First Time Carrying Last Night

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randomoutburst
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First Time Carrying Last Night

Post by randomoutburst »

I expected it to be a lot more self-conscious. I have a shoulder rig for my S&W 60, but it can detach to also be worn as a hip holster. I've worn it around the house before, so I knew I would be comfortable. It was also surprisingly easy to conceal, but I think when I buy a new holster I will get one that has more of a forward cant. Anyway, hubby's been carrying for over a year now, so I think the idea of carrying is less novel to me. That's definitely a good thing, because I wasn't worrying about my own piece the whole night.

My license came in the mail yesterday and I went down to Dallas to have dinner with my mother for her birthday. We met at her house beforehand. My hubby was accidentally outed months ago when my brother hugged him and whacked his hand on the gun, so my whole family knows he carries. No big deal, except for my older sister. She doesn't seem to acknowledge the "concealed" aspect.

The minute we walked into the house, we were both bombarded with hugs. We smiled and greeted everyone, then my sister asked if we were packing. Well, yes...but we just smiled. My brother patted my hip from behind and exclaimed that he must have missed it when he hugged me. Sheesh! I would have gotten away with it had my sister not brought it up. My mom gave a disapproving stare at my hip but didn't make a big deal out of it like I thought she would have.

As we were preparing to leave, my sister said, "Oh, the place we're going to serves alcohol so I guess you can't carry there.
"Yes we can."
"No. You can't."
"Yes. We can." I briefly outlined the rules on 51% establishments for her, and she finally relented with a disapproving, perhaps doubtful stare.

Dinner was mostly fine until dessert when she broke out the camera. She pointed it at us said something like, "And they're both packing. Don't look so serious, smile!" I commented on the fact that "concealed means concealed" and her boyfriend, who also qualified recently, shushed her as well.

As far as the actual carrying went, there was no problem. The butt of the gun sits right in my waist and is far enough forward that I don't have to adjust my posture when seated or standing. The reason I want a more forward cant is because bending over still presents a problem. It's easy to avoid by squatting down with my back straight to pick something up off the floor, but it's something to improve upon. Driving is very comfortable, even though I'm carrying at 3 o'clock and the seatbelt buckle is right on top of the gun. Ah, the advantages of being tiny.

And of course I drove the whole way to and from Dallas. After all, if I had gotten pulled over...I'd want to show off my new plastic!! :rolll

Now all I need to do is (still!) get to range to shoot my Ranger II. Once I'm comfortable with that, it will be my primary carry weapon and my S&W will resume its permanent place on my nightstand.
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terryg
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Re: First Time Carrying Last Night

Post by terryg »

Congrats!!!
:thewave

And thanks for the report!!!
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SpringerFan
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Re: First Time Carrying Last Night

Post by SpringerFan »

Congrats! Dealing with the family can be tough, huh? ;-) I know, I was raised by hippie democrats. :shock:
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it."
Col. Jeff Cooper
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Excaliber
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Re: First Time Carrying Last Night

Post by Excaliber »

Congratulations - your extensive prior thought and preparation have paid off well.

One thing to be aware of with shoulder holsters - they are prone to becoming briefly unconcealed from certain angles if the covering garment is open from the front when you turn or bend.
Excaliber

"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." - Jeff Cooper
I am not a lawyer. Nothing in any of my posts should be construed as legal or professional advice.
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randomoutburst
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Re: First Time Carrying Last Night

Post by randomoutburst »

Excaliber wrote:Congratulations - your extensive prior thought and preparation have paid off well.

One thing to be aware of with shoulder holsters - they are prone to becoming briefly unconcealed from certain angles if the covering garment is open from the front when you turn or bend.
I wasn't wearing it as a shoulder rig, but detached it and wore it as a hip holster. Still, I agree, shoulder holsters offer new things to think about in regards to concealing. My husband carries with a shoulder holster when at all possible (so he loves cold weather!) and I find myself checking him over constantly, looking for anything unconcealed. Usually there is no problem, as he wears black jackets and the entire rig and gun are also black. If he's wearing his brown holster with the green vest, though, I usually need to keep an eye out for him.

I have only worn my shoulder rig once around the house. The strap across the back is elastic and too big for me, so I would need to have it replaced with either a leather strap or a smaller elastic strap if I wanted to really wear it and not worry about it. Right now it's safety-pinned to the proper length. I don't find shoulder carry as comfortable for me, as I am somewhat blessed in the chest region. It makes for one more obstacle on the way to grab my weapon, and that's unsettling for me.
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68Charger
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Re: First Time Carrying Last Night

Post by 68Charger »

SpringerFan wrote: I know, I was raised by hippie democrats. :shock:

Not all democrats are hippies. I am one. :)

/end politics.
We don't need no stinking badges!
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terryg
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Re: First Time Carrying Last Night

Post by terryg »

68Charger wrote: Not all democrats are hippies. I am one. :)
A hippie or a Democrat??? "rlol"
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mctowalot
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Re: First Time Carrying Last Night

Post by mctowalot »

CONGRATULATIONS RANDOM!!!
:thewave
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SpringerFan
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Re: First Time Carrying Last Night

Post by SpringerFan »

LOL. Yeah, my folks were and still are both.
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it."
Col. Jeff Cooper
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