new CCW, need a finger in the right direction.

[Omni04]

Hello everybody! I was using the lovely search feature on the site but it is very hard to search for this topic. I will be CCWing in a couple years and i was wondering how to carry it. I was wondering about different holsters, and where people CCW on their body (im not a big fan of the fanny pack)

could anybody please point me in the direction of a site, or another thread that addresses a complete newbie to the concept of CCW?

every thread i found either talked about good CCW handguns, or CCW laws, but not the actual placement and holster type.

Thanks everybody!

 

[Ole-sailor]

Packin Package

First things First;

I am CCW licensed in the Republik of California, Don't Ask.

If you ever break leather in public, remember that you probally will loose the insuing court case against you!!! So do not ever break leather unless the SOB is actually shooting at you with lots of witnesses! With that STUPID statement being made, you need to go to http://www.packing.org/ and visit there often. It might just give you an edge, legally!!!

As far as Packin Equipment is concerned:
How big are you? Small and slender folks have to carry a small weapon if they really want it concealed. Big Ole boys like me can carry an officer model 1911(a) .45 and acutally get away with it. I carry mine in a leather sheath that slides inside my trousers with a spring clip over the belt. I like my weapon up on my hip.

Other folks like the underarm carry rig, which acutally allows them to carry a larger weapon than they can carry on their hip.

My advice to you is to go to your favorite gun store and try out the weapon and holster of your likin' for comfort. That being said; when you buy your rig find a shooting school and go to it, with your rig, and get better than good!!!!

Don't make sence carrying if you aren't really a professional!

Regards

Ole-sailor

 

[Omni04]

wow, i shouldn't have posted this without my body size, i must be slipping in my old age

i am 5"11 and around 150-160. Medium build/medium height. I also see there are a lot of threads talking about when, and where to carry. Types of clothing, jackets, public areas, etc. I find these threads a little heard to follow because of my sheer lack of knowledge when it comes to carrying.

I have learned a lot from this forum and i have actually made a couple posts about when to use your CCW (im guessing thats what you mean when you say breaking leather)

i can't go there right now because i am at work, but once i went to go to packing.org for KY ccw laws, is that all that is on the site? Or will it go in to a more in-depth view on the different types of holsters?


ideally i want to carry a glock chambered for 9mm. I really like the glock 17/glock 17c but while i was weeding through posts i never saw anybody suggest that particular model for a ccw. Im guessing it is a little big

so i will continue my investigations on a 9mm glock. I chose 9mm because of the size. Generally smaller guns with a higher capacity magazine when compared to a gun thats a higher caliber. I bet it would be a challenge CCWing a .50 desert eagle AE!

Thanks again for reading my thread, and for helping the development of a prepared, safe, wise, and educated follower of the second ammendment!

 

[Ole-sailor]

Why a paper punch?

I have to mention that the 10mm came out of the FBI study that was started by the terrible tragidy in South Florida. If I remember the details, six FBI agents took on two or three bank robbers. The end result was the bank robbers were dead, however so were a couple of FBI agents. Cause: FBI was carrying 9mm!

The Insuing FBI study covered such mundane topics as: Penetration, Wound Cavity and outright KILLABILITY of each and every handgun caliber. The 10mm came out of this. As an issue weapon, the FBI Agents soon proved that the second shot seldom hit the target due to the recoil. The S&W 40 caliber came on the seen shortly there after and is now the caliber of choice for the FBI, Secret Service, US Marshals and most of the police departments in the Nation.

Enough history! As you surf through the different gun room bulitin boards you will come across the statement: If the first Number in the caliber isn't a 4 or larger I an't gonna carry it. This all refers to the above study, however, a .357 magnum with 158 grain JHP through a 3-4 inch barrel, definately fits in the Stop'em catagory.

For your size and what clothing you probably wear in your neck of the woods, I would recommend looking at the smaller .40 caliber automatics or a SIG .357. If you can handle the recoil, Kimber makes a really great small 1911a ten shot .45.

Good Luck in your search for a packin' package.

Breakin leather is what you do just prior to pulling the trigger on some deserving fool!

 

[Henry Bowman]

If you live anywhere from Louisville to the east, I'd strongly recommend that you take the 3 day handgun course at TDI rather than a "minimun requirements" type course for the KY CHL. If you want details, PM me.

 

[Ole-sailor]

Good Call

I went their web site and looked up their CCW course: Great Call Henry!!!

Ole-sailor

 

[Ole-sailor]

Cross Draw?

www.klnullholsters.com They have some really fine cross draw holsters for ccw.

Again: What you like and what you practice with is the best for you.
A lot of police types do not like the cross draw rig. However if you are driving a lot CCWed the cross draw is the absolute most comfortable.

Ole-Sailor

 

[dairycreek]

Dear Omni04

The question of exactly where to carry your concealed is a very personal one. Bodies differ in size, shape, and configuration; so how a particular rig fits you will be highly influenced by those variables as well as individual taste. Read in these forums and you will find a (somewhat) running joke about how every shooter has this box of old, unused holsters that, for some reason, just didn't work out. It is not easy to find the one combination just right for you. It will take some serious experimentation on your part to find that combination that works for you.

My personal choices lean toward IWB holsters such as Milt Sparks in leather or a CTAC in kydex. I also tend to carry my gun somewhere between 3:00 and 4:00 on the right side. Part of the fun is finding out just what works for you.

 

[GigaBuist]

Whoa boy... plenty of stuff out there on this subject, but it's often hard to digest it all in bits and pieces. Lemme see if I can help.

Holster types:
IWB: Inside Waist Band, gun goes on the inside of the pants, latches onto your belt via some kind of loop.
OWB: Outside Wasit Band, gun goes on the outside of the pants, belt is probably threaded through the holster.
Shoulder rig: Well, should be self explanatory. I don't know too many people that wear a jacket all day though.

Now, for IWB/OWB you get to play with the whole placement thing. Let's say you're right handed and 12 o'clock is your belly button. Something in the 3-4 o'clock range seems to work for most guys. You just sorta have to find the 'sweet' spot.

Like somebody said, this is hard to get to in a car or when you're sitting down. Some folks do a 'cross-draw' which is where you put the holster on your weak side, but with the grip of the gun pointing forward. Imagine what it would look like at 3 o'clock and just start sliding it around your belt until it gets to 9-10 o'clock.

There's no right answers and there's no hard and fast rules. Like somebody said, what works will depend on your body and your lifestyle (ie: dress) a fair bit.

Now, don't forget: there's always pocket carry. Just drop a small revolver or auto-loader in a pocket holster, put the holster in your pants pocket, and you're good to go.

And then: "Smart Carry" (tm) is a product that basically makes a pouch or two under your beltline for you. Think of it as a fanny pack that you were with the bag actually inside your pants in the crotch area. It's more advanced than that, but works for some people.

Oh, and some IWB holsters will let you tuck your shirt over the gun, so that the only thing showing if you're in a dress shirt, slacks, and tie are the hooks coming up from inside your pants and latching onto the belt. Some are more obvious than others.

I wouldn't consider yourself with exact makes, models, or calibers at this point. Handguns are a fairly personal thing, and what one person loves another person hates often times. For instance, I'm no fan of Sigs for a carry weapon, but that's just because I don't like the idea of a DA/SA pistol. They are some of the finest handguns out there, they just aren't my cup of tea.

Oh, and even little guys can carry big guns. We've got a member on here, IIRC, that's about a 120 pound guy that carries a full-sized Baretta in his pants. He found a system that works for him, might work for you, might not. You might find a big gun uncomfortable, you might not, etc.

 

[CajunBass]

I know you said you're not a fan of the fanny pack, and I wasn't really either until I started to use one. No one ever pays any attention to it, at least not around here. No worries about printing or any of that stuff. Room for an extra magazine, and can be worn strong side or weak. Generally I find that keep it just to the left of center, where I can reach the gun (A Kel-Tec, P-11) with either hand. It's easy to use when seated in an automobile or a truck. I guess it's a tad slow to draw from, but not much more so than sweeping a jacket out of the way or digging a gun out from under a shirt. (Mine has a breakway velcro front that opens to provide access to the pistol.)

I admit they look "dorky", but I'm old and goofy looking anyway, so I don't worry about it. You might not feel the same way, but I'm glad I didn't rule it out.

 

[Omni04]

gigabuist, thank you very much for all that information! I often saw those acronyms, but i didn't want to hijack the thread with my newbieness! Good information on the 10mm by the way, so a 10mm is basically a .45?

I was interested in a pocket carry, perhaps a baby browning or something if i can afford it But i kind of like the other 3-4 o'clock IWB holster. I know firearms are exremley rugged, but would the strain have any damage on the weapon after a couple years of CCWing? Would a plastic glock hold up better than a metal S&W? I am low on time on my break right now but i will re-read and digest this information PDQ!

 

[Lennyjoe]

so a 10mm is basically a .45

Far from it.

We're talking about a .40 cal bullet vs a .45 cal bullet and about 200fpe difference.

 

[DirksterG30]

The 10mm bullet is the same diameter as the .40 S&W, but it is a more powerful round (more powder in the case). The 10mm came first (the FBI had a hand in developing it), but some shooters couldn't handle shooting a full-power 10mm. The size of the bullet stayed the same, but the cartridge case was made smaller, containing less powder, thus a less powerful round. (some people call the 40 Smith & Wesson the 40 Short & Weak)!

As far as 9mm Glocks go , there is also the model 19 (compact) and model 26 (subcompact) to consider. I would suggest that you try out a lot of different guns, in different calibers, before you pick the gun you want. You may like revolvers better, You may like shooting a .40 S&W more, or a .45. You may find that Glocks don't fit your hand as good as another gun. I bought a Glock 30 and ended up replacing it with a .45 1911. It just fit my hand better, and I am a better shooter with my 1911.

My personal feeling is that you should shoot the largest caliber bullet you are comfortable with. My own 2 cents, but I wouldn't go below 9mm for a carry gun. I carry either a .40 or a .45.

Right now I use the SmartCarry holster for my 1911, but I have the gun and an extra magazine positioned at about 3:30 (just behind my right hip). It works for now, and I have concealed the gun with just a t-shirt and short-sleeved button shirt on. I plan on getting a more permanent IWB holster in the near future. If you want to get some idea of what kind of holsters are available, check out www.rigrate.com.