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Last weekend I returned to NJ from a 2-week road trip to visit and tour various antique, classic and special interest automobile museums in six (6) different states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin, (not including New Jersey, of course). I thought this trip would be an ideal test run for me to CCW, where allowed. As you may recall from earlier posts, I had applied for and had received my non-resident CCW permits from Utah, Florida and New Hampshire. So I could legally CCW in PA, OH, IN, WI, but not in MI or IL. FWIW, here is my travel log of that road trip and some of my experiences and thoughts. For this trip for CCW, I decided to use my Sig Sauer P226 MK-25 9mm handgun, holstered in an inside-the-waistband Mitch Rosen custom finished cowhide leather holster, attached to a matching color and finish strapping cowhide leather Mitch Rosen 1 ½” wide gun belt. The belt has tapered ends and is harness-stitched around the perimeter and finished like a fine dress belt which contributes to a more normal belt look in front, therefore not really looking like a gun belt. The daytime weather was warm (high 70’s) to hot and humid (high 80’s/low 90’s). I wore shorts and UA/Nike colored tee shirts made from a wicking type of fabric, tucked into my pants along with a cotton sport shirt over it, buttoned, but not tucked in. This approach covered my handgug and minimized any “printing”. I also used a well-traveled, small black cowhide Coach leather satchel with shoulder strap that provided convenient accessible storage for my wallet, reading & sun glasses, cash, iPhone, car keys, flashlight and pocket knife, keeping my pants pockets free and flat. I positioned the holster at the 4 o’clock position on my belt, which was the most comfortable and practical for me from my experimenting with various positions. The self-defense ammo I chose for my handgun was Speer Gold Dot hollow point rounds, which I have been practicing with at the range, along with the Speer Lawman ball ammo for most paper target shooting. Carrying this satchel on the same side as my handgun contributed to further concealing the fact that I had a handgun inside my waistband. I also continued to CCW while driving. Since this was my first time CCW’g I decided that I would have a fully loaded magazine in my gun, but not have a round chambered. I decided that for this trip that I would not have any additional loaded magazines on me while I was CCW’g, to keep it simple. This worked for me allowing me to slowly build up my confidence and comfort with carrying a handgun. Before I embarked on this road trip and based on our back-and-forth discussion in this CCW section, I purchased, read and updated regularly a number of concealed carry iPhone apps, including: CCW, CCA, Posted and LegalHeat. As was recommended to me by other posters here, studying the gun laws of each of the states I planned to visit was somewhat tedious and laborious, but a necessary task, that was made much easier by using these Apps. Thank you all again for that recommendation. Using the advice from HBecwithFn7, and as a cheat-sheet reminder, I wrote on an index card for each of these states, Y or N for if one is required to inform a LEO that I am conceal carrying, as well as which of my non-resident CCW permits is recognized and honored in that state. I was consciously aware of what the law was/is, relative to each state, as to whether or not, if stopped, one must voluntarily inform a LEO that you are carrying. Specifically, the individual state law that dictates that if stopped by a LEO, you are required to immediately and voluntarily notify the LEO that you are carrying, and display not just the usual Driver’s License, Vehicle Registration and Auto Insurance ID Card, but the applicable CCW Permit card. As one poster noted previously, in some states, you are not required to notify immediately, but only "if asked by" or "upon demand of" the LEO, (i.e. "Are you carrying any weapons?" or, "Are there any weapons in the car?"). Thankfully, I was not stopped by any LEO for any reason on this trip so did not have to deal with that situation. Initially, once I crossed into PA from NJ, I stopped at the first rest stop and parked in a far corner of the parking lot. With the back of my SUV facing away from all the other cars I was able to discreetly retrieve and put on my holster, then load and holster my handgun under my sport shirt. Once back in the vehicle, I was pleasantly surprised that the handgun did not gouge and indent into my abdomen, even with the seatbelt fastened. But I did find that towards the end of each day, especially when walking around museums and other places for several hours on end, that the feel of the holstered gun became more noticeable and at times a bit uncomfortable due to chaffing. Part of that may be attributed to the heat and humidity and part that I chose a full-size, all-metal handgun that is heavier than a polymer framed gun. That was a conscious choice since I am a much more accurate shooter using a full-size handgun and that was/is a very important choice factor for me. Also, my other polymer handguns have longer than standard barrels and holsters for them are hard to find. I am fully aware of and was abiding by the current FOPA laws governing interstate transportation of firearms. So, before I entered either Michigan or Illinois, I would stop at an appropriate location in the neighboring state to remove my handgun, removing the loaded magazine, along with the holster and store them in separate pouches that were in turn, placed inside a locked hard sided attaché case, located in the far back of my SUV, inaccessible to anyone inside. In the evening, in the states where I was legal to CCW, I would bring my handgun and case into my motel room for the night. When in MI and IL, I decided to just leave the cased gun and ammo stored in the locked hard-sided attaché case, locked in the back of my SUV, to avoid any potential hassle. I have to admit that for the first couple of days in PA and OH, I was rather nervous of the fact that I was carrying a firearm, even if it was concealed. Did I feel safer by doing so…? Yes, but, I also felt very self-conscious and that I needed to quite frequently and discreetly, ensure that my gun was not clearly visible or even printing. I learned how to deal with a number of new situations. For example, in a public restroom when inside a stall doing #2, to make sure that the holstered handgun on the belt does not fall down to my ankles where it may possibly become visible to someone in an adjacent stall. If it happened, it would not have been the end of the world, but I was trying to be discreet and not shock some folks who could have misunderstood the situation. The fact that I was doing this road trip by myself was a good way to determine what CCW’g was like, without the added stated or implied, verbal and non-verbal comments and/or body language concerns expressed by my wife, or anyone else. By the end of this trip I appreciated the freedom I enjoyed to CCW in the states where I legally could do so. It was a vacation that served as a real test and learning experience for me to see what it was like to CCW where I could and everything required and involved to do so. I was erring on the side of caution and attempting to abide by the letter of the law of each state, even when it was a PITA. Until (and if), our Congress passes a national uniform CCW law and then the SCOTUS upholds it, these types of precautions will continue to befuddle those who are interested in CCW and do not want to run afoul of different states gun laws. None of us want to suffer the severe consequences of possibly unknowingly breaking one of them, due to ignorance or misunderstanding. AVB-AMG

Good for you AVB. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. Capt14k, please don't carry in the small of your back (SoB). It's dangerous on a few levels: • If you fall on your back/ass you can really hurt yourself, I'm talking broken vertebrae hurt yourself. • Its a slow and very noticible draw stroke. It offers no covert draw options thus limiting your options during a crisis when it pays to be able to be flexible. • Every time you draw or reholster you are pointing the muzzle at your torso and hips. Under the stress of a deadly force confrontation you could very well put one into your own body, thereby doing the bad guys job for him. There are dozens of legitimate modern options to carry a handgun. Something else out there will suit your needs, avoid SoB carry if at all possible.

keeping this thread alive! Les Baer TRS and with the TRP that I filed on

I'd avoid any town that ends in ", NJ"

"I also used a well-traveled, small black cowhide Coach leather satchel with shoulder strap that provided convenient accessible storage for my wallet, reading & sun glasses, cash, iPhone, car keys," my wife has a bunch of these she uses to carry the same items ..I believe she calls them pocketbooks, purses, and hand bags.....did yours match your shoes? Lol just busting your balls .... carry your European men's carryall with pride

Here's a few of the civilian models: I have several Military (Colt, Remington, USS&S, ect.) .......................................................... Colt Ace (.22) Springfield Loaded V-12 (.45) Springfield Loaded (v-12) Custom Colt Competition (9mm) Custom Colt Mk-IV (.45) Custom Colt Combat Commander (.45)

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bc wife doesnt want to go to PA, plus I think getting a CCW permit outta Philthy maybe tuff w/ all their BS.

I ran everything at the original owners home. Worked flawlessly. In my bit of research it looks like what I originally wanted to do (use the VFD to convert to 3ph and keep the switches as they are) isn't entirely possible. It looks like I will need to wire all the switches through the VFD. Which sucks for me as when I look at a schematic it looks like a nefarious bowl of evil spaghetti that wants to kill me. Been there. Doesn't work.

Dan Wesson V-Bob in duty treat

Phases of the motor wired correctly?

In the states where I was carrying, nobody on this road trip said anything to me about observing me carrying or asking me if I was carrying, because they possibly suspected that I was... Maybe this was a combination of my semi-paranoid precautions, along with most people not being all too observant, as well as not really caring.... Also, in states where CCW is more prevalent, maybe folks just do not really care...? AVB-AMG

The C after the dash is for "Compliant" - it's the model designed for states like NJ and CA. The C and P in the name - MCX and MPX - designate Carbine or Pistol caliber.

Targetsports is selling the same ammo for $190 shipped. Coincidence? Ill save the drive and have it shipped. https://www.targetsportsusa.com/federal-range-target-practice-9mm-luger-ammo-115-grain-fmj-rtp9115-p-59035.aspx

S&W M&P Shield deal/rebates are still going on - I say go for one of those instead.

You are missing the point of moving. It's supposed to make your life better by moving to a location with like-minded people. In this case anything east of the Delaware is a bad idea. It doesn't matter how fast the permit process is, most things will be banned in a few months