Throughout my time at TFB, I cannot tell you how many times people have asked what guns I carry most and what I personally like to carry. I usually will give them a short answer talking about how my carry choices depend on the time of year and where I’m going. After being asked repeatedly about my personal carry choices, I figured it would just be easier to write up my choices and explain why I carry the items I do every day. Let’s take a closer look at my personal winter carry choices and gear I use daily.

SIG has been progressing and adapting the P365 series since it debuted back in 2018 with the original model. In past articles, I have taken a look at the various evolutions of the line from the XL variants to the new X line that’s a mash-up of the two models. Their newest offering is from the Spectre line which is the highest variant that SIG offers. Created out of the Custom Shop at SIG Sauer, the brand new P365 Spectre Comp is a new twist and the next evolution to the existing P365 lineup. Let’s take a deeper look at the SIG Sauer P365 Spectre Comp variant.

Zeta6 manufactures and sells an innovative line of speed strips and speed loaders for 5- and 6-shot revolvers. Speed strips have been sold for many years by various companies, but Zeta6 is a relative newcomer to the market. The Zeta6 lineup breaks down into three main product types: strips, clips, and paks.

SCCY showed off a few new and updated models of their concealed carry pistols at SHOT Show 2022.

Being in the firearms world, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest and greatest when it comes to firearms and gear. It’s my job to get caught up in what new firearm or piece of gear can make life easier to carry a concealed firearm. I can’t tell you how many articles I have written about various new guns and gear but we don’t focus on a ton about the mindset of carrying a concealed firearm. There’s a number of things that should go through an individual’s head before even considering pulling their firearm. Let’s dive into the basics of how to survive an attack.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about carrying in winter and some things you need to consider when it comes to holsters and accessories. A few of you beat me to some of the tougher parts of shooting in winter time when it comes to training and drawing with gloves on. There’s a number of things about winter that seem simple, but can be rather tricky when taking a deeper dive into the subject. Let’s take a closer look at some helpful training tips for winter carry.

I was sure that I was going to hate this pistol. Single action, a manual safety, an aluminum frame, and of course hammer-fired, all mean that I was solidly out of my comfort zone with Smith & Wesson’s new CSX 9mm carry pistol. What boomer asked for this nonsense? If you were to put an M&P Shield and a Colt Officer’s model in a hotel room, threw in a bottle of schnapps and walked away, this gun would probably be the end result. But despite my love of polymer, striker-fired, utilitarian pistols, it is very easy to love the CSX – it definitely is not my style, but it is sexy, fun, and capable. If you are a 1911 fan who has been looking for a pocket-sized carry pistol, welcome home. This is your gun.

When it comes to inside the waistband holsters, there are countless options on the market today. Whether it’s the latest minimalist holster made from the footsteps of the latest tier one operator or a quality holster it can be hard to pick the right holster for you. There are a number of different holsters on the market today with variations between all of them. For new shooters, it can be rather challenging to understand the various types so let’s dive into a few of the most popular IWB holsters on the market today.

During every gun rush, it always goes through my head the amount of things I should have bought while I could have gotten them. There’s a number of things that are trickling back into stock so it’s never a bad idea to stock up on things you need before products either become tough to find or elevated in price. Let’s take a look at a few guns and gear to buy now rather than later since they are getting back into stock.

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.

Over the last few years, there have been a number of legendary models from gun companies being brought into the modern times with the inclusion of optic cuts and upgraded sights as well as tuning specific parts of a firearm. This is exactly the case with the new SIG Sauer P226 Legion RXP variant.

Micro-compact carry pistols have become probably one of the most oversaturated parts of the firearms market right next to AR-15’s. While I used the term oversaturated, I don’t necessarily think that is such a bad thing, it just means we have lots of options and almost everyone (almost) can be satisfied with at least one of the options that are out there. No longer are sub-compact or micro-compact 9mm carry pistols relegated to being low-capacity pieces with triggers that require a dedicated personal trainer for your trigger finger. Most modern micro-compact carry pistols can be had with lots of great extra features, simple and pleasant ergonomics, and rivaling capacities only found in full-sized handguns. Today as part of TFB’s 12 Days of Christmas, we’ll take a look at some of the current lineup of micro-compact carry pistols available to you if you’re looking to pick up a new carry piece.

With Christmas right around the corner, it means wintertime for half the country is upon us. Being from Michigan, I understand the difference in clothing and what it means to switch over to a wintertime carry mindset. Having extra layers on your body definitely presents some challenges when carrying a concealed firearm on a daily basis. There are a few options people prefer in the winter months. Whether it’s changing your carry style or even changing your concealed firearm, there’s a number of things that people do during the winter months. Let’s take a closer look at what options you have when carrying in the winter months.

Holsters are somewhat of a confusing topic for me. Not because I don’t know what I like or what to buy but because it seems like holsters tend not to follow the same rigid rules of quality and function that other guns and gear do in the firearms industry. I find that holsters are often popular with certain people mostly for personal preference rather than pure form or function. Of course, you have some holsters that are almost universally vilified for one or two silly reasons and then there are those that many will almost universally praise but a large majority of holsters out there are either favored or forgotten based on a weird combination of personal preference combined with largely the same features. I say all of this because today we’ll be featuring some of my personal favorite holsters. So let’s get jolly and look at some ho ho holsters!

In last week’s article, I talked about a number of accessories for carrying a concealed firearm – aftermarket sights, slide cuts and adding red dots to your handgun. If you haven’t checked out the first part of this guide, feel free to check it out by clicking here. There’s a number of both good and bad upgrades you can do so let’s keep this train rolling with a few more accessories you should either consider or steer clear from. Let’s dive into part 2 of the carry gun accessories guide.

Navigating the world of aftermarket parts, you can find just about anything for a carry pistol. Whether it’s new sights or a mini knife bayonet, the internet has you covered. Obviously, we all know having a mini bayonet on your handgun is a complete waste of time and if you think it’s a good idea, this article is not for you. Over the last 3-4 years there have been trends where people continue to add onto their guns to the point where it’s nearly double the weight. There are a number of great upgrades to make, but there are also a few to avoid. Let’s dive into the first part of our carry gun accessory guide.

Crossbreed Holsters is known among concealed carry advocates for their SuperTuck which has become a staple, popular holster because of its hybrid nature. Long gone are the days where firearm owners look for holsters that are “fixed” in nature – they can only be carried one way and nothing more. Understanding this, Crossbreed holsters has come out with yet another hybrid-style holster to wear many hats in the Crossbreed Rogue.

With Black Friday right around the corner and Christmas not far behind that, it’s important to start looking at gift ideas for that shooter in your life. There are some great Black Friday deals out there with various companies planning on discounting products that otherwise may not get a discount throughout the year. Even if you’re just picking up some new gear for yourself, purchasing on Black Friday can save you some serious cash. Let’s look at some gift ideas for the concealed carrier.

Bianchi has recently  launched their new website and logo, and we’ve done a short series of reviews of some of their holsters. In this third and final review of that series, we’ll take a look at the Bianchi Agent Leather Shoulder Holster. Shoulder holsters aren’t seen that often in recent memory, with the exception of television and in movies, but I still read of accounts of people concealed carrying with one on occasion. Are shoulder holsters still viable? Let’s find out.

A couple of months back I was invited out to an event hosted by AMERIGLO in which they revealed the company’s first-ever red dot sight. The AMERIGLO Haven is the first pistol-mounted red dot to be offered by the company as they move towards specializing in concealed carry and self-defense-oriented products. AMERIGLO has said that their number one priority with the Haven is to provide the end-user with a concealable or everyday carry capable red dot sight that can be used to defend oneself and comes with a number of features and options that make it a turn-key solution for those who are looking to make the switch from iron sights to a red dot sight.

During the winter months or for those who like to open carry on a regular basis, retention becomes much more important. Comp-Tac has just released their new CT3 Level III outside the waistband holster. This new addition to the Comp-Tac lineup features three levels of retention, a belt-mounted design, and allows a full grip on your handgun before fully withdrawing the firearm to present it. Comp-Tac also claims that the new CT3 features one of the fastest draws in the Level III holster market.

An extremely common question I get when looking at the world of carrying concealed is when to upgrade your carry gun. The firearms industry does a fantastic job throwing new models that up capacity and features on our handguns making it extremely tempting to upgrade every 1-2 years. There are a number of pros and cons when looking at changing your carry gun for a newer model. Let’s take a closer look at some considerations you should have when thinking about whether or not you should upgrade your carry gun.

Contrary to what you might read on Instagram, there are still a lot of people who prefer leather holsters. They provide added comfort when worn in a concealed fashion, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere. Bianchi Leather has decided to add a little more style to their holsters. They have added a new weathered finish as an option for two of their holsters: the Remedy and the Professional. Soon, more holsters will offer this new finish.

Blackhawk has added more than its fair share of products to the market. Everything from backpacks to holsters. Continuing the trend in late 2021, Blackhawk expands two of its popular holster lineups. These are new fits for the Stache and T-Series L2C holsters.

Buying several holsters for the same gun, multiplied by multiple firearms, means a lot of dough spent. While there’s no such thing as one holster to fit every need, Bianchi Leather has just released a new holster aimed at cutting down wasted money and space in the holster drawer. Convertible from inside-the-waistband to outside-the-waistband, this is the new Shenandoah OWB/IWB Holster from Bianchi Leather.

One of the more common questions I get when it comes to concealed carry is how to focus on training for carrying concealed. There are a number of new gun owners who don’t have the knowledge or just experienced shooters who want to focus on drawing from concealment. In past articles, I have written about various drills and targets you can use but there are also tips, in general, to help you guys out when it comes to carrying concealed. If you don’t necessarily enjoy printing off specific targets, there are still plenty of things you can do to improve your skills at the range with minimal effort. Let’s dive into some easy range tips to help with concealed carry.

Bianchi has been in the holster making business since the 1970s, and they’re known for their quality leather and nylon holsters. Bianchi just changed their logo and launched a new website, and to highlight that fact, they offered us a chance to test out a few different models, of which I chose the Bianchi P.I. holster for my Smith & Wesson Model 36 J-Frame in .38 Special. Even though this review will feature the holster made for a J-Frame revolver, the readership will be glad to know that the Bianchi P.I. holster can be made for 112 different handguns, including semi-autos, between 11 popular firearms manufacturers.

Safariland is known for making rugged, quality holsters. Their holsters are used by police and military around the globe. Now, their 575 GLS Pro-Fit concealment holster has been officially recognized. Guns & Ammo magazine has just named the inside-the-waistband holster the 2021 Holster of the Year.

Navigating the world of carrying a concealed handgun can be tricky, to say the least. Whether it’s finding the right handgun, holster or other gear, it can be a process that takes time and experience to truly understand what works best for you. Most of my articles about carrying concealed consist of talking about reliable gear while having an adequate understanding of fundamentals. Throughout my journey in the concealed carry world, I have seen my fair share of awesome products along with a number of not-so-great products. There are a few different products that do more harm than good in the long run. Let’s take a look at the carry items to quit using when you conceal carry.

In the past, there’s been a fair bit of debate whenever I started talking about PDW-style firearms. While I have carried a PDW-style firearm in the past and they are one of my favorite weapon types to shoot, I don’t typically carry them daily. Over the last month, however, I have gotten a number of questions about how to carry PDW-style weapons and if there’s anything that can make it easier. At the end of the day, they are usually fairly large and require a plan once you decide to carry them. Let’s take a closer look at some tips for PDW carry that will make your life easier.