One of the best things about being a gun guy and traveling is having the ability to meet great people and go on some fantastic range days. I’ve had a ton of fun meeting new shooters and having different perspectives at different range days. I’ve also had the opportunity to shoot a few amazing guns I would never be able to if I didn’t travel. It can be a peace of mind to travel with your concealed carry firearm. This is especially true when driving with family across the country. There are a few things to watch out for though when you’re traveling.

I’ve seen this debate online a few different times. People saying they either need little to no ammo or 17 back up magazines on their person at all times. Now I know everyone’s different and you may not agree with me one way or another. That’s okay though. We as a community can talk about things and give points of view based on experiences.

When someone walks into a gun shop looking at their first firearm for concealed carry, it can be intimidating. The firearms market is full of great carry options for people. Over time people usually find what works best for them. When I worked behind the gun counter trying to help people find a concealed carry gun they were happy with, I always broke it down into two categories.

The debate over off body carry has been one that has been going on for well over a decade now. It’s still just as strong today as it was when it started. There are Pros and Cons to off body carrying and no matter what, people will have different uses or criticisms for this type of carry. It’s totally normal to have an opinion on its merits, so feel free to discuss your take on it in the comments below. 

This physical reference also helps ensure you feel the retention position every draw stroke and do not have to change your draw stroke in the event you would need a retention position.

Many of us who carry a handgun routinely want to be healthy and stay fit, but what do you do with your handgun when you are in a gym or workout facility? This situation presents a lot of problems for the law-abiding concealed carrier who is trying to work out. You need to combat a lot of issues you might not otherwise experience going to, for example, a grocery store, gas station, or some other mundane errand in your day. In this week’s Concealed Carry Corner, we will take a look at the obstacles you need to overcome and what might work best for you.

Shoot houses and Close Quarter Battle (CQB) courses are often accompanied by misconceptions. People are confused with what the courses are about and who they are intended for. They assume the information will not apply to them if they are not law enforcement or military. Others see civilians that attend CQB courses as just wanting to attend a tactical band camp or be a Navy Seal for the weekend.

The Glock evokes a lot of emotion from the TFB community. It’s amusing. You have people who are Glock haters, many times because the Glock is the “Toyota Camry” of the gun industry: Reliable, prolific, “boring.” And then you have the tuners who will modify their stock Glock beyond recognition, and even go so far as to build a Glock from the ground up without even using a single Glock component (Polymer 80 frames, ZEV uppers, etc. etc.).

In this edition of Concealed Carry Corner, we’re discussing carrying on your person, while at home. Of all places that you should be able to feel comfortable, secure and safe, it may not actually be that safe after all.

The term “mindset”, when it comes to defensive situations, may be a bit cliche by now. The word draws images of a warrior in quiet contemplation, clicking carabiners while staring off into an infinite expanse. While that may be what I do every morning to prepare for that one defining, heroic moment that may never come (that’s a joke people), the ability to mentally prepare for a life or death situation is a skill that is infrequently practiced and rarely mastered. So let’s have a discussion about the CCW rules of engagement – a topic that will create more questions than we will find answers.

Good afternoon shooters and welcome back to TFB’s Concealed Carry Corner where we discuss anything and everything related to the topic of packing a firearm for personal protection. Today we are going to revisit a topic we touched on more than two years ago: a by the numbers look at two of the most popular ultra-compact pistols currently on the market. The GLOCK G43 vs G43X debate has been discussed numerous times since the “Silver Slide” debut of the G43X and the longer G48 about two months ago. But now that the feverish new-product rush is past, how is the latest release stacking up against the original 9mm GLOCK pocket pistol? Let’s take a mathematical look, shall we?

Today’s installment of TFB’s Concealed Carry Corner series is a historical one telling about one of the most interesting early attempts of adapting a full-size handgun for concealed carry use. Particularly, in this article, we’ll take a look at the history of modified Colt revolvers known as Fitz Special.

When it comes to concealed carry, just having a gun and successfully concealing it is only half of the equation. Another half are skills – situational awareness, legal knowledge and last but not least – marksmanship. In the previous article, I talked about the  “Triple Nickel”, one of the most challenging concealed carry drills ever invented. But not everyone has access to ranges where you can shoot multiple targets. So today, I will talk about the drill you can do at any range that allows you to draw from the holster – the FAST drill.

Much of the United States recently experienced some truly insufferable cold temperatures coupled with strong winds and snow. Only something this miserable could catch the coined phrase of polar vortex from our national weather reporters. If you are reading this, you are likely a hearty individual and survived the (insert cinematic music here: dun, Dun, DUN)… Polar Vortex! This raises an interesting situation though. When you are donning a parka reminiscent of the Michelin man and are buttoned up tighter than Fort Knox, how do you conceal carry? How do you draw? Do you just say, “Forget this, I am not leaving my house!” I was in the heart of the polar vortex in Minnesota and I absolutely changed how I carried. Here are my thoughts.

“Hand over your watch!” Why certainly, Mr. Burglar. That’s the headline for an article in Popular Science magazine from December 1917. It’s proofed that some things never change, even after 101 years. If you’re approached by a mugger and you’ve got a nice watch, he’s going to want it. Leonard Woods of St. Louis, MO, knew this, so he designed a pocket watch with some firepower inside of it.

A proper storage solution for a firearm in a vehicle can be as varied as the people who use them. However, many of us must go to gun free areas such as schools, post offices or government buildings which can require us to disarm before entering. Many simply stow their firearm in the glove box or console – the first place a thief will look – others exit the vehicle and place their firearm in their trunk, drawing attention. Instead, let’s look at some better solutions for vehicle storage.

Everyone knows the first rule of a gunfight – “bring a gun”. But just having a firearm is not enough to maximise you chances in case of a self-defence shooting. You would also benefit from proper gear and most importantly – solid gunhandling skills. There are many drills designed to test shooter’s proficiency, but in my opinion, one of the the most challenging and exciting ones is the “Triple Nickel” drill.

In this segment of Concealed Open Carry Corner, we are going to dive down the rabbit hole of open carry. Many states actually allow for the open carry of firearms in public, but very few individuals do it because of social stigmas. I, personally, have been carrying since I turned 21. Still being a young guy at the age of 31 now, for 10 years I have been a concealed carry advocate… until recently. I have not had any life-changing event happen to me (fortunately), but where I live and work I have felt a growing urge to open carry. I want to feel protected doing bank deposits for my day job, moving firearms for work (I manage my family’s gun shop), and just generally have my mind at ease when we all hear so much negativity on the news.

On this installment of Concealed Carry Corner, Carrying While Cycling, we’ll discuss the potential dangers to cyclists, which aren’t much different than my previous post of Concealed Carrying While Jogging. We’ll also discus the various ways to conceal your weapon while cycling, which will differ from the Jogging post to some degree. We’ll also touch on some mitigation techniques using the bicycle.

Welcome to another installment of Concealed Carry Corner. This week we’ll be discussing Trigger Guard Holsters and the variations within the concept as well as its strengths and limitations. Trigger guard holsters have also been called minimalist holsters because they use very little material and thus can offer a deeper level of concealment.

Welcome to another edition of TFB’s Concealed Carry Corner. This week we’ll be discussing Concealed Carry while jogging. Whether you currently run, or are thinking about starting to run or jog, it’s time to think about personal protection if you haven’t already. We’ll discuss the potential dangers to joggers and the various types of concealment options available to those that wish to exercise their rights while exercising their bodies.

If you really think about it, we probably live in a golden age of firearms training right now. If you’re a U.S. citizen, there are thousands of instructors, schools and courses available and a lot of good (and bad) information available online. Unfortunately, a lot of gun owners think that they don’t need all that “high-speed ninja training” under the premise that “I am not a Navy Seal, I will never have to use those skills!” or “Having a gun is enough!”. But there is one thing that everyone has to do all the time, even if he is not a ninja or Navy Seal and that is – concealed carry in a vehicle.

Carrying concealed is a responsibility one must be very comfortable with. While the legal ramifications of self defense are for a more lengthy article and discussion, one cannot avoid the importance of comfort when carrying concealed. Often there is a compromise regarding the weather, your body and the clothes you wear.

Many talk about concealed carry and assume it is all about getting a license. Some take it a step further and attempt to prevent printing, but there is far more to concealment than not printing. Some even attempt to achieve the “instafamous” sub-second draw. While a quick draw can be a useful skill, is it really the end goal? Concealment can also not be simply bought by selecting a good holster.

Spoiler alert, your greatest weapon is your brain.  A saying I find true is that not every problem has a gun solution.  In an effort to help you understand what I mean by this, allow me to walk you through a scenario.

When someone entertains the idea of carrying for the first time they will inevitably be inundated with one slapstick cliche after another. The main objective for any new concealed carry holder is to wade their way through these tongue and cheek comments to find the best pistol, holster and carrying situation for themselves. To not be bludgeoned with eye-rolling cliches is like trying to fall out of the top of a tree and not hit a branch on the way down… nearly impossible.

Frankly, I don’t know. It doesn’t even make sense, but I find myself carrying a 5-shot Ruger LCRx revolver more often than I thought I would (my review on the LCRx is below). The best part about it is that Ruger didn’t even send me this gun – I bought it from an online gun store after a few weekend Miller Lites inspired me to purchase a blowout-priced copper cylinder model for less than $300. The next thing I know, I get a text from my FFL letting me know my pimpgun had arrived.

Even though I started writing this column days ago, apparently Wednesday was National Situational Awareness Day.  So much for my digital self-awareness. But the timing couldn’t be better: The US Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) dropped a hypothetical restaurant layout on their Facebook page a few days ago, asking their readers to pick their preferred seat and why. The idea may be overly simplistic, but anything that helps people literally open their eyes is probably worthy of a discussion.

Good evening everyone and welcome back to TFB’s Concealed Carry Corner, where we discuss everything related to the CCW world. Like most topics in the Every Day Carry (EDC) world, today’s discussion will involve personal and mission-specific parameters. Specifically, should you carry a spare magazine? Now before you wheelgun lovers start throwing stones at my magazine-only references, hold tight; we’ve got a few CCC episodes queued up just for you.

Hello everyone and thanks for joining us for TFB’s Concealed Carry Corner where once a week we’ll meet up to discuss the guns, gear and techniques surrounding legally packing heat. Like most of you, I have a section of the closet filled with discarded holsters and magazine carriers from different periods of my CCW life. From a suede inside-the-waistband wheelgun holster to polymer drop leg rigs, you name it, I’ve bought it. We can discuss the different levels of holster retention devices in a future episode, but today let’s take a look at a topic geared towards new shooters and new permit holders: should you buy and use leather or Kydex style holsters?