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| not me |
There is a decided difference in 'presentation from the strong side front pocket' and 'presentation from a strong side belt holster while concealed'.
Raking the overshirt/jacket back during the draw, for instance.
I must remind myself that the muzzle is longer, so the clear in the process - grip, clear, click, smack, sight - takes a shade longer. And, of course, with the 442, there was no click.
Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.
And a 39 ounce 1911 with a 5" barrel, while concealable on a 240 pound man, is less concealable than a 14 ounce 1 7/8" barrel revolver.
If I had a housemate (roommate, companion, resident girlfriend, someone) I could then ask the time honored question:
"
"Am I printing?" "Can you see anything?"
But, I cannot.
Discretion is the better part of not being hassled for being armed.
There is one similarity between the two carries and their presentations.
Being a somewhat large human, should my strong-side (left) arm become disabled, presentation using my right hand only is, well, problematic. There's some real estate to traverse. Standard technique dictates reach behind the back to obtain a proper grip in the pistol's grip frame, then clear and present.
I can just get my right index finger on the lip of the magazine - that's it.
Not much improvement across the belly. I see more weight loss in my future. Sigh.
And, fortunately, I've no butt to speak of.
I believe the 1911 prints a little, but most people aren't paying any attention.
ReplyDeleteThe 1911 does print through some of my shirts, but not all of them - and I can get by with wearing a vest most of the year, up here.
ReplyDelete@Tango Juliet & Rev. Paul - I know someone who is known to hang out in a local popular bar & grill, with anti-gun signage (when he has the funds). This is also a popular police eatery. He doesn't wish to get tagged, so discretion is primary. Further this affiant sayeth not.
ReplyDeleteYour point is well taken, and THIS is why we practice draw and holster repeatedly (with an unloaded gun of course) and in front of a mirror to 'QC' the steps...
ReplyDelete@Old NFO - thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've been wearing my XDm all week here at the office... no printing which is nice.
ReplyDelete"Printing" is something that many of us worry a bit too much about, IMHO. YOU see your own concealed pistol print like a neon sign because you know it's there and know what to look for, but virtually no one that you meet in the outside world is going to be looking for those tiny tells through the clothing. In my observation, more people give themselves away by over-dressing to prevent printing, because inappropriate or distinctive cover garments are a visual cue to the person who knows what to look for. The baggy pants, oversized sports jerseys and 5.11 vests scream "gun" pretty loudly to people who play the game for a living (on both sides).
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteML- Don't forget loud Hawaiian shirts!
ReplyDeleteHey now... I wear them! :-)
DeleteThe Hawaiian shirts give a tactical advantage - the perp is blinded by the shirt giving you time to draw.
Delete@Southern Belle - Great to hear!
ReplyDelete@Murphy's Law - interesting perspective.
@Keads - HAHAHAHA! I've been known to use those, and the same style in muted fabric.
ReplyDeleteThe 'Camp' Shirt!
Keads, There was a reason I left those off my list, darn it! Now everyone's gonna know.
ReplyDelete@Broken Andy - Thanks for reading and commenting!
ReplyDelete@Murphy's Law - We'll be looking...
I've gotta say, I mostly OC these days, and I'm starting to think people just don't notice THAT, either. It makes me worry a lot less about printing, once I do get my OR conceal license. I think most people are in condition white most of the time, so they don't notice prints or tells. We, on the other hand, who worry about it so much, can tell much more readily.
ReplyDelete