First Carry

[snatchel]

I'm working on breaking in a Beretta Nano as a light-wear alternative.

For those times I absolutely MUST wear something smaller, I steal the wife's Kahr or throw a (hated) LCP in my pocket. That happens almost never. The G17 hides well OWB or IWB in almost anything I wear... t-shirts, shorts, etc.

[Jaguar]

I'm working on breaking in a Beretta Nano as a light-wear alternative.

For those times I absolutely MUST wear something smaller, I steal the wife's Kahr or throw a (hated) LCP in my pocket. That happens almost never. The G17 hides well OWB or IWB in almost anything I wear... t-shirts, shorts, etc.

Your wife has good taste - at least in firearms...

[hpcatx]

I'm working on breaking in a Beretta Nano as a light-wear alternative.

For those times I absolutely MUST wear something smaller, I steal the wife's Kahr or throw a (hated) LCP in my pocket. That happens almost never. The G17 hides well OWB or IWB in almost anything I wear... t-shirts, shorts, etc.

Your wife has good taste - at least in firearms...

I have found Kahrs to conceal most easily and have one for my EDC. Looking at the Nano, I am concerned the barrel sits too high above the trigger -- potentially causing excessive muzzle flip. Let us know how you like it.

[TexasCajun]

The Nano fires great for a sub9. So far 100 rounds of American Eagle self defense through it & nary a hiccup. Like a lot of others have said, it has a long & heavy trigger. But it shoots very solid, doesn't want to jump out of my hand like other 9s (and .40s) I tried. I plan on putting several hundred rounds of sd in varying weights & velocities through it before carrying it on a regular basis. Only problem is my hand will get kinda sore after about 75. So it's becoming a process.

[OnceFired]

Congrats on your first!

I chickened out on my first one today. But I have made progress. CCW is a mentality shift - that's the biggest change. Otherwise it's just a hunk of metal on your hip, right?

Took my Beretta PX4 Storm in the glove box when I went to the bank. Loaded, chambered, safety on. I understand that to be fully legal simply per modern castle doctrine in TX, but I hadn't even done that before.

I must readily confess I left the pistol secured in the car. So, I was armed purely with my OWB holster when I went in. No 30.06 signs anywhere at either bank I went to, but I was just testing for reaction. This is not a small holster (and also has spare mag slot) and the pistol itself is substantial as I have the full size. I didn't want to push it on the first time out.

I got precisely zero reaction. Perfect. I also learned that my Beretta holster & regular belt are not a good match despite what I had tested at home. Floppy isn't what I'm going for, although to be fair that was while empty. So I am absolutely going to invest in a good leather IWB/OWB combo with a good belt. And I'm going to go up a size on shirts. That bugged me the most - even with a full size short sleeve shirt, it felt like it barely covered the holster when I moved. Things like getting my wallet out of my pocket were irritants, and even while just standing in line because I felt like I couldn't move my arm much without showing the holster. hahahah

I'll also be trying out my wife's Kahr CW9. That's about half the volume & weight of my Beretta, or less.

ZA

[TexasCajun]

Try putting your wallet in your back pocket opposite your carry. Learned that in my chl class. It took some getting used to, but it beats flashing everybody.

[C-dub]

Try putting your wallet in your back pocket opposite your carry. Learned that in my chl class. It took some getting used to, but it beats flashing everybody.

I had to (wanted to) go with the button over-shirt because, while I always have carried my wallet on the side opposite where I carry, I also carry my spare mags on that side. So, I carry my wallet in my left front breast pocket and phone in the right breast pocket. For me, this makes getting my wallet out so much easier for everything.

[TexasCajun]

I haven't quite figured out config for spare mag(s) yet. But I'm thinking maybe in front of my holster. That way I my off hand would sweep my cover garment out of the way as I'm pulling up to meet my pistol for the change.

[Vol Texan]

I haven't quite figured out config for spare mag(s) yet.

Hello all...

I've been observing this board for a while, and this is my first posting. I've had my CHL for about 6-7 months now, and I carry at all times outside the home, except where it's not allowed.

My personal choice is to keep spare mag(s) in my left back pocket (I carry IWB at 3:00), because I want to be able to reach for them while not taking my primary hand off the weapon.

I find the Remora extra mag holder (http://remoraholsters.com/Extra_Mag_Holders.html) to be a good choice. It keeps them upright and allows for easy removal without pulling the holder out of the pocket.

I welcome any comments or suggestions for improvement.

[RPB]

The spare mag goes in the spare mag pouch, in front of the pistol. Well, that's where mine has gone the last 2 or 3 years. It fills in that "air gap" between the belt and me right in front of the gun's slide, making a more round, natural appearance in my kydex reinforced gun belt.

Seriously, I don't know why every holster isn't made with a spare mag pouch, I have kydex/leather hybrids that are great, and almost as comfortable as a Tuck This 2, except ... I don't wear them any more because ...
1) no spare mag holder
2) they are hotter in Summer
3) they have clips showing on the belt which screams GUN to people who recognize the clips




http://www.lapolicegear.com/desantis-tuck-this-2.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Desantis Tuck This 2

I add Sticky Back Velcro on the face of the clip that mates to the underside of my Velcro sewn Kydex reinforced double layered leather gun belt from CompTac

[chasfm11]

I haven't quite figured out config for spare mag(s) yet.

Hello all...

I've been observing this board for a while, and this is my first posting. I've had my CHL for about 6-7 months now, and I carry at all times outside the home, except where it's not allowed.

My personal choice is to keep spare mag(s) in my left back pocket (I carry IWB at 3:00), because I want to be able to reach for them while not taking my primary hand off the weapon.

I find the Remora extra mag holder (http://remoraholsters.com/Extra_Mag_Holders.html) to be a good choice. It keeps them upright and allows for easy removal without pulling the holder out of the pocket.

I welcome any comments or suggestions for improvement.

When I first started carrying daily, I kept a spare mag in my pocket. A few times of practicing tactical reloads convinced me it was a very slow process. When I asked about alternatives, I learned that many carry a OWB mag pouch. At first, I was agast. Won't it show? Won't everyone see it? Nope and nope. I carry my wallet on my weak side rear pants pocket and the OWB mag pouch is right there if my shirt gets lifted. In two years, noone has even hinted that they saw it, let alone asked me about it.

There are so many devices from pagers to Leatherman to flashlights, etc that are on the outside of a belt these days that noone seems to be concerned. I like the mag pouch that I got from Comp-Tac. You really have to be into guns to recognize it for what it is. I'm not even sure that if I flashed it a most LEOs, they would pick up on it - and there is nothing unlawful about its being exposed. Of course, I don't run around lifting my shirt in the back so there is little likelihood that anything but a slight bulge around waistline is going to show. Given my 'love handles", the mag pouch bulge is the least of my problems.

[TexasCajun]

Since my last post on this topic I've gotten the DeSantis tuck holster with the mag pouch on the front for my g17. Works ok except that the bottom of the belt clip isn't big enough for my belt. So I have to cinch the belt really tight to keep the weight from supporting only on my pants. I think I'll try the Velcro trick when I get a chance. Now when I carry the nano, I use a simple Blackhawk iwb & carry my extra mag in the mini pocket on my right side. I'm getting more comfortable doing a crossdraw (reload from my strong side using my off hand) so this is a decent solution for me for the time being. I think the remora mag holders will make it onto my growing list.

[C-dub]

Since my last post on this topic I've gotten the DeSantis tuck holster with the mag pouch on the front for my g17. Works ok except that the bottom of the belt clip isn't big enough for my belt. So I have to cinch the belt really tight to keep the weight from supporting only on my pants. I think I'll try the Velcro trick when I get a chance. Now when I carry the nano, I use a simple Blackhawk iwb & carry my extra mag in the mini pocket on my right side. I'm getting more comfortable doing a crossdraw (reload from my strong side using my off hand) so this is a decent solution for me for the time being. I think the remora mag holders will make it onto my growing list.

I was one of those guys that went without a real gun belt for years and thought I was doing okay. When I finally decided to try one out, WOW! What a difference. I don't have to tighten it until my waist is two inches smaller. I can breath normally again and carry a Glock 21SF and two spare mags on the other side without my jeans dropping.

Try and then get a real gun belt.

[RPB]

Since my last post on this topic I've gotten the DeSantis tuck holster with the mag pouch on the front for my g17. Works ok except that the bottom of the belt clip isn't big enough for my belt. So I have to cinch the belt really tight to keep the weight from supporting only on my pants. I think I'll try the Velcro trick when I get a chance. Now when I carry the nano, I use a simple Blackhawk iwb & carry my extra mag in the mini pocket on my right side. I'm getting more comfortable doing a crossdraw (reload from my strong side using my off hand) so this is a decent solution for me for the time being. I think the remora mag holders will make it onto my growing list.

With good thick gun belts

I added the sticky back Velcro
I used pliers to open the bottom clip a just little
I wear the holster right next to a belt loop, at 3:00

With Glocks I add a Pierce +3 magazine base plate on the spare mag for an extra couple 3 rounds and added height so it works to hold everything above the pants/belt if I angle/cant the holster
I carry a Glock 26, with a Glock 17 (+3 using the Pierce Grip PG-39) spare mag as it is taller if I cant/angle forward (and added capacity (Actually my Glock 26 has a Glock 19 mag (+3 for 18 rounds in mag) in light Summer clothing, and Glock 17 mag (+3 for 20 rounds in mag) in bulky Winter clothing but the same spare mag mentioned above Sometimes a bit more forward cant/angle in light Summer Tee shirts with the shorter Glock 19 in the Glock 26 mag helps with a grip bulge, but bulges aren't illegal
I use Magazine spacers on the mag in the gun, but not on the spare mag in the pouch (not an issue with a Glock 17, only a 26 using larger 19 or 17 mags)
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Done that since about 2008/2009 daily

[SewTexas]

I have a Kusiak Leather holster for my LCP, it has a slot? for an extra magazine on the holster...and it was a cheap holster I seem to remember them having alot of different choices...