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Free Republic Gun Club – Concealed Means Concealed
8/5/08 | self

Posted on 08/05/2008 4:14:56 AM PDT by Pistolshot

Free Republic Gun Club – Concealed Means Concealed

You finally have your CCW permit. Now what?
You’ve qualified, shot the course of fire, did all the paperwork, made the conscious decision to protect yourself. Now what? Holsters.

The one mistake I see novice CCW permit holders make is the ‘hand-check. They consciously keep reaching for where the gun is in its holster. It’s a dead giveaway. I have more than once walked up to a permit holder and ask them why they keep checking to see if the gun is still there. If it’s in a secure holster and you’ve done the job of checking the mirror that, yes, it is concealed.

LEAVE IT ALONE.

Concealed mean the ability to hide a weapon where it can be reached and employed in the quickest manner possible. THAT NO ONE ELSE KNOWS IS THERE..

Deep concealment is for law enforcement, so let’s dispense with the ankle holsters, waist band, bra, garter, and other deep concealment holsters. They are S L O W. Slow to access and slow if you need it right now.

For anyone who has a CCW permit, you’ve had to make a lot of choices. What kind of gun to carry, caliber, and especially, how to carry it and still have it quickly accessible. What I am going to talk about today are holsters. The one item you can never have too many for carry.

We all have our favorites or the ones we rely on for almost every day usage. But there is a difference between carrying in cooler northern environments and the hot desert of the Southwest, between the jeans and a shirt and a suit or in the case of women, dresses, skirts, and blouses. The environment alone will determine what you carry as well as how. For most guys a good strong side holster inside the waist will be sufficient such as the Summer Special

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or the Milt Sparks Executive Companion

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My favorite for autos is the Biachi Pistol Pocket.

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The PP covers just about everything I need in a good IWB holster and has one feature that has me sold on it for all my autos. The buckle has a swivel to change the cant of the holster. It can be shifted to crossdraw or deep behind the hip. It has a nice thumbsnap to help with keeping the weapon secure at any angle or even a tumble if you fall.

Ok, so these are a little more pricey that you’d like to spend on a IWB holster. Well, Galco has this little number.

PhotobucketIt covers the tire weapon and is secure.

What about revolvers?

PhotobucketAlso from Galco.
But a word of caution on IWB for revolvers. The cylinder is going to poke and rub against you. It will be uncomfortable. For revolvers I suggest a high rise thumbsnap such as the Bianchi Black widow.
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Now, I didn’t forget the ladies. Galco has a couple of holster purses that work well with almost any size firearm.
PhotobucketPhotobucket

These are not the only modes of carry. There are crossdraw, shoulder, ankle, small of the back or pocket holsters depending on what you want to carry. The crossdraw has you reaching across your body, similarly the shoulder rig does the same. Both modes are secure, but both have extreme drawbacks. If you are wider around the middle, or especially endowed on top, a shoulder rig or the crossdraw may not be your best choice.

Pocket holsters are great for the mouse guns or something along the Kahr/Kel-Tec lines, but for anything bigger, a proper holster should be employed.

Small of the back holster are nice IF you are not driving. Something about even a small pistol sticking you in the back while driving down the highway doesn’t sound too appealing. Fanny packs are out there, but a word of caution. Most law-enforcement officers pick them out quickly and a LOT of the criminal element take a fanny pack as a challenge.

These are not the only choices you have in a holster, just the ones I would recommend. You can find holsters almost anyplace, garage sales, flea-markets, and especially gunshows. I, personally have about 100 different types of holsters. Some work well…..others….well….they make good examples of what not to wear.

What do you like to use? Remember this is for concealment.

Enjoy

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JOIN THE FR GUN CLUB PING LIST HERE!!!


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Hobbies; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: banglist; concealedcarry; frgunclub; guns; holsters
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To: Toki
It really depends on what you carry for a firearm. You are limited in size of firearm, and in the materials. Women pose an especially hard problem for CCW. Over the shoulder purses, fanny packs, or some 'Day-planner' types are too easily left, stolen or lost.

You might think about a vest for carry. There are some nice ones made for women.

41 posted on 08/05/2008 6:05:00 AM PDT by Pistolshot (Leadership without experience is dangerous. - Lindsey Graham NO B.O.)
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To: CPOSharky
What about CC vests?

Like these guys? I have a couple of their vests. WONDERFUL for carrying a larger auto or a larger revolver.

Concealed Carry Clothiers.

42 posted on 08/05/2008 6:07:47 AM PDT by Pistolshot (Leadership without experience is dangerous. - Lindsey Graham NO B.O.)
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To: Pistolshot

Hadn’t thought about that (the vest). Thanks


43 posted on 08/05/2008 6:08:04 AM PDT by Toki
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To: NavyCanDo
You may argue about the stopping power, but even a .32 on you is better than the 45 or 9mm you leave at home.

EXCELLENT POINT!!!

My experiences have been to have A firearm, even one of the little NAA mini-revolvers is better than a stick.

In hotter climates, it's a lot easier carrying a smallinsh pocket pistol rather than have your shorts droppiing from carrying that 1911.

44 posted on 08/05/2008 6:11:58 AM PDT by Pistolshot (Leadership without experience is dangerous. - Lindsey Graham NO B.O.)
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To: FreedomPoster

The Kydex are excellent holsters, although kind of stiff and inflexible.


45 posted on 08/05/2008 6:13:46 AM PDT by Pistolshot (Leadership without experience is dangerous. - Lindsey Graham NO B.O.)
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To: Toki
You also might think along these lines too.

This is my next purchase. Small, stainless, and pocketable. It's a lot smaller than what the picture shows. Seecamp size without the Seecamp price.

46 posted on 08/05/2008 6:18:03 AM PDT by Pistolshot (Leadership without experience is dangerous. - Lindsey Graham NO B.O.)
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To: Pistolshot

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. Either way, I can’t get them for another year, but (due to age restrictions on CCW permits) but I wanted to start planning on how, what kind, etc. What the name of the gun. I can’t read it.


47 posted on 08/05/2008 6:22:05 AM PDT by Toki
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To: Diggler
Open carry is legal in PA as well, so I pretty much forget it’s there. If it prints, I don’t care, I’m legal no matter if it’s concealed, printing, or if my shirt rides up over it. I always wear it concealed, but it seems that 99% of people don’t wouldn’t notice a fire engine about to run them down so I don’t worry about it.

It's a bad habit to get into. Yes, you are legal in most areas in PA, but not all.

Do you ever carry into a Post Office? You're not allowed to, and if anybody noticed, then you potentially are in trouble

If you are in Philadelphia and you ever took a shortcut through Independence Park (where they have the Liberty Bell), guess what? It's federal land, and your permit is no good, and if one of the park police notices, then you're in trouble. In PA, you are also not allowed to carry in state parks (unless you are in a vehicle)

It's quite likely that you will find yourself inadvertently carrying into or through some area where you're not supposed to, in which case it would be good for you if your status was not noticed

48 posted on 08/05/2008 6:23:04 AM PDT by PapaBear3625 ("In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." -- George Orwell)
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To: Future Snake Eater
The only ones I’ve seen attach only by hooking to a belt or requiring a belt to loop through it. Kind of a pain if you never wear a belt!

I picked up a nice Desantis IWB last weekend that works w/o a belt. Only problem I have is the hammer on my pistol digs into my side. Any solution to that?

49 posted on 08/05/2008 6:25:35 AM PDT by Andonius_99 (There are two sides to every issue. One is right, the other is wrong; but the middle is always evil.)
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To: Toki
That is the North American Guardian.

Here's some other choices from NAA.

North American Firearms

50 posted on 08/05/2008 6:26:17 AM PDT by Pistolshot (Leadership without experience is dangerous. - Lindsey Graham NO B.O.)
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To: Andonius_99

A couple of possibilities are to add a piece of leather to cover the hammer where it pokes you or find a good gunsmitth to round off the sharp edges ot bob it.


51 posted on 08/05/2008 6:28:09 AM PDT by Pistolshot (Leadership without experience is dangerous. - Lindsey Graham NO B.O.)
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To: Dead Corpse; Squantos; hiredhand; NFHale
Still looking for a "fanny pack" or a day planner option that doesn't make me want to turn in my "man card".

bwahahaha...

Thin built, jeans and t-shirt guys are a tough fit for full sized carry...

'Mexican' style w/empty chamber is lookin like the way to go for me...comfort and concealability wise...

LFOD...

52 posted on 08/05/2008 6:46:59 AM PDT by Gilbo_3 (Trust in the Lord...vote yer conscience...=...LiveFReeOr Die...)
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To: Pistolshot
BUMP Mika pocket holsters with a J frame

53 posted on 08/05/2008 7:05:18 AM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (Psalm 78:35 And they remembered that God was their ROCK, And the Most High God their Redeemer.)
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To: Pistolshot
Check out this web site

Lots of options


54 posted on 08/05/2008 7:14:53 AM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (Psalm 78:35 And they remembered that God was their ROCK, And the Most High God their Redeemer.)
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To: Pistolshot
Look into the new LCP from Ruger

55 posted on 08/05/2008 7:21:10 AM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (Psalm 78:35 And they remembered that God was their ROCK, And the Most High God their Redeemer.)
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To: PapaBear3625

I know exactly where I can and can’t legally take my firearm, and act accordingly. For example, I’ll be extra careful around post offices (which I only visit maybe 3 times a year), I don’t go to court houses, and I’ve sworn to never go near Philadelphia at all.

If I’m walking through Home Depot or my local grocery store, my shirt or jacket’s covering it but I don’t worry about it printing at all.


56 posted on 08/05/2008 7:30:10 AM PDT by Diggler (We will be beaten with our own virtue. Proud American Infidel!)
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To: Pistolshot
Anything from Sparks is outstanding. I like the SSII.

Also:

Tucker Cover-Up

Raven Concealment Systems Particularly the Appendix Carry Rig

Pocket Concealment Systems Highest quality pocket holsters I've seen. Like an Alessi holster for the pocket, which is not surprising, considering Mike studied with Lou.

57 posted on 08/05/2008 7:34:27 AM PDT by real saxophonist (The fact that you play tuba doesn't make you any less lethal. -USMC bandsman in Iraq)
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To: Pistolshot
Here's IMO, the best holster ever for Chief Specials or Colt Detectives. As far as I know it is the only upside down holster made that was any good. It was originally made by Bianchi back in the 60's.

http://www.c-rusty.com/pages/holsters/large/brownshoe.htm

`

"Life is a food chain; if you're not at the top, you're on the menu."

58 posted on 08/05/2008 7:34:41 AM PDT by B4Ranch (Having custody of a loaded weapon does not arm you. The skill to use the weapon is what arms a man.)
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Leather upside down holster
59 posted on 08/05/2008 7:36:24 AM PDT by B4Ranch (Having custody of a loaded weapon does not arm you. The skill to use the weapon is what arms a man.)
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To: Pistolshot

Personally, I want to see open carry come back.


60 posted on 08/05/2008 7:44:42 AM PDT by Old Student (We have a name for the people who think indiscriminate killing is fine. They're called "The Bad Guys)
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