TexasCHLforum.com

With the issue of open carry in the media and on the minds of many Texans , I have been pondering what I would carry if I didn't have to conceal. I have had my CHL since 1995 and have carried many handguns, but for comfort and concealment sake, I have settled on a J frame Smith airweight.

Of the guns that I already have, I would more than likely open carry my Sig P228.

Anyone else give this topic any thought?

One of a variety of guns that I own, in a Blackhawk Serpa.

Probably the same as now, G30 (.45) or the G21 (.45) but the longer Glock 21 is probably not worth extra discomfort/weight. I wouldn't change anything if I could still carry concealed since I would want the option to switch easily. Just uncover and recover.

You might get more answers from long experience on the OpenCarry.org forums http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/ where people who do this every day have discussed this -- and continue to discuss it -- in depth.

Especially the forums about choosing equipment (obviously) or the VA, PA, and (maybe NC) OC forums which are (among) the most active participants in the movement to actually carry this way. Anyone in VA (legally allowed to possess the firearm of course) who is 18 or over can open carry without a license.

Even those with a CHL must reveal their firearm to enter a bar or RESTAURANT that sells alcohol, a bank too I believe -- or else disarm. This means that many CHL holders in VA is quite likely to open cary at least some of the time. Most of these choose equipment for CC and just untuck or or take off the cover garment when entering such areas. (Silly laws but we are used to this as reality.)

From my reading, and the issue I will have when traveling to VA (etc) if I wish to participate in OC, is the holster. Some form of retention holster is the order of the day for most people. IWB has a sort of inherent retention, but the folks that wear a full size handgun in an OWB tend to recommend the type the police are buying more frequently.

Retention holsters are a very involved subject -- almost like caliber selection or where to carry (OWB, IWB, shoulder, ankle, BTB, etc).

I would probably carry the same handgun but I might buy a fancy belt holster like a Tucker HF1 or maybe something in sharkskin.

Bart wrote:I would probably carry the same handgun but I might buy a fancy belt holster like a Tucker HF1 or maybe something in sharkskin.

Snazzy.

Would we need fashion rules like no brown holsters with black belt or shoes?
?

I'd carry my Dan Wesson Commander bobtail.

HerbM wrote:You might get more answers from long experience on the OpenCarry.org forums http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/ where people who do this every day have discussed this -- and continue to discuss it -- in depth.

Thanks for the suggestion, but the reason I posted HERE is to see what other Texas CHL holder would do if presented with the option.

I would probably carry the same guns I now carry (M&P, 1911, Hi Power, XD all full size) just in a retention holster.

Either my Springfield Armory full size, Kimber CDP, or Kimber Ultra Carry ii.

Must have BBQ holster with retention.

Anygunanywhere

Enough Said.

I would immediately start w/ my shoulder rig because it is the only one I presently have w/ retention.



I would then have an excuse for a couple of new holsters.
Bear would get one.


Rowdy the other.

I would probaly start carrying my Cz-75B in the Fobus paddle holster that I use for IDPA.
Or i would pick up a custom leather holster. $$$permitting

Great now we will start hearing things like. "Does this Holster make my gun look bigger" or "Can I really wear a Black holster with Brown pants."

For once women will have to wait on the guys to get dressed casue they can't make up their mind what holster goes with which outfit.

I think the proper terminology would be accessorizing.

Anygunanywhere

Like others have mentioned, I think the biggest change would be rethinking the holster, not the firearm. You'd want at least Level I retention, and probably Level II, which is what the Police Policy Studies Council says, for most officers, offers the best balance between draw speed and retention security. As CHLs, whose guns are always covered, we don't have this issue right now...or at least not a compelling issue like we would with open carry.

So I'm happy with concealed carry...I've already bought too many holsters.