. Whatever happened to the 2nd amendment right in its pure form. GUN RIGHTS NOW!
Been mugged once about 15yrs ago. My wallet only had $40. They took it and left me unharmed. Then 4yrs ago I was in an attempted car jarking in NJ. Again my angle was looking out, they broke my door handle but left quickly because apparently there were already being pursued by the cops.
2yrs ago, in Maryland, I woke up one morning to find a man in my living room. I walked into the room un-armed and asked who are you and what do you want? Guy simply walked out, I called the cops, and cop advised me to move. I did! Funny thing is I felt no fear, and it never crossed my mind that the guy could have hurt me and my odds were really bad too. Guy was never caught. So last year I had a bad dream one day, and the Maryland event replayed in my dream, only this time the guy decided to attack me with some knife of some kind. Next day, I started thinking what if it happens here? How many times am I going to move? I decided that day to get a home defense gun. Now I have two defensive guns (9mm Berreta PX4 Storm, and .45 Kimber Ultra Covert II), and a .22lr P22 for fun/practice. Things change once you are a victim of some crime.
I knew nothing about guns, the law on them etc, and didn't care. Now I have a little fire in my berry. I get it now. I still wont carry much even with a CCW, but there are times that call for it. I want to be and I am a responsible owner. I am glad I live in a state and country where I have a 2nd amendment right, well sort off anyway.
There are so many gun restrictions that without a CCW you don't even realistically know what they can trump up and get you on, merely transporting your fire arm. Federal guarantees not with standing ofcourse. Now to alleviate some of the risk, a CCW is a good idea even if you won't carry often, but you open yourself to relentless privacy intrusions. Whatever happened to the 2nd amendment right in its pure form. GUN RIGHTS NOW!
Been mugged once about 15yrs ago. My wallet only had $40. They took it and left me unharmed. Then 4yrs ago I was in an attempted car jarking in NJ. Again my angle was looking out, they broke my door handle but left quickly because apparently there were already being pursued by the cops.
2yrs ago, in Maryland, I woke up one morning to find a man in my living room. I walked into the room un-armed and asked who are you and what do you want? Guy simply walked out, I called the cops, and cop advised me to move. I did! Funny thing is I felt no fear, and it never crossed my mind that the guy could have hurt me and my odds were really bad too. Guy was never caught. So last year I had a bad dream one day, and the Maryland event replayed in my dream, only this time the guy decided to attack me with some knife of some kind. Next day, I started thinking what if it happens here? How many times am I going to move? I decided that day to get a home defense gun. Now I have two defensive guns (9mm Berreta PX4 Storm, and .45 Kimber Ultra Covert II), and a .22lr P22 for fun/practice. Things change once you are a victim of some crime.
I knew nothing about guns, the law on them etc, and didn't care. Now I have a little fire in my berry. I get it now. I still wont carry much even with a CCW, but there are times that call for it. I want to be and I am a responsible owner. I am glad I live in a state and country where I have a 2nd amendment right, well sort off anyway.
chris in va
New member
KNOW your local/state/federal laws. Know them well enough that you find yourself correcting other people.
Unloaded, practice drawing from IWB at home...hundreds of times, with various cover garments. It's harder than you think.
Watch that Glock trigger.
Don't feel bad if you want something thinner in a couple months. IWB isn't that comfortable.
Don't be paranoid, be aware. Go about your daily life as usual. You've lived this far without a gun, don't go around expecting you'll need it now that you've taken the 'red pill'.
Carry everywhere you can, not just when you "might need it". Easier that way.
Take a level II defensive course once you have decent range time down.
Unloaded, practice drawing from IWB at home...hundreds of times, with various cover garments. It's harder than you think.
Watch that Glock trigger.
Don't feel bad if you want something thinner in a couple months. IWB isn't that comfortable.
Don't be paranoid, be aware. Go about your daily life as usual. You've lived this far without a gun, don't go around expecting you'll need it now that you've taken the 'red pill'.
Carry everywhere you can, not just when you "might need it". Easier that way.
Take a level II defensive course once you have decent range time down.
Double Naught Spy
New member
On the notion of buying a good belt and holster, note that they must fit one another and they must fit the belt loops on the pants. If the belt slots on the holster are too big for the belt, the holster will rock and move around. If the belt loops on the pants are too big for the bet, the belt will move around and so your holster will move around.
When it comes to concealment garments, remember this when it comes to what does and does not conceal...
Thicker fabric is better than thin (especially multiple layers) ("thick" helps limit printing physically)
Dark colors are better than light colors ("dark" helps hide shadows produced by printing)
Patterns are better than solids ("patterns" breakup possible outlines of printing)
When it comes to concealment garments, remember this when it comes to what does and does not conceal...
Thicker fabric is better than thin (especially multiple layers) ("thick" helps limit printing physically)
Dark colors are better than light colors ("dark" helps hide shadows produced by printing)
Patterns are better than solids ("patterns" breakup possible outlines of printing)
While you are carrying stop by the bathroom in a large store like Walmart and go to their bathroom and sit on the toilet. What do you have to with your gun to do so? You don't want it sitting on the floor due to cleanliness and also the guy in the next stall could reach under and get it. Do you hang it from the coat hook? An interesting situation. I carry in my strong side pocket so don't have to worry about these issues. Be careful about carrying it into US Government buildings, courthouses, bars, etc.
Kreyzhorse
New member
1. Get a good belt and holster set up. They are more expensive but are worth it.
2. No matter what belt and holster you use, you'll still have to learn to "dress around your gun." Untucked shirts, baggy pants, sweatshirts or jackets are a few options.
3. No one is staring at you because you are carrying a gun. Most people are oblivious to most every thing so that slight bulge underneath your shirt won't alarm them.
2. No matter what belt and holster you use, you'll still have to learn to "dress around your gun." Untucked shirts, baggy pants, sweatshirts or jackets are a few options.
3. No one is staring at you because you are carrying a gun. Most people are oblivious to most every thing so that slight bulge underneath your shirt won't alarm them.
Willie Lowman
New member
That isn't true. There is a guy who once lived in my town who was mugged FOR HIS .45! He did a lousy job of concealing it and I would say a gun is just like a diamond necklace to a junkie, something to grab and trade for dope!
Before you demand to know how you mug someone for their side arm, I don't know I wasn't there. I would guess that the element of surprise is important.