[Biomortis]

I guess this is the best place to put this. I need some help training myself to leave my right hand (dominant for me) free. I have a bad habit of closing up at night and walking out across the parking lot with something in my hand, like keys or a drink or a trash bag. Usually somewhere between the door and my truck I remember and switch but I want to be automatically leaving it available. Anybody have some good training methods? I don't want to put a sign on my door reminding me because then I will have customers asking why they should leave their right hand available.

 

[cuban11182]

I've started doing the same thing. If you don't do it you can always throw what you have in your dominant hand to distract.

 

[BikerRN]

IRL you can't always have your dominant hand free if you want to lead a somewhat normal life.

This is why I like having a BUG accessible to the other hand. I do tend to keep my gunhand free, and prefer to, as I was trained to do so a long time ago. It may have to start as a concious effort on your part, but over time it will become second nature.

I would advise you to take the time to plan your actions so that your gunhand remains free. It may take some effort on your part, but I guarantee you that if you do it long enough it becomes second nature. When I hold hands and walk with my wife she automattically holds my non-gunhand. If by some fluke she is holding my dominant gunhand, I have a BUG.

Biker

 

[hogdaddy]

Good thougt I'd like to ad try shooting weak hand, Can't hurt ; )

 

[Biomortis]

I'm actually pretty decent with my weak hand and my G27 feels very comfortable in. I'm just too fat to be able to reach it in any way from the opposite side. My own fault due to years of being addicted to food instead of heroin. :dead:

Biker, I am definitely considering a BUG. I kind of like the idea of having a G27 on each side. Of course, this would be more like having a backup draw position than a BUG. :image035: However, I don't think my chairs would accommodate a holster mirrored on my left side. MIght have to go with something smaller.

 

[Bark'n]

I try to keep my dominant hand as free as possible, but hey, I'm not a freak about it. I mean, come on... It's not like we're a bunch of gunfighters having a gun battle every week or two.

I spend at least some of every range trip shooting with my non-dominant hand. About every two or three range trips, I shoot without my prescription glasses on to prepare for a time where I may lose my glasses in a fight. And I carry a BUG available to my non-dominant hand.

On the SRT team we do a lot of "transition drills" from carbine or shotgun (which is on a sling) to our handgun, so I am used to dropping what's in my right hand and going for my gun. I don't think I'll be worried about dropping whatever is in my hand should I need to go for the gun in a situation.

I just ordered this rig which holds my BUG (Ruger LCP) and two spare magazines for my Primary gun. Worn on the weak side, it should help even out and counter balance the weight of my Primary weapon on the strong side.

I'll do a write up on it after I get it and have had a chance to try it out.

 

[unloved]

Raven Concealment Systems?

 

[jbum]

I can't say I keep it free 100% of the time maybe 95%. I make a conscience effort never to put anything in my strong side pockets except for a knife. It took me forever top break the habit of putting keys, change and everything else in my right pocket now I find myself using my left hand (weak side) a heck of a lot more for things.

 

[Ram Rod]

Just be aware of what you're doing...think in advance, and be ready to drop anything you're carrying at any time. My wife and I hold hands while walking places....back when, she knew to walk on my weak side. Now, both of us carry and we're both right handed. What do you know? She's my backup. While carrying other things, or loading up, I'm always aware and use my non-dominant hand if i can help it. But I don't go around all of the time lop-sided as if my dominant hand/arm was just dead weight.

 

[RETSUPT99]

I think about keeping my right hand free whenever leaving a store. Bags are always in weak hand...can't ever be too careful.

Stay armed...stay in yellow...stay safe!

 

[dunndw]

I make it a habit to have nothing of "value" in my strong hand. I figure a lit cig or a coke thrown @ someone's head will make them flinch.

I also carry my bug weak side, right beside my money clip

 

[CJ810]

I carry a backpack to work. My brother got me a really sturdy canvas and suede (bottom) backpack back when I was in college (I was broke and carrying my books in a bookstore plastic bag and he felt bad.) The bag has been to England, Scotland, Belgium, and all over the US since. It's as important to me now as the beat up leather bomber jacket I got a few months later.

When I leave work, everything goes in that except my coffee cup and my keys. I carry the bag over my weak side shoulder and the cup in that hand and only have my keys in my strong hand.

Don't know how much you're carrying when you leave work, but that might work for you.

I've actually considered the possibility of using the backpack as a holster option. The G27 should fit in the front pocket with no trouble.

 

[Bark'n]

Raven Concealment Systems?

Yes! Do you have any experience with their products?

I plan on posting a report after I get it and had a chance to try it out.

Btw... The picture is a prototype set-up. All their systems are modular. The holster and mag carriers come as separate units and then I purchased the hardware to mate them together. You can also get hardware to change from OWB, IWB or Tuckable. My set up is coming to set up for Tuckable mounting.

I like their modular concept and have looked at some of their holsters for a while. When I saw a picture of that particular set up for my BUG and to carry spare mags for my primary, I had to take the plunge and give it a try. Also, 35-40 day wait, so they must be made to order.

Let me know if you have any of their gear and what you think of it.

Thanks.

 

[TheShadow]

I'm always catching myself carrying things with my strong hand and usually change over if it's nothing bulky or to heavy. Now at home I catch myself doing the Al Bundy hand thing while watching TV. No worries though I'm wearing my Smartcarry :tongue:

 

[ArmyCop]

Same thing a veteran police officer / friend of mine told me. Said on or off duty to use non-gun hand holding flashlight, keys or whatever - keeping the gun hand free.
Good habit to get into.

 

[unloved]

Do you have any experience with their products?

Yes. I own a Neck/Mercharness Holster for my P3AT, a sheath for my Crucible FX, and a few Doodads for CR123s. I've used a loaner Phantom Modular Holster (set up for OWB with the thread through loops) in a couple of training courses. I'm planning to buy a dual mag carrier and Eclipse BUG holster setup like the one you posted soon.

I like their modular concept and have looked at some of their holsters for a while.

Same here. Their stuff is just great. Very nicely molded and finished. The holsters and mag carriers aren't sharply molded to shape on the back, so you don't get uncomfortable pressure points. They're slightly curved, so they sit nice and tight to your body. Very low profile. They're comfortable and they conceal really well. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

BTW, every time I've ordered from them, I received my gear well ahead of the wait time they quoted me.:smile:

 

[2ndsupporter]

I carry @ 3:30 and when I'm carrying something in my strong side hand that has any mass my arm rubs my gun and I tend to then shift it to the other hand to not only have that hand free but also to keep from printing (not even sure I do when that happens, just seems like it).

So in away that is a reminder for me to keep it as free as possible.

 

[larefugee]

That's just part of training your situational awareness. However, in an emergency don't be afraid to simply drop whatever is in your strong hand, unless it's a Ming dynasty vase or something like that

 

[Nova]

I have a friend who lives in a lousy part of D.C., and he had a bunch of grocery bags dangling on his arms as he walked back home. Sure enough, the BGs spotted him and mugged him.

My friend was helpless to defend himself - arms were locked up by the bags. Luckily the BGs didn't hurt him except for some punches to the chest...got off easy...

Point being: keeping your hands available is important. We all have to carry something sometimes, but you've got to be able to drop what you have at a moment's notice. Usually that's my keys.

 

[MJK]

In addition to the good advice that's been given, practice drawing with your dominant hand when you have something in your dominant hand. Practice drawing with your weak hand when you having something in your weak hand. (BTW, can you draw your weapon with your weak hand if your strong hand is wounded?) The more you practice (correctly) the more likely you'll successfully deploy your weapon should it be necessary.