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SlowDave wrote:Thanks for all the input. Addressing a few of the topics:

I realize an IWB would be a much quicker draw.

My earlier point about the draw had nothing to do with speed, but with surety. A quarter-second here or a half-second there actually makes little difference in most real-world situations. My post was based on your own opinion that your belly-band carry method was awkward and insecure.

Your ability to quickly obtain a secure and trusted grip on your gun in a fashion that does not allow the bad guy an easy way to foul your draw makes all the difference in the world.

All the difference in the world.

When you draw, if your elbow is way up in the air, your shoulder attenuated, and your wrist flexed...well, that's a prescription for disaster. The bad guy needs a fraction of a second to foul your draw and dislocate your shoulder.

On the street, history shows us that the odds of having to draw a gun on a threat even 20 feet away are relatively slim. Outside your home, unless you're caught in a gang shooting crossfire or a mall shooting type of situation, the odds are your attacker will not be truly identified as an attacker until he is less than 10 feet from you...probably less than six feet.

He wants to close distance because it's in his best interest.

"Hey, man, I just need some directions. I'm new here and I need some help. Please."

At realistic assault distances, you may need one or both hands to fend off an attack, which may very likely be a knife.

And if you aren't prepared, a knife at extreme close quarters can be as effective at ending conflict as a gun. Don't underestimate a blade.

"Then just please give me the time. What time is it?"

If you can't get your hand on your gun quickly--with a solid master grip--then having a gun does you little good.

A gun is not a magic wand.

Having one doesn't automatically make the bad guys go away.

That's up to the individual operator and his training.

Hi, Dave. I don't want to clutter up the thread repeating anything, but having glanced through it one suggestion I'll make is to seek out some advanced-level defensive handgun instruction. Running through "what if?" scenarios mentally may have you come to some conclusions that are not supported by practical application. Too, that way you don't need to reinvent the wheel: you can learn from many years of experience from a well-known professional. Getting that informed foundation will help you make good decisions as you go forward.

Just two other quick notes:

SlowDave wrote:The belly band I use most covers the trigger, but it's not all that secure. And I wear it high, so removal from the holster is awkward.

If this is a primary carry gun, not a back-up, then that's a big red flag to me. If you consider your carry method to be insecure and awkward to access, then it probably isn't a good way for you to carry.

IMHO, the most important element of a solid, consistent, combat drawstroke is the initial grip on the gun. If the grip can be obtained quickly, firmly, and with minimal articulation of the wrist, many ills can be tolerated actually getting the gun out of the holster and on target...meaning you can accommodate moving rapidly "off the X" and other dynamics of a situation. But if that initial step in the draw, the grip, is faulty or insecure, there's a good chance that nothing else will happen as expected.

SlowDave wrote:In the home under a burglarly is where I most don't like the thought of having to rack the slide because it gives away my position which was formerly unknown. But there's also a shotgun which already has one in the chamber for that purpose.

Interestingly, while every instructor I know (except for the Israeli system) will tell you that your handgun is designed to be carried with one in the chamber, shotguns are not.

Most pump or auto-loading shotguns employ a simple trigger stop as a safety. This is not a true mechanical safety like you find on rifles of military heritage, such as ARs and AKs. Unless a shotgun (like a Saiga) has a mil-spec safety, it is not drop-safe and storing or carrying it (for longer than it takes to deal with the matter immediately at hand) with one in the chamber is contraindicated. The proper "ready" condition recommended for most shotguns is a charged tube, chamber empty, safety off.

Best of luck, and have fun with your new journey!