Who is going to open carry?

[misterlarry]

I will do more OWB but still under concealment. Won't worry as much about it.

[Excaliber]

Ok, first off I know this has been posted on here before. I tried to search for it , but the search kept telling me "open carry" is too common and I need to try again. Then tried "who is going to oc" and it said I can't use words with less than 3 letters. So I gave up and here I am. I still am on the fence about to OC or not. I think I can see it going a few different ways.
1. You walk into a gas station. A future robber sees your gun and decides to try some place else
2. You walk into a gas station. A future robber sees your gun and decides to shoot you first.

Really hard to tell which scenario will take place. I am sure there are a lot of robbers out there that carry guns but have no intention of using them unless things go south. What's been going through my head, is would the presence of an OC gun deter them or not. I think what I'm thinking is, I'll do a 50/50 approach. Use an outside waist band holster, but still keep my shirt over it. Problem I've had with IWB ( maybe it's just my holster ), can't find a position that is comfortable sitting in the car. I think an OWB holster would solve this. I've also thought about the implication of someone trying to grab your in plain sight hand gun. How do you prevent that short of having a holster strap?

In that situation, you are much more likely to see result 1 rather than 2 because shooting someone greatly complicates a bandit's day. There's a third likely possibility as well - the BG will wait until you leave and then rob the place as planned. This has happened elseewhere.

[mbschne]

Open carry will not normally be one of my options. I like being discreet and don't want the additional attention.

+1

+1

[RHenriksen]

I've just picked up an OWB retention holster and will be testing the waters in January. HPD's second 'town hall' on open carry is this evening, just happens to be down the street from me - I'll be attending to get a first-person feel for the chief's tone and planned response. I followed the first one remotely; curious to see if there's any drift or evolution from the first event.

[suthdj]

I will open carry under an outer garment.

[locke_n_load]

I will Open Carry every day when possible. If I feel the need to CC, I still have my G26 and IWB holster for that too (may even OC the G26 - I like that pistol that much). I agree to carry for the situation, not be stuck with one mode of carry or the other.

There are only a couple of examples I have read of where someone tried to steal an Open Carried firearm from a civilian - one guy had his new .22 in his waistband at 2am somewhere and was showing it off, dude came up with his gun and demanded the .22.
Other example was a dude was OCing in a Walmart, when some crazy guy grabbed a bat off the shelf and attacked him. Dude drew down on him and waited for police to arrive.

I have also read a few articles where during their interrogations, a group of robbers indicated that they sent in a scout into a place to check it out. Dude saw two guys eating with .45s on their hips, so the group went down the street and robbed a different establishment instead. Read about this more than once.

I think that an Open Carried firearm most likely deters crime, as most thieves are looking for an easy hit and will avoid confrontation (do they usually try to rob the 250 lb body builder or the little old lady?).

Edit to the OP: I also carried OWB for the first time last night with my new OC setup (had my jacket covering it this time). Was way more comfortable while driving than my IWB, and I don't need my pants 2 sizes larger than normal.

[oljames3]

I will Open Carry every day when possible. If I feel the need to CC, I still have my G26 and IWB holster for that too (may even OC the G26 - I like that pistol that much). I agree to carry for the situation, not be stuck with one mode of carry or the other.

There are only a couple of examples I have read of where someone tried to steal an Open Carried firearm from a civilian - one guy had his new .22 in his waistband at 2am somewhere and was showing it off, dude came up with his gun and demanded the .22.
Other example was a dude was OCing in a Walmart, when some crazy guy grabbed a bat off the shelf and attacked him. Dude drew down on him and waited for police to arrive.

I have also read a few articles where during their interrogations, a group of robbers indicated that they sent in a scout into a place to check it out. Dude saw two guys eating with .45s on their hips, so the group went down the street and robbed a different establishment instead. Read about this more than once.

I think that an Open Carried firearm most likely deters crime, as most thieves are looking for an easy hit and will avoid confrontation (do they usually try to rob the 250 lb body builder or the little old lady?).

Edit to the OP: I also carried OWB for the first time last night with my new OC setup (had my jacket covering it this time). Was way more comfortable while driving than my IWB, and I don't need my pants 2 sizes larger than normal.

Y'all carry your way, I'll carry mine. OC is my preference, YMWV. We should agree that we do carry. All else is personal choice.

[The Annoyed Man]

I have carried OWB for years now, for everything from XDS/G43/PM9 sized pistols, to full-sized 1911s and G17s; so the transition from CC to OC isn't that big of a deal for me in sartorial terms. What it means is that, barring a blasted hot "day in hades" summer day, I'll probably still wear an unbuttoned cover garment (typically a light, short-sleeved collared shirt) and not worry if the gun is visible or not. That way, if concealment is required where a 30.07 is posted, I'll just button the cover garment and walk right in.

My concession to OC is to purchase retention holsters for those guns I might open carry. But I'm not going crazy with nth-level top-secret super-tactical operator gear. A simple thumb-snap leather holster is sufficient for me, as is any synthetic holster that requires a serious enough tug on the gun to know that it can't be easily swiped, as well as (and this is critically important whether you OC or CC) maintaining a sufficient level of situational awareness when I am out and about.

Without situational awareness, it doesn't matter what you carry, how you carry it, or what you carry it in. That, and a due regard for the sensibilities of people around me, will be the determining factors for me.

[VMI77]

I have carried OWB for years now, for everything from XDS/G43/PM9 sized pistols, to full-sized 1911s and G17s; so the transition from CC to OC isn't that big of a deal for me in sartorial terms. What it means is that, barring a blasted hot "day in hades" summer day, I'll probably still wear an unbuttoned cover garment (typically a light, short-sleeved collared shirt) and not worry if the gun is visible or not. That way, if concealment is required where a 30.07 is posted, I'll just button the cover garment and walk right in.

My concession to OC is to purchase retention holsters for those guns I might open carry. But I'm not going crazy with nth-level top-secret super-tactical operator gear. A simple thumb-snap leather holster is sufficient for me, as is any synthetic holster that requires a serious enough tug on the gun to know that it can't be easily swiped, as well as (and this is critically important whether you OC or CC) maintaining a sufficient level of situational awareness when I am out and about.

Without situational awareness, it doesn't matter what you carry, how you carry it, or what you carry it in. That, and a due regard for the sensibilities of people around me, will be the determining factors for me.

I've lost track since the OC law passed and the discussion started....is a retention device required by law for OC?

[FastCarry]

the only thing i saw was a training guide to be used by CHL instructors that promoted holsters that held guns securely enough they dont fall out during normal activity. Active/Passive retention preferred but not legally required.

I intend to open carry as a means of comfort and quicker draw. It still be with a t-shirt over the top, then possibly a BUG concealed. With recent events, my intention is to carry more ammo than i used to, moving from 6 rounds to 12-16 round gun with a couple spare mags, OWB will preferred.

[ScottDLS]

I've lost track since the OC law passed and the discussion started....is a retention device required by law for OC?

.

No. You simply must carry in a Belt Holster or Shoulder Holster.

[TXBO]

Without situational awareness, it doesn't matter what you carry, how you carry it, or what you carry it in. That, and a due regard for the sensibilities of people around me, will be the determining factors for me.

True. I also believe that many have a false sense of security, while open carrying in a crowded urban environment, of their situational awareness and retention skills.

[The Annoyed Man]

I've lost track since the OC law passed and the discussion started....is a retention device required by law for OC?

.
No. You simply must carry in a Belt Holster or Shoulder Holster.

Scott's correct. I am using a retention holster as a sop to the possibilities and to public attitudes, but as I said, I'm not going whole hog. A simple thumb-snap or similar level of retention is more than adequate for my purposes. I am normally perfectly comfortable with a simple leather holster without retention device and have been carrying that way for years.

I have found.....at least with the thumb-snap holster I bought for the G17, that it doesn't really slow down my draw and my thumb goes to the snap instinctively.

[VMI77]

I've lost track since the OC law passed and the discussion started....is a retention device required by law for OC?

.
No. You simply must carry in a Belt Holster or Shoulder Holster.

Scott's correct. I am using a retention holster as a sop to the possibilities and to public attitudes, but as I said, I'm not going whole hog. A simple thumb-snap or similar level of retention is more than adequate for my purposes. I am normally perfectly comfortable with a simple leather holster without retention device and have been carrying that way for years.

I have found.....at least with the thumb-snap holster I bought for the G17, that it doesn't really slow down my draw and my thumb goes to the snap instinctively.

If I was going to regularly open carry I'd use a retention holster...probably my Serpa. I don't really like the thumb snaps and prefer the regular pancake holsters. My "OC" is going to mostly be getting in and out of my car and donning/shedding a jacket, and near my property out in the country.

[The Wall]

All of my sidearms have retention holsters. They are all OWB with thumb breaks also. Just my preference as is concealed carry. Going to be nice not to worry about printing or accidental exposure.