Concealed Carry Corner: Top Items Not To Buy For Concealed Carry

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we talked about the differences of carry guns between my father and me which shows several generational changes. This week, I wanted to look at some products that people will often pick up when trying to set up their concealed carry setup. Whether that’s training aids, gear, or add-ons at the gun store that simply aren’t necessary to be a better shooter. With some of these items, there are certainly people who benefit from using these products, but the vast majority of people use them briefly and end up putting these products on a shelf to be left forgotten about. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top items not to buy for concealed carry.

Laser Training Aids 

When looking at the big picture, laser training aids seem like a great idea. They allow you to practice your trigger pull, sight picture, and depending on the model, even reloads. These laser training aids will show you where you hit on the target along with your splits. Depending on the model and configuration, these can range in price from $60-400 with most being fairly expensive. While it is a useful tool if you consistently use it, the vast majority of people will purchase these training tools and use them for a couple weeks before putting them on the shelf to sit for the foreseeable future.

When it comes to dry firing, you can dry fire and practice everything with snap caps which also allows you to practice reloading and chambering. Snap caps are significantly cheaper than laser training devices but can still allow you to work on trigger manipulation, sight picture, draw stroke and target transitions. For most of us, we have to maintain a budget when it comes to shooting supplies and even though laser training devices allow shooters to practice at home, that money would purchase 1,000 rounds of ammunition which can help develop skills under live fire exercises rather than spending extra on a dry fire program that you can do with just your handgun at home without any additional tools.

Spare Magazine Holder

Another trap that many new concealed carriers fall into is purchasing matching holsters and spare magazine holders for their firearms. While a holster is an absolutely necessary tool to conceal a handgun, the spare magazine holder oftentimes throws the balance off when carrying a gun and can create hot spots on your waistline. I am all for having a spare magazine on your person when carrying a gun in public, but the belt-mounted magazine holders are some of the most uncomfortable options around.

There are certainly other options on the market like the NEOMag magazine holder which attaches with magnets and clips onto your pocket similar to a pocket knife. This style of magazine holder is much more comfortable to carry and with a bit of practice can be faster than a traditional belt-mounted magazine holder. Some people enjoy having a magazine holder on the outside of their waistband for range use and practicing magazine changes when shooting drills. These are really way more comfortable than inside the waistband magazine holders but the big downside to these is how tough they usually are to conceal. Having a sturdy holster that keeps your gun secure throughout the day should be a top priority. There are so many options for magazine holders, but for most people, simply carrying it in your pocket will be more than enough to carry comfortably every day.

Car-Based Holsters

When I first started carrying a concealed handgun, I thought the car-based holsters available on the market were the coolest option for me. The more I used them, the more I realized they are extra work and really aren't the best ideas for daily travel. I picked my car holster up at a local gun show and was incredibly excited to try it out. My car holster went under the steering wheel and was supposed to be easy to access in an emergency. The biggest problem with car-based holsters is the concept of taking it off your body every time you enter the vehicle and then handling the handgun again when you need to reholster the gun on your body before leaving your vehicle.

Although it may be more convenient to have the gun next to you handling the gun every time you enter and exit your vehicle is an unnecessary step that increases the chances of a negligent discharge. There shouldn't be a risk if you're handling it correctly but accidents happen and it's easier to just keep your handgun on your body and practice drawing from concealment while sitting down. It may seem like an easier option to keep your handgun next to you in a holster in the car but keeping it on your body is usually the safer option.

Overall Thoughts

There are so many options available on the market that can be supportive when it comes to carrying a concealed firearm. The most important aspect is to cover your basics first and then look at supportive items that will make your life easier. There's nothing wrong with using the items I talked about above, but they are certainly not necessary when it comes to carrying a concealed firearm. Let me know what you guys think down in the comments below. If you have a question 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.