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Concealed verses open carry

utbob2004

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Messages
52
Location
Near Memphis
When I took my hangun carry class here in Memphis, I asked the instructor his take on open verses concealed carry. His response was the typical, its a tactical advantage for the BG not to know that your armed. If that is the case, then why do LE and Military OPENLY CARRY their firearms? Aren't those groups suppose to have the best tactics? I open carry as a deterrent, like having a large dog in your yard lets the BG know that its going to take some time and effort to get into your house. Just was wondering what y'all think about it.
 

HvyMtl

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
271
Location
Tennessee
Memphis. Well, that is the problem... LOL, j/k.

My instructor was not like that at all.

IMHO: In certain times Conceal is better, others, Open is better. Depends on what I am doing, where I am, etc.

I would rather go Open, as it is more comfortable.


The fellow would argue you are making yourself a "target" due to the firearm being in the open... I would argue back, informed criminals can tell who is conceal carrying...

Basically, ignore that tidbit of "knowledge" from your instructor, his personal opinion should not be instilled into the permit class...
 

bed92186

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2009
Messages
29
Location
, ,
I agree. If thats the case then LE and military should conceal for tactical advantage. If it is legal to do so then do it. I am a resident of SC who recently vacationed in your state and open carried. A few looks but nothing negative. Yes we have to conceal here but we have reciprocity with TN. Wish our state allowed for same. I am for it and open carry as well when traveling in Georgia. It is not the law abiding american that should have to be concerned about displaying his right to do so. It is the thug himself concealing. The more LE is educated on this subject the better off we will be. Do not harass the good and deal with the bad. I know, I have been in public safety for over 20 years. Just know your laws and rights when carrying.
 

WCrawford

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2007
Messages
592
Location
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
My instructor, in Nashville, gave our class (armed security guards and carry permit students) the same line of bull. He even stated that he would call the police if he saw someone openly carrying.

This was one of just a couple areas where his opinion and my own differed dramatically. Otherwise I would state that he is probably the best armed guard trainer in the state.
 

utbob2004

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Messages
52
Location
Near Memphis
My instructor, in Nashville, gave our class (armed security guards and carry permit students) the same line of bull. He even stated that he would call the police if he saw someone openly carrying.

This was one of just a couple areas where his opinion and my own differed dramatically. Otherwise I would state that he is probably the best armed guard trainer in the state.

I later took the armed guard class here too and he stated the same thing again, if your not on the job do not open carry. They would not have a business, however, if we got rid of the handgun permit being necessary for us to open carry. So I can see from a business prospective why they would push so hard for everyone to conceal. I just do not see how it is a "tactical" advantage.
 

eb31

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
109
Location
Woodbridge, Va
Here's my take...

I OC & CC. It all depends on the moment.

When I CC...we're not talking about a IWB holster with shirts bought specifically to conceal anything, and 12 hours in the mirror obsessing about printing. We're talking about me simply pulling my t-shirt over my handgun. That's it.

I primarily OC...unless a situation arises where I feel it would be prudent to casually conceal my firearm temporarily.
 

WisconsinPI

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
81
Location
Green Bay
open vs concealed

When I took my hangun carry class here in Memphis, I asked the instructor his take on open verses concealed carry. His response was the typical, its a tactical advantage for the BG not to know that your armed. If that is the case, then why do LE and Military OPENLY CARRY their firearms? Aren't those groups suppose to have the best tactics? I open carry as a deterrent, like having a large dog in your yard lets the BG know that its going to take some time and effort to get into your house. Just was wondering what y'all think about it.

Obviously it's better to conceal because of all the people ignorant of the laws, constantly calling the cops because they saw a gun. But that concealment also restricts the type of firearm you can carry etc. Idealy it'd be best to have everyone open carrying, you can go ahead and lug around your 1911 or what have you, with all the ammo you need wrapped around your belt. But everyone freaks when they see it. In Wisconsin it's open carry or nothing, (no CCW) so we have no choice, but i still feel better open carrying here with my 1911, even with police harrassment than in florida where I have to carry a .380 for easy concealment and comfort. That feeling better is from a protection standpoint, not from a practical standpoint.

So i perfer open, but it's generally better to conceal to avoid problems. Eventually I hope that open carry is so common that nobody calls the cops anymore.
 

Kingfish

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2007
Messages
1,276
Location
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Obviously it's better to conceal because of...constantly calling the cops...But everyone freaks when they see it.
Never had the cops called on me and never had anyone "freak". And there is no way anyone is going to take me for LEO...I am a scruffy 40 year old with long hair and a beard that wears shorts and t-shirts.

So, no...CC is not "better". In YOUR state it may be but in TN, CO and GA I know very very few people that have had issues (relatively speaking anyway.)
 
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Gunslinger

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2008
Messages
3,853
Location
Free, Colorado, USA
Obviously it's better to conceal because of all the people ignorant of the laws, constantly calling the cops because they saw a gun. But that concealment also restricts the type of firearm you can carry etc. Idealy it'd be best to have everyone open carrying, you can go ahead and lug around your 1911 or what have you, with all the ammo you need wrapped around your belt. But everyone freaks when they see it. In Wisconsin it's open carry or nothing, (no CCW) so we have no choice, but i still feel better open carrying here with my 1911, even with police harrassment than in florida where I have to carry a .380 for easy concealment and comfort. That feeling better is from a protection standpoint, not from a practical standpoint.

So i perfer open, but it's generally better to conceal to avoid problems. Eventually I hope that open carry is so common that nobody calls the cops anymore.

There are plenty of powerful handguns that conceal as easily as a .380 Mouse Gun. .38spcl +P, 9mm +P and even .45ACP calibers are available. A Taurus M-85 loaded with +P 135gr Speer short barrel .38spcl conceals easily and is far superior to any .380. A Bersa 9mm with 124gr +P Federal HSTs is the same size as most .380s and not only gives far greater stopping power, but 13+1 capacity. My Commander length SIG GSR .45 conceals very well with an Officer's length frame. You don't need to go with an inferior caliber for PD anymore when CCing.
 

DCKilla

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2010
Messages
523
Location
Wet Side, WA
After CCing today at Krogers with my full size SR9, I find it far less comfortable than OC. When I'm sitting, good grief. It's like somebody is constantly japping you in the stomach. I prefer to OC when ever possible for comfort and the deterent factor.
 
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Gunslinger

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2008
Messages
3,853
Location
Free, Colorado, USA
After CCing today at Krogers with my full size SR9, I find it far less comfortable than OC. When I'm sitting, good grief. It's like somebody is constantly japping you in the stomach. I prefer to OC when ever possible for comfort and the deterent factor.

Try a different holster. The SR9 is a very slim gun and should be able to be carried comfortably, like my Hi-Power. I like kydex myself, Fobus or Blade-tech are my favorites for my 1911s. Worse case, try cross draw.
 

COMMANDER1911

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
129
Location
Flintstone, GA
When I CC, I carry my American Classic 1911 Commander 45 at about 2 o'clock. It never digs into me and sometimes I forget it's there. I carry it in an uncle mikes IWB holster.
 
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