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Carry options for my 18 year old heading to UNL

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JTH:

--- Quote from: rudy on May 28, 2013, 11:17:14 AM ---When I pocket carry, it's either in a pants pocket (primarily) or a jacket pocket (less frequent).  Like you say, the pocket must be large and easily accessible--if I choose to pocket carry, I'll wear pants that have a large pocket opening, usually a baggier-cargo-type pant.  Sure, there's a bulge there, but the pocket holster breaks up the outline so it doesn't look like a gun, more like a thick wallet.
--- End quote ---

On me, it looks like----well, it looks bad.  Ridiculously, horribly, not-funny bad.  And that's using the pair of baggiest cargo pants I own.  While it isn't obvious that it is a gun, it is obviously something, and something pretty ridiculous.  :)


--- Quote --- Anyways, it's not like people stare at other people's pockets.  Occasionally, I'll pocket carry in a jacket pocket for a quick trip to the store or something, or while riding motorcycle.  If on a motorcycle, I'll zip the pocket shut--trying to shoot from a moving vehicle that can outrun most cars on the road seems a bit silly to me (I've had this argument on another forum--some people seem to think that you should be prepared to shoot from a moving motorcycle, I think they're crazy).  I happened to crash a motorcycle while carrying IWB (no jacket, what a mistake!) and when I came to, the pistol and my spare mag were in the ditch.  If I would've been wearing a jacket, it may have turned out differently, but since then, I've favored zipping a pistol into my pocket where it will stay put.
--- End quote ---

Oh, come on!  LOTS of tacticool people practice shooting one-handed from moving motorcycles!  Along with shooting out of car windows while driving with the other hand!

:)

I'll note that I know people who carry AIWB while riding a motorcycle, without isssue. 


--- Quote ---I don't feel awkward with my hands in my pockets.  Of course I don't keep my hands in my pockets all the time, but coupled with situational awareness, I think it's a decent carry method.
--- End quote ---

I don't feel awkward that way---I just can't normally do it.  Hands in use doing something most of the time. 

And situational awareness is a great thing, and something that everyone needs to practice.  For me however, 1) I don't know if my awareness is sufficient to cover 100% of the time, and that means that part of the time, if something bad happened I'd have to draw from pocket carry when my hand didn't start on the gun---and for me, that is a very slow draw; 2) most situations don't require a lethal-level response, and if it isn't that level, having a hand in a pocket is not where I want my hands to be.


--- Quote ---  I don't know my draw times for starting inside/outside the pocket.  I don't have a shot timer and I don't compete.  I'd like to get into IDPA in the future (in addition to further training), but as a grad student, I'm kind of strapped for cash.
--- End quote ---
 

I bought my first timer when I was a grad student.  :)

That being said, you can use an Android or iPhone shot timer with a par time to estimate your draw pretty easily in dryfire, or just find someone who has a shot timer.  (This summer if you are near ENGC, let me know and I'll bring one over.) 

Dryfire par timer draw time check:  Set the Surefire Shot Timer (or whatever shot timer app you want to use---there are several for PCs, too) to a couple of seconds.  On the beep, draw and see if you can drop the hammer on target within the par time.  If so, reduce the par time.  Keep doing so until you can't make it.  Don't stop at where your absolute best is, stop at where your average is (and keep in mind your worst). 

It won't be perfect, but it'll give you an idea. 

Do it with hand in pocket, and hand outside of pocket.  Try it while holding something (non breakable!) initially. Think of how you normally find yourself, in what condition, and look at the time differences between those cases.


--- Quote ---  Besides, I'd probably get laughed at for bringing an airweight J-frame to a match.  I have one other pistol (colt commander) but it isn't trustworthy.  It's been back to colt for some issues and I haven't run it through the paces yet to see if it's good to go, besides it needs a dehorning before I'll carry it again.
--- End quote ---

Hm.  In IDPA, it won't be optimal---but that isn't the point.  You are competing against yourself there, and giving yourself something extra to do.  Anyone laughs, ask them if they actually carry what they are competing with.  :)

Do you carry a reload normally?  Speed strip or speed loader?  (I'm doubting moon clips?)   Get yourself a couple of speed strips or speed loaders and try IDPA.  You'll have a good time.


--- Quote ---  I'm 5'10", 160, so I'm not a big guy either.  I can conceal a full size at 4-5 o'clock IWB in a t-shirt/shorts, too, but that's if I'm standing up.  If I sit, bend over, the grip prints badly.  A pistol with a short grip doesn't print as badly for me, my j-frame disappears IWB at 4-5 o'clock.
--- End quote ---

Tried a G26 or a Kahr K-9?  Grip is tiny...

Hm.  If your j-frame disappears IWB, why again did you carry in a pocket instead?  I assume your IWB draw is on average, quite a bit faster.  (If you already explained that, sorry---I though you had said that IWB printed a lot, but above you say that your j-frame doesn't.)



--- Quote ---I don't know the percentage of time that I have my hand in my pocket resting on the gun--but as I mentioned earlier, I don't feel uncomfortable with my hands in my pockets.  Noone's going to ask you what you've got in your pocket (at least noone's asked me so far...).  Also mentioned earlier, I don't know my draw times, but access to your weapon in a variety of situations is definitely worth thinking of and planning for.

--- End quote ---

Agreed.  That's why I like timers---you get a pretty good idea of actual capabilities that way.  For example, my draws from AIWB versus IWB are significantly consistently faster, and I can access the gun in a lot more positional cases without issue.  (Again, that's for me specifically.)


--- Quote ---I've tried appendix and it's workable but not entirely comfortable if I have to bend forward.  It prints quite a bit worse for me than 4-5 o'clock IWB, too.  I'm a skinny guy and a bulge on one side of my front at the belt line is too noticeable, at least I think it is.
--- End quote ---

It took a couple of different holsters before I found a couple that worked.  For winter or cases in which I'm wearing a sweatshirt/coat/fleece that I'm not taking off, Archangel AIWB.  For summer cases with untucked short-sleeve polo shirts or something similar, CCC Shaggy AIWB.  For summer cases where I'm wearing thin tank tops or something on a windy day, a High Noon Mr. Softy.  Or a Hidden Ally if I need tuckable version for dress wear. Other than for tuckable with dress wear, those are all for a G17, with occasional G19  if it is windy (because indeed, smaller grip prints less). 

For dress wear, I need something slimmer than a Glock, so I use something else. :)

Point being, I tried a lot of holsters before I found ones that worked comfortably for me.  For me, AIWB prints the least, allows for the most access in the largest variety of situations, allows carry of full-size firearms, and is comfortable for sitting, standing, driving (including long trips in cars or motorcycles) and what have you.

But that's me. 

And for me, pocket carry----looks eye-catchingly ridiculous.  :)  While I agree that most people won't ask, that doesn't mean they don't notice the large apparently-life-threatening cancerous lump on my hip if I try to pocket carry.  :)


--- Quote ---Ultimately, I think any chosen carry method comes down to personal preference stemming from a balance of preparedness and convenience/comfort.  I don't pocket carry 100% of the time, it gets split between IWB, pocket, shoulder or deep concealment (smartcarry) depending on what I'm doing.  If I'm going to be sitting in a car for most of the day, I wear a shoulder holster since it or a cross draw keep the weapon accessible.  The smartcarry gets used for church (not in NE, unfortunately) or other activities where I'm wearing dress clothes and do not want to be found out.  Having a gun is better than no gun.  When I can get a real job and afford more ammunition and other pistols / holsters, I'll probably pocket carry less, but for now, it serves its purpose.

--- End quote ---

And if you've thought it through, nobody should really argue with you.  Comment and suggest, perhaps :) but if you are carrying consistently, that puts you ahead of a lot of people.

(I do certainly find that a tuckable AIWB with a flat semi-auto works well for dress clothes.)

ragedefined:
i am NEW to this forum, loving it so far.

first of all i am a huge open carrier, hard core actually.

If your son is looking for the best option for security i would have your son OPEN CARRY a hand gun. An 18 year old can not legally purchase a hand gun because he can not obtain a permit to purchase until 21 sadly. He CAN though receive one as a gift. If he is gifted a handgun it is legal for him to open carry his sidearm. federal law states that 18+ can open carry unless the state has made it more strict, which nebraska has not. Lincoln does not require a permit to open carry in their city, only omaha has that.
So 18, gifted a handgun, open carry on person and when transporting in a vehicle it CAN be loaded, one in the chamber if desired, but must be in plain sight at all times, never concealed unless ammo and gun are separated completely in two separate areas, one out of reach totally. Of course campus rules are law while on campus, but outside campus this should all apply.
I have done ALOT of research on open carry because it is what i do every day. Not everyone is comfortable with it but i rather carry open then carry a sharp piece of metal…… my opinion of course  :P but this is a great option.
i always encourage people to do their own research so they can be fast and confident in what they are doing.
Any questions, feel free to message me!

SemperFiGuy:
Cautionary Note for Those Handgun Open Carriers Under 21 Years of Age Who Might Wish to Do So Within the City of Omaha:

Omaha Municipal Code Sec. 20-204:  Unlawful possession of concealable firearm; exceptions

(a)  Any person who has not reached the age of 21 who possesses a concealable firearm as defined in this article commits the offense of unlawful possession of a concealable firearm.

(b)   The provisions of this section shall not apply to the issuance of such firearms to members of the armed forces of the United States, active or reserve, national guard of the state, or reserve officer training corps, when on duty or training, or to the temporary loan of pistols, revolvers, or any other form of concealable firearms for instruction under the immediate supervision of a parent or guardian or adult instructor.

FWIW,

sfg

ragedefined:
You have to be 21 to even obtain an open carry permit in omaha. So yes in omaha it is illegal.  This is for omaha.... This doesn't apply to outside city limits which includes Lincoln. Unless Lincoln has one I haven't found.
Federal law states you can be 18 and open carry.

SemperFiGuy:

--- Quote ---Federal law states you can be 18 and open carry.
--- End quote ---

ragedefined:

Do you have the USC Title paragraph on the federal OC law???   If so, you are invited to post it here for general reference and reading.   I like to stay on top of the various federal, state, and local laws in order to be able to give solid advice to my carry classes.   And to anyone else who asks.

So--please let me know if you have it handy.

Nebraska doesn't have any statutory reference to OC on its books, so it would be interesting to read the federal code and see what it actually says.

Thanks.

sfg

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