I've seen the light on purse carry

[springmom]

This is something of an update from a thread about a month ago. I had mentioned that I can draw from my purse carry set-up, and got a few pairs of boxers in a twist. It was said, correctly, that I practice a lot doing just that, and I was content to keep carrying that way.

Except that my purse sort of gave out. The center part of the purse, to which the Uncle Mike's holster was clipped, just eventually gave way, and the leather got too soft to retain the holster. So I was practicing, and zip, out comes the holster still on the gun. Hm...try that again...same result. I looked closely, and it was just sort of a shapless strip of leather, totally softened, and now useless.

But we went to the recent gun show in Houston, and while there ran into a lady selling Jagwear's version of a "safepacker". It's a little squarish on-the-belt pack, with two zippered compartments. The compartment next to the hip carries the gun; the front compartment can hold a pen, a cell phone, etc. (It frequently carries my cell phone and my albuterol inhaler). Interestingly, no one has ever asked me what it is, even though I also carry my purse (can't get my checkbook into the little pack.)

It is about as close to "open carry" as I can imagine. It's just right out there, but because there is nothing to even suggest the shape of a gun, it's legal. It has this little tab that sticks out from the holster compartment that can, in emergency, simply be pulled catty-corner downward to get to the gun.

It's a pretty cool system, and best of all, unless I'm wearing something that doesn't have a belt, it can go on just about everything I own.

So I'm converted. I've found something that is definitely better than purse carry, that I cannot possibly lose, since it's on my belt, and which I don't even have to worry about showing the gun in restrooms or ever printing.

Woo hoo. I love it when problems actually get solved!

Anyway, just wanted to update, and to let any ladies thinking about purse carry know that there really is a better alternative.

Springmom

 

[Car Knocker]

Jag Pac 3?

 

[Majic]

Those are nothing new or ingenius. Wearing one labels you as either a tourist on vacation or that you are carrying a gun. Now if you live in a tourist town then you probably won't get noticed. If not then look around and you will see no one else with one and that bag literally scream gun.
Why don't you look at the specialized purses that have built in holsters? Or you could take your purse to a shop that makes and repairs leather items and have them re-enforce the area you want to put the holster.

 

[arthurcw]

Those are nothing new or ingenius. Wearing one labels you as either a tourist on vacation or that you are carrying a gun. Now if you live in a tourist town then you probably won't get noticed. If not then look around and you will see no one else with one and that bag literally scream gun.

I really don't think ANYONE notices except gunnies. I've carried one like that and my wife has one too. Although she has not gotten her CHL yet, she will use it along with purse carry as needed.

I have one suggestion. If yours is like mine, take some Heavy duty Velcro and build up the sides of the holster on the outside where there is none. Re-holstering your gun is much easier with the upper 1/3 stiffer. Also a few judicious stitches here and there will get the gun to ride just right.

I ordered mine from them with Belt clips and not the standard loops so I could just clip I to my belt. It also clips to my waist belt of my back pack so I have my gun easily accessible (not that I back pack much as my imperialist waistband can testify to).

Some peeps are gonna give you hash about this method of carry too. Water, duck's back, you know the drill. I don't think anyone will notice except a few of us. It occupies the same space in tongue waggin' that, "shoot me first" vests do. Who was is that said the only know victims of "shoot me first" vests were the guards on Princes Leia's ship in Star Wars? I think the worries about the pouch are a similar unfounded fear.

Now you can make all kinds of arguments on the fashion front. But I’m married and couldn’t give a leaping love-fest what people think of me. I’m not trying to attract anyone.

(jag)Wear it with pride.

 

[ndh87]

Wearing one labels you as either a tourist on vacation or that you are carrying a gun. Now if you live in a tourist town then you probably won't get noticed. If not then look around and you will see no one else with one and that bag literally scream gun.

the sheeple wont notice.

 

[jeepmor]

Tell the inquisitive types

It's for my blackberry But then again, suppose you'd need to have a blackberry to pull out and show.

It's got to be less conspicuous than a fanny pack and I agree, most people will not notice. If it works for you, then run with it.

congrats on finding a good solution, however, I think the purchase of a purpose built purse would be a good idea too. They are fabricated such that they should last, unlike most Chinese fodder on the market today that only misses the landfill by six months as it falls apart for the consumer.

jeepmor

 

[Caimlas]

Not entirely true, Majic. I've noticed older people (over 50) frequently wearing them (butt packs or whatever you want to call them), as well as diabetic folks and others who need medication easily accessible: having your meds in there is an easy cover. Though I will admit that I strongly suspect those who wear them are using them to carry. It is slightly suspicious that it's not large enough for a checkbook, but for a mom to carry a small pouch which doesn't need hands is, if anything, completely pragmatic.

Overall, I think the only people who might notice are LEOs, fellow CCWers, and the occasional suspicious person.

 

[mdao]

I think age has quite a bit to do with how suspicious one would look using this concealed carry method. Older folk ( ) have an easier time pulling this off. Us younger guys in business casual dress just look downright suspicious with 1911 sized packs hanging off our belts.

 

[Trebor]

Was your purse designed as a gun purse, or did you just use a regular purse that happened to have a compartment that worked? I bet you'd find that a purpose built gun purse would stand up to use better.

 

[kungfuhippie]

In Ecuador I wore a super butt pack, it was like a ALICE PACK butt rig in size. A backpack made your back sweat way too much, think 90 degrees 90% humidity and 15lb or more on your back all day in the sun. It also worked well for an airsoft 1911 toy that I used for stray dog defense, no guns for imigrants (rabies shots are evil) Wish I'd kept it. would work great for hikes and looking like a dork back home.

 

[springmom]

Goodness gracious, a thread about women's purses and the only people I saw answer were MEN.....

I actually do have a specially-made concealed carry purse, as well as the one I bought at Target that was (for awhile) perfect for CC. The "real" CC purse has a velcro side pocket that you push your hand into and pull the gun out. The Target special (I think it's funny it came from Target...target...gun....lol....never mind) is a three-pocket purse opening from the top, and the middle pocket had a double zipper closure that I could plunge my hand into quickly and come up with my gun.

Caimlas, come a little closer and I'll whack you with my ear trumpet. Older, indeed. I'm 52 and I am NOT "older", thank you very much.

EDIT to add: Yes, it's a Jag3.

Trust me on this. NOBODY looks. Nobody CARES. If I looked like Jessica Simpson, I might draw some eyes, but nobody is going to be ogling me except Archerandshooter, and he can do that 'cause we've been married 25 years (in three weeks!) But nobody cares about what ANYBODY hangs on their belt as long as it doesn't look like a gun. Just sit and people watch some day at the mall...how many people have multiple phones and pagers, and maybe a knife in a case hanging on their belts? I swear, people carry as much stuff as a beat cop anymore.

I cannot carry using this pack if I'm wearing something that doesn't work with a belt. And certainly I couldn't use it for a really dressy type outfit. But for my lifestyle, it's perfect.

And nobody can snatch it and run off with my Kimber.

Springmom

 

[kungfuhippie]

If I looked like Jessica Simpson, I might draw some eyes

But they wouldn't be looking at you fanny pack

 

[springmom]

In which case I could get away with OPEN carry!

Springmom