New to CCW need advice...

[wambli_7]

I have my CCW now... and have two CCW weapons... a Stoeger cougar 9mm and a Rossi 38. one with an inside the pants holster and one outside the pants with the big plastic back piece that goes inside the pants... Ok...

I have not yet CCW… if you wear a sweeter vest or jacket you can see the outline a little through the clothing... is this ok?

I would love any advice or hints you have found about CCW...

And also want to know what you think about hollow point ammo... I live in MO.. I have heard it is illegal in some states...

 

[NG VI]

only illegal in new jersey. elsewhere ammunition is ammunitio, unless it explodes and is really big ammunition, like 40mm

 

[hso]

I've not heard that hollow point ammunition is "illegal" anywhere in the U.S., but I've been surprised before.

It is important to carry in a way that is comfortable enough for you to carry the same way every day and still have ready access to your handgun. There are a huge range of concealed carry systems out there, but adapting your clothing to allow you to keep the fact that you are carrying a secret has great advantages. It is not advisable to pick clothing that makes you stand out or look threatening. Some folks would pocket carry the .38 in a quality pocket holster.

 

[DragonFire]

I don't want to dismiss the idea that it's important to conceal the fact that you're carrying a firearm, but you also have to realize that to people new to CCW they sometimes things it's "obvious" to "everyone" that they are carrying.

Most non-gun people wouldn't recognize a concealed handgun if you had a sign on it. I opened carried in front on my sister and her boyfriend (in my dad's house) for several hours before either figure out it was a pistol.

People these days also carry alot of different things on their belts: pagers, cell phones, PDA, leathermans, etc. So even if they notice a bulge they won't know immediately what it is.

It would not be illegal for someone to recognize you're carrying if you made a good attempt at concealing it, and didn't intentionally show it. It's not a great thing to happen, but you wouldn't get arrested for it.

So you have to give yourself some time to get use to the idea of CCW. You don't want too tight clothing, or too short. Anything that clings to you will cling to the gun too. The bigger the gun, the more clothing it will take to hide it.

Try a full length mirror. Can you see the holster or barrel? Turn left and right. Raise your arms to shoulder height and look again? Carry around your house for a bit. Be aware of what happens when you sit, or stretch or bend down. The gun probably won't ever be invisibile to you, but try to get an objective view of it.

I know hollowpoints are illegal in NJ, I have no idea about MO. You probably will get the right answer here, but you should know what you're state's laws are, and find a way to verify them. Don't take "facts" like that from the internet. When I got my permit, the clerks' office had a pamphlet for a book on NYS gun laws that I could purchase from a publisher, and for a small yearly fee, it is kept up to date. Something like that would be a good idea for you.

 

[TX1911fan]

Don't be worried about a slight bulge. Only you notice it. Most other people won't, or if they do, they'll think it is a pager or cell phone or something. Make sure when you bend over, you do it from the knees not the waist. Don't keep touching your gun to make sure it is concealed, that draws people's attention to it.

I'd advocate hollowpoints, especially with a 9mm. I have only heard of problems in NJ with them. Make sure you shoot at least a box of them through your carry gun before you carry it. Sometimes HP ammo doesn't cycle as well as regular full metal jacket ammo.

 

[KBintheSLC]

You should be ok with the hollow points in MO. I would use some +P if you have barrels less than 4" long.

As for the imprint, less is more. Most folks wont notice a slight bulge, but if someone does identify your CCW, it can be considered "brandishing". I had to reexamine my wardrobe when I started. No more form fitting, thin shirts. Pants are 1 size bigger for IWB carry. I wear more jackets too.

It is weird when you start carrying, but after a while you will feel naked without it.

Congrats on your new CCW.

 

[FieroCDSP]

For winter carry, I've noticed immitation fleece sweatshirts seem to do well, at least in the milder winter temps. I picked mine up at K-mart. It's got a slightly elastic bottom that helps prevent ride-up, long sleeves, and a zip-up neck. The really nice thing is that you can wear a light shirt underneath to prevent drafts and sweating on the gun, and with the right length, you can cover an IWB full-size, or even a high-riding belt holster, easily. Check into them, as they are likely being clearanced out with the spring fashions coming in and are perfect for late fall and early spring.

 

[strat81]

The issue with printing ("bulging") is that we don't know how bad it is. Part of carrying a concealed weapon is having to change a few things about your wardrobe. First, be sure you have a gun belt. I like the ones from www.raftersgunleather.com. Second, skin tight shirts don't work with waist carry. Third, a quality holster goes a long way in concealing a weapon.

Good luck, stay safe!

 

[230RN]

My first couple of days I felt like I was carrying a shovel hung on my belt.

My second couple of days I felt like I was carrying only the handle.

Then I felt like I was carrying a rolling pin.

After that, I'd forget it was there.

Nobody ever noticed either the "shovel," its "handle," or the "rolling pin" except little old me.

 

[101AirborneE8]

In warm or temperate weather, my favorite outer garment was a slightly long vest in tan or olive green. The gun was comfortable, stayed on my belt, and was accessable. It may have been a giveaway to other people carrying, but I never had a civilian notice it (except one time when I was crawling under a car).

 

[Aguila Blanca]

It is impossible to answer the original poster's first question without knowing his state of residence. Having the shape of the firearm show through clothing is what is often referred to as "printing" ... in the vernacular, but probably not in statutes. This is just one more area where there is no substitute for reading and understanding YOUR state's laws. Printing is a BIG deal in some states, a medium-ish deal in others. and a complete non-issue in still other states.

 

[Superlite27]

Missouri specifically states concealed in their law. Open carry is a toss up because Missouri does not have full preemption. This means counties and cities can make up their own laws outlawing open carry. As long as nothing is mentioned, it is legal. However, some counties do have laws against it.

Good rule of thumb: Major city = don't open carry. Or completely avoid the hassle and worry and just conceal it.

Concealed is determined by the "reasonable person" argument (which is also vague) as long as it can be determined that you reasonably attempted to conceal it, it is considered concealed.

In my personal opinion, as long as it is covered by clothing, it's concealed. The general public pays no attention to a bulge. A bulge can be from anything. I could have a pot roast tied to my belt. Or a house plant. It's under my clothes, how can you tell?

I've been wearing a 4" 1911 in an OWB for years now. I know I've been "made" a few times in the summer while wearing a T-shirt, (caught people staring at the gun shaped outline in my shirt) but nobody has ever said anything. 99% of people have no clue because they generally NEVER SEE SOMETHING THEY ARE NOT ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR. The other 1% probably are only trying to figure out what type of cell phone makes that weird outline when I catch them staring.

I fully expected every cop within a 100 miles to come running to demand to see my CCW when I first left the house my first time carrying. It hasn't happened yet. I've even chatted with them at gas stations. Nothing. They didn't even say anything about my gun shaped cell phone. What's a civilian going to do?

Go ahead and pack it around. If you're legal, you're legal. Congrats on becoming a citizen!

P.S. I'm a big fan of Federal Hydra-shoks. I'm sure others can recommend other brands of ammo you might want to try in order to find your own personal preference. I'm pretty sure the majority of people are carrying, and will recommend some form of hollow-point.

 

[strat81]

It is impossible to answer the original poster's first question without knowing his state of residence.

Read closely. He's in Missouri.

 

[DragonFire]

if someone does identify your CCW, it can be considered "brandishing"

Not if you made an honest effort to conceal it, and made no overt action to show it. The cops could still hassle you a bit, but just printing is not a crime.

 

[RoadkingLarry]

If someone ask you what that bulge is, tell them it is a colostomy bag and offer to show them how it works.

 

[RKBABob]

Unless you're Brad Pitt in a room full of single females, nobody is studying you that closely! There's a bit of paranoia in the first few days/weeks of CCW, then you realize nobody's paying attention. YOU can see the outline because you know what's causing it... everyone else just sees your sweater bunching up on the side.

 

[eric.cartman]

First of all, RELAX!!!
Then, repeat after me: NOBODY. CAN. TELL. THAT. YOU. ARE. PACKING. A. GUN.
There!

But in all seriousness, we've all been there. The initial paranoia of "everyone will notice", and checking it every 15 seconds to make sure it's not sticking out and all. Well, after about 15 months of CCW, i can tell you this: I put a Glock 19 in a OWB holster, cover it with a polo or tshirt, and/or put a S&W 442 in my front pocket, and noone noticed yet. In fact last weekend, I was visiting some friends, and had my 442 in my front pocket. The conversation turned to guns, and this lady asks to see my gun and if I could bring it from the car. I got up, pulled it out of my front pocket (yes, safely, unloaded it and all). Her eyes were the size of ping pong balls. She said all this time she had NO IDEA there was a gun in my pants... no pun intended

Anyways, like there rest of us, a year from now, you'll have a whole bag full of holsters, until that day comes, you'll find THE ONE AND ONLY true holster.

Good luck my friend!
Be safe!

 

[springmom]

You're good on hollow points in Missouri, AFAIK.

If the clothing is TIGHT against the gun, and the OUTLINE of the gun shows, then that won't do. IOW, if you look in the mirror and can clearly see the gun under your clothes, wear something looser, or wear an overshirt, or get a different carry rig. Winter is a pretty easy time to learn to conceal.. just wait 'til you're in shorts and a tee shirt, lol.

Try wearing a denim overshirt unbuttoned over a sweater or tee or golf shirt. What you want is for the fabric to be able to move over the grip of the gun. Nobody's looking that closely, but neither do you want to invite a conversation with the local deputy or highway patrol either; so make sure that the CLEAR outline of the gun isn't visible, and that the fabric isn't tight over it, and you're good to go.

And do NOT tug at your CCW all the time. People may not "make" you but they'll certainly wonder if you have fleas....

Springmom