First time CCW - felt weird

It is mandatory that all newbie CCW permit holders do 3 "Wally Walks" with at least 1 sit down restroom visit and 2 "Quikie Mart", tours all isles, within the first 2 weeks of receiving their permits or it will be revoked.
Congrats on the permit, and relax, nobody is going to ask you:
" Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me."
 
On several of those "occasions", I got somewhere along my way, and suddenly realized that my carry gun wasn't in it's "usual" place in an OWB holster at 3:30.

And for just an instant, I felt a bit "naked" without it being there; it just lasts long enough for me to remember that I put it somewhere else. Under my left arm, IWB at 1:00, or in a pocket.
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That's why I carry in one place, with the same holster, with the same gun EVERY time I go out.

I don't want to take a split second wondering where it is today.
 
1st Time CCW

I usually carry the same set-up, LCP in a pocket holser and I became very comfortable with it after just a few times in public. The Wally-walk posts are a hoot, but Wal-Mart is truly a good place to get comfortable. Or go to a mall and just walk around a bit. I've been surprised how un-observant people are- it seems to me like the gun and holster "print" somewhat but no one has ever seemed to notice or care if they did.

I did order a Don Hume belt holster last night for the little LCP. As I've carried the gun in my pocket I've become aware that it is very hard to get to there when I'm seated. I'm not sure is the belt-carry holster is going to be a lot better, but it only costs $25 to find out.
 
I carry my LCP in my left front pocket, I'll put in hand in the pocket or not, it really makes no difference with this setup. The gun is so slim you can't tell if the pocket is empty or not. Before my LCP I carried a Beretta 21A same pocket.

I got over the "feeling" in about a week. I never think about it anymore. It's been a couple years.
 
Spot 'em

A good pastime is spotting other carriers. Now that you carry you learn what to look for.

February and Hawaiian shirt: probable carrier.
Shirttail carefully carelessly partly untucked: probable carrier.
Front pocket a bit too full: probable carrier.
Warm weather and casual vest (buttoned): probable carrier.
Walking through Wal-Mart looking nervous: probable (new) carrier.
 
CC a full size gun a few times and you'll realize that nobody notices it, after that you won't even think about people looking at you when you carry a pocket pistol.
 
Congrats on joining the carry "gang" and exercising your right to defense! That feeling will pass soon enough, depending on how you carry and how concious you let yourself be.

I carried for a few weeks before I found I wasn't occasionally making a few "checkups" on my gun and rig. It took several months, maybe even more than a year before I became completely oblivious about it. Now I will act normally, not bothering much if it shows accidentally (though accidental flashing and open carry is legal here in PA). Now, some 4 years or so after getting my CCL, I have no problem with open carry, though I prefer not to.

Just give it some time. Especially with a pocket carry gun, you won't have anything to worry about. I started with an "evil-black handgun" on my belt, but have since moved to a stainless revolver (which stands out much more, but seems less troublesome oddly enough.)
 
ClayInTx hit the nail on the new head.

Got a detective friend that ALWAYS wears a Plantation Shirt aka Hawaiian Shirt, regardless of what the weather is doing. His .357 revolver is always IWB strongside. I'm not a fan of IWB so I always wear a sport jacket in the evenings when I go out or if it's really warm, I will not tuck my shirt-tails in and leave the jacket home. I wear my gun strongside in a belt holster. When I ride my motorcycle, I always wear a leather vest and carry in a shoulder holster. Gets kinda hot but little price to pay for the peace of mind.

Yup, if the style of dress looks a little weird for the conditions, there's probably a reason.
 
I have to ask.....

Did you carry in the local Walmart?

Most folks seem to use this as their first test carry!

Jamie
 
i am with a few other posters...i feel weird when i don't have my gun on me. i actually fidget and adjust my belt MORE when i'm not "holding"

i carry a full-size 9mm. i'm not a small guy, but i'm not huge either (5'10, 220 lbs). after about a month or so, i never even noticed the gun anymore
 
As some have posted after carrying for a while you feel naked without it. Had to take a business trip this weekend and flew out on Saturday evening and back this morning. No checked luggage so I had no gun and no knife. I really felt weird until I got home today and put on the G36 before heading to work. :)

As many have stated, it just takes time. No magical formula and it varies with everyone. A good friend who has had CCW for at least 5 years told me last week he has never carried his weapon on his person! He has his permit but just never has been able to strap it on.

For most of us it is a huge mental step to actually have a loaded firearm on our person and understand the responsibilities that come with that. Acting normal at first can be challenging. Try carrying around the house a few days just to get the feel and the ride of the holster. And GET A GOOD HOLSTER. Don't put a $600 gun in a $19.99 holster unless it is just absolutely the best thing ever.
 
And GET A GOOD HOLSTER. Don't put a $600 gun in a $19.99 holster unless it is just absolutely the best thing ever.
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I put a $950 gun in a 20 buck holster every day. Don Hume JIT Slide, absolutely one of the best and most comfortable I've found.
 
It goes away.

I was the same way. I think most people are their first while concealed carry.

Now, I feel weird if I DON'T have it...

P.S. My particular carry holster is a Bianchi ATD6 IWB. Cost $19.99....Man I love that thing. I know maybe there's better, but it stays in one spot, and carrys good :D

P.P.S. My carry guns are a Sig 226 .40 and Sig 220 .45.
 
Take note that most adults are a little inhibited about staring at other people and will not be checking you out, wondering if that bulge, where ever it is, is a weapon. Others are not so reserved, especially children, and just might be better at spotting something a little odd. You might call that the "emporer's new clothes" syndrome. On the other hand, as another just metnioned, if you are more firearms conscious, you tend to notice certain things, like people who seem to be overdressed on a hot day or acting a little weird. Other things about them seem go fit the image, which I imagine is something you want to avoid.

For instance, once I was at the gas station and another man was standing there filling his gas tank. It was a hot day and he was wearing a vest, he was continually looking around, and there was a bunch of those nylon cable ties on the rear view mirror of his truck. Now maybe he was a policeman, only he looked much too old for that but you never know. I have no idea whether or not he was armed or not but he caught my attention.
 
I thought the OP's topic is a good one. I don't carry regularly, but if/when I should decide to do so, this is something I too thought about. I have carried for weeks at a time before, and I'm pretty aware of the gun, although I highly doubt anyone else was.
 
Interesting how many posters say Walmart is a right of passage. First trip was Walmart, Dicks, Home Depot then Starbucks. Its been a week now of constant carry and the self conscience feeling is gone. Thanks for all the support.
 
The only time that I have been uncomfortable while carrying my CCW was in a Wal-Mart. I accidently bumped my then 3 y/o daughter in the head with it while pulling her out of the path of an out of control shopping cart-critter. She immediately shouted out in her best po'd 3 y/o voice, "Daddy! You just hit me in the head with your GUN!!" :eek: LOL
 
Stevie-Ray: Exactly what I said, "unless it is just absolutely the best thing ever". :) I mainly use a Bianchi Shadow II or Super Tuck for my P228. However, for my G36 I have something called a "bulldog" and I don't even know where I got it from but it is the most comfortable for that particular gun. I tried 20-25 different holsters and the old nylon bulldog does the trick. :) Go figure!
 
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