5.11 Select Carry Pistol Pouch. Opinions, experiences?

[possum]

Alright so I normally carry IWB, strong side, in a good holster, and with a good belt, however in the near future i will be doing a lot of physical activity, IE the SAV GA bridge run, a week vacation in FL where we are riding bikes every where, and a Kayak trip to boot. Additionally my wife is a 4 time triathlete, therefore i foresee many bike rides, trail runs, and other things in the future when i return to the states.

So this is my thinking:

During the bridge run i won't be wearing conventional clothes for carry and a good belt, because that would make it suck even worse that it will already.

For the kayak trip with the life vest on that might concealing the handgun hard, and not very easy to deploy with the vest in the way.

One the trip to fl, it will be hard to conceal the gun in the usual manner on a bike and especially with "comfortable" clothes for riding a bike around all week.

Of course i will train with it prior to using it in the real world the first time. So i think that will tell me a lot right there. work with it "dry" first and then at the range.

Here is a link
http://www.lapolicegear.com/511-select-carry-pistol-pouch.html

Here are a few questions:

1) Do any of you have this, and if so what do you think about it?

2) Do you think it will be a good solution for my needs?

3) Does it scream "I have a gun" to you? If you didn't know what it was for would it make you think gun? And if so is that because it is blatantly obvious or because of your mindset and the fact that you know that there are people that carry this way?

Now i am not normally one for fanny packs but this one doesn't to me anyway scream "i am carrying a gun", and it actually looks pretty nice, unlike most fanny packs that i see. With that said, it well be worn across my shoulder not around my waist. Not only can i carry my gun, a flashlight, and a spare magazine, but i can also carry say a camera, my phone, my keys etc, without needed pants or shorts that i would normally wear, which is not very conducive to physical activity.

 

[calvin13]

I carry all the time when I am not doing those activities.

I would think that running and riding you could use a SOB holster. Kayaking most vests have a pocket with hock and loop and you could use a lanyard to make sure that you do not loose it in case of an off the boat excursion.

 

[lloveless]

The SOB holster is not conducive to good health should you fall on your back. There are handlebar bags that are inexpensive $11.00 that may do what is necessary. Walmart Eastport fanny packs($6.00)have worked for carrying snubs over the years without screaming GUN. This is especially so in touristy areas. Everyone else has one too. I have yet to have to "draw" my weapon in this configuration, but have satisfied myself that I can open and draw my weapon if my life depended on it.
I did have a Desantis Gunpack when they first came out. $70.00 I believe. Wore out the velcro opening and closeing it. It hid a S&W 439 plus one extra mag. They completely refurbished it for free, my son now has it for his glock 22. It was bigger than the Eastport, but the eastport is easier to replace.
ll

 

[kd7nqb]

I have looked at that same 5.11 pouch and I like it. They had them on sale a while back for like 16.99 and I should have picked one up. I think for the run and the bike riding a fanny pack would be totally acceptable and I expect not truly out of the ordinary.

As for the Kayak trip I would be tempted to say dont carry just based on the chance of ending up in the water and water not being awesome for your gun or ammo. I would find myself a good solid knife and go with that but its your call.

Also check out the wilderness tactical safepacker they are great setups

 

[K9american]

Take a look at Maxpedition gear - Versipack, Remora, Waist Packs, etc.

 

[possum]

The SOB holster is not conducive to good health should you fall on your back.

Not a fan of SOB holsters for this very reason. Additionally when I bike run etc, i do not wear pants and or a belt that is conducive to carry, so anything on the belt line is nit going to work for me.

As for the Kayak trip I would be tempted to say don't carry just based on the chance of ending up in the water and water not being awesome for your gun or ammo.

My gun and ammo will be fine, I have carried a gun and ammo in much much worse conditions. I could see if it was going to be salt water, and got on and stayed on the gun for long periods of time, but that is not the case.

I carry all the time when I am not doing those activities.

what kind of gun do you carry when you do this, and what kind of clothing are you wearing that allows for a solid carry solution that is comfortable for this kind of activity.

Kayaking most vests have a pocket with hock and loop and you could use a lanyard to make sure that you do not loose it in case of an off the boat excursion.

i do not know what the vest will or will not have, as i will not be using my own, additionally there are going to be other people around that i do not want to know that i am carrying.

 

[TimboKhan]

Like you, I am not a fan of fanny packs, but for the types of activities you describe I think it would be a pretty good solution. Besides, you can kind of justify it by merit of it also carrying stuff like your wallet, powerbars, keys or what ever else will fit in those two small side pockets. I also like that it accounts for spare mags, and I am sure you could slip a knife in there with no problem. I also like that it represents one solid solution to all those different activities.

I can not speak of the construction of this particular bag, but I can speak of the construction of 5.11 bags in general, and I think they are great. I own a 5.11 Rush 24 backpack that is easily the best general-use backpack I have ever owned. The construction is good, the internal organization is off the charts, and there are thoughtful design elements throughout. If this fanny pack is made even half as well as my Rush, you will be happy. I also just bought one of their small bug-out bags, which I am equally happy with.

 

[possum]

Timbokhan,
Thank you for your insights, and opinions, and i agree.

I also like that it represents one solid solution to all those different activities.

yeah that is what i was thinking also, not a handle bar bag here, and something different for kayaking, and something different for running. etc. that is one of the big draws of this product for me.

I can not speak of the construction of this particular bag, but I can speak of the construction of 5.11 bags in general, and I think they are great.

I agree, i own a lot of 5.11 gear, sometimes my wife thinks it is ridiculous how much i own. Anyway, i have been very pleased with the construction and durability of 5.11 gear.

Thanks again.

 

[ColdDeadHand]

Sounds like you're going to be wearing helmets, flotation devices, and spandex for a lot of this trip, as well as carrying a decent-sized backpack.

Might just be me, but I doubt anyone is going to notice a fanny pack in all of that.

 

[zoom6zoom]

I think in Florida they issue fanny packs to tourists at the state line if they don't have one.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

possum, I have one, and it works great for CCW. The tabs for pulling off the flap work great. I got one that came with the Select Carry sling bag that I use for school. You can wear it as part of the sling, or as the standalone fanny pack. I would not wear a fanny pack at all with normal clothes, but when PTing or riding a bike, it works great. I can keep my MilPro, a light, a spare mag, keys, CPL/DL/1 Credit card in this pack quite nicely. While it would indeed look odd with keans and polo, when wearing PT gear while running or biking, it blends in.

Remember, most people expect cyclists/runners to wear somewhat goofy clothes. A fanny pack won't draw anyone's eye when you're partaking in athletic endeavors.

Also, somewhat on topic; I'm not sure if just that Select Carry fanny pack counts as a "5.11 gear bag", but if it does, that boot/neck knife that you get for the sale on LApolicegear.com is pretty nice. It's kinda big for a neck knife, but it feels very solid in the hand. A good knife, especially when it's free.

 

[possum]

Ragnar,
Thank you, you are one of the first people that actually have one of these specific bags, so your input is very much appreciated. It is on order, and i will report back my findings after all the actiivities that i have planned.

 

[TimboKhan]

Remember, most people expect cyclists/runners to wear somewhat goofy clothes. A fanny pack won't draw anyone's eye when you're partaking in athletic endeavors.

You know, I never really thought about it before, but you are exactly right! I sort of do ignore bikers and runners when they are wearing something goofy that might draw my attention otherwise. In fact, some biker walked into the Kum and Go I was in the other day with a bottle belt on and I actually thought "Huh, that's a good idea". If someone (even that same guy) wearing dockers had walked in wearing the same thing, I would have thought "Ha. Dork."

 

[skifast]

I have been thinking about getting a Camelback Flashflo. It is a fanny pack with a bladder. It looks like it will hold a gun. As a hydration system, I don't think anyone would think I'm were carrying.

 

[MisterMike]

I'll qualify this by saying I haven't seen the 5.11 pack in person, but the photos look as though it has the "tactical" look that screams out "I've got a gun." If you're not concerned about being made, I'm sure it's a good product. Of course, 99% of the population is oblivious, so maybe that's not truly an issue.

DeSantis makes fanny pack holsters that are a little more generic in appearance. I'm sure there are others, as well.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I'll qualify this by saying I haven't seen the 5.11 pack in person, but the photos look as though it has the "tactical" look that screams out "I've got a gun." If you're not concerned about being made, I'm sure it's a good product. Of course, 99% of the population is oblivious, so maybe that's not truly an issue.

How many people besides police and other gun owners even know what the "tactical look" even is? I don't think I know a single person who isn't a police officer or fellow soldier who even knows the company 5.11 even exists much less what they make.

 

[Sgt_R]

Remember, most people expect cyclists/runners to wear somewhat goofy clothes. A fanny pack won't draw anyone's eye when you're partaking in athletic endeavors.

Exactly, a jogger or cyclist wearing a fanny pack doesn't get a second look from me. On the other hand, If I get close enough to see that 5.11 logo...

How many people besides police and other gun owners even know what the "tactical look" even is? I don't think I know a single person who isn't a police officer or fellow soldier who even knows the company 5.11 even exists much less what they make.

Oh yeah. If I get close enough to see that 5.11 logo, I'll think "hey, cool; he shops at the same place I do."

R