5 Tips For Safe Daily Carry

You've got your chosen defensive daily carry gun. You've obtained your carry permit. You've invested in proper training. Now, you're ready to go, right? Ready to carry everywhere, every day. (Where legally permissible, of course!!)

Take a look at these five tips and pointers as you begin the next stage in your daily carry adventure. 


1) Ask Yourself:
    *Are you competent with your chosen defensive carry gun? This is not the time to be PC, and pat yourself on your back just because you know how to pull the trigger and can mostly get rounds on the paper target. Brutal self honesty is required here. 
When was your last training session? What were the results? Did you improve in shot placement? Were your magazine changes smoother? How did you test yourself? Your competency level with your gun is critical. Being competent increases your confidence. Higher confidence increases your desire to learn more and your ability as you train. 

Dot Torture Shooting Drill- Image from Google

2) Complacency. Kills. I can not stress this enough. The idea that just because you now own a gun, does not make you Annie Oakley. I fear for the safety of those people who honestly feel this way. Not only are their lives in danger should they ever have to use their firearm in a defensive manner, but lives of innocent bystanders are in danger as well. Competency requires discipline, discipline builds skill. Much like piloting a vehicle, your firearms training requires dedication to learning and hours of practice.

3) Examine your wardrobe. Hopefully, you have picked up two or three different holsters to test, with the understanding that a sturdy belt is a critical point for proper, safe carry and weapons retention. A flopping gun is an unsecure gun in many cases, and not something you want to have happening. Make sure your holster covers the trigger guard, fits your gun snugly, and has no pieces or parts poking out that come in contact with the trigger on reholstering. 
**For those who prefer to purse carry, and enjoy the argument, "I can shoot through my purse." Fine. What does that say about the security of your gun in there? Is it safe? In My Opinion (that and $5 might get you a cup of coffee and a cookie,) NO. Your gun is NOT safe. Why? Because if you can put your hand in the purse and NOT have to unholster your weapon, it means your trigger guard and trigger are exposed. Is an exposed trigger safe in a purse? Again- In My Opinion- NO. It is too easy for something- such as a pen, lipstick, etc- to be accidentally dropped in with your gun. Why take the chance on a negligent discharge?

4) Practice at home. While you are folding laundry, doing dishes, cooking dinner, mowing the lawn- carry your gun. The only way to determine what holster and carry position is going to work perfectly for you is to carry them. Plus you have the added benefit of being prepared for Decepticons. Don't let your peers poking fun at you deter you. This is YOUR life and safety- not theirs. If they wish to be complacent in the knowledge that their home is "safe" and home invasions only happen to the Other Guy, that's fine. Just remember what we say about COMPLACENCY. It kills. 

5) Carry with an air of comfort and confidence. The next time you go to the store, or out for an evening stroll, take a close look at the people moving around you. Observe what they are doing, where they are looking, and if they are honestly paying any attention to their surroundings. Chances are, they are looking down at their phones or some electronic gizmo, have no clue you are there, and are only aware enough to have a basic understanding of getting from point A to point B. People see what they WANT to see- not what is in plain sight. Projecting an air of confidence as you carry in your chosen (legal) method prevents people from noticing whether or not you may or may not be armed. Should someone ask, if they do notice, smile. Be polite. Be confident. Be willing to talk. Also be willing to walk away if the person attempts to engage in a discussion on your decision to protect yourself. They are not worth your time and are generally just looking for a fight, so they might further convince themselves of their superiority. (The reverse of which is you, for carrying a gun, are inferior.) 

From a personal standpoint, as a woman who has carried over five years now. I often open carry. (It is legal in GA and I have my Georgia Weapons Carry License.) That is just me, and what I am comfortable with. There is no law saying YOU have to carry like that. In that time frame, I have had mostly positive interaction with strangers. I have been asked if I was a police officer (no, I'm not.) I've been asked what I'm afraid of (to which I smile wickedly and say, "Absolutely Nothing" and then I walk away.) I've been asked most about training and obtaining a permit to carry. (Wonderful discussions have ensued from this.)

There are those who attempt to argue with me over my chosen carry method. Fine- they are entitled to their opinion. The "criminals will target you first" argument is old and tired, and I tell them a brief story of my own, about a sick child, a late night run to a local big box store, my openly carried 1911, and a thug on the phone to his homies telling them to scatter because, and I quote, "... F@!k that - B!tch got a gun!" The thugs ran off like roaches when a light comes on, and I made it home unmolested with the meds for my son. 

Moral of the story? Train. Carry. Observe. Have Plan A, B, C and D in place. Behave in a professional, confident manner. Above all else, carry safely and intelligently, in a manner which suits your situation.

In the meantime, get in some range time and challenge your skills. You never know when you'll need them to save your life!

~Shannon

She's Packin' Heat! Part One

You've found your self defense gun, obtained your permit to legally carry, and have been consistently training and practicing. It's now time- time to pack that pistol with you on your daily rounds. 

Today, let's take a look at a few things we ladies must ask ourselves and answer when we make the decision to carry our gun. Everything from whether you wish to carry open (where allowed by law), or concealed, body type and shape, carry position and holster options are all things to consider. 

SAFETY NOTE!!! Please, when holstering or drawing, KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER! Make SURE there is NOTHING- your shirt, a fold from a softer holster, or your finger- anywhere NEAR the trigger or inside the trigger guard, Neglecting this step will result in a negligent discharge. This is NOT an accident- this is NEGLIGENCE ON YOUR PART. Be smart, be safe, and keep everything out of the trigger guard!

First- does your state allow you to decide between carrying your gun openly? (***In Georgia, the gun owner can choose whether to open carry (OC) or conceal carry (CC). Make sure you know your state law!) 

After you have answered that question- ask yourself (if your state allows) what do YOU prefer? This is not a decision anyone can make for you. This is a very personal decision based entirely on your comfort levels. 

Next, understand your body shape and type. If you are built with a short waist and wider hips like I am, you may face a bit more of a challenge than those ladies who have a longer waist and narrower hips. We ladies have curves, and curves make things interesting when it comes to carrying a gun. 

Think about your wardrobe for a moment. Are you a shorts and t-shirt girl? Skirts and dresses? Professional pant suits, or jeans and button downs? Our clothing tends to be cut a bit differently than the men in our lives, in order to showcase our body styles. How you tend to dress does make a difference in how you will carry. You may need different holsters for different styles of dress. Also, understand that you will need to make an addition to your wardrobe- that of a proper belt.

Carry Positions:

Appendix carry: The fastest position to draw your firearm from. Generally an in waist band (or concealed) option, your gun will sit in the front of your pants. Your shape, arm length and pant style will help determine exact placement for you. Make sure you can easily reach your gun, and draw smoothly and quickly.

Appendix position- image from Google

Hip: Typically where most people will open carry. The gun will rest on their hip, snugly against the body, left or right side depending on which hand is dominant.

OC Hip Carry- Thank you Andrew!

Belly Band Carry: Another good option that allows you to place the gun comfortably where you can reach it quickly. When choosing your belly band, keep an eye on construction and width. Narrower bands tend to roll and need more attention and adjustment. Wider bands tend to be more secure, with less movement.
 

Bodyband by Telor Tactical

Thigh Carry: This is a good option for your dress or skirt days, as there are some excellent holsters available for just this purpose. I suggest the Telor Tactical Thigh Holster, as it does not slip, it will support a wide variety of guns, is machine washable, and it also allows your skin to breath. You do not need to wear a garter style attachment to keep this holster in place and it fits all sizes of thighs.
 

Telor Tactical Thigh Holster

Small of the Back: The gun  will sit exactly where the name says- in the small of your back. Be advised- this is not the safest way to carry. Your access may be limited, and drawing can be quite dangerous (FINGER!! OFF!! THE!! TRIGGER!!)

Image Courtesy of Google

Bra Carry: There are holsters designed to attach to your bra. While being aware of muzzle direction is critical at all times, it is even more so with bra carry. If you have been blessed with above average sized chesticles, this probably will not be an option for you. 

Flashbang Holster- image from Google

Ankle Carry: There are many holsters available for safe ankle carry. Be aware, you will need pants/ jeans with a wider leg opening for ease of access. Find out if you can bend and twist easily in order to reach your ankle. 

T-Fit by Telor Tactical- image from Telor Tactical

Shoulder Holsters: Not something we see much of today, as there are more comfortable options available that allow for faster and safer drawing. 
 

Should Holster- image from Google

Pocket Carry: If your pants have deep enough pockets, pocket carry with a good quality holster and a smaller gun is a good option. It may take a bit extra practice to master your draw from a pocket in a safe manner. 

Pocket Holster- image from Google

Off Body Carry or Purse Carry: Be wary of the person who shrugs you off by simply suggesting your "drop your gun in your purse." Off body carry may be the ONLY option we have from time to time, but be very aware that it comes with it's own set of concerns and responsibilities. It is much easier to become separated from your gun with off body carry than it is if it's tucked snugly into a well designed, comfortably placed holster. There are many purses available that have a specific compartment for your gun. There are also many purse snatching crimes. Answer this question and be very honest with yourself- Can you stop a determined purse snatcher? If no, are you comfortable with arming the Bad Guy? 

If you DO need to carry in your purse, please consider the following:
- Ease of access. How quickly can you get to your gun? Can you draw it without snagging?
- Use a proper holster that covers the trigger guard.
- Where is your purse? Can anyone else access it? (Such as a child? Or the creeper in the grocery store as you turn your back to get a loaf of bread?) 
- Are you going somewhere that purses and bags are going to be checked? (Such as a movie theater?) 

Carry Purse- Image from Google

Materials that make up holster construction are almost as numerous as gun types. When you choose yours, examine them closely. Don't go with the least expensive option until you get hands on. A soft nylon holster may be a good option for storing your gun, but not the best to carry in (no retention, and folds can slip inside the trigger guard and depress the trigger. See above about negligent discharges.) Leather is beautiful but will wear and fold. Be sure to examine the holster often and replace as needed.

 Much like finding your perfect carry gun, there is no one answer. Finding the right holster for you, and choosing your carry option(s) is going to take investigation on your part, ladies. 

Leather with wear- note fold resting on trigger.

 Image from Google

***A quick word on concealed carry VS open carry. As stated above, there are states that allow the gun owner to choose which option they prefer. In the shooting community, this is a very hot button topic, that triggers a very passionate response from many. My advice? Make your own decision. 

Look for more on holsters in the next post, ladies. In the meantime, continue your practice at the range, and above all else- BE SAFE!
~Shannon
912-355-0205
Patrick's Indoor Gun Range
2307 Highway 80
Garden City GA
www.PatricksUniforms.com

Tips To Find Your Perfect Gun

The single biggest question I personally hear, every shift I work, is "What, in your opinion as a woman, is the best gun for a woman?"


And if I had a dollar for every confused look I get at my reply, I could retire.

Folks, there is no best gun for a woman. The best gun, for any shooter regardless what your plumbing may be, is the gun that fits your hand the best and most comfortably, that you can shoot the most accurately, in the highest caliber that you can shoot.

That's it. There is no magic formula, no guaranteed answer that XX brand revolver is the only way for a woman to go, or that XX brand semi-automatic is the only way to go. The gun that fits your hand, that you can shoot with the highest accuracy, in the highest caliber is the right gun for you. Man, woman, hermaphrodite- it will take time and research on your part to find that answer.

Before we get into the steps involved in finding out what that gun may be, I feel the need to offer insight from behind the range counter. As I've mentioned before- there are so many people out there with your best interests at heart. These well intentioned people truly wish to offer you help in learning to shoot and finding the perfect gun for you. However. (And this is fairly significant, so please read it a couple of times to let it sink in,) Please- Do Not Let Anyone Set Your Limitations.

What do I mean by that?
Example:
Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Public come to the counter. Mr. Public feels that with the escalation in home invasions and crimes on the street, Mrs. Public needs a gun to protect herself. Often times, the first words out of Mr. Public's mouth are, "She just needs a revolver, because they're easy to operate and she can keep it in her purse."

Why is this statement a potential problem?
- Right away, Mr. Public has demoted Mrs. Public to the ranks of a special needs case, where her ability to learn and function has been called into question.
- Number two, keeping a gun anywhere but on your body makes it much easier to become separated from your gun.

Whether or not Mr. Public meant it, he has just done a grave injustice to the intelligence and ability of Mrs. Public by the metaphorical pat on the head about her potential ability with a gun. By telling Mrs. Public she only needs a revolver because a semi-automatic will be too hard for her to operate (racking the slide etc,) Mrs. Public is now going into the situation with a large amount of self-doubt.

Self-doubt + guns = frustration. This is the polar opposite of complacency- this lack of confidence is just as potentially deadly to you the gun owner as complacency is.

In the future, Mr. Public may wish to phrase things like this:
"Hi! My wife and I are seeking a gun for personal protection. She has not shot before, where would you recommend we begin to look?" A statement like this will significantly impact Mrs. Public's journey into the shooting world for the better.

To all the Mrs. and Ms. Public's out there- please, take a bit of time to find out for yourself what you like and don't like, what style of gun you can handle and what you prefer to handle.

Glock 43, single stack 9mm

What should you consider when looking for the right gun?

We've mentioned fit- the gun must be comfortable in your hand. In the case of a first gun purchase, this step is very important. CAUTION! Picking out a small gun is not always the best idea! In most instances, the smaller the gun the higher the amount of recoil, the more the shooter must be the shock absorber! Thankfully, with the advances available in technology to gun manufactures, there are a wide variety of smaller (NOT tiny) guns, that hold a decent number of rounds, that comfortably fit a wide variety of hand sizes, that will not have a high amount of recoil.

You need to be able to manipulate the gun as well. In the case of a revolver, can you open the cylinder easily, and operate the ejection rod to remove spent cases? In the case of a semi-automatic, can you operate the slide easily in order to clear malfunctions? It is well worth noting here that no, revolvers are NOT always problem free (also one of the reasons given for others seeking to help,) and no, not all slides on semi-automatics are extremely heavy. Check different sizes, styles and manufactures of the handguns to compare and find which is best for you. Our staff is always more than willing to help you learn the proper techniques involved for using either style of handgun.

Walther CCP- also 9mm

Are there other questions to ask?
You bet. There are so many different styles, makes and manufacturers today that some investigation is required. We have a joke in the horse industry, that if you ask 10 equine professionals one question, be prepared to get at least 20 different answers. The gun world is quite similar in that respect. By eliminating another living creature (the horse) from the equation, you can narrow your options considerably.

A few questions we suggest asking:

- Can I get additional ammunition?
   As of this writing, there are some calibers that are difficult to find. Currently, finding .22 Magnum, .25 or .32 (long or short) is a huge challenge. Make sure that you can get the caliber you prefer.

- Are there holsters available for my chosen method of carry?
   Some firearms are difficult to find the perfect holster for. There are options today that make this task easier, as you can have a holster custom made for you. This may sound like an expensive and difficult option, but today's holster market is quite competitive and prices for high quality products are fairly low.

- Can I obtain aftermarket parts?
   This is a big one. You need to make sure you can easily get magazines. The internal parts inside magazines are consumable (meaning they will wear out with use), and you will need to be able to replace them over time. You also might want to install different sights on your gun. Many owners love the option of night sights, which will emit a glow in low to no light settings, allowing you to still properly use sights. Or you may wish to install sights with higher daylight visibility. Ask your sales person if these options might be available for the guns you are potentially interested in. There may also be other options available, such as trigger jobs to ease your trigger pull. 

- Is there a warranty program?
   Most manufacturers offer great warranties. There is a saying in the firearms industry- much like jewelry, with guns you also get what you pay for. Ask about the details on the warranty, if customers have had to send many back, and is the company good to work with?

- What is the reputation of the manufacturer?
   Most gun makers have been around for  long periods of time and have the reputations to stand on. There are some though that you need to investigate before making your decision to purchase. Quite often, you can spend a bit of time online and gather a tremendous amount of information about company reputations. We live in the information age- take advantage of it!

- What is the reputation of the SELLER?
   Many people don't consider this aspect, thinking that one gun seller is like any other. However, this is not the case. Will the seller be willing to work with you after the sale, answering questions or helping you shoot better? Will they help you find accessories? Or are they going to sell you the gun and pretend they've never seen you before? Establishing a good relationship with the facility you purchase your gun from is important as well.

To sum up- ask questions, handle various guns, and find what fits your hand. Don't make a purchase because a gun is tiny, will fit perfectly in your purse, or it's inexpensive- do your homework and shoot a variety of guns beforehand! Remember to come see us on Thursday- Ladies Day- for special package pricing. 

Carry safe and shoot straight!
~Shannon