I thought it would be interesting to discuss how our mindset around carry has evolved as our time with EDC of a firearm stretches out. Non LEO’s all experienced that initial carry stress where in our mind, everyone notices the gun. That feeling in the first couple of days of carry that feel like we are breaking some rule somewhere. But, we get better.
I’m closing in on 20 years since getting my LTCH and there seem to be distinct phases of EDC for me. First was the “I’m doing something wrong and everybody is looking at me” phase. Then came the “Hardware trumps all and I need to find the perfect gun” phase. Now, it’s more of a “Don’t obsess over what’s on your hip, but just work to gain skill with it, whatever it is” phase.
The first phase was silly once I realized that I’d have to tape the thing to my forehead to get most people to notice it. That second phase was an expensive one though. It did teach me the difference between a quality gun and a cheap gun. The current phase could be characterized as the ‘comfortable’ phase. I know what I like and I have full confidence in its ability to function. I’m not hardware focused now and am more interested in gaining skill with what I have over attempting to get better by getting better hardware.
How has your EDC mindset progressed throughout the years?
I’m closing in on 20 years since getting my LTCH and there seem to be distinct phases of EDC for me. First was the “I’m doing something wrong and everybody is looking at me” phase. Then came the “Hardware trumps all and I need to find the perfect gun” phase. Now, it’s more of a “Don’t obsess over what’s on your hip, but just work to gain skill with it, whatever it is” phase.
The first phase was silly once I realized that I’d have to tape the thing to my forehead to get most people to notice it. That second phase was an expensive one though. It did teach me the difference between a quality gun and a cheap gun. The current phase could be characterized as the ‘comfortable’ phase. I know what I like and I have full confidence in its ability to function. I’m not hardware focused now and am more interested in gaining skill with what I have over attempting to get better by getting better hardware.
How has your EDC mindset progressed throughout the years?