New CHL holder.. A few Q's

[E150GT]

This is my first post as I just signed up yesterday. If this is not the right section to post I apologize. I started carrying a week ago and own a Taurus TCP .380 and a Taurus PT111 9mm. I have a leather pocket holster made for the Ruger LCP, but it fits decently on the TCP and both guns have an Uncle Mike's IWB holster which I use every day. My question is, is it safe to carry a round chambered with no safety in a non form fitting IWB holster? I have searched this on google, but get a lot of info on 1911's. I feel like I need to carry a round chambered to be able to stave off a threat as quickly as possible, but it makes me very nervous doing so, so I have not yet carried chambered. If any one has any input I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

[WEC]

Welcome to the forum and if you recently got your CHL, congrats!

I wouldn't say it is totally unsafe as long as the holster has a proper trigger shroud but I would imagine it is less safe than having a holster that is meant for your specific gun and has the structural rigidity to ensure that nothing inadvertent could engage the trigger. Where do you carry IWB? 3:00? 4:00?

If you don't mind my asking, why not purchase an IWB holster that is meant for your gun? Many can be bought for as little as $30, and some of the nicer ones are still less than $100. All of my weapons have a round chambered (there has been a thread in the past about carrying in condition 1 versus anything else) because I feel that when I really need it, I'm not sure I would have the time nor the reflexes to chamber a round. Just my opinion, but spending the cash on a proper IWB is worth the security and peace of mind. Hope this helps.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

E150GT:

Welcome to the forum. Congrats on your plastic.
You will have to do a Wally Walk soon, photos encouraged.
FYI - You have to conceal carry your gun(s) into a Wal-Mart
as your baptism into CHL-hood.

By all means you should carry with "one in the pipe".

POCKET GUNS: A good
pocket holster will orient the gun properly for a draw, will
protect your pants pockets from getting a hole in them from
the gun, and will also break up the gun's outline so you don't print.

LARGER GUNS: Invest in a good holster that will cover your trigger, and make sure
that when you draw, that your fingers will not go inside the trigger guard.

Best of luck to you on your new adventures.

SIA

[E150GT]

I can carry the ..380 IWB at 3:00 and the 9mm at 4:00 comfortably. I am pretty sure I can find some nice holsters for the PT111 but I seem to not be able to find accessories for the TCP. I think its so new There's not much out there yet. That little gun scares me. Its a mean little gun. And thanks. I did just get my license. It took just under one month from class to plastic!

[surprise_i'm_armed]

E150GT:

I have a PT111 too.

For my pocket holster I use an Uncle Mike's size 4. It's
just a little black pocket. When I draw the gun, the pocket holster
has enough friction to stay in the pocket. Just the gun comes out.

My beloved OWB holster is a Bianchi Model 82. It has an ingenious
retention device that grabs the trigger guard and will not let the gun
fall out, but is very easy to override in order to draw quietly. The leather
of the holster is very hard and formed so that you can draw and
reholster with ease.

A Bianchi Model 82 is available in black or tan. It is marked on the
back as "Glock 26", but it is definitely the right holster for my PT111.
Get one - you'll love it. With OWB holsters, you don't have to buy your
pants one size larger, as you have to with IWB rigs.

SIA

[E150GT]

A Bianchi Model 82 is available in black or tan. It is marked on the
back as "Glock 26", but it is definitely the right holster for my PT111.
Get one - you'll love it. With OWB holsters, you don't have to buy your
pants one size larger, as you have to with IWB rigs.

SIA

Ill have to check that holster out. I never thougth about OWB holsters as being concealable. Thanks for the input. I look forward to reading up here and gaining a wealth of knowledge.

[A-R]

I'm not as familiar with the newer Taurus .380, but I carried my LCP in a $5 nylon universal pocket holster for a month or longer before I got a "better" leather pocket holster. And I still carry a J-frame revolver in a DeSantis Nemesis designed for a Kahr PM. Both work fine and yes there is one in the pipe (or with the revolver, a full cylinder).

As long as you don't have a touchy hair trigger and you keep ALL OTHER OBJECTS out of the pocket that is holding the gun, and you use some sort of holster that holds the gun relatively well and covers the trigger, pocket carrying should be as safe as any other holstered carry.

[Sewer_Ice]

I also have the Taurus TCP, just got it a few weeks ago.
Theres not much out yet in terms of accessories in holsters, but the TCP is the same size as the LCP, so you can hide that thing anywhere.
THE DAO trigger has A VERY LONG TRAVEL to fire, I carried it around cocked, but not +1 in the chamber in my right front pocket (and that little pocket in the right front acts as a GREAT holster too), still cocked at the end of the day. I'd feel better with a holster thought, but I have yet to find one molded for the TCP, if you find one let me know.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

A Bianchi Model 82 is available in black or tan. It is marked on the
back as "Glock 26", but it is definitely the right holster for my PT111.
Get one - you'll love it. With OWB holsters, you don't have to buy your
pants one size larger, as you have to with IWB rigs.

SIA

Ill have to check that holster out. I never thougth about OWB holsters as being concealable. Thanks for the input. I look forward to reading up here and gaining a wealth of knowledge.

Many of us like our OWB's and they are easily concealable in cool weather by wearing a largish sweatshirt, jacket, or other cover garment.
In hot weather, just buy your T-shirts long enough and your OWB with the PT111 in it will also be fully concealed. Heck, there's plenty
of guys carrying their 1911's in OWB's too.

SIA

[E150GT]

Many of us like our OWB's and they are easily concealable in cool weather by wearing a largish sweatshirt, jacket, or other cover garment.
In hot weather, just buy your T-shirts long enough and your OWB with the PT111 in it will also be fully concealed. Heck, there's plenty
of guys carrying their 1911's in OWB's too.

SIA[/quote]

I took your advice and bought the Bianchi 82. All I can say is that is a sweet holster. Its a little tight right now but it is comfortable and was not hard to conceal at all without a jacket. Thanks for the reccomendation. Now theres a gun show this weekend. I want to find a nice IWB holster that I can tuck my shirt in if I need to. For some reason I just like to carry the PT111 more than the TCP. I think cause I can have 13 rounds vs 7 at a time.

[E150GT]

I also have the Taurus TCP, just got it a few weeks ago.
Theres not much out yet in terms of accessories in holsters, but the TCP is the same size as the LCP, so you can hide that thing anywhere.
THE DAO trigger has A VERY LONG TRAVEL to fire, I carried it around cocked, but not +1 in the chamber in my right front pocket (and that little pocket in the right front acts as a GREAT holster too), still cocked at the end of the day. I'd feel better with a holster thought, but I have yet to find one molded for the TCP, if you find one let me know.

If I find one I'll let you know. I am using one made for the LCP and its fits well enough. Theres just a small portion between the handle and the grip that is not covered, but the gap is small enough I cant get my finger in there.

[sixline]

I personally wouldn't feel 100% comfortable carrying in your situation. That's just me... I like the safety that the right gun/holster combo give me. Again, my personal opinion.

I wouldn't worry so much about getting your finger in the small gap as I would something else catching the trigger... keys, carrying groceries, catching on your seatbelt in the car, brushing against something in the house, etc. etc.

Just something to think about.