CCW without breaking the bank

[Trunk Monkey]

Ccw (and I do carry every day) is such a small part of my gun/ shooting enthusiasm that I’ve never given it much thought... I have my own range, load my own defense ammo, buy 9mm fmj only in bulk, wear my normal everyday belt... and I live in a constitutional carry state and make my own holsters. The only expense that comes to mind as pertains to ccw is The ammo that I lose to bullet set back in loading and unloading every day. Just last week I shot off my years collection of discards ... It was 70-80 rounds for the year.
That said. I DO spend a couple thousand per year on ammo attend rigorous training... but not for ccw purposes. My edc/ccw is merely an overflow of my other training/interests.

Why load and unload your gun daily?

 

[Styx]

I must admit that I never heard this meantioned before. Is this something that is common that needs to be watched out for? I don't unload my mags everyday, but I do when I go to the range...

 

[ms6852]

One way I shoot more without breaking the bank is to practice with a firearm in .22lr that has the exact same ergonomics as my everyday carry. You can get the 500 rds per week for a $20 bulk pack. Buy quality guns built like tanks (thinking of Ruger on this one) that just keep working, and have wonderful CS services (anything mechanical can and will break). Move to Vermont or New Hampshire where guns aren't as frowned upon and carrying is cheaper, one of those doesn't even need a CCW. Reload your empty brass. There are many ways to reduce costs associated with shooting, you just have to get creative.

I second what Labguy says. This is something I preach to any one getting into shooting sports. You can literally shoot thousands of rounds a month for under a hundred bucks and though you may get failures to feed or fire what you get out in the long run is practice, muscle memory, and familiarity in handling a firearm. If you have ftf's that could happen with your carry gun so at least you know how to clear the weapon, so you can look at it as if its part of your training program. Shooting is a diminishing skill that happens at a fast pace. So by not going to the range due to money or cost of ammo only leaves you more vulnerable should a situation arise where you need to draw your weapon to defend your family and you miss because one, you did not practice enough, and secondly you are scared and it is very stressful to shoot straight in these scenarios. On the days that you do not go to the range practice dry firing and practice drawing your firearm from your holster as this should be smooth and you will notice that certain positions for carry will be better for you. But whatever you do, do not buy based on price, going cheap does not necessarily mean junk, but by reliable firearms ,and if you don't have the money take an extra 3 to 5 months to accumulate more to buy a reliable gun. In the mean time one other thing I tell every one is that they should learn some form of hand to hand defense techniques , because not every thing needs to be settled with a gun.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I must admit that I never heard this meantioned before. Is this something that is common that needs to be watched out for? I don't unload my mags everyday, but I do when I go to the range...

Every year on January 1st I change out my magazines and and my SD ammunition. I only unload my carry guns at the range and for cleaning.

 

[bluejeans]

Why load and unload your gun daily?

Because I have three boys 6 and under and we live in a one room cabin. They know the rules about guns but I’m still not going take the chance... Thus when it’s off my body I don’t leave a round in the chamber. I have 2 revolvers and a couple of long guns in the house that are always loaded and tucked up out of kids’ reach

 

[Hartkopf]

Have any of y’all tried these holsters? I hate FleaBay and I agree with buying quantity products for concealed carry but these holsters have been great for me. I’ll admit I’ve never worn an expensive holster but I’ve been wearing these 16 hours a day for 10 months with zero problems. It’s fake leather and requires 20 minutes of trimming and adjusting.

 

[94045]

View attachment 881522 Have any of y’all tried these holsters? I hate FleaBay and I agree with buying quantity products for concealed carry but these holsters have been great for me. I’ll admit I’ve never worn an expensive holster but I’ve been wearing these 16 hours a day for 10 months with zero problems. It’s fake leather and requires 20 minutes of trimming and adjusting.

Looks kind of like an Alien Gear Cloak Tuck IWB Holster copy although the Alien Gear is usually a little cheaper after one of their 15% Off Codes.

 

[Hartkopf]

Looks kind of like an Alien Gear Cloak Tuck IWB Holster copy although the Alien Gear is usually a little cheaper after one of their 15% Off Codes.

I’ll look in to Alien Gear next time.

 

[tomrkba]

What is the difference between sight acquisition and trigger control between RF and CF?

Recoil.

The difference is in movement, feel, and expectations, with the latter being most important given that most people don't know how to shoot well in the first place. The harder recoil requires a harder grip. A 22 LR will not cure flinch in centerfire. I have seen this too many times; they see the tiny 22 LR cartridge and are not afraid of it, but they don't like the larger centerfire. I go the opposite way and hand them my 629 with Remington UMC 180's. The 44 Magnum offers tons of blast, flash and recoil (obviously, the audience is important and this is tailored to the person). It solved flinching on Glock 19's many times. "It can always be worse" usually works Sometimes, only a demonstration is needed. I show them the Paul Sharp method of recoil mitigation and that helps immediately.