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I found this article online and thought it was excellent. Worth sharing here. Source: http://bfelabs.net/printing-doesnt-matter/ This really goes back to the fundamental reason that I have been so vocally supportive of concealed carry and against open carry. I believe that open carry has a very narrow lane within which it has practical purpose or benefit, whereas concealment has a much wider range of benefits. Realizing that this can become a somewhat religious debate, particularly with those people who advocate open carry as some sort of talisman that wards off evil doers or who use the visibility of their handgun as a sort of well-intentioned but misguided Pro-2A political statement, I would encourage you to read the article that I linked at the start of this post and then respond if you feel led to do so. As a note, I realize that some folks simply cannot conceal-carry for physical reasons. That's a different animal and is one of the few reasons why I am glad that Tennessee does not force concealment. I still hope that those people use some sort of garment or bag or other cover method to hide or obscure their firearm to maintain a tactical advantage. Anyway, have fun reading.

The longer I carry the more deeply I move into the “concealed means concealed” camp. It’s all about risk aversion for me.

I became a Police Officer in the city I was raised in. I thought I knew the city and the people in it; I was naive. One of the most surprising things I learned from being a Police Officer was just how mean some people can be, and that thugs (and drunks) don’t care about authority, guns, or jail. I have been attacked while in full uniform carrying a gun, mace, and baton; it didn’t matter to some people. We didn’t have a lot of gang bangers when I was a cop and they weren’t the ruthless thugs they are today. That is why I don’t open carry and try not to print. Another reason is that I don’t want to have to worry about interrogating the entrance of a building looking for signs. I also don’t want to be the guy walking into an armed robbery and identified as a threat. However, I think most people have made up their mind of the issue. Some of those new to carry are looking for advice though and it’s good to discuss this issue every once in awhile. Open carry or printing can be a bad tactical decision depending on where you are. Open carry for political reason is just well.... a political argument. BTW... when I was young with a big chest and a thin waistline concealing was very easy. I could conceal a 6” Revolver or a full size 1911 with ease. When you get older and the chest and waist start moving towards the same size; it gets much harder.

This being a gun site, albeit one flavored by different political views, I think Tony's views on guns is a great read about how despite his liberal leanings, he saw the decency in gun owners during his travels, and warned others to do the same for the sake of a long term conversation. http://anthonybourdain.tumblr.com/post/62424540749/guns-and-green-chile

I have a 19 cut to a 26; the longer slide / shorter grip increases the forces for muzzle flip. I agree a shorter grip height makes for better concealment, but a 19 isn't that much smaller than a 17.

Ok, I will get the dumb question out of the way..Why not just get a 19 either by trade or buying?

When I go out I am always carrying concealed and I do go out of my way to wear clothes that prevent printing. My son in law carries also comcealed but he is not as concerned about printing as I am. I was over at my daughters house one day and I got up out of a chair to go in the kitchen and he said "Gosh your not packing. I thought you never went out without one of your guns. I turned and raise my shirt and he said damn, I could not tell you had anything". Now he goes out of his way to make sure at every opportunity he can carry without printing. He bought a new holster like mine and bought some new clothing to help. I don't want anyone but me to know I am armed if at all possible............JMHO

Risk Aversion is a good way to describe it. For me, I will add that it also is aversion to having to talk about it with someone. As much as I enjoy chatting with you all about guns here, I have a general dislike for unwanted social interaction and absolutely don't want to have to discuss the presence of my firearm with some random individual at the local grocery. The older I get, the more I prefer my circle to consist of my immediate family, our dogs and maybe a few people who aren't related to me.

The dead give away for me are the guys dressed in various shades of tan and olive drab. Especially cargo pants/shorts, 5.11 shirt, and a fishing vest when it's a bajillion degrees outside. I just assume anyone dressed like John Goodman in The Big Lebowski is carrying.

As much as I like some Google products, I am going to have to start trying to eliminate them from my life. Thank God I already dislike their phone OS. One thing I won't have to fix.

Being overtly paranoid draws the attention of others. If carrying is a burden perhaps it's not for everyone.

If I was in WWII that would be me trying to figure out how to get all that stuff home.

That'll buff right out.

Here is the spectacular sheath made to go with this Bowie made by a fellow forum member 1911alltheway...

I actually see it as the opposite. China has the true vested interest in keeping the the Korean peninsula divided. They get a buffer state against a vibrant western economy from touching their borders, and a chance to watch us spend disproportional to the threat NK poses, all while they get to take notes on our tactics and capabilities. If it's a real possibility of détente, I can't see them liking it, but it may be the preferable option to a war that all but forces their involvement in open conflict against us before we've spent ourselves out of superpower status in a few decades.

Finally got her all put together and set up. Now to find somewhere on the road to see what she can do. Montana Rifle Company American Standard Rifle in .308 Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 Harris Bipod leather sling

His mom won't let him say Peter

I feel like I need to get a "Bill Paxton as Virgil Earp" avatar to participate on this thread. I'm squarely in the camp of keeping it hidden as best I can. I'm glad though that we don't have to in TN so it's not something I really worry about a whole lot. I found a rig that works for me and now I "set it and forget it". The key is finding the gun, holster, and belt that works best for you. I'm thin(ish) so I've given up on concealing a double-stack anything except in winter when I can wear a jacket. I've tried multiple holsters and belts and double-stacks just don't work for me because of their thickness and weight. My medical condition known as noassatall means heavier guns tend to pull on my pants, even with a good gun belt. A Kahr PM9 or M&P Shield in a thin holster works well for me, especially if I can set the depth real low. Currently I'm using Remora holsters. I can keep them riding real low and the clipless design makes it easy to take the gun off and on without unhosltering or fumbling with clips. I've tried Remora holsters with larger (ie. Glock G26) guns and they don't work as well for me. With my build, anything more than the light single-stacks means I need a gun belt and clip holster and even then it's iffy. With the single-stacks I can use pretty much any belt I want and don't have to use a gun belt to prevent a sagging waist band. The gun belts are fine most of the time, but sometimes they're just not the look I'm going for.

Meh. I still believe most people have no clue what's going on around them. I also don't believe in carrying the little single stacks or mouse guns everyone loves. I can carry my 19X inside the waistband appendix carry pretty well. I will say you can see the mag sticking out sometimes if I am wearing a tighter Polo but I usually dress to carry so that's not a problem to often.

Good luck with it.

These are headed out as gifts for a family get together. Tennessee Walnut handles, brass pins and lanyard tubes with 5/32" thick 1095 carbon steel.

It’s like a reflective belt for your rifle!

In this community, know that if you’re having these thoughts, there are people who will listen and sit with you in that dark place until we can find some light. You can PM me anytime and I’ll pick up the phone - or get in the truck and help you get some help. You’re not alone.

I just lost a long time friend to suicide. Would have never expected it. One of the happiest guys I knew. I reckon when it's time to go, it's time to go. I can certainly understand Robin Williams' motivation.

US military presence in SK has been a thorn in China's arse since the 50's. Liken it to Cuba.

I'm just guessing at Raoul's meaning, but the current situation provides a nice steady, albeit small in the big picture, flow of arms and materiel to the South in the forms of both direct US troops and selling them our stuff. That means money in the pockets of certain people who pay a sizeable chunk of it to political war chests. The current stalemate also gives us a pretty good excuse to keep troops deployed on China's doorstep. There's also the short-term pain of reunification. Germany felt it in the 90s when the west had to pay to bring the east forward almost a half-century in infrastructure and education. That hurt the German economy for several years. The south would have to do the same for the north and would feel that economic strain. We do a lot of trade with South Korea these days in technology and industrial products so it would hurt us a little too, but I'd expect that to be rather negligible given the size of our economy.

Come on Garufa, you use your pistol till you can get to your (pistol)/(rifle). http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/611/611112.jpg

To find lit cigarette butts on the ground, or trip wire. saying ouch at the wrong time can be lethal ya know! ( kidding)

It’s a Peterbilt.