CCW and the way you move.

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Amadeus

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A lot is made about CCW changing how a person dresses. But how has CCW changed the way you stand, move, bend, sit, run, and even go into your pocket for your wallet or a piece of candy?

Just curious.
 
:)

There were several things that I had to change. One of the big ones was changing the rear pocket I keep my wallet in. I'm a lefty, so I naturally kept it in my left rear pocket, but with my gun on the left side maintaining concealment when reaching for my wallet wasn't really feasible.

I also moved my pocket knife to my weak side so that it is accessible if my strong hand is occupied.

When bending over, you stoop at the knees rather than at the waist. Allows you to keep your head up watching what's going on as well as keeping your concealed weapon concealed.

I've also got into the habit of blading myself away from people so that my gun is on their far side. I don't like it being on the persons close side unless I know them.

Then there's the usual improvements in situational awareness and their impact on your life. Sitting with your back to a wall in a restaurant, watching doors, making eye contact with people, etc. My girlfriend has finally figured out to let me pick the seat first so that I can have the best view of the restaurant and door.

Without a doubt, it changes your life...hopefully for the better.

Ed
 
I sit up straight when I sit down on folding chairs so it presses into my back better. I don't wanna hook the chair with my gat when I stand up :D

Oh yeah, no bending over.
 
carrying hasnt changed the way i dress or the way i move. I carry guns and rigs that allow me freedom of movement, without bothering me.

The one thing i can think of is: when i get in my car, i grab my holster and slide it to 9 o clock rather than 8 (lefty) so it doesnt punch my kidneys while i drive.

I am however hoping to solve even that...I recently bought a few smaller pistols that I will be getting leather for, and will hopefully not jab me when i sit in my car seat.
 
I have 23 years of concealment experience. I try to not sweep people with my muzzle. I pay close attention to sitting and standing. I bend my knees and lift with my legs, CCW has been good for my back posture. The big thing is having access while seated. Whatever style of carry you use, practice with an unloaded weapon to see if you can have it when you need it. I found that I could NOT draw in a car with my pancake holster. I have used a IWB FBI cant for that reason.
 
I tend to turn away from people that I am talking to slightly...thats about it...

One of my "games" that I like to play is "spot the CCW"....It is really fun to do if you have alot of time on your hands:D ...you guys would be surprised at how easy it is to spot who is carrying...ESPECIALLY the new guys..

I get watched a lot...cant help it...(long hair, tattoos,etc)...yea before I sold "quality handmade holsters at discount prices" I was more or less a troublemaker although usually all in good fun..lol....SO I dress the way I normally do (shorts, T-shirt and boots) unless I am meeting with a customer or if I am going to church...It can lead to some funny adventures for yours truly...:D
 
Changed Wallet from Right rear to left rear pocket. Sometimes now have to button the bottom button on a windbreaker if the wind is blowing so it doesn't blow my weapon into view. Mostly have to do this at gas stations when walking inside. Oh I did find it is hard to conceal a full sized 1911 wearing just speedos at the pool so might have to change the way I dress there:neener:
 
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Job, weather, and what I’m doing at the time --- all affect what I wear. What I wear affects the way I carry my weapon. The way I carry my weapon affects, to some extent, how I move.

I have six CCWs. I carry any one of four between the one o’clock and five o’clock positions, IWB. The other two (a Kimber GM and a SIG P220) are just too plain long for me to carry comfortably other than in the 3 o’clock position under a jacket or vest and with a duty-type holster.

Once, though, something happened to me that made me re-evaluate the way I carry my Glock on occasion. I was wearing my G-22, pirate-like, under a heavy T-shirt while strolling on the Riverwalk. With no round in the pipe to worry about, I bent over to tie my sneaker lace. "Gaston" then proceeded to give me a nasty pinch down there. The resulting “YOW!†was probably heard halfway across the Edwards plateau.

So you see, it doesn’t take long before you learn through experience all the ins and outs of moving around with a concealed gun. Hopefully for most, they won’t be as embarrassing.


Best regards,

~ Heraclitus





...
 
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My wife has been very understanding. She will usually give me the seat that has a view of the door if she forgets then I make up an excuse about how my little friend wants to sit on the other side. She gets the hint, smiles and then switches spots with me.

As far as how I move I do find myself walking around with my arm covering my S40 that I wear at 3 o'clock. It really is kind of newbie thing to do, but I am used to carrying in IA where the gun needed to be concealed. Here in MN there is no requirement to conceal the firearm you are carrying. I am trying to learn to be more easygoing. I actually don't mind people seeing my gun occasionally. I think that if people saw more polite clean cut permit holders maybe their opinion would start to change. We don't all look like Azrael. :D
 
It's funny, After reading sturmruger's post, I realize I do the same thing, with my arm, With what ever pistol I am carrying. As a LEO, I find I do the same thing, on traffic stop's, or when I'm moving in a crowd. :)
 
Goste, me thinks that with you, your arm position is more a retention position.. The only times i open carry are at the range, and at gun shows when i am openly carrying a pistol i have for sale...I tend to keep my elbow rested on the butt of the gun...for retention purposes...I dont want someone taking my gun out of my holster.
 
Two biggest changes - I keep my wallet on the left side, and my left arm is getting stronger due to always carrying everything with the left arm, leaving the right hand free :).
 
You know this question caused me to think some. I have carried for so long I am not aware that I do anything different. What I do is just what I do. In a general sense I am much more aware of my surroundings and I attribute that to concealed carry. But as to special stuff - its just been toooo long to notice or remember. Good shooting;)
 
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