This guide provides a comprehensive overview of essential gear and equipment for new gun owners who want to carry a pistol for self-defense. While we emphasize the importance of professional firearms training and safety, this guide focuses specifically on holster selection, spare magazines, and other gear to enhance your concealed carry journey. We’ll explore how to choose the right holster for your needs, the importance of dry fire practice, and how to select quality gear that integrates seamlessly with your everyday wardrobe. Remember, responsible gun ownership starts with safety and consistent training, but having the right gear can significantly enhance your confidence and preparedness.
Firearm Selection
Selecting your first pistol is a big decision. Many new gun owners make the mistake of buying a gun and immediately searching for accessories to customize it. We strongly advise against this. Your first pistol should be optic ready, meaning it has a system for mounting a pistol red dot sight. This is the single most important upgrade for any pistol, and the only one you should consider initially (we’ll discuss red dots in detail in a later blog).
Firearms come in various mechanical configurations: striker-fired, single-action only (SAO), double-action only (DAO), and single/double-action (SA/DA). While each has its merits, striker-fired pistols are generally the best choice for new gun owners due to their simplicity and ease of use. They lack external safeties that can be confusing, relying instead on a trigger safety and your own trigger finger discipline. Remember, the most important safety is keeping your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.
Striker-Fired Pistols as a New Carry Gun
The top four striker-fired pistols for EDC in the United States are the Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS, SIG Sauer P320 Compact, Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact, and the FN 509 M. Note that all of these are in the compact or mid-size category. Yes, there are a plethora of other popular pistols for concealed carry. For the sake of this guide, we are going to focus on striker-fired pistols that are larger than micro-sized, fit a full grip, have a reasonable capacity of roughly 15 or more rounds in the magazine, have optic-ready systems, and conceal well with a good holster. These pistols are large enough to be considered duty pistols and can be carried on a battle belt as well. Please check out our battle belt article.
Micro Sized Carry Pistols
While micro pistols are highly capable firearms, new shooters may find them challenging to shoot accurately at longer distances. Their small size and lighter weight can amplify recoil and make it harder to maintain precise control. Experienced shooters, however, can often achieve impressive accuracy with these compact firearms.
This guide focuses primarily on compact and mid-size striker-fired pistols, which offer a balance of shootability, capacity (around 15 rounds), and concealability for new gun owners. Micro pistols deserve their own dedicated discussion, which we’ll save for another time.
The best way to conceal carry a micro pistol and holster selection is quite the lengthy read. They are very capable firearms, but new shooters typically can’t stretch these guns out the way experienced shooters can. Newer, or inexperienced shooters, will consider this more of a close-quarters defensive pistol when in reality a lot of these micro guns have some pretty amazing capabilities if you have the experience to match. We won’t go in-depth on micro, or slimline compact pistols. That itself would be its own lengthy article. This article will continue to focus on compact or mid-size striker-fired pistols with a standard capacity of 15 rounds.
While this guide focuses on striker-fired pistols, many excellent concealed carry options utilize different action types:
- Single-action only (SAO): Known for their light and crisp trigger pulls.
- Double-action only (DAO): Offer consistent trigger pulls with each shot.
- Double/single-action (DA/SA): Combine a heavier first trigger pull with lighter subsequent pulls.
New shooters can certainly master these action types with dedicated practice. If you’re drawn to a specific SAO, DAO, or DA/SA pistol, go for it! Just be prepared to invest time and effort in learning its nuances. These actions may have more moving parts, but the fundamentals of safe gun handling and accurate shooting remain the same.
Choosing Your Holster
With your pistol selected, it’s time to choose a holster. While various carry methods exist, your ultimate goal should be comfortable and confident carry in any position, whether inside the waistband (IWB) or outside the waistband (OWB). We strongly recommend KYDEX holsters over leather. KYDEX is a durable thermoplastic that requires minimal maintenance and resists wear and tear. Unlike leather, which can soften and degrade over time (posing a safety risk), KYDEX retains its shape, allowing for easy visual inspection and cleaning. KYDEX holsters also offer a wide range of belt clip options and concealment enhancements like wings and wedges for improved comfort and concealment.
Inside-the-Waistband Holsters
There are two major categories of inside-the-waistband holsters: appendix inside-the-waistband (AIWB) holsters and strong-side inside-the-waistband (IWB) holsters. Many times, appendix holsters are identical to strong-side IWB holsters. Some manufacturers specifically designate different holsters for appendix carry and strong-side IWB carry.
Appendix holsters are meant to be carried at the 1:00 to 2:00 position on the belt for right-handed shooters or the 10:00 to 11:00 position for left-handed shooters. Appendix is a great position for access to your firearm. This would be the fastest way to access your firearm, clear garments, and present your firearm. When we say “clear garments,” we mean remove your garments out of the way to retrieve your firearm and also clearing your garments away from your empty holster when placing your firearm back. Safety is absolutely paramount, and making sure there are no obstructions in your holster before reholstering your firearm is critical. It is much easier to verify that your holster is clear of obstructions when you’re able to simply look down and verify that it is empty.
Strong-Side Inside-the-Waistband Carry
Strong-side inside-the-waistband (IWB) holsters offer another concealed carry option. They often share similar features with appendix holsters but may include adjustable cant and omit concealment wings or claws. Cant refers to the angle of the holster, allowing you to adjust how the grip of the pistol sits against your body. This can improve comfort and access, especially when carrying on your hip.
While some prefer strong-side carry due to concerns about appendix carry safety, it generally requires a more deliberate draw stroke with increased movement. This can make it slower to access your firearm and may also telegraph your intentions to a potential threat.
There’s also the potential safety concern that as you draw your pistol, especially for novice shooters, you might accidentally sweep your firearm outward, flagging innocent bystanders or loved ones. We believe it takes the same amount of practice and effort, if not much more, to master carrying in this position. We are certainly biased towards the appendix draw. It is very common to see amateur shooters be able to draw their pistol and place a shot at 10 yards successfully under 1 and 1/4 seconds consistently.
Outside-the-Waistband Carry
When it comes to concealed carry, outside the waistband (OWB) holsters offer a comfortable and accessible option. There are two main types: standard OWB and pancake style. Pancake holsters use two sheets of KYDEX to securely hold the firearm with belt clips on either side. Worn on the belt (usually at the 3:00 to 5:00 position), some OWB holsters can be concealed effectively even under a loose shirt, though bending or leaning can cause “printing” (when the firearm’s outline is visible). OWB holsters are popular in colder weather when wearing a jacket, and they offer faster access than appendix carry when bundled up. They are also favored by hunters and those who carry under sport coats for executive protection.
The other form of outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster is the tactical, duty-style, or range belt configuration. This involves a dedicated battle belt designed around the capabilities the owner wants from their belt system and equipment. The holster itself that goes on a battle belt can be utilized by a novice shooter and is often the holster of choice for taking firearms classes that are more tactical-based and kinetic. ANR Design has a great new shooter package called the Holster Starter Bundle kit that has an OWB, IWB, and pistol magazine carrier.
Importance of Carrying a Backup Magazine
New gun owners often focus solely on the firearm itself, but reliable pistol magazine carriers and spare magazines are just as crucial for concealed carry. Your primary magazine can malfunction, and a backup is essential for confident self-defense. We recommend having at least 8 magazines total, including those that came with your pistol. Marking your magazines with a paint pen (initials and numbers work well) helps identify and track potential issues. If a magazine consistently malfunctions during training, isolate and service it. If problems persist, contact the manufacturer or consider replacing it, especially if it’s a budget-friendly option.
Carrying a spare magazine is crucial for concealed carry, but how you carry it matters. While some people simply use their pocket or a pocket clip, the most secure and accessible method is a dedicated magazine carrier made from KYDEX thermoplastic. For higher-capacity magazines, consider a deeper concealment magazine carrier to minimize printing and maximize comfort.
A deep concealment pistol magazine carrier buries the magazine deeper below the beltline, making it easier to conceal the backup magazine. Often, it is advisable to carry a backup magazine that has greater capacity than the one in the firearm. This will give you more backup rounds if necessary, and you are not carrying a longer magazine in the gun that might cause printing. For example, carrying a Glock 17 magazine as a backup for your Glock 19.
Conclusion
As you gain experience with firearms, your everyday carry (EDC) will likely evolve. Consider adding essential medical gear, like a tourniquet, to your kit. If you’re prepared to use a firearm for self-defense, you must also be prepared to address potential injuries. Accidents happen, and a tourniquet can be a lifesaver in critical situations. Carrying a firearm comes with increased responsibility. Continue your firearms training, and consider taking a tactical medical response class and combatives pistol course to enhance your skills and preparedness.