Nestled in the heart of Lake Villa, Red Dot Arms is a multi-faceted business dedicated to providing exceptional service in the world of firearms. As a family-owned business, Red Dot Arms prides itself on offering a personal touch in every aspect of its operation. From a wide selection of firearms to comprehensive training programs, Red Dot Arms has become a pivotal part of the Lake Villa community and beyond.
Exploring the Services of Red Dot Arms
A Diverse Range of Firearms and Accessories
Red Dot Arms offers an extensive range of firearms catering to various needs. Whether a beginner or an experienced shooter, you’ll find everything from the latest models to reliable used guns. Their full line of products is supported by knowledgeable sales staff eager to assist with all firearm-related questions.
Expertise in Firearms Training
Training is at the core of Red Dot Arms’ mission. With a team of NRA-certified instructors, the business provides top-notch training that emphasizes the proper use of firearms. Their training programs are designed to make you a better shooter, regardless of your skill level. With classes held at their range in Lake Villa, IL, Red Dot Arms ensures that each session is informative, practical, and tailored to individual needs.
Location and Accessibility
Located at 1600 N Milwaukee Ave, Lake Villa, IL, Red Dot Arms is easily accessible. The store’s prime location on Milwaukee Ave makes it a convenient stop for residents and visitors. Whether you’re looking to purchase a new gun, explore used options, or enhance your skills with training, Red Dot Arms is a short drive away.
The Red Dot Arms Experience
Knowledgeable Staff and Personalized Service
One of the standout features of Red Dot Arms is their knowledgeable staff. Customers can expect expert advice and guidance on all aspects of firearms, from choosing the right gun to understanding the nuances of different models. The staff’s passion and expertise are evident in every interaction, ensuring you leave the store more informed and confident in your firearm knowledge.
Wide Selection in Store
The store at Red Dot Arms is well-stocked with various guns, ammunition, and accessories. Their inventory spans seven warehouses, ensuring customers can access a wide selection of options. Whether you’re in the market for a new hunting rifle, a self-defense handgun, or unique accessories, Red Dot Arms has you covered.
Community-Oriented and Customer-Focused
As a family-owned business, Red Dot Arms strongly emphasizes community and customer satisfaction. The business is more than just a store; it’s a hub for firearm enthusiasts and beginners to unite, share knowledge, and foster a sense of community. Red Dot Arms sells guns and builds lasting relationships with its customers.
Training and Education at Red Dot Arms
Comprehensive Training Programs
The training programs at Red Dot Arms, conducted by experienced instructors, cover a broad spectrum of topics. From basic gun safety to advanced tactical courses, there’s something for every shooter level. The training sessions are conducted in a safe, controlled environment, ensuring the best learning experience.
Building Confidence and Skills
Red Dot Arms’ training courses are designed to build confidence and enhance shooting skills. Their instructors provide hands-on guidance, helping students improve their shooting techniques, understand safety protocols, and gain a deeper appreciation for the sport. Whether you’re looking to become a more competent shooter or simply seeking to learn the basics, Red Dot Arms’ training is the perfect first step.
Red Dot Arms in Lake Villa is more than just a gun store; it’s a comprehensive destination for firearms, training, and community engagement. With a wide selection of firearms, knowledgeable staff, and exceptional training programs, Red Dot Arms is equipped to serve all your firearm needs. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or just starting, Red Dot Arms is committed to providing a safe, informative, and friendly environment for all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of firearms can I find at Red Dot Arms?
You will find a diverse range of firearms at Red Dot Arms, including handguns, rifles, shotguns, and used guns. They offer a variety of brands and models to suit different preferences and purposes.
Does Red Dot Arms offer training for beginners?
Yes, Red Dot Arms provides comprehensive training courses for beginners, which NRA-certified instructors conduct. These courses cover basic gun safety, handling, and shooting fundamentals.
Are there advanced training courses available at Red Dot Arms?
Red Dot Arms offers advanced training courses that delve into tactical shooting, self-defense, and other specialized firearm skills. These courses are designed for those who want to build upon their basic knowledge and improve their proficiency.
Concealed carry has been booming in terms of popularity in recent years…
And I think that’s a wonderful thing…
More and more people are taking their personal protection into their own hands, and I encourage everyone who has a desire to get their concealed carry permit…
With more and more people becoming concealed carry permit holders, the question… Is concealed carry insurance worth it? Seems to be coming up more and more…
And in this post, I’m going to explain why I think it absolutely is worth it, and I’m also going to let you know my thoughts on the best concealed carry insurance that’s currently out there…
Let’s get started!
Is Concealed Carry Insurance Worth It?
Yes, concealed carry insurance is worth it and there are several reasons why. Thousands of people use firearms to defend themselves every day, and even though you might use your firearm in a legal manner, you could face criminal charges or civil damages…
Now, I want to be clear that I am no lawyer, and none of what I’m saying should be considered legal advice for you, but I do want to give you 4 important reasons why you should get concealed carry insurance…
Reason 1: Over A Thousand People Use Firearms To Defend Themselves Every Day…
According to a study by the National Research Council, between 500,000 and 3 MILLION people use firearms to defend either themselves or their loved ones every year…
That’s kind of a shockingly large number, and hopefully, it will help you realize one critical thing…
That one thing is… even if you think you’ll never have to use your firearm in self-defense, there is a possibility that you could…
And using your firearm in self-defense can be a life-changing event (in an extremely bad way) without the right legal protection…
Now, the likelihood of you ever having to use your firearm defensively is still small, but you’re still choosing to legally carry a gun…
So it’s important to have substantial legal protection just in case you ever have to use it.
Reason 2: After Using Your Gun Legally, You Might Be Arrested…
Quick Question: What’s the first thing to do after legally using your firearm for self-defense?
That’s right! You call 9-1-1, and alert the authorities about what happened and where to go. But what about after that?
You call a lawyer who specializes in firearms self-defense…
And the reason why is because when the police arrive, they may (for whatever reason) end up taking you away in handcuffs…
Now, if you have the right Self-Defense Liability Insurance, the first thing you should do after calling 9-1-1 is to call your Insurance’s Rapid Response team…
You could also have a loved one call them on your behalf, but this is an incredibly important next step because it will alert your insurance provider that you’ve used your gun legally in self defense…
And they will be able to send you a lawyer who specializes in firearms self-defense!
Imagine what a relief it would be to know as you’re being taken away by police that you have a good lawyer on the way…
And several thousands of dollars to help defend yourself no matter what comes your way!
That’s a game-changer, and it’s a scenario that you should deeply consider if you carry or own a gun for self-defense.
Reason 3: After Using Your Gun Legally, You Might Be Sued…
Unfortunately, we all know that criminals (or the families of criminals) will sometimes try to go after people who legally defended themselves for Civil damages…
And here’s the thing, when you get Self-Defense Liability Insurance, you need to make sure that you’re covered even if you lose a Civil Case…
Not all Self-Defense Liability Insurance Companies will cover you for Civil damages which can sometimes reach near $500,000…
So when you’re deciding on which insurance provider to go with, you need to make sure that your plan covers you if someone brings a civil lawsuit against you…
And just to be very clear, the insurance provider that I’m going to share with you in this post, will cover you in this area…
Reason 4: Self Defense Liability Insurance Is Easy To Get And AFFORDABLE…
Many good people are reluctant to get concealed carry insurance because they think it’ll be too costly…
Well, there are some insurance providers that do charge a lot of money, especially for their more premium coverage plans…
HOWEVER, if you go with the right Self-Defense Liability Insurance, you can actually get an INCREDIBLE amount of coverage for just a small monthly cost…
In addition to that, signing up is super easy as well. You can do the whole process online, and it’ll just take you a couple of minutes!
So What’s The Best Concealed Carry Insurance…?
In my opinion, the best option when it comes to balancing AFFORDABILITY with a HUGE amount of coverage is… Right To Bear Insurance.
I love Right To Bear Insurance because they…
Offer Affordable Plans (This is one of their goals, and they’re committed to it)
Their Coverage Is Fantastic (Both Criminal and Civil!)
They Make It Easy To Sign Up
They Offer Spousal Coverage
It’s REAL Insurance (not all of these companies provide REAL insurance)
I recommend you watch this short video (3 minutes and 25 seconds) to see why Right To Bear is the best option…
If You Have More Time, I Highly Recommend This Longer Video…
Sight picture is one of the most important marksmanship fundamentals…
And over the years, shooters have developed several different sight pictures or “holds” in attempts to shoot faster and more precisely…
Now one of the most popular forms of sight picture is called the “Combat Sight Picture”, and in this article we’re going to answer the following questions…
What Is A Combat Sight Picture?
What Are The Benefits Of It?
What Are The Downsides?
What Are The Other Common Sight Pictures?
In the end, I’ll tell you if I personally use a Combat Sight Picture when I’m shooting handguns, and you should have all the information you need to determine if it’s the right sight picture for you…
Let’s get started!
What Is A Combat Sight Picture?
Before explaining what a combat sight picture is, it’s important to understand what sight alignment is. Sight alignment is when the shooter’s eye, the rear sight, and the front sight all line up with each other…
Once you have sight alignment, you get your sight picture by lining it all up at a specific target (when you’re aiming)…
Now a Combat Sight Picture (which is also sometimes called a 3 Dot Hold or Combat Hold), is when the center dot on your front sight completely covers the bullseye of your target.
This is very different from a 6 O’Clock Hold (which places the top of your front sight underneath the bullseye or target in general) and the Center Hold (in which the top of the front sight perfectly bisects the bullseye on the target).
Watch This Video To Learn More About the 3 Sight Pictures:
What Are The Benefits Of A Combat Sight Picture?
The Combat Sight Picture has many benefits… First of all, it’s generally considered to be a simple and fast option.
Some people compare it to using a red dot sight on a rifle, in which you simply place the dot on the target exactly where you want the round to go…
The concept behind the Combat Sight Picture is pretty much the same… Place the dot on your front sight exactly on the target where you want the round to go.
In addition to that, the Combat Sight Picture does a good job of keeping your handgun in line with the target, which is helpful when you have targets at several different distances.
All in all, it’s a pretty fast, simple, and flexible sight picture, which is why there are many people who favor it.
What Are The Downsides Of A Combat Sight Picture?
The major downside to using a Combat Sight Picture is that you cover up a lot of your target when aiming…
You see, with a red dot sight you place the dot on your target exactly where you want to hit, but you can still see everything around the reticle (your whole target)…
But with the Combat Sight Picture, the slide of your pistol, and even your actual sights, will cover up the exact spot that you’re aiming at AND the rest of the target beneath it.
Seeing is an important part of shooting, so this is definitely a disadvantage to the Combat Hold.
What Are The Other Common Sight Pictures?
6 O’clock Vs Combat Sight Picture…
The 6 O’Clock Hold is another common sight picture used by many shooters. Like I mentioned before, with the 6 O’Clock Hold you place the top of your front sight post either below the bullseye or at the bottom of the entire target (depending on how you zero your sights).
The benefit of the 6 O’Clock Hold is that you can see a lot more of your target than you can with the Combat Hold, but there are several downsides…
First of all, it’s hard to be very precise because there is going to be a gap between your point of aim and your point of impact.
Second, when you zero your sights they will be very distance (and target size) specific. If your target is too large, your rounds will impact low and if your target is too far away, they’ll impact high.
The Center Hold Vs Combat Sight Picture…
Probably the most common sight picture is called the Center Hold… Like I mentioned earlier, with the Center Hold the top of your front sight will perfectly bisect the bullseye on the target.
The benefit once again over the Combat Hold is that you can see more of your target (not as much as with the 6 O’Clock Hold but a lot more than with the Combat Hold)
Also because the flat top of your front sight is your reference point (point of aim), you can aim much more precisely than with both the 6 O’Clock Hold and the Combat Hold.
Where you aim is where you round is going to go assuming the rest of your marksmanship fundamentals are squared away.
Now, the downside is that your sights still cover up some of your target, but as I mentioned before, it’s a lot less than with the Combat Hold.
Combat Sight Picture – Final Thoughts…
In the end, even though many people really like the Combat Sight Picture, I personally don’t use it…
I like to use the Center Hold because it allows me to see more of my target and aim more precisely (especially with a narrow front sight post). On top of all that, I think it’s just as fast as a Combat Sight Picture.
I recommend you do some dry fire practice using all 3 sight pictures before determining which is best for you, but whichever you choose, the most important thing is to be consistent.
Now there are many other marksmanship fundamentals that are just as important as sight picture…
Things like stance, grip, trigger control, and many other things all come into play when you’re trying to improve your shooting…
So if you want some additional training on how to become a better shooter, I highly recommend you check out the following video…
Shooting a pistol is a lot more difficult than most people think…
It’s easy to shoot accurately, as long as your sights are aligned and your trigger control is on point, but if you want to shoot faster, you’re going to have to learn how to manage recoil…
Managing recoil starts with having a proper handgun grip, and the thumbs forward grip is definitely going to give you the most control over your pistol…
What Is A Thumbs Forward Grip?
A thumbs forward grip is simply a technique in which you grip your handgun with both hands…
As you grip your pistol, the thumb on your dominant hand will rest on top of the meaty part of your non-dominant hand’s thumb…
Now your exact thumb locations may vary due to your hand size, but both thumbs should be pointed in the direction of your target.
One of the reasons this type of grip is beneficial is because you’re able to get direct contact on the pistol grip from both of your hands…
Having solid contact on the gun from both of your hands gives you a lot more control than other common ways of gripping a pistol, such as the teacup grip…
The teacup grip is usually the grip you see in Hollywood. Actors portraying cops and FBI agents use it all the time as they’re clearing buildings in movies and on TV shows…
It basically involves your dominant hand gripping the pistol while your non-dominant hand cups under the grip of your handgun…
And the problem with gripping a pistol this way (even though you can still shoot accurately) is that your non-dominant hand isn’t really doing much of anything to help you control recoil…
The result is that you can’t make follow-up shots quickly, and your rate of fire is relatively slow.
But like I mentioned before, with a thumbs forward grip you have both hands making direct contact with your gun on both sides, and you’re able to lock the gun in (almost like it’s being held in a vice).
How Hard To Grip A Pistol…
A common question that often gets asked is… How hard should you grip a pistol?
Many amazing shooters will give you different answers to this question. Some will say you should grip harder with your dominant hand than with your non-dominant hand…
Some will say to grip as hard as you can with both hands… Some will say that you don’t really need to grip very hard at all…
The thing that has worked best for me is to grip equally hard with both hands using the same amount of pressure I would use if I were gripping a hammer…
I once heard Jerry Miculek mention this amount of pressure for gripping a pistol… So I tried it out, and it seems to work best for me.
You’re going to have to experiment a little bit to find out what grip pressure works best for you, but I think the easiest way to think about it is…
… to just grip the pistol really hard without causing yourself to start shaking because if you’re shaking you won’t have a stable body position to make accurate shots from.
Variations Of A Thumbs Forward Grip…
Even though the thumbs forward grip seems to be pretty straightforward, there are small ways it can be applied differently…
Jerry Miculek’s Approach…
Jerry Miculek is a world-renowned competition shooter, and his approach to the thumbs forward grip is very simple…
Both thumbs should be pointed forward and not doing anything, which means they’re not applying pressure in any way…
They’re just there because they need to be placed somewhere that makes sense, and the rest of your fingers and hands do all the work.
This is probably the most common approach to using the thumbs forward grip, and obviously, if it’s working for Jerry Miculek, it can be VERY effective…
That being said, I’ve found that it’s not the best approach for me…
Frank Proctor’s Approach…
Frank Proctor is a shooting instructor, former Special Forces soldier, and a very impressive competition shooter, and his approach to the thumbs forward grip is a little more involved…
First of all, he likes to apply pressure downward from his dominant hand’s thumb because it helps push the gun down which helps fight against recoil…
Secondly, he likes to drive his non-dominant hand’s thumb into the frame of the pistol because it helps lock the gun in more and can counteract a little bit against bad trigger control…
After trying out both methods, I’ve found that Frank Proctor’s approach has worked better for me because it allows me to manage recoil better.
So when I grip a pistol, I press downward with my dominant hand’s thumb, and I press into the frame with my non-dominant hand’s thumb.
I recommend you try both approaches out and see what works better for you.
How To Achieve A Proper Thumbs Forward Grip In 3 Easy Steps!
Achieving a proper thumbs forward grip is very easy if you follow 3 simple steps…
Step 1:
Grab the pistol in your dominant hand. Make sure your trigger finger is straight along the frame of the gun (and that the gun is pointed in a safe direction), and lift your thumb straight up.
Also, make sure your hand is as high up on the frame as it can possibly be.
Step 2:
Place your non-dominant hand on the other side of the pistol grip…
Make sure to get as much of your lower palm as you can actually making contact directly onto the pistol grip (in between your dominant hand’s fingertips and the lower part of the palm)
Step 3:
Lower both of your thumbs and present your pistol at the target. Like I mentioned earlier, I like to apply inward pressure into the frame with the thumb of my non-dominant hand…
…and downward pressure with the thumb on my dominant hand.
Thumbs Forward Grip – Conclusions…
In the end, I highly recommend you start using the thumbs forward grip when you shoot a handgun and keep practicing it until it becomes second nature.
Again, it’s the best handgun grip to use if you want to better manage your pistol’s recoil, and managing that recoil allows you to make quicker and more effective follow up shots.
Try it out and see if it works for you!
Now before you go…
It’s important to remember that accuracy is a lot more important than speed when it comes to shooting, and if you need help improving your accuracy…
If you’re looking to learn the reasons why concealed carry is good, you’ve come to the right place.
You see, I’ve been a concealed carry permit holder for about 5 years now, and I’m very glad that I decided to go through the process of getting my permit for many reasons.
And that’s the purpose of this article, to give you the best reasons why you should carry a gun. So with that all said, let’s jump into the Top 6 Reasons Why You Should Get Your Concealed Carry Permit…
Reason 1: You Have The Ability To Protect Yourself…
The first reason why concealed carry is a good thing is obvious… You have the ability to protect yourself. It’s no secret that there are bad people out there who wish to do others harm…
…and if you are ever put into a self-defense situation where you have no other option but to use deadly force, having a concealed carry gun could be the difference between life and death.
I’m a big supporter of law enforcement officers, but they can’t be everywhere at once. And even if they are really well trained to respond to emergency situations quickly, it still might not be quick enough to save your life.
If you carry a firearm concealed, you’ll have the ability to protect yourself quicker than anyone else can because you can start responding to the threat immediately.
In addition to that, you can protect yourself against attackers who are superior to you in terms of size and strength.
This is a particularly important thing to think about if you are a small-framed woman, an elderly person, or a person with a handicap.
We don’t all have the same physical strengths, but a physically weaker person can easily fend off a much stronger attacker if they are armed with a firearm.
Watch This Video For More Information:
Reason 2: You Have The Ability To Protect Others…
The second reason why concealed carry is a good thing is very similar to the first… You have the ability to protect others.
I’m a husband and a father, and it’s my responsibility to make sure my family is safe both at home and wherever we go.
I love my family, and being an armed citizen can help me keep my family safe even if some of the worst emergency situations were to occur.
But even beyond protecting your family, concealed carry can help you protect others as well. There’s something called the sheepdog concept by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman…
…and it basically states that in society there are sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. The sheep are just normal people who want to carry on with their lives, the wolves are people who seek to harm others…
…and the sheepdogs are pretty much concealed carry permit holders who, if put into a situation where they had no other choice, would intervene to stop the wolves from hurting the sheep.
Obviously, you have to use good judgment before inserting yourself into a dangerous situation (you don’t want to act like you are a law enforcement officer)…
…but it could be the case that you are the only one in a position to save innocent lives.
Reason 3: You Become A More Responsible Person…
When you become a concealed carry permit holder and start carrying around a firearm, you start to become a more responsible person.
Let’s face it, carrying a weapon is a HUGE responsibility. You need to make every effort to familiarize yourself with your gun and practice shooting it (there’s no point to carrying if you can’t hit your target).
You also need to make sure you are following all of your local laws and keeping up to date with any changes that may occur.
In addition to that, being aware of your surroundings also becomes really important because you have to be on the lookout for potential threats before they happen…
…and you have to always be vigilant about keeping control and possession of your gun (not as vigilant as you would if you were open carrying, but still vigilant to a certain degree).
Because of this, you start to realize how important it is to diffuse situations in which people get really heated or to remove yourself from rowdy individuals in general (you cannot get into heated arguments or fights with others AT ALL when concealed carrying).
Reason 4: You Have A Tactical Advantage…
When you concealed carry a handgun, you have the tactical advantage over someone with ill intent. The whole point of concealed carry is that you are armed and no one around you knows it.
This can give you the element of surprise if you are faced with a life-threatening situation, and that surprise could make all the difference in the world.
It could be that your attacker (upon learning that you are armed) starts to panic and runs away, which I think would be ideal because the threat would be neutralized without any shots fired.
This tactical advantage is one of the main reasons why I prefer concealed carry vs. open carry. I actually live in a state where I have the option of choosing either method of carry…
…and even though I would open carry if it was the only option legally available to me, I would much rather stick with concealed carry if given a choice between the two.
Reason 5: You Have Already Undergone A Background Check…
If you are a concealed carry permit holder, you have already passed a background check and proven that you are a reputable citizen.
This can be beneficial for a few reasons. To start off with, you no longer need to go through a background check every time you purchase a new gun.
Usually, it’s the law that you have to pass a background check every time you purchase a new firearm. This is kind of a pain because you have to wait for the gun store to call in the background check, which may take hours.
Also, the gun store will usually charge you a fee for the mandatory background check you go through…
However, when you have a CCW permit, you’ve already undergone a background check so the gun store will not need to call one in for you, and you won’t be charged for one either. This saves you both time and money!
In addition to that, many states will honor the concealed carry permits of other states. So even though there are different concealed carry laws in every state, you may actually be legally able to carry in many states.
This can be really convenient if you plan on going on vacation to another state or if you find yourself driving in a state nearby your own.
Reason 6: Getting Your CCW Permit Is Not Very Difficult (Usually)…
The requirements for getting a concealed carry permit are different in every state, but in most states, the process isn’t very difficult at all.
You are usually required to show that you are responsible and competent with a gun in some way, and then you can apply for a permit.
The easiest way to start the process is by doing it online, and you can find out more about how to get started quickly by clicking the link below…
Reasons Why Concealed Carry Is Good – Final Thoughts…
In the end, I think if you have the desire to concealed carry a gun, you should go through the process and get your CCW Permit.
It will allow you to protect yourself and your family… It will give you a tactical advantage if you ever need to use your weapon in self-defense… And you’ll be a more responsible person in general.
You’ll also have the ability to legally carry in many other states, and you won’t have to waste time and money on a background check every time you purchase a new gun.
I hope this article presented you with some good reasons to carry a gun, and good luck as you start the process to get your own concealed carry permit.
Getting into concealed carry might seem like it’s very intimidating if you don’t have any experience with it (I know it was for me when I started out)…
…but the truth is, there’s not that much information you need to learn.
And if you’re a beginner, this article is the perfect starting place for you because we’re going to cover everything you need to know about concealed carrying a firearm, including:
What Does Concealed Carry Mean?
Popular Concealed Carry Positions
Popular Concealed Carry Guns
Concealed Carry Laws
Concealed Carry Vs Open Carry
How You Can Get Started
In the end, you should have a solid understanding of everything involved, and I’ll show you one of the easiest and fastest ways you can get started with concealed carry.
What Does Concealed Carry Mean?
Concealed Carry is when you carry a weapon (in most cases a firearm) concealed while out in public…
This is very different from open carry, which is when you carry a firearm in public and keep it in full view of everyone (for example in a holster on your hip).
Concealed carry and open carry laws are different in every state, and it’s important to familiarize yourself with those laws (and make sure you follow them) before attempting to carry a weapon.
In addition to that, there are many different positions that people commonly use to concealed carry their guns, and we’ll be discussing that in the next section.
Popular Concealed Carry Positions…
Like I mentioned before, there are many positions in which people conceal their firearms, and things like the size of gun you carry, the clothes you where, your sex (male or female), and many other factors all come into play…
Now, these are not the only concealed carry positions that are out there, but let’s go through some of the most popular methods for carry being used today.
Inside The Waistband…
Carrying inside the waistband (IWB) is probably the most popular concealed carry position used today.
With inside the waistband carry, you simply use a holster that either clips or loops on to your belt and sits inside the waistband of your pants.
This is the position that I like to use to carry, and there are many reasons why it has become so popular. For starters, it conceals the gun very well, and it’s comfortable.
Even if you’re wearing shorts and a t-shirt, with the right gun (we’ll talk about concealed carry guns in a bit) practically no one will be able to tell that you are armed.
In addition to that, you can access your gun very quickly. All you have to do is pull up your cover garment (the shirt or piece of clothing concealing the gun) and draw from the holster on your belt.
Also, there are many different inside the waistband positions you can choose from, and the appendix position and strong side hip position are the two most popular.
I personally like to carry in the appendix position, which is when you carry in the front of your waste slightly closer to your dominant hand.
I like it because my gun really doesn’t print much at all, even if I’m bending down or moving in awkward positions. Printing is when others can see the outline of your gun through your clothes.
People usually won’t notice a little bit of printing from under your shirt, but if your gun is bulging through, it can become a problem.
Like I said, my gun really doesn’t print much (if any at all) in the appendix position. So I’m a big fan of it.
The strong side hip position is when you carry inside the waistband on the backside (kind of over your rear end) of your strong side hip.
Again, a lot of people find this position very comfortable, and it allows you to draw your gun very quickly.
Outside The Waistband…
Outside the waistband can be an effective position to conceal a handgun as well. This is when you carry your gun in a regular holster much like you would if you were open carrying.
This thing is, if you cover the gun up with a shirt or coat (some type of cover garment), even if you are carrying outside the waistband (OWB), it is still considered concealed carry.
Now, the benefits of outside the waistband are that it is usually very comfortable and you can typically carry a larger handgun.
In addition to that, it allows you to draw your gun very quickly. However, you really have to watch out for printing with this carry position.
Some people have the right body type to make the method of carry work and others do not (like me). It will just take a little experimentation on your part to find out if you can make it work or not.
Pocket Carry…
Pocket carry is when you carry a gun inside a holder that fits in your pocket. This can be a very convenient and comfortable way to carry, because all you have to do is remember to put your gun in your pocket.
The disadvantages of pocket carry are that you don’t have quick access to your gun, and it will require a very small gun.
Even though there are some very small 9mm handguns (my preferred caliber for concealed carry), most pocket guns will be chambered for slightly less powerful rounds (however, these rounds can still be very effective).
In addition to that, small guns usually have low capacity magazines, which is also something to consider.
Also, even though a good holster is important for every carry position, its particularly important with this method because you must protect the trigger of your gun.
You never want to carry without a good concealed carry holster because of the possibility that something can work its way onto the trigger and cause a negligent discharge.
Shoulder Holster…
Carrying in a shoulder holster is another popular carry position. It’s not the greatest for keeping your gun concealed (unless you do it under a shirt), but it can be very comfortable.
The downsides here are that you usually can’t access your gun very quickly, and you can only dress in very specific ways to make this carry method work.
It does look really cool though!
Ankle Holster…
Carrying in an ankle holster is also a popular option. The benefits here are that it is very discreet, and gives you a lot of comfort in the upper part of your body.
The disadvantages of carrying in an ankle holster are that it requires a very small gun, and access to your gun is not very quick at all.
You also need to be wearing pants which is not always ideal for me because I live in the Nevada desert where the temperature is over 100 degrees in the summer.
Last, it can feel awkward having the extra weight of a gun on one of your legs as you walk around throughout the day.
Off Body Carry…
Off body carry is another option that many people go with. In this case, you would carry in something that you keep with you at all times, but not directly on your body (think of a purse or a backpack).
This is a very comfortable way to carry because you’re not concealing the gun on your person, but it does have a few disadvantages.
For one, you really have to be aware of where your gun is at all times. You can never leave it unattended or in reach of another person, even if they don’t know it’s there.
You also don’t have quick access to your gun, which is a big issue for me.
That said, you do have the option of reaching in your purse or bag, removing the gun from its holster, and shooting through the purse or bag in an emergency situation.
That may come in handy if you’re a woman walking to her car at night or in other similar situations.
Popular Concealed Carry Guns…
As I mentioned before, inside the waistband is the most popular carry position, and because of that, there are many guns designed specifically for it.
These guns are sometimes called “single stack 9mms” because they are chambered in 9mm and are very thin (with a single stack magazine as opposed to a double stack magazine).
The gun I like to carry, which is a Smith and Wesson M&P Shield, falls into this category, and I find it to be very comfortable.
Other popular guns that fall into this category are:
Aside from the single stacks, many people like to carry larger guns if their body type allows for it because larger guns are a little bit easier to shoot and they carry more rounds.
Often times compact guns are the way to go in this case, and here are a few of the most popular ones you’ll find:
There are many others as well, but before deciding which to go with, I recommend going to your local range and renting different handguns to see which one will fit your best.
Watch This Video For More Concealed Carry Gun Ideas:
Concealed Carry Laws…
Like I mentioned before, every state has different laws regarding concealed carry, and it is up to you to learn and follow your local laws.
Most states require that you get a concealed carry permit before you can legally carry, and you have to demonstrate that you are knowledgeable and responsible enough to carry a gun.
The process usually isn’t too difficult, and you can actually get the process started easily online.
Some states have constitutional carry which means you can carry without getting a permit, and a few states make getting a permit very difficult.
Additionally, many states will honor the concealed carry permits of other states, and some states will issue you a permit even if you are not a resident (something to think about if you live in a state that is not friendly to gun rights).
Concealed Carry Vs Open Carry…
Some states allow you to open carry a handgun, but if you have the option, I think concealed carry is better for several reasons.
To start, you have more privacy because no one knows you’re carrying.
You won’t have people getting nervous and calling the police on you, and you don’t have to worry about someone sneaking up and trying to disarm you.
In addition to that, you have a tactical advantage over someone trying to do you harm if they don’t know that you are armed.
Surprising them of that fact could make all the difference in the world, and you won’t be their first target to eliminate either.
If you’d like to learn more about the differences between concealed carry vs open carry, click the link to see my full article on the subject.
The concealed carry vs open carry debate has been going on in the U.S. gun community for many years now…
…and there are a lot of things to consider when trying to decide which option is right for you.
Things like where you’re from and what your local laws are play a big factor (be sure to check and follow your local laws always), but there are many other things to consider as well.
Since the idea of carrying a gun for personal defense has been becoming more popular in recent years…
I think it’s important that new gun owners have a solid understanding of the pros and cons of concealed carry and open carry.
So in this article, we’ll be going through the differences between these two methods of carrying a gun in detail, and here’s what we’ll be focusing on:
What Is Concealed Carry And What Is Open Carry?
Which Method Allows Quicker Access To Your Firearm?
Which Method Is More Comfortable?
Which Method Has The Tactical Advantage?
Legal Restrictions…
Open Carry Vs Concealed Carry Pros And Cons…
In the end, I’ll give my final thoughts about the concealed carry vs open carry debate, and you should have a clear idea which method of carry will work best for you.
What Is Concealed Carry And What Is Open Carry?
Before we go any further, it’s important that you understand what concealed carry and open carry actually are.
Concealed carry is when a person conceals a firearm (usually a handgun) in public on their person or in something that they keep close by (a purse or a backpack for example).
The most common place people conceal firearms is probably inside the waistband (IWB), but others will conceal in purses, shoulder holsters, ankle holsters, in pockets, and in other places as well.
I personally prefer to carry inside the waistband in the appendix position, and I’ve been doing that for about 5 years now.
Open carry is when a person carries a firearm (it could be a handgun or a rifle) in public without concealing it.
Often times handguns will be carried in a holster on a person’s hip, and rifles will be carried with a sling (we’ll get to why a person might open carry a rifle later in this article).
In many states, you must acquire a concealed carry permit in order to legally carry your firearm concealed in public, and the process is usually not very difficult to go through.
Concealed Carry Vs Open Carry – Which Method Allows Quicker Access To Your Firearm?
Even though there are many ways for concealed carry that allow you quick access to your gun, you will generally have quicker access while open carrying…
Just think about it, all you have to do is reach down to your hip, establish your grip, and draw your pistol from its holster.
Your hand is usually hanging around that area anyway, and it’s a natural motion to draw a gun from that position (which is why law enforcement officers carry there).
However, even though it’s probably quicker to draw a gun from open carry, that doesn’t mean drawing a concealed handgun is difficult or slow.
Sure, if you carry in a purse or a backpack, you’re going to have to reach in, fish around for your gun, and establish a good grip before you draw, which is all going to take up time…
Similarly, if you carry in a shoulder holster or an ankle holster, your access to your firearm isn’t that great, and your draw probably won’t be very quick…
But if you carry inside the waistband like I do, with a little bit of practice you can learn to draw your pistol very quickly.
In many ways, it’s similar to drawing from an open carry holster because you’re still drawing a gun from a holster on your hip.
The main difference is that you will have to remove your cover garment (the shirt or jacket over your gun that keeps it concealed) before you are able to draw.
This is actually easier than you might think because all you have to do is pull up your shirt, and instantly you have easy access to your gun.
So to sum up here… one of the disadvantages of having a concealed carry firearm is that it makes access to your gun a little bit more difficult…
However, with a little bit of practice, you can actually draw your gun very quickly if you carry inside the waistband.
Which Method Is More Comfortable?
You might think that open carry is always more comfortable than concealed carry, but that’s not always the case.
A lot of factors come into play including:
The weather in your location
The clothing you like to wear
The gun you choose to carry
Your body type
Let’s start by discussing the weather and the type of clothing you wear. If you live in a cold location, and are going to be wearing jackets, sweatshirts, or hoodies it makes concealed carrying a gun very easy and very comfortable.
Part of that comfort is knowing that your firearm is not going to be printing. Printing is when you can see the outline of a gun because it has a tight shirt around it or some other piece of clothing.
Others might not be able to actually see the gun, but they can tell that you’re carrying one because it’s making a big bulge in your shirt that reveals the gun’s profile.
If you’re afraid of printing, it can cause you to be a little anxious, and having the extra cover of a jacket or sweatshirt just tends to make things more comfortable.
That being said though, you can also comfortably carry in shorts and a t-shirt without printing as well.
In addition to that, the type of gun you carry and your body shape also come into play. For example, if you are open carrying a heavy steel-framed handgun, that extra weight is going to be pulling down on you all day and you may find it very uncomfortable.
There are actually a lot of police officers who can’t wait to take their duty belts and holsters off at the end of the day because carrying around all that gear isn’t as easy as you might think.
On the other hand, there are many guns on the market right now that are specifically designed for concealed carry… So they’re lightweight and fairly thin…
…and they can usually be carried inside the waistband or in a shoulder rig very comfortably.
As far as your body type goes, you’ll just have to experiment a little bit with where you conceal your gun.
For example, I carry a very thin gun (an M&P Shield) inside the waistband in the appendix position (right below my stomach and slightly closer to my strong hand).
Even if I’m wearing a t-shirt and jeans, it’s a very comfortable position and my gun doesn’t really print much at all (side note: the first few times you concealed carry, you’ll think that everyone around you can tell that you have a gun, but they probably won’t be able to tell at all).
For some people, appendix carry is very uncomfortable and they prefer to carry inside the waistband on their strong side hip (almost as if they were open carrying on their hip just under their shirt).
And then there are others that get a very small gun and a good holster and carry in their pocket (this is called pocket carry).
There are many other ways to carry, and the only real way to know what’s going to be most comfortable for you is to try out different positions and methods.
Which Method Has The Tactical Advantage?
I think the method of carry that gives you the tactical advantage is definitely concealed carry…
The whole point of concealed carry is that no one knows you are armed, and if someone intends to do you harm, the element of surprise can go a long way to stopping the threat.
If you open carry in a store or restaurant, you’ll stand out to just about everyone in the building, and if someone has ill intent, you’ll be their first target.
In addition to that, you have to be really aware of your surroundings to ensure no one is able to come up from behind and disarm you.
It can also become a bit of a hassle open carrying because frightened individuals may call the police, and even in open carry states you may have an encounter with law enforcement officers who just want to find out why you are open carrying.
Now at pro 2nd Amendment rallies, you’ll see people open carrying rifles and handguns to make a political statement, and I think that’s a good thing.
But the primary reason why I carry a gun is to protect myself and my family, so for me, the element of surprise is one of the most important reasons why concealed carry is good for defensive situations.
Watch This Video To Learn More:
Legal Restrictions…
Every state has different gun laws on the books, and those laws are always changing. It’s up to you to know and follow all you local gun laws…
In some states, open carry is not legal. So your only option is to go through the process of getting your concealed carry permit if you want to carry a firearm.
In other states concealed carry might not be legal or it may be very hard to get a permit, and if open carry is legal, that might be your only option.
Some states have what’s called constitutional carry, which means you don’t need a permit for open carry or concealed carry.
It’s also important to note that some states will honor the concealed carry permits of other states, So if you get your concealed carry permit in your home state, you may actually be able to legally carry in many other states as well.
Additionally, some states will issue you a concealed carry permit even if you are not a resident.
Again, concealed carry laws are different all around the country, and you just have to do your due diligence to follow all laws that apply to you.
Open Carry Vs Concealed Carry Pros And Cons…
Pros And Cons Of Concealed Carry…
Pros…
You can quickly access your gun
It’s comfortable
You can conceal in different places
It’s more private (you can carry without others knowing)
You have a tactical advantage (the element of surprise)
It is legal in many states
Many states will honor the CCW permits of other states
In many states concealed carry permits are not very difficult to acquire
Some states issue will issue permits to residents of other states
Cons…
it could be slower to access your gun (depending on where you choose to carry)
A few states make it very difficult for their citizens to acquire concealed carry permits (keep in mind that even if you live in one of these states, there are other states who will issue concealed carry permits even if you are not a resident)
Pros And Cons Of Open Carry…
Pros…
You can quickly access to your gun
It’s comfortable
Cons…
You draw a lot of attention to yourself (and could become a target)
You don’t get a tactical advantage (the element of surprise)
It is not legal in many states
Concealed Carry Vs Open Carry – Final Thoughts…
In the end, concealed carry is generally the more preferred method of carry among gun owners, and as I’m sure you picked up on, it’s what I prefer out of the two options (and I live in a state where I have the option of open carrying if I would like to).
I find concealed carry to be very comfortable, and no matter what I’m wearing, I’m confident that others are not aware that I am legally armed.
I personally hope I never have to use a firearm in self defense, but if God forbid there was no other option, it’s nice to know that I can legally carry and keep it very discreet.
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