Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Meditations on Concealed Carry

What ever gun/holster/belt system you try you will need to wear it from waking until you go to bed every day for a week to figure out if you can make it work for you. If you are not carrying at all times at home or out you will find it difficult to achieve a level of awareness and competency that you appear to seek. Dryfire practice at home will allow you to work out a presentation with various systems and clothing combinations. If possible record your practice sessions and ruthlessly critique yourself until you have removed all unnecessary movement and have a smooth, repeatable presentation from start, through the draw,sight alignment and trigger press. With deliberate practice most people can draw from concealment and fire an aimed 1st shot into 6'' at 10 yards in 1.5 seconds and 6 in <3 seconds. A shot timer is very helpful in setting goals and verifying real progress.

Be honest w/ yourself and realistic about your actual level of competence on demand.


mike r

I carry a Glock 26 mostly. That gun fits my hand perfectly with the right grip. Hitting a head size target at 15 yards is simple. I have no question that a 147 grain HST would scramble those brains good.

The 26 has been my concealed carry choice for a while now, too. Carried IWB. I like mine like you like yours.

This is very good advice.

The recent church shooting in White Settlement highlights the importance of some of the basics of defensive carry,

- Your weapon must be quickly accessible.

- Your weapon must be one you can use under the stress of a life/death situation.

- The ability to deliver rapid, accurate, and incapacitating fire, well beyond 7 yards, is serious.

- Situational awareness is critical.

- Training must be maintained on a regular basis, and realistic.

Back in my embassy guard days, there were a few occasions we carried concealed in civvies. Somewhat 'churchy' attire.

Strong side hip. Single-vent navy blazer over shirt/tie for cover garment. Never button the blazer. Put a small weight in the blazer pocket (gun side) so it will swing open faster when you sweep it to draw your weapon.

Sep 12, 2001, I had an appointment with in the HAFB CO's building. Normally, I just walked right in. This time, I was greeted at the door by a man in civvies, wearing a sport jacket and tie. Took a couple of milliseconds to realize what the jacket was for. Wonder if he had a weight in the right pocket?

Seems likely.

We would use a round of ammo for the pocket weight. (38 Spl +P in those days, weapon S&W M19)

It’s a tragedy that after that video grown men are still toting pocket guns. It’s not just stupid, it’s irresponsible.

It always has been, but now there’s no excuse for not knowing better.

There's a reason LEO and other armed professionals carry a full size handgun.

It may not be as easy to carry/conceal......but it's a serious defensive tool.

Wonder if his shot was double action or if he manually cocked it and did single action?

You can't take an unsafe shot, but you can simply kneel and get a better angle so a pass-through isn't a problem.

The ammo in your carry gun first needs to be the most accurate you can find.

Agreed Men, I've always had the mindset, i'll relax when I get back home, idgas about weight or being a bit uncomfortable.

well said, that should elicit some conversation.


mike r

What I wonder is how did a guy carrying a 12 gauge get past the "Security Team?"

The trench coat and fake beard...….wow.

Situational awareness cannot be understated.

what are your thoughts on a Glock 31 (weather/clothing permitting) or a Colt Officer's model 45ACP (7 rounds total) for summer carry?

Eat more.

They knew the guy, and knew he was a little "off", but they didn't expect him too be violent when he never had before.

I won't get in to any caliber debate and admit I didn't read the entire thread. I simply want to point out, in my opinion, your chosen weapon and caliber should not be based on what an assailant may be carrying should such a self-defense scenario arise. Choose what you can shoot most effectively while ensuring it is something you WILL carry. Be safe all.