New to CHL--Need Help

[KFP]

Welcome aboard DaveHD! As others have said it is a great resource to utilize regularly.

I'll echo the recommendations for using quality gear. Comp-Tac (http://www.comp-tac.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) is a great holster company to deal with and make holster for your Storm. In terms of belts, I like the Wilderness Tactical Instructor belt (http://www.thewilderness.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

One other recommendation for improving the feel of your Glock is to look into getting a Pearce Grip Extension for your mags. This will give you a spot for your pinky to rest and should improve the overall feel for you. http://www.pearcegrip.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We'll look forward to hearing what you decide to do.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

To DaveHD
Welcome to the forum!

Picking your gun is a cinch. Ditto for picking your ammo.

Picking your holster - now that's the hard part!

I initially signed the petition for Texas Open Carry since when I first started carrying,
it seemed liked open carry would be the ticket. But after re-thinking the issue, I don't
think I'm as high on the open carry bandwagon. Why? Because now we CHL's don't run
into an overwhelming number of 30.06 sites. But if open carry were to pass I think
everyone and their dog would start posting 30.06.

Although picking a carry holster/style is a chore, keep in mind that you have to start
dressing around the gun. For an IWB holster to work your pants or shorts may need to be
2" larger than before. Make sure your T-shirts have a generous enough length to cover the
gun and its holster's clip. Patterned shirts tend to keep your gun from printing as readily
as a solid color shirt. The cant of your pistol can be adjusted so the butt of the grip
doesn't print.

Now that I have carried 3 months and gotten more used to having my gun on me, I can
actually envision moving up to a larger gun, now that I have seen some photos on this
site and elsewhere as to how to conceal a 1911.

Where are you from? If you go to your personal profile, you can put your current town on
there so your CHL neighbors here will know you are in their neighborhood.

[Velocity]

Holy crap. Thanks for all the info...seriously. I am new enough at this and probably would have made alot of bad purchases. I know finding a holster I like that is comfortable for long periods of time is trial and error, so I'll begin filling up that holster drawer. Seriously, Thanks to all for the good info.

The G27 definitely shoots diffrently than the Beretta, so I need to get used to it. With the current ammo shortages, anyone know where you can buy .40 rounds in bulk??

Dave, you'll be sure to get plenty of info here (as you already have)!

I used to have a Beretta 9000S, and found that a little large for concealed carry, but not too bad with the right holster. I'm relatively slim (6'0 and 160) and carry Glocks (usually a 26, sometimes a 19) and while it's echoing what previous people have said, I'll recommend the following items for the best carry experience :

1. Get a good belt. http://www.thebeltman.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is a good source, but there are plenty of others. You need a good belt to distribute the weight of the pistol properly. It should be somewhat stiff (not flex "in and out", but NOT so stiff that it doesn't close easily.
2. Get a good holster. I've had best experience with "hybrid IWB"- the Comp-Tac minotaur is excellent, the crossbreed models are good as well.
3. Best position for me seems to be roughly 4oclock - just behind your right hip (assuming you're right handed). While this might cause the butt of the pistol to "print" a bit more if you bend over (simple solution, squat instead of bending over), it all-but-removes the "print" from the front and side views.

Most important of all, you just have to get comfortable with the concept of carrying concealed - this comes with time, and very much lessens the "tells" such as adjusting your belt/holster frequently, and unconciously touching your holster to confirm it's secure. Most people wouldn't even notice/connect the abovementioned behaviors with someone carrying, but better safe than sorry (which is what's behind the whole concept of concealed carry to begin with!!).

Welcome to the forum!!

[FIFTY]

Welcome to the forum Dave.

I saw that comp-tac holsters have already been recommended once, and that has been the ticket for me. I tried several holster/gun combinations before I finally settled on the Comp-tac M-tac holster with a Glock 27. I carry this set up everyday, and it conceals very well on my scrawny body whether I'm dressed casually or for work.

Best of luck, glad to have you around.

[DaveHD]

Wow...thanks again everyone for all the info. I'll keep looking at holsters and hopefully find the right one without filling up the old "holster drawer". I've seen a ton of IWB holsters that just have the clip, but the ones with the snaps that go around the belt seem more secure. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

I think I heard somewhere that a gun belt was a key piece as well! Guess I will begin that search as well. I know I keep saying it, but thanks for all the input and welcomes to the neighborhood. This is definitely a very cool thing to have all that knowledge and experience in one spot.

[DaveHD]

This is the one I'm looking at....

[bryang]

This is the one I'm looking at....

Welcome aboard, Dave, we are very glad to have you with us.

That is a good looking holster. I have one similar a Milt Sparks Summer Special and I really like it the best out of all the holsters that I have tried. The key to getting a "comfortable" holster is get a good quality one and put it on and leave it on, ware it constantly...it takes awhile to get use to a gun hanging on your side, because it is not normal... you have to wear it until it becomes normal.

I can't over emphasize what has already been said...get a good, quality belt. I recommend The Belt Man.

Remember: Put it on, Cover it up, LEAVE IT ALONE and you will be fine!

-geo

[WEC]

Wow...thanks again everyone for all the info. I'll keep looking at holsters and hopefully find the right one without filling up the old "holster drawer". I've seen a ton of IWB holsters that just have the clip, but the ones with the snaps that go around the belt seem more secure. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

I think I heard somewhere that a gun belt was a key piece as well! Guess I will begin that search as well. I know I keep saying it, but thanks for all the input and welcomes to the neighborhood. This is definitely a very cool thing to have all that knowledge and experience in one spot.

As far as gun belts are concerned, I think I speak for many on this forum by recommending The Beltman. There are also other alternatives like 5.11 gear and "instructor's belts" made by many different manufacturers (I have one from Galco). With a proper gun belt, snaps or clips are just as secure.

EDIT: D'oh, posted before reading bryang's reply. Beat me to it!