new to carry observations

[rlowe]

Well, I have been carrying some since my plastic arrived a little over a week ago.

I am carrying with a Bullard Dual Carry in OWB configuration. I carry a Glock 19. I am a lefty and carry on my left side.

Here are some observations:

1. I am over the 1 in the pipe jitters. I carried around the house before the plastic arrived with a snap cap in to get some confidence. Also read some great article on how well the internal safety features in my Glock work.

2. My holster interferes with my pockets. I usually carry my wallet in my left rear pocket, but the holster is in the way of that pocket. I can still get the wallet in and out but it is a bit of a challenge. I have carried the wallet there all my life so moving it to the right side is an issue.

3. I can conceal completely with most shirts untucked, however many of my shirts are short enough that they can allow the tip of the holster to peek out. The barrel of the gun is not exposed as it is covered by the holster. Wonder if this is a conceal issue or not. I find myself pulling up the rig and my pants in fear of the tip being exposed.

4. I am still not over the fact that I am carrying in public. I find myself looking for reactions from bystanders. I am very cautious about bending over at the waist.

5. I realized that I need to prep my 10 year old since she is aware that I might be carrying. I got particularly nervous yesterday when I was picking her up from a friends. I was talking with her friends father when my daughter gave me a hug. All of a sudden I realized that she might look at me and say "Hey Dad your carrying your gun!" On the way home I explained how important it was for her to keep that to herself.

[Purplehood]

My observations:

If the tip of the holster is showing, your shirt is too short or you need to change your concealment technique.

I advised my 14 year old son to do the following:

- try not to discuss Gun Issues at school or around friends
- never discuss my having a weapon in public, period - especially in a crisis situation (don't bring attention to us or the possibility that I am armed) ("Dad, where is your gun? Shouldn't you use it?")
- made sure he is no longer afraid of firearms (he has now shot most of my weapons a number of times), thus significantly changing his stance on the issue (was very anti-gun, as he lives with his Mom and tends to parrot her beliefs though this has changed as he ages)

[chabouk]

Only once has one of our kids blurted anything about guns, and I don't know what I could have done about that, since he was three at the time. He ran up to hug me around the leg, then jerked back and said, "Ow! I hit my head on your gumb!"

[Purplehood]

Only once has one of our kids blurted anything about guns, and I don't know what I could have done about that, since he was three at the time. He ran up to hug me around the leg, then jerked back and said, "Ow! I hit my head on your gumb!"

Did you give him an immediate refresher on OpSec?

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

Well, I have been carrying some since my plastic arrived a little over a week ago.

I am carrying with a Bullard Dual Carry in OWB configuration. I carry a Glock 19. I am a lefty and carry on my left side.

Here are some observations:

1. I am over the 1 in the pipe jitters. I carried around the house before the plastic arrived with a snap cap in to get some confidence. Also read some great article on how well the internal safety features in my Glock work.

2. My holster interferes with my pockets. I usually carry my wallet in my left rear pocket, but the holster is in the way of that pocket. I can still get the wallet in and out but it is a bit of a challenge. I have carried the wallet there all my life so moving it to the right side is an issue.

3. I can conceal completely with most shirts untucked, however many of my shirts are short enough that they can allow the tip of the holster to peek out. The barrel of the gun is not exposed as it is covered by the holster. Wonder if this is a conceal issue or not. I find myself pulling up the rig and my pants in fear of the tip being exposed.

4. I am still not over the fact that I am carrying in public. I find myself looking for reactions from bystanders. I am very cautious about bending over at the waist.

5. I realized that I need to prep my 10 year old since she is aware that I might be carrying. I got particularly nervous yesterday when I was picking her up from a friends. I was talking with her friends father when my daughter gave me a hug. All of a sudden I realized that she might look at me and say "Hey Dad your carrying your gun!" On the way home I explained how important it was for her to keep that to herself.

This should not be a real concern. So long as it is just the tip. People are not looking at you nor what you are wearing. If you can buy some bigger shirts at some point great but as long as you are aware that certain movement can cause your shirt to ride up and you try not to do those movements too much (w/o looking goofy that can draw some attention) you will be just fine.

As for kids...I have a 4 and 6 year old that know I carry 24/7 and they never say a word. I simply taught them to respect firearms, enjoy them, the reason I carry and the importance of not talking about it. They regularly sit down with me and take apart my handguns for cleaning. My 6 year old can tell me every step to firing a gun. From the pull of the trigger to the bullet riding on the lans and grooves!!!

[StewNTexas]

It won't be long before the usual Texas heat returns. That will probably mean that you will be changing from the type of shirts you are wearing right now.

Living in Texas is a continuing problem with concealment with our drastic weather changes. I have had to go to an in-the-pocket holster and carry my LCP more than I normally would.

[The Annoyed Man]

It won't be long before the usual Texas heat returns. That will probably mean that you will be changing from the type of shirts you are wearing right not.

Living in Texas is a continuing problem with concealment with our drastic weather changes. I have had to go to an in-the-pocket holster and carry my LCP more than I normally would.

I can hide a full sized 1911 in an OWB holster under a Hawaiian shirt in the summer, no problem.

3. I can conceal completely with most shirts untucked, however many of my shirts are short enough that they can allow the tip of the holster to peek out. The barrel of the gun is not exposed as it is covered by the holster. Wonder if this is a conceal issue or not. I find myself pulling up the rig and my pants in fear of the tip being exposed.

Here's another discovery you'll make... you'll wind up with a drawer full of holsters until you find the one or two that suit all of your needs. In that regard, consider carrying IWB. A) your holster tip won't show anymore; and B) you'll have more shirt choices available to you.

[USA1]

"Ow! I hit my head on your gumb! "

Sorry , but that's just darned cute .

2. My holster interferes with my pockets. I usually carry my wallet in my left rear pocket, but the holster is in the way of that pocket. I can still get the wallet in and out but it is a bit of a challenge. I have carried the wallet there all my life so moving it to the right side is an issue.

I experienced the same problem before I found the sweet spot. For me it's 3 o'clock (right handed)..OWB.
That way I have complete access to both the front and the rear pocket.

Also , I don't know if you're using a good quality gun belt , but it will help solve the problem
of constantly pulling up your britches.

[Mike1951]

In that regard, consider carrying IWB. A) your holster tip won't show anymore; and B) you'll have more shirt choices available to you.

Especially since you bought a holster that can be worn IWB or OWB.

Besides these benefits, the pockets become less of a problem. You are no longer dependent on belt loops to determine holster position. The IWB offers flexible positioning which may be more comfortable.

If you stay with OWB, try skipping a belt loop to provide different positioning. You can then slide it forward or rearward a couple of inches.

[RPB]

Shirts
Interestingly when I was sitting down to read this, and I didn't have a shirt on, UPS just pulled up to deliver my new shirts from J.C. Penneys big and TALL shop (a couple 3 inches longer than normal) and the UPS guy noticed my Diamondback DB380 and we talked guns and shirts, since I was shirtless and he was delivering shirts and I was carrying in the house..
I have lots of Guaybara shirts, that are long enough, but ordered TALL colored T-shirts for summer, they were on sale for $9.99 down from $29.99 each. I always preferred TALL shirts anyway, they stay tucked in better with more tail, and more material to blouse/bloom out around the waist to conceal better since they are about 2 or 3 inches longer..

Wallets
One thing I did change was instead of a fat wallet with everything in it in one pocket, was a money clip for smaller bills, and a thin wallet for ID/Credit Cards and bigger denomination bills....
My dad always carried 2 wallets ...
Then if held up, a person could hand over the money clip (not the ID and credit cards) and say "OK, I gave you my money, you want my Gold now?" (Gold Dots or Magtech Guardian Gold +P ?... take your pick)

Yesterday, I donated a lot of old short shirts that shrunk and wouldn't stay tucked in, or conceal well, to an organization that will get them to people who need them more than I do; I cleaned out my closets.

And yep, I had that talk with my niece and sister-in-law that I carry them to school/freinds/grocery shopping etc sometimes.

[rlowe]

My 10 year old daughter has been educated on guns. She is a member with me at Austin Rifle Club and shoots with me. I just never explained to her that it is a personal choice that must be kept between her and us. Never dawned on me until that moment. She completely understood and is not a concern now.

Also , I don't know if you're using a good quality gun belt , but it will help solve the problem
of constantly pulling up your britches.

I also ordered a belt from Bullard to go with the holster. I ordered it a size larger as I thought I would be carrying IWB most the time. I am on the last hole on that belt when carrying OWB. A new belt is in order for OWB carry.

I will opt to carry IWB on occasion. I can't seem to carry comfortably IWB with the Bullard. I tried a friends crossbreed and it was very comfortable. I will be ordering one of those soon. I also have an LCP for shorts and tees when the bulk and weight of a larger gun is not an option.

On the wallet issue. I am seriously thinking of just switching my "strong" hand to right. I am fairly ambidextrous and can make the transition with ease. That would solve the wallet issue.

On the long shirts topic. I am 6'6" so that is probably some of the issue. I agree on the tall size clothes for OWB. I really could get away with taller sized clothes regardless.

[cbunt1]

My 10 year old daughter has been educated on guns. She is a member with me at Austin Rifle Club and shoots with me. I just never explained to her that it is a personal choice that must be kept between her and us. Never dawned on me until that moment. She completely understood and is not a concern now.

Also , I don't know if you're using a good quality gun belt , but it will help solve the problem
of constantly pulling up your britches.

I also ordered a belt from Bullard to go with the holster. I ordered it a size larger as I thought I would be carrying IWB most the time. I am on the last hole on that belt when carrying OWB. A new belt is in order for OWB carry.

I will opt to carry IWB on occasion. I can't seem to carry comfortably IWB with the Bullard. I tried a friends crossbreed and it was very comfortable. I will be ordering one of those soon. I also have an LCP for shorts and tees when the bulk and weight of a larger gun is not an option.

On the wallet issue. I am seriously thinking of just switching my "strong" hand to right. I am fairly ambidextrous and can make the transition with ease. That would solve the wallet issue.

On the long shirts topic. I am 6'6" so that is probably some of the issue. I agree on the tall size clothes for OWB. I really could get away with taller sized clothes regardless.

Even at 6'2, I sometimes have the same problems with untucked shirts and OWB carry. The IWB holster will help, but it does take some getting used to.

As for the kids, I have found that my kids take it completely in stride--They don't really pay attention to whether Dad has his cell phone, pager, billfold or car keys--they become just as accustomed to the pistol.

That being said, reminding them of the basic "concealed is concealed" has always worked for us. All my kids shoot, and know how to load/unload every one of my guns.

And I'll never forget the time my best friend's 6-year old ran to me, head-butted me and hugged me...he stepped back and rubbed his forhead and said "Uncle Chris, your side is HARD!" (he'd just ran headlong into my 1911!)

[Kythas]

2. My holster interferes with my pockets. I usually carry my wallet in my left rear pocket, but the holster is in the way of that pocket. I can still get the wallet in and out but it is a bit of a challenge. I have carried the wallet there all my life so moving it to the right side is an issue.

I had this same problem myself, having always carried my wallet in my right rear pocket. Since I'm right-handed and my gun is on my right side, I found myself being very self-conscious about unconcealing when I reached for my wallet, so I switched my wallet to my left rear pocket.

This gives me an added ability to act like I'm reaching for my wallet, if I ever get robbed, and actually go for my gun.

It was strange for a time, but I eventually got used to it.

It's kind of like, if you wear your watch on one wrist, then switch to the other, it'll feel weird but you can still tell the time. A few days later, it'll no longer feel weird.

[Drewthetexan]

2. My holster interferes with my pockets. I usually carry my wallet in my left rear pocket, but the holster is in the way of that pocket. I can still get the wallet in and out but it is a bit of a challenge. I have carried the wallet there all my life so moving it to the right side is an issue.

I had this same problem myself, having always carried my wallet in my right rear pocket. Since I'm right-handed and my gun is on my right side, I found myself being very self-conscious about unconcealing when I reached for my wallet, so I switched my wallet to my left rear pocket.

This gives me an added ability to act like I'm reaching for my wallet, if I ever get robbed, and actually go for my gun.

It was strange for a time, but I eventually got used to it.

It's kind of like, if you wear your watch on one wrist, then switch to the other, it'll feel weird but you can still tell the time. A few days later, it'll no longer feel weird.

I also switched my wallet from right side to left. I found out I couldn't get my wallet out while at the checkout line on my wallywalk - definitely took some time to adjust, especially not freaking out because my wallet wasn't in it's "spot" when I reach for it.

My favorite is when someone gives you a hug and puts their hand on the handle, or after the hug their hand comes down and hits it. I've found I can deflect the hand coming down by extending my elbow out after the hug, especially if it's a side hug.

[frazzled]

2. My holster interferes with my pockets. I usually carry my wallet in my left rear pocket, but the holster is in the way of that pocket. I can still get the wallet in and out but it is a bit of a challenge. I have carried the wallet there all my life so moving it to the right side is an issue.

I had this same problem myself, having always carried my wallet in my right rear pocket. Since I'm right-handed and my gun is on my right side, I found myself being very self-conscious about unconcealing when I reached for my wallet, so I switched my wallet to my left rear pocket.

This gives me an added ability to act like I'm reaching for my wallet, if I ever get robbed, and actually go for my gun.

It was strange for a time, but I eventually got used to it.

It's kind of like, if you wear your watch on one wrist, then switch to the other, it'll feel weird but you can still tell the time. A few days later, it'll no longer feel weird.

I also switched my wallet from right side to left. I found out I couldn't get my wallet out while at the checkout line on my wallywalk - definitely took some time to adjust, especially not freaking out because my wallet wasn't in it's "spot" when I reach for it.

My favorite is when someone gives you a hug and puts their hand on the handle, or after the hug their hand comes down and hits it. I've found I can deflect the hand coming down by extending my elbow out after the hug, especially if it's a side hug.

I do the "high/low" hug. One arm high one arm bent and low, over (and contacting) the weapon.
The wallet thing is an issue as well. Not sure about switching as my keys are in the other pocket and presents somewhat the same problem.