As a new gun owner awaiting my CCW permit, I’ve learned a great deal from you all, and I’m grateful for that. I check the sub every day, and over the last few weeks I’ve noticed that we continue to get new gun owners like myself asking questions about holsters, carrying AIWB, gun comparisons, etc...While there’s a treasure trove of helpful tips already out there, I thought maybe there would be some value in sharing the mistakes I’ve made, and continue to make as I get through the learning curve of every day concealed carry. Hopefully, it’ll spare others wasted time and money.Before looking at my failures, there was one thing I did right in kick-starting my decision to carry. I forced myself to be honest about why after choosing to not own a gun for 30+ years; I had suddenly changed my mind. Yes, I wanted to defend myself and my family, but what exactly was it I wanted to prepare for? It took a bit, but after letting my imagination run wild (home invasions, attempted kidnappings, bar fights, etc..) I realized what I was most concerned about were situations like this. That shooting hit very close to home, both literally and emotionally.Coming to that understanding shaped my future decisions in a big way. I knew I wanted a gun that could carry 10+ rounds. I knew I wanted something with a good balance of concealability and accuracy at range. I also wanted something simple enough for my wife or teenage boys to use in an emergency. Like most people, I veered towards what I was familiar with (Glock). After months of cancelled orders and tied up funds, I was able to get a 43X from a small local dealer.Here are some mistakes I made in that decision:-As mentioned, I tied up funds for months trying to get my hands on a Glock. Large retailers/dealers were allowing me to purchase the weapon online and setting the expectation for 10-15 business day fulfillment. None of those orders ever materialized. They took my money knowing they may or may not get the weapon from their distributor. In retrospect, I wished I would have asked someone about this prior to placing orders. A friend found out what was happening and clued me in. From there, I focused on Armslist and small dealers who had items physically in stock. Fortunately, I’m in a position where I could handle the financial impact of having multiple orders in process, though I know not everyone can do that.-I was not aware of the 9mm ammo situation. I had heard about shortages, but wasn’t prepared for having such a hard time getting my hands on ammo. I don’t know that I would have changed my decision to carry 9mm, but I would have accounted for buying in bulk every chance I could.-In buying my 43x, I did not account for comfort or lifestyle. I’m a 5’11’’, 170lb guy in the southwest who favors “slim fit” clothes. I have a large family and constantly have kids crawling on me. Even with the shelter in place restrictions, my wife and I do a lot of driving around during the day, not to mention all the sitting down that comes with my job. In hindsight, I would prefer something smaller like a P365 or Hellcat. I didn’t realize those were even viable options, and I allowed myself to get caught up in the frenzy of trying to get my hands on a scarce Glock. Like most things in life, timing is everything. Don’t rush into things and make regrettable decisions.I have my gun. Now what?I knew I needed to get my hands on some ammo, a holster, and ear/eye protection. I did not think through needing to buy a belt, a storage solution, multiple holsters, sights, personal defense and practice ammo, and cleaning supplies. That’s not including CCW fees and training. What I initially thought would be a $600-$700 startup cost, has quickly turned into $1500+. Not all of that is a required immediate purchase, but they are costs you will probably incur, eventually.A word on holsters. I error’d in looking for a basic, low cost ($20-40) holster that would allow me to comfortable carry AIWB. I’m not sure such a thing exists. The closest I got was a BraDec holster that’s surprisingly good for $30. It’s not as comfortable as I’d like, but it works. Lucky Gunny was right in saying that you should jump right to the quality, somewhat pricier options. In that vein, I just ordered the Vedder Lightuck that everyone raves about. I got suckered into the AlienGear core carry package, thinking the modular system made a lot of sense. I tried it and was not impressed compared to the other options out there. For a little more you can get two solid holsters, both IWB and OWB, that doesn’t require you to keep track of parts and make manual adjustments. In my state open carry is common, and I realized I like OWB in certain situations, leading to another holster purchase I hadn't planned on. If had to do it again, I’d budget cash-flow to get my gun belt, and try multiple holsters at once sending back the ones that don’t make the cut. Otherwise, you’re buying one at a time, returning it if it doesn’t work and then having to wait on delivery for the next one. Before purchase, check the return policy! AlienGear for example has a thirty day trial, but you have to pay return postage.State of things right now:I’m working hard to build muscle memory and implement good carry practices. I’m learning it takes a lot of intentionality to be safe and effective. Just this morning I used the restroom and left my gun behind. I realized it right away, but it was a stark reminder that the decision to carry is really a decision to change your entire lifestyle.TL:DR For the newbies like myself:-When buying your weapon, the aspects of your daily life are just as important to consider as the technical details of the what you want in a gun. Consider body type, wardrobe, lifestyle, weather, etc...-Ask for help from experienced gun owners. What's the market like right now? What's buying mistakes are people making right now that I can avoid?-When buying gear, budget enough to buy multiple items at once if you can. You'll save time and are less likely to settle on something you don't love. via /r/CCW https://ift.tt/3fNcC9l
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