How long did it take you to get used to EDC?

R

rcollier

New member
I have been carrying off and on but not daily.
In the most part it is due to the fact I work at a medical facility that would not allow me to carry.
On the weekend and days off I am not consistent do to comfort for the most part. I have a Ruger LC9s as my carry gun, I have tried different holsters and still haven’t found them comfortable. I wonder if it is a result of the fact that I can’t carry daily so I can’t get completely used to it?
What tips do members have who maybe are in the same situation?
 
When you say "I have tried different holsters and still haven’t found them comfortable," may I ask exactly what brand/style of holster you've tried?

A few things to keep in mind:

Kydex holsters (Blackhawk!, Bravo Concealment, etc.) are built for speed, ease of maintenance (toss 'em into the dishwasher), and durability. However, as they are essentially a hard plastic, they aren't necessarily built for comfort.

Ballistic nylon holsters (Uncle Mike's) are more comfortable, and offer nearly the same benefits of maintenance and durability, but are designed as universal fit (will accept a variety of guns usually), which makes them somewhat loose fitting, hence the nylon thumb strap, which makes them slower.

Leather holsters (Galco, Safariland, etc.) offer better looks, a tight fit (can be a little slower), and usually better comfort, but require more care, and will wear out faster than the above.

Then there are the hybrids, (N82Tactical, StealthGear, Vedder, etc.) that offer some combination of kydex and leather or neoprene or other material. These can offer the best combination of comfort and speed as well as being fairly easy to care for.

Generally speaking, for the best combination of speed and comfort and durability (usually anyway) you're going to have to spend some money.

So for instance, my summer EDC holster is a N82Tactical, which is extremely comfortable, but not very fast. I made the conscious decision there that I'd give up some speed-of-draw for more comfort, since I'd be wearing the thing for up to 15 hours a day. I'd never want to wear my Bravo Concealment all-kydex holster for that long.

Ultimately, you're going to have to make those decisions regarding ultimate comfort vs. accessibility/speed/etc. for yourself.

Just a few thoughts.
 
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I have tried a DeSantis leather/clip style, Galco Kydex IWB, Leather/Kydex tuckable ( I forget the brand, Sticky/Remora style. I feel like I have a “ bulge” on my hip, have trouble sitting for extended periods. Waist feels tight. I am 155lbs waist usually 32.
Thanks
 
The Ruger LC9s is excellent for pocket carry. It's about the same size as the Beretta Nano but IMHO is more accurate and nicer recoil. I bought several holsters and tried them out, which looks like you're also doing.

I settled on one of 2 different approaches:

Pocket carry with a BLACKHAWK AMBI TecGrip Pocket Holster, Size 04

or a

5.11 holster undershirt.

On hot days, the holster undershirt is very hot, being polyester with a vapor barrier lining the holster area itself.

Keep trying, you'll find something that works for you.
 
Assuming you need a cover garment anyway try a good gun belt with a good high and tight fitting OWB holster.

The belt NEEDS to be a thick and stiff affair and makes A HUGE difference in carry.

Beyond that you just need to get over the thought that everybody is stairing at you, when the reality is you could have a neon yellow shirt with bright blue letters saying “Hi, my name is Chris and I have a cocked and locked .45 on. Y hip,how is your day?” And the only folks who might notice are the ones you bump into a spill latte on their IPhones......maybe.
 
rcollier said:
I have tried a DeSantis leather/clip style, Galco Kydex IWB, Leather/Kydex tuckable ( I forget the brand, Sticky/Remora style. I feel like I have a “ bulge” on my hip, have trouble sitting for extended periods. Waist feels tight. I am 155lbs waist usually 32.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Okay, a few more thoughts.

Assuming you want to carry your LC9 in a holster, and not a pocket.

First, get a pair of pants that are at least an inch larger in the waist than what you normally wear, to make room for the gun. That should alleviate some of the 'tight' feeling.

Then I'd look at either a StealthGear Revolution, AlienGear Cloak Tuck (what I have for my LC9), or maybe a Barsony IWB holster, for example. Those styles are probably going to be more comfortable for EDC.

Or you could go the pocket route, which means something like a DeSantis Ambi Nemesis Holster, which is what I have for both my LCP and my LC9S.
 
Thanks for the help.
I will definitely give the “Hybreds” a look.
Not really interested in pocket carry but maybe another way to go.
I am getting a gun belt on the advice of a friend.
 
Me too but . . .

I too don't carry daily when in town. I live small town rural and while yeah there can be crazy people anywhere, I just don't feel the need. I have a couple of HD guns in quick access safes.

When I go out of town, even on a country bike ride, I generally carry. I have a variety of sizes of carry guns, and choose accordingly.

My favorite way to carry is in a vest designed for CC. I have several. Tomorrow I'll be going to a meeting in the nearby "big city" and will take my Springfield XDE in cc vest. For most of the evening I won't give it a second thought.

A while back my daughter took me to dinner and the theatre. It was still warmer weather so my Kel Tec P3at came along in a pocket holster. As noted above it all depends.

Plus, I don't know that I want to be 100% comfortable with CC. Toting a gun is a huge responsibility. I don't want to get so comfortable that I'm casual about it.

Life is good.

Prof Young
 
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Got a Desantis Incognito holster for my EC9s and it works very well. Am thinking about not even wearing a cover shirt during the summer as it looks like something you'd throw an ipod in, not a pistol.
 
rcollier said:
I have been carrying off and on but not daily.
In the most part it is due to the fact I work at a medical facility that would not allow me to carry.
On the weekend and days off I am not consistent do to comfort for the most part. I have a Ruger LC9s as my carry gun, I have tried different holsters and still haven’t found them comfortable. I wonder if it is a result of the fact that I can’t carry daily so I can’t get completely used to it?
What tips do members have who maybe are in the same situation?
Click to expand...
"Most" who carry have a drawer full of holsters..I'd say settle on a place that you want to carry...IWB, OWB, appendix, 3 oclock, 5 oclock, whatever, and then look at an as impartial a review as you can about holsters.

Personally, I like Vedder LightTuck, IWB, appendix..Glock 42..
 
Trying different holsters and positions is just part of the process. It took me a long time, probably a year or more of regular carry before I was anywhere near comfortable carrying a handgun. I now carry one almost always. The rare times I don't carry now cause me to feel uncomfortable. Training, practice, and experience build skill and confidence. There are no shortcuts or substitutes. Be patient and enjoy the process!
 
Rcollier, is it possible your problem is more psychological rather than physical discomfort due to any give holster?
 
Leaf said:
Rcollier, is it possible your problem is more psychological rather than physical discomfort due to any give holster?
Click to expand...
Maybe some mental stuff involved, but physical discomfort is a role in that too.
I will keep working on it though
 
OWB will be more comfortable than IWB.
IWB will not be comfortable if you do not up size your pants or lose weight.
Pocket carry can be difficult unless your pants are all the same in the pockets.
Ankle and Shoulder carry are more of a specialty thing.

start by deciding what gun you want to and CAN carry in all seasons. then decide where you can best access the gun on your body during your normal regular daily activity. you will have a box-o-holsters before you find what works best for you.
 
After 9 years of daily CC the simplest and least taxing is an LCP in my left front pocket.

For bigger guns(Shield9, G23) I have identical holsters, Blackhawk leather IWB and safariland OWB kydex.

Bigger guns require a commitment and there’s a learning curve but with the right holster/belt I can carry all day and forget there is a gun on my belt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
As usual my recommendations are an Avenger style OWB holster if you like leather and OWB, or a Summer Special style leather holster for IWB carry. There are several good versions of each one by good holster makers. Milt Sparks, Rosen, Kramer, and Privateer come to mind quickly. There are others I'm forgetting about thanks to ole timer's.

My new favorite is the Vedder LightTuck kydex IWB holster if you're open to plastic. If you go this way let me recommend the 1-3/4" belt clip as their clips run a bit tight.

Any of them could be a good fit for you but unfortunately you'll have to try them. The Vedder is the least expensive and quickest to get and try from the maker. The leather ones take some time if you order from the maker. Some of the Sparks can be found in stock at online dealers though. I'm not sure about the others.

Another good style of holster is the pancake type of OWB holster. The same makers I mentioned also make good versions of this style.

Most of us have a box or drawer full of holsters that sounded good but weren't right for us. Choosing the right holster isn't always easy, so best of luck in finding a comfortable holster.
 
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Many years ago I was in the same boat you are. I was working with a salty old dog that had been carrying concealed for as long as I had been alive. I had just got my ccw permit and I was complaining about the bulge from my Uncle Mike's holster. I felt like it was not holding the gun close enough to me. He said I should try a Safariland paddle holster. I asked if it could hide a full size Auto. He smiled and said "Can you see mine". I couldn't see a single bulge or ripple in his clothing. When I suggested he wasn't carrying he produced a full size 1911. A Safariland paddle became my go to for OWB. Primary carry was a Ruger P89. I also had a revolver that I carried in a jacket pocket, but I sold that gun many years ago. It took a few months of regular carry to get used to having the extra weight and being self conscious. I found that most people don't notice, or they don't care.
 
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