acmariner99
Regular Member
Last Friday while down in the south end I decided to stop by the outdoor store in Federal Way near where we have our Starbucks meets. They FINALLY had the new Springfield XDS in stock - and yes, I got one It's slim, it's slick, and it is very comfortable in my hands. I got a Galco IWB holster designed for the G36 for carry. I have a lot more carry options with it -- just not as many bullets.
So, this past Sunday I decide to go on my usual walk from my place in the Highlands down to Gene Coulon Park in Renton. I decide that it would be a good day to try out my XD's little brother. With the XDS snug in its holster, I tuck it behind my belt at my usual 3 o'clock position with the gun sitting in front of my shirt. It is so much comfortable than carrying my full size XD IWB. It is still cloudy and brisk outside so I put on my fleece jacket thereby concealing the pistol from view and walk down to the park. By the time I get there (about an hour), I am craving some ice cream and its warming up, so I order a nice milkshake at Kidd Valley, find a place to sit, and remove my jacket. After the waitress hands me my milkshake, a bystander notices the thing sitting on my hip and points to my side saying curiously, "whoa, what is that?" I reply, "oh, its just my self-defense sidearm. It's the new Springfield XDS, pretty nice huh?" He nods in agreement, "yeah man, have a good one." He then gets his food and leaves.
After I finish my wonderful milkshake, I go for my usual "rounds" around the park. I follow the paved trail along the lake and boardwalks starting by the beach area and walk all the way to where the park ends by the housing development about a mile to the north. On my last of 3 legs back to the park entrance, I notice two Renton police cruisers parked near the boat launch. The path I am walking on takes me right past the police cars with my strong side facing them. As soon as I see them (about 100 yards from them I think), I flip on my voice recorder on my phone and walk right past them. After I cross a small bridge near a brush lined creek, I glance to the side and turn my eyes as far to the right as I can to see if I am being followed. (I don't like being surprised from behind.) Not a minute later, I see the two cop cars leave the park. No harm, no foul ... and I only have circumstantial evidence that I was the one they were keeping tabs on. No contact, no nada ... as it should be. I turn off the recorder and start the 3 mile walk up the hill back home.
Today, after a long day at work and much needed errands to complete before embarking on another fun filled adventure tomorrow afternoon, I get home, strap on the XDS, and walk first to the Walgreens, then to the Safeway across the street (near 4th and Union in Renton). I didn't bother changing so I was wearing cargo pants with a polo tucked in; the XDS is therefore being carried openly. I ask an employee where the ziplock bags are, proceed with my shopping as normal, then decide I want some cheap chinese food. The guy behind the counter notices the name of my employer on my polo and he proceeds to ask me about my job. As we are talking I see a Renton police officer come in the door. I note that he isn't doing any shopping and is standing behind me at about my 7 or 8 o'clock while continuing my conversation. I also notice in my peripheral vision that the cop paces from about my 9 - 10 o'clock back to my 7. As the server hands me my food I turn to my left and the cop is now at my 11 o'clock. I offer a smile and a quick nod -- which he returns and walks towards the door and proceed to checkout. I use the opportunity to turn on my recorder in case they are waiting for me outside. I pay, head out the door, and notice the cop and his partner near their cruiser. As I walk away, with my strong side away from them, I can tell that they are both eyeing me but they never approach me. I proceed home without any further contact.
Now, what baffles me is that I have OCed with my full size XD fully exposed and large as life in this Safeway and other stores in the complex many times. In the park, I try to conceal my XD, but sometimes I remove my jacket and there it is OWB in my standard holster when it is warm out. There has been no commentary from employees, customers, or other park goers whatsoever. So, now twice in a week, I have one incident I know for sure where I am being watched and another that is circumstantial -- carrying a much smaller piece than I normally do. I had friendly and cordial conversations with multiple individuals while simply going about my business. Oh well, this is how LEO encounters are supposed to go. They get a call, they take a look, notice that I am OCing, and simply leave me be. I don't engage them and simply go about my business. Everybody goes home happy. My guess is the contrast from the gun to my shirt and pants. Both times I was wearing light pants and a lighter colored shirt. With the dark blue t's or the black fleece I get nary a glance. Though even with Big Brother XD and light clothing, I haven't had any contact or questions since I have been back. Odd.
See below for the new piece and my carry setup.
So, this past Sunday I decide to go on my usual walk from my place in the Highlands down to Gene Coulon Park in Renton. I decide that it would be a good day to try out my XD's little brother. With the XDS snug in its holster, I tuck it behind my belt at my usual 3 o'clock position with the gun sitting in front of my shirt. It is so much comfortable than carrying my full size XD IWB. It is still cloudy and brisk outside so I put on my fleece jacket thereby concealing the pistol from view and walk down to the park. By the time I get there (about an hour), I am craving some ice cream and its warming up, so I order a nice milkshake at Kidd Valley, find a place to sit, and remove my jacket. After the waitress hands me my milkshake, a bystander notices the thing sitting on my hip and points to my side saying curiously, "whoa, what is that?" I reply, "oh, its just my self-defense sidearm. It's the new Springfield XDS, pretty nice huh?" He nods in agreement, "yeah man, have a good one." He then gets his food and leaves.
After I finish my wonderful milkshake, I go for my usual "rounds" around the park. I follow the paved trail along the lake and boardwalks starting by the beach area and walk all the way to where the park ends by the housing development about a mile to the north. On my last of 3 legs back to the park entrance, I notice two Renton police cruisers parked near the boat launch. The path I am walking on takes me right past the police cars with my strong side facing them. As soon as I see them (about 100 yards from them I think), I flip on my voice recorder on my phone and walk right past them. After I cross a small bridge near a brush lined creek, I glance to the side and turn my eyes as far to the right as I can to see if I am being followed. (I don't like being surprised from behind.) Not a minute later, I see the two cop cars leave the park. No harm, no foul ... and I only have circumstantial evidence that I was the one they were keeping tabs on. No contact, no nada ... as it should be. I turn off the recorder and start the 3 mile walk up the hill back home.
Today, after a long day at work and much needed errands to complete before embarking on another fun filled adventure tomorrow afternoon, I get home, strap on the XDS, and walk first to the Walgreens, then to the Safeway across the street (near 4th and Union in Renton). I didn't bother changing so I was wearing cargo pants with a polo tucked in; the XDS is therefore being carried openly. I ask an employee where the ziplock bags are, proceed with my shopping as normal, then decide I want some cheap chinese food. The guy behind the counter notices the name of my employer on my polo and he proceeds to ask me about my job. As we are talking I see a Renton police officer come in the door. I note that he isn't doing any shopping and is standing behind me at about my 7 or 8 o'clock while continuing my conversation. I also notice in my peripheral vision that the cop paces from about my 9 - 10 o'clock back to my 7. As the server hands me my food I turn to my left and the cop is now at my 11 o'clock. I offer a smile and a quick nod -- which he returns and walks towards the door and proceed to checkout. I use the opportunity to turn on my recorder in case they are waiting for me outside. I pay, head out the door, and notice the cop and his partner near their cruiser. As I walk away, with my strong side away from them, I can tell that they are both eyeing me but they never approach me. I proceed home without any further contact.
Now, what baffles me is that I have OCed with my full size XD fully exposed and large as life in this Safeway and other stores in the complex many times. In the park, I try to conceal my XD, but sometimes I remove my jacket and there it is OWB in my standard holster when it is warm out. There has been no commentary from employees, customers, or other park goers whatsoever. So, now twice in a week, I have one incident I know for sure where I am being watched and another that is circumstantial -- carrying a much smaller piece than I normally do. I had friendly and cordial conversations with multiple individuals while simply going about my business. Oh well, this is how LEO encounters are supposed to go. They get a call, they take a look, notice that I am OCing, and simply leave me be. I don't engage them and simply go about my business. Everybody goes home happy. My guess is the contrast from the gun to my shirt and pants. Both times I was wearing light pants and a lighter colored shirt. With the dark blue t's or the black fleece I get nary a glance. Though even with Big Brother XD and light clothing, I haven't had any contact or questions since I have been back. Odd.
See below for the new piece and my carry setup.