Looking for a good side/fanny pack holster

Dimensio · February 19th, 2007, 12:32 PM

I just got my KY CCW permit two weeks ago, and I finally became a law-abiding (er, does speeding count against that?) gun owner as of last Thursday.

Now I'm looking for a good means of carrying.

I picked up a Springfield Armory XD compact .45 ACP (and I would have gone subcompact had such a model existed in .45ACP). The "XD Gear" kit includes a holster, but the gun fits a bit too tight even with adjustment, and the jacket that I wear is just a little too short, leaving less than an inch of it all exposed. I can hide it if I'm careful (and, in fact, I have been doing that), but I'd rather have a more effective solution.

I have considered a below-waistband gun belt, but I need to lose about 10 or 20 pounds before that option will be viable with anything in my wardrobe, and even then I'm not sure how comfortable things would be.

I've come to the conclusion that a fanny or sidepack holster would be the best universal, all-weather solution for concealment, especially since I have actually needed such a pack for carrying other things even before I had my CCW permit. I'm now looking for a good model that can hold a firearm the size of an XD compact and also a few other things, with a design allowing for fast and easy draw. I have seen a few promising models out there, but what I find lacking are reviews of anything. Does anyone here know of a product that might fit my needs?

clifford3355 · February 19th, 2007, 01:41 PM

Check out BLACKHAWK.COM I got a real nice one on close out.

OPFOR · February 19th, 2007, 01:49 PM

http://www.eagleindustries.com/prd_d...eld=fanny+pack
This is what we are issued. While I don't personnally like fanny-pack carry, I have been forced to do it from time to time (and to qualify with my duty pistol drawing from this pack), and this is a quality piece of kit. Quick, secure, extra space, the whole nine yards.

retsupt99 · February 19th, 2007, 03:35 PM

There are so many fannypacks...you just have to search the I-net...
For your comfort, I'd keep it small and possible a color...green, brown, etc.
You don't need 'extra' compartments, just a place to put the gun and a spare mag...

OMO

ret

sass20485 · February 19th, 2007, 07:38 PM

I've got a fairly basic one at the local gunshow a few months back for around $30, all leather with couple of pouches/compartments and has a nylon holster on a velcro panel. so you can adjust the way the gun sits. If gunshows are common in your area, might want to give a try, so you can actually touch, feel and try on to see how it will work for you. You could even try your gun in it.

Mine opens fairly easy with the double zippers, but it not a speed rig for sure. I use it on the bike trail. Could also blend in places were folks might commonly have such a bag/pouch here in tourist mecca, Orlando. I also use it, sans gun, when heading out of town on a plane. I toss all my stuff that would otherwise be in my pockets and all metal items to pass through security. Keeps everything in one neat place.
It has no label of any kind, or I give you the brand.

Mine is a SMALL, and holds my Glock 27, Kahr K40 nicely.

fed_wif_a_sig · February 19th, 2007, 07:57 PM

Love my Eagle and Blackhawk fanny packs for certain situations but the DeSantis ones are better at not looking like gun bags.

OldMick · February 19th, 2007, 08:17 PM

Galco makes a nice one, too:

paramedic70002 · February 20th, 2007, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clifford3355

Check out BLACKHAWK.COM I got a real nice one on close out.

Since I can't wear the POLICE label, it would be nice if they offered options.

EMS (heh, heh)

SHERIFF (yeah I know Sheriffs are police, sort of)

CCW/CHP/CWP/PERMIT/whatever your state uses

YOU LOOKIN AT ME? (my favorite)

GET DOWN

PEACE BE WITH YOU

ALLAH AKBAR (sorry couldn't resist)

Dimensio · February 20th, 2007, 12:48 PM

Thanks for all of the replies.

I'd been looking at a few Blackhawk offerings, so I like seeing some recommendations. I would like to have something where I can keep more than a gun in it, in part because it would make it seem less like a 'hidden gun' case and also because I tend to carry around a lot of crap and I often run out of pockets (even with my jacket pockets).

My major concern, above all others, is size. I knew at the time of purchase that I was getting an above-average sized firearm for concealed carry, but now I'm trying to make sure that any case that I have will fit the gun. I have found a few models that appear to be of dimensions just a bit bigger than the gun itself (7.3"x5"), and they do look okay, but they often seem to be fitted for a specific style or model firearm.

TwistedMonkey · February 20th, 2007, 03:03 PM

Just so you do realize most fanny packs that are large enough to carry a weapon....scream GUN!
FWIW

February 19th, 2007, 12:32 PM	#1
Dimensio Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 33	Looking for a good side/fanny pack holster I just got my KY CCW permit two weeks ago, and I finally became a law-abiding (er, does speeding count against that?) gun owner as of last Thursday. Now I'm looking for a good means of carrying. I picked up a Springfield Armory XD compact .45 ACP (and I would have gone subcompact had such a model existed in .45ACP). The "XD Gear" kit includes a holster, but the gun fits a bit too tight even with adjustment, and the jacket that I wear is just a little too short, leaving less than an inch of it all exposed. I can hide it if I'm careful (and, in fact, I have been doing that), but I'd rather have a more effective solution. I have considered a below-waistband gun belt, but I need to lose about 10 or 20 pounds before that option will be viable with anything in my wardrobe, and even then I'm not sure how comfortable things would be. I've come to the conclusion that a fanny or sidepack holster would be the best universal, all-weather solution for concealment, especially since I have actually needed such a pack for carrying other things even before I had my CCW permit. I'm now looking for a good model that can hold a firearm the size of an XD compact and also a few other things, with a design allowing for fast and easy draw. I have seen a few promising models out there, but what I find lacking are reviews of anything. Does anyone here know of a product that might fit my needs?

February 19th, 2007, 01:41 PM	#2
clifford3355 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: N.Jackson,Ohio Posts: 21	Fanny Pack Check out BLACKHAWK.COM I got a real nice one on close out.

February 19th, 2007, 01:49 PM	#3
OPFOR VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: DC, for the moment Posts: 2,760	http://www.eagleindustries.com/prd_d...eld=fanny+pack This is what we are issued. While I don't personnally like fanny-pack carry, I have been forced to do it from time to time (and to qualify with my duty pistol drawing from this pack), and this is a quality piece of kit. Quick, secure, extra space, the whole nine yards. __________________ "It makes no difference what men think of war, said the judge. War endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be. That way and not some other way."

February 19th, 2007, 03:35 PM	#4
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 22,822	Search On-Line... There are so many fannypacks...you just have to search the I-net... For your comfort, I'd keep it small and possible a color...green, brown, etc. You don't need 'extra' compartments, just a place to put the gun and a spare mag... OMO ret __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

February 19th, 2007, 07:57 PM	#6
fed_wif_a_sig Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denton, TX Posts: 1,369	Love my Eagle and Blackhawk fanny packs for certain situations but the DeSantis ones are better at not looking like gun bags. __________________ Steve "Respect all ... Fear none!!!

February 19th, 2007, 07:38 PM	#5
sass20485 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,937	I've got a fairly basic one at the local gunshow a few months back for around $30, all leather with couple of pouches/compartments and has a nylon holster on a velcro panel. so you can adjust the way the gun sits. If gunshows are common in your area, might want to give a try, so you can actually touch, feel and try on to see how it will work for you. You could even try your gun in it. Mine opens fairly easy with the double zippers, but it not a speed rig for sure. I use it on the bike trail. Could also blend in places were folks might commonly have such a bag/pouch here in tourist mecca, Orlando. I also use it, sans gun, when heading out of town on a plane. I toss all my stuff that would otherwise be in my pockets and all metal items to pass through security. Keeps everything in one neat place. It has no label of any kind, or I give you the brand. Mine is a SMALL, and holds my Glock 27, Kahr K40 nicely.

February 19th, 2007, 08:17 PM	#7
OldMick Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 131	Galco makes a nice one, too:

February 20th, 2007, 12:48 PM	#9
Dimensio Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 33	Thanks for all of the replies. I'd been looking at a few Blackhawk offerings, so I like seeing some recommendations. I would like to have something where I can keep more than a gun in it, in part because it would make it seem less like a 'hidden gun' case and also because I tend to carry around a lot of crap and I often run out of pockets (even with my jacket pockets). My major concern, above all others, is size. I knew at the time of purchase that I was getting an above-average sized firearm for concealed carry, but now I'm trying to make sure that any case that I have will fit the gun. I have found a few models that appear to be of dimensions just a bit bigger than the gun itself (7.3"x5"), and they do look okay, but they often seem to be fitted for a specific style or model firearm.

February 20th, 2007, 03:03 PM	#10
TwistedMonkey Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Minneapolis, Mn Posts: 109	Just so you do realize most fanny packs that are large enough to carry a weapon....scream GUN! FWIW

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