Carrying Concealed--What and How

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It gets more complicated when your valid threat matrix includes four-legged predators whose body mass profile exceeds the capacity of the typical antipersonel 9mm JHP.
Yes indeed!

The top level requirements are different.
 
Great post(s) Kleanbore.

I have several different handguns that I carry regularly, but they are all DAO with no safety. I am one of those who does not want a safety on his SD handguns. If someone else wants safeties on theirs, more power to them. It's none of my business.


"...I bought the first handgun I ever owned, a Smith & Wesson model 915."

Like this one? :)
 
Considering all of the requirements is an essential tenet of the requirements analysis process. You apparently do not understand it.
Ouch. You seem to be taking my comments personally. I was trying to address your statements respectfully; sorry that you feel the need to disrespect me without having even met more or being aware of my experience and qualifications.

"Requirements analysis process?" Really? You are complicating a simple concept; and anyway, it's not up to you to set the requirements for concealed carry. Now if you desire to address legal requirements for concealed carry (in your state), fine; practical requirements certainly vary widely, as you yourself acknowledged. Whether or not you desire to "trust your life" to a safety switch that requires a separate and distinct operation to disengage is solely your decision and not a requirement for anyone else.
 
Ouch. You seem to be taking my comments personally
Not at all!

sorry that you feel the need to disrespect me without having even met more or being aware of my experience and qualifications.
No disrespect intended, but I found it very odd that anyone might disagree with establishing as ta requirement hat a firearm intended for concealed carry be concealable.That just didn't make any sense at all.

"Requirements analysis process?" Really? You are complicating a simple concept
Yes, it is a rather simple process, conceptually. I certainly have not intended to complicate it--just to describe it.

t's not up to you to set the requirements for concealed carry.
Nor have I suggested otherwise.

But to illustrate the simple thought process. I have proposed four very basic overarching requirements for use in helping to select a defensive firearm for concealed carry. They should apply to just about every analysis, though one would, as has been pointed out, tweak then if defense against dangerous animals might be involved.

Would you suggest different ones?

Now if you desire to address legal requirements for concealed carry (in your state), fine;
Different subject entirely.

Whether or not you desire to "trust your life" to a safety switch that requires a separate and distinct operation to disengage is solely your decision and not a requirement for anyone else.
Absolutely, and it is a requirement that I derived for me. As I put it "I came to the same conclusion as...".

I am by no means alone in that conclusion, however.
 
I operate under the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle. My EDC is a S&W Shield 9X19mm. We don't do, the weapon rotation concept but rather one weapon for all concealed carry occasions. We do carry a second magazine also. We only use one holster type and dress around it for all occasions. If by chance we were to carry a backup it would be a S&W M640-38Spl.
 
1. Always - Ruger LCP Gen 2 .380 ACP in OEM Holster in Right Hip Pocket.

To that I add:

2.Jacket Weather or High Threat Assessment - M&P M2.0 .40c 4" with 13+1 (+2 x 15-Round) in Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.5 IWB.
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3. T-Shirt Weather with Jeans or Slacks - Shield .45 with 6+1 (+2 x 7-Round) in Alien Gear 3.5 Cloak Tuck IWB.

Beach attire I have to make do with just the LCP.
 
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I'm one of the younger old guys here, if we ever got together for a "Happy Anniversary THR Party" (not a bad idea) you would call me "Kid" (and I'm pushing 60).
I spent much of my life in uniform, ever since my mid 40's I couldn't stand anything on my belt having worn a Sam Browne most days. It took even longer (at least a decade) to lose the lawman mentality, but I have learned some good lessons.
Victims unknowingly choose to be victims, even I've been a victim lately loaning my phone to a pretty young thing that took my phone to make a phone call but in fact jumped into a waiting getaway car. Other than that, I've never been a victim, I was the hunter, the enforcer and in the early days the judge and jury that sometimes dispensed street justice in an alley.
But I have been a good civilian throughout my 50's, recognizing danger before encountering it like going to a late night movie downtown Albuquerque and keeping my friend from entering the parking lot elevator with a "friendly" young man at Gold Ave SW and 1st St SW getting out of the Century 14 theater. She later understood that his behavior was nothing less than predatory and was glad I was armed, meanwhile, I'm wondering how many of his friends are stalking the multilevel parking structure at midnight. This was in 2008 and things haven't gotten better in Albuquerque. I currently live in suburb of Albuquerque and our police are aggressive hound dogs God Bless Them and our city is still safe to leave the midnight show even if I don't do that anymore but sometimes I'll pull security for my buddy that washes concrete at night at movie theaters and restaurants and we'll be out at 2am. We're both armed but so far so good.
For plain ol walkabout, I'll stuff my 340 in a pocket glove with spare ammo in the opposite pocket that also contains my NAA Mini but just as often, I've found the joy of belt carry again with my Glock 48 and 2 spare mags. I've been successful at staying out of trouble but trouble sometimes gets in our way and as I age and now carry a stick sometimes for support and balance I noticed that people are more aware of you, so far the good but I pray the bad stay away because I have no patience in explaining to a judge why the bad guys are bleeding.
 
Having reread the thread, safety, no safety, big gun, little gun, etc. Peoples here make good argument for their personal pros and cons.
Here's my little 2 cents. In LEO uniform, I carried 2 handguns my entire service, a BHP MKII (later a MKIII) and a S&W 60 (.38) as bug. That's it. The BHP is slim enough to carry off duty and I did, the 60 was always in a pocket. Two guns, didn't need to think because it was all muscle memory. As a civilian, I've gone through dozens trying to find my niche, SA, SA/DA, DA, Striker, Hammer, internal safety, external safety, magazine disconnect, no magazine disconnect. Like a previous poster who is now all about Glock, stay with one system and get it into muscle memory, whether it's a 1911 with a Sig 938 Bug or a Glock 17 with a Glock 26 but don't use different systems for SD, find the one you like and stay the path. Hell, carry 2 638's or two 60's but stay the path. I'm used to a revolver bug with a SA on the belt.
Last thing, Murphy tends to show up when least expected, if you do carry for SD, find a bug that you can get used to, anything from a Kel Tec 32 to a NAA Mini, I've had unexpected malfunctions at the range that have completely shut down the gun until I could use a tool to take it apart, even if it's just mace keep a back up, you'll never need it until you need it.
 
Great post(s) Kleanbore.

I said:
"...I bought the first handgun I ever owned, a Smith & Wesson model 915."

Like this one? :)

I imagine so.

I've often thought I'd have been better off if I had stopped buying guns after that one and concentrated on mastering it. BUT with factory support non existent for Third Gen S&W and magazines 30% more expensive than Glock magazines I think I'm good
 
When I started carrying I had an old Ruger P94. I started with it because it was what I had. Then I realized the holster I had was crap. So I bought a better holster. I then decided I didn't like the slide mounted safety. I read posts online suggesting that you could just leave it off. So I went with that. Then one day when deer hunting (I had been using a climber) I discovered that my holstered pistols safety that I thought was off was on. I wound up buying a XD-40. I have went through different pistols & holsters since then figuring out what I like & dislike. Currently if I carry I usually have a M&P 2.0 40 Compact with a 4" barrel. I use either a Safariland GLS paddle holster or a Kydex IWB holster depending on where I am going & what I am doing. I also have a Kahr CM9 for when I can't carry anything larger. With it I have a pocket holster or a IWB kydex holster. Whatever I am carrying I have a spare magazine on my off side Oh and I carry behind my hip on my strong hand side. While I do have a pocket holster for the Kahr I really don't like pocket carry as it limits access so much. I have been thinking of getting a different IWB holster & trying appendix carry again. I can live with a thumb safety but I want it to be frame mounted (down for fire) but not having one doesn't bother me.
 
The S&W 915 is just a range toy, but I would feel comfortable using it for SD if needed. I don't shoot most of my handguns often enough that they need anything more than some springs every decade or two. I have yet to wear one out.

If an irreplaceable part ever breaks on one of my out of production service pistols and it becomes a paperweight, I suppose I will just part it out and get my money back. Most of them cost something like $200-$300 OTD.

Sort of back OT... I have CC'ed one of my surplus/police turn-in handguns a few times. It's a 2" Model 10 from the early 1960's. It breaks my "DAO rule", but there were a few times that it was the only thing sitting out before I went to the store or wherever, and I know how to old-school style cover the hammer when I draw. It carries nicely OWB. It's kind of heavy, but also the most accurate snubby I have ever shot. The finish is worn, but the picture looks worse than it does in person.

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I don't spend that much time in the woods anymore but when I lived in my offgrid cabin for awhile my walkabout was my slung 1894 which I recently sold. Back then a Cinnamon Black Bear called my yard his own but my Chihuahua chased him off, so much for bears.
There was a Mountain Lion or two in the area, never saw them in 10 years owning that cabin but neighbors did and I may have seen a paw mark but I'm no expert, coyotes were more of a problem that a 9 can take care of as well as the Lions.
For city and semi-rural my 9 is just right.
Panthers are thin skinned, hogs, 9 probably isn't the right ticket, probably.
 
I don't spend that much time in the woods anymore but when I lived in my offgrid cabin for awhile my walkabout was my slung 1894 which I recently sold. Back then a Cinnamon Black Bear called my yard his own but my Chihuahua chased him off, so much for bears.
There was a Mountain Lion or two in the area, never saw them in 10 years owning that cabin but neighbors did and I may have seen a paw mark but I'm no expert, coyotes were more of a problem that a 9 can take care of as well as the Lions.
For city and semi-rural my 9 is just right.
Panthers are thin skinned, hogs, 9 probably isn't the right ticket, probably.

I’ve got a shooting buddy that swears by his 9mm. Uses it all the time to call in and shoot yotes. I think he’s shooting a 115gr Sierra. Your post made me think of him.
 
For jogging I would get the NAA dog tag holster that goes around the neck so you can sport that puppy anywhere you want. Second I would always recommend an NAA in a pocket holster quick fast and always with you even in shorts. I really like the Earl but your tastes may be different. Lastly I carry a PMR 30 in a Galco Highrise holster. Protects your side from protrusions and hammer scrapes. I even use one with my old S&W mod 10. Hope that helps.
 
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I don't change what I carry much. I always have a Black Widow NAA in my pocket holster, if in the woods a 45 colt or 44 and if in the city or doing security a 45 acp. I am old and have settled on what I am comfortable with. Even after years of shooting I practice at least once a week to keep up to speed. If the time should come I hope to be able to do as good as Jack Wilson did.
 
I don't change what I carry much. I always have a Black Widow NAA in my pocket holster, if in the woods a 45 colt or 44 and if in the city or doing security a 45 acp. I am old and have settled on what I am comfortable with. Even after years of shooting I practice at least once a week to keep up to speed. If the time should come I hope to be able to do as good as Jack Wilson did.

I know several guys that tote those NAA pocket pieces. Many more do that than actually carry anything bigger. Maybe there is something to them that I’m missing.
 
I know several guys that tote those NAA pocket pieces. Many more do that than actually carry anything bigger. Maybe there is something to them that I’m missing.

The NAA guns don't have the preferred caliber and are difficult to use. However, empirically they have saved folks lives usually in close in circumstances. I have a story somewhere where two old geezers in Florida took on a shotgun wielding crook in a restaurant with a 22 Mag Mini and a 22 Mag High Standard derringer. They put rounds in his belly and he fled. Saved a waitress.

They are carried if you appreciate their characteristics.
 
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FWIW, I sent my 6906 in last year for what I though was an issue with my sights. They replaced a shot-out barrel under warranty and sent it back free of charge and on their dime. They also still offer a 3rd Gen Action Package on the Performance Center services page.


That's good to know I called them to request some parts for my 6906 and they told me they no longer made them and no longer supported them.

Maybe the CSR I spoke to was just having a bad day.
 
That's good to know I called them to request some parts for my 6906 and they told me they no longer made them and no longer supported them.

Maybe the CSR I spoke to was just having a bad day.

Hmmm, I wonder if they have parts for service but not for sale. I know that there are certain parts available at Numrich and others.
Now I'm feeling fortunate for having that work done when I did.
 
FWIW, I sent my 6906 in last year for what I though was an issue with my sights. They replaced a shot-out barrel under warranty and sent it back free of charge and on their dime. They also still offer a 3rd Gen Action Package on the Performance Center services page.

Good to know. I was thinking of calling them and sending a few 3G pistolas in for a check up. Thanks.
 
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