Long time CHL Holder Preparing for First Carry

[Ameer]

1. It is my understanding that in Texas, one does not have to announce that you are carrying when entering another's home. That said, how do all of you handle it from an etiquette perspective?

I think it's good manners to keep my gun and my underwear concealed in another's home unless invited to do otherwise.

2. How do you Texas professionals handle concealed carry when dressed for work? For obvious reasons, unless the weather is nice, I don't wear a jacket unless I have to and it would raise questions if I did. That leaves pocket carry, which would really require a smaller gun for those days. Any tips?

I got a guayabera shirt as a gift. I bought a few more after I realized the potential for concealed carry.

[TLud]

I think it's good manners to keep my gun and my underwear concealed in another's home unless invited to do otherwise.

Lots of people comparing concealed carry to underwear in this thread. While I certainly agree in principle, the possibility of my underwear choice being inadvertently revealed is far less likely than my choice to exercise my 2A rights when playing around with kids. If that were not the case, I would have bigger problems.

I'm getting the sense, however, that my worries about inadvertently exposing my gun are inversely proportional to the amount of time I've actually spent carrying, and that I will relax over time.

I got a guayabera shirt as a gift. I bought a few more after I realized the potential for concealed carry.

I really wish my office dress code allowed this, but unfortunately does not. Still a good call for non-work wear.

[TLud]

Welcome
Yeah they have a great price for a reinforced gun belt

Feel free to ask any questions any time.
Many of us tried many different "systems" of carrying and can save you buying gimmicks that sound good but end up in a drawer unused.

At first it's a real learning experience, later it's as natural as putting on shoes to go out. You don't consciously notice or mentally dwell upon wearing a gun, (or shoes) but feel odd without it (them).

Sorry, missed your post with the switch to the new page. I definitely appreciate the information and recommendations. Between practice ammo, classes, and quality gun(s) and equipment, it's a lot of money even if you buy all the right stuff the first time.

The frustrating thing right now is that there is apparently a good amount lead time when ordering quality equipment, like belts and holsters. So, I'm waiting all over again.

[TLud]

I broke in and got comfortable with the P9 this weekend. Put 200 rounds of WWB on Saturday and another 200 on Sunday. Overall, I'm very happy with the gun. It is comfortable to shoot, very accurate, and didn't have a single failure. The slide is extremely stiff, but I got used to it. The raised bumps on the back of the grip started cutting into my hand by the end of the range sessions, but I'll be getting a slip-on grip to solve that problem. I'm impatiently looking forward to my holster and belts arriving for carrying.

I also put a few hundred rounds through my H&K USP40, which resides in my night stand, and sighted in my .270 Remington.

Spent the afternoon breaking down, cleaning and oiling all three while watching some football.

[snatchel]

I'm a BIG fan of Talon Grips. I tried the slip on rubber stuff that i've seen in stores and just didn't care for them. They felt funny, were too sticky, and weren't that comfortable. I traded for a Glock 30 a while back and the guy had put rubber Talon Grips on it. I loved them. I have put them on everything I have. They are cost effective and proven. I can't say enough good things about them.

http://talongungrips.com/Talon-Grips-for-Kahr-Kahr.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have the rubber style on my guns. The Sandpaper type just isn't for me. For $14.99 and free shipping, it's a lot of bang for your buck. Highly recommend giving them a shot.

[TLud]

I'm a BIG fan of Talon Grips. I tried the slip on rubber stuff that i've seen in stores and just didn't care for them. They felt funny, were too sticky, and weren't that comfortable. I traded for a Glock 30 a while back and the guy had put rubber Talon Grips on it. I loved them. I have put them on everything I have. They are cost effective and proven. I can't say enough good things about them.

http://talongungrips.com/Talon-Grips-for-Kahr-Kahr.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have the rubber style on my guns. The Sandpaper type just isn't for me. For $14.99 and free shipping, it's a lot of bang for your buck. Highly recommend giving them a shot.

Thanks for the recommendation. I like this option because it looks like these won't have any sliding or slipping issues and they won't add a lot of girth to the grip. I like the size and fit of the P9 grip as is, and don't want to make it significantly fatter, add finger grooves, or otherwise change it up too much (which is one reason I'm not interested in the Hogue grips). The downside of the Talon grips are that, based on the picture at that link, the grip does not extend all the way up the back side of the grip. That exposed cheese grater section was exactly where it was cutting into my hand.

Another option looks like the Qwik Grip, which has gotten good marks from both Kahr and Glock owners. Any thoughts?

http://www.lonewolfdist.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=1149

[snatchel]

I forgot to put this up there:

Yeah, the part you are talking about would be exposed. Buy one of the "magazine" grip things off their website. It fits the place you are talking about just right.

[troglodyte]

...a 5.11 t-shirt for safety.

http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products ... Shirt.html. My newest two shirts are all black. My first shirt was black and grey as pictured.

I carry a XD9SC with a spare mag to work every day. Short Sleeve casual "dress" shirts, tucked in. I have a very active "office" job. If anybody has noticed, they haven't let on.

I have to wear another shirt (underarmor type) under it. The flat seams bother me, kind of scratchy. That's typical for me, I cut the tags out of my shirts. It doesn't bother my son at all. YMMV. Suprisingly it doesn't make it that much hotter to wear, but I'm pretty tolerant of heat.

I usually wear XL shirts and these are compression-type shirts so I thought an XL would fit OK. It let the gun bounce around and sag a little more than I liked so I returned it for a large. It holds the gun firmly against my side. The only time I really notice the snugness of the shirt is when I'm driving. With any movement I forget I'm wearing it.

[Scott in Houston]

After carrying more, you'll realize that being visibly exposed almost never happens, and when it does, you'd be amazed at how NOBODY notices. I'm convinced that I could almost walk the whole mall with my gun in an OWB holster and have it fully exposed except the grip, and people wouldn't even notice it or know what it is.

The only thing I ever get concerned with is getting discovered by feel. (e.g., hugs with friends, etc.)
I've learned to do a lot of one armed hugs or keeping my waste a long way from theirs. I carry at about 2-2:30, and a front on hug could definitely give it away. Also, when my daughter grabs me a lot. I've learned how to be defensive of that area from people's touch.

Worst case... when they do touch it, nobody notices or says anything. I'm also prepared with a quick answer if asked... "Cell phone clip".
Oops... Cell Phone Magazine?? haha

[TLud]

I forgot to put this up there:

Yeah, the part you are talking about would be exposed. Buy one of the "magazine" grip things off their website. It fits the place you are talking about just right.

I ordered this and one of the Qwik Grips to see which I like better. Having the best grip possible is worth the $10 or $15 of trial and error. Thanks again for all the info.

...a 5.11 t-shirt for safety.

http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products ... Shirt.html. My newest two shirts are all black. My first shirt was black and grey as pictured.

I carry a XD9SC with a spare mag to work every day. Short Sleeve casual "dress" shirts, tucked in. I have a very active "office" job. If anybody has noticed, they haven't let on.

I have to wear another shirt (underarmor type) under it. The flat seams bother me, kind of scratchy. That's typical for me, I cut the tags out of my shirts. It doesn't bother my son at all. YMMV. Suprisingly it doesn't make it that much hotter to wear, but I'm pretty tolerant of heat.

I usually wear XL shirts and these are compression-type shirts so I thought an XL would fit OK. It let the gun bounce around and sag a little more than I liked so I returned it for a large. It holds the gun firmly against my side. The only time I really notice the snugness of the shirt is when I'm driving. With any movement I forget I'm wearing it.

Wow, this is a great idea! I'm going to order one and give it a shot. Based on your suggestion, I'll order a Large. Hopefully, it doesn't scratch much. My one worry is the heat factor, I am pretty sensitive to heat (I'm the guy in shorts and a t-shirt in 50 degree weather), and wearing compression shirts as undershirts tends to make me hot very easily, but at worst, this could be a good winter option in work clothes.

After carrying more, you'll realize that being visibly exposed almost never happens, and when it does, you'd be amazed at how NOBODY notices. I'm convinced that I could almost walk the whole mall with my gun in an OWB holster and have it fully exposed except the grip, and people wouldn't even notice it or know what it is.

The only thing I ever get concerned with is getting discovered by feel. (e.g., hugs with friends, etc.)
I've learned to do a lot of one armed hugs or keeping my waste a long way from theirs. I carry at about 2-2:30, and a front on hug could definitely give it away. Also, when my daughter grabs me a lot. I've learned how to be defensive of that area from people's touch.

Worst case... when they do touch it, nobody notices or says anything. I'm also prepared with a quick answer if asked... "Cell phone clip".
Oops... Cell Phone Magazine?? haha

Fortunately, I'm not a big "hugger" and so most people are used to the one-armed hugs from me.

With my CHL in hand and my EDC broken in, I'm definitely ready to start and get comfortable with carrying. I just need my holster and belts to come in already.