• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

The K-Var ArmoryThe K-Var Armory

The Largest Supplier of Firearms, Gun Parts, & Accessories Online

  • Shop K-Var
  • News
    • Industry
    • Politics
    • Second Amendment
    • Self Defense
    • Comics
  • Reviews
    • Anything AK
    • Anything AR
    • Gear
    • Pistols
    • Rifles
    • Shotguns
  • Newsletter
You are here: Home / Archives for Concealed Carry

Concealed Carry

Pros & Cons of SOB Carry

Clearly there are a number of different ways to keep your defensive handgun concealed along your waistband, and some methods may be preferable to others. It is a topic for debate, with small-of-the-back carry being one technique that comes into question regarding its effectiveness. [Read more…] about Pros & Cons of SOB Carry


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

July 11, 2024

Filed Under: How To, Pistols, Self Defense, Tactics Tagged With: Concealed Carry, Personal Defence, Small of the Back

Concealed Carry – To Appendix or Not to Appendix

Appendix carry in one form or another has been around almost as long as handguns have. It does have advantages, but there is some debate though about the greater potential for injury. [Read more…] about Concealed Carry – To Appendix or Not to Appendix


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

August 24, 2021

Filed Under: Holsters, How To, Pistols, Self Defense, Uncategorized Tagged With: Appendix Carry, Concealed Carry

Brandishing & Self Defense

Making the call to defend yourself or your home with a firearm in the face of an attack or deadly threat may seem like a pretty straight-forward decision. A no-brainer, right? The problem is that there are a lot of factors involved that may make it more complicated than you might think. [Read more…] about Brandishing & Self Defense


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

June 28, 2021

Filed Under: Second Amendment, Self Defense Tagged With: Concealed Carry, defense

Vehicle Concealed Carry

Presumably, you would wear your concealed, defensive handgun somewhere on you that would be the most comfortable and allow easy access in the case of an immediate need. What happens though, when you climb into your car or truck and that weapon is in a position that just isn’t practical? [Read more…] about Vehicle Concealed Carry


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

March 15, 2021

Filed Under: Accessories, Gear, Holsters, How To Tagged With: Concealed Carry

Armed Good Guys: Shootout Video

News stories of civilian self-defense seldom receive adequate media coverage. After all, armed good guys stopping violent felons does not make headlines like the lives of innocents being taken. Bias and agendas play their part, but the media does not cover an event that did not happen, such as a case where a good guy stopped a violent event before it resulted in the loss of innocent life. However, these are exactly the type of stories we need to highlight to educate non gun owners before they head to the voting booth. [Read more…] about Armed Good Guys: Shootout Video


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

March 3, 2020

Filed Under: Self Defense, Video Tagged With: Armed Good Guys, Concealed Carry, Illinois, Self-Defense

Gun Test: Springfield XD-S 4.0

The Springfield XD-S 4.0 is a variation on the Springfield XD—a popular and proven firearm. The XD-S is a good concealed carry handgun with the same action and features as the popular XD but enough differences to give the XD-S a distinctive character. The grip treatment is much different and offers plenty of abrasion. The XD-S .45 ACP version may sting the hand a bit, but it offers real power in a compact package. The XD-S 9mm version is more controllable and offers more rounds in the same compact package. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Springfield XD-S 4.0


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

February 20, 2020

Filed Under: Pistols, Reviews, Springfield Tagged With: 9mm, 9mm Luger, Concealed Carry, Federal Deep Penetrating, Galco holsters, handloads, Home Defense, Hornady Critical Defense, Hornady Manufacturing, Hornady XTP, personal defense, personal defense ammunition, Speer Gold Dot, Springfield XDS, XDS 4.0

Review: Taurus G3 9mm Pistol

The majority of new introductions in the handgun world—and on the shelf in gun shops—are polymer frame 9mms. When it comes to service and personal defense, the polymer frame is by far the most popular. All are not inexpensive, but most are affordable. The polymer frame is not only inexpensive to manufacture the material is tough, long lasting, and easy to shape into a useable firearm. Among the newest introductions that has enthusiasts’ attention is the Taurus G3. [Read more…] about Review: Taurus G3 9mm Pistol


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

February 14, 2020

Filed Under: Pistols, Reviews, Taurus Tagged With: 9mm Luger, Concealed Carry, G2, G3, Home Defense, personal defense, Target Shooting, Taurus, Taurus Firearms

Gun Test: North American Arms Pug

I do not wish to damn this little gun with faint praise. The North American Arms Pug is a tiny revolver that is well made of good material and reliable. I have never seen anyone have trouble with the revolver as regards reliability, and it has been in service for decades. The problem is the same as its appeal—its size. [Read more…] about Gun Test: North American Arms Pug


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

January 10, 2020

Filed Under: North American Arms, Pistols Tagged With: .22 LR, .22 Magnum, Concealed Carry, Home Defense, Hornady, Hornady Critical Defense, NAA Pug, personal defense, Revolvers, single action revolvers

Colt Python — The World’s Finest Revolver

One thing I have learned is that as things get older, they get meaner—and sometimes age brings respect. The Colt Python and I were each born in the 1950s. I am too young to remember the 1950s, but I find it interesting that such an advanced revolver was introduced over 60 years ago in 1955. [Read more…] about Colt Python — The World’s Finest Revolver


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

January 9, 2020

Filed Under: Colt, Pistols, Reviews Tagged With: .357 Magnum, .38 Special, Colt, Concealed Carry, double action revolvers, Galco, handloads, Home Defense, Hornady, hunting, personal defense, Python, Revolvers, Target Shooting, XTP

Gun Test: Charter Arms Professional .32 H&R Magnum

The Charter Arms Professional is a small-frame revolver with a three-inch barrel, hand-filling grips, double-action/single-action mechanism, good sights, seven-shot cylinder, and a nice finish. Open the cylinder by pushing the cylinder release forward, and you will see a seven-shot cylinder chambered in .32 H&R Magnum. The pistol uses the classic Charter Arms steel frame, but the finish is a modern black nitride. I cannot see any problem with the durability of this finish. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Charter Arms Professional .32 H&R Magnum


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

December 28, 2019

Filed Under: Ammunition, Charter Arms, Pistols, Reviews Tagged With: .32 H&R Magnum, Black Hills Ammunition, Buffalo Bore Ammunition, Charter Arms, Concealed Carry, double action revolvers, Home Defense, Hornady Ammunition, Hornady Critical Defense, personal defense, Small Game

Tactics: Holsterless Handgun Carry

For years, most of us have counseled concealed carry handgun carriers to choose a proper holster. A holster keeps the handgun stable and angled for the proper draw. Just the same, who am I to go against 200 years or more of holsterless tradition? After all, Wild Bill Hickock packed his revolvers in a tightly-woven sash. [Read more…] about Tactics: Holsterless Handgun Carry


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

December 23, 2019

Filed Under: How To, Pistols, Self Defense, Tactics Tagged With: Colt, Concealed Carry, CWP, double action, Glock, hammer fired, Home Defense, personal defense, Revolvers, self-loaders, SIG, single action, Smith and Wesson, striker fired

Taurus Model 856: Long Live the .38 Snubnose

Snubnose revolvers are viable options when deciding what type of self-defense firearm to purchase. Easy to use, easy to conceal, and no empties lying on the floor afterward. The Taurus Model 856 is a newer snubby with a capacity of six rounds, versus the typical 5 rounds of the Model 85. [Read more…] about Taurus Model 856: Long Live the .38 Snubnose


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

December 19, 2019

Filed Under: Pistols, Reviews, Taurus Tagged With: .38 Special, Concealed Carry, Revolvers, Snubnose, Taurus

Gun Test: SIG Sauer P225A 9mm

Not long after the introduction of the SIG Sauer P220 9mm handgun, SIG began modifying the handgun for other duties. The pistol was chambered in .38 ACP Super and .45 ACP for the American market. It was also re-designed into the compact P225 for German police use. After years of carrying the ineffectual Walther PPK in .32 or .380 ACP, the German police were none too keen on packing the full-size SIG P220 pistol. The compact P225, somewhat different from the SIG Sauer P225A, was a happy mix of excellent features that included a smooth double-action first-shot trigger, good sights, excellent accuracy, and soon-to-be legendary reliability. [Read more…] about Gun Test: SIG Sauer P225A 9mm


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

December 9, 2019

Filed Under: Pistols, Reviews, SIG Sauer Tagged With: 9mm, Concealed Carry, Double Tap Ammunition, Galco, Gorilla Ammunition, handloads, Hornady, personal defense, SIG

Handguns: Size Matters — More can be More

When choosing a handgun, the analogy to a vehicle—something most of us use every day—is useful. We all understand the term “dead weight.” That is the weight of the bed or truck (or the support structure in architecture), but that’s not what we are looking at today—when unloaded. Live weight is the truck loaded. The handgun, ammo, holster, and spare gun load add up quickly in live weight. Sticks of copy and reams of paper have been slugged during this discussion and we now offer bytes by the millions. The thing is, while there must be room for personal choice, there is a bottom line for performance and quality. If you like a small car you can easily drive in the city that’s fine. But you cannot pick up a dining room set with it. [Read more…] about Handguns: Size Matters — More can be More


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

November 29, 2019

Filed Under: Glock, Pistols, Revolvers, Self Defense, Smith and Wesson Tagged With: .38 Special, 9mm Luger, Citadel, Commander Model, Concealed Carry, CZ, CZ P10 C, Glock, Government Model, Guncrafter, Model 60, Officers Model, Revolvers, self-loading pistols, SIG P220, SIG Sauer Ammunition, Smith and Wesson

Springfield Hellcat: The CCW Game Changer

The issue in the past was if you wanted high capacity in a striker-fired handgun, you had to accept a bulkier gun. This compromise made it more difficult to accept a high-capacity pistol as an everyday CCW. SIG Sauer started the trend of the micro-compact, high-capacity CCW pistol a few years ago with its P365. I had an opportunity to shoot several magazines through the P365 back in 2018. I must admit, I was very impressed. It seemed almost beyond physics that a gun that small could hold 10 rounds of 9mm. I could tell that gun would change everything when it came to concealed carry—until I came across the Springfield Hellcat… [Read more…] about Springfield Hellcat: The CCW Game Changer


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

November 25, 2019

Filed Under: Pistols, Reviews, Springfield Tagged With: 9mm, CCW, Concealed Carry, Hellcat, SIG Sauer, Walther

Should I Appendix Carry for CCW?

I often cruise the gun forums to see what people are interested in and talking about. One topic that comes up rather often is appendix carry; the carrying of a gun in the front of the body, just to the right or left of center. If you listen to all the chatter, you may be persuaded to believe that appendix carry is new. In reality, the carry position has been around for many years and was very popular in the Old West, as is evidenced by pictures from the era, not to mention that gunslingers in the movies have been stuffing their firearms in the front of their waistband for as long as there have been movies. [Read more…] about Should I Appendix Carry for CCW?


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

November 18, 2019

Filed Under: Holsters, How To, Self Defense Tagged With: Appendix Carry, Concealed Carry, holsters

Pocket Carry: The Best Kept Secret in Concealment

I’m a big fan of pocket carry. One of its most endearing benefits is that it allows me to carry in locations that I would not be able to go with a belt or shoulder holster. Because the gun is hidden in a pocket, I don’t need a jacket or vest for concealment, which is great for locations where such clothing would not be appropriate. Wearing a formal suit at work, where others are dressed casually, would certainly look odd. I especially enjoy not wearing a concealment garment in the hot weather, and I like the ability to wear a t-shirt and shorts and still have my gun—all without anyone being the wiser. [Read more…] about Pocket Carry: The Best Kept Secret in Concealment


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

November 8, 2019

Filed Under: How To, Self Defense Tagged With: Concealed Carry, Pocket Carry, pocket holsters

Thoughts: Handgun Stopping Power

In writing, I prefer my information to be valid, the research verifiable, and the experiments repeatable—especially when it come to handgun stopping power. I like to give the reader an opportunity to get a handle on things. Quite often the things that the critic points out harshly are the things the majority of the readers find valuable. I have found that the subject of handgun wound potential or handgun stopping power isn’t a puzzle at all but remains a puzzle to those who make it so. I realize that there is no natural law that gives a man a reward that matches his endeavor, so I hope that the reader finds something of value in this work. [Read more…] about Thoughts: Handgun Stopping Power


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

October 8, 2019

Filed Under: Op-ed Tagged With: .45, 9mm, ammunition choices, Concealed Carry, handguns, Home Defense, one shot stops, penetration, personal defense, wound potential

Taurus 856 and 857 Versus S&W J Frame Revolvers

At the 2018 SHOT show, among the more interesting revolvers was the Taurus 856 revolver. The 856 is based upon the proven and immensely popular Taurus 85, a small-frame revolver that holds five .38 Special cartridges. The 856 is a version of the Model 85 with a six-shot cylinder. It is quite an engineering feat to design such a revolver. [Read more…] about Taurus 856 and 857 Versus S&W J Frame Revolvers


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

September 27, 2019

Filed Under: Pistols, Reviews, Taurus Tagged With: .38 Special, 856, Blackhawk, Concealed Carry, Galco, Home Defense, personal defense, pocket holsters, Revolvers, Taurus, Winchester

Firearms at Theme Parks — Universal

I recently spent two weeks vacationing in Orlando. Orlando is a fairly gun friendly city, in a mostly gun friendly state. However, a huge asterisk must be applied when you are dealing with the theme parks. Let’s just say they are NOT gun friendly—at all. [Read more…] about Firearms at Theme Parks — Universal


Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.

August 23, 2019

Filed Under: How To, Self Defense Tagged With: Concealed Carry, Universal Orlando

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to Next Page »
  • Comics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • About
  • Newsletter

Copyright © 2025 · K-Var Corp · Log in