Concealed Carry Corner: Carrying In A System

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we discussed the importance of finding a balance between speed and accuracy. If you missed that article last week, please click the link here to check it out. This week, I wanted to look at a few items that make a big difference but don't always get the attention they deserve. Over the years, I have certainly changed what I carry on a daily basis from when I started 15 years ago. Setting yourself up to be more prepared across the board will allow you to be more flexible which makes carrying every day much easier. Let's take a look at what it's like carrying in a system.

Building a Tiered System 

Being able to break down items into three different categories and building out a tier system off that list will allow you to only have items you absolutely need on your body with a wishlist of other items and working those into a bigger system. The first level of this tier system is what can go on your body without the use of a backpack or anything else. Having a holstered pistol in your waistband, a pocket knife and a small flashlight can all be things that go on your personal space where they can be easily concealed with minimal effort. If it won't be used daily or absolutely needed in an emergency, it doesn't have to be on your body. So many people end up overcomplicating what they carry because they want to put as much as humanly possible on their bodies rather than only having the absolute necessities.

Some people want to carry extra magazines, medical supplies and other extra items on their body whether it's an ankle medical kit or stuffing their pockets with items. The more you over-encumber yourself with unnecessary items, the more likely you'll end up leaving things you absolutely need at home because you burn yourself out. It's never a bad idea to have items that you may or may not need, but that don't go into your immediate personal space. This concept is more directed at people who are newer to carrying concealed. Some of the more experienced people reading this are shaking their heads because they too understand that less really is more sometimes. What if you want to carry things you may not necessarily need but want to carry? That's where the tiered system really starts to shine.

Having a Bag with Extra Items 

When it comes to carrying concealed, there are certain situations where a bag isn't possible at all, which is when you have to really look at what you have space for to carry. If we are talking about daily situations where you are leaving the house to go out in public all day, it's not unreasonable to have a small backpack or satchel bag with a couple of items that are on your wishlist but aren't inconvenient to have in a small bag. Items like extra magazines, a small medical kit or a tourniquet are all fantastic choices. These are small enough to fit into a pocket of a bag without adding a significant amount of weight or bulk to your bag. Obviously, there are limitations to what you can fit into your bag while having it be comfortable to carry on a daily basis.

Even items like soft armor inserts offer extra support while keeping the weight down. Most soft armor inserts weigh less than a pound but offer ballistic protection that can stop rounds up to 44 Magnum in most cases. It's always important to check your ballistic protection on the soft armor to know exactly what protection you have. There are hard plates offered by certain armor companies but when it comes to weight, soft armor is drastically less weight than harder ceramic or steel plates. Typically in the past, I would put extra magazines in my pockets when I wanted to carry any extra ammo. Over time, it just becomes cumbersome and heavy which eventually leads to you not wanting to carry anything extra in an effort to reduce weight. Having an everyday bag allows you to carry extra items that may otherwise be tough to carry on your body.

Vehicle-Based Items

The third tier is the tier for items that are too big or bulky to have on your person. Things like medical bags, larger firearms, gun belts or a plate carrier. Some people like to carry rifles or larger firearms as defense but it can be a double-edged sword if your vehicle ever gets stolen. I advise against larger rifles or firearms that are left unattended for a long period of time. It's an easy way to lose firearms and the risks far outweigh the reward.

Overall Thoughts

Trying to figure out what exactly to carry on your person every day can be challenging, to say the least. If you carry too much it can start to cause fatigue over time where too little can make you feel like you're not prepared enough. It's a good idea to develop a tiered system instead of trying to shove everything into your pockets. Have a system where the absolute essentials are on your body where extra items can be thrown into a bag and even bigger items left staged in your vehicle.

Do you guys have a tiered system or do you try to carry as much as possible without carrying a bag or anything else? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If you have questions about carrying concealed or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you next week for another edition of Concealed Carry Corner.