New to concealed carry

[Dave]

I just recently escaped Maryland to Pennsylvania and now find myself in the position to seriously think about concealed carry. Unfortunately I really have no idea where to start on planning out my "weapon system."

I'm a skinny guy, 6' 0" 150lbs, and would mostly be wearing jeans and untucked shirt though this time of year the barn coat is coming out too.

I have a CZ 82 and a Sig P225/P6.

Any suggestions on how to begin? Things to read, approaches to take? I guess I'm focusing on the hardware issues right now, but if anyone knows of good instructors in the southern PA, Hanover area, I'd love to hear about that as well.

Thanks

Dave

[JKosprey]

I'm about your build and especially with a coat, I can easily conceal a full-size Beretta 92. You should have no problem with either of the two pistols you mentioned. You want it to be accessable and comfortable to wear, so you'll need to figure out what the best position for you is, ie: if you spend alot of time in a chair, carrying in the small of your back probably will not work for you. Others here can talk for a good long time about the merits/demerits of different holster brands and types, so I'll leave that to them.

[mekender]

small of the back carry is pretty dangerous if you fall, too much of a chance of a lower spine injury.

That said, your best start is a good holster and belt. For belts i cant recommend the belt man enough. http://www.thebeltman.net/

for holsters, IWB holsters by crossbreed are great http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/IWB/t ... roductName

In northern climates, you get the extra benefit of being able to wear a jacket and a OWB holster, this is what i do most often in the winter. It is way more comfortable than IWB for me.

[Precision]

I am 5'9" and about 155 so similar build

+1 on the beltman great guy, excellent products

I go with a Keltec P3AT as my 100% carry gun. I never have a clothing set up where I can't carry and conceal that.

I also IWB a Keltec PF-9, or one of a few full size glocks. 4 oclock in a comptac tucker. I can use it with a tucked shirt or an untucked one. I am also using a Serpa lvl 2 retention OWB holster for the full size Glocks with a long tailed cover shirt now that the weather is getting cooler. Very comfortable.

Go to Defensive Carry .com they have tons of carry information there. Probably at least a weeks worth of reading in the archives.

Also in PA you can OC as well as CC.

[Dedicated_Dad]

First steps: Get to work on the permit. I strongly recommend adding the FL non-resident permit to whatever you can get "at home."

Frankly, "better tried by 12 than carried by six" but at the same time there's just no point in taking chances on jail over some paperwork. Since this will take months, get it going...

Most of us have a box full of holsters tried and discarded. I strongly recommend getting on one of the CC forums already linked and seeking input, but in the end it's what works FOR YOU.

Lastly, while it may SEEM like a cheap nylon holster will do for OC, I've recently learned via USPSA that they'll get you KILLED. Try to draw and find the front-sight hung up on the nylon and... Bad juju! I ended up with a "blackhawk" retention holster made of kydex. I have a Taurus PT99, I got a Beretta 92 holster and carefully tweaked the latch so it takes a little push to lock it in. This allows a little push and it will STAY unlocked - which works like a charm for speeding up my draw! For OWB carry I'd recommend this system to anyone - it rides pretty high, cant is adjustable, paddle or loop attachment and positive retention -- what's not to love?!

If you can hook up with some locals (most CC forums have state-boards) maybe others will let you try their favorites - who knows, maybe one of their "discards" will be your favorite and you can help them and save a few $$ at the same time!

Good luck - keep us posted... I for one learn a lot from reading others' experiences and thus appreciate your time to post!

DD

[HTRN]

1)Pennsylvania is a shall issue state. They're required to either issue a permit or deny you(by state law) in 45 days. Stories of Same day issue, after being run through PICS, is refreshingly common.
2)PA is open carry, without a permit, with the exception of Philly(city of 1 million+, as mentioned in PA state laws).
3)LTCF permits are issued by the county sherriff. Some issue enthusiastically, most are indifferent, and a few hostile. Go to PAFOA.org to find out what the situation is in your county of residence.


HTRN

[skb12172]

DD: Why the insistence on the FL non-resident permit? Please elaborate.

[Dave]

Those are some great links. It appears I picked a good county to live in. They typically process the license while you wait.

If I end up with an IWB holster, does that necessitate a new wardrobe? If I'm wearing 32" waist now, will I need to step up to 34"?

So, with open carry being legal, that means you can't get in trouble if your gun is uncovered for a moment? I haven't noticed anyone carrying openly up here, but from some other threads I've read, that might just be due to my poor observational skills.

The non-resident FL license thing is because they have best reciprocity with other states, right?

[HTRN]

DD: Why the insistence on the FL non-resident permit? Please elaborate.

Because both the Florida and the Utah non res permits permit carry in states that the PA res. permit doesn't - Ohio for instance, you can carry with both FL, and Utah non res, while PA doesn't(which is kinda annoying as it's a bordering state).

See here.


HTRN

[mekender]

Yeah PAFOA.org is one of the best pro gun forums out there, i check in there regularly even though i live in NC