Thinking Man's Corner

Article by: William G.

Many people seem to talk about having carry rotations. That is not new. It has existed as far back as I have been in the business, and probably since anyone with expendable income owned weapons. Most people have some type of excuse for it, as opposed to reason. That can cause some issues, depending on gun and carry method. It is one of the few times “because I can” is not a valid answer, without some context. 

Now there are times that it makes sense, and is valid. Like with everything we do when it comes to deadly weapons, we need to think it through well ahead of time since we will not rise to the occasion with unfamiliar gear and non-rehearsed tactics. In my early days and stubborn youth (though I am still pretty stubborn), I was a “true believer” so to speak. I did not walk out the door without a 5” Government Model, 2 spare mags, an airtight J frame with a reload, and my ubiquitous CQC-7 folder. Safari/Photojournalist vest were common place with a lot of feds, state investigators, and the gun owning public. They looked weird, truth be told, but more people minded their own business, and it was less common to think random normal citizens were walking amongst the populace armed. So, it was never a big deal. I quit wearing one when my girlfriend at the time coined it the “birth control vest.” 

I didn’t have much of a hard time hiding that big 1911 in a Mitch Rosen ARG under an untucked Polo shirt (size Large could hide it just fine at the time for me, thank you very much – how I miss those days…..) I never had much call to be undetectably armed, until……

There were the trips to a place where I was legally allowed to carry, but detection would cause issues. Welcome the mouse gun. There was the protection gig where I had to have something more capable than a palm sized 22 LR, but had to wear fitted en vogue suits. Welcome a M38 with Barami hip grips. 

I always went back to the full size gun unless it was a very unique situation. When I started trusting Glock’s, I went about my business with a  G19 for a good while, but ended up in a lower threat assignment, and switched to a G43 appendix, and a G42 in the pocket. 

Call it a bad back, call it becoming lazy, call it the advancement of modern equipment, or whatever you want. Things change. People grow, or they stagnate. The fact of the matter is that there are some situations that require different guns. As long as there is a reason, and you practice, and you are capable with your tools, then it is an acceptable method of threat mitigation. 

I would first ask, what it is you are trying to accomplish. If your normal carry is a G17 (they are back to making those again, this week), but you are strapping on a Super 38 LW Commander, or tucking away a North American Arms 22 Magnum; I would say that is probably not the smartest idea, and you are not going to accomplish much more than having a gun. 

On the other hand, switching out a PMO and WML equipped G17 in a level three duty holster for a Sig P365 in a pocket holster may have merit, situation dependent and assuming you can shoot the P365 to the degree of required competence for your specific threat assessment. To try and illustrate my line of though for various situations, let us take a look at a few variations of kit, and the why behind them: 

Most normal days, a mid sized pistol, a spare magazine, a folding knife (as a backup, not for utility as I am quite fond of the Spyderco Matriarch, which has only one purpose – saving my life), and aerosol restraint or a “bridge weapon,” more commonly known as OC. Generally discreet, under a light cover garment. Easily accessible in most positions, and quick out of the holster to first round hit. In this case it is a Springfield Ronin LW Commander with Milt Sparks Criterion and a magazine carrier some guy named Cooper gave me. This setup could be replaced by a G19, or an Sig P365 Macro, or a number of other guns. It could have an OWB or kydex holster. The knife could be something else, etc. The purpose of it is to have everything you need, and nothing you don’t. Easy to carry the majority of the time, and very capable. 

Next up is something a little more robust. A full size, all steel 1911 in 45 Auto in an OWB holster, a spare mag, a more heavy duty folder, OC in an ASP canister that doubles as a Yawara stick or variety of other things, and an all steel ASP agent baton. This would be for a formal setting where a suit is the normal dress mode of other participants, and there may be a heightened threat analysis of the event. The gun might be replaced with a Walther PDP Pro with ACRO and X300, or some other new hi capacity gun with the latest gadgetry, all depending on your mission, your agency, and the freedom of choice you are extended. If we are on duty, we are paid to look for trouble. In certain situations, where we have prior knowledge of a particular concern, it makes sense to carry the most capable tools we can, in the fastest mode of presentation we can. 

Another situation where the kit changes is from a recent protection gig I went on. Large city, high crime, high profile client with a concern of kidnapping and targeted street crime. Some people have earned a certain lifestyle, and they want to enjoy it. That comes with risks. However, they absolutely should not have to dress down, or try to hide what they have earned; they just need trained protection in place for certain trips. (This in no way violates the stupid places, people, things rule. Now walking around with a Rolex in a third world shit hole, unarmed and incapable of defending yourself, is a different story.)

The kit I carried was a P365X (no optic, which I am sure I will be burned at the stake for) in a leather IWB with a spare magazine, a 642 in an ankle rig (easier to draw while seated), a Spyderco Canis (that little Irish fella sure does design some effective tools), an ASP Defender OC unit, and a blackjack. Yes, a legit (and custom made) black jack. It is still the most effective impact weapon made. You just need to understand how to use it, and of course the laws where you do use it…….

The clothes and watch were expensive, and noticeable. Sometimes, being the “grey man” means blending in with who you are with. A suit was not called for, but neither were neural earth tone outdoor clothes. By dressing the part, I looked more like a boyfriend than someone there for close protection. One other piece of kit I have found to be invaluable is a very specialized and discreet bullet resistant vest called “The Executive,” by Point Blank. Specifically in the EXO material, this vest disappears under an untucked shirt, offers Level II or IIIA (depending on how you order it) protection, and allows your to access your weapons without interference. It has no side coverage. Just front and back, which allows concealment, comfort, and mobility. It is an excellent low profile vest for Executives, Command Staff CID, UC, and Dignitary protection roles. 

Looking at a few other less conventional, and other discreet methods and kit: (Picture of this kit is at the beginning of the article)

A 632 UC in 32 H&R magnum with low profile boot “grips,” in a Kramer horsehide pocket holster. This offers light weight, 6 rounds of potent enough ammo (in the right loading), high visibility sights, and concealment with the thin stocks. The horsehide is resistant to sweat, and Mr. Kramer built in an effective cloaking device to the opposite side of the holster. Once broken in, it stays in the pocket when you draw. 

A Ruger LCP Max in 380 Auto in a Blackhawk pocket holster made of a super grippy material. It orients the gun the same way, keeps pocket debris out of it, and covers the trigger. It has high visibility sights, a manageable trigger, and 11 rounds of 380 Auto on tap. It is a shoot able, and capable package. Both this and the J frame are more than adequate for low threat, humid, and relaxed environments; or as second or tertiary guns. 

A slicked up sleeper G19 with a “Unit” holster designed with special activities in mind by Kelly McCann. The “holster” has some unique history, and was very thoroughly vetted prior to multiple deployments. It is a special case holster, but IFYKYK. You can discretely carry a G19 with it under light clothing that blends in with whatever environment you find yourself in at a moments notice. 

Finally a custom Fred Perrin La Griffe in titanium. Very light weight, corrosion resistant, and very capable in trained hands. You forget you have it on most of the time. It can be carried around the neck, looped into the waistline, or in a pocket, or shoe for that matter. It is a very adaptable tool for either first line defense, or getting yourself out of the trunk at the onion field. 

All these items are displayed on a conventional Point Blank EXO panel, not the “Executive.” Even in conventional cut format, the EXO material is highly concealable and comfortable. I mention this because when I find a piece of kit that make my life easier, and keeps me a little safer, I like to spread the word. 

Be careful about painting yourself into a box of one size fits all, or thinking you have to have a specific item. Developing usable and effective kit takes time. Think about it before you need it. Vet it, practice with it, and develop confidence through trained abilities. Last minute is not the time to run out and buy something you have never trained with to bet your life on. Regardless of what situation you find yourself in, or what kit you are relying on for it, remember that your mind is the ultimate weapon, and seeing a threat before it occurs is the best course of action when at all possible. 

Stay grey, by blending in. Manipulate your environment, before it mutilates you.