Fanny pack for CCW vs. age

[grizz]

Just a quick and dirty poll to figure something out.

I'm pretty sure those who would use a fanny pack for CCW must be of a certain age, but I could be wrong.

I'm working a late shift, am very tired, and another thread got me thinking.

Mods, if this is a stupid thread, please put it out of it's misery.

 

[Black Majik]

No way... never

 

[Jeff White]

I don't normally use a fanny pack, but there are times when it's the only practical method of carrying. For instance when I'm out for a run.

Jeff

 

[Dr. Dickie]

Never have; however, if my wife would ever stop laughing long enough to give me a straight answer I might be willing to try it.

 

[Kankujoe]

I use a fanny pack occasionally to carry. I've used them on and off for years to carry many other things as well (camera, iPod, book, wallet, money, knife, keys, etc). It's pretty much a non-issue for me. If it fits what I have to do or wear a particular day I use one. If not I carry using another mode. In my office (I am a physician) I have used an ankle holster, pocket holster or IWB holster. Recently, I've been experimenting with a "SmartCarry" holster with different calibers. I have never felt self conscious about using a fanny pack or given it a second thought. I also have carried various calibers depending on my mode of concealment and where I happen to be that day or sometimes that hour.

 

[MartinBrody]

Fanny packs are sooooo 1980's, so I guess you would have to be at least in your 40s to feel comfortable with it. Us 'kids' prefer small messenger/courier bags. Every guy I see with a fanny pack I know is carrying, no one suspects the dude with a 'purse'.

 

[Gonefission]

Never!



IMO, If you are wearing a fanny pack you are either gay or packing. Sorry, I know it is a stereotype but stereotypes have to come from somewhere. If I couldn't wear a holster I would go with a courier bag like MartinBrody. The courier bag would be an ever better disguise if you pulled a laptop out. No one would suspect a thing.

 

[vito]

I use a Coronado leather cross carry bag, which is sort of like a fanny pack, when I travel. It doesn't slip off your shoulder, and gives me a place for my camera, sunglasses, cell phone, and my S&W 640. When I first bought it I wondered if it was a clear indicator that I was carrying, so I used it, without a gun in it, for several local trips. I made a point of approaching any LEO I saw and asking directions, etc. Not once did they look at me suspiciously or ask what was in the black leather case. It might help that I am 60+, somewhat overweight, and short. Here in Illinois concealed carry is always illegal, but personal safety overrides ridiculous laws.

 

[iamkris]

Fanny packs don't look good at ANY age. They also tend to be a "shoot me first" sign.

 

[Manedwolf]

No. Never. Ground for execution by the fashion police, and suitable only for tourists.

If I can't carry on me, for casual I have a vintaged Old Navy satchel/courier bag worn at the side with the strap across the chest, a battered canvas one with the old red-ball air force wings on it. For business, a leather "Planner +" daytimer with a hidden holster in the second compartment that nobody notices with business attire.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Works very well at the gym. No funny looks at all.

 

[Linda]

The ONLY time I would use a fanny pack is if I were out biking.

 

[Billy_H]

I don't normally use a fanny pack, but there are times when it's the only practical method of carrying. For instance when I'm out for a run.

Jeff

Agreed, I'm 26 and my wife is 25 but we are both planning to pick up a fanny pack to use when we are running or biking. The rest of the time I'll bury that thing as far down in a cabinet as I can.

 

[kirkcdl]

One question-what are you going to do if someone decides to do a fanny pack "purse snatch"??...There goes your weapon...

 

[AirForceShooter]

I'm 60 and wouldn't be caught dead with a "man purse".

AFS

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Kirkcdl-

It's a dedicated CCW fanny pack. The only way you're gonna snatch it is cut it off me(which means I've already lost, that knife's WAY too close) or tear me in half.

 

[TheFrontRange]

Yikes, I'm in that 36-45 category hahaha...gay, no...packing, yes!

I occasionally use a dedicated gun-carrying fannypack (by Galco). As others have stated, it works great for stuff like running (or, in my case, walking!) or biking. Mine is gray, not "ninja-uber-tactical black," so maybe it doesn't carry as much of that dreaded "shoot-me-first" aura to it.

There are times I've worn it just because it was the most convenient method at hand. I don't feel out-of-place with the pack, shorts, and a t-shirt, but even I start to feel the sting of the fashion-police-truncheon if I try it with jeans or khakis hahaha...

It's not my first choice for everyday carry...I much prefer a strong-side holster on the belt or a Kramer Confidant holster shirt depending on the situation.

 

[Hemicuda]

As i am NOT a slave to fashion, and could care less what other people think about me, YES, when it is convenient, I use a fanny pack...

 

[Prince Yamato]

Fanny packs are sooooo 1980's, so I guess you would have to be at least in your 40s to feel comfortable with it. Us 'kids' prefer small messenger/courier bags. Every guy I see with a fanny pack I know is carrying, no one suspects the dude with a 'purse'.

You all give me hope that some people with CCWs actually have fashion sense. This topic is fantastic. It addresses a fundamental issue... CCW is useless if your technique for concealing makes you stick out like a sore thumb. The messenger bag is a great idea. They're literally the new backpack and should be around to stay. Office Max/Depot has a swiss army one that has a zippered laptop compartment inside that could probably hold a larger pistol (maybe even a Vector Uzi) if one were that ambitious . I personally think that if you're making use of CCW externally, you should go with something that non-CCWs use to make yourself look like less of a target.

 

[joesixpack]

I don't post here often, but I feel the need to point something out. The only people who wear fanny packs in the 21st century are people with guns. You may as well carry openly. I suppose there are one or two exceptions, but I think that the only people who are fooled by the fanny pack holsters are the folks who buy them. Everyone else knows you're packin'

I don't mean any offense, and I hope I'm not speaking out of turn here, I'm just sayin'.

 

[armoredman]

My wife has a Bianchi fanny pack she uses when not able to use a belt for her HBE COMIII IWB rig. It's not very often, and it's also festooned with pink breast cancer awareness ribbons, etc, as inadvertant camo.
I will NOT say how old she is, as I would like to get older, too.

 

[wrench]

I don't use a fanny pack, but really, I think fanny packs scream 'gun', only to gun people.
I know several men and women who wear a fanny pack on a regular basis, none gay, none packing. Really.
I think it screams 'dork'

 

[joesixpack]

I think it screams 'dork'

Wow, and I was worried that my post might give offense. Really, though I was thinking sort of the same thing, except that I think it screams 'armed dork'.

 

[Hemicuda]

"Dork" is OK... heck, I don't care if you all think I'm gay, because of a fanny pack...

The people who know me know I'm not a dork, and my girlfriend of 15 years knows I'm not gay... they're the ones who matter at all...

 

[Lupinus]

I wouldn't

If for nothing of the fact it screams something is in there, the fact that I don't think unzipping it and drawing is going to be very fast.