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I recevied my CHL Friday afternoon, and carried for the first time in public that evening. Went to grab a burger & then to Wallyworld (not specifically a Wallywalk, we actually were planning to go that evening regardless). I had been carrying in home for trial runs several times over the last few weeks, but no more than an hour or two at a time. Tried a few holsters, different handguns, felt I was getting ready for the big day..
Now that I have a full weekend of long trips out in public, I thought I'd share what I learned...
-Tugging on your shirt probably attracts more attention then if you just left it alone. After a little while, this behavior ceased.
-Be carefule on sharp right turns. I bumped into the kitchen counter more than once.
-Watch the old "sideways hug" with friends. I noticed a couple second glances, but they probably thought it was a cell phone case.
-Your belt doesn't have to be so tight that it cuts your circulation to your legs.
-3 o'clockish is more comfortable after you give it a chance. The holster seems to settle in and you adjust quickly (see previous belt comment).
-Dark shirts seem to blend in a little better.
-Most people are clueless anyway. The hardly look, or even care to notice.
-My situational awareness has increased. I always try to pay attention to my surroundings, but I seem to be noticing more things/people.

I have a couple tuckable holsters set to arrive in a couple days. Can't wait to give those a try since I don't like to have my shirt always untucked. Overall, I'm glad I finally made the move and have become more accustomed to carrying each day. Thanks for all the pointers in this forum, plan to continue to evolve & learn.

Texsquatch wrote:-3 o'clockish is more comfortable after you give it a chance.

Very dependent upon personal preferences and body dimensions/proportions.

welcome to the club, i have only been carrying for a couple of months but i have already gotten over the initial jitteriness (if thats a word) of carrying. people for the most part are oblivious and definitelty tugging on your shirt will draw more attention than anything. even if someone sees a bulge or the handle poking your shirt out i haven't had anyone say anything and the cops haven't been called yet. ive even been around officers and talked to a couple in passing and they didn't know either. The only thing i'm still leary about is even though my holsters are tuckable i don't like the clips hanging over the belt. to me and other carriers it is obvious what the clips are, but i'm convinced that most wouldn't think anything of it and if they did they'd probably be curious if anything. i have ordered a set of velcro clips that go behind the belt and am waiting on them to arrive so I can start wearing some polos again when going out on the weekends.

Texsquatch wrote:I recevied my CHL Friday afternoon, and carried for the first time in public that evening. Went to grab a burger & then to Wallyworld (not specifically a Wallywalk, we actually were planning to go that evening regardless). I had been carrying in home for trial runs several times over the last few weeks, but no more than an hour or two at a time. Tried a few holsters, different handguns, felt I was getting ready for the big day..
Now that I have a full weekend of long trips out in public, I thought I'd share what I learned...
-Tugging on your shirt probably attracts more attention then if you just left it alone. After a little while, this behavior ceased.
-Be carefule on sharp right turns. I bumped into the kitchen counter more than once.
-Watch the old "sideways hug" with friends. I noticed a couple second glances, but they probably thought it was a cell phone case.
-Your belt doesn't have to be so tight that it cuts your circulation to your legs.
-3 o'clockish is more comfortable after you give it a chance. The holster seems to settle in and you adjust quickly (see previous belt comment).
-Dark shirts seem to blend in a little better.
-Most people are clueless anyway. The hardly look, or even care to notice.
-My situational awareness has increased. I always try to pay attention to my surroundings, but I seem to be noticing more things/people.

I have a couple tuckable holsters set to arrive in a couple days. Can't wait to give those a try since I don't like to have my shirt always untucked. Overall, I'm glad I finally made the move and have become more accustomed to carrying each day. Thanks for all the pointers in this forum, plan to continue to evolve & learn.

1. Break the tugging habit now if you can. Once you don't you can't (I didn't but I try to control it).
2. Hug - do a hi / low hug with one hand up high and the other arm low. Its a normal type of hug but also covers the piece nicely.
3. Do you have a proper gun belt yet? If not you need to get one faster than yesterday.
4. I always found pattern shirts to be the best. Hawaiian shirts are even better and no one expects the fat old hawaiian shirt guy heh heh heh

Thanks. I have seen velcro clips mentioned before, but I don't know what they are. I will research this tonight.

Oh... Need to also mention - don't forget your wallet. I hardly ever forget, but had to turn back and get my wallet Sunday on my way to store and I used to never take my wallet when I walk the dog at night. My dog looked at me crazy, like "that was a short walk" since I had to go back inside 2 nights in a row and grab my wallet.

Cedar Park Dad wrote:

Texsquatch wrote:
3. Do you have a proper gun belt yet? If not you need to get one faster than yesterday.

Absolutely. I purchased a couple earlier this spring.

http://www.whitehatholsters.com/velcro-clips/

They have velcro strips on the clip and velcro pieces that attach to the underside of your belt...

Personally, I use c-clips from Comp-Tac...

http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=79

I had a couple of wardrobe "malfunctions" the first couple of weeks carrying.
My IWB holster added a couple of steps to my dressing routine, so I left the "barn door" open a few mornings and
I attempted to sit in an office chair that was previously mine but the current owner had adjusted the arm rest to be much
narrower and when I sat in the chair by pants ripped in a way that made the holster and muzzle of the gun visible.

"4. ... no one expects the fat old hawaiian shirt guy heh heh heh"


I'll second that one!

Liking the look of the C hooks, but not the velcro so much. May order a set of each to try out though.

To OP,
Check out Kangaroo Carry. Solved alot of problems for me. I don't care for an untucked shirt most of the time, tuckable holsters dont work for me.

To make tuckable holsters work for me, I wear two belts. The "inner" belt only supports the my IWB holster. The "outer" belt holds up my pants and everything else in my pockets.

Topbuilder wrote:To OP,
Check out Kangaroo Carry. Solved alot of problems for me. I don't care for an untucked shirt most of the time, tuckable holsters dont work for me.

To the OP, great report on your experience!

I also use a Kangaroo Carry and highly recommend it. It's great for deep concealment in dress shirts, coat and tie, etc. I find there are a couple of drawbacks. It tends to be hot with the band around my midsection. I have trouble keeping the strap on my shoulder (feel like a woman fighting a bra strap). If you don't have great posture, the strap comes unhooked. And, hugs create a problem. Recently, a friend of mine gave me a hug. I tried to direct the hug so that he didn't touch my side where my weapon was, but he did anyway. Good thing is he thought I was wearing a back brace.

I have an IWB on order (Alien Gear Holsters) for when I wear shirts untucked, but for my normal business dress the Kangaroo Carry is my holster of choice.

bcschae wrote:To make tuckable holsters work for me, I wear two belts. The "inner" belt only supports the my IWB holster. The "outer" belt holds up my pants and everything else in my pockets.

Thanks. I will try that.

I know many IWB's can be worn with the shirts tucked in, its just not frequently done.