My first carry experience

[tdrollo]

I just received my plastic on this past Saturday, so naturally I planned a day of blissful concealed carry on Sunday. I had been carrying around the house and researching for a month in preparation. I noticed that several people here mentioned they felt very self conscious on their first carry and that is no lie. I don't think it mattered how physically prepared I was, I still mentally kept thinking "am I printing?" "don't adjust your shirt." "walk normally." I felt pretty much like a dork, but I was a happy dork. I went to Target and Old Navy and then had an appointment at the indoor gun range at Bass Pro. It was very nice to be able to just walk in and not have to check my gun at the door or with the range master before entering the range. Awesome.

I chose to wear my Ava holster (by Looper) with my "Miss Be Havin'" belt (also by Looper), and I carry a Ruger LCR. I thought I was having some printing issues with this set up but my husband assured me he could not tell I was carrying. I feel like the LCR needs to be deeper inside my waistband. I have adjusted the cant of the Ava holster to the deepest, and I think I need to poke some more holes to make it a more extreme cant (oh where did I put that leather punch???). I would like to hear recommendations on deeper carry IWB holsters. I am a holster junkie.

[RogueUSMC]

before you start punchin', order a pair of these...you will have them in two or three days. They will allow you to mount the clip more than an inch lower in a given position. The also work better for me when I wear a nylon belt with shorts...the other clips don't wanna stay fastened to a nylon belt.

http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=79

[RPBrown]

Congrats on getting the plastic.

I can tell you that you probably are not printing even though you think you are. This is a common misconception when you first start carrying. The fact that you did carry around the house (not sure for how long) should shorten the time you will need to get comfortable. I think all of us felt that way when we first started to carry. I am not familiar with the Looper leather products but if it is a good quality gun belt and holster, you should be fine.

[Abraham]

I guess I'm the only person who didn't feel self-conscious when initially carrying.

I simply knew that I had a CHL and my pistol was concealed and if a bulge was noticed by someone, I simply didn't care. I was lawful and that was good enough...

[tdrollo]

before you start punchin', order a pair of these...you will have them in two or three days. They will allow you to mount the clip more than an inch lower in a given position. The also work better for me when I wear a nylon belt with shorts...the other clips don't wanna stay fastened to a nylon belt.
[ Image ]
http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=79

I just ordered some! Thanks for the tip!

[RogueUSMC]

Just to make sure...you ordered two right? They are sold each...why?...beats me. everyone olse sells them in pairs.

[tdrollo]

Just to make sure...you ordered two right? They are sold each...why?...beats me. everyone olse sells them in pairs.

Yes, I ordered two.

[SewTexas]

I use a Kusiak Leather holster for my LCP, it carries pretty low. You might like it.

[tdrollo]

I use a Kusiak Leather holster for my LCP, it carries pretty low. You might like it.

I just looked at the Kusiak. How is the retention on yours? I worry that leather may stretch over time versus kydex. I sure do like the little extra Ammo pouch they have listed. Prices seem reasonable too. I've been struggling with a way to carry extra rounds. My speed loaders don't seem to be very conducive to carrying on body without a strange bulge.

[SewTexas]

if you go to the site http://kusiakleather.com/store.html to page 3, I think it's the 3rd holster down, the LCP with the crimson trace, and the mag slot, that's the one I've carried for....I don't know...several years now...and it's just as tight as new. And it's flipped upside-down a few times , no fall outs! And my LCP rides right at my waistband, sometimes when I stand up I have to shift it back under the waistband, but that's a normal movement. I love the holster, I've recommended it to alot of folks here, I'm not affiliated in any way with them, I'm just an incredibly happy customer.

[jgabriel1911]

My plastic came in yesterday and today was my first carry experience. I too went to the Bass Pro in Katy. This was my first time visiting Bass Pro itself and *slightly off topic* it's a toy store for grown ups/big kids lol.

I noticed there was a sign at the welcome kiosk "Please check firearms prior to entering". I wonder who actually does this (maybe long guns?).

Anyways, I actually did need a new forward grip for my 870 and a BAD lever for my AR. I wandered around the store and felt more comfortable than I ever have. My situation awareness has always been high and I didn't feel the need to have to "switch it on" just because I am now carrying.

I'm carrying a Para Expert 1911 at 4 o'clock in a Henry Holsters hybrid IWB. Spare mag at 9 is a 10 round Wilson Executive.

Now I can't imagine ever leaving the house without my 1911.


JG

[ELB]

I just received my plastic on this past Saturday, so naturally I planned a day of blissful concealed carry on Sunday. ...

My plastic came in yesterday and today was my first carry experience. ... JG

Congrats to both of you.

Yes feeling self-conscious is normal, and should go away in time. Good luck on the holster hunt.

Right now I am using a Dale Fricke Archangel appendix carry with a Glock 17. Pokes out a little more than I want, but mostly because my belly pokes out a little more than I want.

[Ozz]

I have had my plastic for almost a week now. My 1st trip out was to pick up my daughter in town, get gas and stop in the grocery store for a few groceries. It was not really self conscious about having my weapon with me. I guess the fact I have been around guns all my life it just felt natural in a way. A little bit of me felt like I was getting away with something but that passed pretty early. Knowing I was legal helped that. I spent many days carrying at home and my wife and I are both avid shooters. I guess the biggest thing was my awareness up a lot more than normal. I never leave home without it now. Wallet, cell phone, knife and pistol all part of the can't leave without now. Just thought I would share.

[Lionman13]

Finally carried my first full weekend after receiving my CHL, and it wasn't too bad. Except, the holster slides down when wearing shorts, and my wallet is hard to get in and out. Maybe I can save money this way?

[jminn1]

Congrats on your 1st carry. Mine was recent enough that its still not 'normal' to carry, but I'm getting used to it.

I noticed there was a sign at the welcome kiosk "Please check firearms prior to entering". I wonder who actually does this (maybe long guns?).
JG

They just want folks bringing guns into the store to have them inspected and perhaps unloaded by the guy at the gate. Its common courtesy in my mind to obey the house rules if taking a (non-carry) firearm in to the store. IMO, even CHLers should stop and have any firearm they are taking into the store checked out (other than their carry weapon). It's their store, their rules. They put a trigger-lock on the gun for you.

They never see my carry weapon, nor do they want to. I spoke to one of the store managers at BP in Grapevine about it.

The guy at the gate there told me he routinely hears from folks entering the store that their guns are unloaded, and he just as routinely finds rounds in chambers... Rule #1. Personally, I'm glad they are there and safety conscious.