CCW printing paranoia question

[Manzanita]

I have found that, for me and IWB carry, there is a little sweet spot right around 3:30 or 4:00 where I can bend over forward with my arms in front of me and just barely print. Further forward and it sticks out too much in the front and on the side. Further back and it prints like crazy with any forward lean.

So far, for warm weather I've been wearing polo shirts for a cover garment untucked over a light t-shirt. They seem to work pretty well. Oh, and I'm carrying an XD9 subcompact. It looks pretty good any other time. I've asked my wife several times if she can tell I'm carrying and she hasn't been able to, except, of course when I bend over to pick up something.

My question is, should I always expect a little printing when bending over and not get too paranoid about it? I've only been at this for a few months and, although I'm much more relaxed than I was at first, I'm still a little bit in the "EVERYBODY CAN SEE IT" stage.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[azchevy]

90% of the sheep out there do not even know what they are looking at when they see you print.

[denverd0n]

They'll think you've got a pager or a cell phone under there. That's the point of doing the visit to Wal-Mart, though, so that you can realize that no one notices that you're carrying.

[mmwb]

Act like you have a bad back: Don't bend over, bend at the knees and squat instead, keeping the back straight.

[Manzanita]

That's the point of doing the visit to Wal-Mart, though, so that you can realize that no one notices that you're carrying.

Hah. Yeah. My inaugural first time carry visit was actually to Kroger to pick up some ice cream on the way home from work. It was a few days before I did Wal Mart. I was thinking about this forum the whole time I was there .

[P95Carry]

IMO no matter how good your rig and even cover gear - bending over almost has to print - at least a bit.

As has been said - maintain the habit of knees bend - it's better for your back anyways.

[SonofASniper]

P95 beat me to it... proper lifting technique will reduce that problem if not elimanate it. And it is better for you. MUCH better for you. Listen to a guy who had a back surgery when he was only 23 because he never paid attention to proper lifting techniques.

[Roadrunner]

No one will be able to tell what it is from printing. They'll just think it's a cell phone. I've actually had my cell phone mistaken for a gun. Unless you're wearing something sheer or have a grip printing very badly, you'll be fine.

[Janq]

P95 +1

- Janq

[Holdcard]

Arizona is an open carry state, so depending on where I go I don't worry about printing too much.

I've gone out with a tighter T-Shirt on, not too tight but you could clearly make out my sidearm. NO ONE gave me a second look, and I was watching out of curiosity.

When I go someplace where I really don't want to print, I dress for the occasion. When I have to bend down for something I bend at the knees. If I have to reach to the top shelf for something I use my left hand so there is no chance of my cover garment riding up.

The other thing is keep your hands off your firearm. Make sure you have a good belt and holster. Do some activities at home so you'll gain confidence that the firearm is not going to jump out, or your pants aren't going to fall off.

That one took me a while, now I can leave it alone knowing it's not going to print or fall out. If I do need to make a slight adjustment I go to the rest room where I have some privacy.

Holdcard

[mcp1810]

If you are really paranoid about printing you can always go the route I did and get a nice fanny pack holster. Those of us that carry can spot them from a mile away, but most of the sheep (in my experience) don't have a clue. As some states have a violation along the lines of "failure to conceal" I think the fanny pack is safe from the "casual observation" standard.

[incredipete]

I'm pretty new to concealed carry, too... only had the laws in Kansas since January. I can tell you that at first I was completely paranoid, especially when concealing a full size. I made it a point to go to lots of stores and high-traffic places while concealing, and I realized that even someone standing a foot away won't notice. 99% of the population (probably more) aren't even looking for printing... let alone know how to spot it. I'm much more comfortable than I was... I usually forget I'm carrying... and that's after just 4 months.

[TonyW]

IMO no matter how good your rig and even cover gear - bending over almost has to print - at least a bit.

As has been said - maintain the habit of knees bend - it's better for your back anyways.

Yea, but as my knees are worse than my back I have a tendancy to bend over.

[Spionen]

Arizona is an open carry state, so depending on where I go I don't worry about printing too much.

I've gone out with a tighter T-Shirt on, not too tight but you could clearly make out my sidearm. NO ONE gave me a second look, and I was watching out of curiosity.

When I go someplace where I really don't want to print, I dress for the occasion. When I have to bend down for something I bend at the knees. If I have to reach to the top shelf for something I use my left hand so there is no chance of my cover garment riding up.

The other thing is keep your hands off your firearm. Make sure you have a good belt and holster. Do some activities at home so you'll gain confidence that the firearm is not going to jump out, or your pants aren't going to fall off.

That one took me a while, now I can leave it alone knowing it's not going to print or fall out. If I do need to make a slight adjustment I go to the rest room where I have some privacy.

Holdcard

I would think you would want to do all you can to not print knowing full well you are going to print somewhat. I worry about a BG who knows what to look for and that he might single a concealed carrier out (one who is printing badly) if he is planning something and try to neutralize that threat by going after that visible concealed carrier.

Open carry is a deterrant but seems like it could be a liability also if you don't know how to fend off an attempted weapon grab.

Good concealment to me is valuable and lowers the risk of a disarming attempt, allowing you to keep the option to use your weapon if the need arises.

[havegunjoe]

Don't bend over and make your wife pick everything up. Really, how restrictive is your state about this? In MN we can open carry so I am not too worried if my gun prints. I don't open carry but if the wind should blow my shirt up for instance I don't get all hyper about it.