Share your personal evolution as a person who carries concealed.

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Playboypenguin

Moderator
I know my own personal evolution has been a big one. It has had it's ups and downs along the way and I have made a lot of mistakes. I touched on this in another thread but thought it might be nice to have a thread where members can share their own personal path they took to get where they are now as far as carrying a concealed weapon. This is not to discuss the reasons why we carry...but just to discuss the mechanics of it. I think it could be a big encouragement to those trying to carry for the first time today.

I had been around guns my whole life and even had a few throughout most of it. I ended up selling most of my guns after I came back from the gulf in the 90's and had just one gun for years. A few years back I finally reached a stage in my life where I could afford a few nice guns.

When I first decided to start carrying daily I tried to carry too much gun. I tried carrying my Kimber Pro-carry II. I found it very uncomfortable and felt that it interfered with my daily routine way too much.

I then tried it with a Ruger SP101 and had the same problems. It was so heavy and I just did not have the right gear for it so I almost gave up again.

Eventually I started carrying my S&W m637 and I spent a little money and got a good Galco OWB leather holster for it. It was so much easier and more successful than my earlier attempts.

Then I moved up to semi-autos. At first it was my PPK but soon I was finding that with the proper holster and cover garment I could carry guns as large as my Sig P229.

Recently I have become comfortable enough with the operation of my semi-autos that I am okay with carrying my 1911's cocked and locked. That added to the fact that I have just discovered the convenience of IWB carry and buying a couple good belts has made carrying a lot easier for me.

To think I almost gave up on it so many times. As I look back now I am amazed at how comfortable I am with carrying now and how easy it truly is with the right experience and equipment.

What is your story?
 
Mid to late 70's, box stock Colt Commanders and Government Models in .45, and sometimes a couple of High Powers. Some S&W and Colt snubbies in .38, a .32 PP and .380 PPK, and a couple of other obscure things as back ups. Hostlers and good equipment for all were scary and scarce compared to today. Dabbled with some hollow point ammo, but mostly carried USGI FMJ's in the .45's, and FMJ's in the autos. Started to use the Super Vels in the .38's and 357's.

Mid 80's, a short run with an HK P7M13 and a couple of Glocks. Soon went back to the Colts and occasionally the High Powers, and stayed there until the turn of the century. Backups stayed the same for the most part. Holsters and accessories were getting better though, as were the gunsmiths.

Early 2000's, got tired of screwing with all the BS with the 1911's, including the Colts and went to SIG P220's. Not long afterwards, shot a P226 in 357SIG, and the .45's were done. Went to a P226, then a P229 both in 357SIG. The snubbies were staying in the safe more and a couple of P230's took their place, along with a P239, also in 357SIG. These days, a Seecamp is also in the mix, and the 642's are still around. Even started to mess around with a couple of Glocks again, so well see how it goes this time.

Ammo is WAY better now, in both performance and choice. Same goes for most of the accessories (well, other than the Tyler T grips :) ). Holster wise, its been pretty much whittled down to Blade Tech, Milt Sparks VMII's, and Smart Carry for everything thats used on a daily basis.

The differences between the '70's and now are truly amazing.
 
This is a topic of particular interest to me, as my wife and I just completed the CHL class and are awaiting our permits. We are both comfortable at the range and around the house - and both of us are experienced with firearms. However, we are both inexperienced at concealed carry and I am keenly interested in everyone's experience and 'lessons learned.'
 
The "mechanics of it", eh. I had a whole story written up when I remembered that part.:)

Mine was pretty simple. Once I decided that I had the need, time and money to get a handgun I started where I almost always start when I'm buying something new.... Google.

Google led me here, Mr. PlayboyPenguin told me to buy a Glock, so I did. Little did I know that he would tell others to buy a Dan Wesson CBOB, which I still hold against him.;)

But I digress.... I found TFL with a Google search, started my membership with the ever popular "Which first handgun?" thread and got lots of advice. Some of it even good! I took particular notice as to the number of people who had boxes of holsters that sucked and how important a good belt was.

I've been carrying for 11 months now. I am by no means an expert, but I know a hell of a lot more than I did 18 months ago, when I joined TFL.

I ended up with the aforementioned Glock, in this case a G33 (357sig), a Crossbreed Supertuck holster and a belt also from Crossbreed. I think I done good. I couldn't be happier with any of it.... that DW CBOB is too damn pretty for a carry gun anyway!:)

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Good question for a good purpose, PBP.

I've owned and been around guns for, well, decades. But it wasn't until Missouri passed "shall issue" that I got around to really thinking about concealed-carry. Let's call it 5 years ago.

Since I already had a lot of firearm experience, I knew what my comfort levels were in terms of recoil, and what kind of basic ballistic performance I wanted. This helped to shape my initial approach to choosing a carry gun.

I decided to go with a 9mm, and chose a Steyr S9. Small, decent number of rounds, sufficient power. Finding a comfortable way to carry was the challenge. Like everyone, I went through the 'try this style holster, then that one, then that one...' period. And like most folks, I eventually discovered that getting a good belt was critical to all other factors for any kind of belt-supported holster (even for pocket pistols!) Seriously, get a good gun belt, from someone who make belts for serious carrying - it's worth it. With a good belt, *all* my holster choices (first a paddle, OWB strong side, then adjusted so that I could also use it OWB cross-draw; then a dedicated pancake-style cross draw) were improved.

I got a good Coronado vest. Love it, and it's almost impossible to detect that I am carrying with it - I can even open the vest, and nothing is visible.

I needed a pocket pistol. Added a Rohrbaugh R9 to the stable. Got a cheap pocket holster for it. This was a mistake. Got custom made pocket holster, and life was good.

But as much as I love my R9, my hands are too big to shoot it well. So I added a 642 (S&W .38 J-frame revolver, if you don't know). Got a Mika holster for it. Perfect fit, inexpensive. Life was even better.

Decided that I wanted something with a little more 'oomph'. Also was getting to the point where I had been carrying enough to learn one very important secret - it is easier to carry concealed than most people realize, because people just don't look at you that closely. For those who are new to carrying, this will seem odd - but it is absolutely true.

So I got another Steyr, this time an M357 (.357 Sig). Bit bigger, holds as many rounds, but now in a more powerful cartridge. Nice thing, though, is that it still fit in all my holsters for the S9. Yay!

More time passed, and I got more experienced with how to dress, how to carry. And I got a chance to pick up a compact .45. Not a really little one, just an 'Officer' model (3.5") - a Para Ordnance Carry 12. But it is all steel, so has some weight to it. Decided to go with a conventional 'high rise' OWB holster for this. Bigger gun, bigger bullets, more capacity - what's not to like?

Now, the Coronado vest will take just about any gun I want to lug around (actually, will take two - one on each side). Heck, I think I could carry my 6" Anaconda in the thing. So it is very flexible. But with the other options I have, I have found that it is pretty easy to carry in just about any dress mode, with these guns. It just takes a little experience, and decent equipment to do so.

Jim D.
 
Started carrying a Kahr CW9 and carried it for a couple years. Got concerned that I didn't have enough firepower and switched to larger guns. Now it's anything from this list but mostly the 3rd generation Smith and Wessons.

Smith 5906, 3rd gen, Smith 4046, 3rd gen, Sigma 40ve, Sigma 9ve, CZ 75BD. All are carried in a Don Hume IWB H 715. I also have an MTAC Minataur for the CZ.
 
Maybe I am in a rut but I almost exclusively carry my SP101 in a Bianchi 105 Minimalist. it seems to work fine whether under a jacket or a Hawaiian Shirt. And I keep a bianchi speed strip in my pocket with extra rounds. I tried the speed loaders, but they are much thicker in the pocket.

I have many other holsters and handguns and occasional carry my Sig GSR, and Beretta 96G, but they are a little too big, unless wearing a heavy coat.

The only other firearm I carry regularly is a Compact Springfield XD45. I shoot all of them frequently but I seem to always go back to the SP101 in the end.
 
I may be able to add an odd bit of info about my experiences,even being short as they are.First ill say im a obsessive compulsive in many things in my life,meaning learn fast and progress fast.
I think im about 7 months back into handguns,and about 3 months new too ccw.
My ccw began the day i traded in my G20c in for a PT745 subcompact,its a much better gun for ccw and i still carry it.
This is where i learned about belts and holsters,and just how cheap i can be on non gun purchases.I do have a good gun belt,but the holsters are pretty generic like Galco's pancakes and Sto-n-go and Desantis Nemisis.Alot of my holsters get modified to do what i want them too.A cheaper holster isn't bad if your willing to take the time to make it perfect for yourself.
Ive also made my own Kydex IWB 1911 holster and a PPS back pocket cover slip so it can be carried unseen.

My next progression was back to a larger gun,a PT1911 which i carry 75% of the time as my main gun.Im really getting tired of trying to carry it IWB and it will stick with pancake duty as long as cool weather prevails.This is despite me trying my best,a full sized 1911 worn IWB under a Tshirt will never be comfortable.

At this point i learned a few things about myself.
1. I had a hard time ever finding room for a spare mag.
2. I wanted to start carrying a bug.
3. I wanted a 5 gun ccw collection for selection.

After 2 months since my first ccw gun it was time to add the bug i been wanting,i went with a Sig P238 as i have no issues with cocked and locked even in my back pocket.Its also one of the funner guns to shoot when i can afford the ammo.I also realized the .380 isn't as anemic as i was lead to believe.

Just 1 week ago id say i picked up a Walther PPS 9mm as i wanted a bug with a bit more bite,but im finding the PPS isnt much of a mouse sized gun.
But with a back pocket slip cover i made the gun hides well back there.
Over time i see this very well could end up a main type gun more than a bug when summer months approach.
This gun is a wonderful IWB gun also.

Yesterday i did make a pouch that will fit inside a jacket breast pocket for a spare mag.
Since the day my permit was picked up ive carried every single time ive left my house.And learning alot along the way,mostly about whats comfortable and whats not with a large 1911.I think thats why i carry it so much,i keep trying to find more comfy ways to carry it.And i did,its OWB in a pancake holster.

As i said earlier i plan on a 5 gun ccw collection,my reasoning is i don't know what i like or want and i want an option to carry under every circumstance.
I still have that 5th gun to buy,it may be a bug and move the PPS up to main gun status.Or another main gun which im not worried about picking out yet as ive tried and cant make that decision yet.I think ill know what gun to buy when it reveals itself to me,its a gut feeling.

No doubt that this online forum has made this a lot easier and more fun and not half as frustrating.Who knows,if i hadn't started reading online gun forums i may have never gotten my permit.
 
After I moved to Michigan from Ohio 7 years ago I decided I wanted to carry. I'd been around guns most of my life but couldn't carry in Ohio before the move. My first CCW gun was a Kahr PM9. I wanted to pocket carry and not mess with special belts, concealing shirts or vests, etc. This turned out to be a very good gun choice, as I sometimes still carry that gun.

But then, like some of you I wanted a more powerful carry load. I had bought and shot a Ruger P90 and feel in love with the 45 ACP but obviously wanted a smaller gun. So I tried a number of subcompacts, finally settling on the Kahr PM45. I still occasionally carry it but it is too big for most pocket carry.

I also needed a very compact carry gun for when I go running, so I got a Kel-Tec P3AT for that situation.

My latest CC gun is a S&W 642. I wanted a caliber close to the 9mm in power but in a revolver as I feel they are more goof proof than an auto.

So I have the PM9, P3AT, PM45 and S&W 642. So whatever the carry situation, I conceal the largest gun I can.

Lou
 
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first I bought the P345. Then I applied for the permit. The first month I was paranoid that everyone could tell. I tried 3-4 different holsters. My first one was a big disappointment. Then I went through a few more until I got my simply rugged one. Then I had to get a belt. Went with the same company.
I decided I would carry every where I could. And I still do. I started in April when I got my permit. I liked it to a degree I didn't think I would have.

I realized it had so many applications it wasn't even funny. One of those applications is to make you as a person WAY more aware. I mean, it was like opening my eyes wide compared to what I used to be aware of. This little thing grew in the back of my mind, always reminding myself that I need to be responsible because I am carrying. It doesn't nag, its just a "oh yea, btw don't be stupid, you got a gun" and "what is that guy doing over there?" in a casual way.
I ask myself stuff like that sometimes. What is that guy doing over there anyway? Why is that guy just standing around? My clothes didn't really change. I wore jeans/shirts anyway, so a choice between IWB/OWB was a good option to have anytime I wanted. Mostly I carry IWB and you can't tell even with a think shirt, or a short shirt. Sometimes, I did carry OWB with just a shirt. Sometimes, I open carry. It depends on my mood.
I don't think a 45 like this is too much gun. The barrel is over 4 inches, the grip is full size, I think it suits me well, and it conceals unbelievably well on my frame. 5'10 and 150 pounds
I decided on my 45 because of the way it shot. I fell in love with it the first time I shot it. I compared it to Glocks and Sigs in the 45 and the 9's. I decided the 9 wasn't for me. The gun I bought had everything I wanted.
A safety- being new to guns, it was more of a just in case others are around me thing. Or if I am in a house with kids, because you never know a kid can run into you and stuff.
Mag disconnect- again, just in case of losing control of the gun
Recoil- light and easy
Gun itself is light when fully loaded. 2.5 lbs
It was cheap- in comparison. I got it for less than 500 out the door
 
My CCW started in '74 with a Nkl Colt Cobra. I have been thru about everything including, LTW Commander, 4" Smith 29, 58, 65, 57, 24, 624, Colt Govt., RR 1911A1, Charter Arms Bulldog, Ber 92fs, 950b, BHP, Glock 19, 17, 23, Colt Peacemaker, etc.....

These days I settle upon a SMith 37 mid 90s vintage in a pocket holster. Live and learn.
 
Good Topic

I have set-ups for CCW ranging from snub nose revolvers to medium frame semi's. I carry about 95% of the time. I keep coming back to my Smith model 36 and Colt Det. special snubs for carry. Everything is a compromise, but those two choices fit me best for enough firepower and comfort to carry.

I use a leather Desantis belt holster for cool weather and a waist pack for warm weather carry. I am older so I look right in place with a waist pack.
 
I started out carrying a Sig P220 that I didn't really want, loaded with ammunition I never test fired, in a cheap ambidextrous nylon belt holster (you know, the type with the built in mag pouch on the front and the belt clip so it can double as an IWB, too) attached to studded leather belt. Often I just carried the loaded handgun in my backpack... I didn't actually have a permit to carry, and I figured that carrying in the backpack would be okay... or at least less likely to be discovered. I only really carried on my belt when I wanted to show off and look "cool". :barf:

Over the many years since that time I've carried at least two dozen different models of handguns as I've experimented with different carry solutions. I've carried IWB, OWB, crossdraw, in the pocket and in a shoulder holster and my tastes have evolved from a cheap nylon holster that's "good enough" to expensive custom leather. I moved to purpose built leather gun belts and then finally to a Wilderness instructor belt. Also, I've learned the importance of testing carry guns with carry ammunition before you carry them. Further, I discovered that showing off carry guns isn't "cool" and I'm extremely reluctant to let people know that I even carry these days.

The most vital parts of my personal evolution, however, have been getting a permit and getting training.

My current method of concealed carry can best be described as a layered defense:

The "always" gun - I have a small, light and easy to carry pistol that I carry from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. It sacrifices shootability for carrying comfort so that I'll always be armed. Right now the Kahr PM40 serves in this role for me.

The "sometimes" gun - When I got out somewhere I usually strap on another layer in the form of a larger handgun. It's the opposite of the "always" gun, sacrificing carrying comfort for shootability. When carried the "always" gun gets demoted to BUG status. At this time a Sig P220, Glock 36 or Kahr K40 serve in this role depending on my mood, however I've been flirting with the idea of switching over to a 1911 pattern pistol. Additionally, since the gun in this role is put on and taken off during the course of the day I've come to appreciate holsters with snap loops.

Anyhow, I found that this approach strikes the right balance for me between comfort and preparedness.
 
I'm still waiting for my evolution to begin. Maybe if Arkansas wasn't so slooooooooowwwwww to "shall issue". They cashed the check in two days, but they need 118 more to deliver your license. :p
 
My first carry gun was an SP101. I chose to carry it IWB and it didn't work well to begin with. The holster I chose was a kydex job that had a large single belt clip right over the cylinder. This caused it to print pretty loudly.

I gave up for awhile until I found CompTac. I got their CTAC holster for the SP101, and life was great. Two belt clips spread out the weight and print signature. Add to that the fact that I got my first real gun belt from The Beltman, and life was excellent.

I started to appreciate autoloaders more after noticing particular types of crimes local in the news. I tried an XD9 in a CompTac MTAC... there was something wrong about the contour of the gun. Too wide, much like a glock, it felt like it was a piece of angle-iron down the side of my hip.

I kept carrying the SP101 until I found a couple types of bottomfeeders that just felt right at my side: 1911's and CZ-75's.

Today, I predominantly carry a Colt LW Commander in a CompTAC holster.
 
I began my evolution about 7 years ago. In the beginning I had no idea that carrying a handgun could be so uncomfortable. I started with a 1911 in a Milt Sparks summer special IWB holster. It proved to be to too heavy.

Then I tried a Smart Carry with the 1911. It felt a bit more comfortable while standing but I still remember the pain in my bean bag when I went to sit. Ouch!

I eventually moved on to a Glock 19 in a K&D OWB holster. I coupled that with a top quality Galco gun belt. The belt makes all the difference. I was carrying all day every day.

Part of my evolution was the style of dress to accommodate the carry method. Before I wouldn't have considered wearing a Hawaiian or camp style shirt. Now I have many. I always wear a t-shirt under as well to absorb any moisture and also to keep the cold metal off me.

Another part of my evolution was understanding that concealed means concealed. You have to be careful how you move and to not lift your arm up enough so as to pull the shirt up to expose the weapon. Going to the men's room is always interesting too.
 
Evolution

Evolution:

- S&W model 13 in a pancake holster

- Beretta 96D in a pancake holster

- Glock 19 Yaqui style

- Glock 19 in a fannypack

- Sig P228 pancake holster

- Sig P228 in a Milt Sparks IWB holster, this is sweet and almost un-noticiable in pants and shorts. Best holster that I own. ::D
 
I started out with open carry on the job (LE :D ) and concealed carry (ankle) off the job. Both revolvers. To put it bluntly, my ankle holster sucked but I put up with it for quite a while.

Then I switched to IWB (with a revolver) and could NOT find a comfortable or even neutral way to carry.

Then I went through a no-guns, no-carry period since I was mostly living/working in DC.

One day I sort of "woke up" again, moved to VA and got back into firearms. Remember the discomfort I had with IWB I went OWB with full sized semi-auto pistols.

Then decided I liked some of the "mouseguns" and added pocket carry (in holster) to the equation. I briefly flirted with the "smartcarry" but an abdominal injury, surgery, and inactivity/drugs during recovery caused me to put on a lot of belly-weight and made getting to a "smartcarry" just about impossible.

So I've been OWB and pocket carry for a while. Recently I have considered giving the Crossbreed holsters a try for "tuckable IWB" but I haven't done it yet.

It took me a LONG time to learn the importance of a well constructed leather gunbelt and a well designed holster though.
 
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