Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Gun related chat that doesn't fit in another forum

Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby Dylan on Sun Aug 11, 2013 8:46 am

Received a lot of great advice in my previous post and thanks again to everyone for their suggestions. My girlfriend and I ended up going out to the range a couple of times and trying out some of the suggestions. We tried a Glock 19, Beretta M9, Sig P226, Springfield XDm, and a S&W M&P. Without going into details on why we made the choice we did, I'll say that we enjoyed shooting each different gun. In the end I thought that the Sig P226 was the right size and just felt right when I held it - not to mention the smooth recoil.

It's amazing how much going to a range and trying out a selection can change your mind. Before I did I was dead set on getting a Beretta M9 (which I do hope to own sometime in the future) but it just didn't feel as good to me as the Sig did.

Also submitted my P2C application on Monday July 29th and received it yesterday, Saturday August 10th. So now I'm hoping I could get some suggestions on a holster. I'm hoping more for shoulder/jacket holster suggestions as jacket and flannel season is right around the corner.


Time to go work on our shooting. Girlfriend shooting our new Sig P226 MK25.
Image
Last edited by Dylan on Sun Aug 11, 2013 9:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Dylan
 
Posts: 26 [View]
Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2013 9:17 am
Location: NE Minneapolis

Re: Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby rtk on Sun Aug 11, 2013 9:54 am

The 226 is a fine choice, enjoy!
The sky is falling, the sky is falling....(Chicken Little)
User avatar
rtk
 
Posts: 3097 [View]
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 3:34 pm

Re: Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby Evad on Sun Aug 11, 2013 10:09 am

Dylan wrote:So now I'm hoping I could get some suggestions on a holster. I'm hoping more for shoulder/jacket holster suggestions as jacket and flannel season is right around the corner.


Congrats on the choice, PTC and especially keeping the gf involved! As to holster options, I am not big on the thought of shoulder holsters myself...but you are right about the pending cold. I would think that could make OWB and still concealed quite easy assuming that is your goal.

Good belt, and then holster. There are so many good choices. I like high noon, but you have a million available for a 226 I assume.
Evad
 
Posts: 1054 [View]
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2012 9:21 am

Re: Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby wrench on Sun Aug 11, 2013 10:50 am

Congrats on the 226, they are fine pistols.
As far as the holster, I've never worn a shoulder holster, but admit they look nice and comfortable for winter time use.
As sweater season is coming up, my choice would be strong side, outside waistband, leather. Lot's of makers to choose from, the previously mentioned High Noon makes a nice holster, as does FIST, Milt Sparks, and of course, our local favorite, Erik....http://www.sideguardholsters.com/
Remember, gun control is not about guns, it's about control.
wrench
 
Posts: 603 [View]
Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2007 6:40 pm

Re: Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby Seismic Sam on Sun Aug 11, 2013 10:55 am

You have some preconceived notions about holsters that you need to get rid of!! Shoulder holsters for guys are nice if you're in a Miami Vice episode, but not so good in real life. Guys have wide chests, which really makes EASILY reaching for the gun almost impossible, and there is the problem that in summer months this approach won't work at all. Swapping holsters (or guns) for self defense is not a good idea, as if TSHTF, you'll be running on adrenaline and muscle memory and grabbing for your armpit in the summer when the gun is on your hip. On the other hand, shoulder holsters for women can be a very good approach, as women have small rib cages, and can EASILY reach across and draw a gun. In addition, women have the advantage of the "camouflage factor" :roll: or more properly misdirection factor, and with a good push-up bra and just the right number of buttons undone, the woman can have a Smith 500 in a shoulder holster and no guy will EVER see it! Seriously!!

Three choices are pocket holster (P226 is too big for that) IWB (Inside the waist band) and OWB (outside the waist band) belt holsters. Cop duty holsters are all OWB with various retention features, which if you're carrying concealed are not absolutely necessary. Under a shirt or T-shirt an OWB holster will "print" WAYYY more than an IWB holster, which will make you paranoid until you get used to carrying (like 6 months or more) and realize that nobody notices and you don't give a rat's behind (Sorry Rodentman...) if they do.

Attitude is all-important, and if you're nervous and paranoid people WILL pick up on that. If you really don't give a rat's behind (hey!! Got some fresh green sour apple SweeTarts from Fleet Farm!!!) if the whole EFFEN world sees the gun, you can walk through large crowds and maybe 5% of the people will actually see the gun. I know, because I did it for several years at the Lake Harriet OC picnics at the bandshell on Sunday afternoon among all the yuppies and soccer moms when Joel Rosenberg was organizing those picnics. Those who saw 35 people all having a picnic with guns everywhere assumed it was a cop picnic and ignored it.

I use an IWB holster with a 1 3/4" web belt, and a fairly tight pair of pants, which is counter intuitive, and carry a full size 1911 that's a 50 caliber. (Google "Guncrafters") The belt and the snug pants moosh the grip into my love handles, so half the frame just disappears, and with an untucked t-shirt this cannon is flat out INVISIBLE. Wilson's used to have a leather sale at the Fairgrounds every fall, and you could get great deals on leather jackets if you kept looking. The place was of course posted, and I of course said "so what", and walked between a St. Paul cop and a Renta cop who were 5 feet apart and checking people out wearing an untucked turtleneck, and they never saw a thing. Tried on leather coats for an hour, and found a nice aviator's 2XL Long coat for like 20 cents on the dollar.
My daughter was with me, she had no idea I had the hardware on, and freaked out when I hauled out the ordinance in the car after we were out of there, and she knew I carried almost all of the time.
User avatar
Seismic Sam
Gone but not forgotten
 
Posts: 5515 [View]
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:02 pm
Location: Pass By-You, Loosianana

Re: Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby LarryFlew on Sun Aug 11, 2013 12:05 pm

plus another for no shoulder holster. Been there, done that. For me it's IWB but if you carry large (not quite as large as Sam's) you will be thinking about a size larger in belts and pants. After you get used to it it just feels normal and it is almost impossible to print etc. Pefer a clip vs belt loops for on and off purposes and Sideguard has a great selection for you there.
If you're having second thoughts you're two ahead of most Democrats
User avatar
LarryFlew
 
Posts: 5144 [View]
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:37 am
Location: Hamburg, MN - CZ fan - Class of 66 - USAF 66-70 - NRA life since 1970

Re: Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby gun_fan111 on Sun Aug 11, 2013 12:37 pm

Another vote for IWB. I like my Old Faithful a LOT!

I think a shoulder setup prints a lot more than IWB and will be harder to get to if you are wearing a couple of layers of cloths.
Did you just buy that beautiful firearm, or are you trying to sell that piece of crap?
gun_fan111
 
Posts: 547 [View]
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2012 10:21 pm
Location: Twin Cities Metro

Re: Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby Dylan on Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:03 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions! Will definitely look into an IWB holster.
User avatar
Dylan
 
Posts: 26 [View]
Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2013 9:17 am
Location: NE Minneapolis

Re: Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby FJ540 on Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:52 pm

I'll second the larger pants and bigger belt suggestion. I've been carrying a commander size all steel 1911 for 3.5 years, and it's incredibly comfortable due to being properly stowed and my attire has been fitted for it. My pants will fall off my butt without the gun or a belt (belt makes the holster sit better - get a STIFF belt), seriously, I can't walk across a room without a belt if the gun isn't taking up the slack. I've worn this combo in excess of 48 hours straight without discomfort (yes, sleeping with it on). Once you get used to carrying, if you have a good retention system, you might end up like me and not be able to tell what gun you have on you by feel alone.

Had this happen last week - was working on the Mrs' 1911, carrying my BUG, and forgot I'd put her's back into my holster, but didn't put it back on. Went to show a friend the work I'd just done on it only to realize reaching for it, it wasn't on me. :lol: My carry gun always goes in the same spot. Muscle memory will save my butt in the event I need to draw whatever is there. Practice, Practice, Practice!
User avatar
FJ540
 
Posts: 6836 [View]
Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:44 pm
Location: Rock Ridge

Re: Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby gun_fan111 on Sun Aug 11, 2013 8:48 pm

Just thought about something else - by carrying in a shoulder holster you essentially are pointing a loaded gun at somebody's chest... just does not feel right to me
Did you just buy that beautiful firearm, or are you trying to sell that piece of crap?
gun_fan111
 
Posts: 547 [View]
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2012 10:21 pm
Location: Twin Cities Metro

Re: Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby whiteox on Sun Aug 11, 2013 11:39 pm

That shoulder holster sounds cool, but in my experience it's just not that practical.

I've carried my 226 once in a while but it's on the heavy end for daily carry.

After going through a couple dozen holsters I'd reccomend starting with one that has adjustable cant. CompTac, Crossbreed, Old Faithful, they're all the same basic idea. If you buy a traditional all leather holster like a Milt Sparks or Mitch Rosen, you're basically stuck with whatever cant the holster came with.

When I first started carrying, I experimented a lot with cant and a lot of cant makes the 226 a lot easier to conceal and makes doing so a lot more comfortable. Get a holster with an adjustable cant and you can figure out what works for you. If you want to upgrade to a fancier holster later, you'll know what level of cant to ask for.

I've had good luck with the CompTac Minotaur but there are a ton of good holster makers out there. Pretty much any mass market holster you get off the shelf in the area is going to be mediocre. That new shop in Eden Prairie does stock CompTac stuff if you want to fondle before you order. I've had the best luck with the Galco brand when shopping locally, though I think there are a few shops that stock some SideGuard holsters which really are very nice also.

Congratulations on the first handgun. I think you'll be very happy with the SIG.
whiteox
 
Posts: 507 [View]
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:13 pm

Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby DoxaPar on Mon Aug 12, 2013 7:08 am

Congrats in the Sig. They are very nice.
User avatar
DoxaPar
 
Posts: 656 [View]
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:46 am
Location: Minneapolis

Re: Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby sprigfan on Mon Aug 12, 2013 7:47 am

Did each of you try it in double action? How'd you do with the long pull?
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.
User avatar
sprigfan
 
Posts: 222 [View]
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:14 pm
Location: SE Metro

Re: Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby FJ540 on Mon Aug 12, 2013 7:53 am

You can figure out what cant you want a whole bunch cheaper than getting a crossbreed/minotaur - get a cheap uncle mikes clip on IWB and start wearing it around the house. Sit/stand/crouch - the gun will find it's happy place with your hip bone/thigh/butt/gut geometry. Once you figure out what that is, it's a simple matter of measuring it and then finding a holster which has that angle. Each gun will probably be different depending on how the size and shape of it changes. My j-frame snubby rides far more vertical than my 1911's do.
User avatar
FJ540
 
Posts: 6836 [View]
Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:44 pm
Location: Rock Ridge

Re: Journey to owning my first handgun: Part 2

Postby Dylan on Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:21 am

sprigfan wrote:Did each of you try it in double action? How'd you do with the long pull?


We did. Much harder to be accurate as opposed to being in single action. Going to take some practice to work on the double to single shooting.
User avatar
Dylan
 
Posts: 26 [View]
Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2013 9:17 am
Location: NE Minneapolis

Next

Return to General Gun Chat

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests

cron