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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"

Why the empty magazine?

davidtx wrote:Why the empty magazine?

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

BTW - great report and first walk, wally-walk or not!
It gets easier - at least until you try GT Distributors

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 ..."

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.

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;

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

Mando'a wrote: 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.

I totally understand that. It took me a few months before I was comfortable carrying with one in the chamber.

In time you will be fine. Don't rush anything. The last thing you want to be is super nervous while carrying around a loaded weapon (being alert and cautious is a totally different thing). That could lead to any number of problems. Having a gun (one in the chamber or not) is much better than not having one at all. Good luck with your walk.


Cutter

I remember that I couldn't wait to be able to carry, and I never carried the gun unloaded. The day I got my got my plastic, I got strapped and went for a drive. It was hard not to be grinning ear to ear the whole time.

The Annoyed Man wrote:I remember that I couldn't wait to be able to carry, and I never carried the gun unloaded. The day I got my got my plastic, I got strapped and went for a drive. It was hard not to be grinning ear to ear the whole time.

.................and the smile should never go away...................