By: Fifty Shades of FDE
I have always had the mindset of being prepared for the worst-case scenario, so I’d be ready for anything. It’s not paranoia. It’s just having a game plan in place for when things happen. If or when they do, they usually happen rather quickly, leaving you only moments to react. If you don’t already have some sort of plan for it, you are forced to come up with a solution on the spot, leaving you way behind on some important decision making and actions that need to happen.
At the time of writing this, there are many events happening that reinforce the importance of preparedness. The devastation left on the east coast of the US from Hurricane Helene is just harrowing, with many people left stranded and out of reach. Iran firing missiles into Israel, intensifying the conflict over there. To our porous border letting who knows into our country. It would be in your own interest to have everything you need before disaster strikes.
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Having the right mindset is key here. This is why I chose to carry a concealed firearm everywhere I go, as much as I can. If I am unable to carry it, it is nearby and secured in my vehicle. For the mosh part and most places I go, I have my Every Day Carry Pistol with me.
If you are able to apply and obtain a Concealed Carry Permit in your local jurisdiction, I highly recommend it, along with training with your firearm. A firearm is the right tool to give you a fighting chance in certain dire situations that could mean serious injuries or death to you and those you are in charge of protecting.
The equipment you choose from your firearm, ammunition, holster, and belt to the clothes that you wear are all important aspects. There are so many variables and preferences to cover. I will go over what has worked for me over the many years that I have carried concealed. I have a lot of experiences, good and bad, along with being a gear reviewer and writer, I have used a wide variety of setups and with many phases of trial and error.
My current setup is by far the best I’ve come up with when compared to everything that I have carried over the years.
My setup:
Pistol: Sig Sauer P365X with Wilson Combat WC365 Grip Module, Grey Ghost Precision GGP365 V1 Slide, Holosun EPS Carry 2 MOA, Radian Weapons Afterburner+Ramjet, Streamlight TLR-7 sub.
Holsters: Safariland/Haley Strategic Partners Incog X
https://safariland.com/products/incogx-iwb-holster?srsltid=AfmBOorYu6r7MWx_Qo0rO9Oa0ku0S4t9SS1CxixHnvFbFUFUtbS_zTPU
Allegiant Holsters AIWB Holster
https://bit.ly/38kCif3
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Belt: KORE Essentials EDC Belt
Mean Gene Leather Renegade 1.15″ Belt
Ammunition: Federal HST 9mm 147gr
https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/50rds-9mm-federal-le-tactical-hst-147gr-hp-ammo
My P365 setup is very lightweight, low profile, with excellent round capacity. With the accesories, I have the ability to acquire my sight picture quicker with the red dot, and I am able to identify my target with my weapon mounted light. All of it is very useful in self-defense situations.
The next important part of your equipment that is sometimes overlooked is a medical kit. You need to be able to stop the bleed, post a gunfight. The chance of you using your med it is far greater than your firearm, as medical emergencies can happen at anytime. Some essential items in your med kit should include an effective Tourniquet, Chest Seal, bandage to plug wounds, and some band aids for the smaller wounds.
As important as having all of the right equipment is, having the training to use all of it is equally crucial. Also, having a good sense of situational awareness will allow you to stay out of danger and deter criminals that are looking easy targets of opportunity. It definitely will give you time to avoid problems and allow you to have more time to react.
This is only a short discussion about being prepared in terms of a everyday carry, however, it is something that we all do daily. I hope most of you already have your setup and mindset all good to go. If not, I hope this will give more things to think about and encourage you to carry everywhere if you don’t already.
Stay prepared and stay safe.
I have made a ton of videos on my you
tube channel, so check them out here:
https://youtube.com/@fiftyshadesoffde