It's easier to blow smoke then draw attention, and most dumbasses will feel they crossed a boundary if you use the medical device excuse, which causes them to back off, subconsciously. Getting pissed goes against "these aren't the droids you're looking for" idea.
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Disappointed in first time trying to Conceal Carry
- Thread starter Sdexcalibur
- Start date
It's easier to blow smoke then draw attention, and most dumbasses will feel they crossed a boundary if you use the medical device excuse, which causes them to back off, subconsciously. Getting pissed goes against "these aren't the droids you're looking for" idea.
Mesatchornug
NES Member
Right.
You can also be more discrete, and simply say "it's personal, [and] I'd rather not discuss it." Then you've set the boundary and they have to decide to be the jerk that presses it. At that point you can easily excuse yourself from the conversation.
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This is complete accurate it’s new to you so you’re way aware of it and think everyone else is too
Mesatchornug
NES Member
In addition to not sweating it, as described above...
If you're going to carry AIWB, it's even more critical that you have all your gear in line. A good belt, and the lowest-profile holster are going to be necessary to control the firearm. You really need to be able to keep tension through the beltline to hold the firearm tight against your body. You may find that one of the purpose-built holsters, with the claws, will help keep the heel of the grip against your abdomen to decrease printing. You'll also want to play with how high or low on you the firearm sits. The shape of your midsection, coupled with your posture, will also affect it. This is part of why so many folks buy so many different holsters, especially early on - figuring out all the variables of your body type and the firearm that you're carrying is going to take effort.
With that in mind, I wouldn't use the Alien Gear ShapeShift kit (or whatever it's called these days) at appendix. I'm sure it's fine for OWB, and it's probably fine IWB between 3 to 5 o'clock (7-9 on southpaws). There's just so much material there that I would never want to put between 11 and 1. Meanwhile, any of the modern Kydex rigs should put you in a better place - Tier1, BladeTec, Raven, the list goes on...
If you're going to carry AIWB, it's even more critical that you have all your gear in line. A good belt, and the lowest-profile holster are going to be necessary to control the firearm. You really need to be able to keep tension through the beltline to hold the firearm tight against your body. You may find that one of the purpose-built holsters, with the claws, will help keep the heel of the grip against your abdomen to decrease printing. You'll also want to play with how high or low on you the firearm sits. The shape of your midsection, coupled with your posture, will also affect it. This is part of why so many folks buy so many different holsters, especially early on - figuring out all the variables of your body type and the firearm that you're carrying is going to take effort.
With that in mind, I wouldn't use the Alien Gear ShapeShift kit (or whatever it's called these days) at appendix. I'm sure it's fine for OWB, and it's probably fine IWB between 3 to 5 o'clock (7-9 on southpaws). There's just so much material there that I would never want to put between 11 and 1. Meanwhile, any of the modern Kydex rigs should put you in a better place - Tier1, BladeTec, Raven, the list goes on...
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try wearing it around the house for a few days until you are comfortable with it... it takes a while before you forget it is there because you have it positioned where you are comfortable and you consider it concealed.
I carried big guns for years, Model 13 Smith with a short barrel, Glock 17, I never got made, even in the summer.
Good belts, good leather, positioning, and wearing an unzipped jacket were my "go to's "
Strap it on and go for a walk... get used to it
I carried big guns for years, Model 13 Smith with a short barrel, Glock 17, I never got made, even in the summer.
Good belts, good leather, positioning, and wearing an unzipped jacket were my "go to's "
Strap it on and go for a walk... get used to it
![[smile]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/001.gif "Smile [smile]")
Pretty much exactly what I was going say. I have the vp9 and the alien gear IWB and I wouldn't really consider it for appendix carry. Then again I don't like it with the alien gear for IWB. It's a full size 9, best OWB with some cover, or I'll go with something smaller IWB. And I'm in NH where most people don't give a f..
HorizontalHunter
NES Member
Lots of good advice above.
I tend to carry at 3:00 - 4:00. OBW during the winter months with a sweatshirt or a shirt jacket. IBW during the summer.
My wife and I were out looking at bedroom sets and mattresses. I was OBW with an unbuttoned shirt jacket bending over checking bed frames and rolling around on mattresses and my wife didn’t realize I was carrying until we got home and I put my weapon back in the safe. And she is usually pretty aware.
If you are going to carry on a regular basis you should get a lockbox for your vehicle in the event you end up going somewhere where you can’t carry. Sometimes plans change while you are out.
Bob
I tend to carry at 3:00 - 4:00. OBW during the winter months with a sweatshirt or a shirt jacket. IBW during the summer.
My wife and I were out looking at bedroom sets and mattresses. I was OBW with an unbuttoned shirt jacket bending over checking bed frames and rolling around on mattresses and my wife didn’t realize I was carrying until we got home and I put my weapon back in the safe. And she is usually pretty aware.
If you are going to carry on a regular basis you should get a lockbox for your vehicle in the event you end up going somewhere where you can’t carry. Sometimes plans change while you are out.
Bob
IMHO, flailing around with internet recommendations isn't the thing to do here (he said as making a recommendation). If I had to do this learning process again, I'd buy a $400 used J-Frame, and a pocket holster. Carry that, while you learn to shoot what you have.
When you've been shooting for a while, have an idea of what you like, and know what you don't like, revisit this. By the time you have a USPSA classification or have shot a couple of 80's matches, you'll be in a much better position to decide what you want to carry and how.
Lots of people regret XDs, buying the wrong Glock, M&P, or HK when they don't know what they want yet. Nobody ever regrets having an extra J-Frame.
Uncle Buck
NES Member
Like most people you will go through a few gun/holster combinations before you find something that works for you.For me this
plus this
= this
Worn at 2:30 with a forward cant it doesn't dig into my thigh when I sit and fits close enough to
my body it disappears under a t-shirt. Having a little muffin doesn't hurt either.
I think this was directed to me.
I got my XDS 9mm (mod 1) at Bob's Gun & Archery in Webster. I believe it was $459, including 2 mags. I got three more 8-rd mags for free from Springfield as part of a sales promotion.
I got my XDS 9mm (mod 1) at Bob's Gun & Archery in Webster. I believe it was $459, including 2 mags. I got three more 8-rd mags for free from Springfield as part of a sales promotion.
carrying for the first time + IWB full size gun + 5' 6" = tough combo. Probably best to wear a hoodie with a gun that big. Or just make it more comfortable for yourself and buy a Shield/G43/P365 or smaller.
First day I carried concealed it was with a full size M&P .40
I’m not tall or wide, I currently carry a G43 with a tier one concealment appendix’s holster. I can easily carry in board shorts with a medium sized T-shirt.
I highly recommend my current set up, it works great for me. I am similar height to you and athletic build.
I’m not tall or wide, I currently carry a G43 with a tier one concealment appendix’s holster. I can easily carry in board shorts with a medium sized T-shirt.
I highly recommend my current set up, it works great for me. I am similar height to you and athletic build.
Buck F
NES Member
I bought my share of wrong guns, I don’t regret any of them. It’s part of the experience, a rite of passage. Admittedly two of them became wrong the day I bought my P365, before that they were compromises I decided to live with. Another was an M&P fotay but I bought a 9mm drop in barrel so now I have an extra usable range gun for friends to shoot. What I might regret is the money I dumped on trigger jobs and night sights for the M&P full size & Shield.
Buck F
NES Member
I agree with AIWB being easiest to conceal although wasn’t too worried w/ printing at 3-4 o’clock. For me the 3-4 o’clock was more about feeling exposed from the side or if the shirt went up, got hung up, or if I snagged the gun on an armrest getting up (which happened once). With AIWB it’s all in front of you, you can see anyone who can potentially see your gun, people are less likely to stare at you there from the front, it’s easier to defend if ever needed, etc. It may not always be as comfortable w the larger guns but it’s easier to conceal even a larger gun AIWB, IMO.
My only advice to you is to keep buying different guns and different holsters and then when you find one you like and that you are comfortable with just keep buying more guns and more holsters. You can never have too many.
In addition to that you will find that at different times of the year you will need to change where you carry on your person. Summertime is less clothes so might want a smaller skinnier gun. The fall you put on a bit more so you might go for a medium size gun and winter...well, you can carry just about anything you want as our clothing becomes much bulkier...
Hang in there and don't give up. If you keep buying guns you will find the perfect one or two for each season.
Also keep in mind weddings and funerals or other events where you need to wear a suit...might want a shoulder rig for that or something tucked into the small of your back.
Just know that there is not one gun that fits all. It will take many guns to accommodate the many scenarios and seasons for carrying.
Enjoy...
In addition to that you will find that at different times of the year you will need to change where you carry on your person. Summertime is less clothes so might want a smaller skinnier gun. The fall you put on a bit more so you might go for a medium size gun and winter...well, you can carry just about anything you want as our clothing becomes much bulkier...
Hang in there and don't give up. If you keep buying guns you will find the perfect one or two for each season.
Also keep in mind weddings and funerals or other events where you need to wear a suit...might want a shoulder rig for that or something tucked into the small of your back.
Just know that there is not one gun that fits all. It will take many guns to accommodate the many scenarios and seasons for carrying.
Enjoy...
bottle-cap
NES Member
Check out -
www.redlinecarry.com
I’ve got one for S&W Shield 9mm.
4 o’clock carry works just fine for me.
www.redlinecarry.com
I’ve got one for S&W Shield 9mm.
4 o’clock carry works just fine for me.
amm5061
NES Member
I use an Alien Gear shapeshift for my G26 IWB at about 3:30. I find that it's very comfortable and I actually quite like the holster since I can detatch it from the backing and put it away in the bedside safe at night without actually unholstering the gun.
