I have a polymer frame 9mm autoloader that I carry for half the year. It is small and light, and it doesn't take up much space or weigh me down too much even with an extra magazine.
(Please click on all pictures to see if a larger image is available.)
That holster is an inside the waistband nylon job, the magazine pouch another nylon product that I carry on my belt. The barrel is rather short, being just a little bit longer than 3 inches.
Whenever it is cool enough to justify wearing a jacket, I carry a larger 9mm handgun. The rig to haul it around is a bit more elaborate. Here it is compared to the smaller combo I mentioned above.
The cold weather rig looks pretty elaborate compared to the summer weight carry option, doesn't it? Let us take a look at the guns alone for a moment.
The bigger pistol has a barrel that is only one inch longer than his smaller brother, but it makes a big difference. Not only does it mean that it is too big to carry around inside of my waistband, but it also increases my effective range.
How much of an increase? About 40%, I'd say. I'm also quicker on follow up shots because the heavier slide helps to control muzzle flip a great deal more than the smaller gun. This means that I can respond to a greater number of potential threats if it is cold out than during the summer months.
Everything is a trade off. You give up a measure of capability when carrying smaller, lighter handguns that are more suited to concealed carry. It's just nice sometimes to carry the big rig every so often.
Comments (6)
Here in Israel, we don't have to deal with all that Concealed Carry nonsense that you do. We are issued straight Carry Permits, one per person, for a single handgun.
For Israelis choosing a handgun, holster and accessories is a matter of cost, training, effectiveness and comfort. Not who might see my pistol? and will the bulge in my pants (made by my handgun)be considered offensive?
Where did the whole concealed carry thing come from anyway?
DoubleTapper
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Posted by DoubleTapper | February 10, 2008 5:42 AM
Posted on February 10, 2008 05:42
I don't know if anyone has written a thorough history of concealed carry.
In the old days (more than 150 years ago), it didn't really matter. Most people carried openly because it was easier. Eventually slave-states started banning concealed carry because some of the abolitionists they wanted to lynch had a habit of carrying concealed. If you forced them to carry openly, you knew who was safe to lynch. At some point, people started becoming afraid of whether those using open carry of handguns were criminals or other sorts of "undesirables" (at that time the list of "undesirables" would include anyone not of Northern European ancestry, Irish excluded).
Laws forbidding handgun carry without a license/permit started popping up. This appears to have started in the 1920s with New York's Sullivan law. Most of these laws allowed local authorities to have full discretion, so they gave permits only to their buddies. Laws with discretion are called "may issue". Some states, notably Indiana, had "shall issue" - no discretion - for 70+ years. If you meet a well-defined set of criteria, you can get a license to carry.
The dam broke in 1985 because of Florida. Up until that time Florida had been "may issue" and some counties were very liberal and some were very restrictive about who got permits. The legislature decided to level the playing field and made Florida "shall issue". Their success, or lack of failures, led to numerous other states adopting "shall issue" CC systems.
Some states have always allowed open carry. Jim and I both live in Ohio where it is legal, though more restricted than concealed carry unless you have a concealed carry license.
Posted by Ludwig | February 10, 2008 8:14 AM
Posted on February 10, 2008 08:14
I've got a S&W M&P .45 as my only carry piece (at least for now, until I save up for something a wee bit smaller). During the winter, I don't worry about carry as I can use the paddle holster or the shoulder rig, but for summer I bought a SafePacker Holster. I can wear it as a fanny pack or sling it over my shoulder and it just looks like a simple clutch.
Doubletapper, concealed carry is so as to not scare the sheep.
Posted by MadRocketScientist | February 10, 2008 8:53 AM
Posted on February 10, 2008 08:53
Man, you need to upgrade your holsters. A good holster makes carrying larger handguns much more manageable. People have carried full size 1911's in IWB holsters for years without any problems - but they used good holsters. I am all for inexpensive, but some things are worth the money. (http://brillianter.com/node/142)
I wish the US would return to open carry, but I don't think it is going to happen. Imagine all the leatherworkers that are stuck doing belts and holsters for cowboy action shooting - I bet they could turn out some fantastic holsters for modern guns.
Posted by mostlygenius | February 10, 2008 11:59 AM
Posted on February 10, 2008 11:59
Minnesota passed their concealed carry law in 2003, and they allowed both open and concealed carry. I have yet to see anyone carrying openly in a city, but I suppose some are foolish enough to do it.
Posted by Tony | February 14, 2008 5:47 PM
Posted on February 14, 2008 17:47
Ludwig, interesting and touching story. -) However in MN you don't have to carry concealed. And guess what? All the people do carry concealed.. You have a tactical advantage if you carry concealed.
Posted by Len | December 9, 2008 10:08 AM
Posted on December 9, 2008 10:08