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About to join the OC party

3K views 35 replies 17 participants last post by  JeffInPA 
#1 ·
Well i just got my new OWB from winthrop holsters for my 229. Going to wear it but have a t shirt over the top. Definitely wont cover the whole gun but im not worried. Going to keep a log of any interactions in this thread. FYI i am in the Pittsburgh area in case others search for this.
 
#5 ·
In my opinion, it does not matter so much how one carries as it does that they always carry. A sidearm is only good if you have it when you need it.

Carry constantly, stay safe.
 
#6 ·
best of luck to you. you have you're LTCF too? dont want them to try to hastle you since it will be partially covered. OC is perfectly legal in PA just you need your LTCF to conceal it.
 
#8 ·
Day 1. Pretty obvious what i had on me. Its not what i would call small. Walked the dog with my gf on the running trail by PNC park and Heinz Field. Went to dinner in southside Pittsburgh at a mongolian grill. Then got ice cream and walked the street for about 30 minutes in a VERY crowded area. Not a word said by anyone. Kinda surprised personally.
 
#10 ·
Nice thread, I will be monitoring this daily, i'm curious to hear how the general public react to you. I may just do something similar myself after august 1st when alabama statute is worded so there is no confusion as to whether OC is legal.

Thanks for the thread.
Sara Lou
 
#11 ·
I detest IWB carry. My larger sized carry guns are an M&P compact 9, and G 19s.

I went to our local summerfest, and carried a G 19, OWB in a bladetech paddle holster, with sort of a bowling shirt open, but over it. Wind was blowing a bit, and while I didnt try to display anything, I also didnt really care very much. It was legal for me to carry, etc.

Never got one second look from anyone. I have come to the conclusion that people see guns all the time on the "street". Most likely from LE. So its the person and their actions that draw attention, or not.

A respectable looking person, going about their business, not acting crazy, or waving a gun, or whatever, I dont think bothers people as much as we might think.

How many times have YOU seen someone with a gun, but simply assumed that they were LE? I think that happens more often than we think.
 
#14 ·
Picked up a new galco gunbelt today. Cant be wearing a $1k gun with a 9.99 belt. And it was sagging a bit. Damn this belt is stiff, yet comfortable.
As long as you're wearing boxers and shooting your gun sideways, there's not problem with that.
 
#13 ·
Welcome to comfortable carry. Glad to hear you got a good belt, definitely needed for owb carry with a heavy gun. I'll let ya know that you should get use to nothing happening. I use to OC a P226(without a t-shirt over it) and most people never noticed.

Keep carrying how you want. Concealed, kind of concealed, or open, it doesn't matter as long as you're legal and you're carrying.
 
#15 ·
Welcome to the fold. I'm right up outside of New Castle. I open carry quite often. The only super negative encounter I had was in Pittsburgh. This was how it went:



There was a little learning going on that day.
 
#18 ·
I was right in front of the Consol Energy Center, on the triangle of sidewalk that runs to the street.
 
#19 ·
16 Open Carriers vs Several Police Officers! - YouTube


This is an example of over the top. A group of OCers that meet regularly in Kansas City had to deal with a MWAG call. It seems about a third of KCPD showed up at the Stake and Shake they were at. I wasn't there but the good thing that happened was that it seems every KC LEO knows about it and that OC is legal.

So if ya worry about an encounter, don't assume there are strength in numbers. Of course if I was a cop and had a call of 16 MWAG I'd call for backup too.
 
#23 ·
Good stuff.

Who was the annoying broad that kept telling you to respect the police and show them your ID?
 
#24 ·
I can't remember her name. My favorite was when I mentioned that the police are supposed to respect the citizens' rights, and she replied, "Thats a problem."
Why yes, sweetheart, that is a problem.
 
#25 ·
There is not a law in Louisiana pertaining to OC and there never has been. It has always been allowed since the Louisiana Purchase. When LE gets a MWAG call, the Communications Officer will ask the caller what the MWAG is doing. If they say he is only wearing it, the CO will advise that he is not breaking any law and is allowed to OC. While it is different in a lot of states with new OC laws on the books, it is common around this state and nobody pays an OC any attention. I went back two weeks for 911 calls and found only two calls for MWAG and both of them came from public housing projects. It is just not an issue in this state.
 
#29 ·
So last night i was out walking my gf's dog after a pirates game. I always carry when i do because the area is under bridges and hidden from all major roadways. Didnt carry at the game though as they wand you on the way in. Had my little (6'4 260 lbs) brother with me since hes visiting this week. Made it to the bottom of the steps and two guys trailed us by about 20 ft. I checked behind me twice just to see the distance and how they were acting. Stopped by the side of the walkway with my brother to let them pass and so i could be facing them. Strong side showing in case. Convo went like this.

One of the two: Paranoid?!
Me: about what?
Him: well you checked us twice, and you have a gun.
Me: Nope not paranoid but you never know who may roll up behind you down here.
Him: True. I got one too but i left it home.
Me: Coming from the game?
Him: Yea just gettin outta here but a long walk back to the car for free parking
Me: Yea i understand that. Have a good night

Pretty uneventful but the first time ive gotten asked if im paranoid. For a better idea of where i was so you can understand the location. Look up PNC park and follow the running trail along the water east under thr bridges. I know its an iffy spot but i cant let the dog relieve itself elsewhere.
 
#30 ·
I OC now more than 6 months ago...a lot more. No problems yet; but as I mentioned in a earlier thread, I dress well so I believe many who see my gun assume I'm LE.

The ONLY issue I have with OC is that it takes time away from LE to answer these silly MWAG calls; time they need to handle real threats, not perceived ones by the general uninformed public at large.
 
#32 ·
Back from NY. Good lord are they anti gun. After being away from it for a while it really is on a whole different level there that i never realized. The topic came up at the beach one day and one of my friends was literally laughing because she couldnt fathom why anyone would want to carry. This weekend i will have to go deep concealment carry. Wish i could OC but i cant even carry because of company policy. It is for an event to help homeless veterans here. We will be distributing clothes, food, and other things such as haircuts will be available for free. However, it is in one of the shadiest areas of town, mid day on a saturday. Id love to bring the sig but the xds will have to get some playtime for now.
 
#35 ·
OC'ed everywhere i can and no reactions positive or negative. May be i suck at this?
It depends. If your reason for open carrying is to get reactions, then ya, you're doing it wrong. You probably shouldn't be OCing if that is your reason for carrying. If your reason for carrying is for defense then stop worrying or even looking to see what people's reactions are.
 
#34 ·
Most people either don't notice, or don't care, either way you're good to go.
 
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