DaveT

Relax, be yourself... and most important... be aware of your surroundings at all times.

The holster and equipment stuff will come to you by trial and error, most of us who have been at this for a long time usually clean out holster drawers every couple of years, LOL !

Practice until you know your gun inside and out... and until everything that happens from your neck down is automatic without having to think about it - or look down. Unload your gun, check it twice, and practice different drawing techniques in the comfort of your own home. Besides improving proficiency at unholstering your weapon in a hurry, that type of practice will help you narrow down what kind of a holster you eventually decide on.

As far as wondering about carrying with a round in the chamber.... just imagine how FAST any type of a situation where you might need a gun can happen. Then ask yourself if you will have time to draw, then rack the slide to chamber a round ? If carrying with a round in the chamber makes you nervous at first, try this... wear your gun unloaded around your house as you get used to it. In the course of normal activities, see how many times the trigger gets pulled by accident..... you'll be comfortable with a round in the chamber in short order.

Another thing when carrying around the house to get used to things.... see if you can catch how many times you reach down to 'adjust' your holster, or touch the gun to make sure it is still there - you'll do it a lot at first, but out in public those kind of unconscious moves are dead give aways that you have a weapon on your hip.

Last, but certainly not least.... continue to do just as you are doing now. Ask questions. There are a lot of good folks on this board with a wide range of experience. I have not met anyone on here yet that isn't willing to share knowledge.

GM

Hi and welcome to the forum!

UHH! The question about the holster was a rough one. I can tell you about what works for me, but it does not necessarily imply that it will work for you. I had a Milt Sparks VM-2 which most people recommend, but I could not use it because I live in a place that is hot like a steam room 24/7; I also felt that it was too “clumsy”. Then other member of this forum told me about the #1 Heritage; I like it very much and it is my daily holster. When I need a tuckable holster I use a High Noon Tail Gate horsehide which I think is an excellent holster too. Both of them are IWB and they should work fine with a P238. Unfortunately they are not cheap; on the other hand, you get what you paid for. Also consider spending some money getting a good belt; those $7.99 belts from Wal-Mart will not do the trick.

Unless illegal, I always carry.

I believe that cocked and locked is the only way to go if you carry a SA or SA/DA, but you shall carry in the way that you feel it is most comfortable for you. However, if you decide not to carry cocked and locked be aware of the consequences of it. If your gun is not ready to shoot you when you need it you will be carrying a very expensive brick.

I do not wear oversized clothes, and I do not have any problems concealing. Actually, my CCW permit does not play any roll at all when buying clothes. However, when I am wearing tighter jeans I wear an untucked t-shirt or untucked shirt.

Good luck!

__________________
"The Second Amendment: America's Original Homeland Security"

retsupt99

from Central Florida!

Stay armed...get into a Self-defense Pistol Course and practice (best thing you can do)...stay safe!

ret

__________________
"That I cannot do."

"Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks."


***********************************

NRA Life Member

QKShooter

Some other ?'s
Chambered/ unchambered
Cocked and locked
where not to carry
best way to conceal
What to do if someone sees it and freaks
Best concealment holster



ccceric - Oh you want the Cliff Notes of firearm carry?

gdm320

QK it looks like he does want the abridged version. That's okay, he has to start somewhere right?

If you want tons of holster specific information you should probably pop into the Defensive Carry Holsters & Carry Options - DefensiveCarry Concealed Carry Forum and ask it there... but I'll offer my two cents on this question and the rest.

I'm hardly a seasoned veteran, but not long ago I was asking many of these questions myself so the decisions I made based on the information I gathered from here.

1. An unchambered gun is a club. You bought a Sig, a very high quality gun, so I say treat it like one. Always keep one in the pipe. Plus, it means one extra round to defend yourself with a full magazine.

2. I don't carry my P239 "cocked and locked". I'm comfortable firing DA on my first shot then SA on subsequent shots. This is just a personal choice. Either way it isn't going to matter on your Sig, since it is engineered to fire only if the trigger is pulled - not just if the hammer falls for some reason. Whatever you do, just practice it. I was always taught that you should practice as hard as you play, and the same is true for defensive carry IMO.

3. Where you can and cannot carry and how you must carry in certain places varies radically from state to state... check out Handgunlaw.us for a start but you should research specific state information. There is an attorney here in Florida that has written a comprehensive guide on handgun law here in Florida, I'd look around to see if anything similar is available in your state.

4. How to best conceal is entirely a personal thing... it depends on your body type and comfort level with different things. Trial and error, I suppose? I carry IWB and it works for me.

5. What to do if somebody sees your carry and freaks? It hasn't happened to me, but the plan is to stay calm! My plan is to take it easy, de-escalate the situation, and calmly continue about my business. If people are going to freak out and start screaming "HE'S GOT A GUN" then they're going to freak and scream... so let them go. You shouldn't be anyplace where you legally shouldn't have a gun anyway so even if somebody does get involved it shouldn't be a big deal. But others are right that you'd be surprised how oblivious people are that don't even notice. The What was your Embarrassment Moment , While CC? thread have funny stories of people having malfunctions with carry rigs where the gun fell out and nobody even noticed... I read through that and found a few ways to deal with the embarrassment or shock of it.

6. I thought about the holster thing for a while since it took me a long time to save enough money to buy my gun in the first place. I started thinking Crossbreed SuperTuck Deluxe... thought about some of the SmartCarry options... but ended up with the Minotaur MTAC from Comp-Tac. I really love the carry on my MTAC, very comfortable even in the Florida heat and humidity.

I hope some of this can help you... welcome to the forum!

__________________
"Politicians are like diapers: they should be changed often... and for the same reason." -- Robin Williams, Man of the Year

Beretta8045

Everyone else has already hit the nail on the head!

Congrats on your permit.

Don't you feel more American already?

ccceric

Thanks for all the answers, they are very helpful
Keep them coming! This is better info than my ccw class.

You bet I feel more American

gdm320

That right there is the best reason to get yourself enrolled in a pistol training course!

__________________
"Politicians are like diapers: they should be changed often... and for the same reason." -- Robin Williams, Man of the Year

MarkN

Congrats on your permit! Also, Welcome!
I looks like most has been covered already. I can only add-get a quality holster and get a quality GUN BELT! It makes a world of difference! The people that say it does not matter are the ones without a gun belt. I have carried with both and can say without a doubt a good gun belt makes a difference.
Good luck and stay safe!
MN

__________________
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather skid in sideways, 1911 in one hand, AR-15 in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "Woo Hoo what a ride!"

Rhino1965

I agree with gdm320. Get into a pistol class of some sort. You will be amazed how much more you can learn in addition to your ccw class. Know your state and local laws.
Congrats on the CCW !

__________________
"Rhino"