Gear Check

I just watched a nutnfancy gear check video on Youtube and thought I'd do an edc gear check on myself.  Personally I think I would get an "A" from old Nutn.  This load out is what I carry pretty much every day (i.e. I did not set this up so I could make this post).  The only thing I am missing is my lip balm, which I let my daughter use the other day and did not get back.

Flashlight - This is by far my most used item.  I doubt a day goes by that I don't use a light (particularly this one) multiple times.  The one pictured is my current favorite.  It's the Olight S15R Baton.  I prefer lights that have batteries that are easily purchased and so shy away from CR123's and the like.  The battery has a great run time and is rechargeable, but can easily be replaced with a standard AA.  The things I dig on this light are it's pocket clip (which is very strong and can be clipped to a hat bill), it's modes (several options from 1/2 a lumen up to 280 lumens), it's size (small enough for daily comfort yet big enough to be useful), and that you can lock out the on/off button so it will not be accidentally switched on in my pocket.

I honestly don't understand why anyone would not carry a flashlight when they are so light and useful.

Knife - The two things I have with me all day, every day, even when I'm sleeping, are my flashlight and knife.  The Spyderco Delica 4 is one of my favorites.  It weighs next to nothing and has an incredibly useful blade shape and size.  This gets used for everything from cutting strings off my clothing to cutting up cheese for my salad.

Multi-tool - For it's size, weight, and capabilities the Leatherman Squirt PS4 cannot be beat.  I've tried carrying bigger, more capable multi-tools but find I get tired of them weighing down my pants.  This little tool has pliers, a knife blade, scissors, screw drivers, and a file.  I mainly use it for the pliers and scissors.

Watch - I have worn a watch daily for probably thirty plus years.  I've tried other options but keep coming back to the Timex Ironman series.  Many folks use their phones to keep time but I find the simplicity of looking at my wrist easier.  I mainly use it to tell time, especially the indiglo feature at night.  I am very near sighted and this watch is what allows me to know what time it is in the middle of the night.

Handkerchief - There are two main reasons I carry a hanky daily.  One is because I have allergies and if no kleenex is available then my hanky is right there.  The other is for the possibility of wound care.  I have used my handkerchief (clean one) to help myself and others when there is blood flowing.  This is extremely helpful.

Firearm - I don't always carry a second magazine (although I should) but happened to have one today.  The gun pictured is my Glock 42 with a Crimson Trace laser, and a Pearce +1 grip extension.  This is Glock's .380 ACP.  I generally either have this or my 43 (Glock's single stack 9mm).  Many will scoff at the small firearms for their lower capacity of ammunition (6 plus one standard) but I honestly can't bring myself to carry one of my larger guns.  It is very hard to beat the 42 and 43 for concealability and comfort.  Since picking up these firearms, I went from carrying 25-50% of the time to virtually never not carrying.  I hope that I will never have to use a firearm to defend myself or anyone else.

Phone - Although not pictured (but taking the picture), I also almost always have my iPhone.  This is another important daily safety item.

There you have it.  What do you carry every day?  Are you prepared for the things that will or may happen?

~Rhyno

What To Look For In A Quality Holster

So, you want/need a new holster - in particular a concealed carry holster.  Maybe you are new to firearms or to CCW (concealed carry weapon) and need something in which to carry your gun.  Or maybe you are like me and you have a drawer/bag full of holsters and are always on the lookout for new/better/more comfy option.  Hopefully this blogpost can help you narrow down your options.

I will not here be advocating, necessarily, for any specific manufacturer or even type of concealed carry holster but rather give you some information so that you can know what to look for in a quality holster.  What works for me and my body type and lifestyle, may not work for you.  But these principles can help you make an informed decision when you purchase your equipment.

I gleaned this information from Paul Carlson at Safety Solutions Academy on the Gun Nation Podcast.  Paul is a competent firearms instructor and has come up with the acronym RAGTOP to help shooters wade through the holster market.

RAGTOP – finding a holster that can safely, comfortably, and securely carry your firearm on a daily basis...

R – Retention – the holster need to retain the gun, until you want/need to draw the firearm, and then it should come out relatively easily.  It needs to be retained while twisting, crawling, cartwheeling, wrestling, etc…

Retention is generally achieved through friction – rather than a mechanical device.  Mechanical retention should be reserved for duty/open carry holsters.

A – Application – What is the application?  (concealed carry, open carry, competition, duty, range, etc.) 

G – Gun Fit – What gun is the holster designed for?  A “one-sized-fits-many” holster will not fit/hold ANY gun very well.  Get a holster that is designed for your specific make and model of firearm.

T – Trigger Guard Cover – the trigger guard needs to be covered front to back, top to bottom, side to side.  This mean the trigger cannot be accessed while the gun is in the holster.

O – Open Top – a holster mouth that stays open when the gun is drawn.  This allows for one-handed re-holstering, and allows the firearm to be easily holstered without having to angle the gun toward or away from your body in order to get into the mouth of the holster.

P – Position – a holster that is designed to be carried in the position that you intend to carry it.  Examples: inside the waistband (iwb); outside the waistband (owb); ankle carry; shoulder; appendix iwb; 3/4/5/6 o’clock iwb; bra; pocket; etc.

Also when it comes to position, the holster and gun should stay in position.  Belt-loops/clips should match your belt size.  Some iwb holsters use friction to keep the system between pants waist and your body.  These types are notorious for moving position and/or falling out of the pants completely.


One more thing to note also, when you make the decision on a holster, I would encourage you to truly give carrying it a solid try.  I've heard it said that carrying a gun is not comfortable but rather comforting.  There is some truth to that but I have also found that it can take some time to get used to most any holster.  Give it a week or two of carrying your gun for at least eight hours a day before you decide to give up on the holster and look for another option.  You may find that you begin to get comfortable with the set up you have.