Have Any Of You Been "Made" While Carrying ?

M

Mike H

New member
Guys,

The question says it all really. I rarely carry, but when I do I feel that the difficulty in carrying a reasonably sized pistol makes it a questionable proposition at best. The P239 suddenly seems enormous, the HK compact is plain fat, only guns like the P32 and maybe just maybe the PPK seem viable. I find that IWB holsters are just plain uncomfortable, how big guys wear them I'll never know, and if you wear an external cross draw or strong side you have to wear a jacket or the like.

So I'll get to the real point of this thread. As it's difficult to conceal, just how many of you have been "made" or know of people who found themselves in that most unfortunate of situations, and what, if any, were the repercussions.

Regards,

Mike H
 
I felt the same way when I first got my license, but have never been made. Part of that is probably due to my choice of firearm, an HK P7M8, since it is so thin and flat it tends not to print. I have been carrying IWB every day since I got my license, and not once have I even gotten a strange look from anyone. For the first few weeks I was deathly afraid of being made, and was wondering just how small a gun I would have to go to so that I would never see a corner through my shirt in the mirror, but the thing is that most people are not observant enough to notice that when you move a certain way your shirt kinda pokes out in one place.
 
Living in southern Florida and wearing a tie with a tucked in shirt and no jacket, concealment is a serious problem. Most of the time I carry a Kahr MK9 in an inside the waist belly band with a spare magazine and I have never been made. We had to live several months with my sister-in-law who is very anti and she never knew that I was always armed in and around the house -- the only person who knew was my wife when she saw me get dressed in the morning and undressed at night.

On "cooler" days, or when my dress permits, I carry a Smith & Wesson 3913TSW (which is about the same size as the P239) and it does seem "enormous" (as you put it) but as Zach Vonler mentioned, most people do no pay attention to a slight bulge here or there.

Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
fud-nra.gif
 
Only once by the local Chief and that is when I asked him if he could tell where I had my gun. "this was in his office with door closed" He said after I got up and turned around that he could see the edge of a shoulder strap so I must have a new shoulder holster. "correct"
I have noticed a number of people who are carring guns. I look for it but most people don't. People see what they expect to see and most don't expect to see a gun. If you have ever had someone lean in toward you and say. "pardon me but you gun is showing" That was me. :) :) Know then that I have been watching you for a while and decided you are not a threat but just careless.
If you are careful and don't check your gun every 10seconds nobody will ever know. Practice in your home and have wife/husband tell you if she/he can see it.
Good luck.
 
Never, I carry a 1911A1. If you watch the material and color of the covering garmet there should be no problem. Darker colors and textured shirts seem to conceal better than light colors and "smooth" shirts.

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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"
 
I'm a LEO, and I've only been 'made' once, and it was by a friend.

Well, reconsidering, I've probably been made many times when I walk in a substation in plainclothes, but 1. I don't think that counts and 2. cops tend to be curious about how other cops carry, so they're extra observant about their plainclothed brethren.

Anyways, my normal mode of dress prior to being a cop was jeans/chinos/khakis with a t-shirt and unbuttoned long or short sleeve shirt over top. My mode of dress has not changed except to maintain this same style even in rather hot conditions. I carry a P232 either IWB (strongside) or belt slide (also strongside). Yes, it will print a little, but as has already been said, 99% of the people don't see an odd bump and think "gun!"...and the other 1% are mostly cops or fellow CCWers. Sure, some BGs are included in this bunch, but I hope/pray that situational awareness helps offset this. The other options all seem to be ugly as far as ability to get the weapon into action fast. Others may disagree, and to tell you the truth I'm no old hand, so I may be wrong.

Anyway, I stop by this party to pick up my wife. I go inside and do the obligatory mingling prior to our departure, and one of our friends notes my t-shirt, which has a logo of one of our local sports pro-sports franchises. He comments on this and, without asking, pulls aside my outer shirt to get a good look at the t-shirt design. he spots the Sig-Sauer and his jaw drops.

"Why do you have a gun??" he asks, and fortunately no one else overhears.

I laugh. "I'm a cop, remember?"

"You carry your gun off-duty?" he asks, still amazed.

I nod. "Not my regular gun; its too big. But I carry a gun all the time."

"Oh," he says. After a brief pause he asks "Why?"

Not wanting to get involved in a general CCW discussion (a position I 100% support) at this time, I simply say, "We're required to by department regs. If you're within our jurisdiction, you gotta be packing." Which is true.

"Wow. I never thought of that."

Note, this guy is probably a little sheltered and left-leaning on such issues, but he's no idiot. I imagine his reaction is typical of anyone 'making' a cop off-duty...I'll bet the reaction of most people is stronger to 'making' a non-cop. Since we have a very silly gun debate brewing in this nation, if you are ever made, I strongly encourage everyone to take the time to explain to the person who made you 1. why you carry and 2. that it is legal and kosher and 3. that millions of people do it every day. I didn't do that on-the-spot with him, but I did do it later.

Another point, gun etiquette. I'm not sure what the prevaling opinion is here, but I consider it rude to carry a concealed weapon into another's home. I would be mildly peeved if a friend did it to me without telling me...not that I don't trust him (I trust my friends, or I don't call 'em friends), its just a matter of common courtesy. You don't just walk into his house, you knock. You don't just carry your gun into his house, you make him aware of it and ask his permission- or don't take it. In this particular instance, I was caught not doing this (by the host!), and I felt it necessary to tender an apology later, along with an explaination (that I was intending to just pick up my better half, not stay and mingle).

And no, I don't consider this twenty-first century PC drivel, I consider it very old-fashioned courtesy. But that is also a tangent, so feel free to not comment. *shrug*

My thoughts. :)

Mike

PS one other time, on duty, a fireman noted my .357 in its ankle holster. He announced in a loud voice, for the entire ER staff to hear, "Hey Occifer...yer thingy's sticking out!"

And they wonder why we hate them so. :) :) :)

PPS this is the same fireman who, when pulled over, leaned out the window to the cop and asked "Hey, sir...yer not gonna look in the trunk, are yah?"

Hoseheads and Nozzle Nuts. :)

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"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein
 
Not so far, but I'm careful. In my state, concealed carry means just that, and legal trouble may result if the gun is exposed.
 
I carry the USP.40c strongside iwb and have never had a problem. By the way I will once in a while switch to my P239 in .357sig. It's carried in the same manner.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mike H:
Guys,

The question says it all really.
As it's difficult to conceal, just how many of you have been "made" or know of people who found themselves in that most unfortunate of situations, and what, if any, were the repercussions.

Regards,

Mike H[/quote]


Just once...
I was carrying a Taurus 85 in an IWB holster on my left hip. I was talking to my wife's supervisor outside of the K-Mart she worked at when I turned and bent over to straighten out a floor mat in our Bronco.
When I turned around to continue the discussion, I noticed his eyes were about the size of saucers. Apperantly, the butt of the pistol printed when I'd leaned over (I was wearing a white cotton tee-shirt).
Nothing was said, but it was quite obvious he'd seen the gun.
Since that time, I've taken to dark tee-shirts or pocket carry.
BTW, I always carry.


[This message has been edited by Ezeckial (edited May 16, 2000).]
 
I don't think that I have ever been made, and if I have there has never been any reaction. I expect that most people would react as I did before I started carrying; if I saw an average person acting normally , and then noticed a concealed gun, my first assumption is that the person is an under cover cop.
Now I know better, and would not necessarily think this anymore, but I think many people would.
 
Mal H, being a heavy guy, 5'11"@350lbs; I have found it uncomfortable at times to carry a medium or large gun. For example my Officer's model just bites my flab too much. Not willing to spend all sorts of money on holsters, like some fellow gun enthusiast, and never finding the right combo to carry a large frame gun comfortably; I knew what was needed would be a different solution if concealed carry was to be possible.

My solution was to get the smallest most powerful gun I could carry. I started out looking for a derringer to keep in my pocket, but came across a Kahr MK40. The Kahr is small enough in a pinch to slip in my pocket, heavy guys need good belts anyways, so the extra weight is no problem. Yet, when I bought the Kahr, a inexpensive Galco IWB holster became my carry holster for the Kahr. Now, because of heavy perspiration while at work, the Kahr resides in its new Blade-tech IWB. I have found that my extra folds around the waist area, help to hide the tell-tale buldge. That and my dress nowdays is a t-shirt with a unbuttoned casual shirt over the top of the t-shirt. So far I have not been "made" while carrying, except by those I have allowed to know I was carrying. The combo of small gun and a good IWB holster have proven to be comfortable.

My friend at works, a fellow gun enthusiast, knows I frequently carry. Yet one day when he asked a question about the Kahr, I drew the gun from the IWB holster to illustrate the matter of discussion. He was suprised that I was carrying all-day and that he had not be aware that the Kahr was riding comfortably on my waist.

Best of Luck in finding your preferred concealed carry solution and not being "made".

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Know Yourself, Know Your Weapon, Know Your Enemy; then Know Victory! ---DaHaMac
 
The only people I have ever made were gangbangers or mall security. Everyone else seems to be mighty careful around here (no CHLs are available in practice, "may issue" at its worst)

As far as guests go, I prefer that they carry and my best friends know how to get a hold of loaded rifles...any extra helping hands might be welcome someday. Guess I just don't invite people that I wouldn't want armed around me to my home at all.

[This message has been edited by Oleg Volk (edited May 16, 2000).]
 
Oh!

I think you misunderstand me, Oleg. I'd be kinda torqued if, for instance, you were to come to my house armed and not tell me. however, if you told me, I'd say it was cool.

Armed guests are not a problem. :) Armed guests that are not courteous enough to inform the host are.

BTW, when I travel around I keep a Waller soft safe in the car. If I go anyplace that either 1. I don't want to deal with the hassel of telling the host, or 2. I know the host would balk (never had that happen, not once!) the gun goes in the safe.

Mike

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"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein

[This message has been edited by Coronach (edited May 16, 2000).]
 
Gunslinger and I distribute a concealment holster that you can conceal any gun under a reg spring or summer dress shirt, it is amazing, and it is cool in the summer to wear, if your interested e-mail one of us and we will tell you more information. :) He wears a reg. western style short sleeve dress shirt and he wears his holster carrying his 6 inch N frame and you don't know he has a gun on.

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WHEN IT COMES TO FRIENDS THE SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT
 
I carry an SP101 in my front (side) pants pocket. Nobody has ever called me on it.

I did have a female friend notice my Glock 27 in the small of my back as we were in the preliminaries of some horizontal recreation. Her .357 was on the nightstand!
 
Once at a party when a friend patted me on the back he could feel my shoulder holster and asked what it was, I told him.

Visually, no one has made out that I was carrying, yet, and if they have, they did not approach me.
Anand.
 
Never been made while carrying. Haven't made anyone carrying in a holster, but if you're into guns, those gun fanny packs are pretty obvious.
BTW, I carry whereever I go, which includes other people's houses, and they don't need to know it. What they don't know won't hurt them and it could save their butts.
 
Yep, once, and it was my own damned fault.

I was sitting, got up, and my jacket had ridden up over the small of back holster I was wearing. It was very obvious that I was carrying a revolver to the people behind me.

My mother's business partner just about swallowed his pipe.
 
Well, the only one I know of to "make" me is my wife. And that is usually before I leave the house. Usually, when we get ready to go out to dinner or such, we inspect each others appearance. Of course she always looks great :), I'm just a big lug but I try. I'll ask if I look OK and she will inform me if there's a bulge in the wrong place :D. Others may have noticed but I've never heard about it.

Oh, smallest thing I carry is a G27 up to an N frame.

Carry on

Rick

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I prefer armed combat to unarmed combat. It's easier on the knuckles.
 
Only once really. I was at a camp function (I work at a boys camp over the summer) and one of my friends was pushing me while I was standing on one of those chair carts. I knew he felt my Glock 27 in the waistband of my pants, but I didn't say anything and he didn't say anything. Later on he asked. I don't think anyone else that weekend realized I was carrying.

I prefer to carry my Glock 27 with no holster in the waistband of my blue jeans. I just wear a t-shirt underneath a regular t-shirt or button up shirt. The darker color is better, but other colors are managable. I sometimes notice the bulge, but I just put in a regular mag instead of the extended finger grip mag and that greatly reduces the grip bulge. Really, it is a comfortable system for me and quite secure. I have ran with it in there and it didn't go anywhere and it is really comfortable, especially in a car, you can forget it is there.
 
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