When you responsibly carry a firearm, you have the power to protect yourself and others from violent victimization. However, it takes more than shooting skills to keep yourself and others safe. It’s important to carry your gun comfortably.
Gain confidence with the following tips. Here’s how to feel comfortable carrying a gun.
1. Spend More Time With Your Gun
You’ll feel more comfortable carrying a gun when you’re accustomed to holding and firing it. At your shooting range, spend time firing your weapon and handling it safely. Some shooting ranges let you draw your gun from the holster and shoot, which is a great way to mimic real-world conditions. Check to see if a range near you allows this.
Practice the dry-fire technique at home. Before you begin, check that the gun is unloaded, then double-check. Orient the gun in a safe direction. Then, go through the process of drawing, gripping, aiming, and squeezing the trigger. By doing this, you may find issues with your stance, carry position, and holster, and you’ll be able to make adjustments to feel more comfortable.
2. Find the Right Holster
The second key to feeling comfortable carrying a gun is to find the right holster for you. You probably put a lot of thought into what weapon you want to carry. You should also take the time to find the right holster.
You’ll feel better carrying your gun when you wear a holster that fits you comfortably while keeping your weapon secure and accessible. Choose a holster that completely covers the trigger guard and suits your gun model.
Your holster should also be slip resistant so that it doesn’t slide around as you draw or move through the day. Look for a holster with a soft interior lining that protects your weapon. You want a holster made with durable materials that won’t flake or break over time. A lightweight holster feels more comfortable to wear, and a low-profile design will help keep your weapon concealed.
In short, look for a high-quality holster that you can depend on to secure your gun and keep it accessible. And when your holster is comfortable, you’re less likely to fidget with it. While the material is important, the right holster for you also depends on your weapon and your carry position.
3. Choose Your Favored Carry Position
When it comes to your concealed carry position, you want to place your weapon in a comfortable and accessible place that keeps your gun hidden. The most popular options include inside the waistband, outside the waistband, over your appendix, in the small of your back, or over your ankle.
When it comes to carrying inside the waistband, many people opt to carry in the four o’clock position if they’re right-handed or the eight o’clock position if they’re left-handed. This is a rather good place to keep your weapon concealed, and many people find it’s a comfortable place to draw from when standing. When carrying outside the waistband, keep in mind that if your barrel pokes out under your shirt line, you’ll need to wear an outer garment, like a jacket, to cover it.
Some people prefer appendix carry, which is when you carry your gun a few inches to either side of your pants button or belly button. This can be uncomfortable if the top of the gun presses into your stomach or the barrel is too long and pokes you when you sit.
Carrying your weapon in the small of your back can be comfortable if you spend a lot of time standing or leaning forward while seated. Otherwise, you’re likely to have the gun pressing against your spine. And it will take you longer to draw your weapon relative to other positions.
If you spend a lot of time seated, carrying around your ankle keeps your gun accessible. Keep in mind that you’ll need to spend more time practicing drawing from this position so that you can react smoothly in an emergency.
4. Get Accustomed to Wearing the Holster
Just like you get more comfortable with a gun by interacting with it, you’ll feel more comfortable with your holster the more you wear it. You can start by wearing your empty holster throughout the day. This is a stress-free way to adjust to carrying, and you’ll also raise your awareness of no-carry zones.
Once you’re comfortable wearing the empty holster, level up by carrying your unloaded gun. Pay attention to how you feel, if you need to change your carry position, how your holster looks under your clothes, and if your motions reveal your gun or its outline (also known as printing). This is an ideal time to learn what to do in different situations that you may not have considered before, like how to use a public restroom with your holster and firearm.
If you’re carrying concealed, avoid printing. When people see the outline of your gun, they can react nervously. Printing makes you a potential target for aggressive people who want to harm others. Keeping your firearm concealed gives you an advantage against criminals by keeping them unprepared.
After you’re comfortable carrying an unloaded gun, you can wear a loaded magazine without a bullet in the chamber. You might find this is your preferred method of carrying. Otherwise, the next step is to consider carrying with a bullet in the chamber.
Before you carry with a bullet in the chamber, you should be confident and have plenty of experience holstering, carrying, and drawing your weapon. Additionally, it’s good to consider measures like carrying a gun with a manual external safety. You’ll need to practice drawing and handling your weapon often, no matter how much experience you have.
5. Know Your Rights and the Law
Finally, know the law and know your rights. Read the information that came with your permit and know where you are and aren’t allowed to carry your weapon. Make a plan for what to do with your gun when you reach a gun-free zone, such as a school or post office. You should be able to safely remove your gun and secure it in your vehicle.
Many laws related to firearms vary by state. For example, depending on where you live, the state may require you to inform law enforcement officers you have a firearm. In some states, the officer can take possession of your gun during their interaction with you. The more you know and understand the law and your rights, the more empowered you’ll be to carry.
Carry With Elite Survival Systems
When you purchase a hidden gun holster from Elite Survival Systems, you’re making an investment in high-quality equipment. Our concealed carry holsters and other equipment make carrying more comfortable and intuitive. Prioritize your preparedness. Shop our selection today.
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