First carry!

[Ropin]

So, I did hit the gun show today, and I picked myself up a basic holster for IWB until I can talk the boss into a better one. Got a leather one that the guy claims he made himself...and I got two discounts on it: the end if the show discount, and the "you took too long digging the ten out of your pocket so just gimme the twenty" which made it half price.

Following that, I went home, threw on my belt and my new rig with the gun in it, and did the required 10 minutes in front of the mirror. Went outside and did some work on the truck, until I realized I needed some stuff from the parts store.

Therefore, my first carry was to O'Reilly's. I have no pics, so I know it didn't really happen, but I did check the lot for BGs! Checked the bottom shelf and the top, chatted with the counter guys, and my only moment of semi-panic was while checking out. There was a young child behind me who started doing the overly loud whisper... "DADDY... Daddy... DADDY" and I thought I heard him say "gun" but dad didn't dial 911, so I guess my imagination just got carried away.

All in all, a good experience. Oh, got the truck fixed up, too.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Congrats there Ropin,

the carrying will get easier as time goes on!!

SIA

[Matrix68]

after awhile, when you leave the house and do that "mental" checklist...ok, keys, wallet, pocket knife, cell phone, firearm.

Just yesterday, my wife and I just got into the car...heading to the grocery store. And I had this nagging feeling I was forgetting something. As any good wife would do, she was assisting with my memory...rattling off the list. I knew I had my keys (car was started), quick check...wallet, good to go...my knife was there where it should be...hhhmmm...awe...I forgot my cell phone...had to run into the house to get it.

By the way...I knew my firearm was in place, as it was the first thing I grabbed.

[timdsmith72]

Congrats there Ropin,

the carrying will get easier as time goes on!!

SIA

This couldn't be more true. The first few times I went out, I was convinced everybody could tell and I put on big floppy button up shirts over my tee shirts...etc...etc... But now, this is my normal carry attire. Taken in the mirror so it looks like I'm carrying on my left side, but it's actually my right.

[joe817]

Wow Timd! I'm impressed! Total concealment! Good job!

[timdsmith72]

Thanks Joe!! Really, the only thing I make sure of is that the T-shirt is of the slightly thicker variety. Some of my thinner, more fitted ones print a little. It's still doable, but I just have to watch closer.

[LittleGun]

Are you going to do the Wally Walk?

[Ropin]

Probably...it may even come tonight, since the bird needs food. I can't promise how well documented it will be, since my better half doesn't really appreciate the tradition.

[Keith]

Thats what I was going to say. We dont except you as a new CHL until you do the Wally Walk and buy nothing until you hit the McDonalds on the way out and buy something because you dont want to leave yet. Enjoy the new freedom.

[RPB]

I'm in a small town, we have no Wal-Mart so I have to go to another city to do my Wally Walk, but my first carry was to my bank, which has a ghostbusters sign, and then to the H.E.B. grocery store, where I read wine lables in that section (though I don't drink, so I've never been in that section before lol, but since they sell alcohol [regulated by TABC/licensed by the State] and their alcohol derived income is less than 51%, they can't post 30.06 signs nor 51 signs) and then did my grocery shopping.

[mctowalot]

Um, what were talking about? Oh yeah, congrats to our new member re: first armed expedition! Don't worry that "everbody can tell" will go away soon enough. Just remember if your about to hug anyone other than your spouse, lean your non-carry hip into the hug, lest you give a false impression

[Keith B]

My apologies to the OP on hijacking this thread. I have moved the 30.06 vs. <51% sign discussion to a new thread here http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic. ... 21&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And to the OP, congrats on a great first carry. It is a great feeling once you get past the nervousness.

[Ropin]

No apologies needed for me. Thread drifts with good info are worthwhile...sort of like following a random dirt road to see where it goes and learning it can save you some time if there's a traffic jam on the main road.

Meanwhile, my carrying time is regretfully limited until the powers that be pass a parking lot bill. Alas.

I'm also doing some continuing research on a good IWB holster. The one I got at the gun show is,as expected, less than ideal. I really just wanted something to be able to use while I wait for the better half to decide a new pair of shoes is needed. (sometimes the low-maintenance ones can be as bad as the high-maintenance ones! Of course, it's a whole different flavor of 'bad' and I sure wouldn't want to trade.)