Concealed Carry Basics: Your Complete Getting-Started Guide

You've got your concealed carry permit in hand, but standing in the gun store, you're hit with a wall of questions. Where do you carry? What holster? How do you even draw safely? Don't worry – every experienced carrier started exactly where you are now.

Think of concealed carry like learning to drive. You wouldn't hop in a car without understanding the basics of steering, braking, and traffic laws. Same principle applies here, except the stakes are higher and there's no AAA for holster malfunctions.

Choosing Your Carry Position

Why it matters: Your carry position determines everything from your clothing choices to how quickly you can access your firearm in an emergency.

Hip carry (3-5 o'clock position) is the most popular for good reason. It's comfortable, accessible, and works with most body types. Think of it as the automatic transmission of carry positions – reliable and easy to learn.
Appendix carry (1 o'clock position) offers the fastest draw and best concealment under loose shirts, but requires more training to do safely. Many new carriers worry about pointing a gun at their femoral artery – that's a valid concern that proper holster selection addresses.

Be smart: Don't commit to a position based on what looks cool in movies. Try different positions with an unloaded gun at home first.

Your daily routine matters more than tactical theories. If you spend eight hours at a desk, appendix might dig into your stomach. If you're constantly bending over, hip carry might print through your shirt.
Consider your dominant hand. Right-handed shooters typically carry at 3-4 o'clock, lefties at 8-9 o'clock.

Selecting Your First Holster

Reality check: A $20 nylon holster from the gun store counter will cause more problems than it solves. Quality holsters aren't expensive – they're investments in safety.

Look for holsters that completely cover the trigger guard. This isn't negotiable. Popular options include Kydex holsters from companies like Vedder, Crossbreed, or Alien Gear.
The holster should hold the gun securely but allow a smooth draw. You shouldn't be able to shake the gun loose, but you also shouldn't need a crowbar to get it out.

Zoom in: Retention is the holster's ability to keep your gun in place. Good retention means the gun stays put during normal movement but releases cleanly when you grip it properly and pull straight up.

Test retention by turning the holster upside down (with an unloaded gun). The gun should stay put.
Quality holsters have adjustable retention screws. Start tighter and loosen gradually as you build muscle memory.

Mastering the Draw Stroke

Between the lines: Hollywood draws look dramatic, but real defensive draws prioritize safety and consistency over speed. Speed comes naturally with practice – safety requires conscious attention every time.

The draw breaks down into four steps: clear your cover garment, establish grip, draw straight up until the muzzle clears the holster, then rotate toward target.
Practice with an unloaded gun at home. Do it slowly until the motion becomes automatic. Think of it like learning a golf swing – smooth repetition builds speed better than rushing.

What this means for you: Your first hundred draws should be painfully slow and deliberate. Focus on never touching the trigger until you're ready to shoot.

Keep your trigger finger straight and pressed against the frame during the draw. This isn't optional – it's the difference between a successful draw and shooting yourself in the leg.
Practice clearing your cover garment (shirt, jacket) as part of the draw. A perfect grip doesn't help if your shirt is caught on your gun.

Concealment Strategies

The big picture: Good concealment is about managing printing (the outline of your gun showing through clothing) and adjusting your wardrobe, not buying an enormous gun and hoping for the best.

Darker colors and patterns hide printing better than light, solid colors. A small gun printing under a white t-shirt is more obvious than a larger gun under a dark plaid shirt.
Your belt matters more than most people realize. A good gun belt distributes weight and prevents sagging that makes printing worse.

Zoom in: The "printing" problem varies by gun size, but technique matters more than equipment.

Adjust your pants size. Carrying a gun inside your waistband means you need pants about one size larger than normal.
Learn the "tactical tug" – casually adjusting your shirt throughout the day. Everyone adjusts their clothes; no one notices if you do it naturally.

Training and Practice

Why it matters: Carrying a gun you can't use effectively is like wearing a seatbelt that isn't buckled. It might make you feel safer, but it won't help when you need it.

Dry fire practice at home builds muscle memory for your draw stroke. Ten minutes a day beats one hour once a week.
Live fire training should include drawing from concealment, not just shooting from a ready position. Many ranges allow holster work during less busy times – just ask.

Reality check: You don't need to become John Wick, but you do need to be competent. That means hitting center mass at 7 yards consistently and drawing without fumbling.

Consider taking a basic concealed carry class even if your permit doesn't require it. Good instructors will catch bad habits before they become ingrained.
Practice scenarios beyond perfect range conditions. Can you draw while sitting in your car? What about with your winter coat on?

Legal Considerations

What this means for you: Carrying legally goes beyond just having a permit. You need to understand when you can and can't carry, and when you're legally justified to draw or use your firearm.

Know your state's reciprocity agreements if you travel. Your Idaho permit might not work in California, but it's good in most other states.
Understand the difference between brandishing and defensive display. Drawing your gun to end a threat is legal; drawing it to win an argument isn't.

Be smart: Familiarize yourself with local gun-free zones. Schools, federal buildings, and some private businesses prohibit carry even with a permit.

When in doubt, don't carry. It's better to leave your gun in the car than accidentally violate the law.
Consider carrying pepper spray as a less-lethal option. Most confrontations don't require deadly force, but they might require some kind of response.

Building Your Everyday Carry System

By the numbers: Most successful concealed carriers settle on a simple, consistent system: gun, holster, spare magazine, flashlight, and knife. Don't overcomplicate it.

Start with the basics and add items slowly. Carrying too much gear makes you look like you're smuggling bowling balls.
Your spare magazine should be in a proper magazine carrier, not loose in your pocket. Pocket lint and magazine springs don't mix well.

The bottom line: Concealed carry is a lifestyle choice that requires ongoing commitment to training, legal compliance, and personal responsibility. Start simple, practice regularly, and never stop learning. The goal isn't to become a tactical operator – it's to be a responsible armed citizen who can protect themselves and their family if the worst happens.

Go deeper:

Read the original article in The Handbook

Join the Discussion

What made you settle on your current carry position and holster setup, and would you do anything different if you were starting fresh?

Concealed Carry Basics: Your Complete Getting-Started Guide

Concealed Carry Basics: Your Complete Getting Started Guide

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