USA Carry Mailbag #3

This is the third edition of the USA Carry Mailbag where we answer questions sent in from our readers. We hope everyone else can benefit from some of the answers we usually provide via email. At the end of this article will be a form you can submit to send in your questions. We’ll answer them to the best of our knowledge and may include it in the next USA Carry Mailbag.

So to get this started off, here are some questions and answers that were sent in to Jason Hanson.

From Jim D: Hi Jason, what type of ammo do you use in your LCP 380?

I use Hornady Critical Defense ammo.

From Sherrill D: Jason, thought you would like to know I took your concealed carry course and used my certificate with my application for a permit to carry in Idaho and was approved last week. Idaho has recently changed the requirements for a permit as I would assume many states are doing.

Thank you for passing along this information. Virginia and Idaho have reciprocity, but I wasn’t aware that Idaho would accept the Virginia certificate as-is for their permit, but that’s great news that they will.

From Mark L: I have a question for you; I just bought a Glock 19. I am able to dry fire all my other handguns without problems. How do you dry fire the Glock?

Mark, after each trigger pull you simply rack the slide again so that you reset the trigger. In other words, after you dry fire, the trigger will be “dead” so you will have to rack the slide to reset it.

From Bryan G: I have 2 questions:

1) Even in a state that honors my carry permit, are there different rules for carrying when crossing/visiting Native American reservation land? And is there a location I could visit to read the applicable rules?

2) I carry just about every day, but I’ve not been able to become totally comfortable with the American “chambered, cocked & locked” method of carry. I find that I am more comfortable with what I term the “Israeli paradigm” of magazine-in, but not chambered. What are your thoughts on this issue?

Many highways run through Native American reservations, so if you are simply passing though you are good to do that with your state’s permit. However, if you plan to go visit a reservation and hang out there, you need to contact them and find out their specific tribal rules on firearms. Every tribe is different and has their own rules so there isn’t a general answer or one place you can go for all of the rules.

Regarding your second question, I believe it’s a very bad idea to walk around with a gun that’s not fully loaded and ready to fire. If you’re ever attacked you may have a split second to react, and the amount of time it takes you to chamber that round (if you even remember to chamber it with all of that adrenaline pumping through your body) could cost you your life. If you remember the 4 rules of firearms safety and keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot, then there is no reason not to carry a round in the chamber, as I always do.

From Anthony R: I am a Connecticut Resident. Is this a Federal Concealed Carry Permit? Does this permit allow me to carry concealed in Connecticut?

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a Federal concealed carry permit. And as long as there are states like California and New Jersey in the union, there will likely never be a Federal permit. Also, the Virginia permit does not have reciprocity with Connecticut so you would not be able to carry in Connecticut on a Virginia non-resident permit.

From Jacob B: I am able to shoot consistent groups; however, from 10yds and beyond, it appears my groups are low and to the left. At first, I thought my sights need adjustment, but I’ve been reading that the “7 O’clock-pull” is a hard habit to overcome. Any suggestions other than putting thousand of rounds down range (since ammo is hard to find)?

This is a common problem for shooters, but there is a simple cure: Dry fire practice. I spend 10-15 minutes a day working on my draw and a smooth trigger pull. When you are properly pulling the trigger your front sight should not move.

From Laurence A: Thanks for all your great info regarding the responsible use and ownership of firearms. I live in Phoenix and carry a pistol on a daily basis.  In September my adult daughter and I are going to Boston and staying in a fairly remote cabin on Cape Cod and I would like to have at least one weapon available to me. I would appreciate any advice on how to do this without breaking any laws.

Remember, I am not a lawyer, but here’s how I’ve been told this would work: Since MA has pain-in-the-butt gun laws you cannot carry concealed there. So once you get off the airplane you would leave your gun locked up and unloaded in the hard side case. Throw the case in the back of your car. When you get to your cabin you are then allowed to load up the gun. Do not leave the house with the gun and when you go back to the airport it should be unloaded and secure. However, if I were you, I would call the MA state police and verify this. (Their gun laws are so strict I would make the call because you don’t want to take any chances with improper transportation or storage in the car or the cabin.)

From Dennis V: I don’t like the LCP for several reasons: low-energy 380 cartridge, grip too small for a pinky finger, and so light that it can be snappy with a poor grip. I think the LC9 is a better choice because you can upgrade to 9mm with a standard magazine (7 + 1 rounds) that will support all fingers.  The better grip makes it easy to get off fast follow up shots with mild recoil and a small penalty in length and width.  Another small bonus is better cost and availability of 9 mm ammo.

Obviously, everyone has their own preferences for the type of gun they carry. I love the LCP and think it’s a great pocket gun and since bullet placement is the most important factor, a .380 will definitely do the job if you hit your target. In my opinion, the LC9 is too big for pocket carry, which is why I prefer the Glock 19 or Smith and Wesson M&P in 9mm.

Fill out the form below if you have a question you would like answered and possibly featured in the USA Carry Mailbag.