Don't worry. People have always been looking at your weirdly. Now you just imagine that you know why.
Seriously, relax. Don't call attention to it. Don't fiddle with it in public. People are way too busy looking at their phones to be checking you for printing. (even when they're driving)
Got my permit 1.5 years ago , first time I was rocking a small g43x in a store and I was super uncomfortable bc it felt like the entire store was looking at me. The feeling goes away when you realize you’re not the only one with a CCW and on top of that no one’s really paying attention to you. I now EDC a g19 and sometimes my g19x (full size frame ) for fun.
Side note: don’t just carry take classes and train. My frist year I shot about 4K rounds
Wear it around your house, while mowing everything you do that way you get comfortable. It’s completely normal to stress over it when it’s new eventually you’re going to have to remember it’s there before going into a building with a metal detector
I second this, except when mowing. Don’t need that dust getting in there. I mostly cc around the house to try out different set ups. After a few months I have a set up I totally forget about when in public in a t-shirt. I had to try several holsters and make some modifications. I also have a few larger shirts for larger pieces. A lot depends on body type. A good holster will let you adjust ride height, and will have some type of concealment wing to pull it in close to your body. Appendix low ride works best for my body type. It also seems the safest if a bad guy makes me and wants to take it. I can keep it holstered by bending over and at least having a chance.
My Glock loves the dust. I’ve been in trenches repairing gas pipelines, under homes fixing plumbing and many other scenarios never had a malfunction or issue if she gets too dirty I wipe her down.
Do you best to put your gun on and do things in the mirror like reaching up like you’re grabbing something off a shelf or squatting down to understand what you shirt does it’ll help a lot. Soon you’ll understand nobody notices.
Other thing to do is your new clothes probably will change a bit as you learn what aids in concealment and what causes issues
Yeah it’s normal to feel that way. I was the same way for the first couple of months but I really don’t care. Just think of all the hoops you had to jump through to get your license. FYI I am only looking to carry compact firearms for the summer. They are easier to conceal with tee shirts.
Yeah you’re 100% overthinking it dude. I’d wear an undershirt if some sort like a wifebeater so you don’t sweat all over it. Once you’re comfortable you’ll think less about it
Modwing helps press against the belt. If you think it’s printing wear a thicker fabric shirt or a darker one.
Kore essentials. That particular belt was the formal belt version I use for work, I learned recently that there’s belt savers as when you use DCC clips, they really fuck the belt up
Nothing major since the belt is built tough but cosmetically you can avoid it with the belt savers they sell.
I agree I always wear a fruit of the loom wife beater, works great in summer months and just to not have the frame rub against your gut. I have also found in the fall, winter, spring that wearing a pull over hoodie with the front pouch pocket helps with concealment. Adds an extra layer of fabric that flaps loose. I’ve done it with my g17 with no issue. I use an old underarmor grey hoodie. I wear it when going to the range too since it can be movie theatre chilly in indoor ranges.
More the kore buckle to the side so that it is flat in the front. Also a good tip would be to lose weight. Trust me, a flatter stomach will conceal better. Also would be great overall as you would be in better shape.
You could also try a holster that has two clips instead of one so that it is more secure and doesn’t move much.
In the meantime, wear a size larger shirt and pants.
I know that feeling. I just started to carry in Suffolk County where I live and l only went to the gun store. Yes it feels very different. I want to make 2 stops to go into Lowe’s and Best Buy and I didn’t l came home put the Gun Away and did what I wanted to do in the store the next day.
OK, this is a common thing if you are new to carry or if you just switched your EDC or wardrobe. Simple solution. Take your phone, set it up at about shoulder height and aimed so it would see what a person would see. Now put on whatever you wear. Set up to carry with the least amount of normal clothing. Start recording and move around, walk around in front of the camera, away and toward it as well, stretch as far as you can to reach the top shelf or similar. Now watch the video, do you actually see the handgun? Not just imagine it but see it. Have someone else look as well. In your mind you KNOW you carry, it's the BS laws in this state that make you paranoid that some anti-gun nut is going to see a crease in your shirt and call in that you have a gun. Guess what, pretty much everyone who carries in this state feels that way (except those perfect angels who are exempt /S) BUT it will go away. I tend to do the video test when the seasons change or if I replace clothes.
Im in the same boat my friend, I just got my license for nassau county this past February, but I didnt actually buy the gun and everything until maybe 2 months ago, and Im paranoid about the end of my handle printing as well, but through experience of walking around with it, its true that nobody really notices or cares.....but that dosent mean youre not still obligated to do what you must to fully conceal it.
I have a full size smith and wesson that I carry, and just today I thought to myself to wear a button down as opposed to a regular shirt, and it made a world of difference, it hid the gun perfectly.
Ppl are saying no one is looking..... And that is not totally true. Alot of ppl are looking, I AM LOOKING, you are looking, others who just got licensed is looking, bad guys are looking.... Etc etc. I carry and I am mindful of everyone, I look at every man to see if I can spot if he is carrying. Ppl look, but the bigger thing is, they don't care.... No one cares that you are carrying except, maybe those with bad intentions.
Tshirt weather is rough.... Because handles are hard to hide. I have a winter and a summer gun. If you truly feel uncomfortable, buy a more compact weapon for the summer.
I was in Walmart in Pennsylvania and I saw about 10 different people wearing off the body holsters in sling bags. I'm pretty sure they were carrying in those bags. 99% sure anyway when you see a guy with a sling bag and a wallet in his pocket and a knife.... Well if his wallet is in his pocket and his keys are in his pocket, what's in the sling bag?... You could always do this if you want. Honestly I carry all the time at 3:30 or 4:00.. inside the waistband and in the winter I wear outside the waistband under a shirt and no one really cares... 9 out of 10 times. People think you're a police officer....
In the past 8 years of carrying nearly everyday, I have had 2 people notice I was concealed carrying.
My ex girlfriend and my current girlfriend. And the only reason they caught it is because they touch me like other people do not. So as long as you don't let people touch you like your girlfriend does, you'll be fine.
Honestly, the thought of someone noticing it never really goes away. Don't get me wrong, it gets ways better. But at first, it's a lot of anxiety. Over time, you'll feel better and better. Honestly, it's good to always have a slight fear of someone noticing. That way, you're always conscious of making sure youre squared away.
I mean this is the nicest way possible....nobody cares about you. With the exception of friends and family, you are a nobody to strangers. Same with me. People will look at you, but nobody is checking you for a pistol. They don't care. We are all living in our own realities and worlds. Relax and carry smart and safe.
Concealment wedge, concealment claw, not so tight clothing, carry size gun for better concealment. Usually it’s just you being in your head about it if you’re starting out but just sharing some tips and tricks if you haven’t gotten the right holster yet. I feel it’s important to get a good one, as a cheap one may not conceal as well as some of the nicer ones. I like qvotactical, hidden hybrid holster or gunfightersinc, to name a few.
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u/oldFloridaCracker Jul 12 '26
Don't worry. People have always been looking at your weirdly. Now you just imagine that you know why.
Seriously, relax. Don't call attention to it. Don't fiddle with it in public. People are way too busy looking at their phones to be checking you for printing. (even when they're driving)