First time carrying

nyj · Post by **nyj** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 9:03 pm

Got my CHL a couple of weeks ago, just in time for my road trip to Arizona to visit family for a week. Holstered up with my crossbreed type holster, threw in my XD40sc, and wore a shirt that I thought was sufficient. During the stops I found that the shirt I was wearing was a bit too short, and had to constantly pull it over the gun.

We did something every day of the week while I was there, and both my BIL and I were carrying. I was a bit uncomfortable for the first couple of days but after that, it became like second nature. I did find that my clothing style is really insufficient for the gun I carry. I wear shirts that fit, as in I'm 6'1 and wear medium shirts that go just over my belt. The holster did a good job of concealing, and no one in my gun-toting family knew I was carrying, but any type of kneeling or bending left me keeping my hand pulling on my shirt to make sure it stays down.

I saw very few gun buster signs, and absolutely no legal signs, which was pretty cool.

All in all, I'm glad I carried in AZ...Tucson was a little on the sketchy side, to say the least. But being back home, I've only carried once. I find myself only desiring to carry when I'm out with family/friends. Otherwise, I really have no desire to dress around my gun. I love the XD a lot, but it is a little on the heavy side, and just a bit on the bulky side in width. Who knows, I may just end up getting a nice wheelgun. My BIL's 3" SP101 concealed very well.

C-dub · Post by **C-dub** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 9:28 pm

Congratulations!

6'1" and medium shirts? You must be a little on the thin side.

I'm 6', 200 lbs, and I normally wear a large shirt, but moved up to XL or LT for pullovers. Most LT's don't have enough space in them to be comfortable for me to conceal, so I mostly wear XL's for IWB carry.

Aren't gunbuster signs all that is required to prohibit carry in AZ? If not, what is the sign requirement to be legal notifcation?

wgoforth · Post by **wgoforth** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 9:40 pm

Glad you have a CHL, but you might want to rethink the only carry when you feel the need scenerio. I carry everywhere, including when I'm preaching in the pulpit, and at home till I go to bed...then it lays on the nightstand next to me. Someone has said "Carry 24/7 or be right 100% of the time." Things can happen at the unlikliest of places and times...AND, if you start a habbit of carry here but not there...if you do need it, you will either forget you have it, or need it and think you do, go to reach and you don't. If the gun size is the problem, find one you can carry more often. Just a suggestion from the FWIW dept!
Wayne

nyj · Post by **nyj** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 9:46 pm

Yeah, I'm under 160lbs. I hate wearing baggy shirts.

I looked before leaving the state, but can't seem to find it now; thought that there is a legal sign like that of the 30.06 sign we have. If gun buster signs made it illegal...than whoops! lol AZ is a little on the strange side with some of their carrying laws. Can carry in a bar, but can't drink. Can now brandish your weapon if you feel threatened...etc.

wgo - I know you're most likely to get hit when you least expect it. I do hope to get a gun that I can better conceal and hopefully I won't find it such an inconvenience.

sugar land dave · Post by **sugar land dave** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 9:58 pm

wgoforth wrote:Glad you have a CHL, but you might want to rethink the only carry when you feel the need scenerio. I carry everywhere, including when I'm preaching in the pulpit, and at home till I go to bed...then it lays on the nightstand next to me. Someone has said "Carry 24/7 or be right 100% of the time." Things can happen at the unlikliest of places and times...AND, if you start a habbit of carry here but not there...if you do need it, you will either forget you have it, or need it and think you do, go to reach and you don't. If the gun size is the problem, find one you can carry more often. Just a suggestion from the FWIW dept!
Wayne

I remember a few years back where someone took a handgun to church and gunned down worshipers during the sermon. That was unlikely, but very real. I see you are in Brownwood. It's been a long time since I've been back there. A lot of history in that town!

speedsix · Post by **speedsix** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 10:03 pm

...a pastor might be in the best position to see the threat and protect his flock...if he's armed...Semper Fi!!! Keep the faith!!!

wgoforth · Post by **wgoforth** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:25 pm

NYJ, there are some good, single stack guns easy for us smaller guys to hide.... Taurus 709, Ruger LC9, Kel-Tec PF9, etc. Front pocket (I wear Wrangler Riata Pleated front). Then, a smaller LCP, TCP or Bodyguard if willing to go to a .380 slips into pants pocket holster, and you forget its there!
Let us know if we can help you, not trying to criticize but just offering thoughts that might help!

wgoforth · Post by **wgoforth** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:28 pm

sugar land dave wrote:
wgoforth wrote:Glad you have a CHL, but you might want to rethink the only carry when you feel the need scenerio. I carry everywhere, including when I'm preaching in the pulpit, and at home till I go to bed...then it lays on the nightstand next to me. Someone has said "Carry 24/7 or be right 100% of the time." Things can happen at the unlikliest of places and times...AND, if you start a habbit of carry here but not there...if you do need it, you will either forget you have it, or need it and think you do, go to reach and you don't. If the gun size is the problem, find one you can carry more often. Just a suggestion from the FWIW dept!
Wayne
I remember a few years back where someone took a handgun to church and gunned down worshipers during the sermon. That was unlikely, but very real. I see you are in Brownwood. It's been a long time since I've been back there. A lot of history in that town!

In 2009, there were over 40 church shootings in the first quarter. Don't know about other years or the rest of that one, but assume normal. Most don't make national news. Preachers are very vulnerable during the week at the building by themselves too (look at the two recently robbed and one killed in Arlington).

Brownwood is interesting.... not very gun friendly though that surprises me.

wgoforth · Post by **wgoforth** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:29 pm

speedsix wrote:...a pastor might be in the best position to see the threat and protect his flock...if he's armed...Semper Fi!!! Keep the faith!!!

Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.... :))

cbr600 · Post by **cbr600** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:33 pm

deleted

Jasonw560 · Post by **Jasonw560** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:48 pm

Wow...6' and 160? Let me introduce you to my friends, the steak and the baked potato.

I am 6'2". Many many moons ago, when I weighed 192, I looked emaciated. I am much healthier now.

I am the opposite. I can't stand tight shirts.

You might have to get used to bigger shirts.

RoyGBiv · Post by **RoyGBiv** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:01 am

nyj wrote: I saw very few gun buster signs, and absolutely no legal signs, which was pretty cool.

I assume you know that AZ signs are different from TX signs.. ?
http://www.azdps.gov/Links/ARS/?l=4/00229.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In AZ it's illegal to carry past this sign...

Jasonw560 · Post by **Jasonw560** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:16 am

RoyGBiv wrote:
nyj wrote: I saw very few gun buster signs, and absolutely no legal signs, which was pretty cool.
I assume you know that AZ signs are different from TX signs.. ?
http://www.azdps.gov/Links/ARS/?l=4/00229.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In AZ it's illegal to carry past this sign...

Not if you're not from AZ:

B. A person shall not carry a firearm on the licensed premises of an on-sale retailer if the licensee has posted the notice prescribed in subsection A of this section.

C. It is an affirmative defense to a violation of subsection B of this section if:

1. The person was not informed of the notice prescribed in subsection A of this section before the violation.

2. Any one or more of the following apply:

(a) At the time of the violation the notice prescribed in subsection A of this section had fallen down.

(b) At the time of the violation the person was not a resident of this state.

RoyGBiv · Post by **RoyGBiv** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:32 am

The affirmative defense only applies to violations on "licensed premises of an on-sale retailer"...
If you carry past that sign anywhere else, the non-res clause doesn't apply.

fickman · Post by **fickman** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:35 am

To get started with, I'd recommend a Smith & Wesson 642 (J-frame Airweight in .38+P) or a Smith & Wesson 340 (J-Frame AirLight in .357 magnum) for pocket carry. These also conceal nicely and snugly on your ankle and can be quite comfortable with a decent holster.

These are always handy as backup guns even after you find a more preferable method for your primary carry.

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