my first 48hrs with a permit

[point45]

It has been interesting to say the least, hopefully this will give some insight the the other cherries and anyone on the line about applying in Orange County.

The application process was a breeze, 6 weeks total no stress or pressure. Everyone was supportive and helpful down at PSD. Go apply for your permit! Even if just to talk to Melissa, yes shes that nice.

So far only 2 people have made me, the girlfriend when i got a hug and the mom when we went out to lunch (moms really do know everything, very creepy). I told her the food tastes better and the service is more prompt when carrying.

Before i received my permit i carried concealed at work all the time, so i have something of an idea of what works and what doesnt. And im somewhat past the stage of thinking everyone can see it print. But every so often someone will stare at me in what i perceive to be an other then normal manner. But so far I just chalk it up to my rugged good looks , and no LEO has come to speak with me after the fact.

As to my build im 5ft 8in at 175lb, stocky build, no gut, broad shoulders. Which makes me lucky as the V shape to my torso allows me to hide it better. My buddy is built like a tree and cant even hide a glock 27 on his hip without it printing.

as far as dress goes, regular fitting jeans. day one was a button up shirt and day two was just a regular long sleeve dark shirt.

So far I have only carried my USP compact .45acp with an extra mag. The gun is in a comp-tac, CTAC holster and the extra mag is in a wilderness tactical horizontal mag pouch.

The handgun is about about 8:30-8:45 (im wrong handed), the pouch is at about 3:30-4:00. The CTAC was chosen because of availability, time and the ability to adjust. All of this is supported by a 1.5in wide wilderness instructor belt with the plastic inserts, I have another wilderness belt without the inserts and they make a HUGE difference in supporting the firearm and keeping it in place while moving, bending, etc. The wilderness belt is great because of the adjustability, no notches just the friction lock. I highly suggest this belt with the inserts.

Cinching the belt on the snug side seems to pull the gun closer to the body and helps keep that grip inward.

It is a bit uncomfortable to drive at times since my truck has bucket seats but i deal with it. I have so far driven for over 1hr like this and it digs in a bit but dosent really bother me so far, no bruising or soreness.

Hey I get to legally carry a gun in CA (a nation unto itself) Ill deal with some discomfort.

Another thing to get done is have my front windows tinted slightly, I had to adjust the holster and mag while in the car and this could prove problematic.

Getting in and out of the truck is different, the butt of the gun will snag on the seats if im not cautious. Also when sitting down i am sure to have the gun side facing the wall if possible. I normally have good posture but i must remind myself not to lean forward too far when eating or talking to someone or it starts to print, it still only looks like a larger cell phone or PDA, but I would rather it not show at all.

The mag pouch is right over the pocket where i keep my wallet. It dosent show when taking the wallet out but i may still move it. However on the hip at 3:00 it prints heavily and when walking past things such as chairs and shelving it can and does snag.

After hanging out with the girlfriend for a day i think im doing well so far, she often forgets im carrying and gets that shocked/rolled eyes look when she puts her arm around me. So if she doesn't see it in such close proximity then 99% of the people out there wont either.

Couple things i keep in the back of my mind, when walking around, relax act as if the gun isn't there (to a certain degree), if you keep checking on it or pulling on your shirt it makes you stand out more then if you're just walking around. I people watch alot at school and i notice people more if they keeping looking at their watch/phone or check to see if their back pack is still there all the time. People naturally look at faces not waist lines, when someone is looking at you they are probably just giving you a glancing look or trying to ID you and thus focusing on your head so try not to draw attention to you waistline.

Also on the other end of the spectrum, remember you are still carrying a gun. I almost forgot this today and started to stretch at the book store, the gun would have defiantly shown had i not remembered in time.

One thing that i thought of that didn't even crossed my mind until it happened. Some restrooms have signs that say monitored by cameras (krikorian theater in buena park for example).

Now i doubt they are in the stalls. But when i went to use the rest room at the book store and put everything back in its place i washed my hands and checked myself in the mirror. I had to stop myself from grabbing things through the shirt to adjust, just in case someone was watching. I was not going to lift the shirt but still it looks like you may have put something under there while in the stall and authorities may be called in on a shop lifter. But it may all be paranoia on my part.

So far its been great, only problem is that i have to stop by work on the way to school and leave it in the safe as there is a definite no weapons policy and it would be a shame for me to be expelled my senior year and not finish my degree. However I swear if theres a school shooting and i am injured a lawsuit is coming, may it never come to that though.

I have also bought a 5.11 holster shirt to wear while jogging. Ill see how that works out.

[hygyliac]

You have to be discriminating as to the clothes that you buy now. Unless you are at the range or other similar environment, people who recognize 5.11s will also know what they were designed for. Gang bangers are also buying 5.11s.
I'm glad that you posted your story. Are you also being more aware of your surroundings and other people in your vicinity?

[ptbarnacle]

Originally Posted by hygyliac

You have to be discriminating as to the clothes that you buy now. Unless you are at the range or other similar environment, people who recognize 5.11s will also know what they were designed for. Gang bangers are also buying 5.11s.
I'm glad that you posted your story. Are you also being more aware of your surroundings and other people in your vicinity?

Thanks for the post. Those first 48 hours are a change to your daily life in different ways for different people.

I took a chance and ordered the 5.11 tactical shirt last week to solve a specific problem I have at work on a couple days during the week. I have to bend over, reach, and twist quite a bit in front of customers. Not quite sure about it yet. I'll post a review later after wearing it more than once.

[Glock32]

Originally Posted by hygyliac

You have to be discriminating as to the clothes that you buy now. Unless you are at the range or other similar environment, people who recognize 5.11s will also know what they were designed for. Gang bangers are also buying 5.11s.
I'm glad that you posted your story. Are you also being more aware of your surroundings and other people in your vicinity?

5.11's are also know as 'shoot me first'.

[point45]

Originally Posted by hygyliac

You have to be discriminating as to the clothes that you buy now. Unless you are at the range or other similar environment, people who recognize 5.11s will also know what they were designed for. Gang bangers are also buying 5.11s.
I'm glad that you posted your story. Are you also being more aware of your surroundings and other people in your vicinity?

The holster shirt i bought is the underarmor style compression shirt.
5.11 Tactical Series | Undergear | Holster Shirt

Somewhat of a shoulder holster positioning of the gun. I figure i can wear this with my workout shorts and an larger Tshirt to cover it all up and the compression fit will help keep things in place.

As far as buying clothes, wearing my normal clothes at work with the current setup, ive had numerous people ask me where my gun is or why i dont get to carry when in fact i am. (I work at a range) The current carry setup I have works very well in concealing the gun, if i wear a medium t-shirt I can hide the gun but must forego the extra mag holder. However at this point i can put the mag in my pocket.

I have started to wear dress shirts that button up, and to those that know me this is a sure sign that i have a gun (or on a date). I almost never wear anything with a collar as im very casual. Even before i started carrying in public i began to wear button up shirts just to get the people around me acclimated to seeing me in that attire, but all my buddies know.

As to being aware of my surroundings, i have always been alert or "on" so to speak when out in public. Due to various jobs ive had its been ingrained in me already to know whats going on.

I think me and my buddy that has his permit are going to have a gun day. Dress up in business attire and carry the full size guns we have on the permits. His being a govt sized 1911 in 10mm and mine a USPf in .45acp, we will invite the girls and see if they pick up on it.

[hbliam]

Originally Posted by point45

I have also bought a 5.11 holster shirt to wear while jogging. Ill see how that works out.

Having the permit to carry is nice but...while jogging?

[Hoser]

Originally Posted by point45

I think me and my buddy that has his permit are going to have a gun day. Dress up in business attire and carry the full size guns we have on the permits. His being a govt sized 1911 in 10mm and mine a USPf in .45acp, we will invite the girls and see if they pick up on it.

[BonoVox]

Wait a minute....I did not notice in your post that you hit Wallyworld for some ammo and Nachos!! That is a tradition on many carry boards on your first day of carrying.

Well now you have an excuse to go buy some practice ammo at Wallyworld.

Yep the first 48 hours are interesting. Thanks for the post! I have been carrying for 7 months now. Only time I get a little nervous is at family gatherings where everybody wants to hug you. Then you race for the low hug position! LOL Out in public the only time I am ever concerned is during those very windy days. Then it is forearm close to body.

[ptbarnacle]

Originally Posted by point45

The holster shirt i bought is the underarmor style compression shirt.
5.11 Tactical Series | Undergear | Holster Shirt

Somewhat of a shoulder holster positioning of the gun. I figure i can wear this with my workout shorts and an larger Tshirt to cover it all up and the compression fit will help keep things in place.

I have started to wear dress shirts that button up, and to those that know me this is a sure sign that i have a gun (or on a date). I almost never wear anything with a collar as im very casual. Even before i started carrying in public i began to wear button up shirts just to get the people around me acclimated to seeing me in that attire, but all my buddies know.

I would not trust the 5.11 while jogging, unless you want your tit and underarm bruised. It still moves around a lot. Consider a Camelback hip-pouch which will carry your pistol and some water.

The 5.11 is very hard to draw fast. Especialy with a non-elastic cover shirt. Having gotten used to a MS VMII, they are night and day approaches. The shirt requires you to reach up your outer shirt, push past the velcro closure, reach down into the pocket, and remove the pistol following the same path out. Very tricky. I would not rely on the 5.11 in a situation where I would have to draw quickly. Although, it does add some security from being disarmed in a surprise scuffle. Worn it once for the day and it did not feel right. Jury still out. A very specific need. Might be my Thanksgiving Family super concealed holster. All it really needs is some sewn in pockets for some steel plate in case of repeated hits.

[hygyliac]

Originally Posted by ptbarnacle

All it really needs is some sewn in pockets for some steel plate in case of repeated hits.

I walked right into that ambush!!! You got me you sneaky guy you!!

[point45]

Originally Posted by hbliam

Having the permit to carry is nice but...while jogging?

Why not?

Do the criminals have some code of ethics that precludes them from attacking me while i work out. Or maybe they are just to lazy to go jogging to try and attack me.

Tried the 5.11 shirt and while it would definatly be slower then a holster on the waist it still allows me to keep the gun on me while wearing workout clothes. And its better to me then a fannypack since i hate wearing one while running as it moves around and a fanny pack really does scream gun.

Once i have my hand on the gun its easy to rip it out of there. I leave the grip poking out of the pocket and it lets me just grab the gun once my hand is under there. It does get in the way slightly, but as with driving while carrying a gun, I just deal with it. Yes it is slower, yes its made by 5.11, yes i keep a gun on me when working out. May it be overkill? perhaps but what good is having a permit if you dont use it.

[ptbarnacle]

Originally Posted by point45

Why not?

Do the criminals have some code of ethics that precludes them from attacking me while i work out. Or maybe they are just to lazy to go jogging to try and attack me.

Tried the 5.11 shirt and while it would definatly be slower then a holster on the waist it still allows me to keep the gun on me while wearing workout clothes. And its better to me then a fannypack since i hate wearing one while running as it moves around and a fanny pack really does scream gun.

Once i have my hand on the gun its easy to rip it out of there. I leave the grip poking out of the pocket and it lets me just grab the gun once my hand is under there. It does get in the way slightly, but as with driving while carrying a gun, I just deal with it. Yes it is slower, yes its made by 5.11, yes i keep a gun on me when working out. May it be overkill? perhaps but what good is having a permit if you dont use it.

Are you saying you've jogged with it? I wore it and when hopping up and down, the gun bounces quite a bit. I carried the Kimber Ultra CDP and it is a pretty light gun. I could see a S&W airweight. How did it work for you?

[hbliam]

Originally Posted by point45

Why not?

Do the criminals have some code of ethics that precludes them from attacking me while i work out. Or maybe they are just to lazy to go jogging to try and attack me.

I understand that we could need our ccw anywhere at anytime. Conversely, you can also make decisions that would drop the need for a CCW to next to nil. Like jogging in irvine rather then hawaiian gardens. I'm going sailing in 15 minutes...out of Long Beach...without a gun. Just don't think I'll run into anyone out there.

PS: Congrats on your CCW, update your profile.

[point45]

Originally Posted by ptbarnacle

Are you saying you've jogged with it? I wore it and when hopping up and down, the gun bounces quite a bit. I carried the Kimber Ultra CDP and it is a pretty light gun. I could see a S&W airweight. How did it work for you?

The gun bounces when jogging but not to the extent that it would bother me. But the USP compact fills up the holster a bit and and that may help in keeping it from shifting around.

[point45]

Originally Posted by hbliam

I understand that we could need our ccw anywhere at anytime. Conversely, you can also make decisions that would drop the need for a CCW to next to nil. Like jogging in irvine rather then hawaiian gardens. I'm going sailing in 15 minutes...out of Long Beach...without a gun. Just don't think I'll run into anyone out there.

PS: Congrats on your CCW, update your profile.

Thanks!

In reality i probably only NEED to carry right around my work schedule. But i have some experience with the criminal element and bearing witness to the lowest that society offers, it does not comfort me that these people are released on a regular basis and simply out amongst the pubilc. Many of them do not fit the classic criminal stereotype in appearance, some look more like my grandfather than a serial killer.

What people are arrested for and charged with doing, how they go about those acts many times made me ill.

My friends that are federal and local investigators telling me the circumstances of past cases. The motives for such malicious and inhumane deeds over such trivial matters and sometimes for no reason other then that they could.

While i do not go around expecting trouble nor do i go looking for it, i do not deny that bad things happen to good people. And not just in the bad parts of town.