Fidgitty - checking concealment

[SecedeTX]

I got up yesterday moring and put on the Galco holster and extra mag holster. I went shopping to Kroger, got home, went to church, went to eat after. Once we were done with lunch, it was off to the inlaws house. Having just received the license, and really new to carrying, it is kind of a new thing. My wife was having a conversation with her mom about me carrying, and her mom wanted to know if I had it at lunch today. My wife asked if I had it on me, and at that point, I realized a kinda cool thing.

Having the gun was a new thing in the morning, but through the day, it was normal, and I stopped obsessing about it during the day. Not only that I was not concerned about it, no one in the family even had a clue.

Most of the parinoia we have is self produced. I have carried a pocket knife for years and don't feel like it attracts extra attention. I am learning that I should have the same attitude towards my concealed carry.

I have not had a "LEO in public" experience, but we need not be our own worst enemy. We have the right to carry, and passed the background.

[silverbear]

I got up yesterday moring and put on the Galco holster and extra mag holster. I went shopping to Kroger, got home, went to church, went to eat after. Once we were done with lunch, it was off to the inlaws house. Having just received the license, and really new to carrying, it is kind of a new thing. My wife was having a conversation with her mom about me carrying, and her mom wanted to know if I had it at lunch today. My wife asked if I had it on me, and at that point, I realized a kinda cool thing.

Having the gun was a new thing in the morning, but through the day, it was normal, and I stopped obsessing about it during the day. Not only that I was not concerned about it, no one in the family even had a clue.

Most of the parinoia we have is self produced. I have carried a pocket knife for years and don't feel like it attracts extra attention. I am learning that I should have the same attitude towards my concealed carry.

I have not had a "LEO in public" experience, but we need not be our own worst enemy. We have the right to carry, and passed the background.

My experience as a newbie is exactly as described above - including my wife asking me on a number of occasions if I was carrying - Yes, every single time.

[SecedeTX]

Wife asking is one thing, my 9 year old daughter asking is another. She thinks it is the coolest thing. I am having to remind her that she has to keep it quiet, and not to tell anyone.

She is also asking for a .22 cal rifle for Christmas this year. I need to work on the wife early on that one.

[USA1]

My experience as a newbie is exactly as described above - including my wife asking me on a number of occasions if I was carrying - Yes, every single time.

My wife doesn't even ask me any more because she knows what the answer will be.

[SecedeTX]

My Kindergarten son has started wearing his 6-shooter in the neighborhood. I think it's cute. He is simply trying to be like dad but really has no concept of the whole "concealed" thing. My 9 year old daughter likes the whole idea of it being "secret". The wife just rolls her eyes at me :)

The wife is becoming resigned to the fact that I will be carrying everywhere it is legal.

[sjfcontrol]

The wife just rolls her eyes at me :)

I wonder if wives eyes are mounted on ball-bearings? Seems they spend all their time rolling around...

[The Annoyed Man]

Y'all should work out some kind of code words with your wives for when they feel the need to ask that question. You never know who might be within earshot. Since my wife and I both carry, we ask the same question: "Did you remember to bring your medical device?" If asked by a stranger what it is, I can answer, "that's kind of personal, isn't it?"

[SecedeTX]

So, I am guessing that "Hey honey, are you strapped with one in the pipe?" is not cryptic enough?

[handog]

Teamless, you have a better start than I did just by being here. I found this forum by accident looking for legal advice.

I went through three different holsters through trial and error before a member here suggested the Supertuck. Once the Supertuck arrived I realized my belt was the weak link so I searched and found The Belt Man. Now that's a belt! After two adjustments on the Supertuck I found that I could bend, sit, squat or reach without exposure. Yes, there are some knowledgeable members who help you through your Wally walk. Good Luck.

[phrogg]

Y'all should work out some kind of code words with your wives for when they feel the need to ask that question.

The code around our house is in relation to the NewsPaper. Since I do web development and believe that print is dead, I wouldn't much have anything to do with a newspaper. So its a safe subject we can discuss that other folks wouldn't likely catch on.

So we can ask questions about, "Did you pick up the paper this morning?" That usually alerts me that I need to raise my Situational Awareness a notch because someone else noticed something.

Or there was the event this weekend when we were receiving communion at church and my 16 yr old daughter was serving gave me a hug as I passed her and whispered that "your papers are printing" . I had to slide the XDm around to a little more 3:00 position next chance I had to be alone to not show in the shirt I was wearing this weekend. Back to oversized Hawaiian shirts for church

Oh, the last one I can think of is when that same daughter asked if she could "get her own newspaper subscription for upstairs!" Grandpa would be so proud . Even sitting around the house we till talk in code which hopefully keeps us from slipping up outside.

[silverbear]

So, I am guessing that "Hey honey, are you strapped with one in the pipe?" is not cryptic enough?

[AddyLO]

You've gotten a lot of great advice here (no surprise from this group). One thing I want to reiterate is what handdog mentioned. A good gun belt is worth its weight in gold. You're less likely to fidget if that holster is held securely to your person and can't shift or flop around.

From there is just like TAM said, "Strap it on. Wear it. Forget about it."

[SecedeTX]

I actually got a really good belt from Ariat (used to be Justin). They are kinda cowboy-ish, but I am ok with that. Really thick and sturdy.

I have not purchased a "Tuck" style holster yet, but will have to in the future. I can't always be casual.

Another option without a holster is here:

http://www.511tactical.com/browse/Home/ ... 05/I/40011" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I saw this in person, and it would be perfect for a formal occasion where you had to wear a suit or button up tucked in shirt. There is extra padding to stop printing. If you get it in white, it looks like an undershirt.

[Skydivesnake]

If you have probs with your IWB holster moving around - and it's uncomfortable to tighten your belt up further - try putting it between your skin and shorts, rather than between your shorts and pants. A leather shiny-side-out holster will 'stick' to your skin and be rock-solid. Infact, with mine, I have to grip the leading edge and literally 'peel' it off my hip if I need to reposition it.

Sounds a bit gross, I know - sorry about that. But it works.

[heeler]

I finally received my license this past Thursday.
So Friday I placed my Diamondback 380 in PDA style holster that is made by Bulldog and headed out the door.
I went to Academy first to buy some new work pants.
After I got out of my truck I of course made good and sure the flap on the holster was good and secure and it was because not only is it magnetic but it also has two snaps as well.
At first I was walking around and the weirdest feeling came over me that here I was cruising around in this sporting goods store carrying a fully loaded firearm right on my side.
Bought the pants and actually found a box of Win Whitebox 380 as well !!
Then I met my girlfriend and we head over to Salt Grass for a great steak dinner.
The place was absolutely packed.
At first due to the large crowd I was a bit nervous and again I found myself touching the PDA holster flap to make sure the thing was secure.
And again it was.
Left there and headed to Sam's club.
By then this whole thing was starting to feel pretty good and frankly quite natural.
Later we stopped by my girl friends church as she was delivering some things for an upcoming wedding and since this was a church I left the firearm in the truck.
At that very point I felt a feeling of incompleteness.
Also this is N.E. Houston and quite a rough area.
The next day I wore shorts with velcro flapped cargo pockets and put the pistol in a leather holster that was made specifically for the Diamondback .
Perfect fit and one could not even tell there was a firearm there.
Perhaps I am a bit different but in a very short period of time I have become used to this and I am amazed how vulnerable I feel when I dont have the pistol on me.
I for one am very glad I got of my can and got this license.