Yeah, I'll admit I'd lost a lot of the details but for some reason this morning it was like I was back there again. Something must have triggered me...
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Return to “Do you remember your very first time carrying after receiving your plastic?”
- Tue Jun 02, 2020 11:12 am
- Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
- Topic: Do you remember your very first time carrying after receiving your plastic?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 14011
- Tue Jun 02, 2020 10:28 am
- Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
- Topic: Do you remember your very first time carrying after receiving your plastic?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 14011
Do you remember your very first time carrying after receiving your plastic?
No idea why I suddenly took a trip down memory lane this morning, but here goes.
Spring of 2005, I was finishing up my undergrad degree at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. I'd been shooting for a year or two but finally decided to get my CHL right after the new year. Took the class at Bullet Trap in SW SA in early February and sat in the old dilapidated trailer for the requisite time frame along with the seemingly quick shooting portion. Funny story, I scored at 249 on the shooting portion. When I pointed out the only round not in the 10 ring was a .45 while I was shooting a .40 (my neighbor forgot which target was his) the instructor just smiled and said "don't worry, you pass with either".
Plastic came fairly quickly and it was either the end of March or first of April when I ventured out for the first time. Lived with a buddy in some apartments off Medical Dr and Wurzbach in the Medical Center area. Decided I needed some groceries so off to the H-E-B at De Zavala and I-10 I went. I was carrying a newly acquired Sig 229 in .40 in a Galco Skyops holster in the small of the back position (this was before I knew better, either holster or carry position) attached to a crummy Foley's (remember them) belt. The weather was still chilly enough that I threw on a pull-over type windbreaker as it served as both cover garment and coat. As I entered the store I was sure everyone was looking. I tried to act cool but man was I ever nervous. I probably spend about 15-20 mins total in there shopping as it was a Saturday and per usual it was crowded. I hurriedly grabbed what I could remember I needed and made my way to the register. Paid without any fanfare and headed back to the truck. Once in the truck I realized how much I was sweating. Partly because the pull-over wasn't very breathable, but partly because I was so nervous.
It didn't take long for me to get past the nervousness and I started carrying more and more. I quickly upgraded my belt (biggest improvement) and my holster. That made the experience so much better. Along with that I started experimenting with carry position and realize that 3 o'clock wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Now 15 years later it's second nature. OC has alleviated a lot of the concerns of the past, but I'm sure it's still tough for folks making their first venture out.
So what about you, what was your first time carrying after getting your plastic like?
Spring of 2005, I was finishing up my undergrad degree at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. I'd been shooting for a year or two but finally decided to get my CHL right after the new year. Took the class at Bullet Trap in SW SA in early February and sat in the old dilapidated trailer for the requisite time frame along with the seemingly quick shooting portion. Funny story, I scored at 249 on the shooting portion. When I pointed out the only round not in the 10 ring was a .45 while I was shooting a .40 (my neighbor forgot which target was his) the instructor just smiled and said "don't worry, you pass with either".
Plastic came fairly quickly and it was either the end of March or first of April when I ventured out for the first time. Lived with a buddy in some apartments off Medical Dr and Wurzbach in the Medical Center area. Decided I needed some groceries so off to the H-E-B at De Zavala and I-10 I went. I was carrying a newly acquired Sig 229 in .40 in a Galco Skyops holster in the small of the back position (this was before I knew better, either holster or carry position) attached to a crummy Foley's (remember them) belt. The weather was still chilly enough that I threw on a pull-over type windbreaker as it served as both cover garment and coat. As I entered the store I was sure everyone was looking. I tried to act cool but man was I ever nervous. I probably spend about 15-20 mins total in there shopping as it was a Saturday and per usual it was crowded. I hurriedly grabbed what I could remember I needed and made my way to the register. Paid without any fanfare and headed back to the truck. Once in the truck I realized how much I was sweating. Partly because the pull-over wasn't very breathable, but partly because I was so nervous.
It didn't take long for me to get past the nervousness and I started carrying more and more. I quickly upgraded my belt (biggest improvement) and my holster. That made the experience so much better. Along with that I started experimenting with carry position and realize that 3 o'clock wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Now 15 years later it's second nature. OC has alleviated a lot of the concerns of the past, but I'm sure it's still tough for folks making their first venture out.
So what about you, what was your first time carrying after getting your plastic like?