Anyone else carry off body?

JOELSM

JOELSM

Gold Member
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Aug 30, 2007
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I'll start by saying my preferred method of carry is either belt or pocket carry. That being said, I found myself occasionally in circumstances where neither method was viable. I found that when wearing slacks and a tucked shirt it was difficult to carry any of the handguns I own without a neon sign sized print in my pocket. (I have a SW J Frame, but even that prints heavy in some slacks). About 2 years ago I went on a quest looking for a discreet method of carry. I picked up a Tuff Tacllett, and have to say it's fit the bill quite nicely. It looks like a camera case at first glance, which is what most people do. It does have an exposed carrier for a flashlight and pen, which is a bit more of a "tell". Forgo carrying the light in the side sheath, and it's a very discreet method to carry. No Molle, no skulls, nothing that screams "tacticool". I purchased the optional shoulder strap that completes the package IMO. There are other colors, I went with black because that is a pretty standard color for a camera case.

I'm curious to learn/see other methods of discreet off body carry.

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There is a belt clip on the back that can be used to secure the rig for consistent position. You can use the clip w/o the shoulder strap, but I think the strap does a better job of making the rig look like a camera case.

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Side view with light in sheath.

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The top is secured with Velcro, grip the handle with your non-dominant hand and rip down while drawing with your dominate hand - similar to pulling your cover garment up while drawing....but an opposite motion.

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Hear it is fully open - G27 inside with an extra mag. My "European Carry All":)

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I have considered off-the-body carry, but don't find it advisable. For one, the first thing you will be relieved of in a robbery is your man purse and the gun it contains. Second, I know that over the course of my 51 years I have lost or misplaced many things that are very important to me, from wallet to keys to cash to cell phone to you name it. Point being that despite our best efforts, we are fallible humans who lose things or have them taken from us. Driving this point home for me was an off-duty female police officer who was robbed at a shopping mall less than a mile from my house. Predictably, the first thing the bad guy did was to relieve her of her purse - and the gun it contained.

Consider maybe a Ruger LCP or similar gun that can easily be carried in a pants pocket - even dress slacks - without printing. For me, a .380 in my pocket is better than the Glock 30 that was just taken from me or that I left on the chair at the Olive Garden. I know this isn't what you asked, but its just my take on things. Rock on.
 
Yeah, I know off body is a compromise - not interested in this thread turning into a off body vs belt vs pocket carry debate. Let's all agree up front that off body is not ideal. I'm interested in seeing other off body methods that compromise less than say carrying a gun in a hollowed out book.
 
Sure, the camera case I carry is actually a pistol case, so it seems natural to have a pistol in there. I have a small 2-pocket Gallati International case with a shoulder strap. I added a cut-down thick mouse pad to the bottom to better cushion delicate camera gear. Mr. ParaOrdnance 13-shot . 45 ACP rides in there very nicely.

One advantage of the room in the case is that I can have my hand on the pistol and ready to fire through the case while still keeping it totally concealed. So if someone sketchy starts approaching me, he can be in danger of having his ass shot without even thinking I'm armed.
 
I only carry off-body nowadays. It allows me to comfortably carry much larger equipment. For me, it's pretty much ideal.

Bible cases.
 
TimberWolf7.62 said:
Sure, the camera case I carry is actually a pistol case, so it seems natural to have a pistol in there. I have a small 2-pocket Gallati International case with a shoulder strap. I added a cut-down thick mouse pad to the bottom to better cushion delicate camera gear. Mr. ParaOrdnance 13-shot . 45 ACP rides in there very nicely.

One advantage of the room in the case is that I can have my hand on the pistol and ready to fire through the case while still keeping it totally concealed. So if someone sketchy starts approaching me, he can be in danger of having his ass shot without even thinking I'm armed.
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Any pics? Would love to see it.
 
I carry a G17, as well as a Surefire 6P and mag in a JanSport bag... the outside pouch holds some trauma gear... gloves, 4" Israeli bandage, Kerlix gauze, Quick Clot, CAT tourniquet, tape,petroleum gauze.... I carry a LCP in pocket, but the bag goes in the car unless I'm going to a school sporting event...



 
Les Snyder - do you have any sort of holster that secures the G19 in your Jansport? I imagine that set up is pretty discreet with the mag and light hidden away. Obviously larger than the Tacllett.
 
I feel your pain Joel. But the tactical man purse is a terrible idea.


Off body carry is the worst way to carry, period. Powernoodle's advice is good.


I too, work in a professional environment that makes CC difficult. My solution is also less than ideal for slacks... but a mitch rosen ankle holster with your J frame will work. Just be careful crossing your legs in mixed company. ;)

Ankle holsters are less than perfect but a far better solution than the MURSE. Granted, you will need to practice the draw... and it is more complicated than a traditional draw. But with practice it is probably less complicated than the MURSE draw. No zipers, etc...


.
 
I often carry in one of my Maxpedition bags.

Sometimes I holster carry front strong side, sometimes right side small of back, often right front pocket, or left ankle.

The maxpedition is faster for me to draw and present than ankle holster, but slower than IWB in certain situations.


One thing to consider, I can walk with hand on gun, in bag with no one the wiser, in a full grip. I did it today in a restaurant with about 75+ people , and no one noticed, not even my family (all 22 of them). No one noticed.

It can often mean having a gun vs not having one for me. Especially in Shorts and Tshirt weather.

It would be easier for me if I had a micro gun, but I don't.

My choices for CC are full sized Glock .40, or Ruger Sp101 bobbed hammer in .357 (not a dainty revolver).

I won't judge if you carry off body.
 
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The Maxpedition bags are great, I have one of their Typhoon day packs. They are a little too large for the circumstances I find myself sometimes needing to carry off body though.

Ankle carry is also less than ideal IMHO. It's never actually been an option for me due to a left hip impingement/injury. However, I just got my hip replaced and am week 2 in recovery. If I get full range of motion back, I just may play around with that carry method as well. Options are always good:)
 
If I could only carry my SP2022 here in Maryland I'd be a happy dude. I love this state but the gun laws are horrible. It's a shame.
 
Off body carry in most situations is less than ideal but if your case does afford you getting a full grip and being ready to fire that could the instance where this is the better carry option.

So there you go, maybe the man bag plus shoulder holster may be the way to go.
 
I prefer not to carry off body myself. The only time I do so is when I go bike riding as I carry it in a pack. Better than nothing but accessing it if the need arose would not be quick. Still trying to find something different for these instances.
 
I carry off body in a standard, well-used, black messenger bag which blends in Seattle. However, I have an XDM 45 3.8 in a retention holster. Off body is a compromise, but if it gets taken away, then BG would have to figure out the retention.
 
Barabus said:
I carry off body in a standard, well-used, black messenger bag which blends in Seattle. However, I have an XDM 45 3.8 in a retention holster. Off body is a compromise, but if it gets taken away, then BG would have to figure out the retention.
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Freakin Seattle, this is where the whole off body issue comes into play for me. My wife and I go to live theater there on a frequent basis. Dress is kinda formal. The smallest gun I own is a J-frame. My risk tolerance just won't let me roll into the downtown freak zone with a 5 shot snub-nose in my pocket. For me, the G-27 with an extra mag in the off body carry bag that looks like a smallish camera case is the compromise...There are a lot of dudes in Seattle that carry a murse, however I'm not thinking too many do so for conceal carry purposes;) Point being the Tacllett does a pretty good job of blending in.
 
JOELSM... no, and since the trigger is not covered by a dedicated holster, the pistol is not charged....I have a pretty good idea how to pick it out of the bag, and charge it
 
JOELSM said:
Freakin Seattle, this is where the whole off body issue comes into play for me. My wife and I go to live theater there on a frequent basis. Dress is kinda formal. The smallest gun I own is a J-frame. My risk tolerance just won't let me roll into the downtown freak zone with a 5 shot snub-nose in my pocket. For me, the G-27 with an extra mag in the off body carry bag that looks like a smallish camera case is the compromise...There are a lot of dudes in Seattle that carry a murse, however I'm not thinking too many do so for conceal carry purposes;) Point being the Tacllett does a pretty good job of blending in.
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That's me. With the murse. Blends pretty good. Have one with gore tex too so the XDM mags and black talons don't get wet. You think pioneer square or bell town is bad try walking around south seattle. I am not living in the hood but pretty close. Right over the hill.
 
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