6 Tips for Keeping the Secret of Concealed Carry
Some people think the practice of carrying a concealed firearm in public begins and ends with taking a course and becoming certified. Whether you are preparing to get your license or you already have it, the following 6 tips will help you remain concealed.
1- Gear
There are many choices in concealed-carry gear. Just stop into your local firearms store and ask anyone there to walk you through your options. Regardless of which belt or holster you choose, make sure it is high-quality. A gun belt is thicker and sturdier to keep your holster and gun in place.
Having a sturdy belt, like these from Crossbreed, make all the difference in the world with OWB holsters.
Holsters are personal: Different styles work with different lifestyles. Before you buy, try on a bunch of different brands and styles. Make sure the one you choose is comfortable and functional.
As for spare magazines, some people carry them in pockets; others may not carry any at all. I’ve personally found the NeoMag pocket clip works really well for pocket carry. It keeps the magazine in the right place and right position for easy access if needed.
Finally, your clothing: Carrying concealed may require a slight change to your wardrobe. Darker shirts, and patterns especially, help to hide printing the outline of the gun. If you carry in the waistband (IWB), it may mean buying pants a size larger. (IWB is not for me.)
The Internet is a great place to shop for options. Unfortunately, with online shopping you can’t try items before you own them. It’s the nature of the beast, and also why most of us have a box full of holsters in various stages of use.
2- Practice
Now that you have all your gear, practice, practice and more practice is in order. Work on your movements: standing, sitting, reaching. Can you sit comfortably? What happens when you stand up? Does the gun move? Practice getting into and out of your car. Did your holster shift? How can you correct it? Have someone observe as you reach for a high shelf. Can they see your holster? If so, how will you prevent that?
Practice drawing from concealment. Check to make sure your gun is clear of obstructions and follow the 4 firearms safety rules. With your unloaded gun, using all your gear, practice drawing from various positions, wearing different clothing. You can find out what works well and what really slows you down. Deep concealment will almost always slow you down, so you have to change strategies and tactics. No big deal.
Don’t share your concealed carry secret…it’s not a game!
3- Keep the Secret
As a child, it’s was always fun to say, “I know something you don’t know.” (Traditional sing-song voice is implied.) As an adult, you should keep that in mind when you conceal carry. By keeping your secret, you will maintain your element of surprise. Don’t let others know when or how you carry. What if someone asks if you are carrying? Katie Pavlich wrote about that in her recent column, “When Strangers Ask If You Carry a Concealed Firearm.” You need to be prepared to answer that question.
4- Hands Off
Be wary of telltale movements. These are movements that would cause a trained observer to know you are carrying a gun. Avoid bad habits, such as constantly pulling your shirt down. Trust that your cover garment will keep your firearm concealed. (Remember, you’ve tested it!)
If you are in public and feel something has moved or shifted with your gear, go to a private area and make your adjustments there. Whatever you do, keep your hands off in public. Some people are so obvious that almost anyone could tell they are carrying a firearm. Be more circumspect, and keep everything under wraps.
Printing is unacceptable when carrying concealed.
5- Relax
There is no reason to feel nervous when you are in public. You’ve already trained with your firearm, practiced with your gear and hopefully had someone observe your movements. Before you walk out of your house, ask yourself, “Do I look or act like I’m carrying a gun?” Remember how important it is to keep the secret!
6- Movement
Changing the way you move may help you feel more confident when you carry concealed. If you carrying on your strong side, start training yourself to reach with your weak-side hand. I carry on my right side at 4 o’clock, so I generally reach for everything with my left hand. When you’re at the grocery store, think before you reach…especially if what you’re reaching for is on the top or bottom shelf. For the bottom shelf, don’t bend over; bend at the knees in front of your shopping cart. For the top shelf, I’ll straighten my right arm against my gun and reach with my left.
If I have a cover garment that requires my support hand to clear it before drawing, I carry my bag in my strong hand. I drop what’s in my strong hand while I clear my shirt or coat with my support hand. I tailor my movements to my concealed-carry needs.
Don’t be overwhelmed by all that goes into carrying concealed. Take time to learn the ins and outs, then practice and train. Soon you will be comfortable and confident.
Looking for more WON articles on concealed carry? You can find many of them here.
Do you have any concealed carry tips to add?
This article was first published in Women’s Outdoor News.
Muzzleloader: Old Technology that’s FUN to Shoot
In the past when I heard the word muzzleloader, the first visual that came to mind was Civil War re-enactors scrambling to get their next shots loaded as the opposing army marched forward.
Can you imagine the stress?
I had the chance at a Boy Scout Event to try various muzzleloaders.
Now, that I have a better understanding of muzzleloaders and have shot a few, my first thought is a bonus hunting season. Actually, depending on where you live or hunt, it may mean the harvest of additional animals if taken with a muzzleloader, hunting during milder weather or even during the rut. Now do I have your interest?
Simply described, a muzzleloader is a firearm that is loaded from the muzzle rather than the breech. There are 2 basic kinds of muzzleloaders. The sidelocks have a hammer on the side of the barrel and are usually historical replicas, copies of antique guns. Many are built to work and run like the originals; these are the kind you see at Civil War re-enactments. Some replica muzzleloaders may look like the antique guns, but they are used differently and are made of synthetic stocks. A hunter might add a scope or adjustable sights and modern projectiles might be used.
The second type is the in-line muzzleloader that resembles a modern rifle. The hammer, or firing pin, is in-line with the barrel.
Muzzleloaders need to be sighted in just like any other gun.
3 Types of Ignition Systems for Muzzleloaders
1. Flintlocks hold a piece of flint in the jaws of the hammer. As the trigger is squeezed, the hammer falls and the flint strikes the frizzen (a steel plate). The frizzen moves, uncovers the priming pan. A spark from the burning priming powder is sent through a small hole in the side of the barrel, lighting the main powder charge
2. Percussion Caps use a priming cap that is placed on the nipple. As the trigger is squeezed, the hammer hits the cap sending a spark through the nipple lighting the main powder charge.
3. In-line Percussion also uses a percussion cap. The difference is that in an in-line percussion ignition system, the hammer and nipple are in-line with the barrel and powder charge.
The Smackdown easy load 3 petal sabots designed by Hornady.
3 Types of Projectiles
1. The round ball is always loaded with a patch.
2. The maxi ball is a conical bullet. Lube applied to seal the gas pressure.
3. The sabot uses a modern bullet surrounded by a plastic sleeve to provide a gas seal.
The Traditions Pursuit Lady Whitetail ($428 MSRP) was sent to me in 2014. Not only is it easy to use, it weighs only 5.75 pounds. The Load-It Kit ($25.95 MSRP) makes life easier out in the field, and the EZ Clean Value Pack ($51.49 MSRP) makes cleaning simple back at the cabin. Although I’ve had the opportunity to shoot many muzzleloaders over the years, I purchased the Traditions™ Pursuit Lady Whitetail in Realtree APC™ Pink Camo since I enjoyed shooting and to keep the men in my family from using it during muzzleloader season.
If you decide to take advantage of the muzzleloader season, take your time to find the right muzzleloader for you. Once you get your gun home, read the manual and learn how to run it safely. Make sure you have an understanding of how everything works.
Sitting in the woods is a poor place to learn how to run your gun. Don’t forget, more time is needed to load the projectile in a muzzleloader. Since you may only have one shot at your target, make it a good shot.
The Traditions Load-It Kit contains what you need for the field.
Finally, if you shoot your muzzleloader, you must clean it – immediately. Black powder and substitutes are corrosive.
After all, it’s never too late to try something new, get a muzzleloader!
This article was first published in Women’s Outdoor News.
Good or Bad Santa: Who’s Dropping by Your Home?
When it comes to giving gifts, is there a Bad Santa or a Good Santa in your life?
This time of year you are almost certain to see Santa Claus somewhere nearby as you shop. For the most part he looks the same: chubby, red clothes and hat, black belt and white whiskers. Sure, sometimes he wears glasses, or his beard may be a little grey, but nothing out of the ordinary. What you won’t know until Christmas morning, after Santa has visited, is that there are Bad Santas. Hopefully your Santa is the good one!
You see, you need to be sure Santa knows what you really like and don’t like … or bad gifts can happen.
A Bad Santa might think every girl wants a pretty pink gun, but Good Santa realizes that it’s not the color that makes the gun female-friendly.
A good Santa knows if you like color accessories and what colors you prefer. I like a little color to make my firearms my own, but many women dislike colors, especially pink.
Not everyone like color and bling. But for those that do, there are many choices.
A Good Santa knows that smaller guns aren’t always best for ladies. Bad Santa thinks it’s only about hand size, but Good Santa takes you to the gun store to hold various guns and choose a size you prefer. He understands that generally, smaller handguns aren’t easier to shoot. He understands that guns are like shoes. Some fit. Some don’t.
Sometimes Bad Santa gifts firearms that he likes.
Bad Santas think bigger bullets are what the lady needs. Bigger bullets, bigger holes, right? Good Santa knows what’s most important is that you can shoot it accurately and are comfortable shooting it. He takes you to the range to practice with guns of different calibers and sizes to find the caliber you are comfortable shooting. Ooh! Range time certificates!
Bad Santa might decide to choose some new range clothes for you. Maybe he saw an ad that specified that the clothes are “just for the ladies.” Good Santa should know that you are particular about clothing, especially clothing that needs to fit for function and the ensuing rise of the pant design. Maybe he could take you shopping (and include lunch, please, and not at the food court) or just get a nice certificate to avoid being on the Bad Santa list?
Yes, the pink camouflage pj’s really happened.
The funniest thing I used to get from Bad Santa? Pink camo pajamas. It took years for Bad Santa to get it through his head that I just don’t like camo pjs!
The difference between Bad Santa and Good Santa appears to be simple. Although good intentioned, Bad Santa gives you what he likes and thinks will be best for you, which is not always the best choice. Good Santa will ask questions, take you shopping and to the range before he delivers your Christmas gift. He listens to what you like best and adheres to your wishes. Unless of course it’s diamonds, then he can chose whatever he wants.
This article was first published in Women’s Outdoor News.