EDC w/ Small Children

[Grumman]

I like the MIC holster for Glocks. Keeps the trigger housed in Kydex that most kids won’t be able to remove. So even if left out the trigger cannot be accessed.


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[thinhorn_AK]

I’ve gone through a few different versions of CC over the years but the most secure setup I ever had was a ruger sp101 357 mag in a high quality leather pancake holster with a hammer cover/snap closure. I used to carry that at 4/5 o’clock position most days.

 

[bsnedeker]

There seems to be a strong and vocal contingent on this forum for cocked locked and ready to rock. I suspect these guys maybe live in some sketchy places?

Yeah, like any city in the entire world for example. Perhaps you have not visited a Walmart in recent history but in case you weren't aware: meth is a thing.

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[thinhorn_AK]

One other thing. The biggest chance of an accidental discharge will be when you are cleaning your gun. NEVER clean the gun around the kids!!!!!!


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Or just do what I do (or don’t do) and never clean a gun….

 

[Bearwhisky]

There seems to be a strong and vocal contingent on this forum for cocked locked and ready to rock. I suspect these guys maybe live in some sketchy places?

Wait, people actually carry without one in the chamber?


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[Bearwhisky]

Thank you all with your thoughts on the subject. Not trying to start any fights here. I will put some more thought to this and take some of the advice into consideration.

For those of you carrying aiwb, what good kydex holsters do you recommend?

LAS concealment, t rex arms, g code


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[Yaremkiv]

Ofcourse anything is possible but if you have a quality holster thats secured properly to your belt, your little one can hug you all day long and you'll both be fine. You must be cognisant of the tool you are carrying AT ALL TIMES. Be responsible and train and practice. Dont just practice to draw, shoot and reload. Practice off range handling, storage, get a system going, remind kiddos from time to time to not touch the firearms without daddy. Just be aware and dont get too comfy. Good luck.

 

[ReddingArcher]

I carry a shield in a crossbreed mini tuck every day. I’ve found 4 o’clock to be the most comfortable position for me. At first I didn’t carry with a round in the chamber but felt like if I did need to use my weapon, carrying with an empty chamber could be the difference between life and death. I make sure that my safety is on, which I was planning on not using, but I’ve practiced enough to feel confident that flicking the safety off as I’m drawing isn’t an issue. I pick up my son constantly but I’m very aware of where my muzzle is and where he is at while I’m carrying. I also take my gun off and put it in the safe when I get home. I do need to get a good bedside safe that I can access quickly in an emergency though.

 

[BravoNovember]

Have you considered just carrying bear spray?

 

[bdg848]

If you're concerned about a kid hugging you from the front, a gun in the pocket is pointed in generally the same direction as with appendix carry. I appendix carry with kids around and don't have an issue. I find that it is actually an area that is much easier to "guard" from accidental bumps than behind the hip. A revolver or double action auto would theoretically add a layer of safety in general. Why not appendix carry with a revolver then vs revolver in the pocket?

You also have to recognize that 1) 99.9% of modern gun designs make it mechanically IMPOSSIBLE for the gun to fire without pulling the trigger, 2) if the holster completely covers the trigger guard it is then impossible to pull the trigger in the holster, therefore 3) it is IMPOSSIBLE for the gun to go off INSIDE the holster. The risk comes with putting the gun INTO the holster and pulling the trigger while the trigger is still exposed...so just take your time re holstering and you will essentially negate any risk associated with appendix carry, or really, any negligent discharge for that matter.

I also find it much easier to ensure the gun is entering the hostler safely when in appendix position by simply looking down vs twisting around and trying to clear all my cover garments and see into a holster snugged in tight behind my hip. Do what you are comfortable with but I think Appendix carry is superior for more reasons than I listed here.

 

[ElDudarino]

Appendix generally gives you the most control over your gun. It’s in front of you, within reach of both hands, and you likely have experience going through life without randomly brushing your junk on things. My kids are 10 and 6 and I’ve appendix carried their whole lives without an issue.

Empty chamber is dumb and doesn’t account for many likely civilian uses which start entangled or otherwise physically engaged. I also think it increases your chances of NDing if you ever pull that thing under stress. If you don’t feel comfortable with a round chambered, just don’t carry at all.

Being mildly worried about AD/ND is a healthy place to stay…. When that goes away is when NDs happen.


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[EastHumboldt]

I have not advised anyone as to how they should carry, loaded or unloaded. I would appreciate the same courtesy. I’ve been told several times on this forum that I am not confident or maybe even incompetent because I choose to carry with an empty chamber. Neither of those things is true. You do you. I don’t live in Baghdad or the bad part of Philly. I live in a place where most people leave their doors open and their cars unlocked on the street. In my particular case and probably that of others, the chances of a child getting a hold of my loaded firearm are minuscule. The chances that I will get in a fight or be the victim of a mugging or carjacking and need one in the chamber are even more minuscule. It’s a judgment call. Somebody wants to carry with no round in the chamber, why must some people feel compelled to question their judgment?

I occasionally drive through Stockton, I put a round in then.

I will now duck down behind this garbage can, to avoid all the incoming tomatoes.

 

[bsnedeker]

I have not advised anyone as to how they should carry, loaded or unloaded. I would appreciate the same courtesy. I’ve been told several times on this forum that I am not confident or maybe even incompetent because I choose to carry with an empty chamber. Neither of those things is true. You do you. I don’t live in Baghdad or the bad part of Philly. I live in a place where most people leave their doors open and their cars unlocked on the street. In my particular case and probably that of others, the chances of a child getting a hold of my loaded firearm are minuscule. The chances that I will get in a fight or be the victim of a mugging or carjacking and need one in the chamber are even more minuscule. It’s a judgment call. Somebody wants to carry with no round in the chamber, why must some people feel compelled to question their judgment?

I occasionally drive through Stockton, I put a round in then.

I will now duck down behind this garbage can, to avoid all the incoming tomatoes.

Lol... so, in a thread where the op is asking for advice on how to carry you are upset that people are giving him advice on how to carry? Perhaps if you are triggered by people giving others advice on how to carry you should.... oh, I don't know... avoid threads where the person is asking for advice on how to carry?

And yeah, if you are afraid of NDs from a properly holstered gun it is 100% because you lack confidence in your own abilities. Sorry that basic facts are upsetting to your ego.

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[Marbles]

There is no way you can carry without having a holstered gun occasionally flag a kid. Have a good holster and a reliable handgun. Guns do not magically go off.

Appendix carry places the gun in the most controllable position with either or both hands being able to secure it if needed. It also puts the gun pointed at you as often as at a child hugging you. When you pick up a kid, with appendix carry you can use their body or your arms to cover the grip and keep from printing, on your hip I guarantee they will try to rest their feet on it (though you could train that out). If on your hip, you will flag them while the walk close to you, so it certainly solves nothing. An inverted (so muzzle points at armpit) shoulder holster is the only way to address your concern, but is more likely to result in them being shot due to the gun falling out.

The time to worry about accidents is not while the gun is holster on your body, but when you are manipulating it or have taken it off.

Also, appendix carry routinely puts 230 gr Gold Dots pointed at my femoral artery. So, I bet my own life on the quality of my holster and pistol. The most likely time for it to go off is holstering.

 

[Marbles]

Lol... so, in a thread where the op is asking for advice on how to carry you are upset that people are giving him advice on how to carry? Perhaps if you are triggered by people giving others advice on how to carry you should.... oh, I don't know... avoid threads where the person is asking for advice on how to carry?

And yeah, if you are afraid of NDs from a properly holstered gun it is 100% because you lack confidence in your own abilities. Sorry that basic facts are upsetting to your ego.

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I will agree that fear of NDs while a gun is properly holstered is irrational with quality handguns. However, if a round is chambered, one must holster and unholster the loaded gun, as well as unload and reload. These are the times NDs happen and if someone prefers to minimize that risk, it is hardly a lack of confidence.

Handguns also have not always been reliable, there are plenty of people who are old enough to have been taught to carry empty, some of them are very skilled with a gun.

 

[streetdoctor]

appendix carry or in a very small fanny pack (Patagonia black hole) with a kydex trigger guard.

 

[ElDudarino]

I have not advised anyone as to how they should carry, loaded or unloaded. I would appreciate the same courtesy. I’ve been told several times on this forum that I am not confident or maybe even incompetent because I choose to carry with an empty chamber. Neither of those things is true. You do you. I don’t live in Baghdad or the bad part of Philly. I live in a place where most people leave their doors open and their cars unlocked on the street. In my particular case and probably that of others, the chances of a child getting a hold of my loaded firearm are minuscule. The chances that I will get in a fight or be the victim of a mugging or carjacking and need one in the chamber are even more minuscule. It’s a judgment call. Somebody wants to carry with no round in the chamber, why must some people feel compelled to question their judgment?

I occasionally drive through Stockton, I put a round in then.

I will now duck down behind this garbage can, to avoid all the incoming tomatoes.

I question your judgement because it counters 17 years of experience in investigating people being victimized by crime. Your fight isn’t gonna be the way you imagine. There will be no warning or notice. There is not likely to be a “well it’s getting hot, better chamber a round moment.” People have main character syndrome and fantasize their fight ending in them riding off into the sunset. From being on scene of several handfuls of murders and self defense shootings, your odds are about 50/50. There is a good chance it will be over and you will have taken whatever injury you are going to get before you realize it even started. Been to several where the decedent had a gun on them that they never even got the opportunity to reach for. I list all that experience from working in a place where “people don’t lock their doors”…. It isn’t because it’s that safe, it’s because they are unaware of how much shit happens in their town.

Your goal is to limit negative outcomes and you have decided not carrying with a round in the chamber is the way to do that. I disagree with your premise that carrying with an empty chamber reduces the likelihood of an ND.

I’ve trained hundreds of non gun people how to safely carry and then deploy those guns in the real world. I have investigated NDs from a organizational/disciplinary side…. They all happen when loading/unloading and never when guns are holstered. From watching these hundreds of people manipulate pistols, I am WAY more confident in having them chamber a round and then leave it in a quality holster in a non stressful moment than I am in creating a situation that requires them to do extra manipulation of the gun under stress.

I’m not chest thumping or prodding you through bravado. I’m trying to present you with facts based in what I consider to be not a small amount of experience. Hell, if it matters that much, DM me and I’ll give you a resume.


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[Bearwhisky]

I have not advised anyone as to how they should carry, loaded or unloaded. I would appreciate the same courtesy. I’ve been told several times on this forum that I am not confident or maybe even incompetent because I choose to carry with an empty chamber. Neither of those things is true. You do you. I don’t live in Baghdad or the bad part of Philly. I live in a place where most people leave their doors open and their cars unlocked on the street. In my particular case and probably that of others, the chances of a child getting a hold of my loaded firearm are minuscule. The chances that I will get in a fight or be the victim of a mugging or carjacking and need one in the chamber are even more minuscule. It’s a judgment call. Somebody wants to carry with no round in the chamber, why must some people feel compelled to question their judgment?

I occasionally drive through Stockton, I put a round in then.

I will now duck down behind this garbage can, to avoid all the incoming tomatoes.

I don’t understand this mentality. If you think there is basically no chance of something happening to you and that is your reason for not carrying hot, then why do you carry at all?

In my humble opinion, carrying loaded sometimes and unloaded others is quite dangerous. It can easily lead someone to assume a gun is unloaded when it is not.


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[Bconlogue]

Good holster, and leave it there until you are ready to use it. My kids saw me carry everyday growing up, it was normal to them. Got into a sketchy situation when we got the Jeep stuck in the woods one time, and realized we interrupted some meth heads doing something. I had a Berreta 92 in an IWB and my whole family (the kids were young) was very happy I had that Berreta on me.


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Hey do you still bow hunt in arizona?

 

[Beaveralum]

In regard to the OP’s original question, only you are going to be able to decide if it is worth edc with little ones. It comes down to risk/reward and you and the wife are the only ones who can make that determination.

If that decision is yes, where/how you carry may be determined by what gun you have, body type, etc. Not trying to crap on anyone, but if you have a huge gut appendix or ankle carry may not work for you. Likewise if you have shoulder mobility issues a 4 o’clock may not be the best option. And if your a dude that wears pants like his wife, you’ll have a hell of a time getting a gun out of a pocket.

For me, I have 4 o’clock carried my P320 for years but recently picked up a P365x which I plan to appendix carry. I’m an average size guy with no mobility issues so I could carry anywhere on my person, but those two options are my preferred spots dependent on the size of gun I carry on that day.

As far as AD/ND and fun safety with kids, know the four cardinal rules of gun safety. You have to violate two of those for bad things to start happening. If you have a good quality modern firearm in a holster specifically designed for that weapon, there is a zero percent chance for an AD/ND when that gun is in your care, custody, and control. With kiddos hugging you I completely understand your fear of flagging your kid, but that goes back to violations two rules of gun safety for bad things to happen. Again, it’s about your comfort level dependent upon the situation so maybe safe it when at home and only carry out of the house.

My kids have grown up with me carrying a gun at work everyday. I taught them early what a gun is, what it’s capable of doing, and if they ever found one to not touch it and tell an adult. I am a firm believer of education and taking the mystery out of guns.

And as far as whether you carry one in the pipe, again personal preference and I won’t crap on you either way. But, remember that you are behind the power curve when it comes to a gunfight. If someone is planning on jacking you, and if they are a good crook they will be guns up before you are clearing the holster. Remember the people doing the bad things have a very small threshold for what they are willing to do to get what they want, when they want it. If your minding your own damn business and have your day interrupted, even under the best circumstances if your having to clear leather, rack a round, disengage a safety, acquire your target, and then go to work your going to loose that gun fight more often that you win it and you may only have once chance to win it.