Lol. I wore hats so long in the Army, I thought never again. Didn’t work that way though. I found I don’t sunburn near as bad with a hat and my bald head stayed warmer in the winter. I wear hats. 
2 Likes
Great! - Congratulations - Good for you.
However know this - at least think about it.
As a State & DHS Certified Instructor, Weekly Competition shooter and with some real life experience, more than once Day and Night, I can tell you - getting your Permit (as important and exciting as that can be) is just the beginning. And I am certified and have taught the CCW Course in the past - for our State.
That is if you really want to be proficient and do it(Actual Defensive Shooting) the right way - which it seems you do.
We will likely never see each other so I make No money here but feel you should know
the facts about actually using that gun in a real self defense situation even if it is in your home.
1 - Getting your permit - as good as that is - is like Sitting in an Airplane Cockpit for 8hr looking at the controls
but with no “Real - Flying” Instruction or Experience and thinking you can land that plane in a thunder-storm at night!
A “Real Fight”?
It will Not be like you think it will be.
It will be 10x faster. And 10x scarier than you imagine it.
Getting your Permit is Good but it is NOT Real “Training” - For a “Real” encounter.
And Conflict Avoidance and De-escalation techniques are often not taught in the CCW course.
2- In a “Real Encounter” You MUST be operating on Auto Pilot - you will NOT have time to think. Nor will you be able.
Your “Moves” must be so well practiced they will be on “Auto-Pilot” - you don’t have to “Think” about what to do.
You just “Do It” before you even realize it. It takes Actual/Real “Training” and a lot of Practice.
Problem is - the actual correct moves and sequence are usually not covered in the CCW course.
I advise - Find a good “Defensive Pistol” instructor in your area and give him/her a call see what courses he/she offers. Or - Find an IDPA match near you(Visitors usually free) - talk to people there - they will know who teaches near you.
Usually - “Well” worth your money and possibly your life.
10 Likes
That happened to me too! I lost claim to a nice 380 that way, but when she started to like my 1911 too I said, “ohhh no you don’t!” - " get your own!" Which she did.
4 Likes
That is a awsome shirt!
2 Likes
I always wanted to try the belly band but i have a belly and have gained some weight and am afraid to try it. Did it keep up in the position that you put it in, and does it stay there without having to adjust it ?
3 Likes
Now that I can officially carry out of the house I will be taking it for a real world test drive. That being said I have worn it around the house quite a bit and it did well. I have a lanky frame, but sadly about 15 pounds of gut I would like to not have. I wore it half under the belt line and it stayed fine. I also wore it where my firearm was more “under the armpit area” and if anything my belly held it up. Of course this is not an ideal place to draw from, but depending on what I am wearing it could work. Biggest thing was that the one I bought from 2A4Life was not well made when it came to the “hook” side of the velcro, or the rough side. Against bare skin it was scratchy, and against an under shirt it dug into the cloth. The one I got from Bravobelt was WAY more comfortable, and has more storage pockets for extra mags. One pocket would even hold a cellphone. Admittedly, I have even placed it just high enough to work as a girdle, but if you go to tight it creates a fat roll over the top 
. It would not be my everyday choice I think, but could have it’s uses depending on what I wear.
2 Likes
Great advice, and I fully intend to seek out more advanced training once I become comfortable with the general idea of carrying. I still have to “live” in a few of the holster options I had purchased while waiting for it to become official, and figure out what I like vs. what is functional. For now it has been range time, and many many USCCA videos.
2 Likes
Thank you for all the goos information… I think im gonna deff try one… Alot of times i wear shorts gun belt and holster right over my shorts and cover with my tshirt. Im not realky concerned about printing… More concerned about getting a super comfortable way of carrying . I can always dress to conceal or if im concerned about printing.
2 Likes
So if the shirt was for you, but you ended up with the gun that was for her…
Does that mean She got the Rattler, and you got the snub-nosed revolver?
2 Likes
She got the Springfield XDS that was supposed to be mine. Such a smooth gun, and looks good to boot. And I am sure she will wear the shirt from “time to time”, but I guess that’s kinda “for me” too 
. Lucky me the rail system attachment for the M&P that is now mine, makes it look pretty mean too.
3 Likes
Welcome to the concealed carry lifestyle! Like yours, my wife took “my” first gun and still has it, but it’s all good. I still remember being so self conscious the first time I went out wearing a gun. I recommend you practice carrying in your house first and let your wife judge how well you’re concealing. If it’s difficult to get ammo or time at the range, safely dry practice a lot. Your skills and confidence will improve greatly.
3 Likes
@BigdodgedemoN, congratulations on your Independence Day! I’m excited for you, reminds me of that day a couple years ago when I received mine. It’s very liberating to leave the house with your concealed weapon.
Get ready to buy a ton of holsters in search of the perfect one! And it took me a couple weeks to get over my fear of printing as well.
Good job!
2 Likes
Thanks!! The holster thing started many weeks ago lol!!
2 Likes
Congrats and welcome to the family. My advise is find a defensive shooting class. Target shooting and hunting isn’t exactly the same as defensive shooting. The USCCA has one and the NRA also has one. There may be others close by as well.
Expect to go through some ammo, but try to ensure most of what you shoot has a good reason behind it. Save some for enjoyment, but most should be considered a learning curve.
Ask questions of other shooters, but think through their answers. If they can’t give a good reason for their views, maybe their point of view is weak. Sort of the ‘trust but verify’ method.
Never stop learning. I have been carrying for about 40 years, I learn things all the time. Some of those things reinforce what I know, some are enlightening. Never be afraid to ask. Never be afraid to listen to answers. Always judge them for yourself.
Sooner of later, your wife will outshoot you. That’s not a bad thing, you want her to be able to protect herself. The only person you should really worry about beating is yourself, slow constant self improvement is the key.
Again, welcome to the family.
4 Likes
Great advice. Thanks for sharing. I picked up a few things from your post as well.
2 Likes
I hate to rain on the parade but this needs to be said. Never forget you are dealing with life and death situations. If you or your wife ever have to use a firearm against another human, even in self defense, both of your lives will be changed forever. Don’t ever take this responsibility lightly! Sometimes I get the feeling that maybe I would be better off not carrying. Lately, I just tell myself that I will only use it to defend others or maybe shoot a vicious dog. I know people who say how they would handle it if (God forbid) they ever have to take a life. I say"bull" you never know until it happens. Every time I put on a firearm I pray that I will never have to use it.
5 Likes
Congratulations, I am in Louisiana and it took several months for me as well. I have now had my permit for almost 5 years. The best advise I can offer is once you start carrying, always carry. Even at home. Make it part of getting up and getting dressed for the day. When you go places, always have it on you. Never leave it in the car/truck. When you need it, it wont do any good in the truck or in a drawer. After a while it becomes part of you. Your family and Kids or grand-kids, will get used to you having it. Be sure to train them as well. Teach respect for the firearm, and everyone should know what to do if something happens. I have one gun I carry when I am home just sitting around or out working in the yard and my primary carry for when I leave home. Seek out all the training you can get. Don’t stop with just you class. Lots of good info out there even if you just watch the videos.
6 Likes
I agree. While I may have a gun…I never plan to use it unless I have to. If I never draw it or use it other than in practice that is the perfect scenario. I was taught a long time ago to hope for the best but plan for the worst. I am a firm believer in learning from other people’s experiences…both good and bad. If I can avoid repeating someone else’s mistakes I will.
I also agree that carrying or even owning a gun has to change your thinking. You now have to include what happens if they get my gun?
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The easiest way to avoid trouble is to stay alert and try the best you can to not put yourself in a bad situation. Unfortunately sometimes even when you do your best to avoid it…trouble just shows up.
Stay safe.
3 Likes
While I fully agree with the sentiment of your statement, you can trust that your assumption I do not “take it seriously” can be laid to rest. There is nothing more serious than having the power to do great harm to another human. That being said, there are many things in life that have the potential to do great harm, and yet the act of doing them can invoke other emotions besides just “dread” or “fear”. Professions like doctors, policemen, firefighters, race car drivers, all have great potential for tragedy, and so should be taken “seriously”. However, I would venture to say those who do it for a living also find joy and pride as well. Ownership and carrying a firearm, to me, should obviously be taken seriously. Yet, it also invoke, a sense of confidence, security, and enjoyment as well. What is the common thread to doing ANYTHING that carrys inherent risk? Training and understanding of that risk. I have mentioned to several people that even beyond the legal defense aspect, being with an organization like USCCA leads to being exposed to that training, and in some ways even more importantly, the discussions about gun ownership. A lot of people think gun owners fancy themselves old west gunslingers just looking for any reason. Sadly some are. But once you join a good program you soon learn that is the farthest thing from the truth for the vast majority. If I owned a sports bike I would be well aware of the potential to run 160 mph down the highway, and the extreme risk that would entail. Hence the reason I would likely never be the type of person who would be so foolish. I would even propose the idea that if carrying, or owning a firearm causes you to feel uneasy and worried about the potential to do harm, you should probably follow your instincts and not do so.
4 Likes
First thing, I wasn’t implying that you do not take carrying a gun seriously. There are those who talk about CC like it is a game. It’s that kind of talk that saddens me.I agree that those with dangerous vocations can and should get a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction from those jobs. As for me putting my guns away and not carry anymore. That is a strange mix of emotions, on one hand I pray I never have to use a firearm against a human on the other hand I feel it would be even worse if someone was harmed in my presents and I couldn’t stop it because I decided not to carry.
I guess what I was trying to say is we should never forget the seriousness of the decision to carry a loaded firearm.
2 Likes