Choosing Gun for Bag Carry

[bassjam]

I have so many things in my daily bag that are considered weapons/not allowed on a plane that I just bring an entirely different bag that I pack for the trip when I fly to avoid any issues.

I used to have an LCP but I did not find it reliable enough to trust my life to. I am exploring other micro pocket carry options because I had kind of written that whole idea off a while ago and not considered it again until now.

My first LCP that I bought in Jan 2010 had a couple issues during a 100 round break-in, but was dead reliable after that until it locked up this summer somewhere around the 1300 round mark. It was wildly inaccurate though, which didn't bother me as everyone else on gun forums said their LCP's weren't accurate either. And I'll admit it was picky about hollowpoint ammo. I sent the locked up LCP to Ruger and they send me a brand new LCP a couple weeks later, no charge. This one didn't need a break-in and has had 400 successful rounds put through it and has eaten every type of hollow point I've put through it. And it's accuracy has actually impressed me, with better sights I think it'd outshoot my buddy's Kahr P380. I don't know what's different but I really like this new LCP (gen 1). Maybe your experience has ruined ever trusting an LCP, but my experience has been the opposite.

 

[labnoti]

I would be careful not to just slip a VP9 in the hydration pocket with extra magazines. It should be in a holster. If I were to carry a gun in a flat bag pocket like that, I would screw/bolt a kydex holster made for the model gun to a flat rigid panel like a sheet of kydex or something similar to a clipboard, cut to fill the pocket. Otherwise, I would look for another way to retain the holster in the pocket when drawing with only one hand on the grip. Alternatives could be a velcro panel, snaps or loops. I don't want a loose gun in a pocket and I don't want the holster moving when I draw.

I suggest looking at the Pelican P1075 Pistol case. It's identical on the outside to the P1075 laptop case they also make. I believe it can be opened with one hand on the single latch. With a case like that you wouldn't need a holster. There is pick-n-pluck foam inside and you can make a foam pocket for the VP9 with no tools.

 

[scaatylobo]

FIRST OFF, I know that no one on here will recommend off-body carry and I am well aware of all the reasons and I generally agree with them. That being said,

Over the last few months I have stopped carrying on my person at work and instead keep it in my bag which is always near me in my office. I work in a very safe area in a business that is highly unlikely to have a problem and I stopped carrying for 2 reasons:

1. I am seated working on a computer all day and no matter how/what I carry it is still more comfortable without than with.
2. There have been a few occasions when I had to reach up to change a lightbulb or something and was almost made. I can legally carry, but I in a NPE and it would cause a major problem for me if I was made.

So given my situation, would you opt for:

1. Keep my carry gun in the bag, so if need be I can easily slip it on and carry out in public
2. Keep a larger, higher-capacity gun in the bag for the scenario in which I actually need it

Please don't just reply with "don't keep it in your bag, keep it on you." I know that, but for the reasons I stated above this is my current MO.

I feel your pain,but never been in your circumstance.

I would opt for a CCW bag that does NOT LOOK LIKE ONE,and as I do --- put a bulletresistant liner in the bag to be used as portable cover when your required to move & shoot.

As to what to carry,make it the gun you are as well trained with as possible ,AND carry reloads as well as IFACK kit too.

I have a CCW pack that looks so snowflakish that its not funny.

Look online and look at all offerings.

 

[Legionnaire]

If the two-gun solution (pocket carry plus larger in the bag) doesn't work for you, I'd opt for keeping my carry gun in the bag. I'd carry on body in and out and only have it in the bag when I was seated for an extended period.

 

[labnoti]

....I would opt for a CCW bag that does NOT LOOK LIKE ONE,and as I do --- put a bulletresistant liner in the bag to be used as portable cover when your required to move & shoot.

As to what to carry,make it the gun you are as well trained with as possible ,AND carry reloads as well as IFACK kit too.

I have a CCW pack that looks so snowflakish that its not funny....

OP mentioned 5.11 bag -- pretty much says "gun" from across the room.

You can get IIIA kevlar panels that don't weigh too much, but they won't stop a round from an AR-15 or AK. A 10"x13"x0.3" AR500 or AR650 plate adds about 8 pounds or more to a pack and that's a pretty small panel to hide behind. These are all good ideas though. I recently added a CAT tq to my EDC and my wife told me I really need to consider carrying a pack.

 

[Charlie Horse]

I've never been a big fan of off body carry, but if that's what we're limited to, then here we go. If you're in this situation, less is definitely not more. This might be a place for the Roni or Kel Tec type system. A Roni for ~$275 and a police trade in Glock wouldn't be TOO bad at ~$600 before shipping and transfer. If staying with a handgun, the sky would be the limit, and you can have almost anything you want in a reasonable sized bag along with a IFAK and other active shooter type stuff. Any of the above paired with a bag like this, probably in another color, wouldn't draw too much attention.

Depending on budget and personal tastes, its easily doable.

 

[Charlie Horse]

Double post

 

[bdickens]

OP mentioned 5.11 bag -- pretty much says "gun" from across the room.

To those who know what it is.

 

[HB]

To those who know what it is.

If you worried about being “made” I would use something else. If you are worried about being shot by a homicidal coworker, they probably know what it is as well.

Most people don’t recommend carrying in a purse. I don’t see how a satchel or backpack is any better.

If you are worried about a j frame in your pocket being discovered imagine the hot water you’ll be in if somebody finds out you have a “hi capacity pistol” with multiple mags with it.

 

[BSA1]

Backpacks are very commonly carried by adults nowadays. A sling type backpack seems to be popular with Doctors and medical professionals whereas computer nerds use rigid cases that have a shoulder strap. Me I carry a black backpack with a small NRA initials on the outside. It works well with a medium size pistol.

A holster that is semi or permanently mounted inside the bag sounds like a good idea.

For me the whole reason for using a backpack is so I can carry a larger higher capacity pistol such as the Glock 19, S&W M&P or a Beretta and extra magazine(s).

 

[TRX]

Ankle holster with calf strap to keep it up off your shoe.

It's not the most accessible location, but it's on your body all the time, doesn't cause any "bathroom issues". I've carried an LCP that way for years. Any of the micro 9s would be unnoticeably bulkier.

 

[SharpDog]

I would keep my carry gun in the bag with maybe an extra-extra magazine. If you weren't confident with it it wouldn't be your carry gun.

Just because you can carry a larger gun in the bag doesn't mean you will need to.

However, if you do have a larger gun available that you are just as familiar with as your carry gun I see no harm in that.

As far as guns in bags I recommend a Maxpedition Versa max or jumbo sling pack with their velcro pistol and mag inserts. My jumbo can carry an iPad for example.



https://smile.amazon.com/Maxpeditio...&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B001MTG35E&th=1



https://smile.amazon.com/Maxpeditio...NN7XSJ61CE5&psc=1&refRID=6S8PTYT45NN7XSJ61CE5



https://smile.amazon.com/Maxpeditio...A1HSAHKSRWR&psc=1&refRID=VD6RJG4TMA1HSAHKSRWR



https://smile.amazon.com/Maxpeditio...FFZ3EFXZJXD&psc=1&refRID=72M95EYPKFFZ3EFXZJXD



https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B075Q7R...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==





Last month I switched to the Maxpedition Lithvore to get a full backpack and to hold a larger laptop as well as my lunch. The Lithvore is on closeout sale now.



https://smile.amazon.com/Maxpeditio...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B06WD61T4K

The Lithvore perfectly fits one of these air tight containers which can carry a couple of TV dinners for example. I have two 16 oz stainless water bottles in the outside pockes which hold them tightly and you can fit a mini umbrella and a sunglass case in the main compartment along with the food container and a small 12" laptop.



https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JCNEJVQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As far as these videos go, there is no velcro section to secure holsters like there is in the Versapacks but the inner top compartment in the main body or the outer parasite compartment in the back can hold a firearm no problems. You can also apply the glue-in velcro strips to help with that.





If you do go with the Lithvore or similar pack you can use these water bottles to not only hold water but to make tea or coffee on the go as they come with internal tea/coffee inserts. You need very coarse ground coffee or do what I do and make cowboy coffee.



https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B009GIWESS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

too much coffee, can't sleep, so you get the umbrella pic as well

This slidesd in next to the food container in the Lithvore:



https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07N2NW...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

[DustyGmt]

My first LCP that I bought in Jan 2010 had a couple issues during a 100 round break-in, but was dead reliable after that until it locked up this summer somewhere around the 1300 round mark. It was wildly inaccurate though, which didn't bother me as everyone else on gun forums said their LCP's weren't accurate either. And I'll admit it was picky about hollowpoint ammo. I sent the locked up LCP to Ruger and they send me a brand new LCP a couple weeks later, no charge. This one didn't need a break-in and has had 400 successful rounds put through it and has eaten every type of hollow point I've put through it. And it's accuracy has actually impressed me, with better sights I think it'd outshoot my buddy's Kahr P380. I don't know what's different but I really like this new LCP (gen 1). Maybe your experience has ruined ever trusting an LCP, but my experience has been the opposite.

It wouldnt surprise me if your original Gen1 LCP was one of the early 370-×××× prefix that was recalled and known to have issues. The recalled them very early on IIRC and quite a few people I'm sure didnt get the memo. It's also possible that it wasnt a recalled LCP and they replaced it because it had problems and Ruger is really good like that.

I know I got my LCP gen1 back in probably 2009-2010 ish and it didnt jam on me once, not even at the start when I was firing it intentionally fast to try to cause a malf. Mine too is impressively accurate. I hate long trigger pulls and by most standards the trigger sucks but I've come to know it pretty well. I would be hard pressed to give an accurate round count on it, definitely not my favorite gun to shoot but definitely shot it enough to know it is reliable. Very easily carried everywhere and its potent enough that I'm confident with it, especially since my full size handgun has never been more that a short sprint away in my EDC bag.....


Maybe give that LCP another try or contact ruger about it. I would be enthusiastically insistent about not carrying a gun I deemed to be "unreliable" but it might still be worth another look....

 

[bassjam]

It wouldnt surprise me if your original Gen1 LCP was one of the early 370-×××× prefix that was recalled and known to have issues. The recalled them very early on IIRC and quite a few people I'm sure didnt get the memo. It's also possible that it wasnt a recalled LCP and they replaced it because it had problems and Ruger is really good like that.

I know I got my LCP gen1 back in probably 2009-2010 ish and it didnt jam on me once, not even at the start when I was firing it intentionally fast to try to cause a malf. Mine too is impressively accurate. I hate long trigger pulls and by most standards the trigger sucks but I've come to know it pretty well. I would be hard pressed to give an accurate round count on it, definitely not my favorite gun to shoot but definitely shot it enough to know it is reliable. Very easily carried everywhere and its potent enough that I'm confident with it, especially since my full size handgun has never been more that a short sprint away in my EDC bag.....


Maybe give that LCP another try or contact ruger about it. I would be enthusiastically insistent about not carrying a gun I deemed to be "unreliable" but it might still be worth another look....

Mine was a 373-xxxxx serial number, the recall applied to 371 and older. I assume they replaced my gun just because they have excellent customer service.

 

[mrblenderson]

Mine was a 373-xxxxx serial number, the recall applied to 371 and older. I assume they replaced my gun just because they have excellent customer service.

Mine was a 371- serial, the recall details were: "On October 29, 2008, Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. announced a recall of some of the LCP pistols with serial number prefixes less than "371-xxxxx" due to the possibility of some of the guns discharging if dropped onto a hard surface."

Mine just stovepiped so often I didn't trust it.

 

[mrblenderson]

I appreciate everyone's replies - all of this is leading me back to re-considering pocket carry and just keeping it on me at all times.

I am not really concerned about an active shooter situation/terrorist threat/anything like that, I just carry for general peace of mind.

I am looking at a Beretta Pico and may just swap the 642 for that in my pocket.

 

[sequins]

I have a satchel I carry a folded sub 2000 in with a couple 33rd glock mags. If I'm doing off body I'm not planning on a quick draw, I don't think the 10-20 extra seconds it takes to fold the rifle, insert the mag, and drop the bolt versus a handgun draw from the bag will make as much of a difference as the platform upgrade will.

I carry a satchel and I lock it in my trunk if i go someplace i cant have it, otherwise it's locked in my desk. Off body carry is a commitment to a slow draw in my mind, and i leaned into that weakness I guess... my office setup will give me time to deploy unless an incident initiates in my immediate vicinity.

Just a thought.

 

[mrblenderson]

I have a satchel I carry a folded sub 2000 in with a couple 33rd glock mags. If I'm doing off body I'm not planning on a quick draw, I don't think the 10-20 extra seconds it takes to fold the rifle, insert the mag, and drop the bolt versus a handgun draw from the bag will make as much of a difference as the platform upgrade will.

I carry a satchel and I lock it in my trunk if i go someplace i cant have it, otherwise it's locked in my desk. Off body carry is a commitment to a slow draw in my mind, and i leaned into that weakness I guess... my office setup will give me time to deploy unless an incident initiates in my immediate vicinity.

Just a thought.

Is a Sub2k legally a rifle or a pistol? Depending on where one lives I think this affects the ability to either carry it concealed or store in a vehicle loaded.

 

[Robbins290]

sometimes i throw my CCW pistol in my briefcase when i have to go on meetings. Never know what kind of people will show up to these meetings. It sits in a safariland 6378 while not on my hip. I will normall toss my carry holster in the case also. Sometimes i have meetings last minute so i always keep that holster in there. Tho most of the time it does not print, but i can not risk it being call out as i am representing my employer. Outside of work, i dont care if it prints a little, i keep it to a min.

 

[sequins]

Is a Sub2k legally a rifle or a pistol? Depending on where one lives I think this affects the ability to either carry it concealed or store in a vehicle loaded.

It's a rifle, but that's actually more legal in my state. You wouldn't even need a permit to carry it the way I do, which is unloaded. Didn't think to mention that though so thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Browning]

Is a Sub2k legally a rifle or a pistol? Depending on where one lives I think this affects the ability to either carry it concealed or store in a vehicle loaded.

The Sub2000 is a rifle.


You might be thinking of the KelTec PLR16, that’s a pistol.

 

[FL-NC]

Keep as big of a gun as you like in a bag like a laptop bag. Use a kydex paddle holster like a serpa that can be put on quickly. .

 

[jrkotz]

I use a bag I picked up on Botach website. Small, protects the gun, and keeps it relatively inconspicuous. Sometimes you can't have it on body, I like at least having it in my truck.

 

[waterhouse]

When I worked in an office, I had a locking drawer. Gun went into and out of the building in my bag and then got locked in the drawer for the day, so I could leave my office without carrying the bag to meetings. It may be an option.

 

[jstert]

in the end there is nothing wrong with o.p.’s s&w 38 snubbie carried off body as long it is secured in a very ungun looking yet handy bag. i sometimes ccw a snubbie or bond arms derringer with a couple of speedstrip reloads in a most untactical looking fanny pack. indeed unable to tactically deploy it, but must be socially cognizant in antigun but relatively benign environments. at least can be lawfully armed, it is what it is. i also pocket- or small belt cell phone case-carry a naa mini 22lr with revision grips.