What items should I have for my everyday carry? This conversation amongst the concealed carry or everyday carry (EDC) community can include anything from just your pistol to carrying the kitchen sink, just in case that worst-case scenario should arise.
Some will say you need a spare mag, others say a tourniquet, but at the end of the day, you know your situation better than anyone else. My intent in this article is to give you a little insight into my thought process for EDC.
systems for your edc
During a War HOGG Tactical course, when I am teaching my students about how to think about EDC, I break it down into four groups so it’s a little less overwhelming.
- Pistol and holster
- Clothing
- Belt
- Accessories
This way it gives you a checklist to make sure you are equipped in the best way for your situation. I also stress to my students the need to dry fire with their concealed firearm and clothing. This is part of my dry and live fire regimen. I am also using The Firearms Training Notebook to track my concealed carry firearms training progress. This allows me to know that all my different clothing is functional, and I can see the improvement in my EDC marksmanship.
We also have an instructional video from Panteao Productions that can be a supplement to your concealed carry training.
dry fire before buying if possible
Unfortunately, we live in an e-commerce world, where a lot of people are not going to stores. Whenever you purchase a new piece of clothing make sure you are dry-firing to make sure there are no potential issues with getting that handgun out as efficiently and effectively as possible.
An example: My wife had purchased me an insulated shirt that had pockets on the side. I was super excited about the new shirt but found a major flaw in the dry fire test. The pockets had some attaching tabs that were a draw hazard. I had one of two choices, not wear it for my EDC or cut the tabs and remove the snag hazard. I opted to cut the tabs, now I have a great cool-weather EDC shirt.
pistol & holster
Your pistol and holster are the foundation of your everyday carry. You want to find a pistol/holster combo that is comfortable for you to wear for possibly hours on end. If your pistol holster is not comfortable then you are probably not going to carry on your body. Your ability to deal with a threat will be decreased due to your off-body option.
Training is the other part that a lot of people don’t address. If you are going to carry concealed for self-defense then you must put the time in to train! The Firearms Training Notebook gives you a tool to record your data on the different types of clothing you wear.
I am currently carrying a Walther PDP F-Series 4-inch barrel with an Aimpoint ACRO, loaded with 147-grain Speer Gold Dot, holstered in a Carey Concealment holster.
clothing
I approach concealed carry clothing from a top-to-bottom aspect.
Head Gear
Let’s start with your head. You may wear sunglasses during the day but what about night, especially in your vehicle? Do you swap to some clear eye pro just in case you have to fight from your vehicle? What about a ball cap? A ball cap could be used to help with your identification if you have called 911 and reported the incident.
Tops
With shirts and jackets, there are a lot of options to consider. First, look at sizing and length. I have some shirts with a tail that is too long or tight at the waist area. These do not allow for the most efficient draw from concealment.
Pants
I want my pants to allow full movement when I am carrying concealed. I don’t want to be restricted because the waist is too tight when I add my holster. I like pants that have additional pockets but don’t want something that screams “Tactical.” Typically when I find a brand or brands I like, I stick with them because I know they work.
Footwear
I’m looking for a quality closed-toe shoe or boot. They should be something that I can run in, if need be, and offer good traction regardless of the surface.
Outerwear
Rain jackets can be tricky because of how much rain protection they offer. If the rain jacket is too long and zipped up, it becomes very difficult to get quick access to your firearm.
With winter clothing the layers become the overwhelming issue when trying to get to your firearm. You may also be wearing gloves. You must figure out the best method with the clothing you have to be able to get to your firearm if needed. Dry fire will help you figure out your winter clothing layering method.
belt
I include the belt as its own category because I feel it’s one of the most overlooked parts of your EDC. There are numerous different kinds of belts on the market and some people go with what they have in the closet.
Your belt needs to be tight enough to securely hold your holster when you draw your pistol. It also holds your pistol close to your body and helps you to avoid “printing.” Printing is when a visible outline of your handgun can be seen through your shirt. Now, to the wise eye, people know you are carrying concealed.
I am currently using a ratchet belt. I like this belt because of the ease of being able to adjust the belt depending on my location. For example, I can loosen it in my vehicle for comfort, then tighten it back up before I exit my vehicle.
accessories
This is an area that can open Pandora’s box and in my opinion, some people take this to the extreme. I’m going to cover the accessory items I carry, but at the end of the day feel free to carry those items appropriate for your self-defense situation.
- Knife: My folding pocket knife has both a straight and serrated blade, with a window punch.
- Phone and wallet: I carry my phone and my wallet with cash. For the times that the credit card machine is been down, but you need gas or food, always carry some cash on you.
- Flashlight: Since my pistol does not have a light attached, I do carry a flashlight, depending on the situation and time of day.
- Tourniquet: If you are going to carry a tourniquet, make sure you are training with that as well. There is nothing worse than needing to stop a bleed and your tourniquet is still in the plastic or you don’t know how to use it.
- Bags: There are many different types of bags to off-body carry your firearm, or just carry additional accessories and even body armor. I am not a fan of off-body carry; I believe you open yourself up to not having access to your firearm when you need it. However, I do like the ability to have added items and armor if need be. I understand there is a time and place, the key thing is you must train that off-body acquisition of your firearm.
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legal protection
The aftermath of a deadly force encounter could have legal ramifications, whether criminal or civil. A company we use for our legal protection is US Law Shield. US Law Shield offers 24/7/365 live access to a world-class self-defense attorney. This is something you need to research, especially in this crazy world where surviving family members are apt to sue you for defending yourself or you are facing criminal prosecution.
conclusion: have your edc systems in place
At the end of the day, you must choose the appropriate items to carry for your self-defense needs. Every location and situation is going to be unique. Do your homework, dry fire at home, have a plan, and rehearse possible deadly force scenarios, so that you come home to your family.
Train Hard, Stay Safe, and see you On The Range – Rick
