So You’re Ready For Concealed Carry?
Here are some considerations for starting to conceal carry your handgun. While this list is meant to help you narrow down your choices of guns and gear there WILL still be some trial and error involved in fitting you with the best combination for YOU.
Is your current firearm of the right size, weight, controls, and shootability that you would carry it ALL of the time?
Do you need to reconsider the current firearm that you have for concealed carry? While a hand-me-down firearm from your spouse or brother might work great for THEM, it may be FAR from the ideal carry firearm for YOU.
Do you need to figure out the best pistol for your concealed carry situation?
You may have different carry methods for different seasons and types of clothing that you will wear. Meaning you’ll probably get more than one gun and holster combination.
Practice carrying it. You might start by carrying it around the home ALL of the time.
Do you have the right holster or carry method worked out?
The right holster can be positioned in a variety of locations on your body, but the common denomination of all carry holsters should include:
Complete trigger guard cover: safety first boys and girls. Prevents accidental discharges while still allowing for an easy draw.
Retention of the firearm: prevent it from falling out or being accessed by unauthorized people. Some have retention mechanisms to prevent the gun from being taken away.
Comfort: this is essential for everyday carry. Most of us that have firearms have a multitude of holsters for the guns we have. Some good, some bad. This is especially true if it rides next to or very close to your skin.
Concealment: while you may get a specific gun for its caliber, sights, fit, etc. you need a holster that allows it to be hidden while carrying it. Part of this has to do with the holster and part of it how you dress around your gun.
Quality Construction: you want a holster that is going to stand up to the wear and tear of taking it on and off daily, probably multiple times. It should be stiff enough to allow for re-holstering with one hand. A quality holster will also allow some degree of adjustability for fit on your body.
Compatibility: make sure the holster fits your specific gun with the options that you have on it. Things like optics, lasers and gun-mounted flashlights need a special holster to fit those options.
Accessibility: the holster should allow quick and easy access to your firearm when it is needed, while still preventing unauthorized access. There are many positions of placement including inside the waistband, appendix carry, outside the waistband strong side from 3-5 o-clock, ankle carry, pocket carry and shoulder carry.
On-body or off-body: On-body refers to keeping the gun somewhere/somehow strapped to your body; while off-body means it is not connected to you. That might be a purse, backpack, briefcase or fanny pack.
Do you have the right temperament?
You have to be the most polite person in the room when you carry a firearm and never the one to start an argument or fight.
After a shooting when you are in court you will have to prove YOUR innocence and the attempt at conflict avoidance. Before you pull your gun out, think, is the situation worth dying over or going to jail over.
A permit to carry is not an invincibility shield nor an allowance for bad behavior.
Concealment clothing and accessories.
Wear clothing that allows you to maintain concealment of your firearm at all times and under most situations.
Your choice of clothing or cover garment should also allow quick access to your firearm when needed.
Be mindful of your movements and body language to avoid printing or revealing your firearm.
Training and practice.
Getting quality instruction in the type of shooting that applies to your situation is vital to practicing the right things for you. Find an instructor invested in you.
Practicing on the range can vary from plinking to serious and thoughtful practice to make you a better defender of you and your loved ones.
Dry-fire practice accompanies range (live-fire) practice like salt and pepper. They have different functions, but compliment each other well.
Maintaining your firearm.
Ensure your firearm is in good working order including cleaning it, lubricating it, and inspecting it. Your life might depend on it one day.
Also inspect your ammo and change out the defensive ammo periodically. You don’t want to unload and reload the same defensive ammo round over and over. The bullet can get compressed into the casing further and further rendering it unfunctional or dangerous.
You’ll want to run 100-200 rounds of whatever defensive ammo you will load into your carry firearm. This ensures that your gun cycles properly as not all ammo is the same.
Maintain situational awareness.
You are responsible that your firearm doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.
It is much better to avoid or escape a potentially deadly encounter rather than defend against it; this is done through situational awareness.
Know the law.
Familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations governing your concealed carry in your jurisdiction.
Know where you can and cannot carry your firearm. Also know the reciprocity laws when going outside of your jurisdiction.
Keep your phone with you EVERY time you conceal carry.
In the event of a use of force, whether that is an actual shooting or drawing your firearm on someone, YOU want to be the one to report the incident to the police. He who speaks first is usually the victim.
Do you have the phone number of an attorney that can represent you in case of a critical incident? There are companies that provide defensive firearm use insurance.
Concealed carrying a firearm is NOT for everybody, but CAN be for most people unless the law prevents you from having firearms. It is a big responsibility and should be taken as such.
If you have questions or comments on this article please reach out to me. I love entertaining questions and helping people on their journey.
