Posted: 8/12/2014 6:35:20 PM EDT
| So I was wondering for those of you that cc, how do you get comfortable conceal carrying and when do you decide to carry? I have my CC license but I rarely do. I think it's because I am just not terribly comfortable carrying yet. Plus I don't have the most confidence in my pistol skills. So just wondering how do I get more comfortable with CC myself? Thanks. |
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A quality belt and holster will be more comfortable to wear, and will provide peace of mind that your handgun is secure and won't flop around or fall out. I've been carrying concealed for over twenty years. After a while it is no different than carrying a wallet or wearing a watch. These new single stack 9mm pistols make the adjustment to carry quite easy. I started off with full size Gen 3 Smith & Wessons. |
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Simply put, the more you carry the more natural it will feel over time. If your somewhat uneasy about carrying in public places, start off by carrying at places where you won't be around a lot of people (home, relatives houses, close friends). Find yourself a good compact pistol that is not uncomfortable so your not figiting with it all the time.
Also, go to the range and shoot what you carry OFTEN. The more comfortable you are shooting it, the better you will feel about carrying. |
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Mentally:
Seek out professional training. Confidence is huge when carrying concealed. Learning skills ranging from the fundamentals to working from concealment is important. Responsible gun owners need to seek out professional training. Even more so if you carry. Physically: Buy a good purpose made belt. I like cobra buckles and heavy webbing. Some people like leather. Just make sure it is stiff enough that it won't sag from the weight. Get a quality purpose built holster. Decide how you want to carry, and buy the appropriate style holster. Expect to pay around $75-$100 for a good holster. Do not cheap out on this! |
| Your Belt does not need to be expensive. Go to a leather supply store buy a belt dye it to the color you want but a good buckle on it and your good to go. My 2 belts cost me less than $25 each. One is black dress belt on is brown. both work great and after 3 yrs neither show any wear. |
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I guess I should have added that when I do carry, its the ruger sr9c and I currently use the versa carry.
I am in the fox valley, any recommendations on classes or who would be able to provide some pistol training in that area? I am mostly interested in the shooting skills and as I feel rather inaccurate w/ a pistol as compared to a rifle. Thanks |
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Depends on if you're seeking training or just trigger time to get more comfortable.
There's plenty of places offering CCW training, all you have to do is hit up a Fleet Farm or ask on here and you'll have options. For just getting comfortable I recommend finding a local competition club. You're not shooting nationals so it's not win or die, but it'll get you out shooting some interesting situations compared to a regular day at the range. |
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I cant give advice on a Trainer in your area and I do not own your particular gun BUT when I start a new shooter on a Glock I set up large life size cardboard and paper targets at 7 yards. The paper target that close gives quick and immediate visual feedback to the shooter. It is easy to make corrections at that range. Making hits gives confidence as well. Reality is if a person can make hits at 7-10 yards they are good to go. 15 yards is a great distance to master. 25 is overkill for many.
I would also add they don't even go on a Glock until they have at least 1000-2000 rounds of .22lr. It is easy to go through 500 rounds of .22lr in one session too. 30 years ago when I picked up my first Glock I went to town with it and the consensus was the 10-20k rounds of .22lr I had shot during the previous yeas in college (cheap and fun) had set me up to win. I had practiced the aim small, hit small concept as I was pushing myself for a challenge and hunting with the .22 handgun as well. |
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Quoted:
I guess I should have added that when I do carry, its the ruger sr9c and I currently use the versa carry. I am in the fox valley, any recommendations on classes or who would be able to provide some pistol training in that area? I am mostly interested in the shooting skills and as I feel rather inaccurate w/ a pistol as compared to a rifle. Thanks There are a few classes coming to Omro. I know Mike Pannone and Kyle Defoor will be there. Check out Alias Training for classes. |
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Quoted:
... I don't have the most confidence in my pistol skills. .... Seek out training. The type of training I recommend is handgun skill training where you fire several hundred rounds with drills, etc. There are NRA classes around the State offered to include Defensive Pistol and Basic Pistol Protection and there are other Pistol courses offered depending on where you live and how far you are willing to drive. The typical Fleet Farm, Gander Mountain, etc CCW courses are not going to give you what you need. [ur]http://www.nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx[/url] http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_8_21/553969_Tactical_Firearms_Training_Classes__open_enrollment__in_WI_for_2014.html |
| Appreciate all the info. I will have to look more into to doing a professional class. I do feel confident enough at like 7 yards if aiming at a body size target but after that I get a little more nervous and 25 yards is a crapshoot. I think I just need to get out and shoot more. Might make sense to go pick up a 22lr pistol. Anyone have a recommendation on a cheap but reliable 22lr to look for or what to stay away from? Preferably semi auto. |
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For me, it was in steps.
First I didn't want to carry with a round chambered. Then I got over the fact that unless I pulled the Damn trigger, it wasn't going to "just go off" Now I feel weird if I leave the house without. Also, going to classes helps out for me. The mental part as well as the technical part. |
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Quoted:
Might make sense to go pick up a 22lr pistol. Anyone have a recommendation on a cheap but reliable 22lr to look for or what to stay away from? Preferably semi auto. Ruger SR22P. Great little gun. Street price is about $300-325. I paid $400 for mine, but it came with the Crimson Trace Railmaster laser. I can routinely bust clay birds sitting on the dirt berm at 25yds with mine, without the laser. Comes with 2 mags, and interchangeable grips. Has adjustable 3-dot sights. Easy to break down to clean, and so far, it shoots every brand .22 I've tried without issues. I've used Federal Champion & Auto Match, Winchester X-Pert & Wildcat, CCI Mini-mags & Blazer. It's a real tack driver with the Fed Auto Match. 
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You carry enough, you almost forget it's even there. It just becomes part of you, like wearing pants.
With time, practice/training, it becomes muscle memory, you don't need to remember it's there, it just is. A great holster is a must. It must be comfortable and hold your weapon with confidence. I go with Galco King Tuks for my .45 series of Glocks. It eventually conformed to the shape of my body at the 4:00 and I often don't realize it's even there. YMMV, go with what works for you, and practice, practice, practice and then go ahead and practice some more. |
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Read AARs from training classes and get a quality belt and holster based on feedback therein. Seek quality training. Remember that the mission drives the gear train, so carry what you need to carry to defend yourself effectively, do not carry what you think will be comfortable or easy to conceal. That is a failure of mindset, and generally impractical as carrying a gun is often a PITA, but one you should have decided is worth every second. Toss that Versacarry in a drawer and it will have some company soon enough. Not everything works for everyone; ergonomic considerations and complications abound.
Oh yeah, did I mention read AARs and then seek quality training? |
| Carried it for a month with nothing in the tube then once I was comfortable that the safety lever wasnt going to move while carrying, started having one in the chamber. Ive had the p89 I carry since 94 and trust it to work when needed. Personallly not comfortable with the pocket guns nor compacts. |
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+1 on quality belt and holster.
My EDC is a Sig P227 IWB in an R Grizzle Leather holster and belt from the same. I chose exotic leather, so it was a bit pricier, but you can get a good holster and belt from him for probably in the $200 range. Still a bit on the spendy side, but it's an investment, and a good belt and holster will make or break you when you are carrying. Find a range you can draw from concealment at. I'm fortunate to be a member at two private ranges, and am frequently the only one there. I use clay targets on a berm as targets for shooting from a concealed draw. They are much smaller than a center mass hit, and if you can hit those, you'll be fine. Practice, practice, practice. |
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Once you realize that you and your families safety and security is your responsibility, and not some stranger you never met,who makes $15 an hour and has the bare minimal training in firearms,it was easy.
A gun is a tool,just like the flashlight I carry and the knife. I CARRY a gun ,just like I have home owners and car insurance.I hope to never need it,buts it's nice to have. |
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I had so much pistol training in the Marines (and carried most of my time in) it's just natural. I would find a pistol you are comfortable with, train, and train some more, drill in the safety rules ,and live them, and start carrying everyday.
If you have a good belt, holster, and follow the firearm safety rules you should have no issues (well some more training once you have to use a public restroom  )
I practice at the minimum once a month with my carry guns. I try and do some training once a week and REALLY try to not get complacent. I also carry around the house just so I feel funny not carrying |