It’s crazy to me how often I get asked if there are any tips that can make carrying a concealed handgun easier. I’m probably asked this three or four times weekly from new concealed carriers. With Covid and everything else going on in the world, there are even more new individuals to the concealed carry market so naturally people are asking for tips to become more comfortable. There are a few tips I’ve found to be extremely helpful to keep in mind when carrying a concealed firearm. Let’s take a look at a couple of things that are easy tips to make carrying concealed easier.

Highly Adjustable Belt

One of the easiest ways to become more comfortable with carrying a concealed handgun is having a solid belt. Having a sturdy belt you can secure well is a huge plus. One thing I have learned is that fine adjustments in a carry belt really separates a good carry belt from a phenomenal carry belt. Whether you like it or not, your body changes slightly from day to day. We’ve all been there, whether it’s a family dinner or a big outing with friends at a restaurant. When you either eat too much of you’re a bit bloated, having the ability to make small changes without significantly moving your belt can be a huge advantage to being comfortable over time. The problem with traditional belts is the fact you typically have to move down a notch to feel any real comfort.

Problem with Traditional Belts

As soon as you move down a notch though, your carry gun will often time shift positions or won’t be as secure against your body. This slight movement creates issues with keeping the gun secure as well as having your pants fitting correctly. Personally, I chose to go with the Blue Alpha Hybrid EDC belt. This belt has a small cobra buckle with fine adjustment that’s secured by Velcro.

It’s an affordable and secure option that allows you to make fine adjustments based on the situation. Whether it’s a long road trip or a night out after a big meal, having the ability to loosen the belt slightly without losing your support for the handgun is a huge plus. Typically Blue Alpha Belts are an affordable option so it won’t break the bank either. There are other options on the market which do the same thing but the Blue Alpha Belts are my personal favorite.

Less is More

Oftentimes, new people carrying concealed want to carry everything under the sun. I’ve seen it countless times where people pack everything from multiple spare magazines, knives and back up flashlights. There was even a time in my past where my pockets would make noise every time I took a step. You start to convince yourself that everything is a necessity when that simply isn’t the case. There are people in the shooting community who will carry a fully tricked out Glock 17 with an optic, weapon light and magazine extension on a daily basis. It’s most certainly possible but eventually, it does start to take its toll.

Having that much gear on you every single day does begin to fatigue you for awhile. It’s usually at this point people start to understand less really is more. The one thing you don’t want is to just leave your gun at home because it’s uncomfortable or just a hassle. If you’re starting to get fatigued or just bogged down with carrying a firearm every day, it’s probably time to start looking at your gear and trying to cut down only for the essentials. Lately, I have been finding myself carrying a stock Glock 19 or SIG X-Compact with no accessories, a knife, and a pocket flashlight.

Stop Overthinking Your Carry Set Up

Coming to the realization that less is more when you’re carrying a concealed firearm, so many people want to have everything on their body to be as prepared as they can be. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with that, but for the vast majority of people, it isn’t sustainable. I cant tell you how many people I’ve met wanting to carry an ungodly amount of gear and my biggest question is why?

You carry a firearm and with proper training as well as situational awareness, you should be able to avoid any situation rather than getting into a multiple mag change gunfight. If you’re wanting to carry medical or more gear, it’s never a bad idea to have a separate dedicated bag for everything that in case of an emergency you can just grab it and go. Not only will it make your life simpler but will also allow you to be prepared without fatiguing you or drastically changing your life.

Overall Thoughts

Carrying a concealed firearm can be tricky to fully understand and become comfortable with. Certain aspects take time to understand and most times it takes a decent amount of trial and error before fully understanding what works for you. Little tricks like having a belt with fine adjustments may be something that simplifies your life while making carrying easier to do in daily life. Having the right amount of gear is really key so you don’t fatigue yourself over time.

Let me know what you guys do to make carrying as comfortable as possible. Is there anything you learned over the years that helped make your life easier when carrying a concealed gun? Let us know in the comments down below. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to shoot me a message on instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there.

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