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Just an update.

Still haven't done a true Wally Walk yet, as outlined in another thread on this forum.

I have carried into Wally mart, target, HEB, and various other locations, multiple times and locations. I've gone to lunch with my friends in the People's Republic of Austin. No one realized I was carrying.

Yes, my magazine has been fully loaded. Not one in the chamber, still not comfortable with that yet.

I'm starting to lose the paranoia of thinking people are watching me, or know I am carrying.

So in general, I'm feeling more comfortable about carrying.

Sasnakra wrote:It didn't take near as long to become comfortable carrying as I had expected. In fact it really surprised me how easy - although I still keep on the lookout for the dreaded 30-06 signs (still haven't found one!) Which is probably a "good" reason to take it slow enough and make sure you have the proper habits formed early.
Best of luck.

It's getting more comfortable.

Thanks

Here is one of the training videos I used as a reference to draw from iwb:
http://www.youtube.com/user/gunfighterc ... Byr1hi_nTo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

pbwalker wrote:

Mando'a wrote:

pbwalker wrote:

Mando'a wrote:Just felt better doing it that way. I figured that if I were "made," I would get in less trouble.

Am I understanding correctly that you do not have your CHL?

Regardless of it being loaded or not, you were carrying a concealed handgun...that's a big no-no without the license.

I'm legal. I have a chl.

Oh ok! My apologies...

Just to piggy back on what everyone else said then, loaded or not would have no bearing on the level of 'trouble', but I understand the concern! I didn't carry one in the pipe for the first 3 or 4 weeks when I first started carrying, but eventually you forget it's even there!

No, It's all good. I posted so I could be critiqued. (learn from the experienced)

I just didn't expect the unloaded magazine to be an issue. But I do understand now, that it is irrelevant whether or not the magazine is loaded.

I've been practicing at home, drawing the firearm and racking it (pulling up my cover shirt). I have to do this without the magazine, otherwise it locks open.
In drawing my G22, my trigger finger has never touched the trigger, so I almost feel comfortable having a cartridge chambered. My WW, will be with a loaded magazine, but not one in the chamber. It may be a while before I am comfortable with that.

As always, thanks and TIA

**EDIT added "But I do understand ..."

pbwalker wrote:

Mando'a wrote:Just felt better doing it that way. I figured that if I were "made," I would get in less trouble.

Am I understanding correctly that you do not have your CHL?

Regardless of it being loaded or not, you were carrying a concealed handgun...that's a big no-no without the license.

I'm legal. I have a chl.

bizarrenormality wrote:

davidtx wrote:Why the empty magazine?

It makes no legal difference. If you're carrying it might as well be loaded.

Just felt better doing it that way. I figured that if I were "made," I would get in less trouble.

I've been paranoid ever since Handdog posted what he went through, just for printing.

I did a dry run yesterday in preparation for my official Wally Walk.

I took my 2yr old to the our local HEB, along with my Glock 22, the magazine was empty. My G22 was carried in my MTAC holster. Holster worn at about 4 o'clock.

My attire:
My standard blue jeans, A-shirt (to protect my holster from sweat), and a large shirt to cover my firearm. Wallet in my left rear pocket. (discovered I need to consider Cargo pants)
socks and shoes, of course...
My utility belt:
Gerber Profile fixed blade, on my 9
Masonic fob with keys on my 10

We went during a very busy part of the day. We parked about 50 meters away. I had to cover my firearm as I exited the vehicle and went to the opposite side and scanned the parking lot, before and after extracting my son.

He held my hand as we walked to the entrance, I got a cart and placed him in the seat.

We went in and started gathering our supplies. Having a 2yr presented me with several opportunities to bend down and pick up things he dropped, to include a shoe. Being about 5'7", I was also presented with several opportunities to reach for items above me.

We had to criss-cross the entire store several times, since I kept forgetting supplies we needed.

I bumped into a few people, or they bumped into me. I steered the cart between other shoppers, and had to pass by a mother who looked like she was about to loose it with her child.

Didn't eat anything there, as required in the official WW.

I guess I got brave at the end when we checked out, because I didn't really make any attempt to empty the cart with my right hand to further help conceal my firearm. I moved about the cart using both hands to empty the cart.

I think the cashier was flirting with me... But I'm a computer-geek and I'm also about 12years married, so I'm normally oblivious to such things.
Or maybe I'm just a legend in my own mind...
***

Having brought my 2yr old seemed to have helped take my mind off the fact that I was carrying.
My original intent for bringing my 2yr old along with me was in case I was "made" they wouldn't consider me too much a threat.
Which was also the reason why my magazine was empty. I figured if the cops were called they would let me go.
Raising Arizona popped into my mind when I came to that realization, "It ain't armed robbery, if the gun ain't loaded."

I'll post more as I recall more details, I meant to post last night while it was still fresh in my mind.

My official WW, will be within two weeks.

**EDITED - "My attire, and added Utility belt"