Hello all, I am new here and just want to say hello and get some ideas/feedback on my Urban EDC.

(In Photo)
Click to enlarge.



Nextel Phone
Luminox "stealth" watch with Rhino 22mm strap
Keltec P-32 hard chrome finish w/extra mag (CCW)
Spyderco "Salt 1" (H-1 steel, Nice!)
Arc AAA -P led flashlight
Seber Tool M2
2 brass? (non metalic) military safety pins.
Wallet with credit cards, phone card, drivers and ccw license, cash, fresnel lense (my 44yr old eyes can't read the fine print anymore) 2 band-aids and 2 alcohol prep pads.

(not shown)
Car/house keys with a fox 40 mini whistle
Mini Bic lighter

Any ideas on what I should or might carry/need in a large retail commercial building, dealing with the public type setting?? I have no locker or desk (of my own) to secure any personal items while at work. So I must carry everything on my person.

I have other items in my personal truck which is set up more as a WSK, as I have to drive some 40+ miles (each way) to work through the Pocono mountains.

Regards to all...

Get creative. There are always a few good hiding places in most buildings. Try popping a ceiling tile some place and stashing a small kit up high where no one looks. Be sure to put your name on it on the long shot that somebody discovers it.

TR

That little mini-tool looks almost too minimalist. Have you considered a Micra or even stepping up to a Wave?

Looks like a nice little set of equipment to EDC.

I remember seeing somewhere, a small case that looks like one of those daily planners that everyone used to have before PDAs. Inside, there was a small gun holster, and pockets of varying sizes. Not sure how you'd search for one, but it might be what you are looking for.

Your EDC looks fine! I would switch the minitool to a Leatherman Micra if you don't absolutely need the pliers.

Why do you EDC a gun?

Just a question ... Does that KelTec have a safety? If not, do you carry it with the pipe empty?

Personally, I'd be a little freaked pocket-carrying a semiauto with one in the pipe and no safety

I would recomend a bandanna.

The Kel-Tec doesn't have a safety.. no more than a pocket sized revolver does. Doesn't need one. The trigger pull is long,.. not particularly light. It won't fire unintentionally. The firing pin is not under tension as it might be with older style semiautos, so the weapon is as safe in that carry condition as is a revolver.
.... that being said, we could start another thread on firearm stupidity. I've seen plenty...
But I'd have no problems carrying the Kel-Tec loaded and chambered in my pocket. One value a pocket holster has, though, is protection from dust bunnies, lint, and pocket debris. Without a pocket holster my EDC carry (S&W M342) picks up a great deal of lint.

I do have one of those Daytimer Organizers with a built in holster. I stopped using it. It represented a way to drop/loose all of my EDC stuff at once. It was also too visable a target for a rip-off (and I lost a S&W M60 that way) Now I use my pockets.

Although I hate to admit it, (it is so UN-Macho)the most frequently used part of my EDC gear is my Fisher Bullet Pen. I wish I could say it was my Combat Kukri, my Siltarp, my paracord,..etc. But no. It is the lowly pen!

Why not?

Probably because he won't be given advance notice before it will be needed... like every other item of EDC.

I don't want to get into this debate, but if guns made us safer, the United States would be the safest place in the world. That being said, I am not expecting any reply to my post and I don't want replies to my post. I do NOT want to get into this debate.

Other than EDCing that gun, I think that the original poster's EDC is off to a good start.

Thank you, and have a nice day.

If you didn't want to get into the debate, why did you post your opinion, and then basically say you didn't want to hear anyone else's opinion?

This is a book that may help explain why Americans like to carry guns.

(And don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)

Other than EDCing that gun, I think that the original poster's EDC is off to a good start
----------------------------------------

Thats a little unfair saying that when you are not in his situation to know if he might need it or not.

You have your view on guns, I respect that.
He has his views on guns, and I respect that too.

At least you have a choice. Some of us live in countries that dont have that choice and its no safer.

I could go on, but that would start sounding like a debate on the issue.

"... if guns made us safer, the United States would be the safest place in the world."

If you do a little research you will find that the areas of the USA with the highest levels of gun control also have the highest murder rates.

And with all due respect, you can't seriously think you can post a statement like that and get no replies.

Regards, Vince

Pizzaman:

Not a bad idea...I'll look around and see what I can find for hiding spots.


Dreadnought

Bee:

Do they make something as small as the micra "with" a plier? I use the plier and side cutter most.

Why do I edc a handgun?

I was mugged in 1995 while working in NYC. I was shot in the leg...I gave no resistance and handed the money over quickly. Do you know why he shot me??? I know because after he shot me, he said (quote) "thats so you don't follow me"

I swore to myself that I would never be at a disadvantage again. I am a big guy 6'3" tall and 300+ pounds but felt helpless when that 150 lb skinny runt put a gun in my face.

Thanks for your reply,
Dreadnought

In reply to:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Probably because he won't be given advance notice before it will be needed... like every other item of EDC.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exactly! well said Glock-A-Roo

Thanks for your reply,
Dreadnought

Bee, with the resent events in America one has to do a little more soul searching and question what has happened. It's not so easy to be black and white on this subject anymore. There are many pro's and con's to gun carry/control. I think those that carry easily make a case of why from the media coverage. Those that don’t carry can also make very persuasive arguments. However I feel the need more and more to have some kind of firearm available to me. If a CCW permit were available to me I would certainly want to have the option.

Adam

Leatherman Squirt P4



Adam

NAro hit it right on the head....It's a DAO (Double action only) has a long and a relatively heavy trigger pull. Also it cannot fire as in dropping it or by striking the gun because the firing pin is not under tension or cocked as NAro mentioned.

I do carry it in a pocket holster not shown in photo.

Thanks for your reply,
Dreadnought
....

Looks good. Might try a Leatherman Squirt. It's very slightly larger than a Micra and can be had with sturdy scissors or pliers with more tools than the Micra.

The KelTec is a good pick. Don't mind the concealed carry criticism. You make your corner of the world safer.

Dude, what a bum. I'm sorry you had to go through this frightening experience. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Where exactly in NYC did that happen? I hope you didn't sustain permanent tissue damage or anything.

Leatherman also make the Squirt. The Squirt with pliers is called P4 and the Squirt with the scissors is called S4. Other than that, the other features are the same. I have considered switching to the S4 myself but hey, the Micra gets the job done. I think you would be very satisfied with a P4 because most of the tools can be accessed without turning the thing inside-out as with the Micra.

Have a good one! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I understand what you are saying. I'm glad that everyone is adding to this thread in a very civilized and respectful way. Makes me proud to be part of this forum. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

In Reply To:
"Dude, what a bum. I'm sorry you had to go through this frightening experience. Where exactly in NYC did that happen? I hope you didn't sustain permanent tissue damage or anything."

No lasting damage except for some lymphodema (swelling) that I am told will never go away. "Luckily" I was shot with a .25 cal bullet and it did not hit bone or any major blood vessels.

I was shot in south Jamaica Queens NY. I had just exited my work truck (parked on a city street) and was walking down the street to a customers house.

Thanks for your reply,
Dreadnought

I would like to mention that gun "experts" often say that a .22, .25, .32 caliber bullets are not good man-stoppers but I can tell you that .25 caliber round put this 300+ pound guy right down to the ground. Just thought I would mention it as I am a living "guinea pig"

I carry one myself. While I don't use it every day, it comes to hand often enough to make it worthwhile, either pliers or the screwdrivers. Because it's so small, I carry it no matter what I'm wearing: cargo pants, dress slacks, suit. I have a couple of leatherman-type tools, and I don't carry them, as they are too bulky and have too many tools I don't use.

A pocket knife and that little plier/screw driver set fit my needs perfectly -- extremely portable, not bulky, fit in my pockets with no unsightly bulge. :-) Sometimes less is more.

To All,

I never meant to make this post into a gun debate.

I truely respect and understand ALL opinions and views regarding guns and gun control.

I am confident that everyone here can and will "agree to disagree" on opinions expressed by others.

Respectfully,
Dave
(Dreadnought)

Dreadnought....I personally don't think you intended it to become one.....I also don't think it is your fault. If people want to have an open, honest debate.....fine. I have a problem with another....not the view held but how it was put forth here.....

As with a lot of things, there are two sides to every story.
I live in a country were guns are illigal to edc, or even to own one (exception is made for sporting / hunting but the rules are very strict).

As a good thing, the number of accidents with guns are very few. But on the other hand, criminals do have guns have a big advantage over us who obey the law.

Therefore I'm not so convinced what's the best deal...

One of the first things that drew me to this site was reading the forums and noticing that no matter how many opinions were given, they were always given as just that opinions. You have to decide what you take and what you leave.

I am totally for CCW and fully support Bees right to be against it. She can have her opinion..I have mine. IMHO having a weapon and knowing how to use it is just another tool in your Equipped to Survive kit. After seeing the post on Banning of Kitchen knives...will we see a trend toward discouraging the EDC of knives because they could be used the wrong way...I hope not.

I carry the Leatherman Micra...it's great! I agree with Bee on that one. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

YOU didn't, Dreadnaught. You shouldn't apologize.

Nice little EDC setup you have there. The Kel-Tec is a great little gun. I used to have the P11 (9mm). I also have a Spyderco Salt (4") that lives in an often wet tackle box with a bunch of rusty lures and not a spot of rust on it. Also that ArcAAA... well I don't even need to mention that one. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Here's what I would add (if anything)... A beefier multitool like a leatherman wave/charge or a SOG powerplier (I myself am guilty of not EDCing one though I realize I really should) and a firestarter of some type (ferrocerium, zippo, mini bic, etc).

BTW: The functioning of the mechanism in the Kel-Tec surpasses all applicable SAAMI safety standards.

Hghvlocity,

I believe that it was I who posted regarding the ban on kitchen knives. Sad. You should check the British blade forums online to see how far they've gone.

Bee,

'Why does he carry?', maybe he wants to have CHOICE. In his NY experience even if he CCW'ed he probably would have done the same thing, no need to get on a fast draw contest against a drawn gun. Still what if the BG thought he looked at him funny, or that one round was not enough to slow a big guy down. Without a CCW he would then have NO CHOICES LEFT TO MAKE.

Dreadhnough,

Have you looked into Swiss Army Knives.

. . . Gotta go, just ran out of uppercase letters.

Edit to add: No it was not my post on Kitchen Knives Ban, it's Groo's. Ooops, my bad.
Kitchen Knives Ban

I agree! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

.

I would like to mention that gun "experts" often say that a .22, .25, .32 caliber bullets are not good man-stoppers but I can tell you that .25 caliber round put this 300+ pound guy right down to the ground. Just thought I would mention it as I am a living "guinea pig"
------------------------------------------------
When reffered to man stoppers, picture someone hiped up on drugs, rushing at you with a knife.
They wont feel the fact that they have been shot, so law enforcement etc. use these type of senario's to judge effectivness of weapons.
They also train for the fact that if they haven't pulled the trigger by the time the offender has reached 10-12 feet away, it is too late for their own safety.

This is brief, and I am sure others will be able to give more details/ corrections, but it is interesting when talking to guards/police/military personel etc about threats they have to deal with. It makes you think of situations with a completely different view.
I am sure after being shot, you would have similar feelings.

I would suggest that you do get some training (if you haven't already done so) because it might end up being used against you one day if you cant control the situation.
I dont mean pull the trigger training, I mean situation training.

A few thoughts about a gun in your situation. What if you did have a handgun when you were mugged? What would you have done? Unless you saw it coming and were able to quickdraw (not likely), you would still be at a disadvantage until the mugger was walking away or somehow distracted to give you time to draw your handgun. The latter doesn't seem plausible for most situations. If you had pulled out a gun during the incident, you might be dead today. So that leaves shooting the mugger while he is walking away from you...as in..you were really no longer in continued danger when you took revenge and shot back. Any thoughts? I am not judgeing...just wondering.

Many of us who carry on a regular basis have gone through training for these types of situations. Carrying of a firearm is not a casual process. We don't carry a gun in the bottom of a bag where it is as useful as one that is unloaded in a safe in a house. Rather, it is "available". We don't "quickdraw" like in the movies. Please, don't believe anything you see about guns in the movies. If I am in a situation that may warrant a use of force, I will be more ready and more able than my assailant.

Well put, Malpaso. As is so terribly common, most of those who think they know why a gun is "useless" don't have the training or experience to make an informed opinion. Usually they are at the bottom of the competency ladder: those who don't know that they don't know. This is like the U.S. legislators who crafted the 1994 "assault weapons" ban. They figured that if a rifle had a flash suppressor or a collapsible stock, it must somehow be more deadly. They had no idea that such accessories could easily be removed, while the rifle still shot the same cartridge. They were incompetent to judge, and worse, they were unaware of their incompetence.

Just using the term "quickdraw" reveals a lot.

Training is a very big factor. Think about a LEO they are well trained and can handle this type of situation, don't assume that if you carry a weapon that you will be able to act/react as someone trained in the use of deadly or non-deadly force.

Adam

Don't kid yourself. No offense intended to LEOs out there, but just because someone has a badge and an issued firearm, doesn't mean they are well trained. Some only shoot once a year at qualification. I shoot with many LEOs, and the ones who shoot regularly are few and far between. They will tell you that themsleves.

At our club, civilians usually win both combat pistol and rifle competitions, both individually and team competitions.

Think about a LEO they are well trained and can handle this type of situation
--------------------
Question: whats a Leo.

Secondly the response was "Situation" not target practise.

But I openly admit that I dont know what a Leo is or how they are trained. So I wouldnt know if they are trained to handle the situation.

LEO = Law enforcement officer

I was referring to combat shoots, not target practice. Combat shoots are real life scenarios, with good guy and bad guy targets, movement, reloading, live ammo, etc. At our club, they are designed by a local SWAT officer, so they are the same training that the police use.

Practise ... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> give me a break, Its 4 am here and I havent slept a wink.

My point re situation is if they have had proper training to deal with the situation they may not have to shoot.
The gun is only a tool.
Im not explaining this well at this time in the morn.

I know of a black belt who had the c%*p belted out of him because of his attitude thinking he knew how to fight and was trained for it.
I also know another black belt, and you wouldnt even know that that she was a black belt, but she deals with situations with control.
They both know how to fight but with dealing with situations that arise, one fails.
The fighting skills are the tool as are the shooting skills.
I hope you can see what I mean.

I think we're saying the same thing, just getting at it from a different direction. Absolutely, a gun is a tool. My reason for jumping into this thread with both feet is specifically because it is a tool, and a good tool for EDC, IMHO, if you are trained, ready and able to use it.

I totally agree.

"Quickdraw?" No such think unless you are Bill Jordan with a gun open on your belt. No, it is in your hand already. Use of weapons is training and mindset. Most folks cannot use a knife on another human being. Guns are easier, becaue they are not as personal, but if you are in a very flexible situation, you have to either have it right there, or know how to distract. But that's another story.

I like the knife any reason you went for the serations?
Micra and a wave take care of most problems. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

That just goes to show that noting can be made completely safe, just varying levels of safer.
Of course you can look at cities like DC where almost no one can carry a gun and the crime rate is the highest in the country <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Every*thing* is safe. It is people that are not.