Kimber Custom CDP II- Practical carry gun?

[HK4U]

Welcome from Texas. Glade to see you and your wife are on the same page. It is good to know that there is someone that "has your back" if somthing happens.

[PascalFleischman]

My piece of advice to new carriers starts with the holster. DON'T go out and drop $60 - $100 on something you've never worn. The chance is too great that you'll end up hating it, and end up with an expensive hunk of leather taking up drawer space. Before you even get your permit, go try a couple of cheapie holsters to wear around the house (as often as possible). These are often nylon and cost less than $25. Figure out which is most comfortable (inside the waistband: IWB, outside the waistband: OWB or hip carry, cross-draw, or small of back: SOB). Your tastes will likely change, so shift positions every couple of days with your cheapie holster. Once you figure out your preference, graduate to a more expensive (maybe $40) and more durable holster. This is the one you should carry with the first 6 months.

I've said all this because this is what was told to me when I started carrying a little over a year ago. I've spent $45 among 2 holsters and now know what I like and have been comfortable carrying. Christmas money will now be spent on a "real" holster made of leather. Good luck and welcome to the carrying community.

[KimberPB]

Prplflh71 welcome to the site and I hope you enjoy!

Just thought I would add my 2 pennies. I have carried a Kimber Ultra Carry II for over a year now and absolutely love it. At 5'6'' the Ultra carry was a little more comfortable, to me, then a full size 1911. My Dad also carries the Kimber Ultra CDP II and loves his. Both guns are great shooting and accurate for a 3in barrel.

Good luck with getting your permit!

[prplflh71]

Thanks for taking the time to cover the many unknowns that come with being new to the carry scene as well as the great advice on the issue with my children growing up around guns. Much appreciated!

I grew up in a gun household and Dad sent me and my two older brothers to the local NRA Hunter Safety Course all at the same time. Gosh, I must have been around nine or so? By this time I'd had a couple BB guns and was on my way to a .22 Marlin and Mossberg 20 gauge. That safety course went a long way on it's own, but Dad was ex-military and was very diligent on us handling them safely. You are right though.......I remember being mesmerized by his Ruger revolver and .32 pocket pistol when he was out of the house. Without the training....I might have put a hole in the wall, or worse yet myself or one of my brothers.

The website of the range where I plan to train for my permit does say, "Participants must bring with them to the class - a firearm, ammunition (200+ rounds) and a holster. We recommend that students bring the firearm that they intend to carry". That is cut and pasted directly from their site. I've not called to schedule the class yet. I'm sure they would clarify the gun being for the range portion only. But they do specify to bring a holster. They also mention that you must qualify at the range prior to the class. I'll make sure to get the specifics when I call. Thanks for the "head's up"!

Getting back to the children in the house issue; my oldest turned two September of last year. I keep my collection locked in a floor safe, but my house gun (a 1911) is kept in a drawer beside my bed, along with a flashlight. I know she doesn't have the strength to cycle the slide, (I keep a full mag but no round chambered for that reason). Is this "safe" and if not, what do you recommend? I want the gun "at the ready" but feel disadvantaged by the need to cycle a round to be ready for business. I don't want to create a safety issue with a round chambered if she gets a hold of it. It also is no good to me in a lock box or locked drawer. We know exactly where she is and what she is doing 99.9% of the time, but when a gun discharges, there is no "do over". I've taken steps to remove the "stigma" by reading American Hangunner to her (showing the pictures) and watching shows like Personal Defense TV and Shooting USA while she is in the room. I walked around the house all evening with my .45 holstered for the first time tonight. I was surprised, she never took a second glance at it or even asked about it. I'd like more insite from you on this when you have time.

Thanks again!

[NRA_instructor]

Hey there, I just wanted to let you know how I run my course's (per NRA regs) as for bringing your sidearm. We strickly abide by the NRA course outline and all of the rules and such. I know from a few other faciities in my area that do pick and choose what policies they use and that all well and good. The NRA PPH course has one instructor for every one student on the range portion of the course to load and help direct the student with the commands of the Chief Range officer (6 hours at the range and 22 in the class, for a total of 28 hours) but we cover Basic Pistol, Firearms in the Home and Personal Protection in the Home and a certificate for each upon completion. So they leave with a weath of knowledge and in alot of cases starting with little to NO IDEA of what to do with any gun if they where to come across one. But it sounds as though your class is focusing on concealed carry only which is great also.
Kid, hmmmmmm..... That is a tough one but to date the best program I have seen or been involved with is the "Eddie Eagle" program the the NRA does a great job with putting on. If you go to the NRA site (NRA.org) or just call them they should be able to give you all the info you need and answer any questions you may have. The best thing about the Eddie Eagle program is that they cover EVERYTHING from firearms to strangers even our (as parents) worse nightmare pedifiles! So look into it and just use your best judgement, who better knows your kids then you! Every child is different and there for needs to taught differently. But from your small test of wearing your 45 it seems as though you have a good handle on what needs to happen.
The tricky part is safe's. I will tell you this right now DO NOT BUY A BIO-METRICS SAFE!!! I have had the chance to use the Bio that the NRA is pushing in there catalog for $250-$300 and they are a great idea, using your finger print and its better then any key but it takes about 10-25 seconds to open and that is no good if you need it now! The best pistol safe I have come across is a single pistol safe that has either a key (round one like a kryptonite lock) and then there is a pad the is contoured to you hand and at each of you finger tips is a push button that you program for any order of your finger tips depressing, once you depress the four digit code the door springs open and inside it it foam lined. The good quality models are going for $65-$95 depending on sthe size. Thaat way there if you used one of those cases you could bolt it to the underside of the bed or the back of the head board. If you look around you will also find bed side tables that have a hidden draw that opens to reveal your sidearm. But I do have to say USE A LOCK BOX! There are a dozen different locking systems out there and one of them will work for you, like I said about the finger tip lock it is fast and easy to open, and with little to no practice you can unlock it just upon feel alone! As for the holster subject again, you like EVERY other person that carries will end up with a dozen holsters in a drawer somewhere. But I have been through so many holsters in the years I have been carrying and on the job. The one holster I would tell anyone and everyone to buy is the Milt Sparks Versa Max II it is the best holster I have ever worn!! It will melt right into your hip and you will never feel that 45 there on your hip. I hope that I have helped you in some way. In closing just use your commen sence when it comes to gun safety with your kids, ask yourself what would a kid do in any situation that may present itself. Shoot straight and be safe. Jason

[Glock Fan]

Originally Posted by NRA_instructor

I do need to say a few things about having a sidearm that accessible is to remove the taboo from the gun. Meaning when, not if but WHEN your kids have any questions (and they will, I know first hand!) answer all of there questions. NEVER try to hide it or keep iot a secret, EVER! Think back to your years as a child, what was the first thing you did after your parents told you not to touch something? What did you do? YOU TOUCHED IT!! Answer all of there questions, then let them touch and if they want to shoot like daddy does then go buy them a BB gun or a small 22 caliber rifle. But please teach you children the basic gun safety rules, please dont just say "you dont need to be asking about that and dont ever touch one EVER that is dangerous!! Instead tell them not to touch until you can show them only after you have taught them the basic safety rules you have been taught in you class. REMOVE THE TABOO AND ANSWER ALL THERE QUESTIONS!

I strongly agree with teaching children about firearms and what they do. The more you try and hide something from a child, the harder they will try to learn (possibly from dangerous sources). I was "forbidden" from touching even a bb gun as a child. I joined the military and experienced "culture shock" when presented with my first M16A2. I took advantage of every opportunity presented to me and now serve as a firearms instructor in the military and in civilian life (NRA Pistol Instructor). I've got a little one of my own, he's 3 and asking a lot of questions. He's got his own toy pump action shot gun and semi-auto handgun. They're both handled and stored like "daddy's guns". He can play with his toy guns only with daddy's permission, and under daddy's supervision. When your 3 year old gives you heat for leaving an empty holster on the bed, you know you've done your job. ;)

Be safe, and good luck!


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