chewa

I take your point, but one can see there is a reasonable likelihood of having a puncture so one carries the necessary.

How likely is it that you would ever come across a situation where you would need a gun?

To me, it's a culture of fear and you are right I don't understand it because our culture is not one of fear like that. (even though I understand some parts of the UK have a higher per capita crime rate than many cities in the US)

Mtn Mike

Here's an interesting demonstration of proper gun use, from over at DrunkCyclist.com

Hopefully Big Johny doesn't mind me using his image...

Don Cook

My original post invited those cyclists that could legally carry a concealed firearm, to provide some insight and tips as to how they would carry a concealed firearm while cycling. There have been 7 responses to the post. There have been approximately 55 responses from readers that have turned it into a cultural and political argument, that has nothing to do with the thread.

Frankly I'm not interested in what someone else has to say about my methods of managing personal risk. I am very aware of my obligations as a husband and father. I am also very much aware of our environment. I will balance the percieved threat in the best way I know how. I expect that most of us would do the same. For the record, since I started this mess, I do have a carry permit, though I don't carry a concealed firearm (I actually think maybe twice in the last 6 years or so). I've been cycling since I was 17, and that was a few years ago (34 years?), and there have been very rare circumstances that I've been involved in where a firearm would have provided greater comfort.

But did you know that the risk of your home catching fire and being detroyed is less than you or one of your family members becoming the victims of violent crime? But how many smoke alarms are in your home? Are you unreasonably fearful of fire? There are uncountable ways we deal with the various threats of daily life. We size up what we believe to be the probablility of an occurrence and then assess the impact of a worst case event. We then try to mitigate the risk in a way that is appropriate to the probability and the impact. For those individuals that are firearms proficient and experienced, it might make sense to consider a firearm as an appropriate response to the threat of violent crime to either themselves, their family, or some other person in their presence. If you choose to balance the threat by relying on your karate skills, cellphone, running speed, baseball bat, mace, or whatever, fine. It's your choice, just as anothers choice might be a firearm.

For those that aren't comfortable with or proficient in the use of firearms, they should choose some other way to counter the threat of violence. For others, a gun is just one of many a legitimate choices. Let's leave the gun debate and culture war for another day.

bombusben

point taken

Red Baron

Don Cook- good point, I've been avoiding this post. Too emotional, lets keep it per your original post. Fighting Crud build-up and not affecting my riding style (anything gets heavy after awhile) has been my worst problem. Settled on my Officers Model .45, Tried belt w/SOB holster, I kept belt tight but not uncomfortable, sometimes a ISWB slid to small of back while riding (actually like that better) . Weapon in condition 1 (not C&L'ed). Ball ammo (for penetration), xtra mag has alternate ball/Hydro-shok's. I do a field strip frequently (use WD-40) after a hard ride to keep rust at a minimum (even though frame is Alum, rust can be problem on non alum parts. I focus on trigger pivot area - it gets dirty). I actually like my PPK in a 'belly band' but PPK is blued and keeping rust from starting was just too chancy, as belly band gets wet from sweat. Plus a .380 is not my favorite.
BTW- carry a copy of CC license & drivers license in saddle bag as I sometimes don't always carry wallet.
Mind set is don't show it, use it ONLY as last result , but if needed don't hesitate. Also I fully understand consequencies if I do decide to use it. BTW- sorry for preaching, but as a vietnam veteran of combat, I understand what folks with guns can do to folks w/o guns (both the good guys and the bad guys). That's just the way it is.

Stevet04II

Im a Law Abiding US citizen and it is my Right to "Carry" anywhere and everywhere I go. I carry a Kel Tec P32 32acp in a modified belley band holster. Nice to see other Law abiding gun owners here. You can also find me over on ktrange.com, glocktalk.org, thehighroad.org. makarov.com

anikuma

Steve,

What type of gun control/laws do you favor?

Stevet04II

Your talking to a NRA LIFE MEMBER here.

I wont be moving to Japan anytime soon.

anikuma

So as easy as over the counter drugs?

My future father in law was an NRA member, so any adivce of touchy NRA subjects? I'll be moving back to North America real soon. It would be a great dissapointment to suddenly feel as if i need protection just to train.

ollo_ollo

Makarov 9mm, Bianchi inside waistband holster & I live in the NorthWest not the SouthEast.

Don Cook

Thanks to Red Baron, Stevet04II, and ollo_ollo for the tips and advice. Though I have never carried while cycling, I have considered it from time to time. Years ago I chose a small stainless .38 as a carry piece. What has caused me to consider how I would carry on a bike, are the many 45-60 mile weekend rides I do alone. These rides are through wooded west Tennessee on two lane county roads without shoulders. There have been occassions when a truck with 3-4 testosterone loaded 23 year olds intentionally see how close they can get to me without actually hitting me (either that or they're trying to hit me but just aiming poorly). Often it's just foul language, sign language, and an occassional cup of water thrown out the window. However, the line of serious trouble doesn't lie far beyond this type of behaviour. For those lone medium long rides, I have considered whether or not it would be prudent to add a weapon to the other emergency stuff I carry.

pletcgm

I know exactly what you mean! That's why I stay in Nashville most of the time. I rarely have any problems with drivers in the city. The only times I ever had any problems, it was with dumb idiots from the country, thinking they are so big and bad in the city!

digger

I was thinking some more about who I would carry a firearm on my bike and I think I hit on a great idea!

Well, my concern is 'will I be able to get at the gun fast enough in an emergency situation?'. If it is in a holster or handlebar bag and something is going down, which happens fast and there's not much time to think, locating the gun could cost precious seconds.

Now just bear with me a sec here. I was reading an article about a one armed cyclist last summer, he had somehow rigged his bike so that he could apply both brakes AND shift with one hand. So, I see no reason why those who 'carry some heat' couldn't rig this up (for your non-shootin' hand of course) that way you could always have the gun in your shootin' hand, loaded, cocked and ready to aim and fire at a moments notice.

Now, I know what you're going to say. It's not safe to be riding around with just one hand on the handlebar. Well, you have a point. BUT I think that having a gun at the ready AT ALL TIMES would far outweigh any dangers that MAY occur with just one hand on the bar. It would take some practice, but I think that you could get used to it very quickly.

Anotther problem is how to reload quickly when you have spent all your ammo from that clip. I see no reason why some cycling component company couldn't rig up a 'Handle Bar Mount Quick Reload System'. It would be some sort of device to bolt onto your handlebars where you could inset clips vertically into it.

So, you're riding along, shooting at stuff, using your other hand to brake and shift as necessary, then when the clip in the gun is spent, just drop the clip on the ground, jam the butt of the gun down onto the fresh clip in the handlebar mount, and keep shootin'. All with one hand no need to reach, find and draw your gun!!

Whaddaya think?

Digger

Stubacca

Isn't that going to be in the next Lara Croft movie?

ad6mj

On body carry is the only practical method. In the event of needing the weapon you may become seperated from the bike. IME jersey pockets allow too much bouncing. Sweat is a real problem with just about any on body method. Good weapon maintenance is very important.

Duff Man

I carry a gun and a knife everywhere I go, including bike rides. Out and about I carry a Colt Commander, on rides I carry a XD9.

I use high quality drawsting shorts/swimsuits with wide waistbands, 3m perforated/reflective sleveless shirts and a comp-tac kydex holster. I carry middle of the back. The weapon is completely invisible and I do not notice it. Sweat corrosion was an issue from the first ride so I had all metal parts of the gun hard chromed(usually costs $150 - $200). You will still need to clean the gun thoroughly after each ride.

I would never carry a handgun without a holster, to easy to negligently discharge. The comp-tac holsters would not work well with cycling shorts/jerseys, you will need something with a clip designed for gripping thin material. Wrapping the gun in a towl would be safer than just putting it in a pocket, but accessibility will be compromised in an emergency, and if you have to fumble with it when you need it you are as good as dead.


-American Cowboy

Don Cook

You really don't want to know what I think.

HardBall

Don,

Excuse me for the run-on disjointed post but I�m at work so I need to hurry.

I carry a fanny pack strong side. Of course the art of concealed carry is to be concealed so it looks like your everyday sporting pack. It is not a �gun pack� anyone in the know can spot one of those a mile away. I got it at Hudson Trail Outfitters. I�m in Northern Virginia I don�t know if Hudson Trails is a national chain it�s your typical too expensive mall pseudo outfitter store. I can�t remember the brand name but I think it has �Black� in it. It�s orange and black colored so no self-respecting macho gun carrying man would have it. So that�s exactly why I bought it. It�s just right for carrying a light weight mid size revolver or semi-auto. One thing to remember when modifying a pack is to get a pack that is just big enough to do the job. If your pack is too big the folding and creasing during use will trap the gun.

Typically a fanny pack is a bad choice for carrying concealed weapons due to the slower presentation speeds. In this scenario it has proven to be the best compromise I�ve found between concealment and presentation speed. I modified the pack to hold the gun butt up, and the muzzle facing to the rear. When biking this configuration gives you that FBI forward cant. Too see what I mean put on any fanny pack in the 3 � 4 oclock position sit down and the front of the fanny pack will ride up a bit towards the vertical. I also modified the zipper to pull from the front only. So now there is only one zipper tang to be concerned with. Although I typically carry a 1911 style C&L, with this set up I carry a hammered DAO for additional safety.

Although nothings perfect and one will have to tweak to fit personal preference the pack when used works and looks like the other packs worn by the active masses. I can also use the outer pocket for wallet and key storage, which gives the pack even more authenticity and credibility.

Gotta go we can discuss particulars some other time if you want.
Enjoy!

Stevet04II

Don, Never Leave Home Without It!!

Join us over on glocktalk.org

Bill

Please. This is more than I can handle.

james Haury

I do not favor gun control laws. There are too many already . Criminals do not obey the law any way . All Gun control laws do is restrict the rights of honest citizens to defend themselves.

anikuma

but under gun control, and honest citizen shouldn't have a problem procuring a gun

Red Baron

thanks Don C for the feedback.
'ad6mj' your comment 'On body carry is the only practical method.' - one word of caution I failed to mentioned in previous post. Even though I like to shift weapon to small of back, I am conscious of the fact that if I were to fall, I am at serious risk of spinal injury if I were to land on my back. Thus I sometimes carry in a triangular attachment (called a frame bag/pack???)/ I would assume same risk for any part of body.
To 'anikuma', no offense friend, but it don't work that way.
To 'Digger' I'm with Don Cook's response and Yes, per your signature, I also agree your a dink (you said this, not me) .
I also agree with the poster who says use a retention strap on the holster.

Please, lets stick to post topic, if you wish to discuss gun control, go somewere else or start your own post.
I respect your views, please respect mine. I just don't care to waste my time on this. I'm interested in the original topic asked by Don.
No offense meant or implied to anyone on this forum, but we all are not going to agree on this. (Big Period). Thats why I vote in ALL local and national elections. I've had friends who gave all for that right and a year(+) of my own life for the privleage to allow YOU (in the US) to do the same.

Ebbtide

I've seen folks carry small glocks (don't know models), any of the Kel-tec line or other small caliber "plastic fantastics" in their jerseys/pockets. You could go with the lanyard and p-32 around your neck.

S&W Airweights are an option if you are looking for more power, but I suspect that will print and sag your jersey.

I can't imagine any type off off body carry (cycle bag, hydro pack) while cycling. I'm likely to give up my gear before I shoot....unless I feel my life is in danger, of course.

Hope this helps, and FWI this topic has been covered over at www.thehighroad.org and thefiringline.com if you want to stop and try a search.

ehenz

goodcatjack

red baron,

I was in a close-encounter with an SUV bad enough to get me into an ambulance and eventually into surgery -- and my USP .45f in its Blade-tech IWB rig stayed right where it was supposed to be. It and the reload were on a belt worn simply over the shorts and under the jersey; didn't even get a bruise from either of them.

-alex.