Open or Concealed

[southoftheboarder]

Do you prefer to carry open or concealed? Now that it is summer I find it hard to carry my 9mm concealed. I feel uncomfortable with open carry. Is open carry something you need to get used to?

 

[Candyman87]

You won't catch me open carrying unless I'm hiking in the woods.

In civilization, people can identify me as a threat making me a target if things go down.

In the woods, wildlife has no clue what that is on my hip. Only place I'll OC.

 

[plodder]

I will open carry when going to or from the range. If I am stopping at a public place on the way to or from, I will usually cover as conveniently as possible with a shirt or jacket, but I'm not paranoid about making it deep concealed.

For general daily activities, I conceal with a CB SuperTuck at the 12:00 s.o.b. and occasionally double check that my shirt is still tucked (it always is).

 

[StrutStopper]

I'd rather not advertise. Open carrying might dissuade a would-be attacker, but on the other hand, it might just prompt someone to target you for the weapon you are carrying. If hunting and open carry of a sidearm is legal, that's a different story.

 

[243winxb]

concealed

 

[RustyShackelford]

open carry VS CCW ....

open vs concealed carry topics can quickly generate 10-15 pages of member posts, both pro-open carry & against it.

I've done both. I also do security work & carried duty pistols in uniform for 8-16hr at a clip.
Overall, I have 0 problem with open carry. To me, it's practical, convenient & offers a quick draw in critical incidents.
Gun grabs or weapon retention are valid issues but I'd say having a gun slip out or have a small gun or holster twist out is more likely than a aggressive street thug fighting with you for your weapon.
I was apprehensive at first when I OCed my M&P .45acp Compact in 2013 on a extended trip; western PA. In time, I learned open carry is highly over rated. If you aren't a moron or act macho-aggressive in public(quiet professional), most people ignore you. Open carrying a gun is just like a cell phone, knife, light, etc.
If someone came up and asked why I was armed or how it's legal, I'd politely explain to them to review the state laws or learn more about area's lethal force statues. I'm not a 2A spokesperson nor am I going to debate every anti gun person out there.
Grown adults can make their own choices.

I'd add that where I live, regular open carry of guns is illegal(for now, ), CCW is fine but I'd OC my M&P Shield 9x19mm if I could.

 

[C0untZer0]

Both !

OC is much more comfortable and convenient, and I'd like to have my pocket pistol with me in case someone gets stupid and tries to grab the gun I'm carrying openly.

 

[wally]

Whatever floats your boat. At least starting Jan 1, 2016 Texans will have the option.

I'll stay concealed, but will probably start carrying larger guns since it won't be a big deal if my cover garment is marginal for the task.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

Concealed. People don't need to know what I got.

 

[Rom828]

Open carry in the mountains, always concealed in public. I'll keep the element of surprise thank you very much.

 

[jamesinalaska]

+1 Candyman87

Open carry in an urban environment invites all kinds of unwanted attention. The presence of firearms on non-uniformed individuals is simply to frightening for too many people now-a-days. That fear is irrational on their part but most citizens have been taught to think irrationally on this subject, and that is the way it will remain for awhile.

 

[Valkman]

Many open carry around here but I've never done it. I'd much rather carry concealed.

 

[bannockburn]

Always concealed.

 

[GBExpat]

You won't catch me open carrying unless I'm hiking in the woods.

In civilization, people can identify me as a threat making me a target if things go down.

In the woods, wildlife has no clue what that is on my hip. Only place I'll OC.

What he said.

 

[TwinReverb]

Concealed around human beings (for the element of surprise), open when hunting/fishing/etc.

 

[moxie]

You can always get a slightly smaller gun like an LCR or LCP and pocket carry.

 

[Walkalong]

98/9% concealed carry for me.

 

[guyfromohio]

Concealed, but state-"approved" open carry is nice to have in my back pocket when the shirt doesn't quite do the trick.

 

[jmorris]

I am all for the right to carry open but my way of thinking only has me do so only on private land.

 

[quickdeath]

concealed for me,,,even in the woods,,,jag

 

[Schwing]

I carry concealed most of the time. As others have stated, I don't want to be the first guy pegged as a threat/target.

There are times when I do open carry. When I am in the woods I open carry nearly all of the time.

 

[entropy]

Almost always concealed, and when I do OC, I am also carrying concealed, even while hunting.

 

[Salmoneye]

I don't stress about it...

 

[4thPointOfContact]

I've always wondered how looking like you could protect yourself somehow made you more
of a target than looking like you were unable to protect yourself.

I've always imagined that the Texas Longhorn bull was bothered less by predators than the polled Herefords.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Both, depending on where I'll be.