This past weekend during my concealed carry class, two students asked very different questions, but both came down to the same answer.
The first was from a guy who said, “I just don’t feel comfortable carrying with one in the chamber. How do I get there?”
The second was from a woman who asked, “How do I get over the fear that my gun could be used against me?”
Two different fears. One answer: confidence.
Confidence in Yourself, and your Firearm
Confidence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s something you build, the same way you build skill, through time, repetition, and trust in yourself. If carrying one in the chamber feels intimidating, you’re not alone. A lot of people feel that way at first. The unknown can feel heavy when it comes to something as serious as a firearm.
When I first started carrying with one in the chamber, I still felt like I needed a safety to feel secure. Over time that changed. The more I trained, the more comfortable I became, and now I want nothing between me and my shot. I want the ability to point and shoot without hesitation if it ever comes to that. That shift, from needing something extra to trusting my own skill is exactly what confidence looks like. It’s earned with practice.
Get Hands-on
Get to know your firearm until it feels like an extension of you. Handle it. Train with it. Understand exactly how it functions and what makes it safe. When you’ve practiced loading, unloading, clearing, and holstering, over and over, your confidence starts to replace that initial hesitation.
A quality holster that fully covers the trigger guard is non-negotiable. It’s not just about comfort; it’s about peace of mind. I tell my students, never go cheap in this department and purchase the correct one for your firearm. I personally use and recommend Eclipse Holsters. They are secure, well-made (in Virginia), and built for daily carry. (Use code SYS15 for a discount)
The Other Side of Fear
The question, “What if it’s used against me?” is one I hear a lot from women. It’s another common fear.
It’s not about being fearless. It’s about being ready. The more capable and prepared you are, the less that fear controls you. Confidence isn’t about being aggressive. It’s about knowing you’ve done the work and that you’ll be able to respond instead of freeze.
That confidence comes from training and training consistently. Practice builds familiarity. Familiarity builds control. Control builds calm. When you rehearse your draw, your stance, your presentation, and your mindset, the story in your head changes from “what if” to “I can handle this.”
The Training That Makes the Difference
You don’t need to live at the range to build confidence. Short, focused sessions add up fast. Dry-fire practice is one of the best ways to get reps in at home. A simple dry-fire training cartridge lets you work on trigger control, presentation, and grip without live ammo. And those reps translate directly to the range.
Mix that in with regular live-fire practice, and your firearm becomes familiar instead of intimidating.
And don’t forget the mental work. Walk through scenarios in your head. Rehearse your decisions. Confidence lives in your body and in your mind.
Confidence Comes With Reps
I’ve seen it in class so many times. The first shaky shot, then the next one isn’t as scary, and then it clicks. They realize they can do it. That moment is everything. It’s when fear loosens its grip and training takes over.
If you’re new to carrying or still working through fears, start small. Handle your firearm regularly. Practice with intention. Invest in gear that supports safety and predictability. And keep showing up.
Confidence isn’t perfection. It’s progress. It’s the slow, steady accumulation of small wins that make you ready if you ever have to be.
Want to practice at home? Get 25% off the dry-fire training cartridge I use for safe, realistic reps.
If you need a little extra help getting there, I offer one-on-one training sessions that focus on building confidence and skill at your pace. Sometimes that extra bit of guidance can make all the difference.
