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:
- Glock 43
- Springfield XD-S
- Walther PPS
- Springfield Hellcat
- Sig Sauer P365
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:
- Glock 19 (this is what I carry during the winter)
- M&P9 2.0 Compact
- CZ P10C
- Sig Sauer P229
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.
Next Step? Check out this Secret ‘Hack’ To Get Your CCW Permit (Fast and Easy)…
Good luck and be safe!
-Red Dot Shooters