Any of you new CCW's a little nervous about being in public while carrying?

[SVTNate]

So first of all, I picked up my CCW from Melissa yesterday, so +1 for Orange County, boys!!!

I didn't carry yesterday because I was going to a concert in San Diego, on a public school campus, and thought I might end up drinking a couple beers after the show. So, the guns stayed at home.

Today, I've been to the gas station, and went to get lunch at a busy fast food place (ate it there). I am constantly worried about whether my shirt is riding up, showing my gun, or whether anyone notices the minute amount of printing around the mag. I made sure to take a table in the back, where my gun was against a wall, and not out in an aisle where someone might see it print while I eat, or bump into it, etc.

I've got good gear. Good gun belt, good holster, oversized shirt. The gun practically disappears, and I probably have little to worry about.

While I'm sure that my awareness is a good thing, did you guys experience this bit of discomfort at first, and does it go away? Like I said, I know I'm over-reacting, but I just really want to stay within the law and keep a low profile.

-Nate

[EM2]

Originally Posted by SVTNate

So first of all, I picked up my CCW from Melissa yesterday, so +1 for Orange County, boys!!!

I didn't carry yesterday because I was going to a concert in San Diego, on a public school campus, and thought I might end up drinking a couple beers after the show. So, the guns stayed at home.

Today, I've been to the gas station, and went to get lunch at a busy fast food place (ate it there). I am constantly worried about whether my shirt is riding up, showing my gun, or whether anyone notices the minute amount of printing around the mag. I made sure to take a table in the back, where my gun was against a wall, and not out in an aisle where someone might see it print while I eat, or bump into it, etc.

I've got good gear. Good gun belt, good holster, oversized shirt. The gun practically disappears, and I probably have little to worry about.

While I'm sure that my awareness is a good thing, did you guys experience this bit of discomfort at first, and does it go away? Like I said, I know I'm over-reacting, but I just really want to stay within the law and keep a low profile.

-Nate

It does get easier over time.
You'll find that you are more aware of your surroundings.
Good choice on selecting your seating arrangements to avoid detection.

[SVTNate]

I also immediately found that it's tough to position the gun/holster while seated in the car in order to keep it somewhat comfortable. My car has sport seats with thick side and thigh bolsters, and there is really no room to spare. The gun and holster smash up between my body, the side bolster, and the seat. Every time I get back in the car, I spend a few seconds fiddling with the rig to get it in the right spot.

I'm sure you more experienced guys are rolling your eyes at my "revelations", but it's all new to me. I'm also trying to find a place within arm's reach to keep a spare loaded mag, where it won't be exposed when I open the door (or to an officer, whom I want to see my CCW permit before he sees anything else, you know?)

[SierraNevadaCCW]

Over time it will be like wearing a watch...you only notice when it's missing.

Actually...even with carrying as long as I have, I get that nervous thing sometimes.... like at my kid's open house...in the auditorium filled with people, teachers and the principle. I got there late and stood in front of the huge audience just to the side of where the principle was talking. That made me kinda feel a little weird about packing heat. Stupid...but it happens.

[Glock32]

Congrats on the good news.
FYI: Nobody is rolling eyes around here. We all started this whole ccw thing at one point or another. What you are going through right now is not only normal, it is expected. After a while you will get comfortable. Around the two week mark things started getting a lot better for me.
1. Don't overdo the 'sitting in the corner deal trying to hide it deal'. The 'clunk' of your gun's butt or frame hitting the seat or the wall may send the wrong message to the wrong folks.
2. Restroom. Others here may disagree, but I say practice 'doing your thing' without placing the gun on the tank. Folks have walked away without their guns just to find out later. Not a good thing. A holstered gun is a safe gun (Gunsite).
Any other questions you may have, feel free to ask. Most if not all here are willing to share their experiences with a new 'packer'. In reality I think nobody out there pays too much attention. Don't believe me, well, spend an hour at the mall. It's all about 'me first' and people are way to busy with their own stuff to worry about the wrinkles in your shirt.
Stay safe and out of trouble and let us know in a few weeks what impact ccw has on your life.

[Dan M.]

Way to go, Nate. You'll get used to most of that and you'll figure out which clothing combos work best for you, and you'll stop worrying about it. I was the same way at first, especially around LEOs. The car seat thing is something you just have to learn to ignore once you've fiddled enough. Unless you have a truck with big seats and it's not an issue, there's only so much fiddling you can do.

[JD65]

Congrats on the CCW - be safe.

Constantly checking your shirt and hitching your pants will give you away more than actual "printing" ever will. The less you do of it, the better. If you're still worried, an occasional casual check to make sure your shirt is hanging the way it should is probably more than sufficient.

Trust your gear and be aware of your surroundings.

As far as the spare magazine in the car - Don't know what you drive, but most cars will have some sort of compartment or cubbyhole in the dash where you can stow a magazine. If not, you could probably make something to fit in the door map pocket. I'm thinking of black foam rubber - it would fit snugly in the pocket, so it wouldn't pull out when you went to withdraw a magazine, but with a cut-out hole for a magazine. With a black base plate on the magazine, it would be mostly unnoticed on casual glance. As far as law enforcement seeing it - your notification to them of your CCW status should be immediate before your door opens and the magazine becomes an issue.

[1buba]

I've been carrying this time for right at a year now (last time was in '95-'97 or '98. Have gotten MUCH more comfortable. however, we had a little storm go through last night, and it was pretty windy today. When I got out of the truck at lunch i got REAL self conscious... The wind was moving my shirt around alot.

[CCWInstructor]

Originally Posted by SVTNate

While I'm sure that my awareness is a good thing, did you guys experience this bit of discomfort at first, and does it go away? Like I said, I know I'm over-reacting, but I just really want to stay within the law and keep a low profile.

-Nate

That is a good thing. Always be aware. The day you aren't is the day you "Flash".

[45 ACP]

Congrats on reaching your goal. A couple of points of advice:

Don't worry about anyone noticing. As already mentioned, most people are too busy being "obliviots" to even notice a wrinkle or bulge under your shirt.

Do be careful about people that "rub" up against you in line, escalators, etc etc etc. I turn my body to prevent the wayward idiot from touching metal. It also prevents kids from whacking their heads on your piece, crying to mommy and daddy, thereby starting the inevitable questioning (ask me how I know )

You can also strategically drop your arm and conduct a "block" maneuver. Again, awareness. You'll get used to it.

I take the rude/aggressive approach in confined places like elevators. *ding*, doors open, I make a beeline for the back corners. Not quite the push-and-shove technique, but you'll get the hang of it!

You may end up changing fashion styles to accomodate. For what it's worth, try not to sacrifice caliber/size simply to accomodate clothing. If you do it beyond when it's necessary, you'll most likely never go back. Trust me, there's no better feeling than pulling out your 'ol trusty piece as opposed to that little 5-shot .38 2" you carry because it's more "comfortable." Use your brain when you choose the tool for the job.

Take a spare reload!!!!! Magazine, speed loader, speed strip, whatever it may be: Take it with you!!!!!

I don't use public urinals, stalls work better for obvious reasons. If you have a "Code Brown" emergency, put your piece inside your pants. The biggest risk you run here is a brown-stain mark on your slide as opposed to that sinking feeling when you realize you left it on the tank/toilet roll holder.

Also, as already mentioned, be careful what you lean up against. You wouldn't believe how loud of a "clunk" your piece will make against a glass display case, even if it's under a medium thickness jacket. With the proliferation of cellphones, the old "Pager" excuse just doesn't work so well anymore.

Enjoy. Be responsible and above all else, be aware.

[Poogsdad]

Congratulations Sir,

As has already been said by many "It will get easier over time".

Carry your weapon/weapons as often as possible and everywhere you can legally do so. Over time your comfort level will grow and you will become less self conscious about carrying a concealed firearm.

An old Federal Officer I once knew told us that "The best way to carry a concealed fiream is to not act like you are carrying a concealed firearm". This is sometimes easier said than done but it will happen over time with practice.

If you regularly wear a hat or carry something in your hand or elsewere on your body openly, these items can serve to draw the attention of someone looking at you away from where you may be carrying your weapon or any behaviors that may indicate you are carrying a firearm.

I am a cowboy action shooter and disable veteren. I routinely wear a cowboy hat and boots. I also walk with a cane. Invariably, these are the first things people see and focus on when I walk into a room or approach them in public. For people who have just met me or only know me casually, they also tend to be the things they continue to focus on and remember.

Assuming you do not do anything to attract attention, you will realize that most of the people around you will have no idea you are carrying.

Congratulations again,

[G30 Steve]

Congratulations!

It does get easier.

Seat bolsters are a pain in the... well rib cage. When I wear a paddle holster, I inconspicuously slide it up to about 2:00 - 2:30 as I get in my car. I slide it back to 3:30 as I get out. Believe it or not, my new rig (G36 in a MTAC) doesn't require any adjustment for my seats. It's very comfortable at 3:30 even in my sport seats. If you spend a lot of time in the car, you may want to consider a fanny pack or ankle holster.

[GBROKE]

This is a great post... I received my CCW a few months ago and I do not always let the wife know I am carrying because she thinks I am insane! Still working on that... So she has no idea I am carrying and we go to Fashion Island... First place she wants to go is a high end jewelry store... You know with the armed guards and this is my first time carrying, boy was I nervous... I went in and then said I think I will wait for you outside... HA HA...

One other questions is I get nervous in the car when the piece is aimed at my "family jewels"... I know I am overreacting, but it still makes me nervous...

[BYcyclist]

Originally Posted by GMONEY

One other questions is I get nervous in the car when the piece is aimed at my "family jewels"... I know I am overreacting, but it still makes me nervous...

No sweat. Guns don't shoot themselves. Don't overthink it.

[1buba]

Originally Posted by 45 ACP

It also prevents kids from whacking their heads on your piece, crying to mommy and daddy, thereby starting the inevitable questioning (ask me how I know )

Quick story, some of you know about my hardware (both shoulders and both hips replaced).

Anyway, one day at church Anthony ran into my gun with his head and let out a bit of an exaggerated "ouch!" The preacher, who knows i carry, was standing near-by and caught my eye with that "I know what that is" look. I looked him straight in the eye and deadpanned "steel hip." He about choked on his tongue. it was priceless.