What Happened To www.edc-essentials.com

With all the changes during and after COVID there seemed to be a turning point on this website,  I began to lose interest in it and my desire to write became less and less.  So I just stopped writing!

During COVID-19

Prior to COVID, my website was very important to me, I usually worked on it each day, in one form or another.  I enjoyed writing article about EDC and Concealed Carry and product reviews about various products in the EDC lines. I always seemed to make time for these articles and reviews and enjoyed doing it.  For those of you that have never Blogged, it takes a lot of time to put these articles together.  Research is necessary to get the facts, opinions and point of view necessary to write the information down in a manner that is worth reading.

As the time went on things began to get a little more difficult to write, with all of the changes to our lifestyles and new requirements and procedures, my spare time began to get filled up with other things.

After COVID, During 2021

Beginning in 2021 my job workload took a different turn and it consumed most all my time.  So therefore I did not write anything after March 2021.  That felt a little weird but when my time schedule totally changes and I had no more time to write articles, what was once enjoyable becomes a complete burden and a pain in the rear to do.  

I never had  time to think about my website, let alone write anything at all.  It began to make me think, it is worth having a website that you never have time to write anything?  Would my followers continue to visit my website without any new material?

As the months went by, I continued to fail to ad content and totally lost interest in this website.  The phrase “Out of sight, out of mind” is really true.  So in December 2021 my domain name was up for renewal and I decided not to renew it.  On December 13, 2021 I decided to cancel this website and go a different direction.

After My Website Was Canceled

At first, things seemed great!  No pressure, no deadlines, no research to do, no late hours writing, no writer’s block and then taking some time to get my heat in the right place, just go on with my life, do my normal job, take care of our family farm, play with our new grandson and forget about writing for my website.  I had enough other things in my life to focus on.  Right?

I was enjoying my new added freedom, I was able to focus on the other aspects of my life and  enjoy my life a little more.  I cut down some responsibilities that I had and made my life a little simpler.  Things seemed to be going well and more fun, Yahoo Right? 

The Truth Finally Hit Me

That mentality worked for a couple of weeks, until right after Christmas time, to be exact, I began to feel a void in my life.  As the end of December came around that void began to get bigger.  By January this void had not changed and I knew just what it was, I missed my website. But what could I do?  My website domain was gone and my website was taken down from the Internet. The only good thing was I still had my hosting contract with Hostinger so I had a place for a website I just needed to get a new domain.

The next thing I needed to do was to see if my old website address was available yet and it was not.  When someone does not renew a domain they must keep it idle for a certain time period.  So I had to find a new domain that would work for me and also make it very similar so I would not have to change a lot on my website.

Everyday Carry Essentials is back

It took a few attempts to get something that would work and I was happy about that.  Instead of EDC Essentials, it is now Everyday Carry Essentials (www.everydaycarry-essentials.com)  Some people were not sure what EDC stood for so spelling it out works better

On the Internet, EDC stood for: Electric Daisy Carnival, Education Development Center, Electronic Data Capture and Economic Development Corporation, just to name a few so not using the acronym is better.

So with a few small changes I am back in business, and that is exciting.  My website is up and running, with everything that I had before.  I may not write as many articles as I did before but new content will be added on a regular basis.  My content may be a little broader but it will appeal to to more people.  Thanks for following me and I look forward to writing again on a regular basis.

If you have any questions about this post or anything related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

All the best,

Larry

Founder of EDC Essentials

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    GLOCK EXTENDED SLIDE STOP

    Product Review

    Awesome little add-on

    Product: Glock Extended Slide Lock

    Price: $14.99

    Durability: High

    Best Place To Buy This Product: Glock Store

    My Overall Rating: 95

    Quick Product Overview:

    This product makes takedown of your Glock much easier!  It is precision machined (not stamped, like many of the slide locks on the market).

    They have versions that will fit Generations 1, 2, 3, 4 Glock handguns. Then they have versions available for Glock 36, 42, and Glock 43 then also for the Gen5 version, read the descriptions carefully so you get the correct part.

    It is available in 8+ colors and it installs in minutes — watch the installation video online.

    Specifications Of This Product:

    They machine this precision part here in the USA from 416 stainless steel that is hardened to 42 Rockwell.

    What I Like About This Product:

    This extended slide stop is easy to install yourself so you do not have to go to a gunsmith, and that is a good thing.  The video from the Glock Store is really clear in their explanation and it really helps you finish the job.

    What I Would Change About This Product:

    I would change nothing about this product, it works great the way it is.

    Final Remarks:

    If you struggle with grasping the takedown levers every time you want to take the slide apart, get this product.  It is inexpensive and easy to install yourself.  Believe me you will be glad you did.

    If you are interested in this product, click here.  If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Backpack page, Thanks for reading this product review.

    Go To EDC Backpack.

    If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

    Thanks,

    Larry

    Founder of EDC Essentials

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      MAXPEDITION KODIAC GEARSLINGER

      Product Review

      This Pack Is The Best!

      Product: Maxpedition Kodiac Gearslinger Pack

      Price: $142.12

      Durability: Very High

      Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

      My Overall Rating: 9.5

      Quick Product Overview:

      The granddaddy of fixed strap Gearslingers, optimized to meet rugged and urban conditions and offering enhanced space with additional pockets and all the great Gearslinger features. This single shoulder backpack is designed to maximize utility when rotated towards front of body and fits up to a 15.4″ laptop computer.    It’s hard to believe a bag of this size would be so comfortable, but the Kodiak is designed durably with high carry potential, so it’s always ready for domestic or international travel. If you’re looking for maximum space and utility combined with instant accessibility, this is the everyday carry for you. The ergonomic fixed-strap Kodiac Gearslinger rotates 270 degrees to the front of the body, giving you complete top-down access to horizontal pockets. You can easily get to your gear while sitting, standing or moving throughout your day.

      Specifications Of This Product:

      • Starting with large, unseamed panels of 1000 Denier Nylon, we meticulously reinforce each stress point with composite thread; No unnecessary seams or polyester parts are used
      • Main compartment: 18.5” high x 11” wide x 4” thick with internal organization
      • Top front: 9” wide x 4.5” high x 2” thick with internal organization
      • Bottom front: 10” high x 9” wide x 2” thick with internal organization
      • Approximate Capacity: 1100 cu. in.
      • Fits up to 15.4″ (diagonal screen size) laptop computer.

      What I Like About This Product:

      I love everything about this pack! I bought this pack about twelve years ago and it is everything I want in a pack. The way Maxpedition designed this pack is great, while a sling pack is not always as comfortable as a double strap pack, they make up for is with their Gearslinger design.  Being able to swing the pack around to your chest and grab whatever you want without having to take your pack off is ideal. Plus there are enough pockets in this pack so you do not need to buy additional organizers, unless you need to.  Now you may not have small pencil & pen pockets but if you use some small organizers or zippered pouches, this pack holds a lot of stuff. The material that is used in this pack is the strongest I have seen so it holds up to tough wear and tear.

      What I Would Change About This Product:

      Sometimes this pack can hold too much stuff for its design.  As I said a sling pack is not always the most comfortable so holding too much gear can be an issue.  So you need to control how much stuff that you put into this pack. But Maxpedition solved that issue by also making the Sitka Gearslinger, which is a smaller design of the same pack.

      Final Remarks:

      The Maxpedition Kodiac Gearslinger Pack is an awesome pack.  These packs come in left and right-handed versions which really work out great for us lefties that exist in a right-handed world, not all pack companies do that.  The overall design of these packs are great and very handy, and they have plenty of room to put your EDC gear.  I just love the way they swing around to your chest to get what you want, I hate always having to remove your pack whenever you need something.  The material used in this pack is very tough and will stand tons of abuse. Yes it has a tactical appearance but that does not bother me.  Its a great pack! I highly recommend this pack.

      If you are interested in this product, click here.  If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Backpack page, Thanks for reading this product review.

      Go To EDC Backpack.

      If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC)/Concealed Carry, feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

      Thanks,

      Larry

      Founder of Everyday Carry Essentials

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        Why Can’t I Find Firearms or Ammo to Buy?

        I have been saving some money for a long while and thought I would buy myself a birthday present since Biden is messing around with our gun rights.  This guy is a real idiot and I still have a hard time believing that the American people voted him as president, but that is another story for another day. It has been at least ten years since I have purchased a firearm for myself.  Now I have bought some for my two sons since that time but not for me!  So I went down to some neighborhood gun stores to see if I could replace a 44 magnum revolver that I sold some years ago or purchase a Ruger Mini 14 that I have wanted for many years.  And to my surprise,  the handgun showcases and rifle racks that once were filled with firearms were pretty sparse or empty.  Then I went to find some ammunition and that was even worse.  And what’s more, peculiar is that it did not matter the store, they were all that way.  Boy was I bummed!  Well, let’s explore this subject and see what was the cause for this to happen.

        Why No Guns Or Ammo?

        As I looked into this situation I thought I would find four or five good reasons why this has happened.  But it boils down to one main issue. If you remember, as the pandemic began to take hold, we had widespread civil unrest, buildings were being burned, stores were looted, crime rates were rising.  With all this happening, people were beginning to fear the virus, fear food shortages, product shortages and the fear of riots, and fear of their own personal safety. Thus guns and ammo began to fly off the shelves, in record numbers.  People that never once before thought about firearms were buying their first firearms and plenty of ammunition to go with them.  

        What Were Some Other Contributing Factors In The Firearm Situation?

        The pandemic in itself was not enough, then you throw in the national election, plus the topic of gun control and you have many reasons that affect people’s emotions and that brings incentives to people to add some firearms to your households.  Joe Biden’s desire to have a federal gun registration, wanting a $200 tax on sporting rifles, placing a ban on magazines over 10-rounds make the pro-gun community a little concerned.  

        Is The Ammunition Shortage A Way To Create Gun Control?

        A thought that came to me was we can buy all the firearms we want but if we cannot buy any ammunition for those firearms then we cannot use them.  Is our government smart enough to make this happen as a form of gun control?  Probably not!  Well, then why is it happening?  The real reason is the old terms supply and demand! With all these new gun owners out there that have purchased ammo, that could make a dent in our ammunition supply.  If we put a number up there for you to see, there were 7 million people that have purchased new firearms since March  2020 and if each one had purchased two boxes of ammo (100 rounds), that would be 700 million new rounds that were taken out of the ammunition supply.  This means the ammunition suppliers would have to make 700 million more bullets than they normally produced just to bring things back to normal.  This requires a long time to do this.

        What Other Factors Might Affect The Ammo Shortage?

        During the time period of the pandemic, we have seen many products disappear from our grocery stores due to panic, why should ammunition be any different?  We saw hoarders and scalpers with toilet paper, hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, not to mention food.  So now we can add ammunition to our list.   Panic buyers thought that they may not see their ammo due to the high demand therefore they bought all they could. Greedy customers were buying ammunition just to buy it, even if they did not need it. Then there were the scalpers who bought all they could so they could sell it at an inflated price, just to make a profit.

        So Now What?

        Are things going to get better?  Will the price of ammunition ever come back to normal?  I wish I had a crystal ball that I could look into and get that answer. But I know that is not possible.  I know that when hay prices went up due to drought conditions, they never really came back down to where they used to be and that’s a bummer! I do not know when supply and demand for ammunition will stabilize.  But my guess is that these prices will come down but not to where they used to be.  But the only thing that will help this situation is “time”.  We need to be patient and wait it out. Eventually, the ammo supply will catch up to the demand, and then we will see what happens.

        If you have any questions about this post or anything related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

        All the best,

        Larry

        Founder of EDC Essentials

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          My Favorite Summer EDC Handgun

          I just wrote a post about my favorite EDC handgun.  That being said I also have a second favorite EDC handgun due to the weather here in Colorado.  Nine months out of the year I wear my Glock 30, but during the mid-summer months (June, July & August) it gets warm here and I use a smaller, more compact handgun so it conceals better with the thinner clothes that I wear.  Here are some things you need to consider during warmer weather.

          A Smaller Handgun Works Well 

          In the summertime the weather is warmer so we tend to wear less clothing, thus a smaller handgun works better. These guns will be lighter, less bulky, may carry fewer rounds in the cylinder or chamber, and will be easier to conceal.  Again whether you carry a    j-frame revolver or a small compact automatic, it will make things easier in warmer weather.

          Change in Cooler Clothing

          As warm weather shows up in the summer, we shed the flannel shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, etc.  And replace them with t-shirts & shorts, etc.  That being said, your heavy cover garments tend to get put in storage until next Fall.  It is very important to me to always keep my firearm covered, not allowing it to “print” or be seen.  In case you do not know, “printing” is when the outline of at least some part of a handgun is seen through the cover garment.  Moving to a smaller handgun, in a good concealment holster will help it not to print.  No matter how hot it is, I always use a cover garment.  It might be a short-sleeved shirt, unbuttoned and untucked but it is always over my t-shirt.  I do not trust a t-shirt to cover my handgun.  

          Leather Is Not The Best In The Summer

          Summer heat tends to make things sweat and leather holsters are no exception.  If your handgun is stainless steel then you do not have much to worry about.  But if it is a blued finish then sweating in a leather holster can cause rust on your gun.  That is why I always use a Kydex holster, then sweating is not an issue.  

          Off-Body Carry

          While I usually always carry my handgun on my body, there may be some times that off-body carry might work.  In the summertime when things are hot and sweaty, that is one of those times.  Whether you use a fanny pack, backpack or purse, it can be done.  You just need to watch when you take off that piece of gear, what do you do with it.  It is important that someone else does not take it from you.  Vertx packs are a very good way to carry off-body, they have a whole line of packs that can be used this way.  

          I use the Vertx Dead Letter Sling Pack when I need to carry off-body and it works great for me.  See the product review I did on the pack if you are interested, click here.

          What I Use In The Summer

          As I told you the Glock 30 is my normal concealed carry handgun during most of the year.  But when the heat gets the better of me and I need something smaller, I carry the Glock 26. This is a great compact handgun, very accurate, lightweight but easy to handle.  I have added a Pierce grip extension on the bottom of the magazine to aid in better control of the firearm.  Getting my little finger on the bottom of the grip gives me better control of the handgun, but it does not negatively affect the concealment.  I use a Comp-Tac Infidel IWB holster for this handgun and place it at the 8:00 position on my left hip.

          Final Comments

          I think it is important to have both a Summer and Fall/Winter/Spring setup when you carry concealed.  It takes a little bit of planning upfront but it is so much easier knowing what you are going to do as the year goes on. As you can see by this picture, the Glock 30 is on the bottom and the Glock 26 is on top.  The Glock 26 is both shorter and thinner and the grip is also smaller.  This makes it more concealable and it is easier to carry in the summer months.

          The Glock 26 is a great little gun, having the Pierce grip extension on this gun gives me a full-hand grip on this small handgun and that helps my accuracy.  I also added an adjustable rear sight which makes my G26 shoot much better.  I really like my baby Glock, it conceals very well and is a joy to shoot.  Whether you like Glocks or not, that is your decision, but consider the idea of a different concealed carry option for the summer!  It will give you many more options when the weather gets hotter.

          If you have any questions about this post or anything related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

          All the best,

          Larry

          Founder of EDC Essentials

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            LIGHT MY FIRE FIRESTEEL FIRE STARTER

            Product Review

            Nice Fire Starter

            Product: Light My Fire FireSteel

            Price: $11.99

            Durability: High

            Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

            My Overall Rating: 9.0

            Quick Product Overview:

            Your best fire-starting friend for igniting a fire in any weather.
            The original magnesium fire starter is tough, durable, and fit for purpose. Developed for the army it performs to the highest standard. 3,000 strikes at 3,000 degrees makes fire lighting possible in any weather at any altitude. Get the technique, get the fire, get warm and get the food on. Ergonomic design and a built-in whistle, nothing but the best.

            Specifications Of This Product:

            • Spark-sure magnesium alloy.
            • Strong nylon cord.
            • BIO-plastic handles.
            • Stainless steel striker.
            • Durable, up to 12 000 strikes
            • Built-in emergency whistle

            What I Like About This Product:

            There are many fire starters on the market, this is one that a friend of mine introduced me to and I really like it.  It works just like most any other fire starter and that’s a good thing. It has a metal striker with it that makes sparks very easily. This comes in four colors: orange, red, blue, and brown.  My favorite is the orange one because it is most easily seen.  If you are starting a fire in a campground with leaves, sticks and other loose materials, it is easier to see the orange one.  

            What I Would Change About This Product:

            Again, this product works and works very well, so I do not have any changes for this product.

            Final Remarks:

            Some people may wonder why I consider this EDC? As I said in some of my previous posts, EDC can vary from person to person and to someone living in the city, this may not work.  But if you are living in the mountains or going backpacking or hiking, this is a good choice. The Light My Fire Firestarter was originally developed for the Swedish Department of Defense, This Firestarter ignites a fire in any weather. The striker itself is made from Magnesium alloy. This makes for a durable fire striker that will work reliably for approximately 12,000 strikes. Its 5,400-degrees Fahrenheit spark makes fire building easy in any weather. The plastic components of the FireSteel 2.0 BIO ArMy is derived from Biobased plastics. You can use this fire starter to ignite any fuel: flammable materials,  flammable gas, liquid fuel, alcohol and modern gas stoves. Lastly, the striker includes a whistle for emergency situation. This lightweight, compact and reliable fire-starting tool is worth bringing with you on all your outdoor adventures

            If you are interested in this product, click here.  If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Backpack page, Thanks for reading this product review.

            Go To EDC Survival/Medical.

            If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

            Thanks,

            Larry

            Founder of EDC Essentials

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              SCHRADE SCHF57 FIXED BLADE KNIFE

              Product Review

              Awesome Little Knife

              Product: Schrade SCHF57 Fixed Blade Knife

              Price: $16.74

              Durability: High

              Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

              My Overall Rating: 9.0

              Quick Product Overview:

              Schrade® SCHF57 Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife, 65Mn High Carbon Steel Drop Point Blade, G-10 Handle Slabs with Thumb Rest Jimping, Lanyard Hole, and Multi-Carry Option Thermoplastic Belt Sheath.

              Specifications Of This Product:

              • Overall Length: 6.125″
              • Blade Length: 2.50″
              • Blade Thickness: 0.15″
              • Blade Material: 65Mn
              • Blade Style: Drop Point
              • Blade Grind: Hollow
              • Finish: Black
              • Edge Type: Plain
              • Handle Length: 3.625″
              • Handle Thickness: 0.46″
              • Handle Material: G-10
              • Weight: 3.94 oz.

              What I Like About This Product:

              This little knife came very sharp right out of the box and with my normal touch-up on my ceramic stone, it is extremely sharp. Even though it is a small knife it feels very good in your hand and after some normal use, I had no hot spots develop.  While this knife is not advertised as a neck knife, it would work great that way too. While some people might say it is a little too heavy to wear it around your neck, it works fine that way for me. The thermoplastic sheath that comes with this knife is really quite good, the knife snaps in very secure and it will protect the knife well.  It can be carried either left or right-handed and that can be adjusted by two Phillips head screws on the belt attachment. It can also be worn either vertical or horizontal belt carry as well.  I tried it fastened to my pack using ties or Velcro, that worked well too. 

              What I Would Change About This Product:

              There is not much wrong with this knife, it works well for me.  If I had to be knit- picky, I would say the sheath holds the knife almost too well, it takes some effort to get it out of the sheath.  But that is really not a bad problem to have.

              Final Remarks:

              The Schrade SCHF57 Fixed Blade Knife is a good little knife. It will work out great as an EDC knife and it can be carried in many different ways.  As mentioned it is very sharp and has many different uses.  Some people have ordered the optional Ferro rod and turned it into a small survival knife, that might be a good option too.  All and all this is a nice EDC knife, I like carrying this in the horizontal carry position or as a neck knife.  If you like smaller fixed blade knives, this might be a good one for you.  I really like this knife and do recommend it.  

              If you are interested in this product, click here.  If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Fixed Blade Knife page, Thanks for reading this product review.

              Go To EDC Fixed Blade Knives.

              If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

              Thanks,

              Larry

              Founder of EDC Essentials

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                SCHRADE SCHF15 TANTO FIXED BLADE KNIFE

                Product Review

                Nice Tanto Blade Knife

                Product: Schrade SCHF15 Tanto Fixed Blade Knife

                Price: $31.47

                Durability: High

                Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

                My Overall Rating: 9.0

                Quick Product Overview:

                The Schrade SCHF15 tactical fixed blade knife features a thick 3.4″ 8Cr13MoV high carbon stainless steel full-tang blade and contoured G10 handle scales. The thermoplastic sheath is very sturdy and comes with a belt attachment loop that can be attached to multiple carry positions. This knife is an extremely heavy-duty, well-made knife at a great price! Outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, law enforcement, and fire safety professionals can utilize this knife.

                Specifications Of This Product:

                • Overall Length:7.875″
                • Blade Length:3.375″
                • Cutting Edge:3.50″
                • Blade Material:8Cr13MoV
                • Blade Style:Tanto
                • Blade Grind:Flat
                • Finish:Black
                • Edge Type:Plain
                • Handle Length:4.50″

                What I Like About This Product:

                This is a great size for an EDC fixed blade knife and comes with a nice thermoplastic sheath.  It was sharp right out of the box and with a little work on my ceramic stone, it was really sharp. The G-10 handles felt really good in my hand and I had no hot spots after using it a while.

                What I Would Change About This Product:

                If I had my wishes the black stonewashed finish would be a polished satin finish but that is not a deal-breaker.

                Final Remarks:

                This Schrade SCGF15 Tanto Fixed Blade Knife is really nice for the price.  It is sharp, balanced, and feels good in your hand.  It is the perfect size to put on your belt or in your pack.  I highly recommend this knife!

                If you are interested in this product, click here.  If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Backpack page, Thanks for reading this product review.

                Go To EDC Fixed Blade Knives.

                If you have any questions about this post or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

                Thanks,

                Larry

                Founder of EDC Essentials

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                  My Favorite EDC Handgun

                  There are many handgun manufacturers that produce many great EDC handguns, therefore, the choice of your EDC handgun can be a little difficult.  Before I let you know my favorite, I need to set up a few guidelines to help you with your decision.

                  Revolver Or Automatic?

                  Many people like revolvers and for many years that’s all that was used.  A revolver is less likely to malfunction, all mechanisms are enclosed and thus not subject to outside influence – and that is a plus.  However, you’ll usually have a six-shot maximum, before having to reload. Speedloaders are available to help you reload quicker and they can be kept on your belt or in your pack.

                  Automatics have many size magazines which hold the bullets for these guns.  Depending on the size of the handgun and the caliber will dictate the number of rounds your magazine will hold. The average range of bullets will be 8-15 unless you use extended magazines. Most automatics are capable of firing more rounds before a reload is required. Reloading an automatic is also super simple, and quick. The other thing to keep in mind is that automatics have many moving parts, so the likelihood of a mechanical failure could be higher. 

                  Full-size Or Compact?

                  This is something to keep in mind regardless of whether you use a revolver or automatic.  If you are going to consider concealed carry then you must consider a compact firearm.  While a full-sized firearm holds more bullets, it is also more difficult to conceal and is heavier on your hip. 

                  A compact firearm usually is designed more for concealed carry.  It is not only smaller but may have contour grips, rounded corners, and edges.  The sacrifice for this is usually less bullet capacity in the gun,  some revolvers may have 5 rounds instead of six.  If it is an automatic, it will usually have fewer rounds in the magazine.  It may only be a single stack magazine to help make the handgun slimmer.

                  If you want a full-sized handgun then the way you carry it may need to be changed to fit the gun.  Off-body carry may be your best option for you because you do not want to make it visible under your cover garment.

                  Caliber’s To Choose

                  A bullet is made up of a casing, a projectile, some powder, and the primer. Put those all together in the right order and amounts and you have a functional bullet.  The bullet is placed in the cylinder or the chamber, the trigger is pulled, the hammer falls on the firing pin, the firing pin strikes the primer which causes the powder to ignite and the bullet goes “bang”!

                  So why did I mention that?  Well, it is important to understand the mechanism behind firing a bullet so you understand why a caliber is important.  Different calibers are made up of different size (weight) projectiles, casings and the amount of powder to move that projectile down the barrel toward the target.

                  The common calibers for a revolver is .22LR, 38 special, 357 magnum, 44 magnum.  The common calibers for an automatic are 32 auto, 380 auto, 9 mm, 40 S&W, and 45 auto.  There are other calibers but these are the common ones.

                  Now you need to decide which one of these calibers is right for you.  To do that you need to research on the Internet about the calibers you are interested in and make the decision of what you would like to carry.

                  Specific Gun Manufacturer

                  Here is another thing that you need to research to get an idea what manufacturer you would like.  Some of the big handgun manufacturers are Beretta, Colt, Glock, Kimber, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, Taurus, Walther.  There are many more out there but these are the main ones to consider. Once you have a few to consider then it is important to try and shoot them.  Contact your friends and see what they shoot, go down to some shooting ranges and see if they will rent some different brands of guns, that is how you will know what works for you.  Do not choose a gun manufacturer just because your friend likes them.  It will be your gun, you need to decide which is right for you.

                  Carry Method And Holster Design

                  There are many carry methods and many holster designs to choose from, and this is something you need to consider in detail.  Plus remember this is something that can change and will change until you find what works for you.  Most people have a box of old holsters that seemed like a good idea at the time but really did not work.  Many people begin by choosing a holster at your neighborhood gun store that looks good and has a price you can afford.  Then you go home and try it on and wear it for a while and find out you do not like it.  Then back to the gun store again or this time they look online for a bargain holster and try that one. 

                  My suggestion is to go for quality once you settle on a style of carrying.  Do not keep buying cheap holsters and wonder why they do not work.  Read articles on the Internet, read gun forums, paying attention to suggestions other gun folks suggest.  That will help you narrow down your search.  Or if you would like some suggestions, I would be glad to help, just leave a comment below and I will send you some good holster makers that might have what you would like.  That way you can get a good holster for a fair price!  Remember, a good holster is not cheap but it will last a long time.

                  My Favorite EDC Handgun 

                  I have used both revolvers and automatics and while I like them both, I have chosen a sub-compact for my EDC handgun.  While there are many calibers to choose from, I like the 45 auto.  It has great stopping power and is relatively easy to find to purchase.  The gun manufacture that I have chosen has a great reputation and builds excellent firearms.  What I like about them is they go BOOM every time you pull the trigger.  This company is a Glock and I really like this firearm. Some people do not like Glocks, they say they feel like you are holding a 2 x 4 in your hand.  But I do not agree as they feel good to me.

                  The Glock pistol I have chosen for my EDC is the model 30, it has a double-stacked magazine so it is a little wider than other compact automatics but this is a great handgun.  It is easy to shoot and very accurate.  I added a Pierce grip extension on the magazine which adds one round to the magazine and gives me a good place for my little finger when I grip the handgun. It holds 10 bullets in the magazine and one in the chamber.  In the right holster, it conceals very well!

                  I wear an IWB (Inside the waistband) holster behind my left hip, as I feel an IWB holster is the best way to conceal a firearm.  You can wear it appendix or almost any place in your waistband and with the right cover garment, it will conceal well.  

                  My Favorite Carry Method/Holster

                  There are three carry systems that I use to carry my Glock 30.  A Comp-Tac Infidel IWB holsterCom-tac IWB holster, a Gunfighters, INC Kenai Chest Holster, and a Belt Aholster. Just for the record: I have two acronyms for two types of holsters, IWB means Inside the waistband and OWB means Outside the waistband. My Comp-Tac IWB Holster holds my Glock very securely, I use the leather belt loops to attach it to my belt and they do not come off my belt unless I unsnap them. I carry it behind my left hip, about the 8:00 position. This position is very functional for me and will conceal very well.  I tried carrying in the appendix position but my body type does not seem to work well in that position.  Is my IWB Holster comfortable, not always!  As long as my pants are not tight around the waist, it is comfortable.  Once you put on a tight pair of pants, it can be a little uncomfortable.

                  The Gunfighters, INC Kenai Chest Holster fits on top of my shirt, sweatshirt, or jacket.  It is not a concealed carry rig but it works great when used while backpacking, hiking, riding dirt bikes, riding horses or hunting. The Kenai Chest HolsterKenai Holster is always comfortable and works great when doing many outdoor activities when fast acquisition of your handgun is necessary. This holster rides perfectly in the harness and holds my Glock very securely.   

                  My Belt Aholster is an OWB holster that is made for concealment.  While I like my IWB holster, sometimes I just do not feel like wearing that holster inside my waistband, and that is where this holster comes in.  This holster is extremely comfortable and keeps my Glock very secure. It is like a traditional OWB holster that is bent to conform to the curve of my hip when worn in the 8:00 position.Aholster OWB It has a belt attachment in the front and rear of this holster which makes it very secure on my belt.  The material used for the attachments is made of rubber/fibrous material so it will not wear-out. It hugs my hip so the grip sits tight against my body.  Because the bottom of the holster fits outside my pants, it is necessary to always wear a good cover garment.  I usually wear a vest that is long enough to extend past the bottom of the holster.  These are some great holsters that work well under various situations, see the contact information for these holsters below.

                  Final Comments

                  It is important to feel very comfortable with the firearm you have chosen for your EDC handgun.  You must like the size and weight, caliber and carry system you have chosen.  If you do not like all of those things you may not feel comfortable wearing your handgun on a regular basis.  And a concealed carry handgun that is not worn does not do you very much good. 

                  Another very important thing to keep in mind is it is imperative that you practice shooting your EDC handgun on a regular basis.  If you ever need to use your firearm, you need to make sure you can hit what you aim at.  That can save your life!  

                  If you carry concealed it is important to always follow the regulations that are given to you by your county that issued your CCW.  In addition, you must follow your state guidelines too.  That way you will not lose your concealed carry privileges.

                  My Handgun Holsters:

                  Comp-Tac Holsters:

                                 866-41-9157

                                 www.comp-tac.com

                  GunFighters, INC:

                                 509-470-8277

                                 www.gunfightersinc.com

                  AHolster company:

                                 423-972-1348

                                www.aholster.com

                  If you have any questions about this article or anything related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

                  All the best,

                  Larry

                  Founder of EDC Essentials

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                    MTECH MT-673 NECK FIXED BLADE KNIFE

                    Product Review

                    Sweet little Neck Knife

                    Product: MTech MT-673 Fixed Blade Neck Knife

                    Price: $10.23

                    Durability: High

                    Best Place to Buy This Product: Amazon.com

                    My Overall Rating: 9.0

                    Quick Product Overview:

                    The MTech MT-673 Fixed Blade Neck Knife has a 2-inch Stainless Steel stone wash finish blade, The handles are G10 styled with raised palm supports which provide extra comfort.  It has full tang construction and a 5-inch overall length. It includes a kydex sheath with a break away landyard. 

                    Specifications Of This Product:

                    Overall Length: 5-inch
                    Blade Length: 2-inch
                    Blade Thickness: 2-1/2-mm
                    Blade Material: Stonewashed Stainless Steel
                    Handle Material: G10
                    Special Features: Lanyard-style protection in lockable sheath.
                    Includes: Knife; Locking Kydex Sheath; Metal Beaded Rope

                    What I Like About This Product:

                    This little neck knife is really pretty cool.  Many neck knives are too small for me, if I have to use two fingers and a thumb to use it then it’s not for me.  This one you can get yout third finger on it so you have a little better control of the knife and I like that.  the tanto-shaped blade works well and sharpens well. the Kydex sheath holds the knife very secure and sits well against your chest.  Good design.

                    What I Would Change About This Product:

                    I really like this neck knife and there is nothing I would change.  It’s a keeper!

                    Final Remarks:

                    The MTech MT-673 Fixed Blade Neck Knife is a good little knife for the price.  Big enough to get a hold of when you need to use it.  The knife is pretty light so you do not feel much around your neck.  But one quick tug and the knife is ready for action.  I recommend this neck knife highly for someone that wants a knife of this design. 

                    If you are interested in this product, click here.  If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Backpack page, Thanks for reading this product review.

                    Go To EDC Fixed Blade Knives.

                    If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

                    Thanks,

                    Larry

                    Founder of EDC Essentials

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