Common Carry Mistakes Made By New CCWs

Aaron Spuler is a firearms enthusiast and recreational shooter. Follow more or his work at The Weapon Blog

When first-time gun owners finally get their concealed carry license, it’s only natural to make some unavoidable mistakes in how to actually carry a gun. Instead of learning the hard way, check out these tips to help you be even more responsible and prepared.

1. Never purchase a holster without testing it.

This is probably the number one mistake that first-time carriers will make. Purchasing a holster without testing it can cause you a lot of pain, both physically and financially.

When carrying, you need a holster that fits your body in a way that you will be comfortable. First, determine where on your body you would feel most comfortable carrying your gun. From there, decide if you would like a Kydex holster, a leather holster, or a combination of both. Next, try different holsters out before making your purchase.

Going online may save you a couple of bucks, but the fact of the matter is that holsters are expensive and can be a huge waste of money if you select one that isn’t a good fit for you. A drawer full of unwanted holsters is an unnecessary mistake way too many of us have made.

2. Fashionable belts will not hold your gun.

Sorry, ladies. As fashionable as your belts may be, they will not hold up when you’re carrying. This is a lesson that most women learn the hard way, because they aren’t made as heavy-duty as men’s belts are.

Using a normal, everyday belt will either cause the gun to sag or it will cause it to fall forward, which leaves your gun exposed and unsecured. In order to properly holster your gun and ensure that it will stay close to your body at all times, look into purchasing a tactical belt.

3. Steer clear of unsafe holsters.

You need to consider the safety and overall reliability of the holster. One mistake that is easily made is selecting a holster that can cause you or others harm.

Always search for a holster that fully covers and protects the trigger. When drawing your holster quickly, poor trigger control can cause you to accidentally fire your pistol. Consider purchasing a holster that won’t give you that option.

When looking at shoulder holsters, always purchase one where the gun is facing downward. Why? A lot of shoulder holsters have the gun pointing directly behind you. Some don’t think of this as a bad thing, but remember that one of the first rules of handling a gun is to always keep it pointed in a safe direction and never aim it at someone or something that you’re not intending to shoot.

Having a holster that points the gun directly behind you means that you’re constantly aiming your gun at whoever is in back of you.

Also, look for holsters that have retention. You can order holsters that specifically fit your gun and would make it a lot harder for someone to grab it from you.

4. Purchase a holster that is easily accessible.

After determining where you can carry most comfortably, also consider how easy it will be for you to access. Though an ankle holster may be easy for you to access while sitting in the car or laying down during an attack, it is not the most practical for you to use during an attack while you’re standing.

Try working with different degrees and angles with your holster based on what feels natural. If you are drawing your weapon from a holster that is angled too far forward, or is placed too high above the belt, this will result in an unnatural draw-stroke and can make it harder for you to access in a dangerous situation.

5. Make sure your weapon is always properly holstered and everything is secured.

The last thing you want to do is drop your gun or magazine in public, so make sure that everything is safely secured to you. This may be difficult to get used to at first, which is why I would recommend practicing daily. To help get yourself more comfortable, try doing day-to-day household errands while wearing your holster.

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This article was written by Nancy Thorne, National Carry Academy. National Carry Academy is the nation’s premiere firearm training resource for those who decide to carry a gun as part of their lifestyle. NCA offers online and in-person courses in over thirty states, and provides our students with the resources necessary to obtain their conceal and carry.

Source: http://www.weapon-blog.com/2018/04/common-carry-mistakes-made-by-new-ccws/