Re. every day carry thread

I can carry my regular load in a pair of jeans and an untucked tshirt I could give a damn if you see my flashlight or knife clipped to my pockets. Cell goes in left pocket keys in right gun goes iwb 700 (I'm a lefty) wallet back left xtra mag back right. No big deal I try to avoid shoot me first clothes like 5.11s or gun shirts. Normally a pair of generic cargo shorts will work just as well and disguse me as sheep.
 
Do you really have a need for all that gear?
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My general loadout is sidearm, pepper spray, decent folding knife. The knife is simply practical--if I have to use it defensively, I'm in a whole heap of trouble.

The pepper spray is for situations where lethal force might not be a good idea. Against someone planning to cause me serious harm? I'll use a gun. Against a guy who tried to punch me because I wouldn't take a brochure from him, the pepper spray was better for all parties concerned.
 
I generally keep a small spring assisted knife clipped to my pocket, a longer fixed blade on the back of my belt, and my CC on my right hip. The knives you'll soon find come in handy as a tool far more often than deterrent against a non-lethal threat. So far I've had to use it countless times as a tool and none as a weapon.
 
The front seat picture above reminds me of my 'Road Trip' set up:

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No matter how nasty the world, I'm not carrying 10 pounds of gear. I carry either a j-frame or PM9, a reload and a defensive knife. I have my cell phone with me all the time ... and that's it. I don't go places where I might expect to be attacked by a gang of thugs, the town where I live hasn't had a crime of violence in years and, armed as I am and with the training and practice I commit to, I believe I'm ready with what I'm carrying. I don't dispute that there are places where more stuff might come in handy; that's just not my life ...
 
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
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I carry a compact pistol with one spare mag, not for capacity but in case of a malfunction. Yes, usually I will have a pepper foam spray in my coat pocket and always one in the car door pocket, so the escalation part is covered.

In or near dark times I will have a light holstered or in a coat pocket too. Then there's the ubiquitous cell phone, keys, wallet and either a multi-tool or a small folding knife.

With a good sturdy belt it's not uncomfortable at all, and an untucked pullover will cover what needs to be covered.
 
Evan Marshal says, " dress around your Carry Gear". It now feels so normal I feel funny without it. The only time I have to make adjustments or alter my Gear is in Dress Clothes. That is a rare occasion.
 
EDC

I carry one firearm, one reload, sometimes two knives, and my cell phone. Not counting my car keys, wallet, sunglasses and reading glasses and Bic lighter. I've learned to buy baggy shirts with lots of pockets. Same with pants, cargo pants are my new favorites. A gun belt is essential.
 
old bear said:
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?
Click to expand...
I posted several times in the thread troy mclure linked to so I'll simply say that I certainly hope it's never necessary but I'm not going to settle for less just because it's never been necessary thus far.

old bear said:
Do any of you carry escalating protection, I.e. pepper spray or a sap, or is your first line of defense your last line?
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IMO, OC and impact weapons are not on the same level. However, I do carry a sap (or occasionally a baton) on a regular basis. I also have had fairly extensive martial-arts/combatives training.

old bear said:
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...
I don't even notice it anymore. Good quality carry gear (belts, holsters, etc.) helps a lot. As far as how it's concealed, in the winter, I usually wear either a sweatshirt, button-down left untucked, or long-sleeved pullover of some sort. In the summer, it's t-shirts or hawaiian/camp/guayaberra shirts.
 
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That's just a fella out working the range on his "horse" right there.:D Sensible.

I think we all do what we're comfortable with, and can carry without compromising the real goals of the day: produce something worthwhile, have some fun and appreciate life, then go home to bed safely to do the same tomorrow.

For some folks, a derringer snake gun on the nightstand is enough.

For others, they may need a pair of handguns and a backup long gun stashed nearby. Glad they can have 'em, this being America and all. I certainly don't begrudge Doc Holiday his pair of sixguns and side-by-side shotgun, 120 years ago.

For me? Most days I'm good with my chosen primary... but there's days that I may be exploring a new town, or a new part of my town.

Feels better to add a backup gun "just in case."

This being America, and all.
 
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