flightline
New member
So it's been a little over a year since I got my CHL (Concealed Handgun License, it's what they call it here in NC) and I thought I'd share some things that I've changed my mind about since I started carrying, and some things I haven't. A lot of this has been said before, but anyway, in no particular order:
1. People are really oblivious. I used to worry a lot about printing, and making it absolutely impossible to tell that I was carrying a weapon. However, even if you're printing like a madman, the only people likely to notice are other CC'ers, who aren't likely to care. In NC, open carry is legal, so I've stopped worrying so much that someone might notice.
2. Size matters more that weight. With a good belt and holster you'll hardly notice even a midsize all-steel gun, or at least not to the extent that it will become uncomfortable. I think weight is actually a benefit, as it helps to tame recoil a bit and aid shot placement. Some people seem to have the macho opinion that "recoil isn't a problem for me" or something similar, but it's not a binary thing; less recoil is better as far as getting back on target quickly.
3. Calibre matters. Admittedly, this is something that one can't really form an opinion on by experience, but the guiding principle that, from a terminal ballistics perspective, bigger, heavier and faster is better. I've heard people say things like, 'calibre isn't important, just choose something you can shoot well.' However it's pretty obvious that this isn't quite true; .22 BB is obviously inadequate for a defensive gun even if you shoot it perfectly well. There is a compromise that has to be made between terminal performance and the recoil, size and weight of the gun. I don't claim to be able to dictate where this "sweet spot" is for anyone else, but I think for most it probably lies somewhere between .380 ACP and 10mm.
4. Make convenience a priority. The adage that a gun you have with you is better than the one left at home couldn't be more true. Between NC's gun laws and school, I find that I very frequently have to disarm myself throughout the day. My first holster was a Comp-Tac CTAC with the C style clips. For disarming, I would either remove the gun, drop the magazine, rack the slide, reseat the magazine, and put it in my glove box along with the +1 round, OR, fiddle with the C-clips, loosen my belt, slide the whole holster out of the waistband and put it, with the gun still in it, into the glovebox. I now have normal clips for that holster, as well as a paddle style holster, also from comp-tac. That holster goes on and off much more easily, and as a result, I find I'm much more likely to put it back on later. For example, I pull up at the bank (banned for CC in NC) and take the holster off. After coming back out, if I have to drop by the grocery store before heading home, I would be much more likely to say screw it and leave the gun in the car with the IWB holster than with the paddle.
In the end the primary rig I've settled on is an MK40 in a comp-tac paddle, loaded with 165 gr PDX1. I'm considering something slightly larger for OWB carry, but haven't decided anything yet.
I'm interested to hear about things you've changed your mind about since you started carrying, and any progressions in gun or holster you've made.
1. People are really oblivious. I used to worry a lot about printing, and making it absolutely impossible to tell that I was carrying a weapon. However, even if you're printing like a madman, the only people likely to notice are other CC'ers, who aren't likely to care. In NC, open carry is legal, so I've stopped worrying so much that someone might notice.
2. Size matters more that weight. With a good belt and holster you'll hardly notice even a midsize all-steel gun, or at least not to the extent that it will become uncomfortable. I think weight is actually a benefit, as it helps to tame recoil a bit and aid shot placement. Some people seem to have the macho opinion that "recoil isn't a problem for me" or something similar, but it's not a binary thing; less recoil is better as far as getting back on target quickly.
3. Calibre matters. Admittedly, this is something that one can't really form an opinion on by experience, but the guiding principle that, from a terminal ballistics perspective, bigger, heavier and faster is better. I've heard people say things like, 'calibre isn't important, just choose something you can shoot well.' However it's pretty obvious that this isn't quite true; .22 BB is obviously inadequate for a defensive gun even if you shoot it perfectly well. There is a compromise that has to be made between terminal performance and the recoil, size and weight of the gun. I don't claim to be able to dictate where this "sweet spot" is for anyone else, but I think for most it probably lies somewhere between .380 ACP and 10mm.
4. Make convenience a priority. The adage that a gun you have with you is better than the one left at home couldn't be more true. Between NC's gun laws and school, I find that I very frequently have to disarm myself throughout the day. My first holster was a Comp-Tac CTAC with the C style clips. For disarming, I would either remove the gun, drop the magazine, rack the slide, reseat the magazine, and put it in my glove box along with the +1 round, OR, fiddle with the C-clips, loosen my belt, slide the whole holster out of the waistband and put it, with the gun still in it, into the glovebox. I now have normal clips for that holster, as well as a paddle style holster, also from comp-tac. That holster goes on and off much more easily, and as a result, I find I'm much more likely to put it back on later. For example, I pull up at the bank (banned for CC in NC) and take the holster off. After coming back out, if I have to drop by the grocery store before heading home, I would be much more likely to say screw it and leave the gun in the car with the IWB holster than with the paddle.
In the end the primary rig I've settled on is an MK40 in a comp-tac paddle, loaded with 165 gr PDX1. I'm considering something slightly larger for OWB carry, but haven't decided anything yet.
I'm interested to hear about things you've changed your mind about since you started carrying, and any progressions in gun or holster you've made.