My first day concealed carrying

[Will556]

I think saying that 99% of the population is clueless isn’t a very fair assessment. Sure there are plenty of people out there that are unaware of their surroundings and not very street smart in general. But there are also plenty of people who recognize others carrying. Just because they don’t come running up to you and say that that they see you’re carrying a gun doesn’t mean that didn’t notice to begin with.

I know I am always looking around and noticing people carrying, usually the ones that are easy to spot are guys carrying owb. If most people are honest, they notice owb carriers more than any other method of carry. You’re literally taking a large object (gun) and sticking it into another decent size object (holster) and then purposely placing up against your body outside your waistband, adding a completely unnatural shape to your silhouette. Unlike appendix which attempts to hide it within the silhouette but also placed the gun and holster under clothing. I have yet to see a single person be able to pull off owb with just a tshirt, it’s practically impossible. Maybe standing still at the perfect angle it might, but as soon as they start walking or moving around, it looks ridiculous and is almost comical how blatantly obvious it is.

Another point to be made is that just like gun owners noticing people carrying, criminals do too. Which just so happens to be the ones that you don’t want to notice it. But they’re usually not the innocent grandmother just walking around the grocery store, not caring if the people next to them are carrying or not. Criminals, just like gun owners, usually have a heightened sense of awareness and are looking for abnormalities as well.

 

[Chevusa]

Most criminals are common fools. They’ll do the dumbest shit right in front of you. Are there high level sophisticated career criminals? Sure. But they are the exception. Also most people tend to avoid people with guns. It’s much easier to wait for a soft target. I experience it daily. People will cross the street to walk on the other side of the sidewalk to avoid walking by me. They go out of their way to avoid the guy with the gun. They also tend to be very polite usually and will sometimes even announce their intention to move in front or behind me as to get my ok that I don’t consider them a threat.

 

[Will556]

Most criminals are common fools. They’ll do the dumbest shit right in front of you. Are there high level sophisticated career criminals? Sure. But they are the exception. Also most people tend to avoid people with guns. It’s much easier to wait for a soft target. I experience it daily. People will cross the street to walk on the other side of the sidewalk to avoid walking by me. They go out of their way to avoid the guy with the gun. They also tend to be very polite usually and will sometimes even announce their intention to move in front or behind me as to get my ok that I don’t consider them a threat.

I also experience criminals daily, there’s definitely enough dumb ones to go around. But I’ve also been surprised about how much they notice after having conversations with them (even the dumb ones) lol.

 

[BMF JK]

 

[Will556]

Chevusa said:
There is no such thing as “printing” for 99% of the population. They are clueless. You see it because you know it’s there and are looking for it. If someone does manage to spend enough time looking you over and they do see a hump or a bump they won’t think “gun”. They won’t even give it a second thought. I have to open carry occasionally into a store here or there if I’m going to/from work or what not. People don’t even notice that. They are absolutely clueless and too busy on their phones.

Chevusa then said:
People will cross the street to walk on the other side of the sidewalk to avoid walking by me. They go out of their way to avoid the guy with the gun.

I was going to make that point as well. It’s either one or the other. It’s either 99% of the population is clueless and have no idea your carrying OR your method of carry is so obvious that people avoid you because they 100% notice you have a gun. And all these people avoiding you can’t be something as minimal as the remaining 1% to be significant enough for you to be able to tell that’s the reason they’re doing it. It would have to happen at a much higher rate so their intentions of avoiding you are noticeable.

 

[Chevusa]

I was going to make that point as well. It’s either one or the other. It’s either 99% of the population is clueless and have no idea your carrying OR your method of carry is so obvious that people avoid you because they 100% notice you have a gun. And all these people avoiding you can’t be something as minimal as the remaining 1% to be significant enough for you to be able to tell that’s the reason they’re doing it. It would have to happen at a much higher rate so their intentions of avoiding you are noticeable.

The people avoiding me is when I’m carrying openly or in a full duty belt while working. Not while concealing OWB. Sorry if that wasn’t clear.

 

[Will556]

What is it that you do that you’re walking around in the public with a full duty rig? Or open carrying? Because if you’re walking around in a full duty rig and you don’t look like you’re in some sort of law enforcement capacity, it’s not a surprise people avoid you.

 

[Chevusa]

What is it that you do that you’re walking around in the public with a full duty rig? Or open carrying? Because if you’re walking around in a full duty rig and you don’t look like you’re in some sort of law enforcement capacity, it’s not a surprise people avoid you.

Well usually the tactical vest and uniform lend some credibility. The point is people good and bad go out of their way to avoid you. Not everyone but it happens. There are plenty that will say hi or thanks or just drive by and give us the thumbs up too, but I will regularly have some bad looking dudes take off and leave the area when I pull up somewhere and get out of the car. Very few people look for trouble with armed guys. Usually it’s only highly intoxicated and/or mental illness.

 

[Will556]

Well usually the tactical vest and uniform lend some credibility. The point is people good and bad go out of their way to avoid you. Not everyone but it happens. There are plenty that will say hi or thanks or just drive by and give us the thumbs up too, but I will regularly have some bad looking dudes take off and leave the area when I pull up somewhere and get out of the car. Very few people look for trouble with armed guys. Usually it’s only highly intoxicated and/or mental illness.

Ok, so what is it that you do? Because from your comment It doesn’t really answer it in any kind of way and I’m trying to have a better understanding of what scope you’re viewing this from. From my experience of being a police officer, most people don’t really “avoid” people with wearing full gear or duty rigs as long as they look like they belong. Armored truck personnel for example. When they’re loading or unloading bags, no one goes the other direction when they see them with guns on their hips. They might not walk right up to them, but they’re not worried about them either. The majority of people enjoy law enforcement and have no problem sitting there and talking to us and hanging out. People will actually come over and chat with us.

I see “taking off” and “avoid” as two totally different things. People that “take off” when they see others in a vest, duty belt, gun, usually do it because they’re committing/committed a crime and are actively evading and running law enforcement so they don’t want to get arrested. Of course most people don’t actively look for issues with armed personnel unless they have some kind of mental issue, under the influence, or just plain assholes.

 

[Chevusa]

Ok, so what is it that you do? Because from your comment It doesn’t really answer it in any kind of way and I’m trying to have a better understanding of what scope you’re viewing this from. From my experience of being a police officer, most people don’t really “avoid” people with wearing full gear or duty rigs as long as they look like they belong. Armored truck personnel for example. When they’re loading or unloading bags, no one goes the other direction when they see them with guns on their hips. They might not walk right up to them, but they’re not worried about them either. The majority of people enjoy law enforcement and have no problem sitting there and talking to us and hanging out. People will actually come over and chat with us.

I see “taking off” and “avoid” as two totally different things. People that “take off” when they see others in a vest, duty belt, gun, usually do it because they’re committing/committed a crime and are actively evading and running law enforcement so they don’t want to get arrested. Of course most people don’t actively look for issues with armed personnel unless they have some kind of mental issue, under the influence, or just plain assholes.

Well according to some of the birds around here I work in a shopping mall evidently.

Yes certainly if you’re in a nice area which it sounds like you work in, people will be friendly. As I said earlier they will say hi, thanks, thumbs up, free coffee, buy you a muffin etc. I’ve had neighbors bring coffees and hot coco out of their houses while out doing traffic on a cold day. (I never eat or drink anything from anyone given to me while working).

Unfortunately those are the rare occasions. I am usually in the worst parts of the inner city on a normal day to day basis. I’ve even had people yell at me for being in “their neighborhood”. I’ve been told “I’ve never seen a white boy in this area” and that “I make the neighborhood worse” for being there.

Not sure how we got so far off topic though. Sorry.

 

[GOPerfect]

Ok, so what is it that you do? Because from your comment It doesn’t really answer it in any kind of way and I’m trying to have a better understanding of what scope you’re viewing this from. From my experience of being a police officer, most people don’t really “avoid” people with wearing full gear or duty rigs as long as they look like they belong. Armored truck personnel for example. When they’re loading or unloading bags, no one goes the other direction when they see them with guns on their hips. They might not walk right up to them, but they’re not worried about them either. The majority of people enjoy law enforcement and have no problem sitting there and talking to us and hanging out. People will actually come over and chat with us.

I see “taking off” and “avoid” as two totally different things. People that “take off” when they see others in a vest, duty belt, gun, usually do it because they’re committing/committed a crime and are actively evading and running law enforcement so they don’t want to get arrested. Of course most people don’t actively look for issues with armed personnel unless they have some kind of mental issue, under the influence, or just plain assholes.

I have never had the public run away from me when I am all dressed up. Nearly everyone at least says hi or something like that. Normal people do not avoid me.

 

[togmaster]

In all honesty when I see someone barreling down the sidewalk on a Segway I get out of the way too.

 

[dsdmmat]

Gentlemen let’s get back on topic. If you want to talk about “alleged mall cops”, open carry, what you ate for dinner and scaring the public open another thread. This is about young Padiwan and his first big boy experience of carrying a firearm.

 

[Truebeliever]

Now, that he has heard about proper holsters, belts, and wedges, let’s talk clothing.
There is a reason CCW people tend to wear flannel shirts. The color pattern on the shirts make it harder for a person to see the outline of the gun.
Wear shirts that have a pattern that would “ break up” the outline of the gun. Your camo uniform shirt did that .

 

[Will556]

Now, that he has heard about proper holsters, belts, and wedges, let’s talk clothing.
There is a reason CCW people tend to wear flannel shirts. The color pattern on the shirts make it harder for a person to see the outline of the gun.
Wear shirts that have a pattern that would “ break up” the outline of the gun. Your camo uniform shirt did that .

Yup, that’s one of the things I touched on in my comment back on the 14th.

 

[DoD1776]

So what do u guys do when you’re in a public area and have to piss in a restroom and theres no toilets available at the time?

 

[Edwardteach72]

So what do u guys do when you’re in a public area and have to piss in a restroom and theres no toilets available at the time?

I usually pull my weiner out from my pants and undies and try and get all the pee pees in the urinal

 

[stokes]

So what do u guys do when you’re in a public area and have to piss in a restroom and theres no toilets available at the time?

WTF? In 39 yrs of carrying that has never even crossed my mind.

 

[Defilade]

@DoD1776 Like others have mentioned, when you initially start carrying you’re going to feel like everyone can see your gun and it’ll make you a bit paranoid. You reaching for it and adjusting it all the time will bring more attention to people noticing it. Though plenty of people won’t notice, I also try and make sure no one notices, it’s not an excuse to go out all sloppy and not care either. The longer you carry the more you get used to it. Start wearing it around the house and get a feel to what works best for your body type because if it’s not comfortable, you’re not likely to carry it anyway. So to hopefully remedy the printing thing good gear is a big thing. Definitely get a nicer belt, trying to carry appendix with those thin flimsy leather belt ain’t gonna cut it. Get a solid stiff belt like Kore Essentials, I run their X5 and it’s been great. Having a ratcheting belt gives you much finer points if adjustability, which comes in handy when changing positions like going from standing to sitting in my vehicle. All I have to do it reach down and pull the small lever and it loosen up a bit. As soon as I get back out of my vehicle or done sitting, I can tighten the belt right back up again without an issue. Also pick up some kind of wedges, they help twofold. The wedges not only make it more comfortable so you don’t have kydex pushing directly up against you but it also pushes the bottom of the holster away from your body causing the top section where the grip is (the part that prints the most) to push in tighter to your body. Definitely move that buckle from the center of your body. When you’re appendix carrying you don’t want to stack the buckle on top of the holster which adds more bulk up front, so shift it to the side out of the way. Another big thing that helps is your attire. You obviously don’t want to wear skin tight clothes, that’s not going to be beneficial. You start to realize what sizes you need to start buying to help conceal carry. Shirts with patterns like plaid definitely help break up the printing and you’ll probably want to go up one size in pants than you normally are to compensate for the gun and holster you’ll be stuffing in there. Also body type is a factor, honestly working out helps a shit ton. If you have a wide thick upper back, and chest, and a thin waist, the shirt drapes more and makes it even easier to conceal. So hit the gym a little too if you’re able to. It absolutely makes it easier to conceal.
View attachment 147080
View attachment 147081

When you get older you will find out that the 4th leg in the pants gets a little tight for a full size..

 

[Will556]

So what do u guys do when you’re in a public area and have to piss in a restroom and theres no toilets available at the time?

I just piss myself. Natural deterrent from anyone wanting to be anywhere near me.

 

[Will556]

So what do u guys do when you’re in a public area and have to piss in a restroom and theres no toilets available at the time?

It can be tricky a little but depending on the size if the gun and holster you’re carrying. After running the gear for a little bit you figure out ways to move things around to make it work.

 

[dwa12479]

So what do u guys do when you’re in a public area and have to piss in a restroom and theres no toilets available at the time?

 

[DoD1776]

WTF? In 39 yrs of carrying that has never even crossed my mind.

It’ll slide off if I unzip and open up.

I usually pull my weiner out from my pants and undies and try and get all the pee pees in the urinal

Don’t know why I never thought of that. Thanks

 

[Edwardteach72]

It’ll slide off if I unzip and open up.

Don’t know why I never thought of that. Thanks

My only purpose here is to help

 

[spat]

Most criminals are common fools. They’ll do the dumbest shit right in front of you. Are there high level sophisticated career criminals? Sure. But they are the exception. Also most people tend to avoid people with guns. It’s much easier to wait for a soft target. I experience it daily. People will cross the street to walk on the other side of the sidewalk to avoid walking by me. They go out of their way to avoid the guy with the gun. They also tend to be very polite usually and will sometimes even announce their intention to move in front or behind me as to get my ok that I don’t consider them a threat.

Most criminals are stupid by default. If they were smart they'd have a real job instead.

You can make a lot more money, a lot safer and easier with a paycheck than you can doing low level crime.

Organized crime is another matter, that's professionals vs amateurs.

And then government is like the olympic athletes of crime.

 

[Xae289]

So what do u guys do when you’re in a public area and have to piss in a restroom and theres no toilets available at the time?

Adult diapers. The added bulk helps with concealment too.

 

[stokes]

It’ll slide off if I unzip and open up.

Should probably look for something smaller to carry.If its moving when you unzip, theres a problem.One of the pics you posted it looked like the pistol/mag covered you from hip to hip you skinny fucker.

 

[Russ Woody]

Oh god not another “I’m worried about printing” thread.
I see this is about a week old now, so you’ve probably had time to get used to things a little. Before you know it, it won’t even be a concern at all.
Nobody is looking at you and examining you. There is no such thing as “printing” for 99% of the population. They are clueless. You see it because you know it’s there and are looking for it. If someone does manage to spend enough time looking you over and they do see a hump or a bump they won’t think “gun”. They won’t even give it a second thought.
I have to open carry occasionally into a store here or there if I’m going to/from work or what not. People don’t even notice that. They are absolutely clueless and too busy on their phones.
Don’t get too caught up with all of the gimmicky holsters and other silly shit they sell to goofballs. Get a decent holster and a decent belt. That’s it. I usually have an IWB and an OWB holster for all of my setups. In fact, these days I almost exclusively carry OWB. It’s more comfortable and if someone happens to see it or “thinks” they see it, well I just don’t give a shit.

This is great advice OP. I open carry all the time but just under a t shirt or my coat. Nobody knows anything. Their too self absorbed in their phones or their brats crying or whatever

 

[DoD1776]

WTF Vedder!? Went to put my pistol on and I noticed the screw is gone. Not happy.

 

[Edwardteach72]

WTF Vedder!? Went to put my pistol on and I noticed the screw is gone. Not happy. View attachment 151370

1st. Vedder is low quality hype marketing.

2nd.. always thread lock your holster hardware once you get everything where you want it