My First Year of Carry.

[nodaywithout]

My First year of carrying has been very different as I am in Oklahoma the weather can be pretty unpredictable, I still remember the first time I carried concealed I felt as if people would know, as if someone would say hey that guy is wearing a vest he must be concealed. But of course being the newbie that I was I could not just set it and forget it, I had to try extra hard to keep it hidden and only having one holster that worked for me at the time did not help. A month later I found that I knew the SAXD would be a bit too long for me for when it came to summer so I bought a Glock 30 as I knew it would be better come spring, got to love tax returns! As it was winter and all I very quickly found out how uncomfortable it can be to put a piece of steel against your skin when its 20 degrees outside. As time progressed I bought more holsters and became more secure in the my carrying and it was not long before had the hang of it and found the best concealed carry for me was either my pancake holster (OWB) in the winter or my favorite IWB tuckable holster for year round and for open carry (primarily used for training and hunting) I use either the paddle or the pancake both with good retention. I have learned the do’s and don’t of carry, how to keep my mind in the “yellow” zone more often than not. But best of all I have found out what size pants, and shirts I need, located a great belt made for carry.
I finally got to a point where I know what shirts to wear and what not to wear because they are either too small or print. I no longer feel like my heart is going to jump out of my chest each time I educate a LEO that I am a CWL and I am armed at that time. However my heart does still beat a little faster but oh well.

The BEST PART….It has been a little over a year and I have not had to shoot anyone THANK GOD! And I still hope I never have too.

[VegasGeorge]

Good report, nodaywithout! I've been carrying (legally) for about 7 years. I honestly can't remember the first day. I really identify with part of your post. My carry experience improved drastically when I decided to wear clothes to accommodate the gun instead of trying to make the gun disappear under clothing that was never designed for concealed carry. I'm much happier now. A good strong side belt or paddle holster, and generously cut shirts, sweater vests, jackets. The only way to go, for me.

And, "Amen," to not having to shoot anyone yet.

[junglebob]

Nodaywithout, What brand is your favorite IWB holster, and where did you get your belt?

[Clark]

NoDay - I am thrilled that you did not have to defend yourself in your first year! I only hope that you can make it the rest of your life with out the need to defend yourself. It is better to have the ability and not use it, than not have the ability and need it.

thanks for your post.

[tuna]

Nice post, it takes a while to get comfortable, but it is great to finally be able to relax (a little) while carrying.

[Dogman]

Give it a another year or two and you won't even think about it, carrying just becomes a part of you. Wait till you have 32 years carrying under your belt, it will take you longer to decide which holster to wear than it takes you to get dressed.

[nodaywithout]

Nodaywithout, What brand is your favorite IWB holster, and where did you get your belt?

I use one brand of IWB for the time as the one i really want is made by highnoon and they make most things as the orders come in.
The brand i use is AceCase.com they have several for around 10 - 15 which work very well for me, i find that the tuckable is a very nice purchase as it gives you the option to dress up.
The Belt i have is made by 5.11 i picked it up at a local police supply store. but you can get them online. i think it is the operator or trainer belt

Give it a another year or two and you won't even think about it, carrying just becomes a part of you. Wait till you have 32 years carrying under your belt, it will take you longer to decide which holster to wear than it takes you to get dressed.
32 years of carry would bring way too many choices, i have 3 or more holsters for each of my pistols. i cant imagine what it would be like by then.