[Roadwild17]

I was just looking at them and thinking about picking up one or a knock off and was just wondering if/when they came in handy for any of yall?
What kind of stuff do you keep in there?
What about an option for a beginner CCW'er?

[BHP FAN]

Get the Fatboy,it's already set up the way you want.I bought a $25.00 copy,don't do that.That said,I keep a lighter,knife,waterproof matches,space blanket nesbit stove,and metal camp cup in there.

[OregonJohnny]

I have a knock-off that is a bit more subtle. The brand is Eagle Creek, and although it doesn't seem like it was designed specifically for CCW, it works pretty well for me. It was $30. It's black, rectangular-shaped (taller than it is wide, and about 10" wide, 13" tall, 6" deep when fully packed). It slings over a shoulder and has a zippered pouch on the back side that sits against your hip that is big enough for any full-size handgun with a barrel under 6". I prefer to carry a Springfield XDM .40 in the main compartment, since it's padded and there's just more room in there. Obviously, it's not meant for instant access to my firearm, that's what my S&W 642 in a pocket is for. Rather, I sling it over my shoulder and carry it to and from work every day and it sits beside me in the car and beside my bed at night. I also keep a Surefire flashlight, small first aid kit, pens, lighter, mints, etc. in it.

The Maxpedition packs just seem to be a give away that you're carrying. That's the first thing I'd think if I saw someone wearing one of the shoulder-sling models. Mine looks a bit more like your average messenger bag, and I keep my day planner and business stuff in it anyway.

I have the luxury of having my own secure office in a privately-owned building. I don't have any concerns about leaving the bag by my desk and stepping out briefly. But if you would ever be in a situation where your pack (and your CCW) could be swiped, rummaged through, or fall into the wrong hands, I would not recommend this method. A firearm secured on your immediate person is a far better option if your pack would EVER be unattented and/or out of your immediate control. But if you still want to go this route, I'd give Eagle Creek's website a look. Good luck, whatever choice you make.:)

[RKBABob]

I have the small olive drab Fatboy (I can't imagine lugging the Fatboy Jumbo around... but I'm kind of short), it holds quite a bit:

SureFire flashlight in the mag pouch
Cell phone
2 mini pens
note pad
small tape measure
Spiral bound calendar/planner/phonebook
Swiss army knife
1 standard disposable water bottle
eye drops
chapstick
tiger balm
Tylenol
Tums
TomTom GPS (there's a mount and cord in each car)
Kershaw folding knife

I had the velcro holster attachment, but never even put a pistol in it to even try. If you're going to carry a pistol outside of the bag, you might want to get the left hand version if your right handed, as the bag tends to lay right where your holster would normally go.

I eventually grew tired of everyone asking why I carried a "camera bag" to work every day, so I've since switched to a small leather mesenger bag, and still carry all of the above (except the water and the TomTom), and:

a few notebooks
a magazine
'Flip' mini camcorder
large data tape from my co.'s servers
a paperback book
mint gum
and a bag of beef jerky.

I'm sure I could fit a gun in there somewhere... but then where would I put my beef jerky?

[emtpacker]

I've got a Fatboy and use it everyday. It has become my 'man-purse.' It's more of a 'stuff carrier' than a pistol packer for me, though. My main issues in not CCW'ing in it more are these:
1. the pistol compartment is barely big enough for my full-size xd9. If I'm going to carry a bag around I might as well toss in the biggest gun I can, right? The compartment on the Fatboy Jumbo is larger, but then so is the bag. So go with a bigger bag for a bigger gun.

2. You have to have the bag with you all the time if you have a gun in it. This looks extremely awkward at family gatherings and other social engagements.

I do, however, love the bag and being able to keep a lot of stuff within easy reach. I stash a lot of extra "self defense" stuff in there (spare mags, flashlight, folding knife, batteries, lighter, epi pen) and other work things (ems field guide, small trauma kit, etc.). I pretty much keep the bag with me all the time, but my pistol in a good standard holster. Good hunting!

[SoCalShooter]

OK so I have seen those before and its definitely a man purse and to be honest you stick out like a sore thumb in my opinion.

Personally I like this one better.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=12&idproduct=50

Mainly because it still looks like a regular backpack and you dont stick out as bad.