Carry Methods

[CrazyIvan]

With my CCW permit acquisition quickly approaching, I am seriously considering the concealed carry method. I've tried a few, but am not too comfortable with most of them.

What are some methods others use and are comfortable with?

I am kind of a big guy who does not wear baggy clothing, so shoving a 5"-7" pistol under my belt is not very concealed. I work in an office, so tucking in the shirt also adds to this problem.

A friend of mine told me that ankle holsters are ok, but not very natural, and is difficult to pull if you need it quickly.

I just am trying to figure out how to do this.

[Triggerjerk]

I do not carry a gun at work. It is extremely taxing on my nerves worrying about somebody seeing it. My brother has his own office. He had a small Beretta .22 in his coat pocket. He left the coat in his office when he was in another person's office. It was stolen. He got it back when the police arrested the thief for another offense.

If you have an ankle holster, somebody will eventually see it. If you carry a brief case, or can start to carry one without looking funny, you can get one with a lock. I have no paperwork to transport, so that is not an option for me. If this is an option, go on line to Levenger. Expensive stuff, but nice.

The only gun that I think is small enough for DEEP work place concealment is the North American Arms Mini-Revolver in .22 short or .22 LR. Then, you have a chunk of metal banging around in the pocket of your dress pants. That becomes tedious, too. I carried one in my blue jeans type jobs.

You may want to consider what kind of gun you will want to carry. Many people go for .38 snubbies or small pocket pistols after they have carried a full size revolver or auto for awhile. The airweight snubbies are nice to carry. One of the sales people at the gun shop I frequent told me that many people downsize after they carry for awhile. He can have any gun he wants...and carries the Beretta .32 auto.

In the summer I use a fanny pack. You can get them with built in holsters. I just got a plain nylon model from a sporting goods store. In the winter I tuck the gun under the coat, or put it in the pocket, depending on what I carry.

Carrying a gun, and leaving it in the car or office is risky. If you forget to lock up and the gun is stolen, then misused, you may find yourself on the wrong end of a lawsuit if some lawyer thinks you have deep pockets. I would rather have a tactical knife for work carry. If it is ever stolen, there is no serial number to be traced to you. And these things are readily available to anybody. Nobody will come looking to sue you. And if they did, it would be a hard case to press that it was yours, and you were somehow negligent.

[CrazyIvan]

TJ,

Thanks a lot for the response. I will check out some of the stuff you pointed out and see if it looks like I could use it.

I do carry a briefcase-type nylon case, but don't know if I want to put it in there. Leaving it unatended, as you said, is an invitation to get it stolen. I do have a lockable desk, so locking it in there while I am at work is no problem.

The folks here are fairly conservative. I read through the employee handbook and it does not say anything about weapons. I don't think if anyone saw it that they would have a problem with it, after I explain to them that it is a concealed weapon which I know how, have been trained and permitted to carry by govt. and law enforcement. As a matter of fact, it may give htem a piece of mind. Our office was broken into this weekend. Knowing someone is here who is ready to respond to a threat may make them feel better, lol. I've talked to some other people here and they are also persuing their CCW permit, giving me the impression that they would also bring it into the office on a regular basis. So, I wouldn't be the only one.

I bought my CCW gun a long time ago. It is a .380 Auto. A Walther PPK look-a-like:
http://geocities.com/BanzaiBrothers2...EG_Mark_II.jpg

It was only $265, so good price and not a big loss if something does happen and the cops take it. I have put over 500 rounds through the gun with ZERO errors or issues, so I consider it reliable.

I'll check into some of the things you suggested. Perhaps being at the office, an ankle holster may be the best bet.

I've also contemplated buying one of those CD cases, the small ones that hold like 25 CD's or whatever...ripping the CD part out and just sewing some velcro slips in there that can wrap around, securing the gun and carry with me, then at the office, can lock it in my desk. That may also draw attention to myself, considering people see me with an IPOD on a regular basis, lol.

[ArkansasHunter]

TriggerJerk Great Post you have there. At work if your brave enough to carry a concealed pistol the smallest possible such as a North American Arms mini revolver is what you would want to carry.
Face it if a coworker goes postal don't be a hero and confront the disgruntled coworker get out of the building ! The possibilty that you might have to fire a few rounds might cause the crazy to leave or sadly seek another target, where you can get out. If you feel you can help, keep a back up in your car, get it and do what you gotta do. But God forbid that this ever happens to any of us.
If I was back in the work force and could legaly carrie a pistol, it would be the above mentioned pistol in 22 mag....A.H

[Triggerjerk]

Thanks for the kind words, fellows. I have not had much luck in my search for gainful employment. I may have to work second shift in a convenience store again for awhile. It will be the NAA Mini in my pocket, as most places will not let you carry.
Unfortunately, some robbers are not satisfied with the cash, and need to attack store clerks. My motto: Nobody gets behind the counter! Once they get behind the counter, your problems escalate dramatically.

[george_l]

What kind of an office setting are we talking about? Are you just wearing shirt and tie or do you also wear a jacket? If a jacket then what about a paddle or inside the pants holster? Remember that if you're wearing a fanny pack you're basically advertising that you're either gay or carrying...something to be careful about. Ankle holsters aren't too bad...I wear one at work sometimes, but I wear boots and jeans. They aren't usually for quick drawing, more for a hostage/long term situation. If you really have no other option then you could always go with a derringer in the pocket.

[Triggerjerk]

One thing that we ought to do is decide why we carry, and what scenarios we expect. I carry a .25 auto. It is small and convenient. If it is bigger, I will leave it at home. Sometimes, if the whim hits me I will throw thr Ruger Mk II in the car, generally for longer highway trips.

I do not live in a high threat level area. I do not carry with the idea that I will ever intervene in a robbery. I will generally not be interested in rescuing others in peril. Why? Because I will probably not know their relationship with each other. I used to live in the less prosperous section of a small city. I would see people that were from the same group fighting in the street. That was certainly none of my concern. I saw a fellow beating his girl up against a building one day. They were hand in hand the next.

My gun is to keep undesireables away from me in a close up situation. Where I live and work, I do not rub elbows with a lot of people who would want to harm me. I did not feel that I needed a gun in the office where I worked. I worked in other places where I did not feel threatened. There were times on the street where large, belligerent street people were bothering me when I wished I had a can of pepper spray. I was not in a position where I could legally or morally shoot, but I wanted these cretins away from me.

Before you lecture me about how trouble can come out of nowhere...I realize that. But I play the odds, and the odds are that where I live and work, it won't. Frankly, I would rather have a Cold Steel Tanto with me. That would serve my self defense needs better than a gun. Trouble is, the state will issue me a pistol permit. If I were caught with a Tanto it would be a giant legal hassle.

What's my point? My point is...assess your threat level. Gun carry is a real inconvenience. If you really believe you need a gun within reach 24/7 then you will need to find a way to make that happen. If you feel that your workplace is safe enough for you to leave the gun in the car, you will have a lot easier time of it.

I have put a price on my life. It is worth the cost of a tank of gas. I drive a little car among the big SUV's to save on gas money. Playing these odds, I will probably die or be seriously injured in a car accident long before I will ever see a gun fight.

[george_l]

Ok. I see your point. I live in ft. lauderdale, fl. I don't know when the last time that you read the news or paid much attention here but let me tell you that things are going to hell quickly. At work if I carry, it's an ankle holster with either a .22 air light or a 9mm chief special. When traveling I keep the 9mm chief behind my back and keep a s&w 5906 9mm with black talons in the glove compartment. As far as when I go out etc... usually I carry the chief with the black talons.

I would not generally get involved in a domestic situation, unless it was really violent but I would probably help out if I noticed something else or someone yelling for help.

I've never had to draw my weapon on anybody, although there were times that I was pretty close, but there are more and more violent crimes going on down here and it's only a matter of time in my opinion. Just a couple of months ago there was an incident where a subway was being robbed, the one customer in the store happed to be an x-marine and was carrying and managed to kill one and wound the other. Here's the story if you're interested. Former Marine thwarts Subway robbery, kills 1 - Military News, news from Iraq, photos, reports from the war - Military Times I guess that's one for the good guys. So I go to the range 1-2 times weekly and stay prepared.

[george_l]

I guess that you have to arm yourself for what you would expect to encounter in the area that you'll be in. With that in mind, I live in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I don't know if anybody else lives here or if anyone really follows the news down here but let me tell you things are going to hell in a handbasket. I carry a 9mm chief special with black talons and when i go on road trips I keep a s&w 5906 in the glove...same bullets.

[Triggerjerk]

Sounds like a fine combo to me.

[pecka]

What about a man purse? Your nylon brief case you were talking about would be perfect. You just have to remember to lock your gun up when you get to work.

[CrazyIvan]

Originally Posted by george_l

What kind of an office setting are we talking about? Are you just wearing shirt and tie or do you also wear a jacket? If a jacket then what about a paddle or inside the pants holster? Remember that if you're wearing a fanny pack you're basically advertising that you're either gay or carrying...something to be careful about. Ankle holsters aren't too bad...I wear one at work sometimes, but I wear boots and jeans. They aren't usually for quick drawing, more for a hostage/long term situation. If you really have no other option then you could always go with a derringer in the pocket.

It's a business-casual office. Polo shirt/button up, jeans/slacks, no tennis shoes.

Denver and Colorado in general is becoming increasingly more inundated with illegal immigrants, across the board. They span from our southern Colorado Springs, Pueblo, through Denver all the way up to Boulder and Fort Collins. I believe this is because for one, Colorado has been recognized by many folks as a sanctuary state, as well as the fact that Interstate 25 leads right from Mexico to here, and we are the first big city they come to on that road. Illegal immigrants have been the suspects in many of the recent shootings against police officers, citizens and anyone else who they get the urge to harm or feeling they don't like on the whim.

Denver is a major hub for drug and human traficcing. From here, they can head West via the largest highway that crosses the Rocky Mountains to Las Vegas and California. They can head North to Canada, where illegal drugs are taken across the border into Canada, where many of them are legal. They can head East on I-70, taking them to Chicago, Boston and New York.

I drive about 20 miles one way to work. Sometimes I come home late at night when it is dark. I have had my car break down a couple times. No fun sitting in the dark with unknowns and dark places surrounding you. My office was broken into (it was an inside job) last weekend. I have no doubt that a few of my co-workers may be capable of doing others harm in the office if they flipped out. There are about 30 of us, and I would say at least 2, I don't have good feelings about. Never felt that before, but I do here.

I also walk roughly a block from where I park to and from my apartment and my car. The complex here has had break-ins, in both cars and apartments. At night, it is dark, there are long corridors with lots of shadows. My complex is adjacent to the commuter train station, where during off-peak hours, it is usually frequented by people with malicious intent or otherwise shady. There is also a City Bus station here. We all know how a great majority of those who ride public transportation are. Druggies, drunks, thieves...

I don't know if I want to leave my gun in my car at the office. That is all I need is to get it stolen or taken along with the car.

I'd probably lock it up during the day. But, at least would have limited access to it.

I've kind of settled on an ankle holster. I don't think I would be the first to be attacked and if I were, I'm pretty sure I would know with enough time to reach down and grab it before they can get to me. No matter where you have your gun, if someone has a gun pointed at you and shoots, you aren't going to have time to really do much anyway.

I will set up the other rig with the CD case, also, as I described earlier, for the office. I think I will do that until I feel more comfortable carrying it with me. That is a pretty good idea. I've read about other people doing that too. Someone here, I think, posted it about them taking it to their college that way. That was in one of those VA Tech Shooting threads. Gave me the idea.

[nighthawk80]

They make tuckable holsters, like this one:
CCWSUPPLY.BIZ - Ross M15 Open-Tuck IWB Holster

That might be an option. I would feel much more comfortable having the gun on me rather than in a bag or CD case. I am a rather forgetfull person, I have been busy gethering stuff up and forget my Ipod, keys, etc at the office several times. At first you would probaly remember every time, but after a while you will start to get comfortable, that is when you could start forgeting to grab you bag or CD case. And if you don't fully trust several of your co-workers, well them?
Not trying to tell you that you are wrong, I also would be trying to find a good way to protect myself, I'm just throwing out senerios.

[CrazyIvan]

Checked out that site a bit. Cool link NH. I'll check more into it when I get some time!

[dave375hh]

Forget the North American Arms and your PPK clone. What you need is a Kel-Tec P-3AT it's a .380 that only weighs 7.7ozs. I carry mine in a pocket holster to break the outline. I can easily conceal it even in jogging shorts and a t-shirt. There's nothing out there that works as well or carries as easily as the P-3AT.

[nighthawk80]

Originally Posted by CrazyIvan

Checked out that site a bit. Cool link NH. I'll check more into it when I get some time!

Thanks, I will try and see if I have anymore tuckables links saved. I did alot of looking up when I got my ccw

Tuck-This!™
Links
Comp-Tac : Products
Just a couple of more idea's.

[BamaBowTie]

You may also consider a "day planner" type holster, Dillon Precision makes an affordable one. With that you would have a safe way to transport from briefcase to desk without it being seen.

[CrazyIvan]

well just bought an ankle holster. I was reading through the net about carry methods and it kind of hit me reading about different methods.

If you have an off-body carry method...and you are mugged, well, what generally does the person take who is mugging you? Your bag, your wallet, your day planner, whatever you may be carrying. "Yea, here is my day planner with my gun in it..." oops, lol.

So, I think this ankle holster will be good.

EDIT: Only bad thing is that I have big calves so it slides down to my lower ankle and rests on the shoe. So, it is kind of not working out the way it is right now. I need to rig a line to hold it up, or buy one that is built that way...

[Triggerjerk]

I think that may be okay as you need deep concealment in the office. Keep it in belt or jacket pocket otherwise. I once needed a knife that was in my boot, and the proximity of the enemy made it impossible for me to retrieve it from my boot. He was too close for me to bend over and access the knife.

[Slow Fuse]

On a pair of mid calf cowboy boots I had a holster sewen inside the top on the inside of the leg and that would solves your ankle carry problems . If you ever noticed some frisking a person very seldom touches the inside of the ankles and that is where I put mine


slow fuse

don't drink the water, fish poop in it