Archive for Concealed Carry
Is the .32 the New .380?
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Just a couple of years ago, the .380 ACP was a secondary cartridge: largely ignored by professional gun toters, eschewed in the press by gun experts, and not a big seller for dealers. Now, it is the exact opposite thanks, in large part, to the Ruger LCP. Since then, nearly every manufacturer introduced a .380 pistol trying to cash in on this invigorated market.
The question asked at many gun manufacturers’ marketing and design meetings has undoubtedly been “What’s the next big trend?”
Some are looking at the .32 ACP.
On the surface, the state of the .32 ACP is similar to that of the .380 ACP from three years ago. Guns and ammo can be found in the caliber, but nothing really new, and nothing really hot. The “old” .380 and the current .32 are considered to be underpowered for “serious” self-defense, and no one will readily admit they have one for protection. But, one good gun could change that.
High Noon Holsters Expands Line
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The Down Under from High Noon Holsters
High Noon Holsters announced the expansion of the Public Secret, Down Under, Closing Argument and Alter Ego holster lines to include the following handguns:
- Diamondback 380 2.8″
- Kahr P380 2.5″
- Kel Tec P 32
- Kel Tec P3AT 380
- Ruger LCP 380
- Taurus 738 TCP
- Sig P238 2.7″
- Sig P238 Equinox 2.7″
- Sig P238 HD 2.7″
- Sig P238 SAS 2.7″
- Rohrbaugh R9,R9s
- Rohrbaugh 380, 380s
Galco Introduces Speed Loader Carrier
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Galco introduced a new leather speedloader carrier for concealed and open carry. The carrier is available in tan or black and retails for $39.95.
The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry by Massad Ayoob
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Prolific gun writer Massad Ayoob is recognized around the world as one of the foremost experts on the concealed carry and use of firearms. Not only has he written for more than three decades on the subject, he has also taught citizens on the use of deadly force through his Lethal Force Institute. Additionally, he has been called as an expert witness in trials all across the United States of lawfully armed citizen who have been wrongly accused of using force.
Who better is there to write a comprehensive book on concealed carry?
The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry was written by Massad Ayoob is designed to be a reference manual to the citizen who has decided to carry a firearm for protection. Ayoob covers a wide range of topics including hardware, mindset, and the law.
I’ve carried a concealed firearm for more than 15 years, and I found this book to be a fresh look at carry methods and gear. For the citizen brand new to concealed carry, this book should be one of your first purchases. It can likely save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in holsters, belts, and even firearms. Where no such book existed when I started carrying, I tried virtually every holster and carry style before finding out (the expensive way) much of what Ayoob discusses in the book.
Carry Concealed? Join the US Concealed Carry Association!
Posted by: | CommentsThe U.S. Concealed Carry Association is an organization founded by Tim Schmidt to address the unique needs and concerns of law abiding U.S. citizens exercising their rights to carry a firearm for self defense.
The USCCA professes to be “the ultimate resource for the law-abiding, armed citizen.” With a library of articles on the website, an active member forum, a full color magazine, a weekly e-mail newsletter, and a store featuring training videos and more, the USCCA certainly goes a long way to back up that claim. Read More→
DeSantis Nemesis Pocket Holster Review
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Ed. note: The Nemesis has been updated, and a review of the new model Nemesis is here.
The DeSantis Nemesis is a synthetic holster designed to carry a wide range of compact handguns in a pants pocket. Compared to many holsters on the market, the Nemesis is relatively inexpensive option to carry a concealed firearm. During my review, I found the Nemesis to be a quality holster, but with two small problems that I explain below.
I purchased a Nemesis holster to carry my S&W 642 revolver. The 642 is my “everywhere, all-the-time” kind of gun. Light enough to go everywhere, yet still chambered in a respectable caliber (.38 Special).
The Nemesis did a good job of hiding the outline of the revolver in a loose fitting pocket. In a pair of cargo shorts, it would be highly unlikely anyone would notice the gun, much less identify it as such. In a regular pair of jeans, the Desantis holster still did a respectable job, though the naturally closer fitting cut of the jeans made the gun a little more obvious than I would have liked. With a pair of relaxed casual pants like Dockers, the gun was well concealed. Read More→
Walther PK380 Pistol
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Walther has introduced the PK380 pistol: a new .380 ACP handgun based on their very popular Walther P22.
The polymer framed PK380 is not a micro-gun like the Ruger LCP or Sig Sauer P380. Rather, it is a polymer framed compact handgun offering 8+1 rounds of the mild-shooting, but reasonably useful .380 ACP. Weight is under 20 ounces (unloaded), and it sports a 3 2/3″ barrel.
Unlike many of the micro .380′s, the Walther PK380 has very usable sights in a three-dot configuration. The sight radius is a respectable 5.4″. Also, the sights are steel, not plastic. Read More→
Bianchi Model 7 Shadow II Holster Review
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The Bianchi Model 7 Shadow II is a belt holster made of soft leather with a thumb snap. The Shadow has several belt slots to allow the user to wear the holster with the handgun straight up, with a forward cant or even cross-draw. This Bianchi holster is made for a wide range of popular handguns, including compact and full-sized pistols and revolvers. Reasonably priced, the Model 7 promises a quality holster at a reasonable price. But, does Bianchi deliver? With a single caveat, I believe it does.
I’ve owned a Model 7 for several years, and have worn it on an occasional basis. Generally, my attire is more suited to an inside-the-waistband holster, but during colder months and for the occasional open carry event the Bianchi did get more frequent use. Additionally, on long car trips I would tend to wear this holster rather than an IWB for comfort reasons. Read More→
Americans Support Right-to-Carry
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to a recent Zogby poll, 83% of Americans support Right to Carry laws. I am guessing that you didn’t see that reported in your local paper or on the national news. I did not, but maybe I just missed it.
When asked “Currently, 39 states have laws that allow residents to carry firearms to protect themselves, only if they pass a background check and pay a fee to cover administrative costs. Most of those states also require applicants to have firearms safety training. Do you support or oppose this law?”, 83% responded they support these laws, while only 11% indicated they opposed them.
Of course, that kind of common sense thinking has no place in the media. Instead, the media preferred to report on the defeat of the Thune-Vitter amendment, an amendment that received a majority vote in favor of it, but failed to pass the “super majority” required by Senate Democrats. Read More→
On Quality Holsters and Guns
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These Kramer IWB holsters have an excellent reputation for quaility, comfort, and security.
One of the Internet arguments that never seems to die is whether you should carry a pistol with a cartridge in the chamber. The argument against carrying with “one in the pipe” is based on the idea that it is unsafe to do so. People are concerned about “accidental” discharges while it is carried, or if the pistol is dropped.
I’ll be completely up front and tell you that with a quality firearm, quality holster and competent owner, the handgun should be carried with a cartridge in the chamber if you are carrying for self defense. In most instances, a self-defense situation involving the use of deadly force develops far to quickly for you to draw your weapon and then work the slide before being able to employ the handgun.
But is it safe to carry a cartridge in the chamber? Read More→
Safariland Model 18 IWB Holster
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Safariland, a BAE Systems line of business, announced today its newest Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) concealment holster, expertly designed for improved grip, holstering and concealability for plainclothes or civilian carry.
The new Safariland Model 18 IWB holster is made with durable SafariLaminate™, and its open top design enables users to efficiently access their firearms in any situation. A synthetic suede outer material grips clothing to minimize movement of the holster, increasing comfort and concealability while the holster’s inside lining helps protect the finish of the weapon. Read More→
More on the Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network
Posted by: | CommentsRegular readers of GunsHolstersAndGear may recall an article about the Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network. In this week’s podcast, Michael Bane has a brief interview with Marty Hays, the founder of the Network.
If you are not familiar with the organization, the Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network “…exists to aid, educate and support lawfully armed citizens who are forced to defend against criminal attack.” Read More→
