Some gear questions

[chaim]

Ok, I've got the Kershaw 2 1/2" assisted folding knife. I'm looking for a 3" or longer blade as well. I also carry the obligatory Swiss Army Knife (though I may switch to a Leatherman type multi-tool). I carry a can of pepper spray. I'm shopping for a small pocket sized flashlight (until then I guess I could wear the belt "holster" for my mini-mag light and carry that around, but I won't). I would never go anywhere without my cell phone. When I get to a carry state I'll have something IWB and either a J-frame or pocket gun in my pocket. Sometimes I'll just have the J-frame in my pocket.

So this raises some questions:
-Where in the heck am I supposed to put my car keys, wallet, comb, etc.?

-Even with a good belt, how the heck am I supposed to keep my pants from falling down?

 

[jthuang]

You need the European Carry-All.

Seriously:

1. Exchange the Swiss Army knife for a knife with a pocket clip (e.g. Spyderco Delica). Yes you will lose some of the functions but you will gain space in your pocket as the knife clips to the pocket, freeing up space on the inside.

2. Same deal with the flashlight. Get one with a pocket clip. I use the Surefire E2 Elite.

Then, it goes like this:

Front right pocket (assuming you are RH): j-frame in pocket holster
Front left pocket: wallet, knife clipped to outside
Rear right pocket: knife clipped to outside, speedloaders/speed strip
Rear left pocket: Surefire E2e, keys

Not sure what to do with pepper spray. But if you are wearing pleated khakis (or the like) with roomy pockets, the benefit is that very little is hanging from your belt. This saves you from the Batbelt syndrome.

 

[G&R Tactical]

Get a pair of these RR 511 tactical pants: http://www.511tactical.com/ and then get either a SF E2E, L4, Z2, M2, or a G2Z...

 

[Schuey2002]

Get a pair of Royal Robins 5.11 Tactical pants. Here's some of the highlights: They've got 7 pockets (2 front /2 rear), 2 thigh pockets, a cell phone pocket on the right front, and a brass ring for your car keys.. In essence, you need to get a pair of these suckers.

(Skunk is running around this board singin' the praises of these pants. You shouldn't have trouble finding out what he says about them.)

edit: Grant beat me to the punch. That's what happens when you're fingers move as slowly as mine do on a keyboard.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Rear right pocket: knife clipped to outside, speedloaders/speed strip

I don't want my reloads on my gun-hand side.

My load out looks like this:

Right Front: Cash, Dalton ASP (OTF Auto Knife)
Left Front: Keys, speed strips if carrying a revo
Left Rear: Spiderco Delica (soon a Sure Fire light), cell phone
Right Rear: Wallet

Right Hip: IWB Colt Compact or Colt Python 2 1/2"
Left Hip: Double mag carrier (If carrying semi-auto)

Left Ankle: Colt Detective Special

Non-essentials--major Mag light, multi-tools, etc--stay in the truck.

(BTW--"Comb"?? I got me one o' them new fangled haircuts that's supposed to look like you just got outta bed. Haven’t touched a comb or brush in a year. And, since I look like some pantywaist liberal movie star, no one suspects I'm carrying! I consider it camouflage!)

 

[G&R Tactical]

I agree with you Snake Eyes, the more you look lik a Moma's boy the better off you are! I am usually dressed nice and clean cut (almost cute). They never suspect that I am loaded to the teeth. I usually carry Glock 19, BM Auto, SF L4 and a M4 in trunk!


Grant

 

[BerettaNut92]

-Where in the heck am I supposed to put my car keys, wallet, comb, etc.?
-Even with a good belt, how the heck am I supposed to keep my pants from falling down?

RR 5.11s are great but look too tactical when out painting the town coyote brown. People already think I look like a cop even at my manly 115 lbs. Must be my command presence

Car keys I hang them a belt loop. I try to keep my keyring light. My wallet goes in my strong side pocket since I put things like shotshells, rifle mags, etc in my support side butt pocket. What's a comb? Of your rifle?

Pants from falling down, I dunno. I have to put the stuff on so the wind doesn't carry me away

 

[Chris Rhines]

I kinda go the opposite way, I prefer to keep most of my goodies out of my pockets and up on my belt. Pockets bulge, and aren't very stable.

Pistol, spare magazine, Leatherperson tool, and folding knife all go on my belt* (the folding knife gets clipped in my waistband.)

Front left pocket gets my keys (complete with Photon microlight and BUL**) and lighter.
Front right pocket is empty except for a pen, call it expansion space.
Rear left pocket has my wallet.
Rear right pocket has my bandanna.

Cellphone, pocket PC, toolkit, pens and pencils, notepad, Surefire 6P, and CD player all go in my ever-present Timbuk2 man-purse. Basically, anything that doesn't require a super-fast draw goes in the bag (I'll probably move the flashlight to a pocket once I get an E2.) If you can get away with carring one, it frees up a load of personal space, and the chest strap lets you cinch the bag up above your gun.

- Chris

* - Of course, I'm very careful to obey all the relevant laws concerning the carry of firearms, by peons, in the great state of Maryland. But I try to keep in practice on my own property.

** - Back-Up Leatherman. Everyone should have one!

 

[Schuey2002]

Timbuk2 man-purse

I don't think I could ever carry a "man-purse"..

Obtw, and just out of curiousity, what do they look like? Got a link to the manufacturer?

 

[Phantom Warrior]

It can be done

You have to wear comfortable pants and organize your stuff carefully.

ME, wearing jeans:

Glock 23: 4:00, Fobus paddle holster
1 spare mag: 8:00, Fobus paddle mag holder
Right front pocket: Benchmade 732SBT (Ares, solid black scales), 3-4 black Bic Round Stic pens, lighter
Left front pocket: 2AA Maglite in sheath (protects in from scratches, holds it upright), keys, Swiss Army knife
Right back pocket: Wallet
SOB: Gerber Multitool (in belt sheath)

People always look at me funny when I empty my pockets. Anyway, my advice would be to decide what equpiment you need and then organize it carefully. You'd be surprised how much you can carry if you do it right. I'm sitting sprawled out in front of my computer right now with all of that except the Glock and reload (stupid, stupid college campus rules...) and I'm super comfortable. No pokes or stabs anywhere.
On a side note, don't pass up the Swiss Army knife. I still have mine, despite the Benchmade and Gerber. It small and light and the scissors can be really handy, as is the screwdriver if you need one quick. Also, the edge on the screwdriver is a little better than my Gerber.

POP: Plan, Organize, Pack

 

[BerettaNut92]

I'm taking delivery on a Wilderness Safe-Packer for my man-purse.

Right now it's an Eagle range bag

 

[C.R.Sam]

Really good belt.
Suspenders.
Bald so don't sweat comb.

Sam

 

[chaim]

I'm surprised at the number of good answers here. I really kind of meant it as tongue in check (semi-serious of course, since I do have overloaded pockets already and it hit me when reading the flashlight thread here that if you carry everything people say you should you'd pretty much need a purse).

Anyway here's my current:
-Right front pocket: My Kershaw knife is cliped to the watchpocket when wearing jeans, to the bottom of the pocket opening when wearing casual slacks and it is only loose in the pocket when wearing dress slacks (occasionally dropped there in jeans or casual slacks when extra discretion is helpful). A pocket pack of klenex or some loose klenex (allergies). A lighter (useful, plus I sometimes smoke a pipe, I actually blend my own tobacco, and I sometimes smoke cigars). My comb (I really should leave it at home because I never do use it during the day). Listerene Breath Strips (you wouldn't want to be around me without them). My cell phone is usually here, but I should probably get a belt sheath for it. I used to carry around a small pack of Ibroprophen due to headaches but I don't anymore.
-Left front pocket: Tons of keys- I have a key for some things that I don't even remember what they are for. I have most in a key wallet (with my Swiss Army knife in a little pocket in the key wallet. My car keys and alarm fob are also in the pocket. This is usually where I have my pepper spray, though sometimes I carry a different can that clips to the belt. Other than that (that pretty much fills it anyway) I just keep coins and a pen here.
-Right rear pocket: A majorly over filled wallet.

Planned changes/additions:
-Not sure where I'll keep the small flashlight. Probably get one small enough for a keychain (still want one relatively powerful though) and add my housekey and Swiss Army knife to my keychain and get rid of the key wallet.
-I might exchange the wallet for a money clip to reduce weight and so I won't be tempted to hoard receipts and carry around my whole life all the time. Money, an ATM card, my DL should be plenty (the credit card can be taken from the wallet if I need it for something big like a car repair).
-Not sure what to do with some stuff I can't do without in the right front pocket when I get to a carry state and put a snub in there. Hopefully with the key wallet change I'll make enough room in the left pocket. Spare mag or speedloader for primary carry gun (when in CCW state) may be on belt (or I might not carry spare, that is what the second gun in the pocket is for).
-I have recently switched from a basic 1 1/4" store bought belt to a 1 1/2" Bianchi gun belt so hopefully that should help with the weight I carry around in my pockets. The pants falling down part was a semi-real question- I am big but my weight see-saws a bit and sometimes (at its lower levels) it is tough to keep my pants up even with tightening my belt so with the extra stuff- scary .

Cellphone, pocket PC, toolkit, pens and pencils, notepad, Surefire 6P, and CD player all go in my ever-present Timbuk2 man-purse

I've been desperately trying to avoid a "man-purse" but it may be a necessity. The way I might go is carry around one of the large or mid-sized leather covered day planners that provide a few pockets for stuff (like a pen, a cell phone, cards, etc). It will look businesslike not feminine and would be easy to leave at home or in the car when I can get away with going lighter and don't actually need everything in it. The other option is to just always carry my brief case but that would probably look odd when out of a suit or at least a tie and get cumbersome.

 

[sm]

Always carried a knife, raised such , not dressed without.
Today: jeans, oxford shirt,(tucked) tennis shoes, Eddie Bauer 1 1/2 " belt as always.

Gun ( "niche" 9mm with spare mag), primary keys with ASP sapphire light, change in RF knife clipped to pocket, LR hankerchief, RR, wallet and comb, LF secondary key, money clip and smallest swiss army.
Don't always carry a wallet, don't always carry the niche gun--that's what the 1911 is for. No outer cover garment.

I look like a late 40 guy whom is either an older returning student, been called an instructor...or the funny part, a rich guy whom retired early and just likes to bum around.

Tennis shoes for the "new balance beat feet" from situation dealie.
Comb? dunno why ,habit...I let the wind do what will, the hankerchief is handy for a lot of stuff...besides stopping any bleeding...especially mine Like cleaning my glasses...or having to give mouth to mouth.

Good belt makes a good weapon too, mine just don't scream anything suspicious. Low profile, but armed.
I like hiding in plain site.


This is normal everyday, I travel lighter sometimes just to run to the corner.
Of course with winter approaching...I showed up with 11 guns to dealie last year...had guns to deliver, 2 were mine, delivered 9...easier to wear than carry...plus to get a chuckle.

 

[jthuang]

I might exchange the wallet for a money clip to reduce weight and so I won't be tempted to hoard receipts and carry around my whole life all the time. Money, an ATM card, my DL should be plenty (the credit card can be taken from the wallet if I need it for something big like a car repair).

Good idea. Mas Ayoob recommends a similar practice (the "Ayoob wad") so if you get blindsided in Condition White during a mugging situation, you can get rid of some cash quickly while you beat feet the other way.

Mark MacYoung also recommends using a money clip in addition to your wallet. Apparently there were some goblins who would snatch wallets out of the hands of unsuspecting people -- if you use a money clip, you lose only a bit of cash, not your entire wallet with driver's license, credit cards, etc.

Most often this situation would arise when someone was paying for a cab ride to the airport. Your luggage is sitting on the curb and some guy nabs your wallet. Do you chase after him and leave your luggage? If you do, badguy #2 comes along to nab your luggage. If you do not, you lose your wallet, credit cards, driver's license, etc.

I'd say a money clip is a good idea in any situation. I use a polished stainless clip from Strawbridge's ... I think it was like $30.

 

[Chris Rhines]

On the subject of man-purses:

www.timbuk2.com

Mine is a red/black/red Dee Dog messenger bag. Durable as all hell, carries a ton, and doesn't look half bad.

- Chris

 

[Hutch]

Y'oughta consider the safari/photographer's vest. Lotsa pockets, good cover for belt holster. Wear it constantly, and eventually your acquaintances will begin to ignore it as part of the landscape. Small flashlight, multitool, cellphone, spare hankies and eyeglass wipes, keys, pen, small top-spiral-bound notebook, either speedloader(s) or magazine(s) as appropriate, hard glasses case with shades. I keep cash, wallet, Victorinox knife and the 649 in pants pockets. The rest goes in the vest. It is quite convenient.