let's educate people (like me) on concealed carry

S

shrewd

New member
my tastes in firearms are always evolving and lately I've begun thinking about a weapon for CC. I don't think my cz75b or blackhawk are appropriate for such tasks so I research other new platforms, and have found that I like nice metal single stacks. It's hard though, I really like shooting my buddy's xd subcompact in .40, yet a nice Lahr pm9 looks classy and sexy to me. I suspect this decision will haunt me as much as the beretta/cz/xd/ad nauseum did.

but I digress, I don't even know what ocm and icm or whatever the acronyms are means. Is there a one stop shop for cc knowledge. Concealed carry for dummies? Pros and cons of various platforms.

Please TFL, lessen my ignorance
 
Take a CCW course. You learn all you should need to know on situations when why how and such. Good luck
 
OWB - outside waistband carry. The holster is outside your pants.

IWB - inside waistband carry. The holster is inside your pants.
 
My CZ 75BD actually carries very well with an OWB. Don't assume a larger/heavier gun can't be CC on a regular basis. Keep in mind too the CZ may be easier to shoot accurately than some tiny mouse gun.
 
Couple of general schools of thought, Shrewd.

School #1- A concealed carry weapon should be small, lightweight, and concealable. You will have to sacrifice some capabilities (smaller caliber, lower capacity, poor sights, not fun to shoot) but you can more easily fit carrying into your existing daily routines. The logic being - the .380 you have with you is more effective than the .45 you left at home.

School #2 - in the unlikely event that you actually ever need to use your weapon, it is because your life is in immediate danger and your gun is the only way to save your life. In that situation, you want as large a caliber as you can handle, in a gun that you can shoot very accurately, and as much capacity as practical. To achieve this, you'll have to significantly change the way you dress and your comfort level to accommodate hiding a relatively full-sized weapon (or two) and extra ammo.

Then of course there is an entire spectrum in between those two points of view.

You will have to make the personal decisions on exactly where you fall in the continuum of power versus concealment.

As a civilian, I personally prefer something small, light, and concealable for regular carry. In cooler weather when wearing a jacket is neither odd nor uncomfortable, I will occasionally carry a medium sized weapon (Glock 26), but in the hotter months I would prefer a pocket gun (which I don't own yet).

You can also split the difference with something thin like the single stack 9s and 40s such as a Kahr CW9 or CW40 or Walther PPS in 9 or 40, or maybe the Bersa BP9CC or BP40CC if they ever ship.
 
thanks for the heads up guys

from the admittedly brief research i've done i think i'd favor a IWB single stack, i guess in 9mm as its a caliber i already own. I don't really want to own a .40 as i have a 9 and will eventually have a 1911 in .45

kahr seems to be the way to go, though i'm sure ill change my mind a bunch of times, then whenever i get something immediately become paranoid about printing
 
I prefer the Kahrs over the XD series, but that is just me. They are VERY slim, and the trigger is smooth. I have a blackened K9, but there are plenty of other models if you prefer polymer. The CM9 is a value priced PM9, so you might want to check that out as well. PM/CM can be pocket carried, but I'd prefer IWB carry (can't get a concealed permit in IL though).
 
Perhaps, since you plan to purchase a .45 anyway, you should consider a compact version of a 1911. Springfield, Kimber and others make some very nice pieces in the 3" - 4" barrel sizes and I know many who carry these everywhere everyday.
 
With a very good quality holster and belt, the CZ 75b you already own would be a very easy gun to carry. Look into a custom IWB holster from one of the better makers, paired with a stiff gun belt. Much easier to carry than you might think.
 
The first thing you should know is that CCW is a trade off between concealability and power. A small gun is easy to conceal but typically less powerful. A larger gun is typically more powerful but harder to conceal.

Finding a gun that falls some place in the middle is easy (and very hard) to do. There are lots of great guns out there that fit that bill. Find one and start there. My first CCW piece was a snubnose S&W. Now it's a Ruger LCP or a Springfield TRP 1911. The snub still sees action but it isn't my primary piece any more.

Once you find the gun you think you'll want to carry, next comes carry method. IWB or OWB or pocket carry or shoulder holster or fanny pack? All options for you to think about and try. Trust me, you'll likely try a couple of methods, location and holsters before you find one you like. I started IWB and now carry mostly OWB. My advice is don't cheap out on your rig. A good leather holster and a leather gun belt are a must if you carry any thing bigger than a pocket gun.

Regardless of what you carry you'll likely have to dress around your gun to some extent. Virtually all of us do this.

Now get your license and start CCWing. You'll learn and evolve the more you carry. Also, after you get your license you must got to Wally World to try it. It's a rule.
 
What you carry and how you carry it is pretty much up to each shooter depending on things like body build, the weapons you are comfortable with, time of year (clothing choices) and the like. You could carry your CZ given the right holster and clothing. I carry a ful sized HK USP40 with an inside the waistband holster (IWB) quite a bit of the year. The HK is a polymer double stack pistol. When and if it warms up enough to require a T Shirt and shorts I favor the Kahr PM9 in an IWB holster. It's a subcompact polymer single stack 9mm. You're going to have to make the final call for yourself.
 
A CZ-75B is a quite good concealed carry gun. It's about the same size as what I usually carry (a 1911 or a Sig P220).

You don't HAVE to buy a new gun for CCW although many of us do.
 
Thinking about the gun you carry before you have taken classes or what not to allow you to carry, unless in a constitutional carry state, I would suggest taking the class or a class about concealed carry and the laws of your state and others. My Iowa class had a Utah instructor that had a lot of good information. Basically take the class to even see if carrying is something you really want to do.

I know a big reason I took the class is so I can have loaded guns in the truck during hunting season which Iowa now lets one do.

You will find interesting things at this class, like in Iowa I must try to retreat before I can use my weapon. I don't agree but the books dictate my actions.

Id suggest taking the class and then deciding where you want to go from there
 
Dont buy a Sig Sauer, you will like it too much and they tend to multiply. The P220 Series is especially addictive.
 
Two suggestions, shrewd:

  1. Take the CCW class. The more you know, the better decisions you'll make.
  2. Rent guns. It's a lot cheaper to discover you don't like a gun you've rented than one you've bought. As you narrow down your search, rent them again.
 
Woman's thoughts on CC

If any of you are women, or who have wives etc, that want to carry or whom would like to carry, I have some thoughts on it.
First, I have 2 modes: purse during the day in public, and also OWB when I am out alone at night etc.
I carry a RIA 1911 .45acp compact. I have found that a cross body shoulder pouch with a deep Velcro pocket on the backside is ideal for carry. It is small and cute, and I have hot glued a holster into the pocket for easy drawing with no snags or shifting. I keep it about hipbone level on my weakside, and I NEVER remove it in public. Setting a bag down is the worst thing you can do when carrying off-body.
This bag can't be easily grabbed from me, and with practice, I have gotten so good at drawing my gun, that it is actually more convenient than my OWB holster. I really don't care about how it looks, although I don't think it looks bad at all. I also keep my keys etc in that bag. The brand I use is Columbia. I got it from Gander Mountain for $30, which is way better than $200 for those ugly Gun Totin' Mamas bags. Any bag can work, but crossbody is best, and gluing the holster inside is a MUST. Helps tremendously.
My OWB carry method is for cooler months. I kidney carry on my strong side for that. I love my gun, and have no interest in downsizing to a smaller caliber. But it is bulky, and can't be hidden too easily by tshirt.

Please don't let fashion or comfort be an excuse to avoid carrying for defense. Just play around with different setups, and PRACTICE drawing.
 
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And don't forget about the Belly Band! That would work for smaller calibers under those cute flowy tops for summer, ladies.
 
First and foremost, carry a reasonable gun that youre comfortable with, and shoot well with. Dont get sucked into thinking you need to carry a small pocket pistol that may be difficult to shoot well, especially with realistic ammo, and may limit your response. Yes, it is important "to have a gun", but what good is it, if you cant shoot it well, on demand, and it cant sustain you until its all done.

And before the bickering starts, smince summed it up very nicely here in another post, and this ought to be ingrained in everyones head when considering things....
be very careful about assuming whatever gear you pick will work out perfectly for the gunfight script you've written in your head.
Click to expand...

Scenarios are great, if you get to control them. Reality dictates you be a little more diversified and versatile, in both equipment and practice.

What ever you choose, then you have to practice to that. That means, if its in your pocket, you shoot it from the pocket, and at any realistic, and some not so realistic targets and distances. 3 shots at 3 feet in 3 seconds is a cool mantra, but you better be ready to shoot more, farther, and as long as it takes, or your just fooling yourself.

Standing at a bench and shooting tight little groups at bullseye targets is great if youre a bullseye shooter, it does little for you most other places. Everything starts from where the gun is. If youre living by the above rule of ''3's'', and it takes you 3 seconds to get the gun out, wheres that leave you?


You can easily carry full sized guns wearing clothes you normally wear, if youre willing to do it. Might take a little work and discomfort at first, and they all do in reality, but it isnt hard to do.

IWB holsters and a decent belt are one of your best bets.

Smart Carry holsters also work very well, and for guns of all sizes, depending on your comfort zone and you wear the right pants. You can even wear a pair of shorts with out a shirt if you want.
 
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