Share your personal evolution as a person who carries concealed.

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.
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Having carried dozens of different guns over the years, I would say that you can carry just about anything; if that "one gun" is what you want to carry.

Looking back, I would say that probably the one biggest "issue" that has driven my "carry evolution" is that of sitting comfortably. Some of my solutions over time have included (for longer barreled hand guns): cross draw OWB rigs for 6" .44 mags and the like (carried several different .44 mags for many years this way relatively quite comfortably), vertical shoulder holsters, and high ride OWB strong side holsters for Government size 1911s and similar sized autoloaders.

The other solution to the "sitting comfortably" issue is carrying more 4" guns; as opposed to 5" and up. The shorter barrel length can make a huge difference, and I am 6' 02" and 240 lbs.

With all this said after many years of carrying, I still prefer strong side OWB with a good leather holster/belt combo. If you were to see me today I would likely be carrying either: a Colt in either Government (10mm auto or .45 acp) or Commander (in .45 acp) or a Glock 29 (in 10mm auto) in just that way.

I have different hand guns that I have tried in a variety of ways (IWB, pocket carry, off body carry, chest carry, etc...) and pretty much have settled on OWB strong side with larger to full size hand guns; with the occasional IWB for Government 1911s or a pocket pistol in my front pants pocket, only if the dress and situation really dictate it. But, I live in Alaska and concealed is pretty easy pretty much year round. However, when I travel down south, still carry where I can, with the same holster/gun set ups as at home and never had any problems.
 
Well, I have just started carrying concealed today. My permit finally arrived in the mail. So I loaded my Double Eagle, and went out to dinner with bro. Then a run to Target and the movie store.

What have I learned from one short day? That even my full-frame 1911 style gun doesn't really print. And that I worry about it. My bro looked me over, and said he can't notice anything while I'm wearing it. Of course I need to be self-conscious about it. The second I'm not...

And of course I've learned that a big gun like that is NOT comfortable. I need to shift it around a bit when I sit down or it DIGS in to my side. and of course, I don't want to be noticed when I do that. But until I can spare the money to buy a small frame revolver, the DE will have to make do.
 
I am with wvshooter - I carry a heavy but somewhat compact S&W tactical 45 pistol. The 4516-1 is my weapon - IWB, 4 o'clock position. I am not very meaty so I don't wear tight fitting pants and usually have on a shirt that I don't tuck in or a jacket. I have had a permit to carry for over 20 years. But I have only carried full time (except for inside the office) for about the last 2 years. I am trying to get my wife to carry her gun in her purse (she leaves in in her glove box in her car and she also has a permit).

This may just be my opinion, but because women carry a purse, I think it does make things easier on them. With all the different kinds of clothes they wear, I'd hate to think how some of them would be able to carry their guns without a purse.

But I love my smart carry holster for summer use and I either use that or an underarm holster during the winter. I don't use the underarm holster much because I find people often will ask if they can take my coat and I don't like trying to explain why I won't take off my coat once I am indoors.
 
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Well...I bit the bullet today (no pun intended).

Since I've paid my charge down, I decided it was affordable. I bought at Ruger SP101. I felt guilty doing it since I'm currently househunting ATM. But I do have my savings cushion. And well...that aforementioned full frame DE just isn't comfortable. While standing or walking, it's just fine. But like I said, when doing simple things like sitting down in a chair or car, it has to be shifted in order to prevent my ribs from feeling a pistol grip. After not only trying it on in the store (the SP101), but moving around my apt in it, I have this to say:

Well worth it!

I can actually sit down and not have to adjust the gun. I barely notice it's there. So yes, I forced myself to justify this purchase. I NEEDED this gun for CCW. And I'm glad I bought it already. Plus, I can always sell the Dan Wesson or DE. Might not WANT to, but wants & (potential) needs are usually different.

I obviously haven't shot it yet. The shop was closing within ten minutes of me getting out of there. But, the range gave me a membership good for three months. I get free range time, as well as 5% off ammo and accessories. So I've got time to get used to it.

To wrap it up, very satisfying purchase. An affordable, realistic, and the kicker: SEXY CCW gun. But I'll of course feel guilty over it until it's paid off.
 
I've been carrying for about a week now, and to be honest, I'm finding it to be a giant hassle.

I carry an XD SC 40S&W in a crossbreed IWB holster in a SOB position. It bugs the snot out of me. I want to carry SOB OWB on a belt, but I don't wear enough clothes to properly conceal it, and I live in TX and it gets crazy hot here. I want to get a pocket gun (LCP/LCR) but if getting mugged or something going for the front pocket is kind of conspicuous. I need to get something slimmer/lighter so I don't have to pull my pants up all the time.

I'm 6' tall and somewhat slim, not very broad, wear size medium button up shirts, usually slimfit. I'm not going to wear anything loose as it looks horrible on me. Currently, I constantly have to tug on my shirts as they're always getting hung up on the holster/gun. Any suggestions? I've been looking at some of the concealed carry Taurus's; any thoughts on those? My buddy got a Walther PPS and loves it, but they're as much as my XD. I guess I could trade it in or something.
 
I got my LTC last winter. It sure took some getting used to carrying. I felt extremely self conscious. After awhile i realized that most people are clueless that people conceal carry.

Now that its getting cold out, I have been carrying both my 637 and 686+. The 637 sits at 4 o'clock OWB and the 4" 686 is crossdraw. With a sweatshirt I am ready to go.

There is nothing like walking around with a full size revolver.

Wearing shorts and t shirts during the summer reduces me to just the 637 at the same position. It doesnt print and is really comfortable.
 
Started with a distant family member threatening to kill me and toss in a few home invasions and break-in's locally I decided to arm myself and conceal carry. I purchased a used S$W model 642 airweight and a Glock 33 357SIG and like them both. I carry in a pocket holster or ankle holster and also found a cool spot for either gun in the car. I put either gun and sometimes both in a nylon pistol bag and leave the end pointed toward me open and put it above my sunroof slide and close the slide. The bag fits in there perfectly and there is some friction between the slide and the glass and holds the bag in place nicely. I can get to the bag in seconds and have practiced a bit doing just that. As for the home front I have a Glock 21, S&W model 327 8 shot .357, and a Ruger SR-9
all loaded with Speer Gold dots.

Cheers,

SDF880
 
Only been carrying a few months, but have learned a few things.

Started carrying my Sig P229 in a kholster, (kind of like a supertuck). I wear khakis and a tucked polo shirt most days, and jeans or shorts and an untucked shirt on days off. IWB is mandatory for me based on my usual manner of dress.

First thing I learned, is that a belt really DOES matter. I was using an old, worn out thin leather belt, and that was terrible. I was constantly readjusting the gun and was constantly aware I had it on. Even just upgrading to a thicker, heavier leather belt from Walmart made a world of difference. Once I've settled on a semi-permanent carry rig, I'll probably upgrade to an even better belt to see if it further improves things.

Second thing I learned was that undershirts help when carrying IWB. Although the leather backer to the kholster keeps the gun from pressing against my skin, I find I'm much more comfortable, even here in Florida, if I have an undershirt on.

Third thing I learned is that the two things that most affect my ability to comfortably carry concealed is the weight of the gun and the thickness of the gun. One day, in shorts and a t-shirt, I had decided I didn't feel like carrying my P229. Rather than not carry, I grabbed my small .22 pistol (better than a sharp stick). Literally forgot I was carrying that day. Even though the .22 is relatively heavy for it's size, the smaller frame and thinner gun really helped.

So now I have a Kel Tec P11. It's 35% thinner than my P229, 30% smaller overall, and 50% lighter than the P229. Carries 11 rounds of 9mm compared to the 13 rounds of the Sig. It will never be a range gun, or exactly fun to shoot with that long trigger and light frame, but it makes a great carry gun.
 
This is an interesting viewpoint about CCW and it made me pause and think about it.

In the 60's, I carried a 25 auto and .22 Derringer in Chicago illegally. I made my own holsters was actually shaken down twice and neither time, got busted. Chicago has a "stop & frisk law" and you can be shaken down anytime for any reason. I was lucky.

In the early 70's, I carried a 1911a1 openly when I hunted or went to the boonies. I had a real fear of being assaulted out in the boonies and was actually shot at a couple of times and hit several other times. There is no law out there. You bring the law with you.

I dirt biked in the deserts and openly carried in a flap top holster while I rode. On motorcycle road trips, I carried very expensive combat knives and had to contend with laws that would nail me with a felony if I got caught with the knives. The way I learned it is if a knife LOOKED like a weapon, you'd probably go for a ride. My knives were very definitely weapons and razor sharp.

Later still, I did the shotgun in the car trick. That's OK in Texas as there is no beef about rifles or shotguns in vehicles being fully loaded.

I tried the Kanemaster canes with some success. It's a marvelous weapon but I kept leaving them laying around. That cane is no good if it's laying 50 feet away.

Then came the Texas CHL. I got my first CHL and ran it out 'til expiration. I'm on the second one, now. My philosophy evolved like this: I am very opposed to carrying 1911 and similar size pistols. I knew that I would hesitate to carry a brick sized pistol and leave it at home. Carry small but carry always became my motto.

Now, I alternate between 2 KelTec P3AT's, a Ruger LCP, S&W Model 36 and 642 in 357 mag. I always carry in my pocket and don't give a flip who says that is not OK. One of those little buddies is with me at all times. I don't even go to the mailbox without one.

Being old now, that actually works in my favor should an incident occur. I've always been a big guy and using a firearm against a smaller attacker is hard to justify. Now I'm crippled up with joint pain and have more justification in a shooting incident.

I've heard all the jaw boning about a small cartridge being less than satisfactory for CHL's but feel that a .380 or .38 spl WITH me beats my 1911a1 at home on the dresser! Everything being said, I would NOT want to be hit with a .380 or a 38 special!

Flash
 
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OOOOO....you got me. I missed that little mistake. Darned funny response, too! Edit coming up pronto.

Gee, a few more college hours and I'll be a total idiot!

Flash
 
I have had hog-legs for years but after a couple of “events” decided I needed to carry something for self-defense. Got my CHL and then launched into deciding what to carry.

Got a Ruger SP-101 357 3” barrel. Love that little gun! Too heavy, too large. I do carry it in a cross-draw holster when wearing a coat, but coats are not an option much in southeast Texas.

Next a Taurus 2” 85, 5 shot 38 Special because it’s small enough for pocket carry.

Next a semi in 40 calibre (which I’ll not name because this forum frowns on vulgar obscenities). Its jams and stove-piping determined I will never depend on it.

I looked at the Ruger LCP but decided I wanted the reliability of a revolver. Saw a Ruger LCR 38 Special with Crimson Trace on display. Thought about it overnight and at 8:02AM, next morning, bought it. It’s smaller than the Taurus and that entered into my choosing. Plus the hammer is shrouded.

By 10AM I had shot a couple of cylinders through it. At 10:02AM was on the phone to Crimson and ordered a laser for my SP-101.

Now I’m in the situation that I don’t want to be caught needing a gun and left it at home “just this one time” so I always carry. It’s the LCR in my pocket and the SP-101 in the console of my car.

I’m looking for another way to have the SP-101 handier to grab, but the options in my car are limited. So, on long trips I carry it in my holster where it’s just a quick grab.

The laser sights are fantastic, the bullet goes where the dot goes. Shoot from the hip, no need for sights.

I hope I spend the rest of my life carrying around something I’ll never need. But I got it if I do.
 
I started carrying in late 2004. My first gun was a Glock 30 (hence my username). I bought the G30 because, to my limited knowledge, Glocks were the best handguns. A close friend advised that .45ACP is the best round for self-defense. I purchased a Comp-Tac C-TAC tuckable IWB holster based on a number of positive reviews I read.

G30sideview-1.jpg


While the Glock 30 is a fine handgun, the grip was too large for me to shoot well. I'm also not a fan of the finger grooves, or the factory sights. After some research and trying out other guns, I replaced the G30 with a Springfield 4" Stainless Champion 1911. Much better ergos, but quite heavy. It was at this time that I discovered that purpose-made gun belts DO make a difference. When I traded my Wal-Mart special in for a gun belt, carrying the Champion in a C-TAC was no big deal.

C-TAC1911clipscloseupSMALL.jpg


Shortly before a trip to Florida, I bought a Kel-Tec P3AT, as I wanted a pistol I could pocket carry. I purchased some mag extensions for the Bersa .380, as they fit the P3AT magazines perfectly, and make the gun more controllable for me. 380ACP isn't exactly a powerhouse, but I wasn't going to shoot through winter coats.

I originally carried it in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster (garbage), but that was soon replaced by a Desantis Nemesis, and later a Desantis SuperFly.

P3ATwithNemesis.jpg


As I learned more about ballistics, I realized that .45ACP is not the be all/end all of defensive cartridges. 9mm will do just fine with quality JHP ammo. With that in mind, I bought my wife a CZ PCR that she picked out. I was so impressed with the ergonomics of the PCR that I bought a CZ 40P, and later a P-01. I ended up selling the 40P as I am not a fan of the .40 cartridge, and the gun was rather large for a 10+1 capacity. The P-01, however, joined my carry rotation. First I carried it in a FIST IWB kydex holster, but ended up replacing that with a C-TAC.

P-01inC-TAC.jpg


Soon, a Kahr MK9 joined the fold, as I wanted a small single-stack 9mm that I could pocket carry or carry IWB in a tuckable holster. Pocket carry didn't work out so well, but I carry it often now in a C-TAC.

MK9woodgrips.jpg


Regretably, I ended up selling the 1911, as money was tight for a time, and I had other guns I carried more. I later bought another Springfield 1911, this time the full-sized Stainless. I replaced the full-length guide rod with the GI setup, and installed an arched mainspring housing.

SpringfieldGovt1911leftside-1.jpg
 
- PART 2 -

At this point, my wife took a class with Vicki Farnam, where she got to try out Vicki's M&P9c. She liked it a lot, and shot it much better than her PCR (the DA/SA transition was no fun for her). We sold her PCR, and bought her an M&P9c. I was so impressed with it that I bought a full-sized M&P9 for myself.

The M&P FS will become our home defense/cold weather CCW gun, but I will often CCW the M&P9c in a Comp-Tac Infidel IWB holster.

MP9withRangers.jpg


A little while later, I decided to consolidate my handguns so that I would only have defensive handguns with similar manuals of arms. I was using DA/SA, DAO, and SAO guns for self-defense. I found that I could not devote enough training time and $ to remain proficient with all of them, so I settled on DAO for my defensive handguns. I shoot them (especially the M&P9/9c) better than the 1911, and the manual of arms is simple - point and shoot.

So now I am down to 4 defensive handguns - the Kel-Tec P3AT, Kahr MK9, and Smith & Wesson M&P9/9c.

Other guns I have owned and sold are the SIG P6 and P226. Again, fine guns, but I didn't like the location of the slide stop/decocker, and both of them had pretty heavy DA trigger pulls. I sold both of them.

Lessons I have learned:
1. For concealed carry OWB/IWB, spend the money and get a real gun belt.
2. Don't skimp on a cheapo IWB holster.
3. If you intend to carry IWB, make sure you buy the pants a couple sizes larger.
4. If I'm serious about the defensive use of a handgun, I will seek out as much training as I can afford.
5. If I have too many different types of defensive guns, I will not be as proficient as I could be with any of them; I used to take all my handguns to the range, and shoot 50-100 rounds through each one. I never became proficient with any of them. For me, being a member of the 'Handgun of the Month' club does not benefit me at all. Todd Green refers to it as the SIMP Principle: http://pistol-training.com/archives/70
6. Don't use a pistol name as a part of your username if there's a chance you will be selling that pistol.
 
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I just started carrying. My first week of carry experience is a cz-75b 9mm in a leather on the belt high ride holster.

It's a bit heavy, but so far so good.

I'd like to be getting a 1911 .45 4" with an alloy frame like the pro carry.
 
My CCW evolution began when I lived in Illinois in the mid-1980's. I bought a Llama .380 and carried it occasionally when having to go into Chicago.
After returning to Rhode Island, that Llama still served as my only CCW option, and only occasionally, as I did not have a permit.
I decided to make the practice legal in 1995, and have been carrying ever since. The Llama was replaced with a KT P11 and then a Taurus PT111. I have since added a S&W 642 and a Colt SF-VI. I am getting intimately familiar with a Glock 23 and will use that as well. Lately I have also acquired a KT P32 and P3AT, and appreciate what they can offer as pocket pistols.
I prefer OWB belt holsters when the weather allows the use of a sweater vest as a covering garment. In the warmer months I prefer a fanny pack.
I have also obtained CCW permits from Mass. and Maine, where we spend a fair amount of vacation time.
 
This is too easy.

S&W 340 PD - 13oz with 5 shots of 125gr. Federals (.357 Magnum) and a Crimson Trace laser grip.

Light, Reliable, Safe (DA), Accurate and Magnum. What else would I carry?
 
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