[Cosmoline]

I've been after one of the Maxpedition FB's for several months but Midway keeps having shortages. Finally got mine today. A few observations, with more to follow:

--The size is pretty small. Way too small to be a meaningful BOB, but it does have enough room for a medium or small frame handgun and some ammo. If you fill it to capacity the back compartment where the gun is becomes too tight. The big middle compartment seems to function best left pretty open and just used for wallet, keys or similar items.

--The side pockets are set up very well and can be accessed without looking. The top strap pocket is perfect for a cellphone. Other pockets and panels come in a variety of sizes so you can decide what to put where. I can fit four speedloaders for the Ruger in the back side pocket easily, and could probably squeeze one or two more in. That's without even using the main compartment for ammo!

--It's clearly designed with semis in mind. My Speed Six fits, but the hammer has some hangup delays on the pocket. The handgun "holster" add-on I bought is useless for a wheelgun. I'll keep it in case I ever pack a semi again. That said, you really don't need a holder for that size firearm. The fit is already snug and it does not shift positions in transit.

--Draw and presentation are still iffy, but I'm that's mostly me. I'm used to drawing from a shoulder rig on the other side. It seems to work best if you just dip your fingers in and snag the handgun, then lift. If I try to squeeze my whole hand in there before drawing it bogs down. I'll practice on this more. Maybe there's a trick to it.

--The front/side pocket (the side pocket that faces front) appears to have been setup for a magazine, but I'm finding it works good with a surefire. I can reach back with the left hand and pull out the light while drawing the revolver, bringing both up for an illuminated presentation. That's no small issue north of 60. We get some daylight, but it goes fast.

--I'm using mine for bike riding (yes I ride year round in the snow and ice), and I'm hoping it helps me access the firearm and other items without having to dig through winter apparel. Also I have three different jackets I wear depending on the level of cold outside, and my fleece riding pants have no pockets. So this will serve as my pockets.

--One problem that's already emerged is a tendency to turn into a plumb-bob and dangle in the way of my leg while riding. I think I fixed this by simply putting it on underneath my usual backpack. We shall see.

--So far it's extremely comfortable. The material is stiff but I assume it will loosen up a bit with use. I loaded it down with lead bullets to test it out. It starts digging into the shoulder with about three pounds of lead in addition to the usual load. I don't think it was intended to carry too heavy a load.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b52/Gussick/Manpurse2.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b52/Gussick/manpurse.jpg

[nyresq]

I got the jumbo versipak a few month ago and it seems to be a good comprimise between a full back pack and something like a fanny pack. I always carry my pistol on me, but for work its handy to carry all the other crap I dont need to have on my person. The material is still stiff as a board and I was gonna try maybe washing it with some detergent and maybe some fabric softener to see if that helped. but either way its doing what I need it to do right now. Maxpedition gear is top notch.

[Cosmoline]

I've been using this daily for a few weeks now. I resolved most of the slippage problems by sewing the pad into place on the strap. The bag can still be shifted, but it doesn't do the pendulum action anymore.

Practice draws of the revolver from the back pocket have been OK, but the hammer spur is still getting caught from time to time. I suspect it would function better with a hammerless revolver or semi.

The weight is easy to bear and I haven't had any problems on that front. The pockets are pretty intuitive to get in and out of and with a little practice you can do it without looking.

Overall at this point I'd give it an "A" as a good multi-purpose tote bag, but only a "C" as a CCW platform. Between finding the key zipper and digging the handgun out of the far back pouch, there are too many steps. A better design would permit the user to decouple the non-holster parts of the bag with a single clip, letting them fall away and leaving the handgun free to grab. But that would have to entail a radical redesign.

I'm going to do some fiddlin' this weekend and try using the main compartment for carry by mounting a holster in there. I can actually get into it faster than the back compartment.

[tango2echo]

I really like the Sitka Gearslinger for a GHB or small BOB. It is my everyday carry. If Midway is out of stock you can order straight from Maxpedition, you know. I built a velcro holster pad for the Gearslinger that holds a holster for the Ruger LCR and two speedloaders.

t2e

[Cosmoline]

Isn't the gearslinger the daypack size one?

[tango2echo]

It's a small'er sized day pack. They also have a larger and a smaller sized one but I forget the names for those.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/GEARSLINGER-Series-c2.htm

I carry the LCR, 2 speedloaders, cell phone, water, a couple of power bars, small med kit, compass, map, pens, paper, cell charger, spare key, fire kit, a spare t-shirt, a packable rain coat, socks, small length of paracord, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, condoms, small bug spray, and small sunscreen.

[leadcounsel]

I took mine (smaller Maxpedition model) on a lengthy camping and hiking trip and really enjoyed the comfort and versatility. I was in bear territory so I also had bear spray and a whistle hanging on mine.

[Cosmoline]

Anyone tried out the remora model yet?

[tango2echo]

There's a good vid on YouTube with a girl giving the rundown on the Remora. Looks cool, but it is very small.