I have a permit to conceal carry but I'm not big on the super small subcompact Roscoe's. If, and that's a big if, I get a pocket pistol for summer carry it would be a J-frame 357. Back to the point. I like larger guns. Compacts, my HK45c, and full size guns like the P30L or Sig P226. I would always keep the bookbag/tote bag or whatever bag I get on me. The only time when I couldnt do this is if Im wearing a suit. In which case my HK45c is pretty easy to conceal. Is this a bad idea? Do any of you or your wives conceal carry in a bag? Thoughts and opinions. Thanks.
Concealed Carry in a backpack
- Thread starter Darebear
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No need to carry a J-frame 357 in a bag when it will fit beautifully into most pockets. The gun I most often carry concealed is a S&W M&P 340CT. I carry it in a De Santis Nemesis pocket holster. It works really well in the front pocket of my shorts, jeans, business casual trousers, or suit trousers. One disadvantage of a bag is you can't keep it with you the whole time. I'd look very odd in my office if I took my bag with me from room to room when I need to converse with colleagues and I would feel very uncomfortable leaving my gun in an unattended bag. Another disadvantage is the time it would take to access the gun if needed. Are you sure you meant "J-frame"? If you are getting a pocket gun, why not carry it in a pocket?
PS I think I misread your post. You are asking about a pocket gun versus a bigger gun in a bag? For me, bag carry has the two big disadvantages I mentioned above. I like to carry the biggest gun I can conceal, but when I am in business clothes, the biggest is usually my J-frame.
PS I think I misread your post. You are asking about a pocket gun versus a bigger gun in a bag? For me, bag carry has the two big disadvantages I mentioned above. I like to carry the biggest gun I can conceal, but when I am in business clothes, the biggest is usually my J-frame.
Yea, but I'm not carrying in a office. I don't carry at work. The only time I conceal carry is when I go out after work. Mall, movies, the city. Bars and work are the only two legal places that I can carry but won't.
I can guess why you don't carry in bars even though legal but I don't understand why you wouldn't carry at work since it is permitted? For the times you want to carry - "mall, movies, the city" - I would have thought a gun in a bag is slower to access than one on your person, the bag is subject to the risk of being snatched before you can open it up, and it could be difficult to open the bag if you are already under attack.
I wouldn't carry in a backpack unless I ABSOLUTELY needed to. It would take to long to get it out when needed, no matter how fast you were. Just learn to dress around the gun. I conceal a full size 1911 OWB in a polo and linen pants, and the polos actually fit decently. Color and pattern selection make all the difference. If I am feeling the need to conceal with little chance of getting caught...aka at work, a subcompact fits the bill.
lobo9er
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its not a bad option but I'm guessing that it isn't going to be your EDC, is it?
Vonderek
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I think it's a bad idea for your primary carry. It's probably the only method of carry I can think of that would be even slower than ankle draw. And what if you are robbed of your backpack? I had a friend's father who was ambushed in a drugstore parking lot and robbed of his fannypack which of course contained his .38. IMO there really is no better option to CCW than strongside IWB or OWB with loose shirt or jacket weather permitting.
No. And backpack carry would only be in extreme hot weather. In this kind of weather I'm wearing shorts mostly basketball shorts and a tshirt. This is my first summer conceal carrying so maybe I just need to learn and commit to dressing around my gun in all types of weather. Fall, Winter and Spring is obviously no problem for me to carry the gun on my body.
kingpin008
Member
If you'd really rather stick with the basketball shorts & t-shirt type outfits, you might want to check out either SmartCarry or Thunderwear - both are pretty similar, and both will allow you to carry while wearing clothes that you couldn't use a more traditional holster with.
lobo9er
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carrying a 380 in your pocket is far better than a 45 in a backpack IMHO. Also i dunno how much time you have spent carrying a backpack in extreme hot weather but in that back pack i hope there is room for a few extra t-shirts and some right gaurd cuz your gonna be a sweaty mess.
lobo9er
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And there is always the the underwear holster 
Maybe someday i may think differently but as of today i cant do the thunder wear.
Maybe someday i may think differently but as of today i cant do the thunder wear.ForumSurfer
Member
I personally don't like off body carry. It is too easy to get separated by force or by mistake.
Also, drawing from concealment with something glock 19 sized and putting two rounds center of mass and one in the head in under 3 seconds is something that is fairly easy to learn to do. Keep in mind that with a fast 2-3 second draw, you're still going to need either a static target (not likely), you'll need to out maneuver him (meaning you'll need to draw while on the move) or you'll need 20 or so feet between you and the threat to engage him. Drawing from a backpack with any speed under pressure is while on the move (like the Marines say "if you aren't shooting, you should be reloading, if you aren't reloading, you should be moving and if you aren't moving someone will cut your head off and stick it on a post), well I wouldn't want to do that.
I spend quite a bit of time in active clothes like gym shorts or sweat pants since I spend quite a bit of time working out or being active. I'm training myself with a Ruger LCR for this very purpose. I'm more comfortable and proficient with a compact auto, but I'm trying to change that. I've discovered as the years go on that I would rather carry something like an LCR or a s&w airweight than not have anything at all.
If this doesn't work, I'll try one of the new pocket nines like a keltec or a Ruger LCP. If that doesn't work comfortably...I'll just resort to a into a sharp stick in the eye.
Also, drawing from concealment with something glock 19 sized and putting two rounds center of mass and one in the head in under 3 seconds is something that is fairly easy to learn to do. Keep in mind that with a fast 2-3 second draw, you're still going to need either a static target (not likely), you'll need to out maneuver him (meaning you'll need to draw while on the move) or you'll need 20 or so feet between you and the threat to engage him. Drawing from a backpack with any speed under pressure is while on the move (like the Marines say "if you aren't shooting, you should be reloading, if you aren't reloading, you should be moving and if you aren't moving someone will cut your head off and stick it on a post), well I wouldn't want to do that.
I spend quite a bit of time in active clothes like gym shorts or sweat pants since I spend quite a bit of time working out or being active. I'm training myself with a Ruger LCR for this very purpose. I'm more comfortable and proficient with a compact auto, but I'm trying to change that. I've discovered as the years go on that I would rather carry something like an LCR or a s&w airweight than not have anything at all.
If this doesn't work, I'll try one of the new pocket nines like a keltec or a Ruger LCP. If that doesn't work comfortably...I'll just resort to a into a sharp stick in the eye.
Vern Humphrey
Member
The best option for hot weather carry is the IWB -- ideally with a full leather backing, so you can carry it with no garment between holster and body. Drape a T-shirt over yourself, and you're good to go.
The fundamental problem with carrying in something like a backpack is that if you need your gun, there's a good chance you'll need it quickly. Trying to get your gun out of your pack in into service while bad things are happening fast, puts you too far behind the curve.
The secondary problem is that it makes it that much harder to make sure you have control of your gun at all times.
The secondary problem is that it makes it that much harder to make sure you have control of your gun at all times.
ForumSurfer
Member
fiddletown said:
Couldn't agree more. I live out of a laptop bag for my job practically. I pack light and keep handy things handy. I also fully realize that I can't leave sensitive personal or work items in there, much less a firearm. It is just too easy to become separated from it. It is also a pain to carry around, even when light. If I can't sling it off, draw and fire in less than 3 seconds; I really don't even see a need for me to carry it. I'd be better off with force on force or something less small and less than lethal on my belt. Like you said, if you need it...you will need it fast.
Cosmoline
Member
I've frequently toted firearms in or on a backpack, but unless it's openly carried in a scbbard it's too slow to access to be of much use as a CCW.
A large enough man purse might work. The Maxpedition fatboys will conceal up to about a medium frame 3" revolver but not much beyond that.
A large enough man purse might work. The Maxpedition fatboys will conceal up to about a medium frame 3" revolver but not much beyond that.
I have a Maxpedition Fatboy, I think its pretty much the best off-body (bag) carry there is. The hidden gun pocket is just big enough to get a 4" 1911 (Kimber Pro Carry 1) in it. My Glock 19 also fits. I don't have an HK45C, but from what I gather, its similar size to a G19.
5.11 makes a similar bag to the fatboy, and the gun compartment is just slightly bigger in there. The bag isn't quite so stiff and hardcore, and the pockets are just in a slightly different config.
This is my stuff in the 5.11 version. You can see the 4" 1911 fits with a pretty good amount of room to spare. Its pretty tight in my Fatboy.
5.11 makes a similar bag to the fatboy, and the gun compartment is just slightly bigger in there. The bag isn't quite so stiff and hardcore, and the pockets are just in a slightly different config.
This is my stuff in the 5.11 version. You can see the 4" 1911 fits with a pretty good amount of room to spare. Its pretty tight in my Fatboy.
JohnBiltz
Member
IMO a backpack carry for a large gun is OK if you have a pocket pistol to go with it. If you have time get the big gun out. If you don't you have a small gun on your body and can transition to the larger gun if needed.
TenMillimaster
Member
+1 on the maxpedition... I think it's a great bag- I can also fit my netbook inside it!
but uh, if that's your carry choice.... those magazine pouches look super inconspicuous...
but uh, if that's your carry choice.... those magazine pouches look super inconspicuous...
Off body carry? Sounds like a lot of trouble to carry a gun where you can't reach it in an emergency. If you get jumped, you may get separated or prevented from reaching into your bag. At least on body, you have a better chance of reaching your weapon, even if you've been hit and are on the ground.
On you, a holster gives you a solid index point to where your firearm will always be, it never changes and you can find it through muscle-memory, even in the dark, struggling with BGs or even if injured. In a backpack, it's bouncing all over the place.
On you, a holster gives you a solid index point to where your firearm will always be, it never changes and you can find it through muscle-memory, even in the dark, struggling with BGs or even if injured. In a backpack, it's bouncing all over the place.
I have a maxpedition jumbo that I use everyday. No carry at work, so I use the bag in the morning to get to the car. It stays in the car. I generally use a pocket holstered J-Frame sized wheel gun since it's easy to put on my person when I leave. Occasionally, I'll use a 1911, but it's a little harder to transfer to my person later.
One bonus for the bag is that having it in the passenger seat and ready to draw is easier than IWB or pocket holster while buckled in the seat.
One bonus for the bag is that having it in the passenger seat and ready to draw is easier than IWB or pocket holster while buckled in the seat.
kk0g
Member
Carrying a gun in a backpack would be the same as not carrying one at all. If you need a gun you need it RIGHT NOW not after you remove the pack, unzip it, reach in, find it and extract it. If you have enough time to do all that you have enough time to retreat.
X-Rap
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The only time I can imagine backpack carry would be a broken down AR or a folding KelTec and socially things would have gone seriously down hill if that were the situation.
The small pocket pistols are something we all should own IMO if for no other reason than having a gun for those occasions when nothing else will conceal. Try the belly bands, shirt holsters, underwear for those times you are in very light dress. A belly band and small pistol or revolver at 1 oclock is invisible for most with a loose shirt.
The small pocket pistols are something we all should own IMO if for no other reason than having a gun for those occasions when nothing else will conceal. Try the belly bands, shirt holsters, underwear for those times you are in very light dress. A belly band and small pistol or revolver at 1 oclock is invisible for most with a loose shirt.
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