Not looking to start an on body vs off body carry discussions here, just want to know if anyone here has tried carry in a sling bag. One of those that either goes on your back like a back pack or can be carried across your chest. Has anyone used one of these? What do you think about carrying this way? I have a fanny pack I like that I use when on body carry is not an option for me, just want to know if the sling bag might also be an option.
Sling Bag carry
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lawandorder
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From time to time have carried BHP in a Maxpedition bag. Pretty comfortable, easily shifted if need be but still available.
Easy to carry other possibles/ accoutrements in front compartments.
Easy to carry other possibles/ accoutrements in front compartments.
ContinentalOp
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There's a recent thread on off-body carry in the Gun Leather & Carry Gear subforum. I believe there were some messenger bag options mentioned. You may want to check it out.
Carry Off of Body
Carry Off of Body
Did it today...
...as I had to make a very quick (unexpected) run to the UPS store whilst engaged in a yard project that had me drenched in sweat, filthy, and wearing gym shorts and a UA tee.
Threw my wallet, creds, and 642 in my sling bag and arrived there in about 5 minutes. Bag on shoulder, took care of the necessary business...and done.
That said, accessing what I needed was complicated. Had to relocate bag, open zipper, and retrieve wallet. If there was a TRUE need for a gun I was hamstrung.
Dumb way to carry.
Be safe...be well.
PS: Off body carry is very, very rarely practical and useful...if ever.
...as I had to make a very quick (unexpected) run to the UPS store whilst engaged in a yard project that had me drenched in sweat, filthy, and wearing gym shorts and a UA tee.
Threw my wallet, creds, and 642 in my sling bag and arrived there in about 5 minutes. Bag on shoulder, took care of the necessary business...and done.
That said, accessing what I needed was complicated. Had to relocate bag, open zipper, and retrieve wallet. If there was a TRUE need for a gun I was hamstrung.
Dumb way to carry.
Be safe...be well.
PS: Off body carry is very, very rarely practical and useful...if ever.
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Maddog 521
Member
Sometimes I carry a Maxpedition Versipack with essentials including a M&P40 when on the road. I also have my CCW on my person at all times. Works for me.
lawandorder
Member
Just like carrying a handgun in pocket carry mode without a holster mixed in with keys , a pocket knife, coins ect is a very dumb way to carry so is carrying a handgun in a shoulder bag without a gun dedicated compartment and searching for it among your other necessities is also a very dumb way to carry.
A shoulder carry bag with a dedicated carry compartment is just one of many options that work in some scenarios and not others.
Clothing, weapon, activity, threat levels are all things that should be considered in method of carry of the day.
You should be practiced enough in each method you use to at least be proficient.
A shoulder carry bag with a dedicated carry compartment is just one of many options that work in some scenarios and not others.
Clothing, weapon, activity, threat levels are all things that should be considered in method of carry of the day.
You should be practiced enough in each method you use to at least be proficient.
Fishinfool
Member
I have never carried a handgun with the intent of possible immediate use in a single strap sling bag. I do, however, own several designed for carrying camera gear, and a well designed bag can be quick to rotate and access its contents. Even with a fair amount of weight, comfort and balance can be good.
Larry
Larry
I have one I carry when I go to the gym. It has a deep zippered slash pocket on the outside that I use for carrying my little 380 pocket gun when I'm wearing workout gear without pockets. I don't zip it, and the way it is designed it lays flat and closed even without being zipped. Seems to work pretty well.
2Paps
Member
I went thru this decision making process just a couple of months ago. Like some of you, I have circumstances that inhibit on body carry. I used to use a purpose designed fanny pack but there were too many others doing the same thing so
I dropped that practice and went back to being gray. My latest quest resulted in finding a purpose designed brief case that has a dedicated compartment that doesn't require a holster! I was hesitant to believe that claim but so far have not felt compelled to install a holster.
You may want to take a look at the Undercover Brief. Undercover Brief | Eberlestock
I dropped that practice and went back to being gray. My latest quest resulted in finding a purpose designed brief case that has a dedicated compartment that doesn't require a holster! I was hesitant to believe that claim but so far have not felt compelled to install a holster.
You may want to take a look at the Undercover Brief. Undercover Brief | Eberlestock
Seamus O'Caiside
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I have medical problems that prohibit wearing a belt. I use suspenders to hold my pants up, but they aren't strong enough to support any kind of holstered gun.
Amazon sells several kinds of carry bags. I recently got one that is relatively small, but plenty big for my carry gun. It is made to go on a belt, but I hung it from a strap that goes over the opposite shoulder and across the chest. I plan to put a red cross symbol inside the front mesh pocket to let people assume it is only for medical supplies - if you look at me, you can believe that!! There are several small pockets, and I really will put some medical stuff in it, but the gun pocket will have nothing but the gun. Drawing the gun won't take but a split second.
The way I have planned it, the bag will be in plain view but the gun won't, even when I'm wearing shorts and tee shirt.
Now I have to get my CC permit.
Amazon sells several kinds of carry bags. I recently got one that is relatively small, but plenty big for my carry gun. It is made to go on a belt, but I hung it from a strap that goes over the opposite shoulder and across the chest. I plan to put a red cross symbol inside the front mesh pocket to let people assume it is only for medical supplies - if you look at me, you can believe that!! There are several small pockets, and I really will put some medical stuff in it, but the gun pocket will have nothing but the gun. Drawing the gun won't take but a split second.
The way I have planned it, the bag will be in plain view but the gun won't, even when I'm wearing shorts and tee shirt.
Now I have to get my CC permit.
I have a Vertyx EDC bag. For the most part it is a medical bag equipped for wounds/car wrecks. It does have a laptop pocket that I filled with an AR500 level III soft body armor. It has a pocket for a weapon and I equipped it with a holster for my Shield and an extra magazine. It looks like a laptop case. I carry it sometimes, but mostly carry on-body. When there is no gun in it I leave it in my car trunk.
Ranger514
Member
Although not my normal carry, I've used a Maxpedition Versapack bag for motorcycle commuting. It has a easy to access handgun compartment with a velcroe holster that keeps the gun in a secure position. I transitioned from fanny packs that have a limited storage capacity so I could carry OC spray in an attached pouch, cuffs, small med kit, and my lunch in other compartments. I carry a J frame 642 in a pocket holster in my riding jacket. No system is perfect for all situations, but the Versapak makes getting to my primary handgun easy for me.
ContinentalOp
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I don't know if he ever kept a gun in there, but several years ago I knew a firefighter/paramedic who had a shoulder bag like that. IIRC, it was an Israeli medic bag. It looked like the messenger/laptop bags I see now. It was olive drab canvas, with a red cross and, I believe, either a red paratrooper or caduceus symbol (I remember the wings, but not the rest of it).
ContinentalOp
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Probably not relevant, but this thread just made me think of Ben Affleck in The Accountant. His character, Christian Wolfe, kept a suppressed .45 in a messenger/laptop case.
Sometimes it is necessary. Examples abound.
Going to the doctor's office where you will be disrobing*. Easier to have your weapon and wallets and keys off your body.
*They always weigh me, even if my clothes are staying on, and that's a sufficient reason to not have my gun on me; I have enough pounds without adding weight. So EVERYTHING will be in a carry bag of some kind.
My favorite, going to the chiropractor, because a belt gun or a pocket gun will certainly interfere with the adjustment process.
Side note - I told this story before. About six months ago I went to my orthopedic doctor to discuss my knees. SURPRISE!!! They wanted x-rays. Okay, fine, I rolled up my pants' legs and let them take pictures. Afterwards, the x-ray technician comes out and says to me, ".38?". LOL!!! The x-ray took a lot more than just my knees!!!
I had two sling bags for the purpose under discussion. I decided I didn't like them for gun carrying so I gave them to my grandsons. I really dislike off body gun carrying so I only do it under special circumstances, which used to include walking and running but see above in re knees.
I used a fanny pack during such activities.I use various messenger bags or similar and when I do my friends always presume that's where my gun is (yes yes, they all know, plenty of them are gun folks, anyway). They are always wrong.
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Another side note, and I do think this was relevant:
If you're wearing a shirt and pants and you're a secretly badass dude but everyone thinks you're Casper Milquetoast, then you have no choice but to carry your large, fighting handgun in some kind of bag. That's just how it is sometimes but, remember, if you're trained then you CAN AND WILL be able to get to your gun swiftly.
Training is everything in gun fighting or the gun sports generally.
If you're wearing a shirt and pants and you're a secretly badass dude but everyone thinks you're Casper Milquetoast, then you have no choice but to carry your large, fighting handgun in some kind of bag. That's just how it is sometimes but, remember, if you're trained then you CAN AND WILL be able to get to your gun swiftly.
Training is everything in gun fighting or the gun sports generally.
Off-body would be among my last options. I had considered it, but the fact is, if you are being mugged, the perp will likely first go for the purse, fanny pack, or whatever accessory you sport, assuming that your 'goodies' dwell within. Accessibility and security of a firearm is another concern that I have. If there was a reason that this was my only viable option, I would use it.
My wife uses a sling pack she is very comfortable with. She used to commute in NYC with a similar bag and she is very security conscious with it. I have a Maxpedition sling pouch for very limited uses.
KSDeputy
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Many years ago I carried my gun in a Safariland IWB suede holster. It was the most comfortable holster I ever found, and cheap too. They also made a single mag holder, and cuff holder. My badge was on a belt clip. With all this I always had to wear a coat. I got tired of the coat so I bought a Bianchi fanny pack with secret holster. I loved it so much, I wore it out after 15 or so years. Bianchi no longer made them, so I looked at a Desantis Gunny Sack. I bought the one with the velcro closure. It is far superior to the Bianchi, and it carries everything. CS 45 Pistol, extra loaded mags, cuffs, badge, flashlight and Pepperblaster. I have never tried off body carry, and never will.
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