The Schlumpy Carrier

The simple fact is that people get judged on appearance. Since most of us aren't psychic then the first thing we generally have to go on is the visual cues (appearance) followed by behavioral cues.

One of the most annoying things in the world (to me) is parents who insist that we need to break away from the "blue for boys and pink for girls" thing with babies and then get huffy with you when you ask if the neutrally dressed infant in the stroller is a boy or a girl.

Hey, no -other- visual cues so how the heck are we supposed to know??? :rolleyes:
 
As long as your not holding the pistol on the side and firing "gangsta" like, I really don't care what you wear. I've also never seen any of these type of people have much accuracy whatsoever compared to my targets, and that always gives me a laff. Now if some true homies come in a clear out the 3" ring at 20 yards, then I'll mildly impressed.

As for those angry blood-thirsty jelly doughnuts, well I decided to give up fighting those as I discovered the equation: N(number) * D(Doughnuts) = B(Belt size)
 
I try to dress somewhat nice, but I've been wearing the same shirts and pants for years, it really doesn't matter to me. There are times I just want to wear a T-shirt and jeans, but I need to find a good IWB holster that will allow me to do that.

As for seeing someone as you describe as being poorly dressed, and carrying a gun, as long as they're not brandishing the gun, I don't care how they're dressed. They may get a quick glance from me, but as long as they're not acting suspiciously, they won't get anything else out of me. I can certainly care less how one is dressed at the range, because just about everyone there is there for one purpose... to shoot guns.

BTW: Wild, it was nice to finally meet you in person yesterday at your shop. I've taken your suggestion to just buy another 1911 rather than having my Springfield customized. Hey it's another gun in the safe right!?
 
If you were OC and it looked like your piece was going to fall out of it's holster, I would probably politely alert you to that fact as I'm sure you wouldn't want to lose it. If it was CCW then I should never know.:D

I sort of suspect that few people, myself included, in the gun community would judge your style of dress. If I didn't know you and met you at the range the topic would not be brought up by me. If you were a friend and brought it up, I'd probably do the standard male thing and offer you all kinds of tips and advice until I thought the better of it and asked you if you were just venting.;)

Why are you concerned about your appearance though? I thought all you Alaska types looked like dough nut destroying lumberjacks or something!:p
 
You guys are confusing schlumpiness with style.

Nothing can be farther apart.

Style is a young man with a baseball hat on backwards, baggy pants, unlaced shoes and a long athletic jersey....

Schlump is a guy with jelly donut on his too small T-shirt (with a silly logo), belly peeking out coyly from under, half mast fly on kahki baggy pants, mismatched socks and Haband vinyl black slip ons.

Or take me on Sunday: Baggy kahki shorts dragged down on right side due to seecamp in pocket, torn back pocket when my switchblade accidently opened, black cotton socks decorated with little embroidered sushis, one up, one down; Teva sandals, egg yolk in my beard and a Kalashnikitty T Shirt (with milkshake dribble)...topped off with a camo hat (worn goober style) with the price tags still on it.

I picked up SWMBO at work, walked into her store and she threw me out, while apologizing to the customers saying "sorry, that is my disgusting husband, don't be scared". Later it was the more serious lecture which ended up with me on my knees bowing and confessing to her that I was sorry and I am am a disgusting American etc etc, which is a mouthful in japanese needless to say.

By the way, to digress, SWMBO wants all of you male Kalshnikitty shirt wearers to know that you are either unmanly or perverts..."Why man wear Kitty-chan shirt? I know she cute with gun but Kitty-chan is woman thing. Disgusting old man not wear kitty-chan shirt, not manly, maybe you like guy who grab cutie schoolgirl butt on subway train, dirty old man. I dont understand American gun thing".

I love it :)

WildhellokalashnikittyAlaska
 
Schlumpy is a guy who is too lazy to care for himself and his equipment.
One can find decent clothing at the Salvation Army thrift store.
We can find a holster to carry a pistol in a safe manner for a reasonable price.
It's more about attitude. You'll probably find me in jeans and boots, with a ironed shirt. The jeans have some wear but they are not torn or stained. the boots are shined. I won't need a shave or a haircut. My pistol is clean and lubed, carried in a quality holster.
I'm the guy most folks don't pay much attention to. Average middle-aged American. No firearms patches, logo's or clothing. I'll spend the money on ammo, thank you. I'd say spending my money on the firearm itself is enough of an endorsement.
I won't associate with people who give the firearms community a blackeye. By this I don't mean the average country boy. I had a friend in the Corps who was from a dirt-poor family in Arkansas. These folks lived what some would call "Close to the earth". They damn sure kept themselves as squared-away as they could, under the circumstances. It was a point of pride with them.
To me, it's about doing the best you can with what you've got. I sacrifice in other areas so I can afford the things I need to acquire my firearms and equipment, and the means to stay proficient with them. I spend money on good carry gear so as to be able to go about armed without endangering or frightening the public.
 
Alaska you're a funny old boy. I'd pay to read your stuff.

Do you have any articles in magazines, or anything? You'd be like the Dave Barry of the gun world. Or maybe the Larry the Cable Guy...

In any case, as I said above, I don't mind schlumpy, but I do mind lack of safety. Your weapon should be secured, and you should be highly disciplined about that aspect of it. From your post, I couldn't exactly tell if you were describing a dangling pistol or not, but it kinda' sounded like it dangles.

A person can't get killed with an untied shoelace (at least not without some serious flexibility and Chuck Norris-style practice) but a firearm that's dangling from your shorts can be dropped, or snatched in an instant. As a Marine Close Combat Instructor, I spent a whole lot of time training in weapons RETENTION- one of the least emphasized, yet most important, disciplines associated with firearms. Wear butt-crack pants if you want, or even speedos and black socks, but your weapon is a whole different matter, IMHO.


DANG! Every time I read this thread I want a jelly doughnut.
 
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Iv'e seen a couple of pics of Wild before on this forum and trust me you don't want to see him in a Speedo!! A toga or one of those lime green jump suits would be most appropriate. Larry the Cable Guy of Alaska? Pretty close!
But his keen sense of humor, coupled with his knowledge of guns, and his ability to cut to the chase w/o all the BS is enjoyed by all.
 
Schlumpy is as Schlumpy does. It's the too cool in school, matching everything too pretty guy you got to keep an eye on. Leave dumpy schlumpy alone.
 
WA, schlumps do't bother me, but if you are a schlemiel, or a putz I may avoid you.:D

At our range no holsters are allowed on the firing line. A matter of safety. also no loaded firearms behind the yellow line.(just at the rear of the benches.);)

Isn't it true that the Yiddish language has more insulting terms than any other?:p
 
I think I must equate schlumpiness with blue collar working class. Ya ever see the plumber/tradesman at the end of the day?

No no thats the fruit of honest toil at the end of the day. The true shlump looks like that when he wakes up.

Sort of like the lumpy kid in high school with glasses held together with a band-aid, the tail of his shirt poking out his fly, two missed belt loops, untied Hush Puppies with worn down heels, button down shirt with the collar wings unbuttoned, ink stained pocket and a booger on his sleeve.

WildthatsmeAlaska
 
The folks I worry about are the guy dressed in designer shorts and polo shirt, with shoes that cost as much as one of my Rugers, and the Gal with him in skin-tight pants with 3" spiked heels, out in the desert shooting custom guns.
Plain 'ol working Joe, in jeans and Teeshirt, who has to save six months for a new gun is OK with me. Hell, that's how I dress most of the time.

About 20 years ago I was repairing some equipment at the Sheriff's Department Shooting range. While getting some needed parts from my car, a nasty, beat-up, muti-colored (plus rust) Chevy van pulled into the parking lot. Four guys got out. Long hair, dirty clothes, real scuzzy looking dudes. Now I'm a bit worried.
Out of the back of the van the pull a few bags, and some heavy duty weapons...Uzis and stuff!!! Now I'm about to imitate the bird that sits in the tree above your fresh-washed car!
Then, they all hung badges around their necks....they were the Narc. officers, and when I was done fixing stuff I got to spend a while talking with them and watching the shoot.
 
I don't care what you look like. So long as you don't smell too bad and when talking to yourself you aren't using more than one voice!;)

As long as you're safe, I'm fine with what ever you want to wear.

B
 
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