no holster. can i open carry a bag?

[space cat]

my typical year-round daily wear is shorts and tshirts. i'm about 5'9", 150 pounds. just sticking a practice gun in my waistband creates lots of printing. i haven't had the cash to put into holster experimentation, but i've been carrying in one of those little triangular padded zipper bag you can get from academy for $5. usually i just carry it from my house to the car this way and stash it in the car or laptop bag. but can i legally carry these in public, especially into chl legal places (malls, stores, etc)? it's technically concealed, and unmarked, but i still feel uncomfortable going full public. the first couple time i took it out my mom was with me and she thought i was carry a cash bag to make a bank deposit! one friend who knew what those triangular pouches typically held called me out instantly. what do you guys/gals think?

[Sangiovese]

A fanny pack would serve the same purpose, wouldn't be as obvious, and would leave your hands free.

[RPB]

my typical year-round daily wear is shorts and tshirts. i'm about 5'9", 150 pounds. just sticking a practice gun in my waistband creates lots of printing. i haven't had the cash to put into holster experimentation, but i've been carrying in one of those little triangular padded zipper bag you can get from academy for $5. usually i just carry it from my house to the car this way and stash it in the car or laptop bag. but can i legally carry these in public, especially into chl legal places (malls, stores, etc)? it's technically concealed, and unmarked, but i still feel uncomfortable going full public. the first couple time i took it out my mom was with me and she thought i was carry a cash bag to make a bank deposit! one friend who knew what those triangular pouches typically held called me out instantly. what do you guys/gals think?

just sticking a practice gun in my waistband

Please do not do that, it's irresponsible and dangerous.

i haven't had the cash to put into holster experimentation, but i've been carrying in one of those little triangular padded zipper bag you can get from academy for $5.

For just a bit more you can get an ACE CASE or similar tuckable holster
http://www.bing.com/shopping/suede-tuck ... CA&lppc=16" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

DeSantis Nemesis Pocket Holsters are only about $17.

Keep chapstick/keys/fingers/loose items out of the trigger guard with a holster. If you carry in a fanny pack/bacg/sack/computer case etc don't put "other stuff" in a pocket/pouch beside it to get into the trigger guard if only separated by fabric. even carrying in a briefcase, backpack, purse, pocket, fanny pack or sack requires a holster of some sort.

Any 2 Holsters for $20
(includes shipping & handling*)
http://acecase.com/mix-match-holsters-a ... s-s-h.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://acecase.com/pconf.php?productid=17409" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can get "better" holsters later, but don't be the guy on the news who "accidentally" shot a lady at the store when his gun dropped ... as he didn't carry in a holster

[ClarkLZeuss]

I agree, the triangular gun pouches are pretty recognizable to a lot of people, which pretty well defeats the purpose of "concealed." It's still legal AFAIK, but maybe not the most tactical method of concealment.

I was just at a gun store yesterday and they had cheap nylon IWB holsters for $10. Not great retention, and you wouldn't be able to reholster one-handed, but it protects the trigger which is the most important thing. Even if you desire to carry off-body in a fanny pack or a man-purse ("It's European!" /Seinfeld) your gun should ALWAYS be holstered if it's loaded. I can certainly understand saving up money for a nice holster - there's a High Noon holster for $200 I would love to be able to afford. But the "savings" of having no holster at all, not even a cheapy, are far outweighed by the risks.

[MoJo]

+1 for a fanny pack especially if your normal dress is shorts and shirt. It wouldn't look out of place. If you are carrying a small gun how about pocket carry?

[Medic218]

What are you carrying? Can you pocket carry it?
Just to reiterate...DO NOT STICK IT IN YOU WAISTBAND W/O A HOLSTER!!!!!!

Also, have you looked at the Maxpedition Gearslingers?
You can get a smaller one and carry your gun and a bunch of other stuff or get one that is as big as a regular back pack.
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/GEA ... ies-c2.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[stroo]

Wilderness safepacker would work well too.

[RoyGBiv]

I have several hundred dollars invested in holsters..... and this is the one I find myself using most frequently when I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt.. http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Product ... softy.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

$30.00 plus shipping. In-stock item. The steel clip is EXCELLENT.
Can't always say that about belt clips, but this one really is very good.

[snatchel]

What kind of gun are you carrying? I have several quality holsters I am getting read to sell, but i'd gladly make a donation to you if it'll fit. I'd rather be out a few bucks than see you shoot yourself in the butt/junk

[space cat]

hahaha, man, you guys crack me up! yeah, i'm totally scared of shooting myself in the butt! actually, the 'practice gun' was a little plastic toy walther ppk replica so they worst that could've happened was a scratch on my back or butt. some of the issues mentioned i have already considered, but there are many good points brought up too.

i have a shield and glock 23. i've stuck a blue glock in my pocket and it's way too huge and i wear pretty baggy shorts, even for size 32 waist. so pocket carry, unfortunately, doesn't seem like it would happen. cargo carry would probably pull my shorts down!

i've been thinking about getting one of the pocket holsters since it seems like the best setup for a laptop messenger bag. thanks for the links! mr softy looks like it might work for that application. i can't say fanny packs or manpurses are my style, but i'd probably go man purse first.

snatchel, i'd totally take you up on your offer if it would work with my gear! i'd really appreciate it!!!

thanks everyone for your advice! i was mostly concerned about the legality of walking around with something that other might recognized as 'definitely a gunbag', but got some good food for thought!

[snatchel]

hahaha, man, you guys crack me up! yeah, i'm totally scared of shooting myself in the butt! actually, the 'practice gun' was a little plastic toy walther ppk replica so they worst that could've happened was a scratch on my back or butt. some of the issues mentioned i have already considered, but there are many good points brought up too.

i have a shield and glock 23. i've stuck a blue glock in my pocket and it's way too huge and i wear pretty baggy shorts, even for size 32 waist. so pocket carry, unfortunately, doesn't seem like it would happen. cargo carry would probably pull my shorts down!

i've been thinking about getting one of the pocket holsters since it seems like the best setup for a laptop messenger bag. thanks for the links! mr softy looks like it might work for that application. i can't say fanny packs or manpurses are my style, but i'd probably go man purse first.

snatchel, i'd totally take you up on your offer if it would work with my gear! i'd really appreciate it!!!

thanks everyone for your advice! i was mostly concerned about the legality of walking around with something that other might recognized as 'definitely a gunbag', but got some good food for thought!

What kind of holster are you looking for? The only thing I have that would fit your G23 is a CTAC Minotaur, and it is not for sale. I don't use it much... hardly at all actually, it actually needs to be broken in.

Tell you what, why don't you PM me your address and name, i'll send it over for you to test-drive/break in for me. Once you get the funds scraped together to pick up your own holster you can send it back to me. I'm really in no rush to get it back, so I'm not going to be broken hearted if you hold on to it for 6 months or whatever.... whenever you get it back to me is fine. I prefer appendix carry and have other holsters for that, and when I'm not carrying appendix I carry OWB.

Sound like a plan to you?

Here is the link:

http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=95" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[WildBill]

I can certainly understand saving up money for a nice holster - there's a High Noon holster for $200 I would love to be able to afford. But the "savings" of having no holster at all, not even a cheapy, are far outweighed by the risks.

Well said Mr. Zeuss.

[AlfaBrewer]

My wife's shield works great in a Sticky holster for pocket or IWB (SOB or appendix) on me (5'9", 180lbs).

She's still trying to figure out how to carry it, though (5'7", 140). She doesn't want to purse-carry, so that's made it a little more interesting trying to conceal it under her typical snug female clothing.