Discreet Open Carry?

[WalkingWolf]

I am not discrete, or intend to be, but I do try to be tasteful. I wear decent jeans, button down shirt, shoes in good repair. It is my choice to dress that way, and in no way suggest a dress code.

On the other hand I am usually wearing a 2 inch gun belt, depending on the gun I may have cartridge loops. If I am carrying the glock it has white grip tape, the GP100 has bonded ivory inserts, same for the 1911. PA-63 faux pearl grips, and the rest of my guns there is something that stands out. There is no doubt, I want my guns to be seen.

So no I am not discrete, I do notice people glancing, some go about with no evident notice. It has never been a problem, and many times a conversation starter. Which allows me to do some education, and hopefully some good will.

 

[utbagpiper]

Philosophically speaking...yes.

If my non-participation in civilization harms no one but only the state's sensibilities...

So long as that is actually true, then I have no beef and neither does anyone else. I do notice, however, that some folks are quick to minimize the externalities of their conduct, refusing to acknowledge the impact they have on those around them. But that seems a conversation for a different thread.

The term discreet OC is nothing but scratching, by the my way/highway crowd, at the unfettered right to carry a firearm as one sees fit.

Demonstrably from this thread, it is more than that. Some may intend to use it as a requirement they'd like to impose. But we've had several posts in this thread from members of the forum who sometimes choose for themselves that they'd like to carry in a way that might be fairly described as "discrete OC" (or casual CC). I assume that when you speak of "the unfettered right to carry a firearm as one sees fit" you also support the right to choose to be discrete.

As for the "unfettered right to carry as one sees fit" I will simply remind us that the raison d'etre of OCDO is to advance social and legal acceptance of the right to OC. If one's goal in OCing is to advance social and legal acceptance of OC, then it is prudent to consider what message we are sending based on how we go about carrying in which locations and at what times.

Charles

 

[OC for ME]

So long as that is actually true, ...

Please do not mix your views (dislike?) of individual conduct between consenting citizens with the state being offended, as I clearly indicated/delineated.

Your beef with anarchists and the "I didn't consent" crowd is better directed towards them. I am not a member of either crowd...no matter how hard you try to place me with them.

Demonstrably from this thread, ...

Please do not patronize me.

un·fet·ter/ ˌənˈfedər/ verb: release from restraint or inhibition.

Why do you ... never mind.

Adios amigo.

 

[Rusty Young Man]

Maybe they meant to say "Technically Open Carry"? You know, wearing a shirt that is covering everything except the bottom tip of the holster, or wearing a deep CC gun with just the corner of the backstrap/butt of the gun sticking out.

I agree with utbagpiper in that OC of a holstered handgun tends to be discrete. Unless you're adorning yourself with tacticool gear (thigh rigs for super-operator kewlness, tactical vests for super-operator load-bearing-ness, etc.:lol, most people don't really notice an OCed sidearm.
Really, only children regularly spot me carrying. Adults tend to be oblivious, even when you DO wear colors that contrast with it, such as wearing a full-size stainless 1911 with a black holster against light-blue jeans and a white shirt. Ask me how I know.

Why is a thigh rig considered tacticool kewlness?
So open carry the way you do it is right but the way someone else does it is silly?

I apologize if it sounded like I was discarding thigh rigs as innately "silly", I was referring to the folks who intentionally dress in the latest "operator" fashion to go noticed as a tactical bad@$$. OC being optional, of course, to preserve that super-tactical element of surprise.

I'd say this is different from those who are simply going about their day while Openly Carrying or those who intentionally want to emphasize their sidearm to promote carry.

Carry safely, carry always, practice often. Don't really care how you carry.

 

[travr6]

I apologize if it sounded like I was discarding thigh rigs as innately "silly", I was referring to the folks who intentionally dress in the latest "operator" fashion to go noticed as a tactical bad@$$. OC being optional, of course, to preserve that super-tactical element of surprise.

I'd say this is different from those who are simply going about their day while Openly Carrying or those who intentionally want to emphasize their sidearm to promote carry.

Carry safely, carry always, practice often. Don't really care how you carry.

Gotcha. Yeah I will admit I kind of think that when I see the guys decked out in the 511 gear.

The only time I wear my thigh holster is on the motorcycle when I am going to go shoot.

 

[Rusty Young Man]

Gotcha. Yeah I will admit I kind of think that when I see the guys decked out in the 511 gear.

The only time I wear my thigh holster is on the motorcycle when I am going to go shoot.

No problem. While I prefer belt carry (strong side, forward cant), I know thigh rigs (and other types of carry) can be more comfortable and/or practical for others (different activities, body mobility, body type, etc.).

No such thing as a one size fits all, hence the plethora of carry options out there (variety is a cool thing).

 

[travr6]

No problem. While I prefer belt carry (strong side, forward cant), I know thigh rigs (and other types of carry) can be more comfortable and/or practical for others (different activities, body mobility, body type, etc.).

No such thing as a one size fits all, hence the plethora of carry options out there (variety is a cool thing).

I have different carry for different events. Jogging I use a chest pouch. Shopping concealed I use an appendix carry or an iwb 4 o'clock position, open carry is a owb fobus at 3 o'clock, winter time with a jacket I like the shoulder holster, etc...
Firearms are tools and different firearms are used for different occasions. Similarly they are carried differently for different occasions.

 

[solus]

I have different carry for different events. Jogging I use a chest pouch. Shopping concealed I use an appendix carry or an iwb 4 o'clock position, open carry is a owb fobus at 3 o'clock, winter time with a jacket I like the shoulder holster, etc...
Firearms are tools and different firearms are used for different occasions. Similarly they are carried differently for different occasions.

and the holster makers thank you for your purchase(s)...:banana:

what no BUG ankle widget ~ tisk tisk tisk...:uhoh:

ipse

 

[travr6]

and the holster makers thank you for your purchase(s)...:banana:

what no BUG ankle widget ~ tisk tisk tisk...:uhoh:

ipse

Variety is the spice of life. I do my best to keep the economy chugging along. Lol



I assume you only have one gun right?

 

[Wstar425]

I often tell people when asked, why I OC, that it is a little bit of a lot of reasons. My number one reason isn't to normalize open carry, but it is in there. Hard to conceal a full sized firearm, I don't wear t shirts or sweatshirts, always tucked. I decided to OC instead of changing the way I dress. It's the easiest way to access my weapon, should I need it. Exercising my right. Deterrent is in there as well.

I mostly wear jeans, unless dressing up. I will wear a black print shirt, black gun and holster if I'm looking to be a little less noticeable. (Discreet) if I'm outside walking it's whatever is clean and weather appropriate. My experience is that about 80 percent of people don't notice the most obvious gun on belt/clothing combination, or they don't show any signs. I'm guessing there are few that notice and are able to hide it, as it is somewhat rare, and maybe jarring to many. (normalize)

To be honest, I would like the normal person to not notice, but anyone checking me over for a potential victimhood TO notice. That's not generally an issue where I live, I'm probably in one of the safer environments. But, who knows, that's most likely what they said in Sandy Hook the day before? I don't have control over that, so I just do what I think is best with all the different elements involved. I wouldn't go anywhere with a firearm that I wouldn't go without one. So, I'm not walking down dark alleys to find a BG, but if he finds me I'll respond.

I will say that after 5 years I do NOT like being without a firearm on me. It has become where carrying is the norm and being without is the strange. We went to a birthday party for a teacher friend of my wife, at a Town Hall. Lots of antis! I carried wife's Scorpian 938 in a behind the belt Bullard the same color as my belt, with a tucked in green printed shirt. A few people seated noticed, but no one said anything. Not my people and I was only along to spend time with wife. I don't really care what people think as long as I'm legal, on the other hand I do try to be not in your face about it. Felt underpowered big time, but survived the crowd of 50 and 60 year old educators!

I'm happy to stand around and discuss firearms with people as long as it is a civil discussion. I don't run away from it, nor am I on the corner with a sign. One can desire to be around me or not, I really don't care much. I won't stand around for a badgering, tho I have never really gotten that from anyone. I say I'm 1000:4 good to bad conversations, tho the 1000 really just means lots of good discussions in which I include people that may disagree, but are civil about it.

 

[solus]

Variety is the spice of life. I do my best to keep the economy chugging along. Lol

I assume you only have one gun right?

yes i only have one gun right ~ same as yours!!

ipse

 

[utbagpiper]

Please do not mix your views (dislike?) of individual conduct between consenting citizens with the state being offended, as I clearly indicated/delineated.

Please do not conflate my dislikes with what I believe are objective (if intangible) harms inflicted on others.

Your beef with anarchists and the "I didn't consent" crowd is better directed towards them. I am not a member of either crowd...no matter how hard you try to place me with them.

My comments were directed to your comments. If you think they fit the anarchists and that offends you...well, consider on what message your comments are conveying.

Please do not patronize me.

Please stop making off topic posts and then getting upset if I respond.

If you are not interested in civil DISCUSSION consider on what your motives are for responding to my posts.

Charles

 

[Dario]

I believe discrete open carry as an internet meme stands for IWB with shirt tucked in and no covering garment.

 

[hughntx]

Like some comments above, I have also not heard before this thread. My immediate thought is just carrying in a way that makes sense with your attire. If you are wearing jeans and a jacket, carry with the gun partially covered by the jacket rather than getting a tactical leg holster. I agree that open carry is about maintaining a presence, but it sounds like discrete open carry is just about making sure you don't convey an aggressive presence.

 

[Grapeshot]

Like some comments above, I have also not heard before this thread. My immediate thought is just carrying in a way that makes sense with your attire. If you are wearing jeans and a jacket, carry with the gun partially covered by the jacket rather than getting a tactical leg holster. I agree that open carry is about maintaining a presence, but it sounds like discrete open carry is just about making sure you don't convey an aggressive presence.

The method of holstered carry doesn't in and of itself convey any aggression - none, nada, zip.zero

Any aggression is conveyed solely by the action(s) of the person, whether carrying or not.

Other people may see that which they think they see w/o any basis in fact.

 

[mnrobitaille]

I switch between IWB & OWB OC , but lately been doing more IWB OC & have noticed that people are not aware that I'm carrying unless they look right at my sidearm, compared to OWB where the holster/sidearm stick out.

I was doing OWB OC during the DSHS incident, as well as the Kadlec Incident.

 

[MSG Laigaie]

The method of holstered carry doesn't in and of itself convey any aggression - none, nada, zip.zero

Any aggression is conveyed solely by the action(s) of the person, whether carrying or not.

Other people may see that which they think they see w/o any basis in fact.

I was in a thrift shop yesterday looking at a nice hat when a gentleman came up to me and said...." I don't think I feel comfortable with you carrying a gun in here. I don't know what kind of training you have had. It makes me uncomfortable." ( said in a whiny voice) I knew, right off the bat, that this would be a useless conversation so I just stared at him for a moment, until he started to fidget and I replied......."you'll get over it." and walked away.

 

[protias]

I was in a thrift shop yesterday looking at a nice hat when a gentleman came up to me and said...." I don't think I feel comfortable with you carrying a gun in here. I don't know what kind of training you have had. It makes me uncomfortable." ( said in a whiny voice) I knew, right off the bat, that this would be a useless conversation so I just stared at him for a moment, until he started to fidget and I replied......."you'll get over it." and walked away.

But he felt perfectly comfortable to walk over to you and tell you that? Sounds like he's really not all that afraid.

 

[travr6]

yes i only have one gun right ~ same as yours!!

ipse

Grammar is a mfer. Lol

You only have one gun, right?

 

[solus]

Grammar is a mfer. Lol

You only have one gun, right?

er, uh, which day is it and what am i doing at the moment ~ working in the yard or out and about or ?

ipse