With A Capital "E"
Let’s talk about the term “EDC” for a minute. It means “Every Day Carry,” but I think that definition gets abused quite a bit. It’s not uncommon to hear someone refer to their EDC gun, but when you ask if they really carry it every day, the answer is no. For many, their “every day carry” is more like their “some days carry,” or their “when I think I might need it carry.”
If you’re one of those people, I’d encourage you to consider stepping up your game, and committing to EDC…with a capital E.
For starters, let’s address the “when I think I might need it” carriers. Are you really that clairvoyant? Are you really able to predict when you’re going to need a gun and when you won’t? Seriously, there is so much wrong with this attitude, I almost don’t know where to start, but I’ll start with the all-too-common rationalization, “I’m in a pretty safe area.” The reality is, however, that while violent crime in urban centers is often highlighted in the news, crime outside of big cities is on the rise. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ 2022 National Crime Victimization Survey [pdf], although violent crime rates are indeed higher in urban areas, victimization rates over the previous year rose by about 30% in rural and suburban areas.
Added risk factors to consider are that, as has been the case for the last few years, it’s “mostly peaceful” protest season again, and recent US actions overseas may add to the risk of international terrorism. And for the ILIASA (I live in a safe area) folks out there…before you laugh off the idea of terrorism emerging near you, ask yourself if it wouldn’t be smart for a terror cell to strike in a small town or suburban area where police are fewer and possibly not as well equipped or trained as in a major city. If you were a terrorist, where do you think you could inflict the most damage with the least interference, hmmm? (That is, unless citizens in those areas were armed and prepared for you.)
(Pictured below is Ribvar Karimi, an Iranian national arrested by ICE in a small town in Alabama on June 22, 2025. Described as a former Iranian Army sniper, he was in possession of an Iranian Army identification card at the time of his arrest.)
Which brings me to the second group, the “some day” carriers. Just from talking to people, I find that many times the reason for not carrying daily comes down to the perceived inability to carry comfortably while maintaining proper concealment. The problem with utilizing this excuse is that it’s just that…an excuse. I have been carrying daily for about 25 years now and I’ll grant you, I have been learning and refining my carry method that entire time. One of the first things I learned is that quality gear makes concealed carry much more comfortable and much more practical. So let’s talk about gear for a minute…
When discussing carry gear*, the universal disclaimer is this: what works for me may not work for you. That said, there are some requirements which I feel are also universal. First of all, if you plan to use a belt-mounted holster (either inside or outside the waistband)…you must mount it on a proper, purpose-designed gun belt. Your typical department store pants belt is simply not rigid enough to support a firearm. I personally have two gun belts that I use. One is the (now out of production) Victory Aegis belt from Mean Gene Leather (he still has other great gun belts available). I wear this one when I want the look of a leather pants belt, often with jeans or khakis…even under a sport coat.
An example of the Victory Aegis belt from Mean Gene Leather (no longer in production)
The other belt I wear is the Safariland L930 from Nexbelt, which also produces an even more extensive line of belts for concealed carry. I wear the Safariland when appearance isn’t as big of an issue…not that the L930 is an ugly belt, because it isn’t. It just looks like a plain black belt, though it is plenty sturdy for concealed carry. Like the Mean Gene belt, it also has a buckle which allows for near-infinite adjustment, to get the snugness factor dialed in to Goldilocks standard. Regardless of which belt you choose, it needs to be constructed specifically to support the weight of the gun.
The Safariland L930.
Now…we have to talk about holsters. While there are tons of holsters out there, you must ensure that whatever holster you choose it meets these criteria at a minimum:
It must be designed and constructed for your specific gun. No “universal fit” holsters.
It must cover the trigger.
It must keep the gun secure. If you can turn it upside down and shake the (unloaded) gun out, it isn’t secure enough.
It must be stiff enough to keep the holster mouth open so that you can re-holster without using your other hand.
Meeting the above criteria usually means that you’re looking at a Kydex (or similar thermoplastic) holster. While there are still quality leather holsters to be had (and I do love a nice leather holster), if you find one that meets the standard, be prepared for it to eventually wear out and become substandard. In every category other than looks and feel, Kydex is simply better.
Again, the holster that works best for me and my gun may not be the best for you, but I’m glad to pass on my preferences. I am a big fan of JM Custom Kydex, and have several of their inside-the-waistband holsters and magazine pouches. They offer fits for a wide range of handguns, and I’ve never been disappointed in their product. I am currently carrying my Sig Sauer P365 XMacro Tacops in one of their IWB3 holsters, and have been for about a year (since Chris Cerino convinced me I needed the Sig).
The author’s personal EDC…a Sig P365 XMacro in a JM Custom Kydex IWB3 holster, with spare magazine, in a matching JM mag pouch. And yes, he does carry it every day.
Before I wrap up, another carry system I have been using for a while is the Phlster Enigma. I adopted the Enigma about a year ago, as a carry method more suited to lightweight summer clothing. Designed to be worn with the gun in the appendix position (forward of the hips, near centerline), the Enigma is indeed a system unto itself. Consisting of a foundational faceplate with an integral belt, the Enigma requires no separate belt and thus is suited to garments with no belt loops such as gym shorts, skirts, or leggings. Admittedly, the Enigma can require a bit of fiddling to get adjusted just right (it probably took me 2-3 weeks to get it figured out), but Phlster has an extensive library of wonderful resources to help you configure yours. They even do periodic online seminars to help customers fit their Enigmas properly. (I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a company offer this level of support.) I am 6’0” and about 250 pounds, so I am hardly what you would call “slender,” and I can comfortably carry my Sig in the Enigma all day long…I even wear it to the gym in nothing more than gym shorts and a lightweight workout shirt. I feel comfortable saying that if I can make an Enigma work with my body type, most of you could, too.
The author’s Sig, this time riding in a Phlster Enigma, with a spare magazine in the optional Sport Belt.
Anyway…I told you all that to tell you this…
The world is not a safe place. Yes, some areas are safer than others, but Mayberry isn’t a real place. If it ever was, it certainly doesn’t exist anymore. Yes, most of us will carry all our lives and never once need to draw the gun. That’s a wonderful thing. At the same time, I have been driving a car for over 45 years and never once needed a seat belt to save my life. So why put it on? Because I just might, someday. And if I do, it will be a horrible day, and I will be glad I had it. Same with the gun.
As with the seat belt, the likelihood of needing the gun is extremely low, but the consequences of not having it when needed are extremely serious. Find the right gear, get the best training you can, and commit to EDC…with a capital E.
*None of the products mentioned in this article are paid endorsements. I purchased all with my own money. In fact, at least as of this writing, none of these companies even know I exist.
Cover photo courtesy of Oleg Volk
