Share your personal evolution as a person who carries concealed.

1) Initial fumbling period

Bersa .380 in shoulder holster/pocket, NAA Guardian .32 in pocket,
full-size 1911 Mexican, Sig 229 OWB/fannypack, Kel-Tec P11 in pocket


2) Found a gun

Carried Kel-Tec P32 in homemade pocket holster for years


3) Looking for non-mouse gun

Tried both Mil-Pro .45 and Taurus M85 in pocket. Eventually
settled on the snubnose


4) Moving to S&W

Two M85s broke on me, so I switched to a S&W 642
 
I have been carrying concealed for over 10 years now. In LE I have carried different types and sizes of weapons and various accessories all around the U.S. and in many countries around the world. To sum up my evolution, here are the things I have found by direct personal experience.

1. In a concealed handgun, many people carry too big of a firearm. I routinely use a P7M8 and I would even say it occasionally verges on being a bit big depending on what clothing I have on. My S&W J Frame is, in my opinion, the most versatile concealed carry gun I own. I like the Kahr series but don't own one. A glock 17 with two spare mags doesn't conceal very well.

2. Many people don't have quality holsters and belts. You continually see them hitching up their pants, printing, holding one arm very close to their side like they have a gut pain, etc. I use to do that all the time myself until I bought good gear. I still do this when I try to carry too much stuff on my belt. This is one area that I would argue you definitely get what you pay for.

3. I have come to believe there is no one perfect gun for CCW. When it is colder outside and I can wear bigger cover garments, I carry bigger guns. Bigger bullets make bigger holes. Plus this is when my 1911's get to play a little.

4. No one is fooled by a fanny pack anymore. No one is fooled by the OD green or black man-purse either.

5. If you want to dress like an off duty rookie cop in your 5.11 gear with vest, uber-cool tactical knife in your front pocket and glock t-shirt people will be able to pick you out. Criminals included. I have a closet full of vests. They mostly go to the range now.

6. Carrying concealed is, at first, a powerful and heady experience. When the fun wears off and you get tired of gearing up for war every time you go to Wal-Mart you will start to leave your toys at home. That is when you know you have too much equipment and/or the wrong CCW. When you are shopping at Wal-Mart and you run into the 6'6" monster you arrested for DWI two nights ago you will realize three things. First, he could make pretty short work of you if he wanted. Second, thank God he was so drunk he doesn't recognize you. Third, the G26 you left at home isn't doing you much good STUPID.

7. Statistics show that over 90% of all "gunfights" occur in 3 yards or less, last three seconds or less and three shots or less are fired by all parties. Not that you shouldn't be prepared for other circumstances but as the saying goes "train like you fight". I would now take a small flashlight over a third magazine any day of the week. I would now take a cell phone over a spare magazine any day of the week.

8. Drawing from concealed takes a lot of patience and practice. You look pretty dumb when a hammer snags or your shirt gets caught up in your grip.
You look even dumber when you stand up at a restaurant and realize your pistol has somehow managed to work free from the el-cheapo holster you bought and is dangerously close to falling on the floor.

Thankfully I have gotten much better after carrying for so long. The mistakes come fewer and farther between. There are still there though and serve as a continual reminder to pay attention to what I am doing before someone else does.
 
Pocket Carry

I began carrying in the spring months and started out with a Ruger LCP in a pocket holster in my front right-hand jeans pocket. The first few times I went out with it I was certain everyone could clearly see it printing and tho' I have the CCW permit, I was sure to be stopped for questions by LE or reported to LE by another citizen or something. I have learned that most people are not observant and have no reason to notice me or much about my appearance. I look and act like a middle aged, middle class husband / dad which is exactly what I am. Even people that know me pretty well have no idea I carry. The LCP goes with me almost everywhere. Once I got used to it, it is like there is nothing there. As the weather has become colder this winter, I have been carrying my full-sized 1911 more and it blends right in with my winter clothes. This is alot of gun, but with the right holster and belt (don't underestimate how much you need a good belt!) it is comfortable. I am thinking that before the weather gets warmer I may purchase something in between the LCP and 1911 for carry. Seems like many people like the J-frame- maybe I try one on for size.
 
I have been through quite a bit of CC guns/positions including:

Glock 19 (sold in hard times, still miss it)
Glock 30 (still have, Love it!)
PF9 (Occasionally carry, usually pocket 10%, IWB 90%)
P3AT (has laser and is very seldom used as primary, sometimes as BUG)
P32 (carried occasionally as BUG or as around the house gun when lazy)
FIE A27 (Colt Jr. in .25ACP, Once in a blue moon as a BUG just cause I like it)
NAA 22M (off hand pocket BUG for deep conceal, see: work)
NAA 22LR (off hand pocket BUG as above when pockets are way small)
S&W 637 (front right pocket in one of these 9/10 I leave the house:)
http://www.tuffproducts.com/product.php?productid=16252&cat=268&page=1

I experimented with so many different holsters from cheap to expensive it is sad including mika, fancy leather, UM, Galco, custom crap. I have finally settled on a way or two for carrying all of the above pistols but front right pocket is always populated, usually with the bobbed and lasered up jframe.

I highly recommend the holster above and smart carry.
 
I start with an EAA Witness 9MM in a shoulder hoster. Since the first time I ever carried was in the winter just had it under my jacket.

From there I moved to a Springfield XD subcompact 9MM in a cheap galco padle holster. Didn't conceal the greatest but it wasn't too bad (3" barrel).

From there a friend and gunstore employee of mine convinced me to try an IWB holster. I thought it would be uncomfortable but he said "just try it." From then on I was hooked.. started carrying a Kimber Stainless Compact (and eventually a Kimber Pro Carry II) in the Galco Summer Comfort IWB holster.

Moved onto a Glock 36 (yes, I know, a guy who likes Glocks and 1911s???). Carried this originally in a Galco Second Amendment IWB holster, didn't like it as it sat so low it was hard to draw quickly with it. Tried the Galco Summer Comfort for it and wasn't impressed with how it sat with my duty belt (belt was wide enough it forced a major forward cant).

Eventually I settled on a Safariland 27 IWB holster, close to perfect as I've ever seen a holster.
 
The first gun I bought new for carry was a Colt Light Weight Commander. This was back in the days when it was either a 1911 or a 'what the heck is that?'. I have carried a Mauser HSC, a couple of Spanish 380s, a HiStandard derringer, a 22LR mini-revolver, an S&W 59, a 25 Seacamp, and a few others over the years. Other than the .22s, I used FMJs. The JHP was not very common and not very dependable. SuperVel changed that.

Now I rarely carry anything other than a KelTec P-3AT or PF-9. Both are loaded with hot modern loads using very good JHPs.
 
Springfield full size GI 1911 for the first 2yrs
S&W 686 4in for the next 4yrs
glock 22 for a year
H&K USPc 357sig for a year
S&W 686 4in and 2in for a year
Rock Island full size GI 1911 for a few months
STI Lawman 1911 for a few months



Biggest lesson learned is the right holster and belt is the ticket when searching for comfort and ease of concealment
 
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First thing to say is that I'm glad that so many people are CCW today. I wish every law-abiding citizen would. I think crime would go waaaay down.
I just have had my CCW for several months now and took some getting used to, to actually carry a gun to do everyday things. However after reading about so many holdups in these very "everyday places" I am carrying more often now. Just last week the Mgr. of a Subway shop where a bunch of us eat lunch every day got beat up and robbed right outside the shop in plain view of a main road and patrons inside the shop. The 2 muggers were waiting for her and knew she was unarmed. Took the money and ran. This happened about 1:30 PM. They knew she was making a run to the bank.
Now I carry all the time especially when I'm alone.
Main carry is a Kel-Tec PF-9 in my Mikes #4 Pocket holster. Slides out real easy and quick.
 
People aren't very observant. You can walk around printing like a newspaper all day long and 99.9% of the people you encounter won't notice. Fanny pack? Not my style, but who cares if it doesn't fool anyone? Only the CCW/LEO crew knows what you're doing. I don't mind them knowing.

Criminals are mostly stupid. They don't notice. You just think they do (along with everyone else) because you know you're carrying.

I never got "the big head" about carrying. Not sure why everyone talks about that. :confused: It kinda ticks me off when people bring it up. I guess I'll have to learn to deal with it.

Carrying a big gun isn't hard. Just dress around it. I carry a .40 cal every day. When I tell someone I carry (which is rare), they're shocked.

Open carry would be easier.

If someone asks me why I carry I have several responses:
(a) Because cops are too heavy to carry.
(b) Because the constitution says so.
(c) There are lots of bad people out there.
(d) Because I'm too fat to run and don't like bringing knives to a gun fight.

Someone above mentioned 5.11 tactical pants. I don't know about that and can't speak to the point made (never owned anything 5.11) but I do wear pants with lots of pockets. Only LEOs recognize them. I don't care if they recognize them. I've learned that gang bangers only notice if you look like an easy target for quick money. I don't.
 
I'm in the camp of having come full circle. Started carrying in the mid 80s, Army MP 1911. Then we crossed over to the 92FS. When I left the Army I continued to carry the 92FS as a LEO (not an LEO now). When I left polo e work I rediscovered the 1911 (note: I have had and always will own a 92FS) and started training and carrying it, full size Colt 70 series.

Then I became a member of the "Oh it's the new gun of the month" club. Tried glocks when they were called the weird plastic guns, like the Turkish Ghost. Tried most make of revolver, they never floated my skirt up save for the colt lawman series.

Holsters. I've always spent the money for a good holster and belt. I was taught that early on. I have, or try to, 3 holsters for my current carry gun, OWB, Paddle, and IWB. Just to have options. I also have a shoulder holster that I use when traveling.

Now after trying most of the popular guns of the last 25 years, the ones I carry most are 1911s or Beretta 92. I am well practiced and comfortable with either. I agree with the keep it simple principle, and carry guns with similar actions and similar in function. Example, Sigs are similar to Berettas and HKs are similar to 1911s.


My carry set up is straight forward. Firearm in a good holster, at least 2 spare mags. Period. It's like wearing a watch. As soon as I get dressed in the morning, the gun is just like another article of clothing. No big deal.

I will echo what others have said about practice. If you are serious about carrying a weapon, about protecting your life and your families, practice
is a must. Practice with the gun you carry, with the Ammo you carry if at all possible.

If you want to dress like an off duty rookie cop in your 5.11 gear with vest, uber-cool tactical knife in your front pocket and glock t-shirt people will be able to pick you out. Criminals included. I have a closet full of vests. They mostly go to the range now.
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I have and wear 5.11 pants for work. I work in the oilfield and 5.11 pants are tough, comfortable and some can be had that are FR rated. Cops don't watch me or follow me around. Remember, Hikers and climbers wore 5.11 (Royal Robbins I believe) way before cops branded the 5.11 with their tactical ninja cop only stamp.
 
Started carrying about 8 years ago, when my state came to it's senses and immediately bought what I thought was the ideal carry gun; an HK USP compact in .45 ACP. Nice gun, but most of you already know that when you carry, the smaller the better, and the USPC is decidedly not a small weapon. Oh I still carry it from time to time, mainly in the winter, but it has been for the most part displaced. After some experimentation and realizing that a mouse gun is simply a BUG for me, I settled on a Kimber Ultra CDP in the aforementioned .45 ACP. I've found nirvana in that weapon, carried cocked and locked in a Don Hume JIT slide @ 3:30. A change was to wear my shirts out for the first time in summer in nearly 30 years, but it works. The P32 BUG remains, but serves as primary only in an emergency situation. The UCDP serves as primary CW and primary HD weapon. Concealed carry can be a chore until the proper fit for the particular individual is found. It is automatic for me nowadays, and hasn't been a chore for many years, simply part of life.
 
Massechussets?

Amendtwo - how did you ever get a permit in Mass?

That state is a "may issue" meaning you have to be dating the chief of police's daughter or his mom to get one there. I have a friend up there who would probably take you to dinner just to know how you did it.
 
1st, Kahr MK9 9mm, ummm cut into my waist while sitting for long hours playing cards.

then

Colt Mustang 380...nice comfy, but dang, the things worth about 900, so back in the safe, plus a 380's a punny round.

then

Colt Defender 45. ...much excitement, big cal, much money for ambi saftey (lefty) melted edges, cool grips. but its just a bit big and I didnt like carrying cocked and locked much. I may return to it someday with the right holster. Also I'm now more comfortable with one in the pipe..thanks to TFL I've got used to keeping my ccw guns hot).

then back to:

Kahr MK9...now on my ankle in a lou alessi, comfy, great shooter, decent round. finally found my mate and it was an old flame!

SP101 and bersa 380 got bought with vauge carry intentions, but the bersa got assigned car gun duty and the SP101 with laser site turned into a very expensive toy.
 
I got into CCW a bit more than a year ago, having settled in a location where it is legal, for the first time in my life. I have been shooting for close to 20 years. I used to work in the security business when younger and also got the training for carrying at work something 15 years ago already - and then the company policy veered away from having people armed at all. Still, the work got me well used to being alert and curious about my surroundings. Many years spent in the dojo have not gone to waste either.

Settling in to going armed now, in a throughly different life situation, in a different country and culture, has been a conscious effort. Why bother? Is this a power trip after all? Can I, really? Which would be worse, hurting someone or just having some embarrassing incident? What variety of trouble can one get into?

I tried at first with my CZ SP-01, OWB with the Blade-tech kydex job I use for IPSC, set up without the offset piece, and was quick to conclude that what works on an IPSC stage isn't for concealment. I also tried a shoulder holster. Absolutely prohibitive size and especially weight. So I got a CZ D Compact / PCR model, had it fitted with the SP's tritium sights to retain a familiar sight picture and started feeling more right.

A sturdy duty belt has been my basic gear for half my life. Nowadays I mostly do put on an Uncle Mike's velcro underbelt by itself... noone ever batted an eye. Nicer without any buckle, I'm not as slim as I used to be. The PCR resides in a Fobus el cheapo paddle in layered clothing weather, which is more than half the year here. In "summer" I went for a fanny pack - got one in Czech, made for the CZ, it barely has room for the PCR with one spare mag or light. Very slow to draw from, need to find more ways to conceal in a proper holster. Here it is only legal to carry in Condition two, so outside the range I never chamber a round, unless of course.

I like the paddle just for the ease of getting it on and off me, and for that handling the gun off body but in a proper holster makes for a nice extra margin of safety. I don't carry to work, I leave the gun in the car on the well-guarded P-lot and only take the mags with me. I have valid reasons for that. But with the paddle or the fanny pack, I get in gear and off it pretty handily. I mostly have a spare mag and Creed LED light in a nylon holster with velcro closure on the belt, and I just swap the mag for a multi tool when at work. No attention gotten on that part either, but I'm sure my coworkers get climatized for seeing me always with something a bit weird on my belt.

I carry a backpack 90% of the time on work days. That helps with my other EDC stuff, which contains at least three mobile phones any given time, laptop with all its gear, some tools, OC foam spray and a pretty comprehensive first aid kit. I just got a full two day refresher on my first aid done too, which was a good thing. Must have been ten years since the previous one.

Otherwise, I carry at all times when and where legal. Most of the year I have some layers of clothing anyway, and the top one is often a cardigan just made for hiding the waistline. When going out I will wear a coat and pocket the light, the OC and often a folder or multi-tool. We often have in-house guests, friends and family, and even they never notice unless it's friends of the kind that you discuss these things with. At home I often will slip off the holster with gun in it, remove mag and stash the gun in its holster in a well picked place for any home activities. For the night it comes to my night stand, with the LED light handy.

The alloy frame PCR has proven just right for me. I feel it's just the right balance between concealability and shootability. I am in A class in IPSC ranking and work out with my competition SP-01 quite a bit, also teaching and training others. On occasion, I will do a Level1 match with my carry gear, especially when the distances are short and COF:s concise. The level of sheer shooting in those conditions vary only very marginally between the competition and carry gear and gun for me. The consistent sights and triggers on both the guns certainly help, and regular practice too.

I will always end a range session by putting on my carry gear and doing a drill or two with that, with verbalization, movement and the whole nine yards. It seems I can shift those gears pretty well. I pray to God I never have to test it for real, but I am confident that should I have to, I have all the right things in place to prevail.
 
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In the late ‘70s I started out with a S&W M39 that was soon replaced by a bone stock Colt series 70 Government. Some time in the late ‘80s I went to a 4” barreled S&W M65. Managed to shoot it to the point of timing problems and replaced it with a 4” M19. Both had bobbed hammers. In the late 90s started packing a 638 that was soon replaced by a Colt series 80 Government. That’s what I still carry. Full circle, no?
 
Lessons I've learned.

#1 Most of the general public are completely self-absorbed in their daily lives and barely notice anything 6ft around them. Sit in public sometime and just watch people and you'll see what I mean. Quit worrying about if the world sees your piece. If you dress and act accordingly, THEY WONT.

#2 Spend some dang money on a good holster and belt Period.

#3 Use what works well. I started with Glocks and after a slew of dissapoinments and some surprises, I went back to what works for me.

#4 If you dont carry it then you wasted your permit money for nothing.


Oddly enough, an older friend told me all these in some form or another and it took me a ton of money and time to figure it out.
 
I started carrying a bit over a year and a half ago, when I purchased my first handgun. Not knowing much, I selected a 5 inch Walther P22 for my first handgun. I carried it around for a good 3 months, alternating between a cheap Uncle Mikes holster, and a Desantis Gunhide IWB holster. It was never comfortable, and as I learned more about handguns, I began to become increasingly dissatisfied with my caliber choice.

Toward the end of my time carrying the .22, wanting to stay loyal to Walther, I began looking for a new handgun. Specifically, I wanted to track down a Walther P99 AS in .40. I wasn't having much luck finding one used, and new was just slightly out of my price range. I started to look at other options, and nearly purchased a Smith & Wesson 410S from a seller on a forum board. Fortunately, before I made the deal for the Smith, the same seller offered me a Taurus PT140 Millennium Pro at a steal, with two holsters, a mag carrier, and an extra aftermarket magazine (Bringing total mag count to 3). I jumped on the deal, but was immediately dissatisfied with my purchase. While I loved the fact that it actually had some recoil, unlike my .22, and I could shoot OK with it, the holster options were not all that great. At purchase, I received a High Noon Bare Skin holster, and a Fobus Paddle holster with the gun. While the High Noon concealed well with a cover garment, the grip interfered with the overflow of my then 48 inch waist. The Fobus didn't conceal well at all, and stuffing the gun into my old Desantis (the same one I kept the .22 in for all that time) was nowhere near comfortable with my overflowing beltline. For a good while, I continued to carry the .22, with the Taurus staying at home for the most part. I still continued to lust after the Walther P99, and figured that my Taurus would eventually be traded.

Fast forwarding a month or two, I had moved into a new place - close enough to work that I could hike. An unintended consequence of my hiking began to emerge - my waistline was beginning to slim down a bit, and stuffing the Taurus into my old worn Desantis holster was working out better by the day. It was still uncomfortable, but it was no longer painful. Around the same time, I picked up a Springfield XD-40, and began frequenting a more handgun specific forum, where I stumbled across Crossbreed Holsters. I had seen mention of them in other places, and mostly favorable reviews, so I decided to give them a shot. I really couldn't justify carrying my new XD-40, so I ordered a holster for my PT140 - a gun I was actually beginning to get attached to. Once my Crossbreed arrived, I realized that it was a match made in heaven. Even as my waist continues to shrink (down to a 38 nowadays) my PT140+Crossbreed combo has fit every time. Being able to carry something that I am confident with, in complete and total comfort, is one of the best feelings in the world.

I still want that Walther P99 - only because its the gun that made me want to get into shooting. However, I don't think I'll be trading away my "Stopgap" Taurus when I take that jump. This little pistol that I bought on a whim became my favorite.
 
#1 Most of the general public are completely self-absorbed in their daily lives and barely notice anything 6ft around them. Sit in public sometime and just watch people and you'll see what I mean. Quit worrying about if the world sees your piece. If you dress and act accordingly, THEY WONT.
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This is a lesson I feel every person who commits themselves to carrying learns eventually. We start off afraid people will immediately see our gun and soon realize that even if they do see a bulge the last thing they think of, if they even take the time to think on it at all, is that this bulge is a gun. That is why I also believe that it is a good idea to carry your firearm in a place where the bulge is easily mistakable for something else.
 
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