Some basic things to know for carrying concealed

Thx for the tips, Im new to CC, and Im learning ! Anything I can glean from forums, helps !

 

And, remember kids, conceal carry is meant to be comforting, not comfortable.

 

Thanks for these tips. I'm learning before deciding what to purchase, as I'm saving up the funds to get quality.

 

Good deal. Always better to pay with cash and educate yourself in the process. If I don't learn something new every day, I'm just being lazy.

Be sure to check out Hickok45 on YouTube if there is a certain firearm you're interested in purchasing. He's knowledgeable, entertaining and fair.

 

Dang it.. Reading the OP I was thinking this the whole time, scrolling down to post it and here it is.. Truth!!

 

If I may add a couple of things:
1. Where you go may dictate how you carry. (It is not nice to have your firearm clunk on the pew in church when sitting).
2. Get a full length mirror. It not only helps when practicing the draw, but will help to identify the "print" your setup makes.
3. Put the cell phone where you do not expose the firearm when answering the call from the spouse to pick up bread and use your non-dominant hand (this will not raise the jacket up to expose your setup).
4. Concealed is concealed. Just as you don't want your butt to show when sitting on a diner chair, your firearm feels the same way.
5. When the old girl friend tries to hug you, keep the arm on the side where the firearm is in the "low" position so she is not able to hug the gun also.

 

When done properly it is both.

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He's GREAT !!!

 

Good points, but I disagree with OWB being more comfortable then IWB. It all depends on the position you are in. If I'm standing then OWB is more comfortable, not by much though. But, if I'm sitting I'd prefer IWB. And if I'm driving OWB is flat out painful.

 

don't forget to blow out the lint and other pocket fluff every now and then. They get pretty nasty with pocket carry, rj

 

Currently carrying my Walther PPS with Viridian C5L. Waiting for my holster for my CZ 75D PCR so that I will also be carrying in my rotation. Im also waiting on a CZ 75 P01 SDP that is on lay-a-way. That will also be first choice for my CCW. Remember .. You cant have too many CZ's

 

I'd say one of the most important elements is practice! Dry-Fire practice drawing, reholstering, reloading, moving, malfunctions, etc for 10 mins a couple times a week.

 

Decent generic advice but:

2) why do you need a belt? I pocket carry a 9mm for reference? I can see it helping if you have a monster sized pistol but in #1 you recommended small..
4) how is IWB > pocket for concealment? At best, they are equal, the gun isnt seen. Better? how? Honestly, as long as it is hidden and accessible, it gets a 100% score here, regardless of details?

 

Here's my 2 cents worth, I carry my tri star c-100 on my belt under my shirt. Open carry is legal here so I don't worry too much if its gets seen from time to time. If I want to go a bit lighter on some days I carry a Taurus pt738 380 in a cell phone holder on my belt or in my pocket holster or sometimes in my ankle rig. Maybe not a good place for a quick draw but at least I not unarmed !!

 

My observation is that body shape has more to do with this issue than most people give credit.

What I have observed is that, if a man has a body mass index in the normal range, properly fitted pants rest on the hips. The problem in the USA is that most grown men are above the normal BMI, and they require a belt because their waist has a larger circumference than their hips and their pants slide down.

I made a concentrated effort a couple of years ago, and dropped a little more than 40 pounds. That got me well into the normal BMI range. What I found, and I carry a PF-9 as well, is that the way my new pants fit, I can pocket carry and you cannot tell that I am even if I do not wear a belt.

So, in my opinion, the belt issue becomes less critical for small handgun concealed carry.

When I do carry my full-sized steel 1911 (and I do from time to time), the belt issue is a more critical, because if I am performing any kind of even remotely vigorous activity, the dang thing flops around without a decent belt. This can be quite disconcerting. Combine that with the fact that my preferred 1911 carry is an open top pancake that relies on friction for retention, a smooth draw is impossible without a good belt.

Good gunbelts don't need to be expensive. A well-made 1.5 inch Amish belt will do just fine, and last for years and won't lighten your wallet too much. If your preferred carry weapon still makes your pants sag with an Amish belt, that is a sure sign that you need to lose weight. There are many benefits to getting fit besides being able to conceal your carry handgun well.

 

I have carried for closing in on 2 decades, most of it in the pocket, and have yet to need a belt. Maybe I am built differently, could be. Have not lost my pants yet I would not want to try it with very loose pants. Odds are I just am used to slightly tighter pants, I had a job that got me a lot of tips as a teen & 8 hours of quarters weighs more than any gun I have ever carried.

The point though was concealment, not ease a access. I concede that mine is a little harder to get out. Practice makes perfect, hopefully, its not "slow" after doing it for a long time, but its not john wayne either.