awkward ccw places

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That's very true. I play the same game. Fortunately here in Wyoming open carry and concealed carry are facts of life and nobody gets excited about seeing a gun.

Being a broke down old cowboy in a hat and vest doesn't draw much attention here. There lots of us. *G*
 
The truth is that nobody notices. People are so caught up in their lives, phones, or other activities that they rarely notice if you are printing a bit or if the butt is exposed because you reached for the detergent on the top shelf at the grocery store. An untucked t-shirt will cover most carry guns adequately that nobody will notice. Even a thicker white shirt will cover a gun pretty well.

To me, what gives most CCW carriers away is the constant checking and touching of their gun. Instinctively who are carrying will all too often reach back and check their cover garment, touch the butt of the gun, or pull up their pants in a manner consistent with carrying a gun. If you watch, it is an almost compulsive behavior with many carriers, like every minute or so. I can only think of one or two times over the years when I actually saw a holstered gun that was supposed to be concealed.

From a choice of gun standpoint I have settled on a smaller framed gun with a shorter butt to minimize what printing does occur, however even when I carried a full size 1911 in a DeSantis Mad Max, I never had an issue.
 
My wife knows "how we sit" in a restaurant, that being said, she's former LEO too and a hell of a back-up. So even if seating is a problem I don't worry as much about it as some do. She's got my six.
 
This is tangential to the original topic my wife and I always sit as far from the entrance of a restaurant and as close to an emergency exit as we can.
 
I hope this is relevant since I have not read all the post. Like many here I have carried a long time and not once have I had anyone ask or act like they are aware I am carrying. Now days I mostly carry OWB and the butt is the part that will print but even that has not been a problem. I either wear an untucked shirt of a jacket. I also tend to have Dyslexia.
 
Flechette said:
Don’t forget shoulder holsters. They conceal the gun well since you can have the gun under your arm.

Also, if there is a tense situation you can fold your arms and actually have your hand on the gun without looking like you are ready to draw a gun like you would with a belt holster.
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340PD said:
Over the last twenty years I have never entered a restaurant unarmed. I sit with my back to the door and I am aware of the exits. Somehow I have missed reading any guns prohibited signs that may have been posted. Dyslexia you know.
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What Flechette said !! Has worked for me for over 40 years.
 
milemaker13 said:
I know the feeling... Both feelings. My wife always giving me greif about carrying everywhere we go. And constantly worrying about it peeking out. I'm always in HW stores reaching, bending, loading lumber... And I'll admit many times in only in a t shirt.
We were taught in ccw class here in IL, that the gun must be concealed, or mostly concealed. He explained that it ment if you reach for that high shelf and some one sees it, its not a crime. Not a good idea, of course, but not a crime. Other states (fla perhaps?) Consider it brandishing even if the gun prints slightly. That's outrageous. I feel like it could lead to some problems.... Your ex-GF knows you carry. Sees you out and about, calls the cops saying she saw a gun, meaning (in the eyes of the law) that you threatened her with a gun. Something like that.
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As a CCH instructor for 13 years, and carrying concealed for over 25, I tell my students and fellow Americans who carry concealed, don't get paranoid about printing. Keep it concealed (covered) and, if it prints it prints. No one can accuse you of displaying or being reckless, threatening as long as it is covered. Besides, worry more about someone trying to take your weapon or target you for elimination first in the event of a robbery, mass shooting etc..As well, anytime your wife gives you grief, pull out another article about some armed citizen saving the lives of others, or a LEO because of carrying concealed. Or, even more effective, take her with you to the WORST place in town to go shopping at a local strip mall etc..as you watch the different gang members saunter by, check her expressions and reaction. Fun holiday shopping honey.. :0
 
I usually carry strong side iwb or owb. In summer I will just have a t shirt over it. But in winter, when I cover with a hoodie or jacket, I will ask to sit in a booth, and take off the cover garment before I sit with the gun on the inside so it's not visible to the general public. Open carry is common here, I just don't much worry about it.

I am in the national guard, and a few years ago our state commander allowed us to carry. (On STATE property only.) At first I was very reticent to promote it, ans very quiet about it, but there has been a cultural shift, to where it's common to see soldiers carrying when they de-blouse for something like a haircut. I still think it's possible there will be an incident that prompts a showdown with big army about whether or not it's allowed, but as of now we are going to carry.
 
Probably the most awkward place I've CC'd was down the front of my tighty-whities, that 2" S&W 10's hammer really dug in! The tropics play hell on CC'ing, all the tropic weather would allow was light cotton trousers and a Guyabera-type shirt...Those little Philippine National Police guys made it look so easy when they did it with their 1911A1s...I guess the 1911 is flatter and has less sharp edges than a square butt 2" M10 w/ a full hammer and a T-Grip adapter...
 
98Redline said:
The truth is that nobody notices. People are so caught up in their lives, phones, or other activities that they rarely notice if you are printing a bit or if the butt is exposed because you reached for the detergent on the top shelf at the grocery store. An untucked t-shirt will cover most carry guns adequately that nobody will notice. Even a thicker white shirt will cover a gun pretty well.

To me, what gives most CCW carriers away is the constant checking and touching of their gun. Instinctively who are carrying will all too often reach back and check their cover garment, touch the butt of the gun, or pull up their pants in a manner consistent with carrying a gun. If you watch, it is an almost compulsive behavior with many carriers, like every minute or so. I can only think of one or two times over the years when I actually saw a holstered gun that was supposed to be concealed.
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+10000

Being nervous usually happens to the less experienced ccw'er.

Once you've carried routinely for a long time and have a solid setup, the fear goes away. I don't even care if I print; now-a-days celephones are so huge that a gun printing under your shirt or in your pants looks like a phone (unless you specifically show the whole gun).

I pocket carry a single-stack semiauto and it looks just like a large celphone.
 
Balrog said:
Two words: sport coat.

A sport coat will accomplish two things. First, you will no longer look like a slob. Second, your concealment worries go away.
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It's odd that this has become such a solution to me. Because I carry IWB at 3:30-4, even if I'm standing with the front of my coat swept back and my hands in my pockets, it's still completely concealed.

My ex-wife has been very mournful that I didn't learn to dress like a reasonably stylish adult male until after our divorce.
 
A broken down old cowboy in a leather vest in Wyoming is as common as dirt. I've been carrying for over 50 years and don't think anybody has noticed. I spent 20 years on a family ranch after leaving LE. Nobody but my wife and son have any idea that I was armed out there. Now I live in town again and only a few close friends and fellow CCW'rs know that I carry today.

It's not hard after the first week.:cool:
 
Iggy said:
A broken down old cowboy in a leather vest in Wyoming is as common as dirt. I've been carrying for over 50 years and don't think anybody has noticed. I spent 20 years on a family ranch after leaving LE. Nobody but my wife and son have any idea that I was armed out there. Now I live in town again and only a few close friends and fellow CCW'rs know that I carry today.
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Just out of curiosity......may i ask, what does an old ex-leo cowboy choose as an edc gun?
 
SteadyD said:
What holster and position are you using for your j frame? The j frame is one of the most easily concealed guns out there so I am just curious what combo you're using. I feel fairly certain that with the right setup it can be made to work.
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I agree, with an IWB it is not noticeable at all.
 
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