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So I haven't received my "plastic" yet, but I've been preparing for the day by wearing my holster (Kholster) and CCW (Taurus PT111) around the house. I, as many newbie carriers probably experience, I feel like there's a big neon sign over my head. I've asked my fiancé what she thinks, and knowing its there she says she notices it, but doubts she would otherwise. I'm sure it will take some adjusting once I actually start carrying.

Today, just before leaving to head my lunch break from work, I was reading some threads on here about spotting (or not spotting) fellow CHL carriers. Well I was sitting there watching the door at lunch, and I see a guy come in and I immediately notice a sizeable bump beneath his shirt grey polo on his right side. I immediately thought that I had seen a CHL finally after all this looking! I noticed also how he didn't swing his right arm quite as much while walking, tended to favor that side, and how the shirt seemed to fall on top of something that extended fairly far along his side (like resting on the back of a grip). I momentarily felt proud of myself for my observational abilities, and became increasingly worried that is how my handgun would imprint through my clothes! Then, much to my surprise, and somewhat relief, I see him lift his shirt, and pull the large touch screen cell phone from its holster.

I learned a lesson today before I even have my plastic: Even if someone sees a bump (which 95% of people won't even notice), they probably won't assume it's a firearm, but instead a monster cell phone.

Good story, Jackal, and an excellent lesson for all to learn. Very few will spot your gun. Some may see a bulge but most of those won't have a clue or care. From the day after 9/11 I carried a fairly large semi-auto S&W as a LEO, every day everywhere. Not once did anyone comment about my carrying unless I first clued them in - like family and close friends. So act reasonably and get comfortable with carrying and you should have not problems. Good luck and thanks for the story and lesson.

Most people will carry their cell phones to the front side, I mean at 1-2, If you see a bulge at 3 to 5, most likely it is not a cell phone.

Beiruty wrote:Most people will carry their cell phones to the front side, I mean at 1-2, If you see a bulge at 3 to 5, most likely it is not a cell phone.

Well that's where I'll be carrying mine, so let's hope that most people just assume it's a cell phone poking through.

TXlaw1 wrote:Good story, Jackal, and an excellent lesson for all to learn. Very few will spot your gun. Some may see a bulge but most of those won't have a clue or care. From the day after 9/11 I carried a fairly large semi-auto S&W as a LEO, every day everywhere. Not once did anyone comment about my carrying unless I first clued them in - like family and close friends. So act reasonably and get comfortable with carrying and you should have not problems. Good luck and thanks for the story and lesson.

Thanks. I'm trying to get over most of the initial break in of getting used to carrying it before I actually head out into the wild with it. I put it on most days when I get home from work, and just last night after wearing it around for about four hours I asked my fiancé if she knew I was carrying it, and she did not. The more I do this, the more comfortable I have become in realizing that it's not that big of a deal.

Beiruty wrote:Most people will carry their cell phones to the front side, I mean at 1-2, If you see a bulge at 3 to 5, most likely it is not a cell phone.

I guess I'm out of the ordinary, weapon at 3:00, cell phone at 4:00.

I just look for the guys wearing MOLLE gear, and I assume they're carrying. Everyone else? Well, you never know....

But whenever I see an old guy with a photographer's vest on, I have to resist the urge to grin.

Full Load:
Glock @ 3-4 o'clock OWB
Cell @ 9-10 o'clock OWB
Dbl mag carrier @ 7-8 o'clock OWB

Light Load:
Glock @ 3-4 o'clock IWB
Cell in some front or side pocket
One extra mag in either front pocket

I've never spotted another, except for possibly someone with a fanny pack. You know, that extra little zipper that no one ever gets into in public!

Thanks for the story. I've been carrying for two weeks now and I have not even spotted a bulge anywhere. Today I went to the doctors office where I knew I would have to remove my clothes for an exam. I stopped in the men's room just before the exam and slipped my 9mm into my bicycle bag ( I rode my bicycle to the doctor's office) where it remained till the exam was finished. There was a sign on the doctor's building that said something like weapons of any type are prohibited (not a proper 30.06 sign) so I disregarded the sign. My doctors office is not in a hospital which, if I read the law correctly, are no-carry zones.

In any case, no bulges anywhere today ... thanks again for your story.
bob

Hi Bob.

Hospitals are no longer "no carry" zones unless they are properly posted, attached to or owned by a University.

If y'all spot one of these http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostomy_pouching_system" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, be sure to point it out.

The Annoyed Man wrote:I just look for the guys wearing MOLLE gear, and I assume they're carrying. Everyone else? Well, you never know....

But whenever I see an old guy with a photographer's vest on, I have to resist the urge to grin.

I look on that getup as sort of a legal form of open carry.

Oldgringo wrote:If y'all spot one of these http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostomy_pouching_system" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, be sure to point it out.

I may not be good at spotting CHLs, but I have a keen eye for ostomy pouches!

Untill my CB SuperTuck comes in i'm using a KalTec Leather OWB.

My load:
2:45- Springfield XD SubC
3:00- Inexpensive lockblade
8:45- Spair Magazines
9:15- Super Gerber and MiniMag

My wife knows my license was to come in but i did not tell her it arrived on saturday. I have carried all day, daily since Sat Morning. The wife has been with me several hours each day. Yesterday after dinner we were going for drinks and i mentioned that i needed to disarm first, she was shocked and asked if i had been carrying this whole time, and did i get my license in. My wife did not make me, i am pretty sure noone else will.

xperthunter wrote:My wife knows my license was to come in but i did not tell her it arrived on saturday. I have carried all day, daily since Sat Morning. The wife has been with me several hours each day. Yesterday after dinner we were going for drinks and i mentioned that i needed to disarm first, she was shocked and asked if i had been carrying this whole time, and did i get my license in. My wife did not make me, i am pretty sure noone else will.

That's a good idea. My fiancé would probably not notice either. Though I'm not sure I'd be able to hide my excitement of finally having the plastic to pull it off.

I only carry a small 380 inside the waistband or in pocket but my wife has never noticed in the last month or so. She isn't overly comfortable with idea. So I don't tell her. Not sure I can get away with that with a larger gun.
FD