What would you change if you had Open Carry?

[springmom]

I don't mean this to be a debate on the merits of open carry. Please don't inject your objections to open carry, that's not the question.

However, I'm in a state that may get it next year, and last night (insomnia...) I was thinking "what would I carry if...". Depending on the weather, my clothing, and the situation, I suspect most often it would be either my Browning HiPower or my 66-3. Those are the two guns I own of their respective types that I shoot the best, and are also, unfortunately, two that I simply CANNOT conceal except in the depths of winter.

Would you carry a different gun if you could open carry?

(And for those of you who do have open carry, share what you do carry, if you'd like).

Springmom

 

[Drgong]

I would be carrying my BHP or my soon to be owned Model 15 in a OWB holster year round, instead of my plan of using the PA-63/J-frame for summer carry.

 

[memphisjim]

twin glock 20's in cowboy holsters

 

[Just Jim]

No opinion.

jj

 

[rjohnson4405]

^ Did you even ready the OP. She asked for people to NOT interject their opinions on Open Carry. Sheesh.

 

[Drgong]

Just Jim, the poster is not asking for viewpoints on OC, asking if you would carry something that is not the same. There are plenty of threads debating the good and bad points of OC.

 

[Hawk]

I'm not sure I own anything that could reasonably pass as either a Barbeque or Court gun.

http://thelawdogfiles.blogspot.com/2006/03/court-guns-and-bbq-guns.html

Perhaps the closest is a BHP with moderate engraving. However, there's nothing suitable in the way of a holster. I've got the belt covered and there's some black cayman Luccheses around here somewhere.

But most of what I've got benefits greatly from being hidden away.

 

[911Boss]

My EDC (concealed) is a M&P9c or my new M&P340 J-frame. We can OC in WA., when I do it is usually the Glock 21SF in a Serpa holster.

 

[357WheelGun]

Well, it would certainly make carrying more comfortable in the summer. I'd probably carry my Model 19 more often too.

 

[Bennett Prescott]

I carry either my Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan (loaded with .454) or my S&W 686 with compensator (loaded with .357) and two speedloaders... I figure as long as I'm planning on showing everyone my gun, I might as well show everyone a beautiful gun. That's just during my "open carry vacations" when I take the time to really put forth a good impression, I try and get in one or two a month.

My every day carry is a concealed Glock. When I am out and about on personal business (i.e. I have some time to spare) and I am in a state where I can (I travel a lot, my home state allows me to carry open or concealed), I often tuck my shirt in so that my gun is visible. Hopefully I can help one more person realize that reasonable people carry personal weapons reasonably, and that this is not alarming or unusual.

 

[Exmasonite]

only thing that would change for me if there was open carry is i'd need to get a new holster with excellent retention to avoid having it grabbed. that worry would probably keep me a little paranoid at first, i think.

 

[El Tejon]

I carried my 1911 down in Tejas even in warm weather. It's all about the right gear.

The problem is that it was sooooo hot down there and it was May!

I carry a 1911 in a Milt Sparks Executive Companion on the right and a Kahr P9 in a Milt Sparks VMII on the left. No change in my set up, I was tuck in my shirt here in Indiana and do no worry about "printing", which is good because printing threads rival bear/puma and Walmart threads in number.

 

[Happiness Is A Warm Gun]

I carry the same weapon all the time M&P 9c. It gives me the ability to switch from OC to CC depending on the situation.
A good retention holster is a good idea though.

Nice thing about OC laws on top of CC laws is it eliminates issues like "printing". There is no "printing" in VA. No way to get a bogus "brandishing" charge because someone accidentally saw my weapon when I got something from top shelf in the store.

I tend to CC more in the winter. I tend to OC more in the summer. Sometime w/ light t-shirt, CC is rather difficult without IWB, which I find uncomfortable. If it is uncomfortable I am less likely to carry.

I think we all will agree a carried weapon OC or CC is better than one sitting at home.

 

[jackstinson]

Nothing, my state has open-carry now.
I still carry concealed.
Jack

 

[jahwarrior]

i OC the same gear i CC, dependent on the weather, except for my P3AT, which is always in my pocket.

 

[General Geoff]

I have open carry in my state, and I'd like to carry my 6-1/2" barreled Smith & Wesson 610, but I'm still waiting on a holster.

 

[PennsyPlinker]

I'm partial to my Sig Sauer SP-2022 .40 S&W for OC, although I will also OC a Colt 1911 in .45 ACP. I can CC either of these, but I much prefer OC, and do it most of the time. OC gives me a lot more flexibility in the way I dress or in what I carry, since I don't have to worry about concealing it.

I'm thinking about a holster for my Desert Eagle, or perhaps the Ruger Redhawk in .44 mag. I am big enough that I could carry either one.

 

[springmom]

RE: Barbeque and Court guns....

There's probably some unwritten southern rule about this (SM where are you??? ) But in my southern opinion, you can hold your head up high at either venue with a BHP. Or a really classy revolver.

But do you have a frill-fronted shirt and a nice hat to go with your morning coat?

El T, my hat's off to you if you can conceal a full size 1911 in this weather. I can hide my XD-9, but it's in a Jagwear belt pouch and it's the largest gun that can fit in that....and of course I need to be wearing something pretty casual to avoid looking like a fashion idiot.

(Anymore than usual, anyway... )

Springmom

 

[Bradco]

My already concealed G27 if I could

 

[TallPine]

And for those of you who do have open carry, share what you do carry, if you'd like

Early vintage (150-) Ruger Security Six 4" blue .357 magnum in a Bianchi thumb-break strongside hip holster.

Mostly OC in summer and CC in winter (same rig).

I was out riding the other day and met a neighbor (vacation home) that I had not met before in the five years I've lived here. She was oohing and ahhing over the fact that I was riding bareback (no saddle, that is...) and never mentioned anything about my obvious sidearm.

 

[jason10mm]

To me "open carry" means I can carry concealed but not worry if I print of inadvertantly expose my pistol. So I would still carry IWB or with a cover garmet, but I would probably carry a larger pistol.

If I was going to carry totally open, then a retention holster would be almost mandatory unless it was just a quick pit stop for gas on the way to the range or something.

 

[slow944]

Hawk man I like your thinking, course being from GP you are just doen the road a piece. I really only have 1 OWB holster and its for a revolver so I guess I'd be carrying my Royal Blue 1982 Colt Python.

 

[Halo]

I live in a state that has OC, but I haven't done so before. If I do I'll be carrying my Glock 17 with 18 rounds of Gold Dot.

 

[DaleA]

OC? Guess I'd go to the pistol pack and get out the LONG barrel for my Dan Wesson .357.

(The above should be in the wishful thinking font.)

 

[JesseL]

I carry an SR9 in a Desantis holster almost every day, open or concealed just depends on mood and circumstances.

I sometimes carry a Ballester-Molina in a holster by El Paso Saddlery and it's usually open carried.

I occasionally carry my Ruger Blackhawk .41 Mag in a holster/cartridge belt, also by El Paso Saddlery. I never bother trying to conceal that one.