Concealed Carry Advice for Beginners
You’ve recently bought a handgun and qualified for a concealed carry permit. Now it’s time to learn more. Here is some advice from experienced concealed carry weapon owners.
Focus on Holsters
If you’ve just bought your first pistol and a holster for it, you know what a daunting task it is to get just the right match. Fair warning. Before you get it just right, you’re likely to end up with a drawer full of holsters. It takes time to get really comfortable with a gun and holster system. But finding the right match is crucial. It will keep you safe and help you carry every day.
Many decide to leave their firearms at home. They don’t like the way their holster feels. That’s why it is important to find a great holster. Get into the habit of carrying every day, everywhere. That weapon isn’t going to do you any good stuck in a drawer, a locked box, or a gun safe.
Wear your Holster, Gun Belt and Weapon around Home
So what if this seems dorky or overkill. When you break in a new pair of shoes, you wear them for short periods around the house. Since you aren’t sure exactly how your new concealed carry set up is going to work, try it around home before you go out. That way you will avoid embarrassing things your gun dropping to the floor or inadvertently exposing your weapon to those around you. You’ll also learn to stop fingering or patting your weapon to make sure it is there. Get familiar with your new setup. Make sure it doesn’t chafe or sag. Like a new bra, make sure it feels natural to wear.
Hands off
If you keep patting, fingering, or exposing that handgun. Everyone will know you are carrying a concealed firearm. Your adjusting and fidgeting give you away. Hands off in public. If you must check or adjust do your vehicle or a rest room. If you’ve gotten comfortable with your setup before leaving home, you should be able to sense without touching that something needs adjusting.
Don’t Add Gadgets
Trust your gun’s manufacturer. He spent time and money creating a firearm that work the way it should. Don’t add after-market parts. They’re just gimmicks.
Don’t Act Armed
Hello? It’s a concealed carry pistol. New carriers often act nervous and armed in public. If you’ve chosen your set up wisely and practiced wearing it around the house, then it should be concealed properly. No one should guess that you’re carrying. Go about your normal activities.
Practice Makes Perfect
Train with your weapon and holster setup. Become familiar with your concealed carry firearm. Spend time at the shooting range. Practice drawing your weapon. Experiment wearing different clothes. Prepare yourself for any situation. There is no such thing as too much practice.
Know and Practice Safe Firearm Handling
To qualify for your concealed carry permit, you should have had to take a firearms safety course. If it wasn’t mandatory, take it. The recite the rules for firearms safety. Post them where you will see them. Every time you take up your firearm, practice them.
Check your firearm automatically every time it leaves your hand.
Keep it to Yourself
Don’t advertise to the general public that you are carrying. They should not know where your handgun is on your body. Keeping this information private.
Carry a Round in the Chamber
Often new concealed carry weapon owners are afraid of carrying with one bullet in the chamber. Guns will not go off unless the trigger is pulled. It’s a simple fact. Get into the habit of having one round in the chamber. This habit could save your life.
Keep on Learning
No matter how old we get or how much experience we have, there are always new things to learn. Technology improves equipment. We reach new levels of skill. Hit the shooting range regularly. Read lots about concealed carry. Talk with others. Carrying a concealed weapon is a serious matter. But, you can have fun honing your craft and socializing with others who have similar interests.
