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Open Carry experience thread.

QuietEarp

New member
Joined
Apr 19, 2012
Messages
3
Location
Boulder Colorado
Look... going armed into the world is not a big deal (here). Just do it. If a place is posted... don't carry there. If not... you're good to go. Walmart, Mickey D's... Frys... anywhere. This is Arizona... not Podunk. The only people who 'might' have a problem came from Podunk... so don't worry about it. Just do it... or not.

Now I can kinda realize why you were kicked to the curb in the Baltimore Police Department. Just another Fake-O Cowboy living in Arizona...
 

saiga12boy

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2012
Messages
109
Location
Colorado
I'm can't legally open carry in most states yet but I saw someone in Williams open carry a huge revolver that could have been a .44 mag.
 
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March Hare

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Messages
351
Location
Arridzona - Flatlander
Now I can kinda realize why you were kicked to the curb in the Baltimore Police Department. Just another Fake-O Cowboy living in Arizona...

Wow, that was random!

Troll much?

It's been my experience, here in Arizona, that most people won't notice that you're carrying, those who do, most won't care.

Oh, yeah, welcome to the forum!

-MH
 

Sonora Rebel

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2008
Messages
3,956
Location
Gone
Now I can kinda realize why you were kicked to the curb in the Baltimore Police Department. Just another Fake-O Cowboy living in Arizona...

Actually.. I quit after my mom died (which is why I was in that city to begin with when she got sick), re-enlisted in the Navy for another 6 years and retired. Hardly 'kicked to the curb'. I don't know who you are... but trolling is against the rules. However... I'm hardly a 'fake-o cowboy'. Baltimore's become such a hateful place it's sad.

I found the origin of/for this attack... http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/s...st-beaten-stripped-and-robbed-in-Baltimore-MD
 

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culdesac

New member
Joined
Jun 23, 2013
Messages
6
Location
Arizona
Is open carry really worth it?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

SA XDM 45 5.25 Competition Model
SA XDS 45 3.3
Sig P238 Pearl
 

FreeInAZ

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,508
Location
Secret Bunker
Is open carry really worth it?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

SA XDM 45 5.25 Competition Model
SA XDS 45 3.3
Sig P238 Pearl

Depends on you. It's a personal choice. Speed of draw, comfort, ease of carry are all HUGE pro's for OC.
 

Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
My reasons for doing so

Is open carry really worth it?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

SA XDM 45 5.25 Competition Model
SA XDS 45 3.3
Sig P238 Pearl

Speaking for myself, the reasons for doing so include the speed of draw, comfort, and ease of carry, as FreeInAZ said, but a BIG plus for me is the deterrence factor; by showing any potential attackers that I AM in fact armed, do I still appeal to them as a soft target/potential victim? Might not stop them all, but it should deter the more sensible criminals.

Also, I'm not yet old enough to carry discreetly:rolleyes: (not that it appeals too much since my full-size 1911 may not conceal too well on my medium-sized frame).
 

MAC702

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
6,331
Location
Nevada
...my full-size 1911 may not conceal too well on my medium-sized frame...

You'd be surprised. The 1911 is a relatively thin firearm, and conceals quite well under even a light garment on my 135# frame. Get a quality holster. I like the Galco Summer Comfort. It has two straps that go around the belt to keep the holster from shifting, which is the common reason cheap IWB holsters will be uncomfortable. I personally do not like the tuckable holsters, even when not using the tucking feature, but there are others who swear by them.

I've moved to a red, white, and blue S&W 625 (.45 ACP) in Milt Sparks sharkskin for my OC rig, but I still usually am carrying my full-size 1911 .45 when I am concealing. Only when I am going to deep concealment do I change to the Springfield Armory XD(s) .45.
 
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Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
Thanks for the tip

Thanks for the tip MAC702. If that IWB Galco holster is anywhere near as comfortable as my current Galco (Concealment: www.amazon.com/Galco-Concealable-Holster-Springfield-Right-hand/dp/B001U46OWI) I'm sure I'll be a happy customer. The Galco Summer Comfort seems to be the same molding as the Galco Concealment, and since I got the Galco Concealable belt holster because of the forward cant and the retention the molding provides (the break-in procedure Galco provided worked perfectly), it could fit my carry style perfectly. I was originally leaning towards an OC holster with a thumb-break snap, but didn't feel too comfortable with a strap right in the hammer area (I carry condition one).
I'm still a little new to discreet-carry holsters, so forgive me asking, are "tuckable" holsters the same as "paddle" holsters?
 

MAC702

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
6,331
Location
Nevada
... I was originally leaning towards an OC holster with a thumb-break snap, but didn't feel too comfortable with a strap right in the hammer area (I carry condition one).
I'm still a little new to discreet-carry holsters, so forgive me asking, are "tuckable" holsters the same as "paddle" holsters?

I don't wear a holster with a thumb-break strap, so I don't have to worry about where the strap is. I also carry Condition 1, as these modern guns are designed for it. I've seen strap holsters designed for hammer down carry, and I've seen others designed for hammer-cocked-carry, so you have to know which you have.

A paddle holster is a comfortable outside-the-waistband holster that is usually very easy to clip on and off the belt, yet provides a comfortable paddle inside the pants to spread out the weight and keep the gun from shifting around on you.

A tuckable holster has the classic example of the Crossbreed, with copies like my Galco King Tuk. It is an inside-the-waistband holster with a large surface area of leather, supposedly for comfort in addition to security, and the clips are designed to allow a shirt to actually be tucked into the pants while concealing the gun at the same time. Maybe they work for some people based on their bodies and how sloppy they don't mind looking, but I personally hate them.
 
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Old Uncle Ho

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2008
Messages
36
Location
Tucson / Bangkok, ,
Just more experience

I open carry every time I leave home. 1911 Colt. This past week I went into the B of A, and had a question for an officer of the bank. As I was leaving he called me back. He had just transferred to AZ and had a permit back east but wasn't sure of the law here. I went back into his office and had him open the 'open carry' site on his computer. Explained it a bit. He thanked me and I walked outside. Outside, the security officer (a new feature) asked why I was carrying. He was nice but curious. I explained that it was legal, so why not. I added that I noticed that he was packing and I'm out here with the same people he was. He smiled and said 'right'?

Another open carry noted at Bookmans on Ina near 10 last week. Cowboy rig. I went outside with him when he left and we chatted a bit. I've probably seen another open carrier 4 X in the past year.
 

sopranos27

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2013
Messages
37
Location
Arkansas
My wife and I open carried in the great state of AZ on our way to and from Las Vegas and it was great! My wife was approached by an old man in McDonalds while I was in the bathroom and she held her own when he starting quizzing her about gun laws. I had a pleasant exchange at a truck stop near the Cholla Power Plant and this guy said, "Hey, thanks for Open Carrying!" We shook hands and went about our way. Also had no issues OC'ing when we stopped for the night in Holbrook, AZ at a Howard Johnson...
 

FreeInAZ

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,508
Location
Secret Bunker
My wife and I open carried in the great state of AZ on our way to and from Las Vegas and it was great! My wife was approached by an old man in McDonalds while I was in the bathroom and she held her own when he starting quizzing her about gun laws. I had a pleasant exchange at a truck stop near the Cholla Power Plant and this guy said, "Hey, thanks for Open Carrying!" We shook hands and went about our way. Also had no issues OC'ing when we stopped for the night in Holbrook, AZ at a Howard Johnson...

Glad you had a nice time. Hope you come back often. Thanks for posting.

On topic OC'd on usual errands. No issues. :D
 

FreeInAZ

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,508
Location
Secret Bunker
OC last night for gas then snacks. No issues, as it should be. Sure wish their were more people exercising their rights openly, instead of hiding them. I get it, it's a choice, but if no one knows you support the bill of rights / 2A, then some in power might mistake that you won't care if they take them away. Rights are like muscles, left unused they are easily lost. Food for thought I hope.
 

Bec

New member
Joined
May 3, 2013
Messages
5
Location
AZ
I have been OCing on the weekends for a couple of months now and usually notice a few other people OCing while I am out and about, especially Wal-Mart. Since I started carrying, I have taken more notice of other people carrying, but it is something I have to look for. I have been confronted by a few co-workers who questioned my choice to OC compared to CC and it was always a friendly conversation. Despite being told how much I stick out with a gun on my hip due to being female, I have had only good experiences so far.

I OC'd at Safeway, Petsmart and a fundraiser car wash today. All good :)


Bec
 

77zach

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2007
Messages
2,913
Location
Marion County, FL
I have been OCing on the weekends for a couple of months now and usually notice a few other people OCing while I am out and about, especially Wal-Mart. Since I started carrying, I have taken more notice of other people carrying, but it is something I have to look for. I have been confronted by a few co-workers who questioned my choice to OC compared to CC and it was always a friendly conversation. Despite being told how much I stick out with a gun on my hip due to being female, I have had only good experiences so far.

I OC'd at Safeway, Petsmart and a fundraiser car wash today. All good :)


Bec

Excellent
 
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