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' MORE Heat!

It's been pointed out that I need to include a bit more information and clarification on choosing the right gun, and also on holsters. Today, we are going to address these questions. 

While you are shopping for the right gun for the job, you need to determine what that job is, and how you anticipate utilizing your particular gun of choice. 
*Are you looking for something to carry with you every day, in a concealed manner? 
*Are you interested in daily carry, but also a higher round count than a smaller pistol may offer? 
*Or are you looking for something strictly for home defense? 

First, some ladies prefer to keep the larger sized, higher round count gun for use in home defense situations. This is not to say you can't carry this gun as well, but not everyone is going to be comfortable toting a full size M&P, or a Glock 17. 

For daily carry, something with a slimmer line may be more appropriate and easier to carry during a long day. In these instances, you may wish to handle guns such as the M&P Shield, Glock 42 and 43, Khar CW9, Khar CW380, or the Ruger LC9s, and LC380.

Glock 43, 9mm. Image from Glock

Second, we need to touch on grip and fit a bit more. Everyone's hands are sized a bit differently, making fit and placement challenging. When you initially pick the gun up, take note of the following things:
- Can you reach the controls (safety, slide release, magazine release) without breaking your grip? 
- If the model you are looking at has finger grooves built in, do they place your hand properly, or is your hand sitting too low?
- Do you have your middle, ring, and pinky fingers of your trigger hand on the grip securely, or just middle and ring? If the latter, can you control recoil comfortably for a follow up shot? 
- As you grip the gun, are your wrist and forearm in a straight line, or is there a bend in that connection? 
 

Wrist in line. Allows for proper control. Image from Google.

Last but not least, a bit more on holsters. In my last post, we briefly touched on retention and I was asked what that meant. The simple answer is retention is what keeps your gun holstered when not in use. Various holsters and manufactures have different styles and levels of retention. You may opt for a holster with no additional retention (other than what is provided by your belt,) or you may choose a high level of retention. Some levels of retention are set up so that as you draw your gun, your index (or trigger finger) must push a button to release the gun. This works well in two ways- for one it keeps your trigger finger off of the trigger until you are ready to shoot and two it snugly locks the gun in place so that it can not easily be removed by others. Others require the gun to be moved in a certain way to be released. Still other styles are an external screw style, which as the screw is turned, pressure is placed on the gun, giving a very snug fit inside the holster. 
 

Blackhawk holster. Image from Google

At the opposite end of the spectrum and holsters with absolutely no retention at all. These tend to be made from soft materials, in a general size, that do not conform specifically to your guns size or make. These all purpose holsters have their place- in fact, I use one to store my 1911 in when I am not actively carrying it. But I do not carry my gun in one. When you have no retention at all, not only is it too easy for your gun to fall out of the holster as you move, it is also much too easy for someone else to access it.
 

Soft holster- no retention. Image from Google

*Quick side note: as much as we teach and talk about being aware of your surroundings, understand that all the awareness in the world is not always going to protect you from an ambush. Predators will often wait until you turn your head in the other direction to ambush you from the side or from behind. Having a holster with a stronger measure of retention will buy you time to retain your gun and put it to use, rather than the Predator using it against you.

I've mentioned belt twice now, and here is why a good belt is so important. Not only do they help maintain the position of your bottoms, but a proper belt will help you secure your gun in the correct position. In some cases, it will also provide an extra layer of that vital retention, keeping your gun safe and snug against you. 
 

5.11 belt. Snug fit, gun in proper secure position. Image from Google.

Flimsy, pretty, decorative belts are a great fashion statement, but the chances of them securing your gun where it needs to be are quite poor. The goal is to have a sturdy platform for your gun to be secured with. This does not mean you are now limited to only a tactical 5.11 belt in black, flat dark earth, or olive drab. It means you need to examine your wardrobe a bit closer and opt for something a bit wider (about an inch to an inch and a half,) with double layers of construction and a sturdy buckle. Coupled with a good holster, you will avoid your gun drooping and flopping about. Not only is that unsightly, it is unsafe and uncomfortable. 

Until next week, follow these wise words from Yoda:

Shoot straight, stay safe, and keep that finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot!
~Shannon and the Range Crew

Patrick's Indoor Gun Range
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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