First Time Carrying In Public

[USA1]

Well I took the walk.. First with the wife and the pup around the block and then to Wally World.. All the practice around the house paid off. All went well.

Cool.

I guess you didn't encounter any perps yet.
Although...those Walmart greeters can be pretty scary.

[s197winstang]

Well I took the walk.. First with the wife and the pup around the block and then to Wally World.. All the practice around the house paid off. All went well.

Cool.

I guess you didn't encounter any perps yet.
Although...those Walmart greeters can be pretty scary.

Amen to that... the cashiers aint much bettter...

[RPB]

Well I took the walk.. First with the wife and the pup around the block and then to Wally World.. All the practice around the house paid off. All went well.

I thought you were going to say you were at WalMart yesterday and saw a strange looking guy sitting on the floor in the Sports Dept. comparing the lables on Rainsuits ..... <looks innocent> Believe me, I attract a lot more attention than you would, but still no one notices I'm wearing a Glock 19, Glock 27 and spare mag, KelTec PF9, AMT Backup .380 and Seecamp .32. You are correct; mirrors at home and the correct holsters and positioning and proper clothing choices and practice are good. I left the Walmart and went to a gun store nearby, they didn't have anything I needed yesterday though. GUess I'll have to buy those Hogue Grips I wanted elsewhere.

[d strokes]

If you in Austin try going to GT distributors it is the ultimate Wal-Mart walk.

[marksiwel]

If you in Austin try going to GT distributors it is the ultimate Wal-Mart walk.

I cant go to GTs anymore, I'm afraid I'll max out my credit card,
Why yes I do need a Riot Helmet and a Bullet Proof Cup.

[davidtx]

If you in Austin try going to GT distributors it is the ultimate Wal-Mart walk.

That's the truth. I stayed nervous the entire time I was in GT - even in the parking lot.

[causeican]

Finally made my first carry in public today. Went to Taco Bueno with the family. No one had a clue I was carrying. Except my brother who also has his CHL, he asked me if I was carrying and a sly told him everything he needed to know. For the most part I was comfortable, but I did find myself checking to make sure I was not printing. I'm currently carrying a AMT back up .380 as it is the only gun I currently have for carry. I hope to buy a Kahr PM9 next weekend at the gun show. I also did my wally walk didn't take pics this time, but I'm sure there will be many more to come. God Bless

[s197winstang]

This does not exactly qualify for first time out but I had to share. So i have been carrying daily since I received the plastic... I was in Dallas on business and stopped at a quick mart for some chew. As I am about to get out of the car a Dallas patrol car pulled in. I paused then took out the Kahr and put it in the center c. Why you ask.. simple, I got scared that I may be printing.... even though I was not. Ugg. I guess practice will help. At least I hope so.

[USA1]

As I am about to get out of the car a Dallas patrol car pulled in. I paused then took out the Kahr and put it in the center c. Why you ask.. simple, I got scared that I may be printing.

Nope, the correct answer is you didn't need a gun because there was a cop there...sounds better that way

[s197winstang]

As I am about to get out of the car a Dallas patrol car pulled in. I paused then took out the Kahr and put it in the center c. Why you ask.. simple, I got scared that I may be printing.

Nope, the correct answer is you didn't need a gun because there was a cop there...sounds better that way

True... very nice spin on it.

[pegasaurus]

The more you carry the more comfortable you will be. But be careful of getting so comfortable that you become complacent.
About 5 years ago, I was in a McCormick & Schmidt’s in Houston, I was there by myself on business, and was carrying my Sig 239 in a JIT holster. I had a jacket on and as I was getting up to use the restroom I took of my jacket because I was getting warm. Not thinking about it I walked across the restaurant even asked the location of the restroom from one of the wait staff. I did not realize my piece was open for all to see until I got the urinal and thought, Oh Crap, what now. After completing my original mission, I thought it best to just walk back to my table just as I had left. I felt that it would look more suspicious if I un-tucked my dress shirt and did not want to draw additional attention to my self.
I usually carry this way but have an un-tucked shirt covering it. Since I was there on business I had on a nice shirt and a jacket.
Just food for thought.

[s197winstang]

i have been paranoid about this since the roundrock incident...... I make sure it is not noticeable by the average joe but around LEOs I am not confident. I hate that feeling kinda like I am doing something wrong when I am not. I think I will gain confidence when the crossbreed is delivered. I hate the uncle mike iwb holster I have. I have a Kahr cw40 now.. its small and should conceal easily in the xbreed. I hope..

[Running Arrow Bill]

I've been sporadically carrying since 1990. Only this year have I been carrying regularly. We have about 180 acres in the county and carry open on our property. Always chance some kind of varmit will appear...lol.

My present carry is a S&W M&P 9mm. I also use a larger .40 at times. Wear Western clothes and usually have a vest on. In winter I use my down jacket or ranch coat. I finally got a DeSantis leather holster (about $75. shipped) which fits like a glove! Can't underestimate the use of a quality holster for CC.

Whenever I modify my attire, I always double-check in mirror. The bottom of my holster is always at least 1-2" below the "tail" of my vest, or jacket. I'm very comfortable with CC. I know which movements to make or not make. I don't reach high on a shelf for things. In a restaurant, I sit in a booth with gun side opposite the outside of the booth (and, position the gun side to a side wall if at a table.) Rather than bend over, I'll squat down to pick something up. I always use the crapper before I go somewhere.

More than once I have been carrying and have passed one our local deputies or Sheriff in a store. No problem. No panic. I just always speak, and assume an innocent, "poker face" affect and assume I am within my rights to CC.

I have developed some very incidental ways to check my printing and/or wallet for that matter. Doesn't hurt anything to start "scratching an itch" if needed...lol. My gun side pockets don't have anything in them I must get; thus, no fear of accidental printing of revealing if I need something: that's what other pockets are for.

Of course, I'd never carry in any place where a handgun is prohibited...

Oh, yeah...I've been member of NRA for many years...

[sixline]

I've been CC'ing for a few months now. I definitely still feel a little odd when walking around in public... mostly because I think everyone can see my 9mm

One way I check to make sure my shirt is down over the butt of my gun is to either reach for my wallet and brush down against my waist, or hike my pants up a bit, which, being a young guy with slightly-droopy pants, is completely normal looking

Sometimes I do carry a smaller Bersa .380 and I certainly notice a difference in how I feel. The smaller frame really helps conceal it in my waistband and even if it was to poke out of my shirt, it's probably not too noticeable. I wear it low inside my waistband in a crossbreed holster. My Beretta 9mm I usually wear higher in a crossbreed as well.

[03Lightningrocks]

It's so true that in the beginning you just know everyone is aware that your packing heat. After awhile you get so use to carrying you will forget it is there at times. I was headed into the court house to file some papers a few weeks back and came within about five steps of walking in with my gun. I had other things on my mind and got in linee for the metal detector. Just about the same instant it hit me that I was packing. It brought back my fear of being outed for a brief instant as I casually turned around and walked back out while trying to pretend I had forgotten something in the car. That would have been a bad mistake. I feel sure they would have flipped out had I gone through that detector with my Glock.