really appreciate you sharing that. It is interesting how experience changes what we value most. Sounds like the biggest lesson was not about gear at all, it was about judgment, awareness, and avoiding situations that can go bad in the first place.
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Believe me. The choices of gear and firearms also shaped what I choose today. I have a duffel bag full of perfect holsters for everyone. Iāve been Thru a Hugh variety of firearms for self defense against 4 and 2 legged predators. The belly bands are useful as my shoulder holsters, (single and double), clip, (Inside the waistband and open carry holster, including the pocket carry holsters I made, (cost: about $2.60), from vinyl eye glass holders that work about as well as anything. I like Revolvers but have a few semi-autos. Probably the biggest high risk situation I get into today is going to the bank or ATM. Walmart the 2nd. Religious meetings the 3rd. Restaurants the 4,th. I donāt know where home invasions fit. Iāve had 3 home invasions in my life. 2 were mentally ill people who were high that I helped get to where they wanted to go. The 3rd resulted from a fistfight my brother-in-law lost, when I threw him off my porch. He returned later with a .32 revolver and shot -up my house, almost killing his sister, resulting in his and mine arrest. Unfortunately he died 4 days later. Plus 2 wars with combat, several hostile deployments, 24 years in the military, 6 divorces, several physical fights, a few civilian gunfights. Today my life is an abrupt,180 turn for the better. So you are right, itās also my lifeās experiences that shaped my choices probably ust like everybody.
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I think that is true for most people. Our experiences, good and bad, tend to shape how we view risk, safety, and the choices we make. It sounds like you have had a lifetime of experiences that influenced your perspective, and it is good to hear your life has taken a positive turn.
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You are 100% correct. Thatās also the reasons itās so hard to change bad habits. Especially going from legal habits that are accepted by society although immoral, to spiritual habits and moralities that are biblical. With the personal habits a person changes they also have to change their associations with people and places.
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I agree. Changing habits is difficult enough, but changing the people and environments connected to those habits can be even harder. In many cases, that is where the biggest changes actually happen.
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Fortunately I was able to move to different areas these last 28 years. Each time I moved I found that I needed different holsters because of the weather, clothing and local customs to become the, āgrey manā, to fit in that area. Example: I was passing through Arizona when they passef the law about open carry. But I didnāt know about it. I stopped at a convenience store and there were 3 men sitting around a picnic bench; all wearing guns on their hip. What a surprise? About The only time I open carry is when I am out in the desert or woods. Still, I have to admit, when I see someone in a public setting carrying a weapon. They get My attention. āPrintingā, in those states that permit open carry is not an issue.
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that make sense, different locations, climates, and local norms can definitely influence what works best. I can also understand your reaction in Arizona seeing several people openly carrying at once would catch a lot of peopleās attention, especially if they are not used to it.
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Most Businessās now have signs requesting to conceal your weapon or the no firearms, ECT. Sign. That no firearms sign really is a hassle. Since I carry concealed, though, I donāt really pay much attention to it. i donāt want to patronize their business, but then trying to find a place that does not have a no firearms sign is also a big problem. Catch 22. But thereās always Walmart.
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If your after something so you dont have to wear a belt in a more casual setting, look into something like this.
I got something similar i use for going to the beach etc. I got a belly band but when its 90 and 80% humidity, I sweat to much with it
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i can see why that feels like a Catch-22. Businesses have the right to set their own policies, but it can make things frustrating when you are trying to balance your preferences with where you shop. Sometimes it comes down to choosing the option that is most practical for the situation.
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that looks like a practical option, especially for hot weather and casual clothing.
Got to admit I donāt understand the beltless receiver at all. It appears you have to bring your own holster that may or may not work with it?
For example, what if I use a Galco V-Hawk holster?
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Then you dont use it. Its an option for other people
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Yeah 
. We have to be flexible. I spent alota My life being stubborn and hard-headed. All it ever got me was in trouble and and a chaotic life. Guess Iām not to smart. Was attached to the Marines for about 1 year and I remember their motto; be flexible, adapt and overcome. I just came back from the desert target shooting and testing some loads with my revolvers. It was great. Was about a hundred though and my belly band really got sweat soaked. And my wet shirt over it. Found out, it really slowed down getting my weapon into action. But the real highlight was I got it close up view of a desert bighorn. Little guy. Donāt really see many of them on BLM land.
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Sounds like a good day overall. The belly band getting soaked is a good reminder that real world conditions can change how gear performs. And getting a close up look at a desert bighorn is pretty special, I would take that as the highlight too.
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Bighorn pixel art?
JK close is often times a relative term trying to get a picture with a phone.
Antelope that must have been deaf, dumb, stupid, or sickā¦
Walked across our shooting lane twice at 100-150 yards! 
The deer in the open space behind my work will just about walk up to you! This guy was within 20 yards!!!
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Thank you. Yeah Iām not very good with all this new technology. I didnāt grow up with it. But no excuses. I just donāt really like spending the time when I could be reloading and shooting and other things. Wasnāt always this way. 40 years ago or so, I was the NCOIC of a new program and dept in the military called Information Management System for a Division. Word processing and laptop computers were a big deal. Nobody wanted that job, or even knew what to do. me included. So they sent me to a 2 week school and I enroll in a college course computer programming. That made me an expert to teach everyone else including my LTC. Heck, I was 11B. But because of medical problems I had as a result of Nam(68,69), I got reclassed to Desk Jockey. But as years passed, I hated the new tech. Even more. As past, the military started assigning me to places and jobs didnāt even have names for yet. My records were all redacted. I was assigned to some unit but actually was on a different continent even sometimes. Looking at what was left of my records, Iāve been places Iāve never been and half the places I was are not reflected. In fact, the military never retired my records when I retired. I couldnāt even find them except for just a few medical records and other little BS. 8 years after I retired I accidentally,(long story), found most of my records. I was still being carried as a active duty female Sergeant. But my records had a big red tag on them. Classified. Gen. Officers Access only plus alot of things were all Xād(redacted). The young man that showed me them had been in grenade accident, blew his hand off. Anyways, Iām like T-Rex today.
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Sounds like you have had a pretty unique career path. Itis funny how someone can be considered a technology expert at one point and then later decide theyād rather spend their time on completely different things. The story about finding your records years later is wild. I can see why all of that would leave you with mixed feelings about the system and the technology that came with it.
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