Carrying and riding my motorcycle

[Kahnkem]

So I have been open carrying while I ride my motorcycle. I have yet to be noticed carrying while riding, but when I do I have no clue what the reaction will be. I have actually only been "noticed" to be carrying once and all they did was stare at me. Have any of you done this and had any comments or unique experiences. I occasionally wear a black vest when I ride and it covers 1/3 of my gun but I don't usually do that. Any stories to share? Or even opinions on this?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[ANGLICO]

In AZ I open carry on the HD. No big deal. Carry a .44 right hip and M-1911 left. People are used to it there. (Disclaimer - I shoot lefty and righty :-)

The open carry in a Const Carry State on the HD is on purpose! Just because you can, and being obvious is good there - cuts down on idiots bothering you on the road. Hey, I'm not flashing it....... It's just a 'sign'.

In other states where legal, and Open Carry on the bike is not an option, I use a sholder rig under the vest. Most of the people I ride with don't even know it is there. The ones that do are also doing the same.

The only thing I have found to be effective on the bike, depending on the bike, is sholder or glove box, if you have a bagger (similar cruiser) to not be seen. In standard vest and chaps kind of gear, it is very hard to even really hide an IWB on the bike, when you don't want it seen.

I like this thread and am waiting for advice an pointers on this.

[Kahnkem]

I know some, well most of the guys I ride with carry but they conceal it well, shoulder rig mostly with a vest on. I have tried that but I just feel more comfortable on the hip open. The biggest concern I have is a MWAG call while riding and getting pulled over and grilled by the local LE about being in a gang or some BS like that.

[MrBuckwheat]

You said it well. Most people don't see or look out for Motorcycles, doubt they would see your gun at all.

[Kahnkem]

You said it well. Most people don't see or look out for Motorcycles, doubt they would see your gun at all.

I am well too aware of people not noticing nor looking out for us on two wheels. In the first three weeks of riding this year I almost became someone's hood ornament 5 times. Just one of the dangers of the great hobby of riding.

[Hiram25]

On my motorcycle is about the only place I open carry, and that's only when it gets above 90 degrees.

[mprp]

I know some, well most of the guys I ride with carry but they conceal it well, shoulder rig mostly with a vest on. I have tried that but I just feel more comfortable on the hip open. The biggest concern I have is a MWAG call while riding and getting pulled over and grilled by the local LE about being in a gang or some BS like that.

If it's legal then I wouldn't worry about it. But if it concerns you enough, get used to CC. People can call the cops on anyone about anything. If you decide to carry where the public can see it and get pulled over, do what they say and you won't get shot. I don't know what else to say about this except for, if you're not doing anything illegal then don't worry about it.

Story: I was pulled over by a Sheriff's Deputy one time back when OC was legal in Ca. I had my .44 Ruger Super Redhawk w/ 9 1/2" bbl. in a shoulder holster as I was heading to my uncle's house to target practice. Long story short, I told him that I was armed as I lifted my elbows up a bit to show him what I was talking about. His eyes got as big as dinner plates and he yelled, "Holly &^$ that thing's real?" I laughed and said yep! He told me that he thought it was a paintball gun or something. LOL He asked me if he could see it and me being a little nervous said, "Yeah here you go" as I turned so he could get to it and lifted up my elbows again. I told him that it was unloaded and he said, "No no, just go ahead and get it, I want to check that baby out!" I couldn't believe how excited he was. Guess he wasn't used to seeing large cal. hunting pistols.

So carefully I unsnapped the Uncle Mike's strap and pulled it straight up with my thumb and two fingers so he could get it. (Keep in mind that we are off to the right hand side of an Interstate 5 offramp but no houses around) So he gets it and grabs it with both hands, pulls it up to aim and basically starts "playing" with it like a kid with a brand new BB gun on Christmas Day as he aims and sweeps it across the open field off to the east. It was really funny and I started laughing and even told him, "Hey, you're gonna get us in trouble" as I chuckled and glanced at the traffic going by on the interstate.

So after playing with it for a minute he asked me what I had it for. And as soon as the word "pigs" came out of my mouth I could have kicked myself and was expecting to be pistol-whipped with my own piece. I reacted, holding one hand up and said, "NO no no, you know pigs, wild boar?" He actually cracked up then he said, "Yeah yeah I know, very funny." I was glad he had a sense of humor to say the least. Then he gave it back to me and that was that.

Ok I know, not as short of a story as I thought either but lots of good stuff in there that just can't be left out. And I swear it's true! I would have posted the dashcam vid on here if the department had one and I could get a hold of it. I would have to call it one of the best run ins with LE that I can think of. But as far as CC, I haven't been pulled over yet. And if / when I do, I hope it goes even half as well. After all, if it's our S.O. again, it the same agency that issued my CCW license. They're pretty cool guys around here.

[ANGLICO]

You said it well. Most people don't see or look out for Motorcycles, doubt they would see your gun at all.

I was not talking about the typical idiot Cager. I was referring (when OC advertising) about people that really want to do you harm. It works. Trust me.

As for people that don't see bikes, well, it is what it is and it sucks most of the times on that one.

Shout out to 'Uncle Dale', a true Angel now, Viet Vet who was taken out in CO a couple of years ago by a drunk 17 year old in a POS pickup. Some of you from SoCal or the Mojave Desert might remember his extensive tow and repair service on Lake Havasu, and he never screwed a biker!

He was Airborne!

[Arborigine]

Like Chief Dan George said 'little Big Man", We're invisible!
I would be a bit concerned about what would happen to your weapon during or after a crash. My LCP would probably stay in my vest pocket until discovered by medics. A redhawk in a holster might cause injuries, or fly away and be found by someone who is untrustworthy . One of my responsabilities as a gun owner is to make sure that no one but me gets his hands on my weapons.

[ANGLICO]

Like Chief Dan George said 'little Big Man", We're invisible!
I would be a bit concerned about what would happen to your weapon during or after a crash. My LCP would probably stay in my vest pocket until discovered by medics. A redhawk in a holster might cause injuries, or fly away and be found by someone who is untrustworthy . One of my responsabilities as a gun owner is to make sure that no one but me gets his hands on my weapons.

I've often worried about dumping and the hardware. I count on my riding companions to police up everything prior to the meat wagon arriving. I very rarely ride alone these days.... Just is not like the old days now. And heck, I ain't no prospect out on a mission........

[tpcarc]

So my opinion may be skewed due to Indiana Gun Laws, but I OC all the time, everywhere I go. I'm President of a local MC and we all OC while riding also. Now, don't get me wrong, I've almost always got my sub compact CC'd in my vest, but I always have my full size on my right hip.

In Indiana, you can carry anywhere in the state as long as it isn't on School Grounds, in any building with a courtroom, or a hospital with a Psych Ward. With that being said, OC is NOT common around here. I get quite a few looks, quite a few questions, but I've never had someone.

My advice, stay legal and you can't go wrong. Know your local laws so that if asked, you can be correct in your answers, be it from Police or even Civilians. If you're comfortable OC'ing, keep it up. If you're having doubts, CC. I was an avid OC'er when I first got into guns, but I understand and appreciate a CC a lot more now. Sometimes, you don't want the looks, the questions, and everything else that comes with OC'ing. And you can be just as protected CC'ing. Shoulder rigs are great on the bike, under a vest, jacket, you name it. The other I've used is the ankle holster.

Unsure if this helps, but glad I could contribute.

[oldrwizr]

In the current hot weather I don't tuck my T-shirt in and just let it cover the piece on my right hip. Fortunately my seat has a step for lumbar support and I tuck the shirttail against that so I don't get the parachuting the sport bike guys love. I ride daily but only carry on occasion.

[rocky]

You said it well. Most people don't see or look out for Motorcycles, doubt they would see your gun at all.

Yeah, most cagers are too busy trying to cut you off , rear end you or text to notice your gun.

[oldrwizr]

Yeah, most cagers are too busy trying to cut you off , rear end you or text to notice your gun.

You "left" out the number one cause of cage-on-bike violence: the left turn. I've had some very close calls even though I assume every POS coming toward me is about to cut left right in front of me.

[WHEC724]

You "left" out the number one cause of cage-on-bike violence: the left turn. I've had some very close calls even though I assume every POS coming toward me is about to cut left right in front of me.

Yup, "the dreaded left". Some idiots have it perfected to where it's almost a head-on. Quick throttle response has saved me as much as good braking.