Finally got my CHP; carrying in Charlottesville

[Alex]

Hey VGOF,

After much hassle, I finally obtained my CHP. (For the record, I used the online CHP class located on the left tab of this site)

Today I went to the shop, purchased a BlackHawk IWB leather holster for my Glock 27. I have been carrying all day, with little to no issues.
Things I've decided so far:
-It's strange to think that I have a gun no one knows about.
-While thinking about this, it makes me wonder who else around me might be carrying.
-I constantly felt like people were staring at me. (not as bad as when I OC'd but still) I'm told this feeling fades with time.

regardless, I'm VERY relieved that I no longer have to decided between my handgun and my raincoat.

Also a quick question to those who carry IWB: What position do you carry? I started off at 1 o'clock, but after I got out of the car I looked like a horse that had been spurred pretty hard. I'm now on 4-5 o'clock, and it feels much more confortable, but I don't know if it prints too bad. (can't see my own back. I've heard that 6 o'clock is awesome, but I feel that the reach is a bit much, and it could be a pain to drive with. (I know, comfortable VS comforting)

-Alex

[mk4]

i carry iwb in a milt sparks vmii at ~4 o'clock, strong side. i find that it pulls in close very well. it's easy to get a full combat grip and draws smooth as silk. no issues with clearing a tucked cover garment.

i have carried all day without discomfort... standing, walking, sitting, driving. also, make sure you've got a quality gun belt. there are really good makers out there. many models don't have the typical gun belt look. i'm using a minotaur kydex-insert reinforced belt. really solid and looks nice. holster and belt should be considered a paired system, imho.

re: 6 o'clock carry, besides being a long reach and the challenges of controlling muzzle sweep while drawing, another thing to consider is what if you were to be tackled to the ground onto your back, or slammed up against a wall? two things may be likely... one - back injury from the impact with your firearm between you and an immovable object, and two - inability to draw your firearm as it and possibly your draw hand/arm are pinned between your body and the immovable object. finally, clearing a tucked cover garment from that position seems like it'd be really awkward. make sense?

lemme know if you want to grab lunch sometime, to compare notes. i'm in the city all the time.
cheers!

[allingeneral]

Hi Alex. Congrats!

Just to clarify - the hassle wasn't the fact that you took the online course, was it?

[Alex]

Mk4: Thanks for the insight! Hadn't thought about the wall situation honestly, but that actually makes a lot of sense. After carrying this afternoon, I think I've pretty much settled on 4-5 o'clock as my favorite. I actually forgot I was carrying at lunch today, until I went to stand up. Getting together for lunch sometime would be awesome, as it seems we're pretty much the only gun owners in charlottesville.

Allied: Thanks for the congrats, and no, the issue wasn't with the class I took. I think it was more that the county despises having armed citizens.

[mk4]

Alex, do you like thai food?

[Alex]

Sorry for the late reply, busy day and all.

Actually never had Thai food, though I have a pretty weak stomach when it comes to foreign foods. Might have to look up a plan b.

[frankD]

Congrats. Don't pay attention to it, it's all in your head (they can't see it, remember?).

Thai food is the best!