Good "off body" carry ideas!!!

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dairycreek

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From time to time it is expedient for me to carry "off body" as it were. I've found that a Bagmaster Belt Pistol Pack works for me. It is padded and rectangular so it does not look like a fanny pack. It has extra outer compartments so that I can carry a wallet or a notebook too. It also has extra strong belt loops and that comes to the "off body" part. To each of the belt loops I have attached a 3" split-ring which allows me to attach an over the shoulder strap via del rin snaps. It is comfortable, keeps the gun close, and I can carry it by the strap as a hand bag if I choose. This works well for me but I sure would like to hear other, effective ideas that you might employ. Good shooting:)
 
I have found carrying "off body" doesn't work for me. I have a messenger bag w/ a hidden holster pocket that fits a pistol well. However, there are those rare times that I have to leave my bag unattended and my bag & gun open to theft. I'd rather just lose my calculator & day planner than a loaded pistol.
 
My Idea

I went to Officemax and found an inexpensive daytimer that is big enough to handle my Steyr M40.

I like carrying in my daytimer because I don't have to worry about printing. My only concern is not having my pistol 100% of the time. I think I would look a little crazy if I carried my daytimer into the restroom, people would wonder what I am reading. It seems to work well for me. I have secret drawer in my desk to keep the daytimer so I don't have to worry about it walking away with another employee. I work at a car dealership my biggest concern is some customer that got hosed on a car deal will come into the place shooting. I am by the door so I should be able to take him out as soon as he comes in. My only real concern is my office walls are not very thick. My office would offer little to no cover from any sort of aimed fire. I think I would look kind of stupid going to the owner ans asking for some armored inserts for the paper thin walls that I have.
 
My wife has the greatest off body carry method. It works great for her and she does not worry about forgetting her gun or being discovered with it.

I - I am her off body carry method.
 
I think that "off-body" carry is a bad idea.

The gun is too vulnerable to theft and getting left behind.

People have inadvertantly left their guns in restaurants, cars, restrooms, etc. That won't happen I you don't take the gun off.

I would rather carry a smaller gun, if that is what's needed to carry on my body.
 
Still another consideration - - -

While the possibility of theft has been mentioned, the logical extension of this problem has not.

The day timer, the shoulder bag, the purse, etc. - - -MUST be kept in hand the entire time you are using it to carry a pistol. Drop it into your desk and LOCK the desk, okay. LOCK it in the car, okay. But YOU and only you, are responsible if your firearm goes astray.

In Texas, at least, it is a criminal offense if anyone leaves a firearm in firing condition in a place where a child can get to it, and injures or kills anyone with it. This is aside from the guilt feelings a decent person would have for such responsibility.

One other component - - - If you inadvertently furnish a firearm which is used to commit a crime or causes a tragic accident, the publicity will hurt not only you but all other legally carrying persons.

I'm not totally opposed to "off body carry." But I feel it should be done advisedly, kinda like holsterless carry of a chambered Glock or single action auto pistol.

Best,
Johnny
 
Rather than adapting a "daily planner"...

I just ordered a "Businessmans Companion" holster from Dillon's "the Blue Press" catalog...

it is a daily planner with a built in velcro holster and mag holder in it... and also has a lockable zipper...

i only use this when there is NO other mathod of carry available... and as soon as possible, I stick it back into my Galco Jak-Slide, where the gun belongs!
 
I just made a off body carry for a student in a wheelchair. $3 for a used dictionary, cut out pagers (hollow).

Fort Knox (tm) makes similar items--HOWEVER--everybody knows what these are since they have been displayed and advertised.

Student needed something to get to his van and back, cannot carry on campus, did not want to leave in/on wheelchair due to physical limitations, and backpack- well drapes over back of wheelchair-and a chance of forgetting and having on campus.

revolver with speedloader is handy, rests nicely and in reach when driving. Student has CCW and carries on person--this designed for to and from vehicle on class days.
 
Jonny Guest's point is so well taken that I will offer additional info.

I keep two holsters in the briefcase for the .380 it contains. A pocket holster and a belt slide. I have a job where my briefcase stays with me all the time. On the rare occaisions when I leave the briefcase in my office, or at lunchtime, I am able to slip the pistol in a pocket holster or belt slide holster and carry it that way.

Leaving any of your property unattended is a bad idea. Leaving a firearm unattended is irrational.
 
Ledbetter,

If you need to use your .380, given the state of California law, what do you think will happen vis-a-vis charges from the DA?

I guess the possible charge is a misdemeanor if you are caught the first time carrying without a licence, but would the charges be higher if you used the gun to defend yourself?

-s
 
Camera bags are the right size, etc., but a good theft target.

Not quite "off body" but carrying a gun in a small pouch on a string around your neck, like a passport bag, makes for easy on and off carry that is tight against your person and under your windbreaker. And the string or top of the pouch doesn't look that odd to the passerby.


The best method is to buy a crummy old revolver, load it and spray paint the whole thing with shiny orange paint and top with a light muzzle plug. Carry it in your hand, but claim to be in a running squirt gun fight at all times.

Do not get into an actual squirt gun fight.
 
"Off Body Carry" doesn't mean fanny-pack. OBC means in a brief case or book or bag or purse... It means something that can be put down... walked away from... stolen... forgoten... or anything else that can lead you to looking like a gigantic fool or worse - legal reprocussions.

JUST SAY NO TO OFF BODY CARRY!:cuss:
 
I just slip in the gun in the large velcro'd side 'pocket' of my leather office bag.

Since I drive to work, the only time the bag's in a public access is when i walk from the compound's secured parking lot to my desk.

Anywhere else, I'd carry IWB. ;)
 
I agree completely that one should have their weapon attached to their body in one way or another when in "condition 1". However there are situations when off-body carry is necessary. I recently took a long road trip through three states. I refuse to be unarmed completely unless it is absolutely impossible. (such as air travel) My CCW is good in the PRK, but once I crossed state lines, I cleared the Beretta, placed it in an Eagle industries Fanny pack, with 5 magazines, and placed that in a zippered overnight bag in the back seat. (I was in a Jeep wrangler, no trunk) I studied the laws regarding the situation for each state in my journey and as long as the pistol was unloaded, cased, and out of immediate access of the driver, I was legal. Without probable cause, an officer can't go thru my bags on a normal traffic stop anyways, at least in places where the 4th ammendment still applies. When not in the vehicle, we were in a hotel room so the bag containing the pistol was never unsupervised. In the event of an emergency, the Beretta could be quickly accessed and loaded. I do the same for situations where it is impractical to carry, but a weapon can be cleared and left in a locked vehicle. In the home, the carry piece of the day is in arm's reach, or cleared and stored.
 
Led:

Why didn't I think you have a license?

You live in California!

You must be famous, a sex-crimes prosecutor, a friend of Jerry Brown's, or perhaps you knew which campaign to contribue to! Congrats!

Or...
 
When I am in my car I will put my pistol in the bottom/back of my seat. The muzzle and grip are restinf on the bottom and the pistol then leans on the back of the seat. I find I can get it easily with my right hand and not to difficultly with my left. In addition it provides some nice sub-lumbar support.

As Sam would say comfortable and comforting.
 
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