An observation on CCW or Open Carry.

[cowboycopus]

I hope to someday feel comfortable open carrying my three screw .41 Mag.
I love it and feel comfortable with it and I'm much more accurate with it.
I have some holsters similar to Bob's and at the range I'm very comfortable with it.
Not that it's too big or too heavy, it's just cumbersome.
My Sig P238 fits in my pocket unnoticed by me and unseen by others.
I'm only 73 years old so maybe I'll get there.

 

[wolfsong]

1. Open carry vs. concealed carry are as different as night and day.

2. Different firearms manufacturers produce different options. For me, my Kimber .45 and my Smith & Wesson..38 suit my skills, needs, expectations and comfort level. Nothing against Rugers at all. I carry some version of a GP100 when open carrying out in the field. Different jobs, different tools.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

I'm from NJ and am-of course- still waiting for CCW to come through. However, when it does my go to will be a Ruger LCP II without question. Love that handgun, both the .380 AND the .22 LR. I only wish they made the .22 in a magnum.

 

[Goldstar225]

Over the decades I've carried a variety of guns ranging from a S&W 642, to 4" S&W 686, to a 5" 1911 with a few others in between.

Now it's a S&W Shield plus and I don't see that changing.

 

[Aqualung]

I stay away from the heavier guns because I pocket carry. In my other pocket, I also carry a spare mag, a couple small pocket tools (Letherman Micra-size), and a pocket knife. Wallet is in my left hip pocket and a bandana in the right...clipped to my belt is my cell phone and pouch with a Gerber Multi-tool and mini flashlight...

If I carry too heavy a pistol, my pants are going to fall down...and no one wants to see my fat backside!



I actually did switch my carry gun from a Kahr MK9 to a MAX-9. It's refreshing to feel that the fully loaded MAX-9 with the 12-round mag and +1 "Barney Load" is still lighter than the MK9.

I pocket carry because of my clothing choices (jeans and tuck-in shirt). If I'm wearing a jacket, or flannel overshirt, then I'll carry a full-sized pistol (my FN Hi-Power) in an OWB holster, but that's not often.

Aqualung

 

[Jeepnik]

I see it's time for this short instructional video again.

Much better looking tha John Bianchi. But not as well armed.

The children won’t get the reference.

 

[thepamster]

I don't always open carry but when I do I carry a full size Security 9. I tried to carry an extra magazine with me but adds too much weight. My purse is heavy enough. LOL

 

[GunnyGene]

Much better looking tha John Bianchi. But not as well armed.

The children won’t get the reference.

She has a whole series of gun videos. Better armed:

 

[gramps]

When I was working patrol, I carried my S&W 4506. When I was assigned to CID, plain clothes, I discovered my 4506 was constantly pulling my pants askew. I changed to a lighter sidearm as it looked unprofessional, it was out of position, and pulling my pants up was a distraction.

Ended up with my S&W M&P in 45 ACP.

One needs to consider a number of factors in selecting a sidearm.

Good discussion here, I hope you find this helpful.

The 4506 was my duty gun in the last 3 years I was in LE. Previously I had a S&W 439. As a nurse I couldn’t carry in the hospital. I had an 1.5 hour drive one way, and I carried in a Fanny pack. I do not carry open except on my property or in the woods. When I was in big bear country in Alaska, I carried a RUGER Redhawk. I finally settled on an Uncle Mike’s vertical shoulder holster. Otherwise, since my shape has changed it would drag my pants down. What I carry depends on my activity for the day. Woods bumming and my Charter Bulldog in .44 Spclgets the nod, going to small towns my RUGER LCP Max goes, and one extra mag. If I go to Murfreesboro or Nashville, I will add my KelTec P-11 with two extra mags. I find suspenders are useful at that point!
gramps

 

[RSIno1]

If your belt/holster/rig is good weight won't come into play. Of course with the newer lighter polymer guns common sense also has to play a part - Why carry a 2.4 pound fully loaded 1911 when a 2.1 pound fully loaded Glock 30 will give you 10 rounds?

 

[oldcrab]

Everybody does what they feel is most comfortable and practical for them, as you can see in this great thread.

My very favorite way of carrying is a Diamond-D Denali chest holster, with a zippered coat over the top.
I have two of their chest holsters:
- One fits either of my GP100 357 magnums (6-inch or 3-inch)
- One fits either my Glock G17 or Ruger LCS9

I find a chest holster/coat combo to be very easy to conceal, but very fast to get the gun drawn if it ever becomes a need. (God-forbid)

To each his own.

 

[jkingrph]

I don't have hips or a bulbous azz to keep a gun belt above my knees, suspenders are my friend.

Same here, I cannot get a belt tight enough, even without a gun to keep my pants up and be comfortable, so suspenders it is!

 

[Jeepnik]

If your belt/holster/rig is good weight won't come into play. Of course with the newer lighter polymer guns common sense also has to play a part - Why carry a 2.4 pound fully loaded 1911 when a 2.1 pound fully loaded Glock 30 will give you 10 rounds?

Because experience has taught me my 1911 works. I haven’t had to rely on my 30 yet. But I’m very fickle and carry all sorts of handguns including the 30. So my opinion probably has no validity to anyone but me.

 

[harley08]

I carry my Ruger LC9 or my Glock 17

 

[Yaworski]

Of course it is from that perspective. She is selling a product specifically aimed at the avg woman who is far more concerned about her personal appearance than about personal defense.

Not all of us want to look like we're headed into combat when we're only going out to dinner.

 

[Ride1949]

It's just an example of available options, not a recommendation on how many you should carry.

 

[blume357]

Maybe I've gotten boring in my old age but I only have one gun I carry and I have the same exact guns hidden in various places around my home and in fact have just bought and it is being shipped to my FFl another one.

As for open vs concealed... I prefer concealed but am more comfortable now that the 'idiots' down at the capital of my state passed a silly law that those with a permit can now carry open... I don't have to be as diligent now.

 

[Hvymax]

OH MY !!!!
Here we are on the RUGER Forum and everybody is carrying something OTHER THAN a Ruger of any size .
I confess, I have a permit and carry concealed and my carry weapon is the SR-9 Compact because as an old lady it is easy to wear in an IWB holster( note I wear jeans 99.9% of the time) and my Ruger is easy to use.
I pray that I NEVER have to display it or pull it out, let alone fire it at a bad guy.
Am I the ONLY person to CC a Ruger ?

LCP has been my go to pocket rocket for years. My current EDC is my Max9. I still have my P11 and a should rig for my EAA Witness.