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THIS IS USCCA In this section, USCCA members share their challenges, experiences, and successes with each other, to the benefit of all. voices of the uscca What’s your favorite concealed carry method? What makes that method work well for you? I bought your normal inexpensive elastic and Velcro belly band thinking that I would use it until I found the perfect holster. Two years later, after buying and trading for a dozen or so different holsters, I am still using the belly band for every day carry. I like it because it keeps the weapon close to my body and does not allow it to move around. It has a space for a spare magazine and small flashlight or other tool if I like. The band puts no weight on my belt so it can be worn with any type of clothing from gym shorts to a dress suit. I have read a lot about how folks deal with restroom functions while carrying and with my belly band I can simply raise it and the weapon stays in place and remains accessible. There is also no chance that I will forget and leave it behind. If I choose to open carry while around the house I can simply strap the belly band on over my house clothes. Since it is elastic, it will conform to whichever weapon I may be carrying that day, be it a compact .380 or a full size 9mm. The only downside that I have found is that it takes two hands to safely re-holster. They are not going to be for everyone but so far a simple belly band is what has worked best for me. I will continue my search for the perfect EDC holster but I may well have already found it. Joe C. in TN I use a right side appendix IWB. Conceals very well. I always wear my shirts un-tucked. Easier access in the car and feels more secure to me when I am on my motorcycle. I may be just a touch faster on the draw also. Wayne in OH Appendix IWB is my favorite way to carry. I use a Dale Fricke Archangel holster for either one of my XD(M) 9mm. Besides using a good holster, the best tip I can give if you’re going to carry IWB, is, don’t skimp on the belt. I used a flimsy belt for some time and had problems keeping the gun where it belonged, plus some associated pains in the back and my leg. Now that I use a sturdy riggers style belt, the difference is night and day. The holster stays where it’s supposed to and any pains or discomfort from carrying IWB have gone away. Plus, it’s the fastest draw I’ve experienced in the various ways I’ve carried. Joel in MI I prefer pocket carry for two reasons: First, my pistol is always in the same exact place, no matter what I happen to be wearing. Second, my pistol is always unnoticeable, no matter what I’m doing. The downside, however, is that shooting a tiny, powerful pistol is extremely difficult, and therefore requires lots and lots of extra practice. My pocket holsters were made by Robert Mika. His work is made from sweat-proof material which molds to the gun sufficiently to permit onehand holstering. Steve in WA I first started carrying at 5 o’clock, but I have a physical problem getting my hand and arm back that far so I tried appendix carry at 2 o’clock and found a winner for me. My most comfortable carry is my Colt Defender .45 ACP in a Blackhawk soft tuck holster #3. One thing about appendix carry is that the gun is very accessible when riding in my car with seat belt on. With the safety on and one in the pipe I am comfortable with appendix carry. George in MI Let’s start by saying I’m a lefty. I carry a 1911 IWB between 8 and 9 o’clock, just behind the hip bone. I use TT Gunleather Holsters and belts. I have holsters for 3-inch, 4-inch, 4.25-inch, and 5-inch barrels. No matter which I’m carrying, they all ride the same way in the exactly the same place, and can be brought into play in the same manner from under a loose fitting shirt. I carry my wallet in my weakside back pocket so I don’t accidentally expose my weapon when taking out my billfold. DJ in FL In the months when it is cooler I like using a tee-shirt holster from A Better Holster. It is always easy to get to and it hides so well. Plus you can carry up to 3 spare mags under the other arm. I kept the purchase from my wife because I wanted to see how long it took for her to notice. She never did see it but one day when leaving a store, she was holding my arm and brushed up against it and said, “What is that under your arm?” I just smiled and kept walking. Russ in MI 8 USCONCEALEDCARRY.COM n CONCEALED CARRY MAGAZINE n MAY/JUNE 2011
I am a lefty, so finding a good holster for those of us in our “right brain” can be rather frustrating. One of my CCW instructors is in the business of making handmade holsters for concealed carry. It works well, fits well, and the draw is flawless. I prefer an IWB holster because I feel they are better for concealment purposes. Scott L. in OH I believe that simple is better, especially in a crisis situation. We’ve all heard the “half as good as in practice” lesson, so I have taken out the extra steps between the beginning and ending of a gunfight. I carry a Kahr CW9, with no safeties other than the DAO trigger, in a Don Hume IWB holster at about 3:30 coupled with two 7 round magazines in a G&G pouch on the weak side. Shawn H. in NE OH There are two important things for ease of carry. Comfort (so that you’ll continue to carry) and ease of concealment. The most effective combination I’ve found to cover these two important factors is the Crossbreed IWB holster, and a thin, low-profile gun. I carry a Walther PPS .40 in a Crossbreed Super Tuck Horsehide, with a heavy-duty belt from Crossbreed. It is very comfortable, and since I carry it every day all day, if I have to go without, it seems odd, akin to not wearing your watch or your pants. Well, the latter may be a bit embarrassing, just as you’d be embarrassed if you needed your firearm and did not have it in your possession. Dan in VA I use a Blackhawk IWB holster that has been modified by adding a clip on the lower web. This causes the holster to lay down a bit more and fit me better. Mark J. in CO I like to front pocket carry and ankle carry with 2 guns (and 2 extra mags) that are the same so that there is no confusion about how to use either one of them if it comes down to a gun fight. That way I have access to them if I’m standing or sitting and I have interchangeable parts if I need to repair one of them. Both ways are very concealable. I have never been detected (that I know of) after carrying for about 20 years. I figured that shoulder carry and waist carry will be detected by people who like to hug you. Bruce in NC OWB and Kydex for me. I like the Raven Concealment Systems Phantom Modular with the accessory pancake wings. It holds my H&K P7 PSP high and tight, just the way I like it. I add a short length of paracord to tether the holster to a belt loop so it does not slide around. Sometimes I’ll mirror it with an identical P7 PSP in a left-hand holster on the left hip. The P7 has great ambi characteristics, so it’s good for a lefty. If needed, it’s also a good hand off gun to my wife or whoever happens to be with me if bad stuff happens. Todd in WA My usual carry method is in an OWB holster. To conceal I wear a vest, untucked shirt, or a jacket. I use El Paso Saddlery or Galco holsters because they keep my 1911 tucked tightly to my body. I also use a Crossbreed Super Tuck (IWB) to carry a snubby revolver when I’m wearing light summer clothes. Both methods work well for me and the guns are in the same position always, so no confusion if a draw is required. Mary in NM How about a favorite concealed carry position? I have three favorite methods depending on the situation, but they are all at the same or nearly the same position. Consistency is my most important issue. In a life and death situation, I don’t want to go searching for the gun. They are all at the appendix area. Smart Carry when concealment is critical. Joab holster and Ehud magazine pouch when casual with an untucked t- shirt or sweatshirt. Tommy’s Gun Pack when biking and as a nighttime fanny pack as mentioned by Kathy Jackson in the July 2010 issue of CCM. (Since my middle finger has a nasty habit of coming in contact with the trigger on my XD 9 when practicing presentation from the gun pack, I double stitched a nylon loop in the pack and attached a Zack concealment holster to it. Works perfect!) Tad in Ohio Next issue’s question: How have you helped your children or grandchildren learn to be safe around firearms? What suggestions about kids and guns do you have for other parents? We love pictures! Photos encouraged. Send your comments to tips@usconcealedcarry.com. Each entry must use fewer than 75 words, and must be signed either with a complete name or with a first name plus location. Due to volume received, not all submissions can be acknowledged. Entries may be edited for length and clarity. MAY/JUNE 2011 n CONCEALED CARRY MAGAZINE n USCONCEALEDCARRY.COM 9
Page 1 and 2: REVIEW! SIG SAUER P229 vol.8, ISSUE
Page 3 and 4: tIM’S THOUGHTS ACROSS THE EDITOR
Page 5 and 6: COLUMNS 13 CCM PROFILE Nick Antrill
Page 7: TRUE STORIES CARRY A GUN... IT MAY
Page 11 and 12: THIS IS USCCA I hope he does, but I
Page 13 and 14: CCM PROFILE Nick Antrillo “Owning
Page 15 and 16: PROFILE No, and if I run my life ri
Page 17 and 18: SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS work, what’s
Page 19 and 20: Amid the unimaginable horror of des
Page 21 and 22: Selecting a gun for Sarah is a chal
Page 23 and 24: BETTER LET HER PACK be the best to
Page 25 and 26: left: In the past 20 or so years, t
Page 27 and 28: The 15-round magazine from the full
Page 29 and 30: Learning how to shoot around cover
Page 31 and 32: The Balance of Speed & Precision Ta
Page 33 and 34: THE WARRIOR EXPERT This pistol is p
Page 35 and 36: above: Guns America’s web site, a
Page 37 and 38: BUYING GUNS ONLINE Ways to protect
Page 39 and 40: Many are unwilling to pull the trig
Page 41 and 42: LOWER LEVELS OF FORCE Even perfect
Page 43 and 44: PHOTOS BY OLEG VOLK • A-HUMAN-RIG
Page 45 and 46: Caution should be taken should the
Page 47 and 48: above: Firing from behind cover is
Page 49 and 50: DRILLS FOR HANDGUN SELECTION above:
Page 51 and 52: column, Andy will give you free shi
Page 53 and 54: The Switchback uses three different
Page 55 and 56: There are worse things than being s
Page 57 and 58: The Sayoc Tactical Group regularly
Page 59 and 60:
ARMED SENIOR CITIZEN a habit that b
Page 61 and 62:
...IT’S JUST THE LAW equivalent.
Page 63 and 64:
Mark Walters and Tim Schmidt Uncove
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