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Old 03-18-2011, 01:17 AM
tekoy tekoy is offline
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Default Fanny Packs and Crutches

Do to an injury, I will need the use of crutches and/or a wheelchair to get around for a while. I was wondering if anyone has been in this type of situation and what method of concealed carry they prefer, I carry 642 or a CS9. As for clothing only track pants or shorts, and any type shirt or jacket depending on the weather. Any hints on proper stance with crutches would also be helpful. Thank you.
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Old 03-18-2011, 02:44 PM
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I have not had to deal with your circumstances personally, but know and have helped those who have.

No one seems to give a second thought to someone in a chair or on crutches having a bag around their waist or shoulder or even strapped to the arms of a wheelchair. Put a camera logo patch on the bag and I think you can conceal about anything. Quick access makes it a more difficult process depending on individual situations. As far as a stance is concerned I of the thinking of any stance that allows you to hit the target is the best, this is not a competition match, but your life. Practice as much as you can for your different situations of being on crutches or in a chair and having to take action. From conversations I've been around it seems these bad guy punks are quite taken back by someone on crutches or in a chair having a gun. Congratulations on being ahead of the curve and BEST WHISHES to you as you go through this.
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Old 03-18-2011, 02:50 PM
mg357 mg357 is offline
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im a wheelchair user and i personally would use the fanny pack to concealed carry a handgun. just as soon as illinois allows conceal carry that is how i plan to carry
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Old 03-18-2011, 02:57 PM
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I have damage in both knees and hips from old running injuries; and consequently have been on crutches for the last 18-19 years. So far I've stuck with pocket carry, though the crutches aren't necessarily the primary reason for that. I may make a change in the future.

If I were forced to draw(which of course I pray never happens), I would either move my strong side crutch to the front of my pocket to get to the gun; or, if I needed to draw right now, I would probably toss the strong side crutch aside. Both approaches are far from ideal, of course; but such is life -I try to think things through and act as best as circumstances permit.

Andy
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Old 03-18-2011, 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by snowman View Post
I have damage in both knees and hips from old running injuries; and consequently have been on crutches for the last 18-19 years. So far I've stuck with pocket carry, though the crutches aren't necessarily the primary reason for that. I may make a change in the future.

If I were forced to draw(which of course I pray never happens), I would either move my strong side crutch to the front of my pocket to get to the gun; or, if I needed to draw right now, I would probably toss the strong side crutch aside. Both approaches are far from ideal, of course; but such is life -I try to think things through and act as best as circumstances permit.

Andy
Instead of "tossing the crutch aside", why not toss the crutch at or toward the BG, even if he is out of throwing range? The diversion just might get you an extra second or two.
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Old 03-18-2011, 04:01 PM
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Instead of "tossing the crutch aside", why not toss the crutch at or toward the BG, even if he is out of throwing range? The diversion just might get you an extra second or two.
Could very well be; I'll give that some thought.

Andy
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Old 03-18-2011, 04:12 PM
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Yeah, I bet they won't expect that and even if you don't hit them I bet they will flinch. Then you can give them 2 for flinching.
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Old 03-18-2011, 05:57 PM
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Could very well be; I'll give that some thought.

Andy
And I bet if you really put some practice into this, you would be able to access/draw/aim (and fire, if necessary) before the crutch even hit the ground
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Old 03-18-2011, 11:52 PM
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And I bet if you really put some practice into this, you would be able to access/draw/aim (and fire, if necessary) before the crutch even hit the ground
I think I'd better hold my fire in that case; if I shot the crutch, I wouldn't be able to walk back to the car.

Andy
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Old 03-19-2011, 10:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tekoy View Post
Do to an injury, I will need the use of crutches and/or a wheelchair to get around for a while. I was wondering if anyone has been in this type of situation and what method of concealed carry they prefer, I carry 642 or a CS9. As for clothing only track pants or shorts, and any type shirt or jacket depending on the weather. Any hints on proper stance with crutches would also be helpful. Thank you.
I am a Prosthetist/Orthotist and I deal with things like this everyday-not the shooting-but the wheelchair and crutches.
1st are you able to stand with only 1 crutch or can you stand with no crutch for how long and how stable are you etc.etc.?
I need more data to figure out how to assist you.
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Old 03-19-2011, 10:45 AM
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I have been in the same situation twice over the years and came to the same conclusion you did. No one gave the fanny pack a second look, and it was nice to be able to tuck other things into the belt sometimes. A normal belt holster was out because the crutches would expose my gun. In a wheelchair, I found that I could use a 5.11 jacket that had a small holster in the front. Of course, that was during the winter. The nice thing about sitting down was that the weight of the gun didn't cause the jacket to hang funny.

As far as shooting positions, I figured I would end up on the ground anyway so why not do it under conditions that I wanted. It really wasn't an optimal answer, but neither is hopping around on one foot in the middle of a gunfight.

Good luck, and I hope you heal quickly!

Last edited by nawilson; 03-19-2011 at 10:46 AM. Reason: spelling
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Old 03-25-2011, 01:18 PM
tekoy tekoy is offline
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Thanks to all for your replies. I've been using a DeSantis fanny pack, when I can wear regular pants I'll go back to pocket carry. The idea of using the crutches as a distraction hadn't crossed my mind, but hitting the dirt was my first instinct. Hopefully, I'll never need to find out if it works. Thanks again.
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Old 04-08-2011, 10:04 PM
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Quote:
Instead of "tossing the crutch aside", why not toss the crutch at or toward the BG, even if he is out of throwing range? The diversion just might get you an extra second or two.
Excellent idea!

As I now have too use a cane from time to time, and I've always carried strong side I'm still trying to find a good way to carry. As I normally wear golf style shirts a shoulder holster under a shirt is not really an option, nor is an ankle holster as I usually wear shorts and don't bend well anymore.
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