I took the opportunity to christen my conceal carry permit, and carried in public for the first time today. The question is how long does it take to get used to the fact you have a gun on your person? I swear I thought everyone was staring at me, causing me to check it every 5 minutes. Probably just paranoid.
I have been carrying for going on 7 years now. It is difficult at first. I went through the phase of buying every piece of junk tiny gun that any manufacturer made. I would have saved a lot of money if I knew what I know now.
Others may disagree but, the best advice I can give you is to buy yourself two guns and stick with them. The first being a quality full or mid-size service pistol like a 1911, S&W M&P, Glock, Sig etc. The second gun being a airweight or airlite j-frame revolver.
Learn to carry the full size pistol. It is easy once you learn how. I carry a full size 1911 and two spare mags every day. It is usually just under a t-shirt or other light covering garment.
What works for me is a kydex IWB holster with a 15 degree cant, a polymer wilderness belt, and kydex mag carriers.
The j-frame is for when you absolutely cannot carry the full size gun or when you want to back up your full size weapon in a pocket holster or ankle holster. The j-frame is a versital gun and there comes a time in most gun owners lives when they begin to appreciate the glory that is the j-frame revolver.
Most people would never think that someone around them is carrying a gun. People that open carry will tell you that most people don't even notice the gun when it is in the open. Avoid touching your gun to make sure it is still there. If you have a good holster it won't get up and walk away. The only time I would put your hand near the gun is when you get out of your car or get up from a chair just to make sure your cover garment hasn't rode up.
Happy carrying and congradulations on your CCW permit.