What to do with hug greetings while carrying

[doublepush]

Got another question for y'all... I go to a church where a common way to greet people is with a hug. That is, a side hug or full hug is quite common if it's not a guy-guy greeting. I'm carrying a subcompact XD-45 on a C-TAC, usually 3:00 to 4:00. What can I do to keep from getting identified in such situations?

I can try to always left side-hug, but I'm betting that I'll be caught off guard at some point. And even with a left side-hug, there's still the possibility that her arm will reach across my back side and bump into it. My girlfriend is already used to it being around, but I'm betting that some of my friends or acquaintances would feel differently. There are a lot of antis in Austin.

Anyway, it would be interesting to hear what y'all do. I don't want to turn into that guy who doesn't hug anyone. I'd love to hear some good diversions such as "that's the bar of gold I carry with me all the time".

-Brent

[Edit] p.s. I'm 6 foot 4 inches tall, so making sure that my arms are under those of the other person would be awkward.

[propellerhead]

Make it a habit to go low on the right side. Bend forward at the waist helps too. I've had a few instances where a buddy accidentally grabbed a handful of gun/holster and gave me a strange look. :)

[jimlongley]

Similarly at my church, I try for a low right, even if I am usually only carrying my BUG.

[TIN BENDER]

This is one of the MANY reasons why I usually

choose Smart Carry.

http://www.smartcarry.com

[The Marshal]

Brent,

Don't sweat it!

I got hugs from a family the other day: Mom, daughter, son.
ALL THREE touched/squeezed my XD9-SC on my right hip.

Later they confessed. NOT ONE thought I was wearing my pistol!

The guys that do carry in Church always pat me on the right hip in passing...


These days, people think it is your Cellphone-Blackberry-Ipod-PDA-Whatever.

~Bill

[jimlongley]

This is one of the MANY reasons why I usually

choose Smart Carry.

http://www.smartcarry.com

ROFL, the way one of the women at our church hugs, she might find that.

[NcongruNt]

As suggested by others, go low on your strong side arm. My normal carry now is a full length Hi-Power in an OWB Galco Combat Carry, also between 3:00 and 4:00. I wear an untucked and unbuttoned work shirt over it, and it hides well. So far I haven't had any hugging worries, as I always position my arm/self accordingly so that it's not an issue. I did narrowly avoid a friend's finger hitting the top of the slide during a side-poking flurry directed at me, but emerged unscathed and my sidearm undetected.

[NcongruNt]

This is one of the MANY reasons why I usually

choose Smart Carry.

http://www.smartcarry.com

ROFL, the way one of the women at our church hugs, she might find that.

MUST. SUPPRESS. MENTAL. IMAGE. !!!

[Big Calhoun]

I usually carry on the hip and most of my females relatives hug high. For male relatives, I do a 'hood hug'...extend my weak side arm as if to do a handshake, clasp hands, and then a light, partial hugh with my other arm.

[BoneDigger]

I prefer not to take baths. It has reduced the tendancy of folks to hug me (I'm very huggable).

But, when I do have to hug, I go low on the right as other have stated.

Todd

[glockmav]

I'm also subject to hugs at church, as I carry a G19 IWB. I don't think I would ever use this, but I thought it was clever:

"Its a medical device."
"What kind of medical device?"
"A thorasic perforator."

[frankie_the_yankee]

Anybody I know well enough to hug I know well enough to not worry about it if they "find" the gun.

[Lucky45]

I also had trouble in the beginning on how this concept would work, but now I think I have mastered it.
1. Like have been said go low when someone tries to hug you. The trick is to see the hug attack coming and be prepared.
2. When you aim low, stay low. There will be an awkward moment when the hugger will look at the huggee in the attempt to figure out who is going to go high. Don't budge, let them give in.

I only hug women and so far haven't had anyone come close to touching.

[nuparadigm]

I prefer not to take baths. It has reduced the tendancy of folks to hug me (I'm very huggable).

But, when I do have to hug, I go low on the right as other have stated.

Todd

Ringing a little bell is front of you and wearing a hooded shirt could help in giving the impression having of Hanses's Disease. Other than that, low and to the right is always best.

[Mike from Texas]

Maybe consider getting a gun you can pocket carry. In the right pants, I can carry my Ultra Carry in a pocket holster and nobody is the wiser, especially in church attire.