I'll start over, I won't lead off with the choir this time.
Our minister spent a fair amount of time this morning on safely issues. A car was stolen from the church parking lot last Sunday. She also gave a code word to alert all of us to danger.
I asked on my way out if I should bring my handgun with me. She quickly said yes.
Any thoughts on the subject?
Yes, do so. I have done so since I got my first CHL. Used to pack pocket or ankle pistols. Went to a 1911 ltwt cdr in .45ACP some time back, in an IWB holster + 2 mags.
I assume you have a concealed carry permit or live where one is not needed. If not, jump through the hoops and get you CHL. Like, soonest.
The two handguns I have are the Ruger Single Six, 22 long rifle, and a S&W Shield 9mm.
I'd rather someone else was at the rear with a 12 gauge pump.
Leave the Ruger at home, bring the S&W. I am dead-set against mandatory training requirements, but training is not a bad idea. Several different sorts of training, but one cost-effective way to get some quality hands-on gun time is IDPA or USPSA. Some say it is not training, but they are wrong(1). You may get into the gamey part of it, but be sure to use what you carry every once in a while to see how easy it is to draw & fire and suchlike with the gun you actually carry. At first, you'll be like, "WTH, way too much to learn and I have all the WRONG gear!!"
This is the Shield, and holster. a couple of you folks are welcome join us, and sit behind me, try to sing on key, and not too loud. (small smile)
https://i.imgur.com/Z2vFTMF.jpg Don't take this the wrong way, but that holster is one manky nylon POS. You need to replace it with something a serious man would use.
Get a real rig:
1. Real gun belt, made for purpose.
2. Quality holster (IWB or OWB).
3. Quality mag carriers, total 1 or 2 capacity.
Hard to find the right gear in a gun shop, keeping quality leather or kydex is expensive to stock. There are a LOT of good gun rig makers nowadays. Here is the one thing you need to know: high quality custom carry gear usually only costs a bit more than barely-suitable mass produced gear. But custom takes longer to get delivered. Another thing: good and bad gear is made in leather and artificial materials (nylon, kydex, etc). I prefer leather, but kydex works great for many folks, too.
You can use your upcoming IDPA shoots to learn from fellow competitors what might work and then use that (or use all the same gear but switch to an IWB holster for carry out & about).
You could buy a quality rig right now if through El Paso Saddlery. I own plenty of their gear. Other makers of quality gear out there, but El Paso Saddley can do it all and get it to you in 4-8 weeks.
epsaddlery.com
Call them during business hours after doing your homework on the website.
915-544-2233
Dress Belt
https://epsaddlery.com/product/20-dress-belt/(Follow fitment instructions)
1.5" wide, double thick belts will fit most all khaki & suit pant belt loops. 1.75" wide will fit most all blue jean belt lops. I run 1.5" and an IWB holster.
If you always wear blue jeans, even to church, may want to move to 1.75" wide Garrison Belt with lining (making it double thick) and specify 1.75" loops for holsters. Double-thickness belts use two pieces of leather, with grain orthogonal. Makes for a stiffer belt.
https://epsaddlery.com/product/75-garrison-belt/Friction Mag Pouch
https://epsaddlery.com/product/friction-mag-pouch-2fd/A nice, simple, effective 2x mag carrier. Works great for 1.5" and 1.75" gun belts.
Tortilla OWB Holster
https://epsaddlery.com/product/77-tortilla-holster/Good OWB holster with thumb snap.
Get std 1.75" loops or 1.5" loops.
Border Boss IWB Holster
https://epsaddlery.com/product/border-boss-holster/A good copy of the Milt Sparks VM2 holster, the Holy Grail of IWB for heavy guns. 1.75" loops standard and will work for 1.5" wide belts, too.
Good luck.
(1) Did my time in Uncle Sam's pay, did plenty of live fire and other sorts of training. Against OPFOR, as OPFOR and all that jazz.
