Off Body Carry vs Inside Waistband. I NEED ADVICE

[marathonrunner]

Guys, I just bought the Maxpedition Fatboy CCW bag and while it is vey low key, I am not sure if off the body CCW is smart. I do know getting my gun out would take much longer unless I was walking around with the zipper compartment open. I am a newbe. I wanted to carry off body so I could also have my tactical light on my rail at night so I can see better. Do I have time to flip the switch on my tact light? How come most people are not using Fatboy bags? It seems the Fatboy allows you to carry larger pistols for protection.

 

[Mister X]

Many manufacturers make holsters for pistols with tactical lights. If you feel the tac-light equipped gun you have is just too big to carry on your body, I would either ditch the gun mounted light(still carry a handheld) or switch to a smaller gun before I would carry off body in a bag. And while not ideal and not commonly recommended by most trainers, off body carry is still a popular carry method and better than nothing. NRA Sharp

 

[Kanewpadle]

1. Off body carry will always be slower.

2. Why do you need a tactical light?

SIMPLIFY!!

Carry a hand held light instead. Carry the gun on your person.

DON'T over think things.

 

[Rpg]

Fatboy and it's ilk seem to be doing a full press sales campaign.

Carry your pistol on your belt.

Carry your flashlight in your weak hand pocket if you absolutely have to have a flashlight.

tactical lights attached to your pistol are clumsy, bulky and increadibly slow.

By the time you got your pistol out of the bag and figured out how to turn on the light, you would be beaten to death and the bad guy would be home counting your cash and playing with your pistol.

If you can deploy your pistol from the bag, activate the light and hit the target center mass with one shot (even in full light) at 7 yards in 2.5 seconds, then use the bag and light.

If not, carry your pistol in a holster on your belt.

If you carry a flashlight, put it in your pocket.

 

[Rastoff]

I have a Maxpedition Sitka. It's plenty big enough to carry the largest pistol. I use it occasionally depending on the situation. Yes, slower presentation, but easier to conceal.

As to the light...
I'm not a fan of rail mounted lights. If you have to use the light, it means you're muzzling everything you shine the light at. So, I think a hand held light is a better solution. Just my opinion.

 

[Jiman]

I normally carry a murse with me with EDC **** in it, similar to the Max Jumbo (Hazard 4 Kato).

Normally the gun is on me, but there are times coming out of gym in sweats or playing on the jungle gym with my kid where it just makes more sense to throw it in the bag.

As for a light on your gun in your bag, I'd suggest you use a holster that would fit that combo. Without something to protect the switch the light could get turned on in your bag.

We learned the hard way when our MP5 lights would turn on burning holes...pretty big ones...in the bags we'd store them in after shift.

Another suggestion is to put a CT grip laser on your gun and keep a flashlight on your support side pocket. I use a flashlight often for all kinds of mundane tasks, but a rail light only serves one purpose. A hand light/laser combo will allow you to illuminate your threat without practicing the FBI, Rogers, etc...techniques.

 

[Kanewpadle]

You must remember that the use of a firearm is one thing. A firearm with a light attached is another.

Light management becomes an issue. Especially if not done properly.

Carrying a gun is a hassle. Don't complicate it further.

Gun mounted lights for home are one thing. For everyday carry is another. And IMO unnecessary.

 

[shouldazagged]

I simply wouldn't feel safe with any form of off-body carry. Period. I want the gun on my person at all times.

 

[ibewbull]

If you are coon hunting this tac light may be of use.
I would like to see a photo of this set up.
Defense at 7 yards in any light conditions will be fast and dirty.
Practice in low light w/o a light instinctive.
Unless you are LE leave the light off.
If you have all that time you should be leaving for a safer place ASAP.
Just my opinion and I never snapped a cap on anyone.
#1 priority avoid bad situations.
#2 have access to your weapon.
I would rather have a J frame in my IWB or pocket than a 10mm in a bag or fanny pack.

 

[PastureOfMuppets]

Off body... just too much to go wrong. On your belt, gun is in the same place every time with the same motion to access it every time.

You're not going to forget to pick it up, you're not going to leave it anywhere and no one is going to steal it.

Weapon mounted light?

Never been convinced.


KISS. Rule to live by right there.

 

[Watchdog]

Guys, I just bought the Maxpedition Fatboy CCW bag and while it is vey low key, I am not sure if off the body CCW is smart.

I have the Fatboy Versipack and love it. If you're worried about the time it takes to get the weapon out, just leave the pocked unzipped, or just zipped halfway. Most people can't see the gun in there anyway. Do you have the little in-pouch elastic holster for your gun? And you don't mention what kind of gun you're carrying in it. But if you don't have the interior holster, or even if you do, just drop the pistol in the pouch. When I'm walking, I often just rest my right hand on the top of the bag anyway. That's lots less conspicuous than walking around with your hand on a gun butt in a holster.

How come most people are not using Fatboy bags? It seems the Fatboy allows you to carry larger pistols for protection.

Because, frankly, a lot of people probably have never even heard of the things. I'd never heard of them, myself, until I sort of stumbled across them somewhere on the Internet, can't even remember where now.

Plus, a lot of guys have this sort of masculine mindset that make them think an over-the-shoulder carry thing looks sort of like a purse or something...has a bit of a feminine air to it. And of course, it's anything but a purse. It's a pack, and one of the handiest things I've ever bought. In my old 4Runner, I'll loop the strap over the passenger seat headrest and let the pouch hang down the front of the seat back. Sometimes I'll secure it with the detachable waist belt, sometimes not.

The thing is a great way to carry a whole bunch of miscellaneous stuff...guns, extra mags, water, lights, dog biscuits, etc., etc.

 

[Watchdog]

1. Off body carry will always be slower.

I think the OP's use of the term "off the body", and the term "off-body" are misleading, but I don't know what other term to use.

My point here is that the weapon is no more "off-body" in a Versipack than a gun carried in an OWB holster, or even an IWB holster is. The Versipack is no different than a shoulder holster, really.

It's actually just a big "holster" that you can also use to carry a bunch of other stuff in. Your gun is in a top-opening compartment and it's at waist level or slightly below. You can adjust the carry length to whatever you wish. You have the option of leaving the pouch open, or you can close it. I carry mine with the pouch open at the top most of the time. The gun isn't going to fall out.

The gun is concealed, but you don't have to hide it under a jacket or inside your pants. You'd be surprised how fast you can get a gun out of that little pocket.

And if you're on a day-hike or something and decide you want to lean back against a rock or a tree, just slip the pack off your shoulder and lean back without a pistol digging into you. Hold it in your lap if you want to. I mean seriously...you're out in the woods, you take a break, and you're gonna walk off and leave your pack? Nah. If you're that absent minded, you have no business out in the woods to start with.

 

[snubbyfan]

This goes on my strong side;

This goes on my weak side;

And off I go.
I know they don't match, I have plans to make a matching holster and flashlight holder to match my belt.

 

[Rpg]

This goes on my strong side;

This goes on my weak side;

And off I go.
I know they don't match, I have plans to make a matching holster and flashlight holder to match my belt.

Beautiful work!!

 

[Rpg]

This goes on my strong side;

This goes on my weak side;

And off I go.
I know they don't match, I have plans to make a matching holster and flashlight holder to match my belt.

Beautiful work!!

The site wants a longer response.

OK

BeAytiful work !!

 

[pawncop]

Some things to think about.

Once you decide the way you are going to carry your sidearm, you must practice (with gun unloaded) from as many positions you are normally in during your daily routine.

It wise to seek input and learn of the advantages and disadvantages with each mode of carry.

Oh and when you practice drawing you sidearm from inside your car, be sure to practice inside your garage. Just trust me on this one.

I hope you find this helpful.

 

[Jaysq]

I think you are making CCW a lot harder than it has to be. Your carry weapon should be a size that you can easily conceal and something you will carry everyday. Attaching a light that you will have to turn on, is something you will never have time to use. If you think you need a light, carry it on your weak side or pocket. I carry my Shield in an OWB holster with no problem at all. I do not have to worry about leaving it somewhere, it will always be on my belt. Unless you are in Walt Disney World, where everyone carries a backpack, you will bring attention to yourself carrying a bag.

 

[DaGOOSExyz]

I don't carry all the time. When I go out late or know I will be in a area
that is not the best part of town. I have a older J frame, solid steel. When fully loaded it is to heavy to be comfortable in my pocket or on my belt. I bought a waist pack in the sports dept. and it works well for me.
I leave it half unzipped when walking in the street or parking lot, sometimes with my hand on the grip. It's sitting right on my person in
front of me and easy to pull out. When I pick up my waist pack and put it around my waist I feel like John Wayne strappin on his gun belt. It works just fine for me.

 

[Biggfoot44]

As much as there are any absolute rules in life , one of the top ones is that a gun carried directly attached to your body is better than carrying one that is not.

Yes , a fanny pack actually around your waist , or a shoulder bag thingies actually on sour shoulder all the time is "sort of" attached to your body. Sometimes in unusual situation is best/ only option , but we're talking nude beach .

And while faster than the gun being at home, they're a tossup between being really slow holsters , or fast acces carrying case.

Yes a few LE Agencies use routine carry of white light mounted guns. And yes several mfg nake duty , and sorta concealment holsters for such.

But there are two other far more prevelent stratagies :

1. Have the gunlight carried dismounted on belt, gun in "normal" holster. The idea that a fast reactive situation will "usually" be very close and very fast. If your going to do a building search , or search outdoors at night , you'll probably have 5 seconds to snap the light in place.

2. Do practice of using handheld light in conjuction with hand gun.

Or both. And don't forget even with a gun mounted light , you will still need a hand flashlight also.

( Jump)

A steel J Frame too heavy for Belt Carry ?!? It's a semi-free country , if your paln with the fanny pack works for you , more power to you. I would suspect there are other factors in play in your decision process than were omitted from this thread as not being directly relevent. But a J Frame in a vaguely suitable holster , on a vaguely gun quality belt , will feel almost like having nothing on.

 

[Hamster65]

Personally, I don't see the purpose of a tac light on an EDC. In the summer, I have used a "fanny pack" style holster before. It takes a couple of seconds longer to draw but, it's quite effective. As for winter, I just use a belt holster and a loose enough jacket to hide it.

Just my 2 cents.