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Message
re: Conceal Carry or Open Carry Questions
Posted on 12/15/25 at 12:55 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
Posted on 12/15/25 at 12:55 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
quote:
3) Where could I get a concealed carry permit for several states?
I would never open carry, I don't want anyone knowing i have a weapon.
look into constitutional carry and see what states have it and the ones that have reciprocity and you may not even have to go get a concealed carry permit.
I live in Texas and every state I travel to also had constitutional carry and reciprocity.
1
Posted on 12/15/25 at 2:03 pm to mtb010
I had an Alabama lifetime CC permit, but I can't find it. I guess I got rid of it when I moved to Arkansas.
Does it make any difference what handgun I use at the CC class and will I need a CC holster at that time?
Does it make any difference what handgun I use at the CC class and will I need a CC holster at that time?
Posted on 12/15/25 at 2:26 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
depends - some states make you qualify with the sidearm you intend to carry. don't recall offhand which states but check with your local sheriff's office
Posted on 12/15/25 at 2:51 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
quote:
I have a few more questions. I will most likely use my S&W 9mm Shield. It has a laser sight, but I could use the iron sights also. The laser sight is at the front of the trigger bracket.
1) What do y'all do when you are sitting/driving your vehicle? Do you take the handgun/holster out? This seems like the most uncomfortable.
2) Would you take a one on one or a group class?
3) What is the distance for the live firing? I have access to a outdoor range I could practice on whenever it warms up some.
1. Depends on how long I'm driving. On a trip I take it out and put it in the door or console. Around town I usually don't.
2. Group class is fine and that's how most instructors offer it.
3. I want to say 3 and 7 yards. I'm a CSSO so we do 3/7/15 for our qual course.... but I think the basic concealed is a lot less detailed than that.
In Arkansas you have the choice of the basic or enhanced card. Enhanced lets you carry more places.
Get good at 3 yards and 7 yards and you won't have any issues. REALLY focus on trigger finger isolation. Make sure you can trigger pull without causing the rest of your hand to torque the gun. That was the single biggest thing that improved my shooting.
I went from 460 to 491 on our qual course in 1 year and that was 90% of what I worked on.
Learn to shoot with both eyes open also. It will help you with target aquisition when trying to shoot for time.
All that said I just looked and for enhanced you do shoot 3/7/15 50 rounds total.
But it's easier than our CSSO qual course in that you shoot from the ready and don't have to draw and holster. You reload when you want to not on command, and you don't have to shoot strong hand only and support hand only.
Good Luck.... you should be fine.
Posted on 12/15/25 at 3:01 pm to ElDawgHawg
quote:
it's easier than our CSSO qual course in that you shoot from the ready and don't have to draw and holster. You reload when you want to not on command, and you don't have to shoot strong hand only and support hand only.
It's REALLY easy if you shoot at all. The hardest part for me was waiting for the target to stop flapping around from the muzzle blast because it was so close.
Posted on 12/15/25 at 4:51 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
After digging through my gun safe and checking Amazon I already have a concealed carry holster that my S&W 9mm shield and my SAR 9mm fits. I am sure my Taurus will fit also, but it is my truck gun. It may not be the greatest, but it is a start.
LINK
LINK
This post was edited on 12/15/25 at 5:00 pm
Posted on 12/15/25 at 5:43 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
I haven’t looked at the classes and what’s involved in at least 8 years. At that time if you took the CC course with a revolver then your carry gun had to be a revolver, if you took it with a semiautomatic pistol then you could carry either. I’m in Texas, not sure if it’s different from state to state.
Posted on 12/15/25 at 7:31 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
I don't know every states rules, but shouldn't matter the gun type outside of possibly the revolver someone mentioned. I've never shot from the holster in one of those classes. In fact most ranges required additional classes or "qualification" to ever draw from a holster. I only ever did that in defensive shooting classes where you had more "tactical" training. CC permit class in LA and TX was the most elementary of shooting at a target.
As far as driving, I take my CC out and have a safe installed in my console when I drive to work since I can't carry in the office. Just lock it up when I arrive and open when I'm driving. Any other time, I just keep it on me. I appendix carry which is probably the most uncomfortable in that particular situation and I don't find it bad at all. I have a Nexbelt I can loosen at the click of a button and tighten when I exit with a quick push on the ratchet.
As far as driving, I take my CC out and have a safe installed in my console when I drive to work since I can't carry in the office. Just lock it up when I arrive and open when I'm driving. Any other time, I just keep it on me. I appendix carry which is probably the most uncomfortable in that particular situation and I don't find it bad at all. I have a Nexbelt I can loosen at the click of a button and tighten when I exit with a quick push on the ratchet.
Posted on 12/15/25 at 8:13 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
A lot of good info here. Now that I have more time, here’s my input from carrying the last 18 years…
- Laser doesn’t hurt if you already have solid mechanics, but red dots are much better. I had CT grips on my first carry gun. No issues with it personally but I became aware of some of the downsides when I let my sister shoot it and noticed that she was only focusing on the laser and not the sights. At the end of the day, someone completely inexperienced might do better with a laser, but I think a red dot does a better job of forcing you to raise the gun properly
- You should absolutely find a pathway to carry your gun concealed. I would not open carry unless you have an active threat against you.
- For concealed carry…As mentioned, plan to buy a lot of holsters. This is the first thing my buddy said to me when I asked him about carrying. Everyone is different and different body types work different ways. I’m slim and I have always carried between 3 o clock and 5 o clock IWB. Appendix carry has a lot of advantages but personally I cannot get over having a loaded gun pointed at my junk or femoral artery, not to mention I have no idea how some people find it comfortable while sitting. Currently, my favorite carry holsters are four brothers kydex holsters, but I carried with a galco tuck and go for a long time with a couple different pistols. Also carried a crossbreed (original) for a long time. I never take my gun off while driving. I don’t find it any less comfortable the way I carry it, and I want to be able to reach it if I need it. The longest trip I’ve carried a gun on was around 22hr road trip and I never felt the need to take it off. Honestly, when you find the right way to carry it you will forget it’s there.
I mentioned red dots… I was against them initially. I have been shooting for a long time and I shoot fairly often, although never often enough as I should. My wife shoots less than me and her shooting improved immediately with a red dot, which made me realize how beneficial they can be for people who can’t practice as much as they would like to. After I saw how beneficial they were, I got a couple for my carry guns as well. However, they are completely unnecessary, and I think it’s extremely valuable to become proficient with iron sights first.
- Laser doesn’t hurt if you already have solid mechanics, but red dots are much better. I had CT grips on my first carry gun. No issues with it personally but I became aware of some of the downsides when I let my sister shoot it and noticed that she was only focusing on the laser and not the sights. At the end of the day, someone completely inexperienced might do better with a laser, but I think a red dot does a better job of forcing you to raise the gun properly
- You should absolutely find a pathway to carry your gun concealed. I would not open carry unless you have an active threat against you.
- For concealed carry…As mentioned, plan to buy a lot of holsters. This is the first thing my buddy said to me when I asked him about carrying. Everyone is different and different body types work different ways. I’m slim and I have always carried between 3 o clock and 5 o clock IWB. Appendix carry has a lot of advantages but personally I cannot get over having a loaded gun pointed at my junk or femoral artery, not to mention I have no idea how some people find it comfortable while sitting. Currently, my favorite carry holsters are four brothers kydex holsters, but I carried with a galco tuck and go for a long time with a couple different pistols. Also carried a crossbreed (original) for a long time. I never take my gun off while driving. I don’t find it any less comfortable the way I carry it, and I want to be able to reach it if I need it. The longest trip I’ve carried a gun on was around 22hr road trip and I never felt the need to take it off. Honestly, when you find the right way to carry it you will forget it’s there.
I mentioned red dots… I was against them initially. I have been shooting for a long time and I shoot fairly often, although never often enough as I should. My wife shoots less than me and her shooting improved immediately with a red dot, which made me realize how beneficial they can be for people who can’t practice as much as they would like to. After I saw how beneficial they were, I got a couple for my carry guns as well. However, they are completely unnecessary, and I think it’s extremely valuable to become proficient with iron sights first.
Posted on 12/15/25 at 8:49 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
Whatever weapons you choose, practice with it a lot and then practice more.
I would not use a laser site I prefer a good red dot but unless you are extremely proficient with it stick with the iron sites.
I would not use a laser site I prefer a good red dot but unless you are extremely proficient with it stick with the iron sites.
Posted on 12/15/25 at 9:32 pm to Jon A thon
quote:
but until you are carrying and look for the signs, you realize how many private businesses prohibit,
Even conceal carry going into this business is not against the law in La at least. It's against the store rules and they can ask you to leave because of it though. Like the mall for instance. If you don't leave, now you are afoul of a law but the gun may not be it. Probably a trespass. This isn't legal advice. There is some advantages and disadvantages to having a CC permit.
Posted on 12/15/25 at 10:19 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
quote:
1) Do I want a laser sight on it?
I've never carried w/ a laser or dot sight.
2) What is considered concealed (under a coat or shirt)?
Anything out of sight.
3) Where could I get a concealed carry permit for several states?
As mentioned by others, just check to see what states your state has reciprocity with.
4) Should I carry concealed or open carry)
I've been carrying 15-20 years, but I've never intentionally carried open. I seen no advantages and a lot of disadvantages to open carry as many have mentioned.
4) What type of holster for concealed carry and where to carry on my body (hip/back/etc)?
I started w/ inside the waistband, but evolved quickly to outside waistband carry. Nowadays I mostly cc an Sig P365 and less frequently a Kimber Micro 9. When clothing doesn't allow OWB carry, I pocket carry a Kahr CW380
Sig iin Ronin Custom Leather Okami
Kimber Micro 9 in Ronin Lether SW Special Snap On.
Posted on 12/15/25 at 10:35 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
quote:
I have a few more questions.
1) What do y'all do when you are sitting/driving your vehicle? Do you take the handgun/holster out? This seems like the most uncomfortable.
I usually carry my holsters at 4 o'clock. If driving more than a short distance, I move the holster to 3 o'clock where it's more comfortable. Both the holsters in my pics are easy to move like this.
2) Would you take a one on one or a group class?
All of my classes have been a group. Take whichever you prefer.
3) What is the distance for the live firing? I have access to an outdoor range I could practice on whenever it warms up some.
It depends on the state and type of certification.
Posted on 12/15/25 at 11:59 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
Why would you want to give up one of the greatest tactical advantages - surprise - by open carrying.
Besides, how much have you trained for weapon retention? If someone tries to grab your open carried weapon:
A.) Do you have a retention holster?
B.) Have you practiced retaining your weapon? I mean actual on-the-ground grappling with someone trying to take your weapon?
If not, conceal it.
Besides, how much have you trained for weapon retention? If someone tries to grab your open carried weapon:
A.) Do you have a retention holster?
B.) Have you practiced retaining your weapon? I mean actual on-the-ground grappling with someone trying to take your weapon?
If not, conceal it.
Posted on 12/16/25 at 5:11 am to SoFla Tideroller
Everyone else has already expounded on it but concealed is the way to go. Open carry is too provocative and unnecessary. I saw a guy the other day in public with a Haskell .45 on his hip walking around with a cheap AR clone on a 2 point sling. Don’t be that guy. I prefer leather myself from Milt Sparks or Matt Del Fatti but waiting lists are long and Kydex is probably more comfortable. Get a good quality 1.5” heavy gun belt. You can add Hank’s belts to the mix. I carry my Volkmann custom commander or my Sig M11A1 in a Del Fatti elephant trimmed Bruce Nelson style holster and matching belt. A backpack can also be good since 90% of people carry one and they make holsters for them too. I always carry a blade of some type as well.
Posted on 12/16/25 at 6:12 am to Mid Iowa Tiger
quote:
Whatever weapons you choose, practice with it a lot and then practice more.
I would not use a laser site I prefer a good red dot but unless you are extremely proficient with it stick with the iron sites.
Is this a laser sight or a red dot sight. The link below is what I have on my SAR 9mm. I have a similar one on my S&W Shield 9mm. I have found several CC classes around me and I will check them out. As mentioned before I have access to a free outdoor range that I need to go to more once it warms up. Maybe some of them will let me check out some holsters. My brother carries most of the time with an inside waist band holster. I need to check his holster out also.
LINK
This post was edited on 12/16/25 at 6:29 am
Posted on 12/16/25 at 6:27 am to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
That’s a laser.
Posted on 12/16/25 at 10:10 am to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
That is a laser sight. Some people like them, personally I don’t.
I train a lot with some guys in the 5th SFG (think green beret bad asses) and none of them have a laser on their sidearm. So do on their M4 or other long gun but not on a pistol.
If you use a red dot get really good with it - practice presenting your chosen weapon so you get a good site picture with your red dot.
As much high stress practice as you can do - do more. Any situation you need to pull a weapon with make your heart pound harder than you can imagine.
Get good at a time and accuracy training where you need to move and shoot. There is a huge risk of getting tunnel vision in a self defense scenario, it will be a higher stress situation than anything you’ve faced. Practice in scenarios that put you under high stress. We run, have guys yelling and screaming, throwing things at the shooter. Hell, one day one dude brought a paintball gun and shot the shooter as he was doing the course. That was fun but painful.
I train a lot with some guys in the 5th SFG (think green beret bad asses) and none of them have a laser on their sidearm. So do on their M4 or other long gun but not on a pistol.
If you use a red dot get really good with it - practice presenting your chosen weapon so you get a good site picture with your red dot.
As much high stress practice as you can do - do more. Any situation you need to pull a weapon with make your heart pound harder than you can imagine.
Get good at a time and accuracy training where you need to move and shoot. There is a huge risk of getting tunnel vision in a self defense scenario, it will be a higher stress situation than anything you’ve faced. Practice in scenarios that put you under high stress. We run, have guys yelling and screaming, throwing things at the shooter. Hell, one day one dude brought a paintball gun and shot the shooter as he was doing the course. That was fun but painful.
Posted on 12/16/25 at 10:36 am to Mid Iowa Tiger
OK, from what I understand there is a fine line between concealed OWB carry and open carry which is a shirt or jacket covering up the handgun.
Posted on 12/16/25 at 10:38 am to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
quote:
from what I understand there is a fine line between concealed OWB carry and open carry which is a shirt or jacket covering up the handgun
Not really. Either you can see the gun or you can't. Printing (able to see the outline of the gun) is technically still concealed. If the guns covered, it's concealed.
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