New to concealed carry? Know and decide which method is more suitable for you as a gun owner as you read on!
RELATED: Concealed Vs Open Carry: Pros And Cons
In this article:
Concealed Carry | What New Gun Owners Need to Know
Inside or Outside the Waistband
Congratulations. You've made the decision that carrying a concealed weapon is not only a good idea to protect you and your family, but anyone else who may need it.
Therefore, the question isn't: should I carry? We've already established that you're here reading this blog because you understand how important carrying a weapon is.
The more crucial question is: as a newbie, should I carry a gun inside or outside the waistband?
The answer depends heavily on a couple of different preferences. Namely, what you feel more comfortable with.
In all actuality, there are benefits to both types of concealed carry holsters. However, if you're new to the wonderful world of carrying a gun, I recommend that you learn how to carry a concealed weapon with an outside the waistband holster (or, OWB), for a few different reasons (make sure you're up to date on your local gun laws, first).
After you've carried this way for a while, and you've gained confidence in carrying a gun it's safe to move to IWB as long as you practice.
Advantages of OWB Carry
Even though it may be harder to conceal a weapon that sits outside your waistband, there are a few positives to this method of carrying that far outweigh its negative of lesser concealment.
For example, OWB is a very comfortable option for everyday use. If you're walking around town, you barely even notice that the weapon is there.
Perhaps more importantly, outside the waistband carry offers a much faster weapon draw than the other option does. This is mainly because the pistol grip sits off of your skin (as opposed to right up close to it) allowing for easy access.
Furthermore, as you reach for your pistol, you can actually have a more confident grip on it before you even pull it out of the holster. This, in turn, enables you to be more accurate because your hand is more likely to grip it where you're supposed to without having to re-position the weapon after it's out in the open.
You should never re-position because each second counts. (Keep in mind that people who carry IWB train more often to get a good shooting grip from the holster, so it is possible. It just takes longer to learn.)
In a life or death situation, every second counts.
Another plus to OWB is just how easy it is to re-holster your weapon after you're done with it. The last thing you need is an accidental discharge as you fight your adrenaline (and your holster) to get your gun back into its resting place.
RELATED: Concealed Carry Facts Every Gun Enthusiast Should Know
Switching to IWB
Obviously, it should go without saying that an OWB holster doesn't give as much concealment as an inside the waistband one does.
However, there are holsters on the market (like the ones from Alien Gear) made with a lower profile. Thus, giving it greater concealment.
Once you've become a more confident concealed gun carrier, feel free to begin practicing with an IWB holster.
Get a feel for where your hand is on the grip when you draw it out. And of course, you'll want to practice re-holstering it without shooting yourself.
Always practice with an unloaded gun, for a while first–until you get to a range that has a draw-and-fire lane on it (sometimes known as a pit).
When you're new to firearms, the best thing you could ever do is practice shooting, de-holstering and re-holstering your weapon. You must get proficient with all three of those.
The main point is you want to develop muscle memory so that when the time comes, your body can take over when your mind is a mess of adrenaline.
Check out this video by Alien Gear Holsters about OWB holster for concealed carry:
Although it's more difficult to conceal a gun carrying it outside-the-waistband, this method has its advantages. Allow yourself to be proficient with it before you transition to IWB.
Once you're confident with de-holstering and re-holstering using both methods, you're good to go!
Which of these two methods in carrying a gun do you prefer? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
UP NEXT:
- Women’s Self-Defense Options Outside Your Home: Evaluating Concealed Carry Firearms
- Guidelines For Concealed Carry Holster Selection
- Change Up Your Training Regimen To Improve Your Skill
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on September 22, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.