blc wrote:I think I already know the answer to this question, but would value input from the very-helpful folks on this board.
Bought a 'Cell-phone holster' style pouch for the Ruger LCP recently.
I think this thing screams "CHL! CHL!"... but maybe it's just me. I guess technically it is 'legal', since it 'conceals' the gun where untrained observers cannot detect what is in the holster. But it just seems to obvious to me. I did wear it to Wally-World last night, and didn't get any weird looks, but I felt slightly awkward.
LCP Holster.jpg
It's my least favorite option at this point. I would prefer to use my inside-pocket holster or ankle holster, if at all possible.
Thoughts anyone? Does this rank slightly below a fanny-bag?!
It makes me think of a few things, but CHL or Gun is not one of them.
2nd Amendment. America's Original Homeland Security.
Alcohol, Tobacco , Firearms. Who's Bringing the Chips?
No Guns. No Freedom. Know Guns. Know Freedom.
USA1 wrote:i just got my lcp , and it seems to fit nicely in my front pocket .
it does print a little , but i haven't found a good slim pocket holster yet .
http://www.pocketholsters.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; -- use with or without anti-print panel. very well made and quick shipping. also comes in a version that accepts CT laser grip.
To original poster. You're fine wearing that thing. We all might think "gun" but that's because we all think about guns more than the average Joe. I see folks wearing items like this all the time. I have dabbled in carrying small gun and/or extra magazines/speed loaders in various belt pouches (tried out a lot of NiteIze) stuff, also various small tool pouches etc. If your general appearance looks like someone who works with his hands for a living (construction etc.), then I think you have a lot of good option methods to conceal (tool belts, pouches etc). But even average Joes can be found wearing various belt pouches to carry phones, cameras, etc.
I agree it does look quite large - like it might fit a larger gun than the lil LCP. Maybe also fit a S&W J-frame or Kahr? Where did you buy it?
I sometimes carry a S&W 642 in a pocketholsters.com (Guru Holster). I remove the print panel and drop it
in my front pocket. Most slacks, Dockers, walking shorts etc. are no problem. Cheap jeans have shallow
pockets, steer clear. I can draw the gun easily and the holster stays in the pocket. DM Bullard also makes a
"convertible" pocket holster along the same lines. Here is a picture of mine with the print panel attached.
The back of the holster is smooth. Here is a picture with the panel removed.
It's great for quick trips to the store. Shorts and T-shirt etc.
just got this lil holster today .
it had a no-print panel , but i cut it off to make it thinner .
works pretty good . keeps the gun standing upright . its from Hoffners Holsters .
Thanks everybody for the input. I love this forum, and appreciate this community of folks.
I got the over-sized 'cell phone-style' holster at Shiloh Range. They had it in several colors (khaki, pink), but black was best for me. $14.99 + tax
01/09 : CHL Class
01/09 : Packet Mailed
02/09 : Received PIN
7/22/09: Application Completed - license issued or certificate active
7/27/09: Plastic in Hand!!
I agree with many of the others here that folks just are not paying that much attention these days. I keep my S&W 642-2 Airweight in a Safariland pocket holster in my right front pocket, always. In two years I have been asked one time (by one of the Grandkids) "What's that?" My answer was "It's a PDA." Reply was "Oh."
So, it's no big deal & after a while you will get used to not being noticed or "made."
dewayneward wrote:the average person will have NO clue. People aren't geared to think "gun" all the time. You're paranoid.
But, just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that many other CHLs aren't desperate for any source of .380 ammo right now. Might want to padlock it.
thats true, If I see a CHL'r with a 9mm, I might just mug him to get his ammo
Col 2:8 See to it that no man takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men,according to the elementary principles of the world,rather than according to Christ.
austin received app 12/10
Processing app 12/22/08
App comp 1/26/09
Plastic in hand 1/30/09
So, I was stopped at a traffic light yesterday; a guy on a motorcycle next lane over with one of these. I almost didn't notice it, but it was a bit bigger than the one in OP's picture.
I thought about getting his attention, pointing at it with one hand, placing my finger on my nose with the other.
The only people paying any attention are other CHL'ers, criminals, and cops. Everyone else are the type of sheeple that a crook can walk right up to, rob blind in broad daylight, and when they report him to the cops, they cannot give any type of description.
Around the holidays last year, a guy was going around robbing women walking out of the local mall... He'd just show a gun, and take their shopping bags. 8 women were robbed in 6 different incidences over a one-week period, and NOT ONE of them could give any better description than a black male with a black handgun... Pathetic!
People are more worried about what is on their shopping list, or what they are going to get a blockbuster tonight, than what you are carrying on your hip.
You will feel strange carrying for about a month or so, but then you will realize what I, and so many others have... no one notices your gun.
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan, 1964
30.06 signs only make criminals and terrorists safer.
NRA, LTC, School Safety, Armed Security, & Body Guard Instructor
The only person that thinks it screams GUN is the person wearing it. Paranoia is normal, at least initially. As others have said, most people are oblivious. The longer I've had my CHL, the less I worry about printing. I'm at the point of looking at making the move to OWB from IWB carry because comfort is starting to become a more important factor to me (although the MTAC is a great IWB with my XD). Most of the time these days I go with the 642 J frame in a Mika or Nemesis. Nothing more comfortable than that! I would love to carry the XD more, and I think I would if I made the move that so many others have to OWB carry.
It's my least favorite option at this point. I would prefer to use my inside-pocket holster or ankle holster, if at all possible.
