Re. every day carry thread

O

old bear

New member
Just finished reading the EDC thread and I found it quite interesting; especially the number of folks who carry several pistols with reloads plus one or more knives.
So my question is multipart:
Do you really have a need for all that gear?
Do any of you carry escalating protection, I.e. pepper spray or a sap, or is your first line of defense your last line?
Having worn a gun belt for much of my working life I know it can be rather uncomfortable, for long periods of time; don’t you find it very uncomfortable to carry all that gear in street clothes, and how do you cover it.
 
Good questions Old Bear. I've wondered the same things myself, except for the escalating protection. Spray cans have a nasty habit of sometimes not working when you attempt to use them.
 
Do I really have a need? I hope not; but if I do, I'll have it.

Sounds like you're at, or near, retirement from the job. I left in 2007 after 28.5 years. I was SO looking forward to a new uniform: shorts, flip-flops, T shirts, and a J frame in the pocket. And for a while, I enjoyed that.

Until rude reality intruded. After Katrina, this once-nice area has steadily blossomed with bi-pedal garbage disguised as people. These "gangsta" thugs used to keep to their own areas, but recent events at a national level have seemed to embolden them. The crime rate here has soared.

The point is, as was made in that other referenced thread, that what was once considered "safe areas" aren't so safe anymore. No longer can one be reasonably certain of avoiding trouble by picking where he/she goes.

If I leave the house, I'm wearing two pistols, a reload for each, and two knives and two flashlights. The knives and flashlights are for "normal" stuff; they have all come in handy at one time or another. The second pistol... well, some say its paranoia. I call it preparation.

To carry all this stuff comfortably, does indeed require a shift in one's ideas of dress. Kydex IWB holster for the main piece, OWB pouches for the extra magazine and speed strip and primary flashlight. Sometimes a cell phone pouch if I'm not wearing 5.11 pants with a built-in pocket for that.

All this belt-carried gear is covered by a Hawaiian or guayaberra shirt. No, you won't win any fashion contests. But I'm not looking for a job nor a woman.

The other stuff is carried in the pockets. Its quite a load, to be sure. But I discovered LONG ago, that you're only as good as what you've got... RIGHT THERE, strapped to your ass. Stuff in the car might as well be on the moon.

The great thing about retirement is that you don't stop noticing the bad things that people do... you just don't have to DO anything about it, unless of course it is affecting you or yours. I certainly don't go looking for trouble; but if it finds me, I want a reasonable chance of surviving it.

These days, a J-frame and six extra bullets is a bit light, I think...;)

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Pepper spray? Not a good counter-measure to a deadly threat.

One must have at least equal fire power and preferably superior fire power. That is called preparation.
 
Yeah, Gunner.... how do you assess whether to simply spray someone?
Maybe just a little squirt will do.... :rolleyes: :eek:

I'm in Boca also - out west in Loggers Run.
 
Despite my 2 knives,2 guns wich are a main and bug and cell phone.I carry 24/7 at home also.Im not paranoid,i just like feeling prepared if needed.
All my guns stay in my bedroom upstairs,that doesn't help when answering the door or if surprised by the door getting kicked in.
So i carry amy P238 is what i call a house belt thats all elastic band about 2.5" wide and comfy with shorts or PJ's.
The knives are not so much for fighting as they are for actual cutting and opening things.
And yes i can get by with 1 main gun and a cell phone,but im willing and comfortable carrying more and being as that is why not do so?
 
Always with me

In the house or outside some type of MOUSE GUN.Either seecamp 32 or beretta 21a in 22lr.If going out in the car a m&p c in 40 sw.
 
Just finished reading the EDC thread and I found it quite interesting; especially the number of folks who carry several pistols with reloads plus one or more knives.
So my question is multipart:
Do you really have a need for all that gear?
Do any of you carry escalating protection, I.e. pepper spray or a sap, or is your first line of defense your last line?
Having worn a gun belt for much of my working life I know it can be rather uncomfortable, for long periods of time; don’t you find it very uncomfortable to carry all that gear in street clothes, and how do you cover it
Click to expand...

For years and years I felt fine with just a primary EDC and a reload. However there have been some very bad murders and assaults that have happened near here within the last few years. In one a friend of the family was shot in the chest by 3 armed robbers while working at his business and my father had to defend himself against a home invader 3 years ago.

I live near the interstate so we have a fair share of homeless panhandlers hanging around and I have been twice approached by homeless people on my river lot which is out in the middle of BFE while I was there alone. I regularly carry a primary gun IWB, but I always have my LCP .380 in my pocket. The LCP is my "discreet" option because I can put my hand on it without telegraphing that I am carrying.

I sometimes carry pepper spray but I don't have alot of faith in it. Personally I think a car key stuck in the solar plexus or a bunch of keys used as a flail works pretty good for "discouraging" an unarmed attacker.

My usual uniform of the day when I am not at work is a loose t-shirt, cargo shorts and sandals. I have no problem comfortably concealing both guns and a reload for the primary along with my cell phone, keys and wallet.

And btw, it's funny that you mention saps because back in the day, I did carry this spring loaded billy from time to time. I just keep it in the house now, but it was great for getting a rowdy drunks attention during my younger days when I used to moonlight as a strip club bouncer. lol
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I carry 2 guns and 1 spare mag most of the time. When I have to wear something that will not conceal my fullsized 45, I take the pocket gun. I did carry pepper spray when I was contracting in cable work disconnecting cable. (For dogs mostly, and it did work well). Striking weapons in Texas are not legal for carry (ie the black jack, or ASP).
 
Everyone thanks for all the well thought out responses, I was not sure how my questions would be received. LSP972, I retired from the job a few years back, you are correct when you are away from the day-to-day ugliness it is easy to forget that the world can be a nasty place at times. Even the college small, and if you believe the local chamber of commerce, “cultured and refined” town I relocated to has several unsavory areas. Yes, I don’t leave the house without a pistol.

Happy Holidays All!
 
Besides the EDC and the amount carried i find it interesting now that i wont be found without a pistol on me except in the shower,i asked Santa for a Glock on a rope.
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This is how my lady sleeps if you think im bad!
glock_girl.jpg


The pictures are jokes of course from Google,but seriously i will not be gun less unless im in the shower now.
I just put a Mossberg 500 SPX Tactical in layaway as part of my parents xmas gift of cash ill get out soon.It will be hung on the back of my bedroom door,my P238 on my waist as i sleep in my house belt holster and my 1911 12" from my right hand.

I cant have a gun in every room like some people can,but i can have one on me all the time and another close enough.

To me a persons house is just as dangerous as it is outside due to all the more valuable items inside.Plus i have 2 elderly parents to protect,and yes they both have 9mm's at the ready.

At some points a bit of this may seem way over the top and extreme,But in being prepared im not hurting anyone nor being paranoid,just prepared to live.
 
I am a firm believer in a philosophy that I took from my father..."It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it". Most of the time, I don't carry a "BUG", but I always carry two reloads for my Rossi. They take up no more room than a wallet, so why not be prepared for the worse. You must remember that animals usually travel in packs.
 
I carry a handgun, usually one mag if the carry gun holds at least 10 rounds. A clip on pocket knife and cell phone. If trouble happens I really do not want it to happen so close the knife is the basic weapon.
I wear shorts or trousers, depends on weather and a lot of my clothes are 5.11 brand which is very good for concealed carry or carry of anything else.
I do dress for carry but it is second nature.
 
I carry a 3" 1911, and 1 spare 6 round mag. Other gear includes a folding pocket knife (usually about a 2" blade)..................and thats it. In the future I may feel the need for more gear or guns on me, but for now I am good with one firearm and a reload.
 
Well, i wish that i was allowed to carry all that stuff...

The last concern is where to put them.
If i was able to have them and carry em, i would found a way to carry as much as possible.

So you guys and gals, that you are able to carry them, enjoy your rights to protect yourself, your family and your Nation.

As for where to put those stuff, the answer is simple i believe. Gert clothes with many pockets. Also choose jackets with inside pockets and also you can use styled belt pouches from leather and stuff, that look like mobile phone pouches.

In your position, i would probably select:

*Shoulder holster for primary gun. (belt holster on summer)
*4 or 5 Magazines. (Probably on the Belt, holster or both)
*Folding Knife on Right Pocket.
*Auxiliary small knife on boot.
*Back up handgun on a boot or pocket that can be concealed easily.

I would not Cary a pepper spray, because of my own reasons.

If i use military style pants, i getting +2large pockets on the hips, or in some models 4. (Many ammo can be stored there :p)

On winter or Autumn, i can wear a jacket with many pockets so i really cant have any problem.:cool:

I already carrying everyday stuff like a lighter, torch and others (not uns or knfes).:cool:
 
I feel under gunned, for 26 years i have carried a 38 an then a tomcat till this year and changed to apf-9 and a light wieght 38 revolver. I do carry reloads but just one and most of the timei caarry the pf-9. If the first clip don't do the job the second will be shooting behind me while running. I do carry a good 4" knife but it is more basic use than defending myself. I would carry an exendable sap but not legal . I carry in my front pocket, had to pack some pants through the years but works for me.
 
"...Do you really have a need for all that gear?.."

I hope not also, but often use it, at least semi-recreationally, and as carry gear when out tooling around in the hills. I generally have a couple rifles and a couple pistols in the truck at any given time, often more, depending on what I've been doing, as well as camp gear, a couple days food, etc. It's a long ways to town or help in most of this country. Cell phones don't work very well either.


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