Belt pack recommendations

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honkeoki

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I've tried SmartCarry and IWB, but neither works for me. I've finally settled on a belt pack as the most user-friendly on-body carry method for me.

Does anyone have experience with Uncle Mike's Belt Packs or similar products? Not the big fanny packs with integrated belt -- the smaller versions that slide onto your belt and look more like a digital camera case than anything else.

I'll be carrying a micro-compact (P11 or pm9) or maybe my airweight J-frame.

Couple links:

Hawke packs

Uncle Mike's

Any advice/recommendations greatly appreciated!
 
I shot an IDPA match with a guy that had one... think he had a Kahr 40 or something in it... I'm AT a gun match, he was the SO, there it is RIGHT THERE on his hip... and I did NOT recognize it as a holster.

People are pretty used to seeing PDA's phones, leathermans etc... esp on 'techie' types.
 
Had a green one, would occasionally carry my 442 in it--but went to just using a UM pistol pocket and putting it in my RH pants pocket.

I agree that it is not an attention getting, at least it didn't seem to be. It is double-compartmented with the gun going in the rearmost section behind a velcroed divider. Not even remotely fast but I much preferred it to any fanny pack.

My daughter now has it and likes it.
 
Dr.Rob said:
I shot an IDPA match with a guy that had one... think he had a Kahr 40 or something in it... I'm AT a gun match, he was the SO, there it is RIGHT THERE on his hip... and I did NOT recognize it as a holster.
Click to expand...

THIS is the best possible advertisement for this method of carry I can think of.
 
It would be helpful to specify what type/model gun you're interested in carrying and what kind of situation you're planning on using it for.

For example, I have a Safepacker for a 1911 Commander--it is great for hiking but would be very conspicuous on the street.
 
>>it is great for hiking but would be very conspicuous on the street.<<

Actually, to the uninitiated, it would not be recognized as a gun toter. And if somebody who knew guns noticed, I'd say "so what"?
 
BPP-XL-blkWEBL.jpg


I've been messing around with belt packs and fanny packs for years and have settled on the Belt Pack by Bagmaster. They are rugged, come in a variety of sizes and colors ( brown, red, and purple) in addition to "tactical black". The one I have in the pic is their largest size and is fully capable of carrying a standard size 1911. I use the big belt pack but carry something smaller and this allows me to carry other "important stuff" as well. The pack has a metal clip and two belt loops. Something I have done is to attach a 3" split ring on each belp loop and then attach an over the sholder carry strap to the split rings. Allows for over the shoulder and belt carry in whatever combo you might choose. Very, very handy for me. FWIW:)
 
I wrote the below in another thread, though this is the first time I have seen the Hawke bag. That one looks good. I might order one up and see if it can change my mind.




For a small gun fanny packs are fine.

But a full size gun, not the way to go.

How many times when someone asks what kind of holster they should use the respondents make a point of saying you need a good belt to complete your rig?
A strong, wide belt that will support all that weight.

But look at the belt on your typical fannny pack. One inch to two inch wide nylon weave. How is that a good support for a good size gun? Nothing like the weight of a 25+ ounce gun being supported by one inch of cheap nylon that happens to be strung across your kidneys.

I purchased a Mike's pack and it just plain sucked. The velcro was hard to get apart in a timely matter, the weight of the gun was not secured as there is nothing on the bottom to tie the weight down which means as I walked the bag would lift and then slam back into me. And since I had the pack centered over me twig & berries at the time it was a painful revelation. And yes I had it cinched up tight.

Other misfeatures included the god awful noise the thing made when it rubbed against my clothes. It was like a fat guy wearing courderoy. whiff whiff whiff whiff. The velcro was hard to work with. It took a lot of effort to get it open and even more to close it in a neat looking fashion.

So if you go the fanny pack route make sure the belt part will support the weight of the gun, the gun compartment is easy to acsess, and the pack is set up so that the gun does not slam into you when you walk.
 
I intend to carry a Glock 27 in this kind of rig. Here in sunny South Florida, it's nearly always t-shirt and shorts weather. I'm a slender guy and haven't been able to pull off IWB with anything bigger than a J-frame.

My experience with pocket pistols has left me with the impression that I need something a little bigger, both in caliber and capacity.

Thought about an ankle holster, but the few times I've ever needed my pistol I wasn't in a position to bend over and get it.

Belt packs seem like a great compromise between off-body carry and IWB. Invisible in plain sight! The best way to hide.
 
The Original Tommy's Gun Pack

Kickin' A Packs N' Stuff carries the full range. They also have a good description of it.

The first one I owned lasted my 5 years of daily hard use. They are VERY durable. That first one started to fray a little bit here and there, so rather than wait for a tear, I just bought two new ones, a medium and a small. I usually wear the small one with a Taurus 85, my wallet, cellphone, pen and 2 Bianchi speed strips in the front pocket. I could fit my PDA in there too, but that would stuff it. The medium one will fit my Ruger SP101 with hogue grips, and most compact semi-autos (Glock 26 etc). They hang well on the waist. At first I wished they had a belt loop on the back of the bag, but 've come to realize that it would not be as comfortable to wear, nor as easy to position (especially when entering adn exiting vehicles.
 
I shot an IDPA match with a guy that had one... think he had a Kahr 40 or something in it... I'm AT a gun match, he was the SO, there it is RIGHT THERE on his hip... and I did NOT recognize it as a holster.
Click to expand...

What type of belt pack are you referring to? Safepacker?
 
I often carry an East German RPD ammo pouch as it has enough room for my carry piece,spare mag,PDA,cellphone,Kershaw,Surefire,pack of gum,MP3 player...Nobody bats an eye at it but of course personal appearance and location play a large part in how one can carry.As a slightly scuzzy looking 20something guy in New England,carrying my man purse doesn't raise the slightest bit of attention.I've stuck a couple entirely random pins on it : eg "It's a man's world unless women vote" and "reduce-recycle-reuse" to up my peace loving hippy guy ( well,I AM a peace loving guy just not a hippy!) factor.
 
Speaking of the peace-loving hippy guy thing...

I think stitching a big smiley face or a Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers patch on the belt pack would only add to the invisibility factor.

I completely agree w/ Dr. Rob -- color is super important. Blue, red or green seem ideal. It's the guys with big square black things hanging off their belts who get a second or third look... at least from me.
 
I've been looking for the specific model and I'm having no luck, as SOON as I find it I'll post it back here.
 
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