Unique concealed carry method--good idea or not?

[QuestionEverything]

I've been thinking about a way to carry concealed that would be less obtrusive and more comfortable than most, so I thought I'd air it here before trying it. Most of the time I'm out and about, I have a gargantuan camera bag slung over my shoulder (Lowepro Stealth Reporter 550 AW, in case anyone's familiar with it). It's a black nylon rectangular bag. Inside the bag is a gray "pouch" (not the best word to use but I don't know what else to call it) divided into compartments to fit lenses and cameras. It's easy to slip objects in between the gray pouch and the black exterior of the bag; I already store several things in that space. So why not a concealed gun? Of course, digging into the bag to find the weapon sandwiched between its layers could take too long in a crisis, so I thought of attaching a lanyard to the gun that would dangle out the side of the bag and make the gun easy to pull out quickly. If the bag were to hang at my left side as usual, I would grab the lanyard sticking out with my left hand pull the gun partly out, then take the grip in my right hand, pull it completely free and take aim.

Can anyone think of reasons why this wouldn't work? The bag (you can see a picture at http://www.lowepro.com/images/products/large/ReporterD550_LA_cutaway_L.jpg) closes by pulling the top flap down and fastening a single front clasp, so it's easy to pull things out from the side. With its lumpy black exterior and ample interior space, the bag could conceal even large pistols, which is a big plus for me since I have big hands and thus trouble comfortably and accurately firing compact guns. Of course this plan requires that the pistol have a lanyard loop; I thought it would work well with a full-sized CZ75. I guess I could try tying something to the trigger guard if I want to carry a gun with no lanyard loop. Can anyone offer feedback on this idea? Thanks.

 

[Jeff White]

No need for a lanyard. Sew some velcro pile to the inside compartment then get a nylon holster and put the hook part of the velcro on it. It works pretty well. Your weapon will be in the same place every time and it won't move around in the bag.

You could do the same thing with a magazine pouch and have a couple reloads with you.

Of course there are some downsides to off body carry.

Jeff

 

[cheaptrick]

"I've been thinking about a way to carry concealed that would be less obtrusive and more comfortable than most."
(I don't know how to post using a quote here for some reason.)
Sorry.

I'm curious as to what other methods of concealed carry you've tried and find obtrusive and uncomfortable.

What pistol??

I'm concerned that "IF" something went down, you wouldn't be able to deploy your weapon as quickly as you would with a holster.
In a real deal event your fine motor skills go South QUICKLY. As I'm sure you already know.

I'd be looking for a good holster, if I were you.

Just my thoughts........

 

[Ex-MA Hole]

Personally, and my opinion isn't worth anything:

I think it's an aweful idea. To me a camera bag is high on the list of "steal me, I'm worth a lot of money" items. I'd hate for someone to sucker punch you, or grab it when you put it down to take a picture.

Then they get your high priced camera AND a nice little gun!

As much as I (personally) hate them, you may be one of the first people that I have ever suggested a fanny pack to.

I probably wouldn't look out of place with your other garb, and may be a bit more secure.

M

 

[QuestionEverything]

Jeff: No need to sew, the inside of the bag already has a strip of velcro running around the rim. Only issue with a holster is that it would result in the gun being quite visible when the bag is open, and when I'm working other people often have plenty of opportunities to see inside. With no holster the gun could be enveloped between layers of the bag and only the lanyard would visibly stick out. Also, even if there is a holster, the lanyard would allow me to pull the gun out of the bag without having to slip my hand into it.

Cheaptrick: I've mostly tried inside-the-pants holsters, which require that I wear a jacket or at least a loose overshirt and can sometimes be noticed when I sit down. Shoulder holsters would be great when I'm wearing a bulky coat, but that isn't often and I never know when I might need to take it off. I'm just getting started with handguns, and while it's easy to carry concealed if your gun is small enough, it's not comfortable for me to shoot with a weapon whose grip doesn't reach the bottom of my hand. I'd prefer to use something full-sized, and the camera bag option seems like a great way to accomodate that.

ExMA: I wear the bag continuously, the only time I set it down is if I'm in a studio environment or taking many shots in a single location where I know it's secure. If someone sucker-punched me they would have as much access to my main bag as they would to a fanny pack. I knew fanny-packs were a popular carry option and I thought, "hey, my bag is just a giant version of the same..."

 

[XavierBreath]

I used a similar system with my medical bag when I would enter dangerous tenaments to see patients. My bag was actually one I purchased that way, but it did effectively conceal a 1911 while i had a P32 on my body. The strange thing is.....which was the back-up gun?

 

[carpettbaggerr]

So, walking into a client's house, and the lanyard snags on the doorframe "clunk" .

Bratty kid sees lanyard hanging out and pulls, hmmmm what's this?

It would work, or could be made to work, but I'd agree with the ex-MA Hole. Off-body carry is much less secure generally. Easier to forget it somewhere, easier to have it stolen or misplaced. And a camera bag is much more likely target for snatch-and-grabs.

 

[hso]

You may want to reconsider the advantages and disadvantages that a fanny pack holster has vs. the camera bag.

You need never take it off or set it down except when you get home.

The largest valuable item you carry is the camera bag and that would be the target for a thief.

The fanny pack would be worn the same way every day while the camera bag may be in any number of positions wrt to your strong side. Having the fanny pack in the same orientation facilitates drawing speed.

You can actually find fanny packs designed to carry handguns with easy access features to speed the draw.

You could easily argue that you take the camera bag with you everywhere, but if you look at all the non job related trips you make (would you carry the camera bag into the grocery store?) they may be rather more numerous than the times you carry the bag. A fanny pack with a small digital is a very reasonable thing for a dedicated and enthusiastic photographer to have at all times.

 

[Abby]

I can understand wanting to carry with your bag - having once had the sort of job that required a camera, I realize you train yourself to keep the bag on your shoulder.

There may be better alternatives, but if that is what you want to do... a company called MaxPedition (which makes very cool stuff - I'm still debating getting one of their Jumbo Versipacks and insisting it qualifies as a purse ) makes a $10 "universal holster" that's basically a little velcro harness to attach your gun to other pieces of velco.

I'd try using something like that before I started attaching hanging cords. There's nothing wrong with a good lanyard, but long ago and far away I discovered that they WILL catch on anything, and at inopportune moments. Plus, I dislike having a naked handgun rattling around in a bag. It just someone doesn't seem entirely like a smart idea.

 

[Sistema1927]

I don't think that off body carry is a good idea, but that is just me. I can think of a hundred different reasons why I would put the bag down during the day, and a hundred different ways to be disarmed.

Have you tried pocket carry? A S&W J-Frame, or a small semi-auto (like a Kahr PM9) carry very easily (for me at least) in a strong side pocket holster. I carry a PM9 just about every day in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster, and I don't find it to be uncomfortable, obtrusive, or revealing. I don't have to adjust my wardrobe, and I can carry this way every season of the year. Gaining access to my weapon is as simple and easy as sticking my hand in my pocket.

 

[beardxxxd]

I've always viewed bags /purses / bookbags as a real disadvantage if it got phyical.

If you leave it over one shoulder someone can easily quickly run by and take it from you.

Over your shoulder and across your body.
Choking hazzard, you can really man handle someone larger than you from behind, if they have a book bag on.

spend over $60 and get a nice comfortable holster.. i think you'll be better off.

 

[Mad Magyar]

I'm trying to be kind here....It is utterly preposterous!
One doesn't need an over-active imagination to describe all the bad variables in this situation...
It's kind of strange, I was crucified for sacrificing a milisecond to "rack-a-slide" and this scenario gets a "free-pass"...
Jeff, somewhat surprised and disappointed by your reply....

Edit: Jeff, if the situation calls for off-body, no problem here....Thanks...

 

[Jeff White]

It's not for us to judge everyone's personal lifestyle and situation. There are times when off body carry may be the only way for a person to carry.

Jeff

 

[QuestionEverything]

Well, I haven't dismissed on-body carry as an option; this is just a method I thought up that would allow me to easily carry a full-sized pistol with little chance of it being seen. I actually carry an umbrella inside the bag now with a lanyard that dangles out, and because of the construction of the bag and the way I carry it it never gets caught on things. For the pistol to emerge from the bag, the lanyard would have to be pulled at an upwards angle, which would prevent most accidental pulls from being a problem.

The bag would be a target for thieves, which is the main reason I'd want to carry the pistol. I'm not too worried about running into shootouts on my way to the bank or the grocery store, but some gigs require that I walk through iffy neighborhoods late at night with thousands worth of equipment slung over my shoulder. The bag and its strap are big enough that if anyone tried to grab the bag and pull it away from me, I'd be pulled right with it. I've already trained myself to quickly draw the camera, so I thought: why not a gun as well?

 

[Zundfolge]

I've been carrying for several years now, and I've learned a few things.


First off, if you're going to carry, you need to come up with a method that allows you to carry as close to 24/7/365 as possible. Just like a seatbelt, you're most likely to need a gun when you decide not to carry one.

Second, the leather holster has been the preferred method of handgun conveyance for more than the last two centuries for a reason, they work and a well made, molded holster works REAL WELL.

Third, With the proper choice of gun, holster and belt you can comfortably conceal and carry a pistol in any style of dress (with some caveats of course ... if you must tuck in a shirt, that does limit your carry some).


When I first started carrying, I figured I knew better than all these old farts who had been doin' it for years and that a quality molded leather IWB holster was just a silly and expensive extravagance ... there had to be a "better" way to carry. After years of messing with belly bands and other "unique carry methods" I came to realize that plopping down the cash with a good custom holster maker is the smartest thing to do.

For your CZ I recommend HBE Leatherworks (Eric posts here as PCRCCW if you want to PM him or something).

Well, I haven't dismissed on-body carry as an option; this is just a method I thought up that would allow me to easily carry a full-sized pistol with little chance of it being seen.

Plenty of people do it with a quality molded leather holster every day. In addition, plenty of folk in these forums who open carry daily will tell you that people just don't see guns, so its much easier to hide a gun than you'd think. Even a full size one (although a compact is easier ... and CZ makes a few real nice compacts ... the P01, the CZ-75 compact and the tiny little RAMI)

 

[rogerjames]

Check out Coronadoleather.com. They make vests, purses, messenger bags, wallet/clutches, men's shoulder bags, fanny packs etc. Most bags come with specific pocket designated for CCW with included holster and easy pull leather strap to quickly unzip pocket. Would rather have gun in bag then at home because of difficult CCW. Might also consider small pocket carry gun such as Kel-Tec P-3AT, holds 7 rounds .380 and weighs only 8oz, easy conceal in pocket.

 

[expvideo]

I've considered doing a similar project with a messanger bag, since the summers seem to keep getting hotter, and it's not always easy to conceal a full size service pistol in jeans and a t-shirt... I was thinking about stitching in a kydex holster, and kydex mag and tac-light pouches. I hate to admit it, but I was inspired by the show 24... still, I didn't like the idea of loosly carrying everything in the bag.

A couple things for you to consider:

1. Will you always have the bag on you, or will you be setting it down? I wouldn't recommend putting a gun in there if you plan to set it down at all. Especially if people are going to be looking in your bag, or be able to reach inside.

2. You carry a photography bag, so it would seem rather natural to wear a tech-vest. If you wear a vest a gun would be very easy to conceal in either a regular holster or a shoulder rig.

3. Another idea would be to forget the lanyard, and put a full size pistol in the bag, along with a few reloads, without worrying about ease of getting to them. Then get a smaller pistol to carry on you. That way you can have an easily concealed (more comfortable) gun that you can use to "fight your way to cover", where you can access a more combat-ready gun.

Any way you plan to go, please keep safety in mind. It sounds like an interesting project and I wish you the best of luck. Hopefully you found some of my advise helpful.

 

[gcerbone]

Have you considered a Safepacker by The Wilderness? Either in the bag, to cover the pistol, or on the belt? All the benefits of a fannypack without looking like a fannypack.

 

[Lonestar]

I've been thinking about a way to carry concealed that would be less obtrusive and more comfortable than most, so I thought I'd air it here before trying it. Most of the time I'm out and about, I have a gargantuan camera bag slung over my shoulder

If your a guy, that is not taking pictures, people will look at you funny. You will basically be carry around a man-purse .

Be a man and get a smaller gun like a P3at.

 

[Exmasonite]

I have the maxpedition jumbo versapack which is touted as a concealed carry platform:

http://www.maxpedition.com/product/product_vp_jumbo.htm

Btw, it also is a great camera bag, too.

Anyways, i use the pack a lot but I almost always carry my gun separately IWB.

My thought is this:

Should somebody attempt to rob me, there focus is going to be on getting the nice bag on my shoulder (if it's a camera bag, then they think they're scoring a nice camera). Right off the bat, i'm at a disadvantage if my gun is in the bag. Their focus is on that bag and separating me from it (thus separating me from my firearm, bad times).
I'd rather be able to hand over the bag to appease the BG (if he has the drop on me, pray all he wants is the bag and let him go) or use it as a diversion to escape/draw on the BG.

just my $.02

 

[jeepmor]

Find a good holster

Holster is my recommendation also. IWB's are nice, OWB even more comfortable. I just got my HBE holster(s). Very, very nice, quite comfy, give any quality holster a hard look once you find your pistol.


If a guy tries to snatch your bag, are you going to be able to get that lanyard in time? Holstered, you hang on to bag strap with one hand, draw with other, perp lets go of bag and bolts. Even if he gets your bag, he does not get a pistol too.

If this is the only way you will consider carrying your pistol, I suggest a clip on the lanyard to put on a belt loop while it's over your shoulder for certain scenarios where you might be at risk. Dude bolts with your bag, your gun gets drawn for you. Size lanyard accordingly to keep it from bouncing on the ground and more importantly, your knee cap. Position accordingly in your bag and leave part of the cover unzipped.

jeepmor

 

[Mad Magyar]

"If you are forced by circumstances to abandon using a holster and choose instead to use an alternative carry mode--such as a fanny pack, day planner, briefcase, tote bag, vest with holster pockets, belly band or, worse case, simply carrying it in your vehicle--you are, for all practical purposes, unarmed!"

 

[QuestionEverything]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'm thinking I'll just get a good holster and keep the gun at the 5 o'clock IWB position, though I may practice the bag carry method and use it if I have no other way to conceal the piece.

 

[miko]

I carried a 3-inch K-frame and H&K P2000 in an vertical underarm holster under my fine cotton dress shirt - without a jacket. Nobody noticed it, and I am quite a slender build.

I have to open one button on my chest in order to get to the gun.

A holster can be improved somewhat for such kind or carry. I raised the attachment points a bit and an elastic strap across the chest would help to keep it tighter to the body.

In a similar way, an IWB holster inside the shirt would work, also requirng one open button.

If you are really serious, you can re-sew the button to the outside.

I would not carry weapons in a camara bag.

miko

 

[redneckdan]

I use my camera bag as a carry option if need be. One incident was a trip to the porkies when it was so hot the only option was shirtless and shorts. So I tucked the 1911 into the spot where my 300mm usually goes and nobody noticed.