When to Begin Carrying? - Page 4

Kerbouchard · May 10th, 2008, 11:32 AM

I overcame my jitters by carrying around the house while waiting for the permit. Same as pretty much everybody else, I would expect. I, too, was nervous about carrying with a round in the chamber, at first.

I started carrying an XD, and as it did not have a safety I was nervous. I started carrying without a round in the chamber, but I would rack the slide before I inserted the mag, so it would be 'ready to fire' if there was a round in the chamber. I figured if I ever saw it had 'fired' or if I ever heard a 'click' I would know I was right about the dangers of carrying with one in the chamber. I never did. It never did. So I gradually became more comfortable.

As far as when you start to carry...it all depends on the person. I would recommend another tactical pistol class. Something with reactive shooting, drawing from your holster, shooting from retention, one handed shooting, failure drills, etc.

After a good course your confidence and proficiency will go way up. I believe DFW guns has a course like that(don't know anything about it), and I know Reborn(one of our members here) teaches a course that isn't too far away from where you are.

Good luck and Stay Safe out there.

retsupt99 · May 10th, 2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerbouchard

I overcame my jitters by carrying around the house while waiting for the permit. Same as pretty much everybody else, I would expect. I, too, was nervous about carrying with a round in the chamber, at first.

I started carrying an XD, and as it did not have a safety I was nervous. I started carrying without a round in the chamber, but I would rack the slide before I inserted the mag, so it would be 'ready to fire' if there was a round in the chamber. I figured if I ever saw it had 'fired' or if I ever heard a 'click' I would know I was right about the dangers of carrying with one in the chamber. I never did. It never did. So I gradually became more comfortable.

As far as when you start to carry...it all depends on the person. I would recommend another tactical pistol class. Something with reactive shooting, drawing from your holster, shooting from retention, one handed shooting, failure drills, etc.

After a good course your confidence and proficiency will go way up. I believe DFW guns has a course like that(don't know anything about it), and I know Reborn(one of our members here) teaches a course that isn't too far away from where you are.

Good luck and Stay Safe out there.

This is great advice...

It was years ago, but as soon as I got my permit, I started to CCW the same day. BUT, I also enrolled into several 'Pistol Self-Defense' classes...this was a BIG help for confidence.

Get thee into a 8-20 hour class...
You'll be amazed at all the intensive help, info, tactics, and confidence you will be exposed to...what you absorb and practice will be up to you.

Stay armed...from 'Day 1'...stay safe!

KenpoTex · May 10th, 2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McPatrickClan

... At first, I was a little skittish but after a while, I realized that nothing was going to enter the trigger guard unless I was quite careless.

DingDingDingDingDing!

Puppy · May 10th, 2008, 07:50 PM

A point was touched on but not covered extensively above.

You must decide if you can "kill" if you must.

There is a video which I just saw the other day of an interview of a guy who couldn't quite pull the trigger. He found a burglar in his house. The guy pulled his gun as the burglar came at him .... but he just couldn't shoot.

To make a long story short, the BG hit him in the head and they wrestled over the gun. The BG got the gun because the citizens hand was slippery with blood, his own blood. The citizen got shot, the BG escaped. The only good thing was that the bullet went through his arm cleanly, no bone broken or artery nicked and he was treated and released for the bullet wound and stitches where he was clubbed in the head. . The guy made it pretty clear that if it happened again he would pull the trigger next time.

If I can find that video again I'll post it.

Thumper · May 10th, 2008, 08:49 PM

You can't learn to swim by watching other swimmers... JUMP IN!

digitalexplr · May 10th, 2008, 10:11 PM

As you stated carrying is a serious responsiblilty. It is wise you are aware of that fact. I suspect there are many carrying that have never really dealt with the serious side. Sure, they know and talk about the fact that they are prepared to fire if need be. But will they when the need araises? Hard to say.

The thing is, make sure you are mentally and emotionally prepared to kill if necessary. Make sure you understand that in today's world you may well have to shoot some teenage gangbanger or druggy.

We all carry for one reason and it isn't to poke holes in paper. It is to poke holes in bad guys, and that my friends, is a serious situation.

T Bone · May 10th, 2008, 11:29 PM

You've gotten some good advice these last few pages. I'll add a +1 on carrying around the house, and on working through scenario's mentally.

Another thing that may help is a very good book called "In The Gravest Extreme", by Masaad Ayoob. This book teaches much about the dynamics of an actual shooting situation, what to expect and how to react. It covers some civil and criminal law issues (yes, good people involved in legitimate self defense shooting do sometimes find themselves faced with criminal charges, and even convictions, and civil suits are a near certainty when you use lethal force). It deals with the mental aspects of a shooting, both for yourself and those around you. It deals with tactics, and other issues before and after the shooting (as well as when not to shoot).

Masaad has been a gun writer for +/-30 years, has been a law enforcement officer (LEO) and a police trainer, expert witness and firearms instructor. Check your library, or a local book store or well stocked gun shop for a copy. It is sage real world advice and will help you with many of those mental scenario's.

Bottom line, remember it is your right, use it responsibly and freely. But it is not a requirement, if you feel you are not ready, work through it until you are.

JimmyC4 · May 10th, 2008, 11:47 PM

It's like the seatbelt in a car, which you put it on just before the crash. So, start carrying just before you face a threat...er, on second thought maybe you should start carrying immediately!

Ram Rod · May 10th, 2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zach and Holly View Post
I know the feeling -- we invested in a class from a reputable instructor, badgered the Oregon Firearms Federation with a hundred legal questions, and took apart and reassembled our weapons a hundred times over. I'll probably get jumped on for this next statement, but I'm not comfortable yet carrying in public with a round in the chamber. We've got the Ruger LCP with NO safety so all we have to rely on is the heavy trigger pull. For a quick pocket draw, it makes me a little nervous. Out of curiosity, is there anyone here who doesn't carry chambered?

As mentioned, the "what if" scenarios are what sold us completely to start carrying.

Quote:

We've got the Ruger LCP with NO safety so all we have to rely on is the heavy trigger pull.

Wrong! I don't even have to say that I'm a number one Glock fan. Safety? What is safety? All you have? Is it? No--not really---when it all comes down to it, the ONLY thing you can rely on is yourself. No matter how many levers or coincidental moving parts your pistol has, or does not have--you are the last link in the safety chain. You chose your pistol for a reason right? What was that reason? You chose to take the time and effort to obtain a permit---what was the reason? You will overcome your inhibitions in due time. No need to feel bad about it, just weigh the options. Half a second vs. life? Trust me---if you stick to your principles and what you've learned from an instructor---you'll never shoot yourself, or the pistol won't fire unless you intend it to.

Zach and Holly · May 11th, 2008, 02:34 AM

Thanks for all the comments -- this place is great. The other "weird" anxiety I have about pocket carry is accidental exposure, or the gun "falling out" when I sit at a bench or something. Right now, I am only carrying in zipped or snapped cargo pockets. I know that, with not carrying chambered, slows down my draw even more if and when I need it. I'm sure experience and time will convince me otherwise, but I'm sure that will happen sooner than later thanks to all this advice. Thanks again for the encouragment.

And thanks for the photo, RR!

May 10th, 2008, 11:32 AM	#31
Kerbouchard VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,531	I overcame my jitters by carrying around the house while waiting for the permit. Same as pretty much everybody else, I would expect. I, too, was nervous about carrying with a round in the chamber, at first. I started carrying an XD, and as it did not have a safety I was nervous. I started carrying without a round in the chamber, but I would rack the slide before I inserted the mag, so it would be 'ready to fire' if there was a round in the chamber. I figured if I ever saw it had 'fired' or if I ever heard a 'click' I would know I was right about the dangers of carrying with one in the chamber. I never did. It never did. So I gradually became more comfortable. As far as when you start to carry...it all depends on the person. I would recommend another tactical pistol class. Something with reactive shooting, drawing from your holster, shooting from retention, one handed shooting, failure drills, etc. After a good course your confidence and proficiency will go way up. I believe DFW guns has a course like that(don't know anything about it), and I know Reborn(one of our members here) teaches a course that isn't too far away from where you are. Good luck and Stay Safe out there. __________________ Money can be lost or stolen, health and strength may fail, but what you have committed to your mind is yours forever. http://miscmusings.townhall.com/ Who is John Galt?

May 10th, 2008, 08:49 PM	#35
Thumper VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sparks, Nevada Posts: 3,646	You can't learn to swim by watching other swimmers... JUMP IN! __________________ ALWAYS carry! - NEVER tell!

May 10th, 2008, 11:29 PM	#37
T Bone Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Metropolitan Detroit Posts: 639	You've gotten some good advice these last few pages. I'll add a +1 on carrying around the house, and on working through scenario's mentally. Another thing that may help is a very good book called "In The Gravest Extreme", by Masaad Ayoob. This book teaches much about the dynamics of an actual shooting situation, what to expect and how to react. It covers some civil and criminal law issues (yes, good people involved in legitimate self defense shooting do sometimes find themselves faced with criminal charges, and even convictions, and civil suits are a near certainty when you use lethal force). It deals with the mental aspects of a shooting, both for yourself and those around you. It deals with tactics, and other issues before and after the shooting (as well as when not to shoot). Masaad has been a gun writer for +/-30 years, has been a law enforcement officer (LEO) and a police trainer, expert witness and firearms instructor. Check your library, or a local book store or well stocked gun shop for a copy. It is sage real world advice and will help you with many of those mental scenario's. Bottom line, remember it is your right, use it responsibly and freely. But it is not a requirement, if you feel you are not ready, work through it until you are. __________________ Regards, T Bone. "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety". Benjamin Franklin

May 10th, 2008, 11:47 PM	#38
JimmyC4 Distinguished Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Minnesnowta Posts: 1,397	It's like the seatbelt in a car, which you put it on just before the crash. So, start carrying just before you face a threat...er, on second thought maybe you should start carrying immediately! __________________ ATTENTION VIETNAM VETS--For a list of diseases that Veterans Affairs (VA) considers presumptive to Agent Orange exposure, go to http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefit...cide/index.htm

May 11th, 2008, 02:34 AM	#40
Zach and Holly Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 227	Thanks for all the comments -- this place is great. The other "weird" anxiety I have about pocket carry is accidental exposure, or the gun "falling out" when I sit at a bench or something. Right now, I am only carrying in zipped or snapped cargo pockets. I know that, with not carrying chambered, slows down my draw even more if and when I need it. I'm sure experience and time will convince me otherwise, but I'm sure that will happen sooner than later thanks to all this advice. Thanks again for the encouragment. And thanks for the photo, RR! __________________ Isn't carrying a gun a little overkill? Paranoid? When you need it, and don't have it, you sing a different tune.

May 10th, 2008, 07:50 PM	#34
Puppy Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 442	A point was touched on but not covered extensively above. You must decide if you can "kill" if you must. There is a video which I just saw the other day of an interview of a guy who couldn't quite pull the trigger. He found a burglar in his house. The guy pulled his gun as the burglar came at him .... but he just couldn't shoot. To make a long story short, the BG hit him in the head and they wrestled over the gun. The BG got the gun because the citizens hand was slippery with blood, his own blood. The citizen got shot, the BG escaped. The only good thing was that the bullet went through his arm cleanly, no bone broken or artery nicked and he was treated and released for the bullet wound and stitches where he was clubbed in the head. . The guy made it pretty clear that if it happened again he would pull the trigger next time. If I can find that video again I'll post it.

May 10th, 2008, 10:11 PM	#36
digitalexplr Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Jefferson City, MO Posts: 437	As you stated carrying is a serious responsiblilty. It is wise you are aware of that fact. I suspect there are many carrying that have never really dealt with the serious side. Sure, they know and talk about the fact that they are prepared to fire if need be. But will they when the need araises? Hard to say. The thing is, make sure you are mentally and emotionally prepared to kill if necessary. Make sure you understand that in today's world you may well have to shoot some teenage gangbanger or druggy. We all carry for one reason and it isn't to poke holes in paper. It is to poke holes in bad guys, and that my friends, is a serious situation.

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