+1 for the flashlight. The closest I ever got to getting rolled was when I was in college in New Orleans. Walking back to campus one night, some dude tried approaching me from a dark side street and I lit him up with the light I had in my pocket. His hands flew up so fast that I may has well have been pointing a howitzer at him. TL;DR: I'm positive that light kept me from getting robbed.
@@mrgrump2534 based on the changes in body language & demeanor after the light came out, that's not the most likely scenario. Most normal, well intentioned folks don't *volunteer* the fact that they're unarmed, along with pulling up their shirt to expose their waistband and doing a full 360 turn.
Your use of your Mod-light in a poorly lit environment like a parking lot serves to augment your situational awareness. THAT in and of itself is the first step to personal security. Bravo!
@MrMcsbr yes! I didn’t realize that the primary use for a Sticky was pocket use. It doesn’t work well in your waistband. One night in a dark parking lot mine fell from my waistband down my pant leg. Glad that I didn’t need to use it or I’d have been out of luck.
I carry a flashlight, firearm, knife, and pen on my person daily. The flashlight is, without a doubt, the most used item several times over. I'm glad to see you mentioning the value of a good light!
I'm a new conceal carry grandma. I've only had my license for 2 weeks. I've bought my first EDC I went with the Sig P320C. I've not purchased a holster yet and have been researching them. Its so much to learn at one time. I found this video very informative and helpful. I'm glad RUclips suggested your channel I've just subscribed.
Isn't that the gun that is widely known for misfiring on its own enough to make a name for itself as one of the most dangerous concealed carry guns? If I were you I would look into what you're carrying especially being new to the idea. I've been warned several times in gun stores not to get that specific gun solely based on the fact that it's known for being dangerously unreliable
I've carried a flashlight for about 15 years and it is by far the most useful tool of all the things I carry with me. It seems to get used almost daily, either on the job or in my private life. When you have it, you don't know what you did without it. And this is on top of the use for self-defense, which fortunately I've not had to encounter yet.
I like the fact that a young female takes care of her own safety the sticky is my go to holster now im 74 and have carried a gun on the job for over 40 years and you will get where it just plain hurts to carry a bunch of stuff around Im only going to carry a ruger lcr in 22lr and 2 10 round speed strips of punch ammo a small high power flash lite and a pom oc spray im only going to save me and my wife of 54 years not the rest of the world let all the tactical ninjas out there do that now great vid keep up the good work and stay safe its a cruel world we live in now
Been using a Sticky holster daily for 3 years Sig P365XL. I wear a BELT in my jeans 😅. It stays in place all day and is probably the most comfortable, concealed holster for this I have found. It draws very well and in my opinion very safe with a BELT, I wouldn't use it without a BELT either. Used properly, very good concealed holster. Only drawback would be reholstering. Which would not be an issue for me in an emergency.
Daily use doesn't necessarily do a good job of sussing out gear failures that can occur on the worst day of our life. It's been proven time and time again in grappling scenarios that holsters with even poorly designed clips can fail in a fight. The sticky holster has nothing but friction and belt tightness keeping it in place. That may work for the day to day, but has been proven to fail when it matters the most. It is a product I strongly discourage others from using outside of informed pocket carry applications.
Thank you for sharing the journey you have experienced. I wish my former coworkers took as much care and interest in their welfare as you clearly do. I retired from law enforcement after almost 25 years on the job. I have been a firearms instructor for the majority of my aforementioned career. Unfortunately, the academy and in service training does not adequately address the day to day dynamics of concealed carry. I applaud your desire and commitment to being educated and prepared.
I really love what you said about why you carry a flashlight. I had never thought about it before and at first it sounds unnecessary, but I have definitely been in multiple situations where I was approaching my car at night and wished I didn't have to get all the way up to it before I could see if anyone was under or in it. And I could also see how flashing a light at someone would be a fantastic "I see you" deterrent. Not to mention if it's at night getting blinded in the eyes by a super bright flashlight beam would dramatically obstruct his vision.
just wanted to share a thought about sticky holsters , they are quick easy comfortable ambidextrious and cheap , if i need to secure the gun better i use a belly band or bdu belt over the holster next to my skin under clothing , i do also use tulster , warcat kydex/style iwb appendix holsters if/when im wearing pants/belt , you are doing a great job with your content , keep up the good work ;-)
Thanks, glad you’re enjoying the content here! Sticky holsters might be comfortable, ambi, and cheap, but they are most certainly not a safe option for carrying IWB.
you're clearly an up and coming YT2a star...great channel....solid info....great presentation....hope YT doesn't mess with you and your awesome channel for ladies AND men alike!
You have provided folks with some well thought out advice and I appreciate your attention to detail. Too often, people who conceal carry don’t evolve either out of lack of curiosity or knowledge or just settle for “good enough.” This is especially true for many folks who should know better and carry weapons as part of their profession. As a longtime firearms instructor, I always tell new shooters there is no reason to feel you can’t use and carry a pistol well simply because you never have done it. Folks like yourself prove that statement everyday. You don’t have to be in law enforcement or a special operations veteran use and carry a concealed firearm well. I like the content on your channel and will forward it to many new and evolving shooters whom I believe will learn from your experiences. Keep up the great content, you are a valuable contributor to the art of concealed carry and firearms education.
Thank You, sooo much! Finally a video that demonstrates the safety of different holsters! Ive waited over a year to decide on a holster bc I don't want to keep buying the wrong one! I love the fact you demonstrated this one for your Glock 48. My firearm precisely. I look forward to listening to other videos you may provide!!
So glad it was helpful! If you’re trying to avoid buying the wrong holster then you’ll probably find this video even more helpful: ruclips.net/video/sERkwNeqflk/видео.html
Great topic and you explained yourself very well. I’m in year 3 of my CCW and have these takeaways: You can improvise for just about anything that you think you should cary with you, except for a spare magazine. A rail mounted light VS. a handheld one gives you a two handed advantage. Mechanical handgun safeties are soooo easy to manipulate…..except when you are stressed. Red dots are for farsighted old guys like me who don’t wear glasses all the time. I have a box full of $50-$80 holsters and every one of them are almost as good as the one I’m using now. Single stack magazines like a M&P Shield left me always feeling out-gunned even before I left the house. Lastly, thankfully there are hundreds of options for the gear a CCW person can choose because it couldn’t be a more personalized choice.
Great video! I think it's a very good decision for you to prioritize a flash light over a magazine. I carry a hand held light every day and use it quite often. Everything is a compromise with what you EDC. As you said, you use it often, and using it the way you do will be a huge help to deter an attacker.
Funny story. I attended my first concealed carry class at a local range. The instructor recommended carrying a flashlight. After the class, I was walking to the parking lot located behind the building in the dark. I was chatting with a couple other guys from the class. All of a sudden, I stepped into a giant pothole landing hard on my hands and knees. As I was dusting myself off, the guys all joked about the need to carry a flashlight. Lesson learned. From that point on, a flashlight has been a permanent part of my EDC. I have found it to be extremely handy, second only to my pocket knife. I use to for all kinds of tasks, finding dropped screws, looking for items in the back of a dark closet or my car, retrieving a dropped cell phone from beneath the couch, you name it.
While I have been carrying concealed for over 25 years I really enjoyed your video. I appreciate how well thought out your path has been and it seems that you remember the most important thing which is situational awareness. Constant Vigilance and Eternal Suspicion!!! Good luck to you!
New to gun ownership (still waiting for my LTC so I’m learning ahead of time) This was very informative. I’m also a runner so this is helpful. Believe it or not, I’m smaller (.height-wise…4’11”) so even more insightful. So much to think about and learn. I’m excited to get going on this journey!! (I think I’ll start by always carrying a light…never thought of that)
Recommend carrying a light and pocket knife. Pocket knife is a useful tool but can also work in a pinch. Get a gun that you can shoot comfortably, small guns are harder to shoot well. Holsters can be a pain, you'll likely find yourself buying several to try until you find one that works for your needs.
Thank you for a great video. There are a lot of videos highlighting product features but your thoughts and reasoning behind your decisions are even more valuable to me. You help us see beyond the glitter of the shiny new hyped-up products; and we can make better upfront decisions by avoiding potential mistakes as you have shared from your own personal experiences. Thanks again.
As someone who is just starting out in CC this video was massively helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to make it and explain your reasoning and what you learned so clearly!
I’ve been carrying for decades having to work private armed security on nights and weekends working my way through college. So a long time attempting to find a useful method to carry. Most of these decades my CC method was uncomfortable or lacked accesibility. When you openly discussed your “bumpy road” of discovery it allowed me to confess to myself how poorly my methods work. So your vid’s on the Enigma caused a light to come on for me: I can carry a pistol that I can actually shoot my best with AND not display it unintentionally. Thats a first. I received my Enigma today and thanks to your vids was able to assemble it without swearing. You prepped me for “the evolution” of fit. And tomorrow, after 4 decades of carry; I’ll be able to carry my “real” gun without anyone knowing. The Hauptmann deserve praise, in creating the Enigma, and you deserve praise for introducing it to me (in the context of real life). THANK YOU.
I'm going through that evolution myself since i got my first pistol i wanted to carry with (Canik MC9 which i just found too snappy tbh) about four months ago. Still figuring out other tools but i think I've squarely landed on the Shield Plus Carry Comp in an enigma express. It's insane how good the enigma is for concealment and it's also very comfortable, especially once i put a mastermind tactics pillow wedge on it.
Congratulations on finding your happy carry rig. I just wanted to add that I use a sticky holster,actually more than one. I was just wanting to say the reason it works so well for me. Is using them in conjunction with the sticky belly band. Yes using the belly band from sticky changed the whole game for me, as I to wanted something that did not move around a lot. The sticky belly band together with there holsters allows me to carry anything from a 3 inch model 29 44. To a 2 inch model 60 357. And my 45 ACP, and many others. Please this is not meant in any way to demean your choice. Just wanted to say if you had the sticky belly band with your holster,it may have been a totally different experience. I believe the belly band is new. Wish I had this set up in the early 80s wile still being on the force. Congratulations on your happy find. Just wanted to through in a item they now have that makes a big difference. It has been mini golf and bowling tested with my grand children. LOL. Many thanks for you very informative video. Looking forward to more. Tom
Your videos are awesome and have been tremendously helpful. My experience as still a relatively new carrier: - I started off with an OWB holster when I just picked my gun up as it felt super dangerous not having a holster. OWB was all the shop had sadly. I felt like I was advertising to everyone that I was carrying a firearm, which felt almost as dangerous as walking around without a gun. - I switched to a Cytac AIWB holster, which felt way more natural and was relatively comfy. Since I felt that a weaponlight was a must though, I started shopping around again. - Eventually got a quality weaponlight at a reasonable price, but there were very few options available to me for my firearm and weaponlight combination, and the options that were out there were crazy expensive. - After looking and looking, I finally decided to buy the materiel and just risk making my own holster. While it was a steeper learning curve than I thought, I not only now have a holster that suits me, but I managed to get 3 holsters made for less than what a single holster would've cost me. Wouldn't recommend going this route if someone isn't more than a beginner at DIY, but think it's worth considering.
I agree that the Sticky holsters are not optimum for the reasons you point out, but I think they have their place for some people. Reholstering is the least of my worries in the real world, but it is a consideration for some people.
Yes, they're great for carrying around the house or other chill, low activity scenarios and they aren't unsafe when used properly. Once it's placed where it's going to go on your waist, it will be just fine as long as one isn't finger fucking it like she did with jamming her finger into it to get to the trigger. And, yes, you're supposed to remove the holster to re-holster the pistol and Sticky even tells you that directly in the instructions. It also looked liked her Sticky holster for that G42 was undersized. It should have seated much deeper. None of my pistols stick up out of a Sticky holster like that and I have several of them.
Great video--thanks! As a new shooter, I am still thinking through concealed-carry options. I have a plan in mind, and I am working toward it, but so far my thinking has been to develop the best option for me at the beginning, and never change it. The idea of allowing for changes down the road had not occurred to me, and that seems to be worth considering.
Changes tend to happen very naturally as we grow and our knowledge increases! :) I've seen that ring true for a lot more people other than just myself. :)
While I rarely use my sticky holster now, I will say that I have never had a holster + gun draw with one, while I have had several with both single and double clip iwb holsters wearing anything other than a dedicated gun belt. Great channel, thank you for sharing your experience.
Everybody is unique, so what’s important is what suits you. I prefer the half kydex holsters on a pad with 2 clips…. Thinner and more comfortable. I also like crossdraw IWB because I’m seated a lot. I’m impressed with your thoughtfulness and willingness to experiment. Good luck.
Sharing your evolution and experience is a great service to those who aren't "professional", but have made the decision to be their own first line of defense. Keep up the good work.
As a woman and a Sticky Holster owner, I appreciated your explanations of your evolution. I am now looking for a holster for training that allows re-holstering so the Sticky was not an option. Thank you for a very informative video!
I’ve just recently gotten a gun and am going to get my LTC soon. This was such an informative video. I’m still trying to decide how I would like to carry. Your videos have been so helpful as I start my concealed carry journey. Thank you!
I’ve been hooked on my compacts & pocket carry lately. It’s been basic setup for the past 10 months or so. Glock 42/Canik Mete MC9/Ruger EC9s in a pocket holster and off I go. I’ll occasionally carry my Canik Rival w/an OWB holster. If the pants I wear print too much with the pocket holster.
For many years, while working nite shifts where firearms were verboten, I carried: a single AAA or AA Mini-Mag flashlight clipped into my left front pants pocket, a Victorinox 3 layer w/scissors 'Swiss Army Knife' (tucked vertically) alongside my wallet and a Boker/Kalashnikov 74 (all metal) 'auto-open' pocket knife clipped into the right front pocket.
So helpful! I’m in month 8 of my cc journey and can definitely relate to the need to change things up as your mindset changes and understanding deepens! Thankful I started following you early on bc you spared me from the sticky! Ha! Thank you for another great video!
Hey! found your channel and watched a few of your videos. I really like how honest and easy going you are. Yes, it feel like “coffee talk”. LOL. Great stuff on your channel! Keep it up, I get a lot from it. Thank you!
I think sticky holster with a tightened belt is forsure more secure that way. Also I use if I’m going to carry in a offbody bag or something to have that trigger protection. Definitely shouldn’t be a primary holster just something for backup or whatever
I love your honest videos! I think both my husband and myself are going with Enigma Ive been bouncing between the G43x and the G48 and believe the 48 is the better choice. THANK YOU
Oh and the g48. Great pic. It's easy one handed weilding is perfect for selfD. The aftermarket 15r mag seems to work great. I thought I noticed the mag release swap on her pistol. So I'm assuming she got 15 and 1 in the pipe. Outstanding kiddo.
I like Sticky holsters and they're great for carrying around the house in light clothes/pajamas with a only drawstring. But, for outside/going about my day carry, it's always an "adult" setup with a kydex holster on a proper belt.
Thank you for your tale of transition from one style of carry to another. It is a process of lessons learned. I used a sticky holster for a time in right front pocket. Didn't care for it much as one shouldn't put anything in pocket with gun. And I got bigger box to dump all the holsters, belts, mag pouches etc that didn't work for carry method.
Thank you for sharing your experience, I am new to concealed carry. It’s pretty overwhelming with all the holster options that there are. God bless and take care.
I use that same light on duty as a Sheriff’s Deputy. Great tool. I love the Surefire EDC1LT with a Thyrm ring for off duty and a back up on duty. If you ever want to downsize the size of your light consider that one.
Great Video. My loaded mag has Hornaday Critical Defense, and my spare has Critical Duty +P. Too many drunk/druggies who takes more power. I also migrated from a Glock 19 to soley using HK P30SKS (short stints) & Sig P365 (all day carry due to weight). I also always at night carry a flashlight for hand. Had a situation where someone tried to get into my house. WIth family sleeping one cannot muzzle point their light towards sleeping family for a room window check, so I always use a hand flashlight. So much to learn and eval for situational awareness.
Try the neomag pocket mag holder for the extra mag, I'm sure you will like it. And if the if the flashlight ever gets too big try something like the olight baton 3 edc flashlight, it's a super compact flashlight with a 1200 lumens output.
Great for you for carrying!! 👍 Who cares if you don’t carry a spare mag. The fact of you carrying concealed and other things that are important. That’s what really matters. God bless you and stay safe. 🙏👍
I personally carry a Fenix UC35 in my left pocket. It's big, and takes up a chunk of space, but my pockets are deep and I use them thoroughly. I wish I had more pocket space, but it works. Before carrying a flashlight I used to keep my OC spray in that same spot, but now I've moved that to my back left pocket as close to the side as possible. My right pocket is taken up pretty much exclusively by my phone and knife.
I just found your site here and have watched two of your videos. I must say that I am very impressed by the information you provide and the in depth review and insight you provide. I have carried for six years now, ever since moving to Arizona and by watching your videos here I have learned a lot. I'm seventy six years young and that alone is proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks. Keep up the great work gal. It's making a difference!!!
I also started out with the Tier 1 Axis elite made for the Glock 19 without the light option to carry my Glock 26 which the extra length keeps the gun’s top from canting outward along with using a small wide wedge from Tier 1 and a small narrow wedge on the magazine side. Just like you I felt the extra width of a side car appendix holster didn’t move well with my body so I ended up ordering the Tier 1 Xiphos with a light option to attach an Olight PL mini 2 with the conceal concepts metal clips. I bought a mag carrier for a Glock 19x magazine with adjustable retention off Amazon but attached an Ulticlip so the carrier doesn’t slide side to side on my Kore essentials belt. The buckle is always on the left side of my waist to have the lowest profile slightly right of the center. Now that the gun holster and mag carrier is not attached to each other I feel the both move independently from each other which conforms to my body better and allows for more range if motion if that makes sense. For the colder seasons I edc the Glock 19 since I almost always wear a zip up hoodie or sometimes a t shirt and a Pendelton wool button up board shirt un buttoned.
Very well said! So important to examine our mindset. Carrying a gun doesn't mean your safe and doesn't mean you're ok to go places that you wouldn't go or do things that you wouldn't do if you weren't armed! Very important to practice with your unloaded gun and holster set up and to take self defense classes to become proficient with our self defense tool.
I always enjoy your videos. Your presentations are clear, well thought out and professional. I hadn't heard of the enigma prior to your videos and am in the process of purchasing. Thanks
A good solid self aware perspective of what works for "Armed and Styled". Which is exactly what you'll need to do for yourself. It's taken me almost 2 years to figure out what's out there and what works best for my clothing style, body type and preference. I carry a 6 shot j-frame revolver with a viridian laser in appendix and a small 8 shot .380 at 3:30 on my waist. The J-frame is in a Remora II and stays so well, that I forget it's there. I'm older and don't want to find my dexterity lacking in a reload situation. So I've found a way to carry a "New York" reload. Not for many I understand but is my preference. In my vehicle I carry a level II first aid kit with a tourniquet and chest seals. You'll need to evolve your set up as well.
But the falshlight preventitive at around 12:00 mins is just a great move. Excellent suggestion! And I'd love to know how many people who carry concealed have Winchestered both mags so frequently that they hate the sound of someone not carrying a backup! Hahaha, like where do they live? I feel like if that's a problem then maybe they should be carrying bigger weapons ...and maybe not so concealed lol!
Thank you for the insight! I'm glad I found your channel and IG. My wife is finally understanding the "lifestyle" of carrying. I hope that she can learn a few things with your insight and journey through the various carry set-up and gear changes you have made so far. Thank you for the very informative and calming video!
I finally learned how to carry appendix on my small frame with your help and much trial and error. I settled on a Vedder with a claw with my eye on trying a hitchhiker in the future. I actually got rid of my G48 and G43 because I simply stink with them accuracy wise 🤣, I can make it work but damn. My carry is a Shield 9 and sometime soon I’ll get the Shield 9 Plus for more rounds. I did try a side car appendix rig and while I’m not as small as you are, it took up far too much space and made carry on the job Difficult to say the least.
This was my first time watching you and it was very informative. I'm currently helping my wife choose a concealed carry style and this was very helpful.
Good video. My carry has certainly changed over the years....not only weapon but holster, reload, pepper spray, etc. I've developed my own philosophy I adhere to daily.
You also might want to look into the Tenicor VELO4 AIWB holster or the CERTUM3 IWB/AIWB holster. Both are high quality holster made by an awesome company. I've been using the Velo4 for about a year now to carry my G19. Living in FL my cover garment is usually a t-shirt or a polo shirt, and I'm able to carry concealed with no problem. Remembering that darker color tops or t-shirt with graphics will also help in concealing your firearm. Good luck.
In defense of the “Sticky” stuff. I completely agree that the way to go is kydex, and that the Sticky Holster is not ideal for EDC. I too started carrying with it and realized was not optimal. However, I am still a huge fan of the Sticky Holster for some applications: Dipper run/Grab and go situation? Micro gun? Yes, and yes. Definitely not for a long haul or anything with some substantial mass. But I am yet to find a better combo for a short quick run than a J frame with a Sticky Holster. Keep the great videos coming!
There's another video on RUclips where a guy and his friend do all sorts of physical movements, jumping jacks, squat thrusts, etc and the Sticky Holster stayed in place each time, at least till they tried it with an all out sprint. I guess it works for some people and not others...
They don't stay put under pressure testing. They're ok as a pocket holster, but beyond that their retention isn't really sufficient for defensive use. If you've got a dummy gun, try it out yourself with a friend whose not "letting you do the move". If you're both trying to win, the shortcomings become readily apparent
Good overview of the carry setup. Phlster has some great products. The first carry setup always to not be the best one. I started using phlster almost 5 years ago and havent looked back.
Ok many things to say for women who want to cc. Don't let your husband pressure you to carry or buy you a pink micro-compact. 380 or 9mm is a great choice, small guns are much harder to shoot as weight makes some difference, but the biggest helper for recoil control is being able to fit your entire hand onto the gun and having your support hand thumb not dangling off the front. A P365 in 380 is a good middle ground as if you attach a light then you can adequately use the thumb ledge. Adding a light can help you by adding weight and providing a thumb ledge. The holster is the very most important thing to conceal the firearm. As a man, I can carry full size guns appendix without printing using a good holster in appendix. So many women wearing jeans (not ultra tight) and a sweatshirt, flannel, or any shirt not clinging to your stomach excessively should be able to get away with a micro-compact at least. Get a kydex holster and appendix carrying is great especially if you have a safety if it makes you feel better. You will probably have to change your wardrobe to conceal better. Buy something you don't dread shooting so you will want to practice more. Please don't shy away from polymer handguns because your 80 year old NRA husband carries a 1911 and says any glock or sig is a tupperware gun and demands you carry a ultra compact metal frame in .40 S%W. CC is very hard for women because they don't want to dress like a man and want to wear leggings. This must be tough so a "meh" alternative is carrying in a purse but for the love of god do not store a million small items in the same compartment that could cause a negligent discharge. I would buy a 9mm or .380 Smith and Wesson EZ 2.0 with a big light like streamlight TLR1 HL or Surefire X300 for my girlfriend for home defense (she has trouble loading mags and likes the lighter slide cocking) and a sig p365 .380 with a Streamlight TLR 7A Flex or TLR7 Sub in an appendix rig. Both are available with safeties because it makes her more comfortable. Also, use hollow points but do not use +P or the highest grain like as that has more recoil. Federal HST 124gr (non +P) is good for 9mm, Not sure for .380.
I can completely understand why you found faults with your sticky holster and the first kydex. The sticky is designed for pocket carry where is material on both sides holding it in place during draw. Sticking into you waistband provide no support to hold it in place during carry or draw. You would've been better using a belly band for this type of carry. The kydex also requires a belt to secure it in place.
Bellybands aren't really any better because they almost never provide adequate trigger protection (among other reasons). The sticky holster can totally be a viable option for pocket carry though! :) The Sticky Holster, frankly was a terrible choice for IWB, but at the time, I didn't know better and I felt I had "tested" it appropriately. That was essentially the point of this video, to share the mistakes I made and share how those mistakes shaped my gear choices over time. Thanks for watching!
I agree with you dropping the extra magazine. VERY rarely in a self defense situation, do you ever see/hear about someone needing an extra magazine for more rounds. I know certain people will disagree with that, but the statistics speak for themselves, in my opinion. Great set up! Extremely important to carry the med kit.
Two problems with that. One: statistics do speak for themselves, and show you will likely never need a firearm. Yet we carry one anyway. Why? In case we do need them. And there are PLENTY of cases where people needed much more than one magazine worth of ammunition. Two: The most likely cause of malfunctions is the magazine. Maybe you only need two or three rounds to accomplish your task, but if your magazine goes bad, you may only have one.
This is one very analytical and expressive concealed carrier with great explanations about her gear choices. It would be nice to avoid the multiple holsters we all end up with, sitting in a drawer because they just didn't work for us.
Im with your thoughts on this; maybe because when I was originally originally on patrol; most of us carried 6 shot revolvers . I have never thought round count was that important ; and that the first shots on target fired in a gunfight usually decided how it would go. Now im dying to try your final carry choices, maybe an Inigma? Great video and food for thought
I agree with your decision to carry less lethal. I think many people overlook that as an option in dealing with some of the situations we find ourselves in.
1 idea if you don't want to customize with changing out your rear sights you could sand them down and round it off to make it comfortable and not cost anything.
Love the seriousness in all your videos but I’ve gotta admit. The time lapse edit while you were doing the wall exercise caught me by surprise and made me laugh so much oh my god.
Always lots of good info. Never heard of Dark Star; I need to check them out. I wish I could get AIWB to work but alas, it just doesn’t. Keep up the great videos!
Great Video and absolutely love the fact that you started carrying a chest seal. I don't think a lot of people realize that they have an improvised tourniquet in their belt and more than likely if they were going to have to save somebody's life the chest seal would be the thing that did it. As for Tier 1 concealed I use one of their holsters and it is a quality holster that I could recommend but in my experience Tier 1 concealed customer service is the worst of any company I have ever dealt with in the firearm industry. Maybe it was just my experience with a particular employee but it was just awful enough to ensure that I would not buy another holster from them.
Sticky holster is a lot better with a good belt. I have one that works with my WML and it's OK. There are other ways to carry a spare mag besides a sidecar on your holster. And you need a small fixed blade knife on your weak hand side.
+1 for the flashlight.
The closest I ever got to getting rolled was when I was in college in New Orleans.
Walking back to campus one night, some dude tried approaching me from a dark side street and I lit him up with the light I had in my pocket.
His hands flew up so fast that I may has well have been pointing a howitzer at him.
TL;DR: I'm positive that light kept me from getting robbed.
ABSOLUTELY. ‘Active Self Protection’ recommends carrying as bright a light as possible.
Or …ya no he was just waking home minding his own before getting blinded! We will never now
@@mrgrump2534 based on the changes in body language & demeanor after the light came out, that's not the most likely scenario.
Most normal, well intentioned folks don't *volunteer* the fact that they're unarmed, along with pulling up their shirt to expose their waistband and doing a full 360 turn.
@@mrgrump2534 I'd rather be rude than robbed, raped or dead.
Your use of your Mod-light in a poorly lit environment like a parking lot serves to augment your situational awareness. THAT in and of itself is the first step to personal security. Bravo!
That sticky holster is best used in a pants pocket with a small semi-auto. But it comes down to what is comfortable for you.
@MrMcsbr yes! I didn’t realize that the primary use for a Sticky was pocket use. It doesn’t work well in your waistband. One night in a dark parking lot mine fell from my waistband down my pant leg. Glad that I didn’t need to use it or I’d have been out of luck.
I carry a flashlight, firearm, knife, and pen on my person daily. The flashlight is, without a doubt, the most used item several times over. I'm glad to see you mentioning the value of a good light!
I'm a new conceal carry grandma. I've only had my license for 2 weeks. I've bought my first EDC I went with the Sig P320C. I've not purchased a holster yet and have been researching them. Its so much to learn at one time. I found this video very informative and helpful. I'm glad RUclips suggested your channel I've just subscribed.
Aliengear and Safariland and DARA holsters brand are all extremely good.
Isn't that the gun that is widely known for misfiring on its own enough to make a name for itself as one of the most dangerous concealed carry guns? If I were you I would look into what you're carrying especially being new to the idea. I've been warned several times in gun stores not to get that specific gun solely based on the fact that it's known for being dangerously unreliable
I've carried a flashlight for about 15 years and it is by far the most useful tool of all the things I carry with me. It seems to get used almost daily, either on the job or in my private life. When you have it, you don't know what you did without it. And this is on top of the use for self-defense, which fortunately I've not had to encounter yet.
I like the fact that a young female takes care of her own safety the sticky is my go to holster now im 74 and have carried a gun on the job for over 40 years and you will get where it just plain hurts to carry a bunch of stuff around Im only going to carry a ruger lcr in 22lr and 2 10 round speed strips of punch ammo a small high power flash lite and a pom oc spray im only going to save me and my wife of 54 years not the rest of the world let all the tactical ninjas out there do that now great vid keep up the good work and stay safe its a cruel world we live in now
Been using a Sticky holster daily for 3 years Sig P365XL. I wear a BELT in my jeans 😅. It stays in place all day and is probably the most comfortable, concealed holster for this I have found. It draws very well and in my opinion very safe with a BELT, I wouldn't use it without a BELT either. Used properly, very good concealed holster. Only drawback would be reholstering. Which would not be an issue for me in an emergency.
Daily use doesn't necessarily do a good job of sussing out gear failures that can occur on the worst day of our life. It's been proven time and time again in grappling scenarios that holsters with even poorly designed clips can fail in a fight. The sticky holster has nothing but friction and belt tightness keeping it in place. That may work for the day to day, but has been proven to fail when it matters the most.
It is a product I strongly discourage others from using outside of informed pocket carry applications.
Thank you for sharing the journey you have experienced. I wish my former coworkers took as much care and interest in their welfare as you clearly do. I retired from law enforcement after almost 25 years on the job. I have been a firearms instructor for the majority of my aforementioned career. Unfortunately, the academy and in service training does not adequately address the day to day dynamics of concealed carry. I applaud your desire and commitment to being educated and prepared.
I would like to see how you put them on besides already on. I’m very short wasted and it’s hard to find something comfortable.
I really love what you said about why you carry a flashlight. I had never thought about it before and at first it sounds unnecessary, but I have definitely been in multiple situations where I was approaching my car at night and wished I didn't have to get all the way up to it before I could see if anyone was under or in it. And I could also see how flashing a light at someone would be a fantastic "I see you" deterrent. Not to mention if it's at night getting blinded in the eyes by a super bright flashlight beam would dramatically obstruct his vision.
You are a phenomenal speaker and enjoyed your perspective regarding carry options.
just wanted to share a thought about sticky holsters , they are quick easy comfortable ambidextrious and cheap , if i need to secure the gun better i use a belly band or bdu belt over the holster next to my skin under clothing , i do also use tulster , warcat kydex/style iwb appendix holsters if/when im wearing pants/belt , you are doing a great job with your content , keep up the good work ;-)
Thanks, glad you’re enjoying the content here! Sticky holsters might be comfortable, ambi, and cheap, but they are most certainly not a safe option for carrying IWB.
you're clearly an up and coming YT2a star...great channel....solid info....great presentation....hope YT doesn't mess with you and your awesome channel for ladies AND men alike!
Simp
@@charles17508 rich coming from an insecure, self loathing bed wetting Leftist
You have provided folks with some well thought out advice and I appreciate your attention to detail.
Too often, people who conceal carry don’t evolve either out of lack of curiosity or knowledge or just settle for “good enough.” This is especially true for many folks who should know better and carry weapons as part of their profession.
As a longtime firearms instructor, I always tell new shooters there is no reason to feel you can’t use and carry a pistol well simply because you never have done it. Folks like yourself prove that statement everyday. You don’t have to be in law enforcement or a special operations veteran use and carry a concealed firearm well.
I like the content on your channel and will forward it to many new and evolving shooters whom I believe will learn from your experiences.
Keep up the great content, you are a valuable contributor to the art of concealed carry and firearms education.
Thank You, sooo much! Finally a video that demonstrates the safety of different holsters! Ive waited over a year to decide on a holster bc I don't want to keep buying the wrong one! I love the fact you demonstrated this one for your Glock 48. My firearm precisely. I look forward to listening to other videos you may provide!!
So glad it was helpful! If you’re trying to avoid buying the wrong holster then you’ll probably find this video even more helpful: ruclips.net/video/sERkwNeqflk/видео.html
Great topic and you explained yourself very well. I’m in year 3 of my CCW and have these takeaways: You can improvise for just about anything that you think you should cary with you, except for a spare magazine. A rail mounted light VS. a handheld one gives you a two handed advantage. Mechanical handgun safeties are soooo easy to manipulate…..except when you are stressed. Red dots are for farsighted old guys like me who don’t wear glasses all the time. I have a box full of $50-$80 holsters and every one of them are almost as good as the one I’m using now. Single stack magazines like a M&P Shield left me always feeling out-gunned even before I left the house. Lastly, thankfully there are hundreds of options for the gear a CCW person can choose because it couldn’t be a more personalized choice.
Great video! I think it's a very good decision for you to prioritize a flash light over a magazine. I carry a hand held light every day and use it quite often. Everything is a compromise with what you EDC. As you said, you use it often, and using it the way you do will be a huge help to deter an attacker.
Funny story. I attended my first concealed carry class at a local range. The instructor recommended carrying a flashlight. After the class, I was walking to the parking lot located behind the building in the dark. I was chatting with a couple other guys from the class. All of a sudden, I stepped into a giant pothole landing hard on my hands and knees. As I was dusting myself off, the guys all joked about the need to carry a flashlight. Lesson learned.
From that point on, a flashlight has been a permanent part of my EDC. I have found it to be extremely handy, second only to my pocket knife. I use to for all kinds of tasks, finding dropped screws, looking for items in the back of a dark closet or my car, retrieving a dropped cell phone from beneath the couch, you name it.
While I have been carrying concealed for over 25 years I really enjoyed your video. I appreciate how well thought out your path has been and it seems that you remember the most important thing which is situational awareness. Constant Vigilance and Eternal Suspicion!!!
Good luck to you!
New to gun ownership (still waiting for my LTC so I’m learning ahead of time)
This was very informative. I’m also a runner so this is helpful. Believe it or not, I’m smaller (.height-wise…4’11”) so even more insightful. So much to think about and learn. I’m excited to get going on this journey!! (I think I’ll start by always carrying a light…never thought of that)
A lady I know who runs uses a 38 Special in a pocket holster in a fanny pack, worn in front instead of on her fanny.
A belly band type holster with a micro compact 9mm or 380 like a Springfield 911 or Smith and Wesson Bodyguard are good options.
Recommend carrying a light and pocket knife. Pocket knife is a useful tool but can also work in a pinch. Get a gun that you can shoot comfortably, small guns are harder to shoot well. Holsters can be a pain, you'll likely find yourself buying several to try until you find one that works for your needs.
Thank you for a great video. There are a lot of videos highlighting product features but your thoughts and reasoning behind your decisions are even more valuable to me. You help us see beyond the glitter of the shiny new hyped-up products; and we can make better upfront decisions by avoiding potential mistakes as you have shared from your own personal experiences. Thanks again.
Getting a mod light asap, thanks for sharing.
As someone who is just starting out in CC this video was massively helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to make it and explain your reasoning and what you learned so clearly!
I’ve been carrying for decades having to work private armed security on nights and weekends working my way through college. So a long time attempting to find a useful method to carry. Most of these decades my CC method was uncomfortable or lacked accesibility. When you openly discussed your “bumpy road” of discovery it allowed me to confess to myself how poorly my methods work. So your vid’s on the Enigma caused a light to come on for me: I can carry a pistol that I can actually shoot my best with AND not display it unintentionally. Thats a first. I received my Enigma today and thanks to your vids was able to assemble it without swearing. You prepped me for “the evolution” of fit. And tomorrow, after 4 decades of carry; I’ll be able to carry my “real” gun without anyone knowing. The Hauptmann deserve praise, in creating the Enigma, and you deserve praise for introducing it to me (in the context of real life). THANK YOU.
That’s amazing! So glad you’ve been able to find something that is working so well for you! Glad I could help 😊
Lol
I'm going through that evolution myself since i got my first pistol i wanted to carry with (Canik MC9 which i just found too snappy tbh) about four months ago. Still figuring out other tools but i think I've squarely landed on the Shield Plus Carry Comp in an enigma express. It's insane how good the enigma is for concealment and it's also very comfortable, especially once i put a mastermind tactics pillow wedge on it.
Thanks for the insight and the helpful form. Looking forward to your interviews.
Congratulations on finding your happy carry rig. I just wanted to add that I use a sticky holster,actually more than one. I was just wanting to say the reason it works so well for me. Is using them in conjunction with the sticky belly band. Yes using the belly band from sticky changed the whole game for me, as I to wanted something that did not move around a lot. The sticky belly band together with there holsters allows me to carry anything from a 3 inch model 29 44. To a 2 inch model 60 357. And my 45 ACP, and many others. Please this is not meant in any way to demean your choice. Just wanted to say if you had the sticky belly band with your holster,it may have been a totally different experience. I believe the belly band is new. Wish I had this set up in the early 80s wile still being on the force. Congratulations on your happy find. Just wanted to through in a item they now have that makes a big difference. It has been mini golf and bowling tested with my grand children. LOL. Many thanks for you very informative video. Looking forward to more. Tom
Your videos are awesome and have been tremendously helpful.
My experience as still a relatively new carrier:
- I started off with an OWB holster when I just picked my gun up as it felt super dangerous not having a holster. OWB was all the shop had sadly. I felt like I was advertising to everyone that I was carrying a firearm, which felt almost as dangerous as walking around without a gun.
- I switched to a Cytac AIWB holster, which felt way more natural and was relatively comfy. Since I felt that a weaponlight was a must though, I started shopping around again.
- Eventually got a quality weaponlight at a reasonable price, but there were very few options available to me for my firearm and weaponlight combination, and the options that were out there were crazy expensive.
- After looking and looking, I finally decided to buy the materiel and just risk making my own holster. While it was a steeper learning curve than I thought, I not only now have a holster that suits me, but I managed to get 3 holsters made for less than what a single holster would've cost me. Wouldn't recommend going this route if someone isn't more than a beginner at DIY, but think it's worth considering.
I agree that the Sticky holsters are not optimum for the reasons you point out, but I think they have their place for some people. Reholstering is the least of my worries in the real world, but it is a consideration for some people.
Yes, they're great for carrying around the house or other chill, low activity scenarios and they aren't unsafe when used properly. Once it's placed where it's going to go on your waist, it will be just fine as long as one isn't finger fucking it like she did with jamming her finger into it to get to the trigger. And, yes, you're supposed to remove the holster to re-holster the pistol and Sticky even tells you that directly in the instructions. It also looked liked her Sticky holster for that G42 was undersized. It should have seated much deeper. None of my pistols stick up out of a Sticky holster like that and I have several of them.
Great video--thanks! As a new shooter, I am still thinking through concealed-carry options. I have a plan in mind, and I am working toward it, but so far my thinking has been to develop the best option for me at the beginning, and never change it. The idea of allowing for changes down the road had not occurred to me, and that seems to be worth considering.
Changes tend to happen very naturally as we grow and our knowledge increases! :) I've seen that ring true for a lot more people other than just myself. :)
While I rarely use my sticky holster now, I will say that I have never had a holster + gun draw with one, while I have had several with both single and double clip iwb holsters wearing anything other than a dedicated gun belt. Great channel, thank you for sharing your experience.
Everybody is unique, so what’s important is what suits you.
I prefer the half kydex holsters on a pad with 2 clips…. Thinner and more comfortable. I also like crossdraw IWB because I’m seated a lot.
I’m impressed with your thoughtfulness and willingness to experiment.
Good luck.
I’m glad you kept tinkering with your setup and your setup fits you and your environment/surroundings! Good on you!
Sharing your evolution and experience is a great service to those who aren't "professional", but have made the decision to be their own first line of defense. Keep up the good work.
As a woman and a Sticky Holster owner, I appreciated your explanations of your evolution. I am now looking for a holster for training that allows re-holstering so the Sticky was not an option. Thank you for a very informative video!
I’ve just recently gotten a gun and am going to get my LTC soon. This was such an informative video. I’m still trying to decide how I would like to carry. Your videos have been so helpful as I start my concealed carry journey. Thank you!
I’ve been hooked on my compacts & pocket carry lately. It’s been basic setup for the past 10 months or so. Glock 42/Canik Mete MC9/Ruger EC9s in a pocket holster and off I go. I’ll occasionally carry my Canik Rival w/an OWB holster. If the pants I wear print too much with the pocket holster.
For many years, while working nite shifts where firearms were verboten, I carried: a single AAA or AA Mini-Mag flashlight clipped into my left front pants pocket, a Victorinox 3 layer w/scissors 'Swiss Army Knife' (tucked vertically) alongside my wallet and a Boker/Kalashnikov 74 (all metal) 'auto-open' pocket knife clipped into the right front pocket.
So helpful! I’m in month 8 of my cc journey and can definitely relate to the need to change things up as your mindset changes and understanding deepens! Thankful I started following you early on bc you spared me from the sticky! Ha! Thank you for another great video!
Hey! found your channel and watched a few of your videos. I really like how honest and easy going you are. Yes, it feel like “coffee talk”. LOL. Great stuff on your channel! Keep it up, I get a lot from it. Thank you!
I think sticky holster with a tightened belt is forsure more secure that way. Also I use if I’m going to carry in a offbody bag or something to have that trigger protection. Definitely shouldn’t be a primary holster just something for backup or whatever
I love your honest videos! I think both my husband and myself are going with Enigma Ive been bouncing between the G43x and the G48 and believe the 48 is the better choice. THANK YOU
Oh and the g48. Great pic. It's easy one handed weilding is perfect for selfD. The aftermarket 15r mag seems to work great. I thought I noticed the mag release swap on her pistol. So I'm assuming she got 15 and 1 in the pipe. Outstanding kiddo.
Good choice on the Glock 48. Just got one myself. Shoots as good as my Glock 19. Love the thinner pistol grip. This is my new CCW.
Really well done - I’ve absolutely learned a few things. Thanks for letting me into your living room!
I like Sticky holsters and they're great for carrying around the house in light clothes/pajamas with a only drawstring. But, for outside/going about my day carry, it's always an "adult" setup with a kydex holster on a proper belt.
Thank you for your tale of transition from one style of carry to another. It is a process of lessons learned. I used a sticky holster for a time in right front pocket. Didn't care for it much as one shouldn't put anything in pocket with gun. And I got bigger box to dump all the holsters, belts, mag pouches etc that didn't work for carry method.
Thank you for sharing your experience, I am new to concealed carry.
It’s pretty overwhelming with all the holster options that there are.
God bless and take care.
I use that same light on duty as a Sheriff’s Deputy. Great tool. I love the Surefire EDC1LT with a Thyrm ring for off duty and a back up on duty. If you ever want to downsize the size of your light consider that one.
This is the first of your videos that I have seen; it won't be the last. Great job!
Great Video. My loaded mag has Hornaday Critical Defense, and my spare has Critical Duty +P. Too many drunk/druggies who takes more power. I also migrated from a Glock 19 to soley using HK P30SKS (short stints) & Sig P365 (all day carry due to weight). I also always at night carry a flashlight for hand. Had a situation where someone tried to get into my house. WIth family sleeping one cannot muzzle point their light towards sleeping family for a room window check, so I always use a hand flashlight. So much to learn and eval for situational awareness.
Try the neomag pocket mag holder for the extra mag, I'm sure you will like it. And if the if the flashlight ever gets too big try something like the olight baton 3 edc flashlight, it's a super compact flashlight with a 1200 lumens output.
Great for you for carrying!! 👍 Who cares if you don’t carry a spare mag. The fact of you carrying concealed and other things that are important. That’s what really matters. God bless you and stay safe. 🙏👍
I personally carry a Fenix UC35 in my left pocket. It's big, and takes up a chunk of space, but my pockets are deep and I use them thoroughly. I wish I had more pocket space, but it works. Before carrying a flashlight I used to keep my OC spray in that same spot, but now I've moved that to my back left pocket as close to the side as possible. My right pocket is taken up pretty much exclusively by my phone and knife.
I just found your site here and have watched two of your videos. I must say that I am very impressed by the information you provide and the in depth review and insight you provide. I have carried for six years now, ever since moving to Arizona and by watching your videos here I have learned a lot. I'm seventy six years young and that alone is proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks. Keep up the great work gal. It's making a difference!!!
I also started out with the Tier 1 Axis elite made for the Glock 19 without the light option to carry my Glock 26 which the extra length keeps the gun’s top from canting outward along with using a small wide wedge from Tier 1 and a small narrow wedge on the magazine side. Just like you I felt the extra width of a side car appendix holster didn’t move well with my body so I ended up ordering the Tier 1 Xiphos with a light option to attach an Olight PL mini 2 with the conceal concepts metal clips. I bought a mag carrier for a Glock 19x magazine with adjustable retention off Amazon but attached an Ulticlip so the carrier doesn’t slide side to side on my Kore essentials belt. The buckle is always on the left side of my waist to have the lowest profile slightly right of the center. Now that the gun holster and mag carrier is not attached to each other I feel the both move independently from each other which conforms to my body better and allows for more range if motion if that makes sense. For the colder seasons I edc the Glock 19 since I almost always wear a zip up hoodie or sometimes a t shirt and a Pendelton wool button up board shirt un buttoned.
Very well said! So important to examine our mindset. Carrying a gun doesn't mean your safe and doesn't mean you're ok to go places that you wouldn't go or do things that you wouldn't do if you weren't armed! Very important to practice with your unloaded gun and holster set up and to take self defense classes to become proficient with our self defense tool.
I always enjoy your videos. Your presentations are clear, well thought out and professional. I hadn't heard of the enigma prior to your videos and am in the process of purchasing. Thanks
A good solid self aware perspective of what works for "Armed and Styled". Which is exactly what you'll need to do for yourself. It's taken me almost 2 years to figure out what's out there and what works best for my clothing style, body type and preference. I carry a 6 shot j-frame revolver with a viridian laser in appendix and a small 8 shot .380 at 3:30 on my waist. The J-frame is in a Remora II and stays so well, that I forget it's there. I'm older and don't want to find my dexterity lacking in a reload situation. So I've found a way to carry a "New York" reload. Not for many I understand but is my preference. In my vehicle I carry a level II first aid kit with a tourniquet and chest seals. You'll need to evolve your set up as well.
But the falshlight preventitive at around 12:00 mins is just a great move. Excellent suggestion!
And I'd love to know how many people who carry concealed have Winchestered both mags so frequently that they hate the sound of someone not carrying a backup! Hahaha, like where do they live?
I feel like if that's a problem then maybe they should be carrying bigger weapons ...and maybe not so concealed lol!
AWSOME video! Keep it coming! Would really like to see a dedicated video on your enigma holster journey!
and damn good techniques with your flashlight too
Thank you for the insight! I'm glad I found your channel and IG. My wife is finally understanding the "lifestyle" of carrying. I hope that she can learn a few things with your insight and journey through the various carry set-up and gear changes you have made so far. Thank you for the very informative and calming video!
I finally learned how to carry appendix on my small frame with your help and much trial and error. I settled on a Vedder with a claw with my eye on trying a hitchhiker in the future. I actually got rid of my G48 and G43 because I simply stink with them accuracy wise 🤣, I can make it work but damn. My carry is a Shield 9 and sometime soon I’ll get the Shield 9 Plus for more rounds. I did try a side car appendix rig and while I’m not as small as you are, it took up far too much space and made carry on the job Difficult to say the least.
This was my first time watching you and it was very informative. I'm currently helping my wife choose a concealed carry style and this was very helpful.
Absolutely love this channel! I do feel like we’re are sitting down and just chatting. Very well done videos. Keep up the great work and stay safe!
Great insight. Thank you! I am glad I found your channel.
Good video. My carry has certainly changed over the years....not only weapon but holster, reload, pepper spray, etc. I've developed my own philosophy I adhere to daily.
My wife has your same body type/shape and your videos have been super useful for her CCW experience
Great presentation, and covers a lot of ground. Thanks for putting it all together.
You also might want to look into the Tenicor VELO4 AIWB holster or the CERTUM3 IWB/AIWB holster. Both are high quality holster made by an awesome company. I've been using the Velo4 for about a year now to carry my G19. Living in FL my cover garment is usually a t-shirt or a polo shirt, and I'm able to carry concealed with no problem. Remembering that darker color tops or t-shirt with graphics will also help in concealing your firearm. Good luck.
I had the same experience with the sticky holster.
In defense of the “Sticky” stuff. I completely agree that the way to go is kydex, and that the Sticky Holster is not ideal for EDC. I too started carrying with it and realized was not optimal. However, I am still a huge fan of the Sticky Holster for some applications: Dipper run/Grab and go situation? Micro gun? Yes, and yes. Definitely not for a long haul or anything with some substantial mass. But I am yet to find a better combo for a short quick run than a J frame with a Sticky Holster.
Keep the great videos coming!
There's another video on RUclips where a guy and his friend do all sorts of physical movements, jumping jacks, squat thrusts, etc and the Sticky Holster stayed in place each time, at least till they tried it with an all out sprint. I guess it works for some people and not others...
They don't stay put under pressure testing. They're ok as a pocket holster, but beyond that their retention isn't really sufficient for defensive use.
If you've got a dummy gun, try it out yourself with a friend whose not "letting you do the move".
If you're both trying to win, the shortcomings become readily apparent
Sticky holster works good in a homemade belly band when you walk your dog. Also for pocket carry of a Jframe or .380.
I got the sas 2ul comp..... with cam , light and laser on rails and got ultra custom holster which allows the cam and laser to get activated on draw
Great video. Love your honesty, it’s so important and appreciated
Thumb up for the slight tucking in of the shirt while carrying. Thanks for sharing.
Good overview of the carry setup. Phlster has some great products. The first carry setup always to not be the best one. I started using phlster almost 5 years ago and havent looked back.
Really liking my 48 mos ..be safe !
Ok many things to say for women who want to cc. Don't let your husband pressure you to carry or buy you a pink micro-compact. 380 or 9mm is a great choice, small guns are much harder to shoot as weight makes some difference, but the biggest helper for recoil control is being able to fit your entire hand onto the gun and having your support hand thumb not dangling off the front. A P365 in 380 is a good middle ground as if you attach a light then you can adequately use the thumb ledge. Adding a light can help you by adding weight and providing a thumb ledge. The holster is the very most important thing to conceal the firearm. As a man, I can carry full size guns appendix without printing using a good holster in appendix. So many women wearing jeans (not ultra tight) and a sweatshirt, flannel, or any shirt not clinging to your stomach excessively should be able to get away with a micro-compact at least. Get a kydex holster and appendix carrying is great especially if you have a safety if it makes you feel better. You will probably have to change your wardrobe to conceal better. Buy something you don't dread shooting so you will want to practice more. Please don't shy away from polymer handguns because your 80 year old NRA husband carries a 1911 and says any glock or sig is a tupperware gun and demands you carry a ultra compact metal frame in .40 S%W. CC is very hard for women because they don't want to dress like a man and want to wear leggings. This must be tough so a "meh" alternative is carrying in a purse but for the love of god do not store a million small items in the same compartment that could cause a negligent discharge. I would buy a 9mm or .380 Smith and Wesson EZ 2.0 with a big light like streamlight TLR1 HL or Surefire X300 for my girlfriend for home defense (she has trouble loading mags and likes the lighter slide cocking) and a sig p365 .380 with a Streamlight TLR 7A Flex or TLR7 Sub in an appendix rig. Both are available with safeties because it makes her more comfortable. Also, use hollow points but do not use +P or the highest grain like as that has more recoil. Federal HST 124gr (non +P) is good for 9mm, Not sure for .380.
I carry a G48. It feels really good in the hand
I can completely understand why you found faults with your sticky holster and the first kydex.
The sticky is designed for pocket carry where is material on both sides holding it in place during draw. Sticking into you waistband provide no support to hold it in place during carry or draw. You would've been better using a belly band for this type of carry.
The kydex also requires a belt to secure it in place.
Bellybands aren't really any better because they almost never provide adequate trigger protection (among other reasons). The sticky holster can totally be a viable option for pocket carry though! :)
The Sticky Holster, frankly was a terrible choice for IWB, but at the time, I didn't know better and I felt I had "tested" it appropriately. That was essentially the point of this video, to share the mistakes I made and share how those mistakes shaped my gear choices over time. Thanks for watching!
I agree with you dropping the extra magazine. VERY rarely in a self defense situation, do you ever see/hear about someone needing an extra magazine for more rounds. I know certain people will disagree with that, but the statistics speak for themselves, in my opinion. Great set up! Extremely important to carry the med kit.
Two problems with that.
One: statistics do speak for themselves, and show you will likely never need a firearm. Yet we carry one anyway. Why? In case we do need them. And there are PLENTY of cases where people needed much more than one magazine worth of ammunition.
Two: The most likely cause of malfunctions is the magazine. Maybe you only need two or three rounds to accomplish your task, but if your magazine goes bad, you may only have one.
Your channel is fantastic. Appreciate the careful thought to detail. You tie everything in so well. Thanks again. New Fan!
Thank you so much! Glad to have you here!
Fantastic! The enigma is truly an innovation in concealed carry. You're the best! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
This is one very analytical and expressive concealed carrier with great explanations about her gear choices. It would be nice to avoid the multiple holsters we all end up with, sitting in a drawer because they just didn't work for us.
Im with your thoughts on this; maybe because when I was originally originally on patrol; most of us carried 6 shot revolvers . I have never thought round count was that important ; and that the first shots on target fired in a gunfight usually decided how it would go. Now im dying to try your final carry choices, maybe an Inigma? Great video and food for thought
I actually love it when people ramble about their setup LOL Great video people alays make it too short!
I agree with your decision to carry less lethal. I think many people overlook that as an option in dealing with some of the situations we find ourselves in.
Excellent presentation , it was not hard to listen to and helped me a lot, have a blessed day
1 idea if you don't want to customize with changing out your rear sights you could sand them down and round it off to make it comfortable and not cost anything.
Love the seriousness in all your videos but I’ve gotta admit. The time lapse edit while you were doing the wall exercise caught me by surprise and made me laugh so much oh my god.
Always lots of good info. Never heard of Dark Star; I need to check them out. I wish I could get AIWB to work but alas, it just doesn’t. Keep up the great videos!
Great tips! Overall new things to think about beyond just my handgun. Thank you!
Great information. Thank you for sharing!
Great presentation!
Great Video and absolutely love the fact that you started carrying a chest seal. I don't think a lot of people realize that they have an improvised tourniquet in their belt and more than likely if they were going to have to save somebody's life the chest seal would be the thing that did it. As for Tier 1 concealed I use one of their holsters and it is a quality holster that I could recommend but in my experience Tier 1 concealed customer service is the worst of any company I have ever dealt with in the firearm industry. Maybe it was just my experience with a particular employee but it was just awful enough to ensure that I would not buy another holster from them.
I really like your channel. Your pleasant, very informative, and covering real world subject matter that I dont see others doing.
Thank you! Glad you're enjoying it thus far :)
Hello, im new to CC and I appreciate both genders perspectives. Just got a hellcat pro this month. So excited to practice before cc.
Sticky holster is a lot better with a good belt. I have one that works with my WML and it's OK. There are other ways to carry a spare mag besides a sidecar on your holster. And you need a small fixed blade knife on your weak hand side.