According to Kevin Michalowski of the U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), spending hundreds of dollars on a custom trigger for your concealed carry pistol might not be worth it. He admitted nearly buying a $250 trigger before realizing he just needed more practice. “I don’t need a new trigger,” he said – just more time at the range. Ed Combs agreed, reminding viewers that while competition triggers may feel great, they can sometimes compromise reliability if not properly tested or installed.
The Rigger’s Belt Dilemma
One of the biggest “overrated” pieces of concealed carry gear? That massive rigger’s belt. Ed Combs highlighted how people walk around in khakis with mountaineering belts built for tactical rappelling – not everyday civilian life. These belts often require special pants, can’t fit through normal loops, and are total overkill unless you’re preparing to drag a Humvee out of a ditch. “This is mountaineering gear,” Michalowski noted. Not practical for grabbing coffee at the gas station.
Too Many Spare Mags: A Load You Don’t Need
Ed Combs pointed out another trend: people carrying more than two spare magazines “just in case.” While he acknowledged the dangers of today’s world, especially with the rise in illegal Glock switches and high-capacity mags, most civilian defensive shootings end with just a few rounds fired. Michalowski encouraged starting with what’s in your gun and adding one reload if you must – not turning your beltline into a full tactical loadout.
Triggers Can Compromise Reliability
The duo warned against replacing factory triggers without fully testing them. Michalowski reflected on the many professionally tuned guns that still don’t function reliably. “The ghost of the man who designed that gun is screaming down from the clouds – it worked when I gave it to you,” he joked. The message was clear: aftermarket parts, especially triggers, springs, and baseplates, can make a good gun go bad – unless you thoroughly test every change with hundreds of rounds.
Magazine Mods Are a Risky Game
Combs and Michalowski zeroed in on one key offender: extended baseplates and aftermarket magazine springs. While these can add capacity, they often reduce reliability unless the shooter puts in the time to verify consistent function. Michalowski emphasized, “Most people aren’t going to fire several thousand rounds a year.” Running just two magazines through a gun doesn’t prove it’s reliable. For life-saving carry gear, that’s simply not enough.
250 Rounds Is the Benchmark for Trust
The hosts shared a key lesson from legendary trainer Massad Ayoob: 250 consecutive rounds without failure is the minimum standard for trusting your gun and ammo combination. Especially for altered firearms or 1911s, which have notoriously tight tolerances, that number matters. Michalowski said too many shooters rely on “it worked at the range once” instead of real testing. In his words, “That’s not an assessment.”
Beware the Cool-Looking “Meme Ammo”
A surprising hazard? The so-called “meme ammo.” Michalowski and Combs warned against boutique ammo with skulls, Punisher logos, or dramatic names that may look intimidating but fail in real use. Both men emphasized sticking with proven loads from reputable brands – especially when your life is on the line. If you wouldn’t trust it in law enforcement, don’t carry it in your CCW.
Red Dots Aren’t Overrated – If You Learn to Use Them
While some argue red dot sights are unnecessary or too complex, both Michalowski and Combs pushed back. Red dots, if used correctly, can improve accuracy and speed – especially under stress. Michalowski credited training with instructor Dave Spaulding for showing him how to “find the dot in the window” quickly. Once he learned the technique, he said, “I was faster. I was more accurate.” For those who take the time to train with it, the red dot can be a game-changer.
The Real Value of a Reload
Michalowski emphasized one critical principle: you are not truly safe until your gun is reloaded and ready after a threat. “Call 911 when you’re safe,” he said, “and you’re not safe until you’re reloaded.” Whether you’re carrying a five-shot revolver or a Glock 17, the importance of a reload is about more than malfunction recovery – it’s about preparing for the next threat.
Two Shots per Threat Is a Fantasy
Combs recalled a comment he saw online: “I have 10 rounds, so I can double-tap five guys.” The hosts took that idea apart. “You might need more than two rounds,” Michalowski warned. Real life isn’t like the movies. Factors like adrenaline, poor aim, drug use, or sheer determination can make attackers keep going even after being shot. The idea that one or two well-placed rounds will always stop a threat is dangerous wishful thinking.
Planning for the Worst – Without Looking Ridiculous
The balance, they argued, lies between being ready and going full “space suit mode.” Combs laughed about people preparing for combat on Mars – carrying backup gear for every situation. He urged viewers to find a balance where they can live like “halfway normal people” while still being ready. A reload? Yes. A full battle belt with night vision, plate carrier, and three knives? Probably not.
Training Beats Toys
What stands out in this conversation is something every CCW holder should hear: gear doesn’t replace training. It’s tempting to buy your way into feeling prepared, but Michalowski and Combs are making a case for simplicity and discipline. Practice. Know your equipment. Trust it because you’ve tested it – not because the ad said it’s tactical.
Less Is More (But Only If It Works)
The obsession with stacking accessories on a carry pistol is like putting racing stripes on a sedan and calling it fast. Unless that trigger, mag extension, or optic has passed the same stress test your life might face, it’s just a liability. The real takeaway? Spend less time in the online gear rabbit hole – and more time at the range. Train until your carry setup feels boring. That’s when it’s right.
Common Sense Shouldn’t Be Overrated
Kevin Michalowski and Ed Combs, both trusted voices from the USCCA, didn’t just tear down gimmicks – they offered real alternatives. Focus on reliability. Prioritize training. Buy quality ammo. Keep your carry gun simple, proven, and tested. And maybe, just maybe, don’t carry gear built for SEAL Team 6 if you’re just heading to the grocery store. As they reminded viewers, “You’re your own first responder – but that doesn’t mean you have to cosplay as one.”
Ed spent his childhood in the backwoods of Maine, where harsh winters taught him the value of survival skills. With a background in bushcraft and off-grid living, Ed has honed his expertise in fire-making, hunting, and wild foraging. He writes from personal experience, sharing practical tips and hands-on techniques to thrive in any outdoor environment. Whether it’s primitive camping or full-scale survival, Ed’s advice is grounded in real-life challenges.
