Things You May or May Not Have Heard About Concealed Carry

My state issues a carry permit, not a concealed carry permit.  This means you can carry either concealed or open.  I usually opt for concealed unless I am at work.  It's a personal preference, but there are a couple of reasons behind it.

First, I like the idea that should I ever need the weapon, and there have been some times that I have, it will come as a surprise to someone.  Drawing from concealed is slower than drawing from an exposed holster so that might offset some of the advantage though.

Second, I feel that in certain circumstances, carrying open can make you a target.  On the other hand, seeing an armed person in a place might serve as a deterrent to anyone up to no good.

Third, seeing a firearm makes some people nervous.  Early in my carry experiences, someone caught a flash of my firearm and alerted store management.  I had the fun of explaining myself and showing credentials.  This did teach me some lessons about printing and concealing better.  On the other hand, I frequently wander into stores now on my way home, or on my lunch break open carrying, badge but plain clothes and no one seems to notice.  I've even gone into a walmart and been mistaken for an employ on several occasions.  Our uniforms are navy blue polos with khaki pants.  We also have large gold badges on our polos, a smaller metal badge on the large duty belt and we have pepper spray, baton, flashlight and a Glock on that same belt, but I've been mistaken for an associate.  I think most people don't pay attention.  There is one thing, though, the first experience I mentioned was when carry permits were new to the state and smart phones were non-existent.

I've tried several different methods of concealed carry:  Back when I first started kydex wasn't around.  Basically there were three choices for holster material, nylon, molded leather, or suede leather.  Being a working college student, I didn't have tons of cash, so I tended to buy low end stuff.  I still don't have tons of cash to spend, so I still tend to look for less expensive alternatives, but I have learned some lessons.

I read too much, and back in the day shoulder holsters were the in thing.  Super cool and stealthy, they were all over the books, tv and in the movies.  I had two.  One was an Uncles Mike's nylon vertical rig for a medium/large frame revolver.  Mostly I toted a Model 19 Smith and Wesson in it, though I think I also carried a Ruger Redhawk a little too.  It concealed easily, provided it was snowing and I was wearing a parka.  Not the most comfortable thing to wear either.  It did hook to my belt though.  The other rig was also an Uncle Mike's but was a horizontal draw for a small revolver or autoloader.  I carried a Taurus 85, a Starr Model F, and possibly a few others I can't remember.  This rig didn't secure to a belt, so it tended to shift toward your back, especially if you were sitting.  Retention was achieved though the judicial use of straps.

I also experimented with some iwb holsters.  The first two I bought were super cheap, They were suede leather with a steel clip.  They had no retention other than a tiny amount of friction and the pressure between your waistband and body.  They also collapsed on removing the weapon, so reholstering was futile.  I eventually moved to some Uncle Mike's nylon iwb holsters.  They also collapsed on removing the weapon, but offered better protection.

I did have an Uncle Mikes pocket holster I carried a Taurus PT25 in for a while,  It worked pretty well.

I still have that horizontal rig, found it in a draw a month or so ago.  Even have one of the suede iwb holsters in that same drawer.  I also have a generic, hard leather, one-size-fits all holster with steel clip on it.  It's actually not bad for iwb, although retention wouldn't be the greatest.  I use it as a temporary holster occasionally if I acquire  something new until a more specific holster can be obtained.  I keep a nylon iwb around too for the same purpose, but it's less versitile.  I used the leather job for my glock 42 for awhile, the nylon option being too large.

My current two methods of carry are outside the waistband and inside the waistband.  My agency dictates the holster we use at work, the blackhawk serpa cqc holster, so I use the same for most of my personal firearms.  Since we carry a glock 23 for work, it makes it simple.  I bought the some holster for personal use.  I actually bought 2, since the 30 takes a different rig.  The holster that works for the 23 also works for my 19, 26 and 30s. This works pretty decent for concealed carry under a coat or jacket.  It evens works decently with my under armor zip-up hoodie.  Not so well with pull over hoodies or untucked shirts, unless the shirt was hugely oversized.  I have a kydex hybrid holster I bought from KN holsters, their "Slim n Sleek" model for my 42.  It works pretty decent with most cover, even the untucked t-shirt.

For IWB, I have 3 Desantis Sof Tuck rigs.  One fits the 42, one fits the 19/23/30s.  I bought a separate one for the 26.  Not sure if I ever tried the 26 in the one for the 19.  These are made of soft leather and are pretty comfortable.  They have a harder leather reinforcing the lip of the holster to keep it from collapsing when the weapon is drawn so reholstering is possible.  They use a j-hook so you can slip the hook over your pants waistband, but the lip of the j goes under your belt so the holster stay put when you draw.  This holster is adjustable for cant only.  The gun rides kind of deep in your pants which is great for concealment, but maybe not so good for quick access.  The j-hook is plastic, which has held up well for me but some might prefer metal. They don't make a sof tuck for the 30, so I have a holster from a holster maker out of Florida.  it is similar in material and looks, but uses a standard metal waistband clip rather than a j-hook.  Comfort is about the same, concealment about the same, but never been as fond of it.  On the other hand, rarely carry the 30 this way.  I will say the sof tuck does something I haven't noticed the other 2 doing.  When I disrobe for the day, I remove the weapon, undo my belt then remove my pants.  Usually the holsters stay in place, but the one made for the little Glock falls off everytime.  It has a shorter clip I guess since the 42 is a much smaller firearm.

I recently purchased a couple of Alien Gear cloak tuck holsters.  One form my 30 and the other for my 19/23/30s combo.  I bought the original model, with the leather back, rather than the synthetic backing.  I've had them a few month and have to say I am pleased overall.  They have two hooks, one either side and are a hybrid holsters.  Retention is adjustable, cant is adjustable, concealment depth is adjustable.  Depth and cant adjustment is done with the hooks.  The holster already has some cant built into it.  I left the hooks in th e middle holes.  So far this has worked great.  The holster is comfortable, it rides higher than the sof tuck, so it's quicker to draw from and reholster.  I can move the hooks up if I want more concealment, but so far it's not been necessary.  It can be a bit of a pain to get the hooks positioned around the belt loops though.  The holster come standard with plastic "c" hooks that go over both the waistband of your pants and your belt, This works similar to the j-hook to keep your hoster in place when you draw.  Alien gear however offers different hooks if you want.

I haven't tried ankle holsters.  Have thought about it, but never took the plunge.  Probably will eventually.