Do you CCW using a fanny pack or F.A.G. bag?

[Gannet]

I'm a newbie at CCW. My particular situation is that I can't carry at work, although I can lock it in my car. I have a short commute. I don't go out in public all that much. I live in a warm place and my normal attire is dress slacks and a short-sleeve shirt, sometimes worn tucked, sometimes not. I'm a medium-big guy and I carry a 5" 1911.

I've been going back and forth between a IWB holster and a F.A.G. bag. So far for me, most of the time it seems like the F.A.G. bag is more practical. It works better with a tucked shirt. It works better in the car. It's easier and less conspicuous to stow in the glove box. It's easier to carry a spare mag or two. The only advantage I'm seeing with the I.W.B. is that it works better with an untucked shirt, and it seems to give a faster presentation when standing. The whole thing about having the F.A.G. bag show that I'm armed doesn't bother me in the least, and whatever "fashion" issues it has are of even less concern. But that's just me.

I know that fanny packs/F.A.G. bags are controversial. Lots and lots of folks won't use them, for various reasons. But I'm curious as to just how many do or don't use them, and what some of their reasons are. Hence the poll.

 

[Universal]

I agree that they are handy, however, there is no faster way of being made. In my misguided youth as a new police officer I got a fannypack and the very first time I wore it in public I was asked whether I was a cop or something else (I am sure most of you know what that something else might have been). I tried it a few more times but always got the same reaction. I still have the fannypack but I never wear it. It is useful for transportation of the weapon and spare magazines.

 

[bigmike45]

I have tried it in public but I now only use a fanny pack when I am hiking and using my backpack. The fanny pack kinda blends in when used in conjunction with the backpack.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I went to Disney World with my wife and youngest daughter about 10 years ago. Considering that we'd be wearing shorts, I brought a fanny pack, but was worried about getting made.

Everyone there had fanny packs, including one humongous fat chick with a fanny pack the size of a footlocker. I quit worrying.

 

[TonyB]

I don't,mostly because I like belt carry.....and I'm just too fat for a fanny pack.A buddy does though,he's never been made(of course he looks like a cross between Wille Nelson and a crazed mountain man.)
The best was when I was in a local gun shop and saw a guy with the high and tight hair,tactical pants and a fanny pack..with a speedloader holder right next to it......he was smooth
Now if I was biking or hiking(not likely BTW) I would use a F.P. if I could find one to fit.

 

[rellascout]

Napoleon Dynamite would be proud. Its always tough finding the perfect fanny pack.

 

[mattw]

I don't think that they are conducive to the heterosexual image I like to present.

 

[ABBOBERG]

When I haul my two kids around the city, I wear my fanny pack - it seems to fit with the Mr. Mom image and no one has ever given me a second look. I have also taken my family to restaurants while wearing it - again, no one seems to notice. It could be that I do a lot of digging into it - for my keys, my wallet, and a snack for the kids. If someone were suspecting that I was carrying, I certainly shouldn't be so casual and risk exposing my weapon (fortunately, it is in the secret compartment).

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Back in the days before Virginia passed is shall-issue law, I knew a fellow who lived in the ultra-liberal Alexandria area, where you had to be politically connected to get a permit. He carried in a fanny pack, and in one compartment he had something in a plastic bag.

When asked if he was carrying a gun, he'd say, "No. This is a colostomy" and open that compartment and show them.

 

[Guns_and_Labs]

I wear a fanny pack quite frequently. When I haul kids around, or am on a road trip with the family, I wear my fanny pack, the one with the mickey mouse logo sewn on. When I'm working out or biking, I wear one that also holds my MP3 player. No one's ever mentioned anything.

'Course, most people assume I'm a cop anyway. Must be the haircut.

 

[Rob1035]

some of the quality outdoor gear brands make waist packs that look a little less 80's/homo/whatever (i guess they look tactical? hehe)

If you live in an area that has a lot of outdoorsy type folks or something like that, something like this isnt too bad:

They come in all shapes and sizes, and some you could conceal a Desert Eagle if you wanted to

 

[thatguy]

What's a F.A.G. Bag?

 

[GlenJ]

It used to be the only way I carried when I first started carrying with a Ruger P97. It's actually very convienant when you may have to go in a place where carry is not allowed or if your shopping and trying on clothes. Also for road trips that involves hotel stays you can carry a BUG, flashlight, side folder and extra ammo and keep it in the bag in the room. As for speed of draw with practice it can be as fast as a belt holster. I have the Galco waist pack.

 

[Ala Dan]

NEVER~!

I prefer a holster of some type.

 

[Double Maduro]

GlenJ

Also for road trips that involves hotel stays you can carry a BUG, flashlight, side folder and extra ammo and keep it in the bag in the room.

You actually leave your BUG in your hotel room?

I use an IWB holster or a belt slide. I like to have control over my weapon at all times. Also, I don't have to worry about someone stealing my bag when I take it off to get into a restaurant booth or such.

DM

 

[driven]

I use one

Its got a holster in the "hidden" compartment that holds my 1911 and a spare mag. Getting a speedy presentation takes a little practice but isn't a real handicap.
I find it handy when traveling or out for the day with the kids. Put you cell phone, keys, change, or whatever in the pack and you don't feel like your using it just to carry your gun. I'm old enough not to care too much about what other folks think about me. Never had anyone mention or ask if I was packing, but I do have a concern about being "made" in certain situations when you don't want to advertise to a bad guy, so I try to use it in the right situation.

 

[spin180]

It's not a fanny pack per se, but I use my Wilderness Safepacker a lot. I actually use it more off-body than anything else, though.

It's rather discreet to the sheeple eyes. On the belt it's an übertactical ninja pouch and in the hand it's a mutant dayplanner.

Been very pleased with it; best gun accessory purchase I've made.

 

[BHPshooter]

What's a F.A.G. Bag?

That's throwin' me off, too.

Wes

 

[Gannet]

F.A.G. bag = Fast Action Gun bag.

I believe the term originated with bags made for the Secret Service to contain submachine guns. Don't want to have the President's protective detail looking like something out of a dictatorship, y'know?

Thanks for the reponses so far. I admit I continue to be a bit bemused by the number of folks who want to disguise it to look like something else, or who are concerned with using it to carry more than just their gun in some sort of "justification", perhaps. Is carrying in public something to be ashamed of? No flame, so please don't take offense.

 

[bernie]

I use a fanny pack when I am on summer outings or vacation with the family. Other than that I am a big VersaMax 2 man. It is great with dress pants or slacks.

When I am wearing a fanny pack with a weapon, I am generally in "tourist" mode anyway and do not look out of place with it anyway. I am 36, married with two young sons, I am not overly worried about looking cool anymore, and it is not a bad way to carry if in a very casual mode of dress.

 

[Turtle Club]

I do ALWAYS

I also do it while I am wearing my " Frankie Says 'Relax' " T-Shirt and about 3 Snap Braclets and a dayglow pair of sweat pants with my Velcro Pump Shoes.

I am the best dresses ccw man in the room !

 

[AZ Jeff]

I would like to see your survey results cross-matched against geographic region.

I suspect persons who voted "I would never use one" live in regions where sufficient clothing can be worn year-around so as to make conventional holsters feasible.

Down here in Phoenix, where we tend to wear lightweight shorts that border on bathing trunks in the summer, and where you DON'T want a heavy belt cinching you up in the heat, a fanny pack is the PERFECT answer to how to carry and stay comfortable.

In the winter, when I wear clothes that pass for summertime wear in other parts of the country, I switch back to more conventional carry.

As far as people noticing you with a fanny pack and think "he's got a gun in there", that's giving the general populus FAR too much credit. Most people who see someone with a fanny pack, if they even NOTICE the pack, just think "a touristy guy with a fanny pack", not "guy with a Glock 19".

In fact, the only guys who probably see a fanny pack user and think "gun" are other CCW holders and more enlightened law enforcement. The rest of the people are oblivious.

 

[Rob96]

Everyone there had fanny packs, including one humongous fat chick with a fanny pack the size of a footlocker. I quit worrying.

That was actually a piece of luggage.

When I am wearing shorts, I usually carry in a leather fanny pack that was made for concealed carry.

 

[Hhrshooter]

I am just not the guy to wear one, i guess. Most of the ones i see aren't conducive to my image or to carry purposes. I feel a good holster worn SOB or IWB strong side is a better choice for me. Although, it is interesting to note that since i look at gun products it is easier to spot another ccw who is wearing one. The wife carries her weapon in a purse made by Galco or in the small of her back with Galco's S.O.B. holster

 

[thatguy]

I generally carry in a shoulder bag. It's one of those school bags with the name of a college printed on it (yes, I actually graduated from that school, too). It has a side pocket where I keep wallet and cellphone, etc. Doesn't draw any attention at all in public and allows me to carry a full-size 9MM pistol and extra magazine in comfort.

Off-body carry has risks and isn't as fast to access as a holster but when dressed for summer heat I can't conceal anything.