Concealed Carry--What gun to carry?

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glock06

New member
Saw a fellow at the movies last night in an untucked tee shirt with a bulge on his right hip. He gave himself away when he casually adjusted/moved the gun/holster with his right hand. He was obviously wearing an IWB rig.

This was not "concealed carry" and presumably violates the law.

It great to carry concealed but sometimes one rig doesn't cut it.

Concealed carry means "concealed".

I live in the SE US.The southeastern US is a hard place to carry concealed year round.Winter-sweaters etc,-easy. Spring/Fall with windbreakers-harder. Summer-hardest.

Less clothes demand smaller lighter guns-cause you obviously you can't easily tote a double stack Para 45 with your sandals, light weight shorts and tee shirt in the summer.

Solutions?
Summer may mean pocket pistols like the Ruger LCP or S&W 38 bellyguns with a Barami grip. 38's on a lanyard.etc. The challenge with these guns is finding ammo which will penetrate the FBI's 12 inch minimum and which is also accurate.

It would be fascinating to see the concealed carry folks do a standard police handgun qualifier, Betcha we would see some folks with guns poorly secured, poorly concealed, poorly shooting the wrong gun(for them), and shooting inaccurate(for their gun) "hi tech" ammo.

I have been guilty of all that in the past. A good friend in law enforcement helped me. Analyze your carry, make sure it is accurate offhand out to 25 yds and meets FBI standards. Then practice drawing and dry fire regularly.

THEN CARRY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!You may save a life, possibly your own!:):):):)
 
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Saw a fellow at the movies last night in an untucked tee shirt with a bulge on his right hip. He gave himself away when he casually adjusted/moved the gun/holster with his right hand. He was obviously wearing an IWB rig.

This was not "concealed carry" and presumably violates the law.
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Depends entirely upon where you are.

Ohio's an open carry state. I don't need to conceal AT ALL. "Printing" has no legal meaning here.

I take a reasonable effort to conceal, but don't go crazy about it. If somebody sees a "bulge" under my tucked polo shirt, it's none of their business whether it's a gun, a cell phone, or a conjoined twin. If they call the cops, nine times out of ten, they'll be told to go about their business. Seven times out of ten, they'll get the same result if they report somebody open carrying.

PS - A gunfight at 25 yards is probably going to raise "duty to retreat" issues. Nobody gets carjacked at 25 yards, and I'm sure VERY rarely home invaded at that distance. Those are the two locations in which Ohio "castle doctrine" comes into play. Which is not to say that any of my guns aren't more than accurate enough at 50 yards, but the chances of my engaging at either of those ranges are vanishingly small. If I have to shoot somebody, the odds are overwhelming that it'll be at 7 yards or closer, probably MUCH closer. At most common self-defense engagement ranges, a smoothbore muzzleloader would have adequate accuracy.
 
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In PA, it is the same as OH. Except in Philadelphia, where a permit is needed for open or concealed carry, and where open carry is likely to produce complaint calls to the cops and them hassling the armed citizen, you can carry a gun in PA openly and there is no duty to conceal it. There is, of course, considerable tactical advantage in concealing the gun. But if I go to a reasonable effort to conceal the gun but someone "knows" I have a gun on my waist, or can "see" the outline of a gun, etc, it does not matter. By far, most people would assume that you are a cop (off-duty, undercover, etc), and would think nothing of you having a gun on your waist. To fellow gun-carryers, it means nothing except that if a bad guy pops up, there will be at least one other guy shooting at the bad guy and drawing the bad guy's fire away from me. These states where people panic over reaching up to the top shelf of the grocery store because their gun might become outlined against their jacket -- it just cracks me up. It's crazy. Elect more responsible legislators and you might have some real rights.

25 yards ??? I doubt many bad guys can shoot accurately enough at 25 yards to be of much concern to me. If I've already got 25 yards between me and the bad guy, I'll make it 50 yards in a moment and I doubt I'd be shooting my gun.
 
I used to think smaller guns were necessary, but with the crossbreed supertuck, I carry a full size 1911 everywhere. I live in Texas. T-shirts and shorts are the norm.
With a good belt, and a slightly longer(think big and tall) t-shirt, no one even notices. I could even tuck in the shirt if I wanted, but don't bother.
 
He was obviously wearing an IWB rig.
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Just how obvious was it? Could you DEFINITELY identify the bulge as a handgun?

This was not "concealed carry" and presumably violates the law.
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Not necessarily. In SC, "printing" is ok as long as it's not identifiable as the outline of a handgun and as long as "an effort is being made to conceal". Casual, accidental flashing is ok.

It great to carry concealed but sometimes one rig doesn't cut it.
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That's a true statement. When I began carrying, I quickly learned to dress around my gun.

Concealed carry means "concealed".
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True, but different states have different connotations of that word.

Less clothes demand smaller lighter guns-cause you obviously you can't easily tote a double stack Para 45 with your sandals, light weight shorts and tee shirt in the summer.
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I carry a Steyr S40 under an untucked sport shirt and shorts. It's easy with the right holster/belt combo and dress.

The challenge with these guns is finding ammo which will penetrate the FBI's 12 inch minimum and which is also accurate.
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What? There is no FBI standard for private citizen carry ammo.

Betcha we would see some folks with guns poorly secured, poorly concealed, poorly shooting the wrong gun(for them), and shooting inaccurate(for their gun) "hi tech" ammo.
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And who would be the "expert" to decide that?

Analyze your carry, make sure it is accurate offhand out to 25 yds and meets FBI standards.
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WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT - FBI standards??? Just what are these "standards"? I'm not a member of the FBI and frankly don't care what "standards" they and their carry guns/ammo have to meet. I carry what I feel is best to protect my life from a civilian point of view. The FBI isn't the God who wrote the manual for self defense for civilians. Their needs are MUCH different than ours.

25 YARDS? 75 FEET??? Most gunfights happen within 15 feet or less. For me to pull the trigger, I have to feel an imminent threat to my life or imminent threat of severe bodily injury. Unless the BG has a gun pointed at me - from that distance, there is no threat and I can't fire.
 
I carry in South Florida in the summer. Solution is a 642 in front pocket loaded with DPX. A .38 DPX round fired from a snub passes the FBI denim + 12 inch penetration test.

There are not too many scenerios (rape, robbery, assault) where your attacker is going to be 25 yards away. Most gunfights are at a distance of 10 feet or less especially in a civilian SD situation.
 
It's funny that people carried all sorts of guns for years and years-used them, too. They worked.
Now, with FBI penetration standards and Internet commandos-we find out we did it all wrong!
Civilian carry has nothing in common with law enforcement carry. :rolleyes:
 
I own 38 special .357 mag.40 sw.32 acp 22lr.Guess what i carry every day.A beretta 21a.in 22lr .At least it is something and.better than nothing.When was your last gun fight.:D
 
*FBI standards for penetration suggests 12 inches in gelatin preferred. Means you can penetrate to the vital organs and hopefully stop the threat!!

Obviously no standards are set for any civilian concealed carry.Will your ammo work? Don't care about penetration and you might not stop a threat!
Obviously do whatever trips your trigger. It's your life!

*Decent 25 yard accuracy doesn't mean you will shoot at 25 yards! Nothing was said about SHOOTING at 25 yards, guys. It means the gun/load are reasonably accurate.

*If you don't care about accuracy you may find yourself sitting in front of a jury explaining how you accidentally shot an innocent bustander.

Hope everybody has a great day!!:):)
 
That's a true statement. When I began carrying, I quickly learned to dress around my gun.
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+1. I prefer a pair of cargo shorts with a pocket holstered J frame Smith, or a Tank top tucked with an IWBed G19 and a loose unbuttoned shirt over it.
 
Concealed means anything used to block immediate recognition. Are you sure he wasn't carrying a cellphone etc.?
As far as making sure everyone is FBI quality in order to carry thats nuts. If someone starts shooting at 25yds there is no way you can say it was unavoidable to shoot. . Maybe you should have to qualify with live bullets firing and women screaming , children crying men yelling, people running and maybe a dark area. By the way shoot the bad guy only targeting. The last thing gun owners should do is to nit pick the laws and complain to make it tougher to own or carry a gun.
 
In the summer in NC, I CCW a Glock 26 in a MTAC IWB. I think the important thing is to have a good belt and buy shirts 1 size larger than normal. To a regular person, the "bulge" under my shirt could be anything from a pager to a cell phone to an insulin pump or colostomy bag!
 
Don't care about penetration and you might not stop a threat!
Obviously do whatever trips your trigger. It's your life!
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I carry Corbon DPX, Hornady Critical Defense, or Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel ammo in my .38 spcl., .380 Auto, .40 S&W, and 9mm carry pieces. If you can fault those rounds, go right ahead. BTW, what do YOU carry and in what caliber?

*If you don't care about accuracy you may find yourself sitting in front of a jury explaining how you accidentally shot an innocent bustander.
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Not me, maybe you. I can hit what I aim at (yes, even at 25 yards, although it would probably be very irresponsible to shoot at that distance), FBI standards notwithstanding. Again, who made THEM the final word on what to carry for PD?

What is your level of expertise that you know what's the final word on carry?
 
Less clothes demand smaller lighter guns-cause you obviously you can't easily tote a double stack Para 45 with your sandals, light weight shorts and tee shirt in the summer.
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Living in Alaska there are not too many days where I am not wearing at least two layers on top; therefore, CC is pretty darn easy here.

That said, I have carried double stacked duty sized handguns concealed when vacationing while wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and an untucked short sleeve shirt while wearing sandals. (Yes, there are states that recognize Alaska's ACHP.)

It is entirely possible to carry full sized handguns in a hot climate. It is easier to carry a smaller gun, of course. Is it necessary? No.

A good holster, belt, and dressing around them makes all of the difference. The only situation that comes to mind that would be very difficult would be if someone wanted to CC and wear a speedo or a bikini, good luck with that one!
 
When I first started CCin' I was all about not leaving any hint of having it on my person. After a few trips I found I don't care about a slight bulge, or the imprint being under the shirt as I walk in the wind. I say let others speculate on what you may be hiding.

I've started OCin' depending on where I am, the fact don't like people staring is the only reason I don't OC everywhere. I'd rather a BG spot my weapon and change his plans than have to use my weapon.

I alternate HP and FMJ in my magazines.

I tried shooting my M&P 9c yesterday at 50 yards....3 out of 5 hit the target, I hope I never have to try and shoot that distance in real life.
 
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In North Florida, for me, a G19+Crossbreed SuperTuck+shorts+black T-shirt=concealed. I'm no body-builder, so my T-shirts are fairly loose normally.

Also, the bulge one Movie Theater Commando may notice, most everyone else won't.

That being said, I do want to get a pocket pistol for carry when my clothes won't allow an IWB, but that has more to do with maybe dressing up in a tux, or something else out of the ordinary, than hot weather.
 
I won't join the PD ammo debate or how far is too far for a CC self defense shot.

I am a CC permittee and I live in a hot southeastern state but I could open carry if I chose. I choose to conceal, and to conceal well.

I have many, many handguns but during the summer I have several go to guns for hot weather clothing. Option 1: 2" .38 Special J frame. I have a Gould & Goodrich ankle holster and a Galco Royal Guard IWB for that gun, plus it drops nicely into the front pocket of my ubiquitous cargo shorts. Option 2: Kahr PM9 for which I have a Galco Matrix M7X holster and a Kramer ankle holster. It, too, drops nicely into the pocket of the cargo shorts. Option 3: Kel-Tec P3AT that goes into the pocket of any pants without a problem.

I can also go with the Glock 19 in the Kramer IWB #3 or one of my 1911s in the Andrews Leather McDaniel II IWB, but those start to push the envelope on printing if I'm not in a suit or sportcoat.
 
glock06:

Solutions?
Summer may mean pocket pistols like the Ruger LCP or S&W 38 bellyguns with a Barami grip. 38's on a lanyard.etc. The challenge with these guns is finding ammo which will penetrate the FBI's 12 inch minimum and which is also accurate.
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It's funny how good my "Belly gun" (S&W 638) shoots .38spl 135g +P GDHP at 50 yards.
 
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