Fanny pack

[Emmett]

Does anyone use a fanny pack holster? How do you like it?
Thank You for the input.
Emmett

[Greybeard]

I do not wear a fanny pack on a regular basis, but have aquired have 3 different kinds for various uses over the years. One of the uses is for "demo purposes" in CHL classes.

I commonly carry the biggest of the three empty under the back seat of pickup and use it to load up all of my "personal stuff" (camera, checkbook, pepper spray, etc.) when about to take a road trip in someone elses vehicle. Kind of a "man's purse", more often carried than actually worn.

On another one (more vertical), I modified the internal holster to be able to carry a Glock 19 with mounted flashlight, a spare magazine - and an extra flashlight - somewhat of a "go bag" for the rare times I do have to leave on short notice and be more heavily loaded than normal.

[motleystew]

I bought one at Cabela's and I really like it when I travel. I also wear it when I walk around the neighborhood for exercise at night.

[Dragonfighter]

I have used fanny packs for a long time as a daily carry (I'm fat and have not found a good carry holster for me), and a belly band when dressing nice.

The pack I use now is a Merlin. It is ambidexterous and conceals the size of the weapon by allowing the barrel to slide into the waist band. I use the other side for a spare mag and carry a G23 in it. Most people that know I carry are surprised that the pack is where it is at.

Practice drawing, every pack is a bit different. I can clear and get a sight picture in just over a second...when I'm ready. the zipper is also very quiet.

[Jungle Work]

Outstanding way to carry, been doing it for about 15 years in the summer, late spring and early fall.

I wear shorts, a T-shirt, sandols/tennis shoes and a baseball cap during these times. I carry a Glock 19, extra mag, pepper spray, cell phone and a small flashlight in it. The complete ensemble for the stylish Retired LEO in the sweaty hot Texas Summer. At the last Police Olympics I attended in San Antionio, it looked like a Butt Pack Convention down town along the river.

Jungle Work

[jimlongley]

I have three and I wish I could replace my favorite. It has buckles on both sides of the pack, one is the belt and the other opens the pack. when I carried using it I carried my wallet, keys, etc in it to foster the illusion that that's what it was for. It fit a full size 1911 without a problem.

[Emmett]

Thanks for the imput. I picked one up a Sportsmans Warehouse the other day for the simple fact, As some of you know here in Texas it get hot and sticky humid. I ware alot of shorts and t shirts, and there is not a lot of ways to carry concealed. I thought that would be a good way to carry and still be comfortable.
Thanks,
Emmett

[OverEasy]

I use one alot. I like it and I care what anybody thinks. I can carry lots of extras that I couldn't fit in my pants pockets.
Jimlongly, Tommy's Gun Pack was what you described and you just missed a sale.
Regards, OE

[packina45]

Fanny packs (and 5.11 vests) scream GUN! Ask any cop.

[tallmike]

Fanny packs (and 5.11 vests) scream GUN! Ask any cop.

Only to those who are tuned in. I know I was carrying in a fanny pack once and a cop I was speaking with was surprised to learn it held a gun.

[Right2Carry]

Fanny packs (and 5.11 vests) scream GUN! Ask any cop.

Funny, I have yet to hear a fanny pack scream anything.

[packina45]

Fanny packs (and 5.11 vests) scream GUN! Ask any cop.

Only to those who are tuned in. I know I was carrying in a fanny pack once and a cop I was speaking with was surprised to learn it held a gun.

Go over to policelink.com and peruse the "ask a cop" forum....

[TX Rancher]

The issue of whether a fanny pack screams gun may not matter too many folks that carry under CHL. After all, quite a few people on this forum are for open carry, and that definitely screams gun . For them, why would a fanny pack be an issue?

It was also stated that cops will know you are carrying, but is that necessarily a bad thing? As long as the weapon is “concealed� you’re legal. Yes, there are probably cops that would hassle you about a weapon, but I suspect they are few and the odds you will run into them are small (but they are out there, I think I ran into one once ).

The bad guys will know you’re packing! Well, maybe…and this goes back to the whole open carry vs concealed carry discussion. If they know you are packing, are you at more or less risk (and let’s not hi-jack this thread and turn it into another OC/CC discussion, that’s been beat to death several times already )

I have two fanny packs that get occasional use (one for me and one for my wife). On trips, I use mine to carry a second weapon and extra mags, and it’s never caused any problems when checking into hotels, so it at least doesn’t scream gun in the average hotel lobby.

I also use it when I’m custom cutting hay. I don’t actually wear it, I hang it in the cab of the tractor. When I go to town, I transfer the weapon to my holster and I’m on my way.

The only reason I don’t use it more is I never developed the ability for a fast presentation…I’m just faster from the belt (4:00 or appendix) and since I believe many encounters happen at bad breath distances, speed could prove very important.

Maybe it would be of value to post some pro’s and con’s to fanny pack carry. Following is a very short list to get things rolling.

Pro’s:

Easily carry large frame pistols.
Can be used when wearing outfits that do not use a belt
Meets the legal definition of concealed
Most packs represent a high level of weapons retention
If you have to de-arm in public, your weapon is never visible while you secure the pack

Con’s:

A lower level of concealment when compared to traditional carry
Reduced speed of presentation

Let’s add to the list…maybe this will prove useful to those that have not yet made up their minds.

[jimlongley]

Jimlongly, Tommy's Gun Pack was what you described and you just missed a sale.
Regards, OE

Yup, that's the one. I bought mine at a gun show years ago and it has no labels or other identifying marks. I have searched for another for some time and it may be that the "news" that they are back is the reason I couldn't find one.

Now I know what to ask my wife to get me for Christmas.

Of course she stopped shopping a week ago.

[SkipB]

I have never thought much about one but after reading these post I may have to take a hard look at one.