First outing: Walmart, Kroger then Pizza Hut [with a LEO]

[terryg]

Ok, so my plastic was waiting for me today after we returned from a weeks vacation. Of course, we need milk and such and so I use any excuse to do the Wally Walk thing. So I go to Walmart and then Kroger with one of my teenage daughters as my 'print' checker. I'm really not nervous at all - not even a raised pulse. I do some reaching and whatnot for show. Of course, the fact that I am carrying a Beretta Tomcat in a IWB holster probably had a lot to do with my calm demeanor. It is so small, there is really very little to reveal.

Then, we head to our storefront Pizza Hut to pick-up the pizzas that my wife has called in. Everything is fine until a uniformed LEO steps in and stands in line right behind me. I'm carrying at about 3:30-4:00 position and he is standing at 4:30-5:00. Even with the pea-shooter, I still feel incredibly un-concealed. I feel like his 'trained eyes' will spot it where mere mortals in 'condition white' would not. At this point, I recognize that my demeanor has shifted to 'guilty and hiding something' mode and then I get more nervous that he will detect my change in demeanor! Stupid, I know. My daughter, was practically cracking up! He was actually an ISD officer, somehow that made me feel a little better and I calmed down some. Although they are probably especially trained to spot concealed weapons.

Anyway, overall still a success. I just can't believe had badly that freaked me out.

---

FYI, I know a lot of you will scoff at the thought of carrying the Tomcat. I am starting out with the Tomcat - I really like the size, of course - and love putting one in the pipe without racking the slide and topping off the mag. But I will be graduating to something a bit more ... substantial ... But I am still researching the right carry weapon. For now, 8 .32 caliber rounds is way better than nothing.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

terryg:

Congrats on the plastic and the Wally Walk.

Please post your town/area in your "Location" field so that
those forum members close to you can help you out in various
ways.

What's on the shopping list for your next carry gun?

Do you have a good feel for what you want, or are you
amenable to buying whatever brand's fan gets to you first? :-)

SIA

[longtooth]

Welcome aboard terryg & welcome to carry.
No scoff at the TomCat. You have set some good goals & no doubt will reach them at a steady rate of progression.
Remember my 4 rules.

1. Quality gear
2. Put it on
3. Cover it up
4. Leave it alone

No one will know. Not even the LEO.

[TXlaw1]

Remember my 4 rules.
1. Quality gear
2. Put it on
3. Cover it up
4. Leave it alone

No one will know. Not even the LEO.

Great rules for CHLs, longtooth!

[terryg]

terryg:
What's on the shopping list for your next carry gun?

Do you have a good feel for what you want, or are you
amenable to buying whatever brand's fan gets to you first? :-)
SIA

Thanks SIA - and I did add my location. Alvin, TX - just south of Houston.

I am not picky about brands - reliability is obviously important. It doesn't have to work all the time, just when I need it ...

I am open to any suggestions - but I do have an active family and so money is tight. Thats why I want to be sure I know exactly what I want.

Here are my targets/thoughts:

1. Size/weight are important. I have an old .45 1911 knockoff (a Llama) that belonged to my Dad. It shoots great (I know quality can be kinda hit or miss - but it has been reliable) - I've kept it for home defense - but its not exactly a good CC weapon. Anyway, I have carried it IWB around the house several times to test size and weight. I even went hiking with it while on vacation this past week (private property as I did not have my CHL in hand at the time). It weighs about 2lbs, 13oz fully loaded - thats a bit much. My hip is pretty sore after toting it around for a while. So I definitely want something lighter than that. The Tomcat fully loaded is about 1lb 1oz - I barely notice it on my hip - so I know I can go bigger - I just don't know how much bigger.

2. I would like 10+ rounds - 12 to 13 would be even better - but I know I am pushing my size/weight restrictions.

3. I probably want 9mm. I like shooting .45 and I like the stopping power. But I also like to shoot a bit and .45 ammo cost $$$. 9mm seems to be a pretty good balance of stopping power vs. $ with each trigger pull. Plus the rounds are lighter than .45. But I am open to other calibers as well as long as the meet that formula.

4. I think I like DA/SA. Somehow with the kids around (random hugs and all), I like the thought of knowing that there is no stored energy in the hammer mechanism. DAO might be ok as well. Maybe more time packing will change my mind on this ...

5. I like the 1911 style safety lever - I don't know what else to call it. A full sweep of the thumb near the first joint - it feels solid and natural. I can reliably hit it while still drawing. I don't like the high safety lever of say the Beretta PX4SC.

6. I'm not sure what I think of only having passive safety mechanisms (i.e. Glock style). I might be warming up to the idea - but I might need more time still. I might be more comfortable with that concept in a DA/SA weapon - so at least you have the stiff first pull. But I am not aware of any passive safety models that are not SA only.

Although I have currently only experimented with IWB, I am probably going to try OWB and think I might prefer that. (At least I only have to think about CCW factors when buying shirts. With IWB, you have to buy bigger pants.) In fact, that is my next step - to find a good OWB holster for the Tomcat and try that around for a while. In the end, I think I will like having both options available.

Here are some of the models on my current list of consideration:

Taurus Millennium
Springfield XD
CZ 2075 Rami
Taurus PT24/7
Ruger SR9c

Thanks in advance,

t

[canvasbck]

Welcome fellow Alvinite

I just did my (2) Wallywalks this week too. Between the two of us, it was a safe week to go to Wal Mart. As a matter of fact, I hit everywhere that you did except Pizza Hut.

The only place that I know of with a 30.06 sign in town is the YMCA. Please post on texas3006 if you find others, as will I.

[terryg]

Welcome fellow Alvinite

I just did my (2) Wallywalks this week too. Between the two of us, it was a safe week to go to Wal Mart. As a matter of fact, I hit everywhere that you did except Pizza Hut.

The only place that I know of with a 30.06 sign in town is the YMCA. Please post on texas3006 if you find others, as will I.

Thank you! Cheers!

Its interesting, for the past few weeks as I have been waiting, I have been on the hunt to see any if I can find CC weapons on anybody in Walmart or Kroger. So far, I have seen a few 'possibles', but no 'definitelys'. Some times I think I have a hit - then they take another step and I see the same bulge on the other side of the "tire".

So either there are not to many CHL holders in Alvin, or they are all concealing very well, or I'm just not that good at spotting them yet.

---

Will do on the texas3006. I registered a few weeks ago and saw the YMCA post.

[TXlaw1]

Here are some of the models on my current list of consideration:

Taurus Millennium
Springfield XD
CZ 2075 Rami
Taurus PT24/7
Ruger SR9c

Terry, I'd suggest adding to your list a Bersa 9mm, either UC (ultra compact, 13+1) or HC (high capacity 17). Bersas are excellent guns. They are not cheap but comparatively inexpensive. Bersa owners I know love them. For more info check out the catalog at
http://www.bersafirearmsusa.com/skin/fr ... atalog.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
See also bersachat.com for all things Bersa.

[cougartex]

Congratulations.

[canvasbck]

Welcome fellow Alvinite

I just did my (2) Wallywalks this week too. Between the two of us, it was a safe week to go to Wal Mart. As a matter of fact, I hit everywhere that you did except Pizza Hut.

The only place that I know of with a 30.06 sign in town is the YMCA. Please post on texas3006 if you find others, as will I.

Thank you! Cheers!

Its interesting, for the past few weeks as I have been waiting, I have been on the hunt to see any if I can find CC weapons on anybody in Walmart or Kroger. So far, I have seen a few 'possibles', but no 'definitelys'. Some times I think I have a hit - then they take another step and I see the same bulge on the other side of the "tire".

So either there are not to many CHL holders in Alvin, or they are all concealing very well, or I'm just not that good at spotting them yet.

---

Will do on the texas3006. I registered a few weeks ago and saw the YMCA post.

You will find CC'ers at Chili's. It's hawaiian shirt central.
Actually, I only know that some of the folks are carrying at Chili's, cause its people I know.

I have had a few people who I thought were carrying, but I'm pretty sure that they were packing cell phones.

[terryg]

Terry, I'd suggest adding to your list a Bersa 9mm, either UC (ultra compact, 13+1) or HC (high capacity 17). Bersas are excellent guns. They are not cheap but comparatively inexpensive. Bersa owners I know love them. For more info check out the catalog at

See also bersachat.com for all things Bersa.

Thanks TXlaw1. The Bersa Thunder 9UC looks pretty good - seems to meet most of what I want. It's doesn't look like it's too expensive. I'm a little concerned about the weight though. I can't find a spec listed for weight anywhere.

It's now on my list.

[TXlaw1]

Terry, I'd suggest adding to your list a Bersa 9mm, either UC (ultra compact, 13+1) or HC (high capacity 17). Bersas are excellent guns. They are not cheap but comparatively inexpensive. Bersa owners I know love them. For more info check out the catalog at
http://www.bersafirearmsusa.com/skin/fr ... atalog.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

See also bersachat.com for all things Bersa.

Thanks TXlaw1. The Bersa Thunder 9UC looks pretty good - seems to meet most of what I want. It's doesn't look like it's too expensive. I'm a little concerned about the weight though. I can't find a spec listed for weight anywhere.

It's now on my list.

The catalog for Bersa firearms at the link above shows the dimensions and weights of all the guns. The 9 UC weighs in at 23 oz. See page 6 of that catalog. And the price is right, probably about $300 - $400. I bot one used for $275 recently. Good luck in finding what you want.

[terryg]

The catalog for Bersa firearms at the link above shows the dimensions and weights of all the guns. The 9 UC weighs in at 23 oz. See page 6 of that catalog. And the price is right, probably about $300 - $400. I bot one used for $275 recently. Good luck in finding what you want.

Thanks! I don't know how I missed that. So fully loaded (14 rounds), it would weigh about 1.6 pounds plus the magazine weight. Either way, under 2. Thats not too bad. I will definitely consider it.

Thanks again ...

[dicion]

Somewhat related to the original post, I was at a location this past weekend for 4 days that was literally swimming with unarmed "security officers" .

There was pretty much nowhere I could go, for the entire 4 days, other than my hotel room, that was not covered by the eyes of some "security officer".
No one noticed. (as expected)

This was in a place in another state that has been previously reported to be openly opposed to concealed or open carry, even though it is legal there.

Now.. this struck me for one specific reason. If I was a BG, carrying a weapon.... what good are these security guards? They wern't armed with anything other than radios, they wouldn't be able to stop any sort of armed encounter with a BG. All they could do would be to call police like anyone else.

Security Theater.

The masses see security and think safety, where I knew that they would probably be the first ones out the door if someone decided to start shooting up the place.

I was more equipped to deal with such a situation than these paid security guards.

Just something to think about, I sure thought about it.

[lowonair]

Somewhat related to the original post, I was at a location this past weekend for 4 days that was literally swimming with unarmed "security officers" .

There was pretty much nowhere I could go, for the entire 4 days, other than my hotel room, that was not covered by the eyes of some "security officer".
No one noticed. (as expected)

This was in a place in another state that has been previously reported to be openly opposed to concealed or open carry, even though it is legal there.

Now.. this struck me for one specific reason. If I was a BG, carrying a weapon.... what good are these security guards? They wern't armed with anything other than radios, they wouldn't be able to stop any sort of armed encounter with a BG. All they could do would be to call police like anyone else.

Security Theater.

The masses see security and think safety, where I knew that they would probably be the first ones out the door if someone decided to start shooting up the place.

I was more equipped to deal with such a situation than these paid security guards.

Just something to think about, I sure thought about it.

will you let my boss know this so i can carry?