So I got my Utah Concealed Carry Permit on July 30. It was in my PO Box and I did not get it until almost 7pm. As soon as I received it I started carrying my Phoenix Arms HP-22. Don't laugh - it was all I had (remember the first rule of a gunfight is to bring a gun and a .22LR is better than no gun). I made my first trip to the grocery store with my gun that evening and I thought for sure that everyone knew I had my gun. I was a little nervous and self conscious. But of course no one noticed, or if they did they didn't say anything to me.
I carried my gun every day for the next several days in an Uncle Mike's In the pants open holster. I did not have any issues or problems. The little .22LR would suffice until I could pick up a 9mm. I was really leaning towards the Smith and Wesson Shield chambered in 9mm. I purchased an Alien Gear holster in anticipation of my purchase. However, talking to a fellow ward member who happens to be a LEO, he suggested I look at the Glock 26 instead. Having more rounds is a good thing. He carries a Glock 19 when he is off duty, but due to my small frame size (5'6" - 135lbs) he thought the 19 would be a tad to big for me.
On Thursday I finally decided on my EDC gun. There were a few things I really wanted in my EDC pistol. Semi Automatic, 10 rounds minimum, easy to field strip and American made. Those ruled out the Glock and the Shield (as well as the Ruger LC9s I had been considering). I had been toying with the Smith & Wesson M&P 9c Compact. It ticked off all 4 of my requirements and the grip is actually shorter than the grip on the Shield, but, the width of the pistol was a concern. After trying it out at the gun store I decided to go for it. I picked up a Galco Leather holster and have been wearing it appendix IWB every day since I got it (except for at church).
Saturday I went to my part time job and one of my co-workers asked I had been shooting recently. I responded that I went to the range just the other night and put 80 rounds through my new pistol. then I realized she meant if I had taken any pictures with my camera. Ha, my bad. She asked if I got my CCP yet and after I told her it came she asked "Are you packing?" We are all real good friends there and I simply responded, "I don't know - what do you think?" She looked me up and down and tried to find it, but she then said "I can't tell". I told her that was the idea. She asked again, and I told her that I am not sure if I should tell her, but she then said she would feel better knowing someone in the store was armed (we work in retail with higher end products). So I turned around so that if a customer walked in they wouldn't see and I lifted my shirt just enough so she could see it. She was surprised how well hidden it was and this really helped to boost my confidence carrying the gun. I had started wearing large shirts instead of medium (sometimes I can fit into a small) to help hide the fact that I am CCP-ing. I only showed her because I know she is cool with it and really try to make it a point not to tell many people. The only other person in the store that knows is the manager. At my full time job no one knows and no one seems to have noticed. The bosses know I have my permit. My immediate family (wife and kids) know as well as my mom, but I have not told my siblings and probably won't. The fewer people who know, the better, right?
I did take my gun to it's first movie at a Megaplex. I appreciate that their "No weapons" sign exempts CCP holders and my gun seemed to enjoy the show, "Suicide Squad" (isn't that a great first movie to take your gun?).
The Alien Gear holster seems to be well made, but I seem to prefer to appendix carry and will probably return it. I thought the Alien Gear would be good for my full time job since I sit at a desk all day and the appendix is not quite as comfortable, but so far, even with the M&P 9c it has not been too bad.
I carried my gun every day for the next several days in an Uncle Mike's In the pants open holster. I did not have any issues or problems. The little .22LR would suffice until I could pick up a 9mm. I was really leaning towards the Smith and Wesson Shield chambered in 9mm. I purchased an Alien Gear holster in anticipation of my purchase. However, talking to a fellow ward member who happens to be a LEO, he suggested I look at the Glock 26 instead. Having more rounds is a good thing. He carries a Glock 19 when he is off duty, but due to my small frame size (5'6" - 135lbs) he thought the 19 would be a tad to big for me.
On Thursday I finally decided on my EDC gun. There were a few things I really wanted in my EDC pistol. Semi Automatic, 10 rounds minimum, easy to field strip and American made. Those ruled out the Glock and the Shield (as well as the Ruger LC9s I had been considering). I had been toying with the Smith & Wesson M&P 9c Compact. It ticked off all 4 of my requirements and the grip is actually shorter than the grip on the Shield, but, the width of the pistol was a concern. After trying it out at the gun store I decided to go for it. I picked up a Galco Leather holster and have been wearing it appendix IWB every day since I got it (except for at church).
Saturday I went to my part time job and one of my co-workers asked I had been shooting recently. I responded that I went to the range just the other night and put 80 rounds through my new pistol. then I realized she meant if I had taken any pictures with my camera. Ha, my bad. She asked if I got my CCP yet and after I told her it came she asked "Are you packing?" We are all real good friends there and I simply responded, "I don't know - what do you think?" She looked me up and down and tried to find it, but she then said "I can't tell". I told her that was the idea. She asked again, and I told her that I am not sure if I should tell her, but she then said she would feel better knowing someone in the store was armed (we work in retail with higher end products). So I turned around so that if a customer walked in they wouldn't see and I lifted my shirt just enough so she could see it. She was surprised how well hidden it was and this really helped to boost my confidence carrying the gun. I had started wearing large shirts instead of medium (sometimes I can fit into a small) to help hide the fact that I am CCP-ing. I only showed her because I know she is cool with it and really try to make it a point not to tell many people. The only other person in the store that knows is the manager. At my full time job no one knows and no one seems to have noticed. The bosses know I have my permit. My immediate family (wife and kids) know as well as my mom, but I have not told my siblings and probably won't. The fewer people who know, the better, right?
I did take my gun to it's first movie at a Megaplex. I appreciate that their "No weapons" sign exempts CCP holders and my gun seemed to enjoy the show, "Suicide Squad" (isn't that a great first movie to take your gun?).
The Alien Gear holster seems to be well made, but I seem to prefer to appendix carry and will probably return it. I thought the Alien Gear would be good for my full time job since I sit at a desk all day and the appendix is not quite as comfortable, but so far, even with the M&P 9c it has not been too bad.