🎄Seasonal Adjustments

Holiday carry considerations, gear that adapts, and festive range time

Rachel Bee
December 12, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Hey Freedom Lovers,

We’re smack in the middle of the Christmas season - when the decorations are up, the holiday playlist is on repeat, and every streaming service keeps reminding us that Die Hard is absolutely a Christmas movie.

Don’t fight me on this. You know it’s true.

This week I came across the best newsletter give away by SLG2, Inc that asked readers to share:

“We want to hear your creative take on how Christmas movies teach us to stay safe”

Naturally, I submitted “Never take your shoes off at a Christmas party - thanks, Die Hard.”
Bruce Willis really taught us situational awareness the hard way.

It got me thinking…
Why don’t we do the same?
More on that in a minute 👀

TACTICAL TAKEAWAY: Holiday Carry Edition

Let’s talk about the unspoken challenge of the season:

How do you conceal carry after eating three plates of Christmas dinner and a Santa-sized serving of Christmas cookies?

Simple: Your gear needs to work with you, not against you.

Winter is normally a concealed-carry dream. Coats, sweaters, flannels, oversized scarves all of these things create natural cover garments. But once Thanksgiving hits and we shift into the Christmas season full swing - suddenly we’re not just layering clothes…
We’re layering meals.

Holiday parties.
Church potlucks.
Office cookie swaps.
Your grandma’s “try just one bite” casserole that somehow turns into three helpings.

And here’s the truth no one tells you:

👉 If your belt can’t adapt, your carry setup will suffer
A good belt doesn’t just hold your holster, it adjusts with your body as you move, sit, stand, eat, and inevitably loosen that top button.

This is why adjustable ratcheting belts really shine this time of year. They allow micro-adjustments throughout the day so your firearm stays secure without digging into you or shifting out of position.

A few extra seasonal tips:

• Check your draw before leaving the house
Scarves shift. Holsters settle. Layers are great for concealment but can add an extra “Layer” of complication to your draw. It’s always a good idea to safely practice your draw before leaving the house. Make sure you can still access your firearm safely and consistently.

• Don’t “off-body carry” just because you’re dressed up
Purses get set down. Coats get hung up.
If you’re carrying, it is best to keep it on you if at all possible. There are so many new and innovative carry options that aid in making this possible!

• Comfort = Consistency
And consistency is the whole point.
If your carry setup hurts, pinches or shifts every time you indulge in another holiday treat… you’re more likely to leave your firearm at home.

HOLIDAY SAFETY BRIEF

What does your favorite Christmas movie teach you about staying safe?

Inspired by the SLG2, Inc newsletter I read…
I want to hear YOUR funniest, weirdest, or most unexpectedly useful lessons.

Examples:

“Home Alone taught me to secure my perimeter.”
“Elf taught me to beware of people who sit on a throne of lies.”
“Die Hard taught me never to trust elevators.”

📩 Drop your answer here:
Holiday Safety Check-In

I’ll feature my favorites in next week’s issue!

GO-TO GEAR

If there’s one piece of gear that earns its keep especially during the holiday season, it’s a good ratcheting belt.

Instead of the old “one hole is too tight, the next is too loose” problem, ratcheting belts give you the option of micro-adjustments throughout the day - which is priceless, because let’s be real: the only thing that should be tightening this season is your shot group.

My Personal Pick: Nexbelt

I’ve used Nexbelt for years and love them so much I now own at least three styles. Dressy, casual, range-day - they’ve got one for every vibe. They hold up to daily carry, long events, holiday travel, and all the seasonal snacking December brings. Sturdy, supportive and ridiculously convenient: click, adjust, done. No digging, no sagging, no shifting holster.

I can honestly say, I’m a fan.

These are the 3 I currently own - there are so many options though!

Honorable Mentions

Kore Essentials
Black Beard Belts
Vedder Holsters - Designed in partnership with Kore Essentials

Skill Focus: Reload speed, recoil control, and maintaining accuracy
Round Count: 12 (or 13 for a baker’s dozen)

Setup:
You’ll need two circular targets (paper, steel plates, or cookie-themed prints), spaced a few feet apart.

Same size
Same height
Marked Cookie A and Cookie B

The challenge:

Fire 3 shots into Cookie A
Perform a reload
Fire 3 shots into Cookie B
Repeat the entire sequence once more
This brings you to 12 total rounds

Optional Baker’s Dozen Bonus
Add one final precision shot to either cookie. Make it clean - bonus points if you hit dead-center.

Twist:
If your shots drift outside the “cookie,” you “dropped it on the floor” and owe yourself 10 dry-fire presses at home!

Penalty:
👉 10 clean dry-fire presses at home for each “dropped cookie.”
(Yes, even on the baker’s dozen round.)

This fun seasonal challenge reinforces:

Fast but controlled reloads
Accurate first shots after a reload
Smooth target transitions
Maintaining fundamentals under light pressure

Simple. Effective. Deliciously humbling.

Coming December 15th 🎁

I’m dropping a Holiday Gift Guide for all you last minute shoppers! Practical picks for shooters, everyday carriers, and freedom-minded folks who are hard to shop for (or very easy to shop for 👀).

You won’t want to miss it.

Until Next Time

Hey Freedom Lovers - if you made it all the way down here, thank you.
This space is more than a newsletter. It’s a growing community of people who value preparedness, consistency, and confidence - even when life (and the calendar) gets chaotic.

From holiday carry adjustments to cookie-plate reloads, my goal is simple:
to keep this practical, welcoming, and rooted in real life. The kind of place where we talk gear, mindset, fun and responsibility without losing the joy of the season.

Help Grow the Rapidfire Family

If you enjoy this newsletter, the best compliment you can give is sharing it.

Every share helps build a stronger, more connected community and I’m grateful you’re part of it.

Stay safe. Stay ready. Enjoy the season.

- Rapidfire Rachel
Faith. Family. Freedom. Firearms.

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