Any suggestions for concealed carry?

[kmcintosh78]

Ok, so here is my situation. I have some planed family camping events planned later this spring and summer. I have some family members who are not anti's, but who would raise a stink if a firearm was brought. I, personally do not care what they think, but want to play nice, to an extent.
I have a Glock 23, and I am looking for something that can be used for this situation.

I have found the Maxpedition bags, and it looks like the Fatbag is the top choice, but the list is short so far.

Thanks

 

[AJChenMPH]

Is carrying IWB not an option? I've carried a G19 IWB wearing jeans and under a polo shirt and no one was the wiser (or at least, I wasn't aware that I'd been made).

 

[dovedescending]

Meh, I tick my inlaws off all the time by OC'ing. They visit, they see the gun, they worry outloud. Not anti's either, just "noivous peoples." I CC whenever I visit, haven't been made yet, but I think by now they assume I'm carrying unless told otherwise.

My advice would be to CC on your body. If I was "noivous" about guns, I'd be more likely to freak if a gun was discovered in a bag... "OMG THAT GUN ISN'T LOCKED SOMEBODY COULD EASILY GRAB IT THINK OF THE CHILDREN" etc etc etc blah...

If it's on your body, it's secure.

 

[kmcintosh78]

Well, long story short is it is a first time that we, a large extended family, will be out for camping. 1 specific inlaw is what I call a Boy daddy. He is more concerned with looking pretty. My father inlaw has requested that I not carry, so as not to turn away his other daughter and her husband.
I am not really concerned with someone looking in my bag. It is more so for camping and hiking.

 

[MCgunner]

Just carry a good pocket 9 or .380 or Mak or something in a pocket. Don't be skirt of da bears, they ain't gonna eat you.

 

[kmcintosh78]

Another pistol is not in the budget.
Besides, I love my glock.

 

[Sam1911]

Wilderness Safepacker would be perfect:

http://store.thewilderness.com/index.php?cPath=51

Put it right on your belt and it's just a camping pouch. Unless someone's really expecting it, they won't think of a gun when they see that.

 

[kmcintosh78]

Sam, that is pretty nice. Only issue is that it has to have the ability to carry more then just a pistol. Otherwise it sticks out.

 

[joe_security]

Galco royal guard IWB with a button down shirt over it, worn un-buttoned. Much more available than the gold standard, the Sparks IWB. Milts Sparks are running many months behind on back order, as everyone here knows.

 

[bdb benzino]

I personally would be ofended that my personal choice to protect my self and family, would stop other family from coming on a camping trip!! I also would NOT even go camping out in the boonies with out a firearm, ever seen Deliverence!! LOL!!

But for the question at hand, I use a Tactical Taylor Concealed Carry shoulder bag for keeping my pistol close to my person at work. It is similar to some of the smaller bags from Maxpedition. I really like it, and nobody even questions what is in the bag. I also like that it holds my knives and extra mags and what not.

Good luck!!

 

[kmcintosh78]

bdb, I have been told to pick my battles. I really don't care, but I will have my pistol regardless.
And yes, I have seen Deliverance, and I hate to say that I grew up as a child about 50 miles away from where that was filmed.

 

[wgp]

I sympathize with the need to pick your battles. I did a three-day mountain hike/camp with my brother-in-law and his wife and her sister. I carried a 3" .357 in a Bianchi shoulder rig covered by a baggy shirt (protection against sun and bugs, you see). In camp I chose when to have the gun and when not to. When we packed up to leave, my brother-in-law made some fun about my gun. The women, who had not been aware that I had it, immediately expressed their pleasure that I did - "Who knows what kind of things you might run into clear up here" and so on. My brother-in-law has never hiked with me since w/o his own gun. So, pick your battles but work on those who disagree, you may find that they come around.

My suggestion is a good IWB or perhaps the shoulder rig.

 

[David E]

I have found the Maxpedition bags, and it looks like the Fatbag is the top choice, but the list is short so far.

The thing about bags and packs is, you might not always have them ON you. This can lead to an embarassing moment at best and to a disastrous moment at worst. (many scenarios for the latter)

Further, like that SafePacker, unless it has another true function, it'll cause far more questions and suspicions than you may be able to handle.

I would:

1) Ignore FIL's request to not bring a gun.

2) Bring a gun suitable for personal defense against two-legged snakes.

3) Keep it 100% concealed on my person at all times. This may mean I don't go swimming with everyone.

4) Not tell a soul about it, except for my wife......providind she won't tattle on you.

5) Probably keep spare ammo in the pocket or elsewhere, just to minimize discovery.

6) Wear a good IWB. I was able to change shirts, etc, all within view of everyone (I made sure they were all in front of me) You can't do that with a shoulder rig.

 

[Mikhail Weiss]

Here's seconding AJChenMPH. I've done the same and no one seems to have noticed.

That said, this seems like a good use for a fanny pack, if so inclined, or the Maxpedition. You can carry the G23 and a few other useful things, besides.

 

[kmcintosh78]

David, if I ignore my FIL, then the whole camping thing is more then likely nixed.
As for the IWB, It is spring/Summer in UT, 90 degress is the norm.
I am still kind of leaning towards the Maxpedition bag. I can load bottles and snacks and other small items, so as to not draw suspicion.

 

[bigfatdave]

On-Body. Camping is great, but the last thing you want is for an easily-grabbed bag to be grabbed, either providing an idiot or a criminal with a firearm.
I would go IWB, myself. Smartcarry isn't, bags are too easily stolen or left behind for prying fingers "... oh, I think kmcintosh78 has some bug spray in here ..." and car carry is a joke. IWB/OWB/whatever, you know where it is and it is in a holster you can slip under your pillow or into a nook within reach at night and not worry about accidental activation.

If you have no CC rig at all, order fast, good ones have a wait from a few weeks to a few months, although your Block might be common enough for a quick turnaround from a big place like Kholster, CrossBreed, or MTAC. Search threads I started if you'd like a good look at CrossBreed's SuperTuck, which is what I pack in pretty much exclusively.

 

[kmcintosh78]

bigfatdave, I have 2 different holsters now, Galco ISW and Galco service holster. It is not my first time around the block for carry. I just see the bag as a better way to carry. Having discipline in my practices and methods helps as well.

 

[Mikhail Weiss]

Forgot to mention this:

I've also packed a G19 in a smallish digital camera bag, said bag carrying gun and camera in the main compartment, wallet and assorted other doodads in an exterior pocket. Perhaps you could go that route...

 

[bigfatdave]

If you MUST go bag carry, make sure it is a bag you won't get tired of lugging around.
Using that same bag for water/supplies/snacks isn't a bad idea, but make sure you don't leave the "bag of handy things" around, if you make a habit of handing people stuff from a container, and leave it around, those same people generally assume you won't mind them rummaging about in it.
Getting testy about the bag of water and granola bars being opened by someone other than you will just pique curiosity.

There are just so many reasons to carry on-body, but bag carry can work, if you're willing to deal with a slow/awkward draw, having to tote around a bag all the time, and keeping that bag's extra weight and hidden compartment from tipping off the hoplophobe about what's in there.

I'd just set up a time to take the whole group shooting with some approachable rimfire rifles and pistols, myself. Screw 'em if they don't appreciate you taking an active role in your own self-defense.

 

[docsleepy]

For my money, I would not go against the father in law. It just isn't worth it for the long haul.

I'd ask him if he is comfortable with taking the responsiblity for protection of all those people, without any firearm, and if so, let him lead the group and you stay home.

If that gives him pause in any way, then perhaps you have a way to negotiate a settlement that will not put you at odds with him.

Either way, he'll have to respect you for respecting HIM.

 

[DannyZRC]

For my money, I would not go against the father in law. It just isn't worth it for the long haul.

I'd ask him if he is comfortable with taking the responsiblity for protection of all those people, without any firearm, and if so, let him lead the group and you stay home.

If that gives him pause in any way, then perhaps you have a way to negotiate a settlement that will not put you at odds with him.

Either way, he'll have to respect you for respecting HIM.

I agree.

it's his show, you don't have to go to it but you are fairly obliged to play by his rules if you do, though discussing with him a change is a reasonable even handed thing to do.

as to actually carrying the pistol, IWB woud be the best bet if you want to keep it handy and undiscovered, that safepacker seems a good option for a bit better mobility and comfort in a quasi-concealed fashion.

 

[DFW1911]

Since you're in Salt Lake City I'm guessing you'll be camping in the mountains of Utah / Colorado?

If so, the only four-legged predators you need to be watchful of are Black Bear and Mountain Lions.

When I was living in that part of the country, my standard mountain gun was either a .357 magnum Ruger GP-100 with a 4" barrel OR a Colt Delta Elite in 10mm.

I felt that those two calibers could handle the bears and lions should it come to that.

They are also more than adequate for any two-legged predators. If you want a smaller frame, try the Ruger SP-101 or the Glock 29.

Have fun, you live in a beautiful part of the country !

Take care,
DFW1911

 

[Strahley]

I've got a DeSantis belly band, and I can hide my Glock 19/27 (compact/sub-compact) in it very easily. Mine is black, and I wear it around my lower rib area. I'll use it if I'm wearing something that I can't IWB/jacket carry (ie gym type clothes)

 

[kmcintosh78]

docsdleepy, I am not really to concerned with my FIL seeing it and getting mad. If he does, then he does and I am sure he will deal with it. The whole issue is with my BIL. I am confident that no one other then my wife, would open my bag.

DannyZRC, he is more concerned with making nice with his other daughter and SIL, then worrying about me not being able to carry. So, I will do what I need to protect my family.

DFW1911, the budget does not allow for a new pistol. Trust me, I would love to get another one. I am confident that my Glock 40, staggered with FMJ and Hydrashock, 10 round clip will take care of what ever I come across.

To all. I appreciate the comments on the matter, in relation to how to turn the tides in my favor. It really is a task that is for later in life, if at all. What I really want is the opinions of people that have used any bags for carry.

 

[gbelleh]

I don't get why this is an issue at all. Concealed carry means no one will know it's there. Carrying in bags, etc. makes me nervous. It's not secure, and could be difficult to access quickly. I would never consider not carrying, just to appease an unreasonable family member's hoplophobia.