Choosing Gun for Bag Carry

[Bonnie Peele]

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 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.

Give some strong consideration to the Ruger LCP 2 and pocket or ankle carry.

 

[94045]

I think your LCP problem is an individual pistol problem as opposed to a model problem.

I worked 100 rounds through mine by hand as the chambers can be a little rough when new and in 1000+ rounds I've had two issues

1 Failure to feed (Round was out of dimension and would not chamber without slapping the slide closed). This was a Federal American Eagle FMJ.

2. Brand new extended magazine floorplate had a bur on it and stuck on last round allowing last empty casing to reload back into magazine without ejecting. Has never reoccurred after that first loading of magazine.

I have never had an issue with the Hornady American Gunner 90 gr XTP I use for carry rounds. I have also never had an issue with my usual Aguila FMJ practice rounds that hit to same point of impact as the XTP's.

My sister has the same issue and chooses to carry a Shield EZ .380 in that application. It's lighter but about the same physical size as a .45 Shield .

We are allowed to open carry at work so even though I choose to go concealed it's a non-issue for me personally

 

[John Joseph]

What about a Sneaky Pete?

 

[drobs]

Pocket carry LCP.

Look into one of these holsters. The square flap faces away from the body creating a square profile in your pocket.

http://www.pocketholsters.com/Ruger...t_Ho/ruger_lcp_380_pocket-wallet_holster.html

 

[Elkins45]

I’m also in the two gun camp. Carry a pocket pistol for immediate reaction and to fight your way back to your bag. Carry some sort of cannon in your bag like a Glock 20, Sub2000 or AR pistol, because if the situation is bad enough that the pocket gun didn’t solve it (and you’re still alive) then you probably need serious firepower.

Forgive me if I didn’t see this, but is it possible for you to leave a gun in a locked drawer in your office?

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

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

I have a Pico and it does just disappear into the pockets of a pair of jeans . Dress slacks work nearly as well.