Open Carry experience thread.

[Rusty Young Man]

So little activity in the forum these past few weeks. I'm starting to worry that the antis have been getting AZ OCDO members.:lol:

SNIP...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.

In reply to Bec, you "stick out" because mainstream media still pushes the "damsel in distress" stereotype by not accepting handguns as a better defensive device than a pacifist male. /mini-rant off.
Just out of curiosity, when you say that you OC on the weekends, does that mean you normally CC weekdays, or aren't able to carry weekdays?

On topic, OC at Sam's Club in Tucson yielded only four reactions (that I am aware of):
Reaction #1: Lady in line had half-slack jaw and kept alternating between staring at my hip (where the 1911 naps in its snug leather holster) and my face.

Reaction #2&3: Older Caucasian gentleman pointed it out to wife (I assume it was his wife), made a "calm down, it's ok" sign to her when her eyes got all saucer-shaped, and nods approvingly.

Reaction #4: Older Latino gentleman sees 1911, gives me a look-over, then avoids making eye contact, so my friendly smile couldn't assuage his fears.

Overall, great experience, no hassle from any employee, no gunbuster signs in sight, and found everything I needed.

NOTE: Reactions 1-3 were not actually observed by me, as they took place behind me, therefore out of my line of sight. They are retold observations.

 

[FreeInAZ]

@ Rusty Young Man (and others)... thanks for posting & sharing your OC experiences. Figured people are getting bored with all my non issue OC in the North Phoenix valley. Biggest looks I get are by the clerk @ circle k. He's not looking at my pistols, he's watching one of the muvi video cameras I carry (the one he can see) clipped in my shirt pocket. ??? I think, he thinks, I am a secret shopper out to report him to HQ...

OC'd as usual, no issues.

 

[Rusty Young Man]

@ Rusty Young Man (and others)... thanks for posting & sharing your OC experiences. Figured people are getting bored with all my non issue OC in the North Phoenix valley. ...

Don't mention it. As to your uneventful OC experiences, if our goal is to make OC normal, non-events reaffirm that we are making progress.

...Biggest looks I get are by the clerk @ circle k. He's not looking at my pistols, he's watching one of the muvi video cameras I carry (the one he can see) clipped in my shirt pocket...

By any chance, do you carry the "Veho Muvi Pro Micro DV Camcorder with 4 GB Micro SD"? (Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Veho-Muvi-Pro...UTF8&qid=1374886330&sr=8-2&keywords=muvi+veho)
I'm curious because I've been considering it as my "carry cam". Tuition and the like leave me with little to go into my "fun fund" (TM), and the Muvi Pro looks reliable, yet cheap. Just wondering whether you could answer a few questions I've had about it.

 

[FreeInAZ]

Yes, these are the same ones that many police carry. Date & time stamp are important should something happen. The cards they come with are too, small, slow for them to reach their maximum output. I swapped them for 8 Gig class 10 (fast micro sd). Now they record for 90min vs 60min on the 4 Gig cards. Battery life tops out at 90 min, but recharge is approx. 30 min. Via any standard USB port or car/ac adaptor. I spent $80 total for two "open box" @ $30 each off amazon and $10 for each card. All came with free shipping and warranties. No issues to date. These are AVI files, so they are big. I dump them to a Ext. HD & burn dvd backups. My only gripe is the max 8gig limit. I suspect Muvi will come out with a higher cap. unit in the future.

 

[Rusty Young Man]

Re: Muvi Pro

Yes, these are the same ones that many police carry. Date & time stamp are important should something happen. The cards they come with are too, small, slow for them to reach their maximum output. I swapped them for 8 Gig class 10 (fast micro sd). Now they record for 90min vs 60min on the 4 Gig cards. Battery life tops out at 90 min, but recharge is approx. 30 min. Via any standard USB port or car/ac adaptor. I spent $80 total for two "open box" @ $30 each off amazon and $10 for each card. All came with free shipping and warranties. No issues to date. These are AVI files, so they are big. I dump them to a Ext. HD & burn dvd backups. My only gripe is the max 8gig limit. I suspect Muvi will come out with a higher cap. unit in the future.

Thanks. You answered all the questions I still had about them. I'll be ordering mine and their cards soon (only 2 each for now).
In the meantime, I'll continue to resort to using the tried-and-true "buddy" system (though sadly, the buddy is never another OCer).

 

[gunslinger493]

OC at Starbucks today (8/24) in response the MDA (Moms Demand Action) boycott, then off to Cabela's. Good news, most types of ammo are in stock except .22 LR. Prices are still high.

 

[Bec]

So little activity in the forum these past few weeks. I'm starting to worry that the antis have been getting AZ OCDO members.:lol:



In reply to Bec, you "stick out" because mainstream media still pushes the "damsel in distress" stereotype by not accepting handguns as a better defensive device than a pacifist male. /mini-rant off.
Just out of curiosity, when you say that you OC on the weekends, does that mean you normally CC weekdays, or aren't able to carry weekdays?

On topic, OC at Sam's Club in Tucson yielded only four reactions (that I am aware of):
Reaction #1: Lady in line had half-slack jaw and kept alternating between staring at my hip (where the 1911 naps in its snug leather holster) and my face.

Reaction #2&3: Older Caucasian gentleman pointed it out to wife (I assume it was his wife), made a "calm down, it's ok" sign to her when her eyes got all saucer-shaped, and nods approvingly.

Reaction #4: Older Latino gentleman sees 1911, gives me a look-over, then avoids making eye contact, so my friendly smile couldn't assuage his fears.

Overall, great experience, no hassle from any employee, no gunbuster signs in sight, and found everything I needed.

NOTE: Reactions 1-3 were not actually observed by me, as they took place behind me, therefore out of my line of sight. They are retold observations.

I am military, so there is no carrying during the week

 

[azcdlfred]

Generally, most people are incapable of seeing things they are not looking for.

Most non-gun people won't spot a gun unless the person carrying it brings it to their attention via their behavior, like fondling the gun, looking around at everyone to see if they are looking at them, or attracting attention to themselves because of the way they carry (thigh rigs, shoulder holsters, etc.) or are dressed, tattooed, pierced, etc.

I'm 65 years old and six feet tall and open carry a Glock Model 21 (full sized .45 cal) on my strong side and a magazine pouch on my support side wherever it is legal to do so. Most people don't notice that I carry.

My two cents,
Fred

 

[FreeInAZ]

@ fred. +1. I too carry a larger sidearm, G21 on some days or a FNX-45. Nobody seems to notice 95+% of the time. Funny thing is kids are the ones who notice the most. They usually say something to their mom or dad. Once a little guy 5/6 asked me "why do you have a gun?" In the isle of a supermarket. My 5 year old little girl chimed right in & said "so he can protect me from bad people." She said it with a huge smile & the little boy responded with one of his own. I saw the expression on his mother's face change from alarm to a blush and a smile too. I smiled back and we went about our shopping no issues.

When I am out, I act just the same as always. Carrying a sidearm for protection is legal & nothing out of the norm. As Fred noted the only people who tend to get noticed are the ones acting odd. To put it another way, if you went out and bought a life insurance policy, would you keep looking at it every five minutes? Thumbing through the pages over & over again in public? No, you would just go about your day as usual, maybe a little more confident that if something did happen your family would be cared for. Why should a pistol be any different?

 

[PavePusher]

Saw two O.C.ers in Summerhaven at the Music on the Mountain concert yesterday. One had a 1911 in a belt holter, the other had some double-stack looking pistol in a drop-leg holster. If it was anyone here, sorry I didn't stop and say hello, I was on a drink and bathroom mission of high priority....

Wasn't carrying myself, due to wearing full motorcycle armor. Haven't worked that one out yet.

 

[Mommajo]

I notice OC, and like to see it.

When I'm shopping, or at a restaurant, and I see either a man or a woman with a pistol visible, I like it. Makes me believe this will not be where someone decides to come in, and do some shooting up of the place, or if they do, it won't last long.

I see people ogling people OC'ing, but most often it seems they smile at the person with the gun. Once in a while you'll see someone look nervous, but we're used to it here I think.

I'm from Washington state originally, and in my 55 plus years there, never saw anyone open carry except at hunting season, and that was mostly my dad and his hunting buddies. There, you will definitely stand out if you're OC'ing, even though it is an OC state.

 

[Phoenix David]

IMO - it isn't a good idea to assume that someone that OC'ing is competent with the use of their firearm, they are just carrying it.

From what I see a significant number of people are not competent. Many lack the understanding of safety rules and I can't count the number of people I have seen that have no idea of the manual of arms for their particular weapon.

 

[FreeInAZ]

IMO - it isn't a good idea to assume that someone that OC'ing is competent with the use of their firearm, they are just carrying it.

From what I see a significant number of people are not competent. Many lack the understanding of safety rules and I can't count the number of people I have seen that have no idea of the manual of arms for their particular weapon.

Well the same could be said about many things in life, driving, public speaking etc.. many could use more help.
Sadly, people are afraid or too socially inept to speak to one another often. This begs the question David - do you just critique them or do you try to engage them in a friendly conversation and when the chance presents itself, try to steer them towards better pratices and training? You seem to be able to tell a lot about someone from how they open carry at a distance? What works for some may not work for me. I don't judge them based on their equipment / or what brand of pistol they carry. What about all the CCers who you can't see. You think they are any more skilled? Doubt it... Give me a unskilled OPEN CARRIER vs a unskilled CCer & I bet the OC guy can atleast clear his/her holster without getting tangled up in clothes or shooting themselfs in the groin.

You seem to be a expert at all things fireams related. Maybe you could open a school or something? Maybe offer discounts to the masses of unknowing accidents waiting to happen? Hell, once I see your credentials, I may even sign up. Once you stop knowing that you don't know it all, that's when the real trouble begins. IMO

 

[FreeInAZ]

Maybe you should get out of your bunker more and stop ***** * ****

Now that wasn't nice. You are the master of all correct? Why not share your vast knowledge? Sticks & stones oh wise one...

 

[Rusty Young Man]

I am military, so there is no carrying during the week

Sorry to hear that (no carrying, I mean; Thank you for serving this country).

Couldn't help but notice your belt; Is it a "commercial" gun belt, or is it a heavy/thick leather belt (which I use, and with few complaints)?

 

[Rusty Young Man]

Re: assumptions

IMO - it isn't a good idea to assume that someone that OC'ing is competent with the use of their firearm, they are just carrying it.

From what I see a significant number of people are not competent. Many lack the understanding of safety rules and I can't count the number of people I have seen that have no idea of the manual of arms for their particular weapon.

I agree that making assumptions is not the best practice, but I also think we can agree that if we see someone carrying a properly holstered handgun (or properly slung for rifles, but that is for other threads and other sites), we can assume that the person at least has a basic understanding of it. Give them the benefit of the doubt.

If they are a bit jittery, they may be new to OC, and yes, they may not have much practice with their firearm for the same reason. We can lay our worry to rest by engaging them in conversation to see if this is the case. If it is, commend them for OCing and exercising their individual RKBA (already a big step in itself), and follow-up with an invitation to check out OCDO.:dude: After they join, we get to recommend our preferred carry drills.

Now, if we see someone with their firearm in their boxer briefs (I believe the colloquial term is "Mexican Carry"?) or stuffing a 1911 into a cheaply made revolver holster ("cheap" as in toy-like, low-quality build), then the alarms begin to go off and we switch to Condition Yellow-Orange D) and keep an eye on said person.

 

[Rusty Young Man]

"Worst" OC experience; No confrontation or LEO

Hello all,

Definitely had my worst OC experience to date (excluding jabs from extended family that is beginning to come around): Four scared employees, three toasted subs, two polite college students, one scared customer, and a girl that was fall-down drunk.

OCed at Ace Hardware (745 E. 9th St.) and got a little ("subtle") fuss: Went in with the parents looking to buy some chain and a padlock or two, and I definitely set off the alarms in what I believe are transplants from the slave states.
We greeted the greeter, then went to the chain section, where a guy working on a grinder decided to "subtly" call two other employees back there. So now three (unarmed) guys just happen to be back there when a LAC and his parents are back there:shocker:. I spoke with the third arrival (a tall, bald Caucasian man) about the chains, and the second (a brown-haired, slightly effeminate-pitched man) kept pointing at my 1911 while talking to the first guy (the one that called it in). Very subtle, I know. I didn't get to converse with either guy #1 or 2 since they scurried off (I took it as a good sign that no police were called or confrontation ensued, but I would have liked a chance to educate), but guy #3 was pretty calm afterwards. I guess he finally understood that a criminal doesn't go around robbing stores by calmly walking in and buying 6' of chain when he already has a properly holstered firearm.
One customer saw my carry piece and would then not even look me in the eye, but I could see he kept glancing over every two seconds. Again, a prompt scurry left me no chance to educate.
Got the chain, bought some locks, and went to check out. The cashier that rang me up, Emily (the only employee name I remembered; could be the auburn hair, the bright smile or the cute laugh that got my attention), seemed unfazed by the whole thing and quite social compared to her coworkers. The other cashier lady (no name either, sorry) kept only to polite small talk and wished us well.

Went to the Subway on Park and Speedway for some healthy eating (as long as it has plants on it, I'm calling it healthy). The employees and students didn't seem scared, but they were definitely a bit quieter than usual (maybe because of my good looks? :lol. One employee did a hilarious double-take when he first saw me come in I didn't notice at the time, but my video recorder did. Really funny wide-eyed, deer-caught-in-the-headlights moment.
While our sandwiches were toasting, a tipsy college girl and her drunk-enough-to-fall-onto-the-floor-and laugh-it-off friend came in. I went over to suggest she sit down while she regained her balance, but got complemented "for being so nice; You're all so nice"? Didn't even notice that I was carrying. On the way out, the door was held open for us by two male college students. What is that I remember hearing about an armed society being a polite society?

Sorry for the drawn-out picture. Looking at the encounters other have had before me, I am beginning to appreciate how much has been accomplished on the OC front by others before me. Joining AZCDL this weekend.

 

[FreeInAZ]

@Rusty - +1 on OC post & Joining AZCDL! Lifetime member myself.

On topic OCed all over today, Taco bell, Circle K, Target, Fry's ... no issues.

 

[FreeInAZ]

Oced at gas station (circle k) and Taco-bell. No issues.

 

[FreeInAZ]

OC'd all over today. No issues.