The smart thing to do is get a gun that looks like something else. A gun that looks like binoculars could be openly carried around your neck. You could aim it at someone and they'd think you were just checking them out.

Anyone know anyone that open carries a decoy and conceal carries the real deal?

I see no advantage to open carry. The bad guy is always going to have a leg up on you, as they are the ones who will be drawing and firing first. Said another way, the odds you wind up with a big bullseye on your back far outweighs the half a second you might gain in draw time.

Also, I've got to believe any bad guy intent enough to pull and use a fire arm has given the whole situation considerable thought and is not going to be deterred by seeing a firearm. Particularly in Texas, they have to assume going into about any situation they are likely to encounter a gun. All open carry would do is let them know who to shoot first.

I have an LTC, but my main strategy is to avoid sketchy areas/situations. I find manners and little forward thought on hazard assessment go a long way.

The smart thing to do is get a gun that looks like something else. A gun that looks like binoculars could be openly carried around your neck. You could aim it at someone and they'd think you were just checking them out.

I see no advantage to open carry. The bad guy is always going to have a leg up on you, as they are the ones who will be drawing and firing first. Said another way, the odds you wind up with a big bullseye on your back far outweighs the half a second you might gain in draw time.
If you only have a .5 second difference in the draw rate for concealed vs open, you are doing it wrong. Either you are not concealed very well, or your open carry method flat out sucks. I agree that the tactical advantage of concealed almost always makes it a better choice than open, but the half second remark makes me cringe. Forgive me for picking on semantics.


Also, I've got to believe any bad guy intent enough to pull and use a fire arm has given the whole situation considerable thought and is not going to be deterred by seeing a firearm. Particularly in Texas, they have to assume going into about any situation they are likely to encounter a gun. All open carry would do is let them know who to shoot first.I'm going to venture the guess that the vast majority of criminals give very little thought or planning to their crime. Criminals are not smart enough to have thought through the possible scenarios and to make primary and secondary and alternative plans for contingencies. The reality is, if they were smart enough to plan like that, they would not be criminals in the first place.

I have an LTC, but my main strategy is to avoid sketchy areas/situations. I find manners and little forward thought on hazard assessment go a long way. 100% agree with you here.

I choose between my three options based on where I am and when I'm there.
I travel a lot, all over the state, sometimes it puts me in dicey areas, sometimes it puts me in dicey areas at the wrong time.

Everyday carry, 2" 357 IWB revolver. It's quick, it goes pop every time, and it's very comfortable to carry.

Dicey areas during the day. 1911 commander with two mags, OWB carry, under a shirt.

Dicey areas, wrong time. Open carry shoulder holster the Automag. It's neither small, discreet or hard to spot. It's also capable of stopping an escalade at 80 yards.

Dang, haven't seen one of those in years. Can you find ammo, or do you roll your own?

Edit: Never mind. I see that's an AMT Automag. Thought it was a 44 Auto Mag. Completely different weapon.

It uses .30 caliber carbine ammo. Still have a couple of cases of surplus in cans.

I have a great friend of mine that purchased one of these...it shoots a foot + flame when the trigger is pulled and the slide action is unreal! I loved going to the range with SOB and breaking it out. It would turn heads the minute the round was sent down range.