messenger bag as off body carry?

[Usmccookie]

I tend to get a lot of work in a lot of really bad areas, but it's good money and I love my job. I have personally witnessed 1 shooting and been in the immediate area of 3 others in the past year. So naturally, carrying my gun is paramount. For my job I have to carry a lot of tools and am wearing a toolbelt 95% of the time. I can't carry aiwb while working, so I like to keep my edc in my tool bag. Then I run into a couple of problems. Making it easy access, keeping the firearm hidden and protecting it are just a few. My pre-caffeinated thought was carrying a messenger bag.

Pros-
Dedicated space
Ability to carry my fullsize and extra mags
easier to carry my wallet, daily planner, notepad, etc
easy to carry while carrying my tool backpack
dont have to pack/unpack gun, wallet, planner, notepad every day
can carry water bottle without it exploding. (I learned my lesson. water bottle + screwdrivers + weight and abuse = mess)
Can carry medpack
I can fit in with the yuppie hipsters living uptown.

cons-
I can fit in with the yuppie hipsters uptown
extra bag to carry
another expense
It will still be out of my immediate reach
Im not sure of how I feel about carrying a manpurse....

debatable-
Would it be a larger target than 3 bags full of power tools ( I carry well over $2k in tools on any given job)
Is the risk of keeping the firearm off body but in visual range worth it.
Are there better options im not seeing?
Should I quit my job, be broke, and start a new career from scratch in a different town after I sell my house and hope I like it and can support my family so that people on ingo don't go snowflake and melt on me because I don't have positive control on my firearm which I understand is important but is not always possible so I have to choose between gun in a bag or no gun at all...

 

[Usmccookie]

Also some places I work in are, Chicago public schools in the ghetto, and residential homes on the side. With our other businesses, I have to transport large sums in cash 1-2 times a week.

 

[Backpacker]

Check out the Hill People Gear kit bags might work for you. I have two of them. Quality gear. https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/1

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

Should I quit my job, be broke, and start a new career from scratch in a different town after I sell my house and hope I like it and can support my family so that people on ingo don't go snowflake and melt on me because I don't have positive control on my firearm which I understand is important but is not always possible so I have to choose between gun in a bag or no gun at all...

 

[Magyars]

What about front pocket carry?

 

[Usmccookie]

What about front pocket carry?

Good in theory but I'm always crawling around in tight spots. I don't even keep my phone or wallet in my pockets because they get in the way. They stay in my tool bag.

 

[Ark]

CCW-specific bags and backpacks are pretty cool, the specific compartment that mounts the gun in a specific and repeatable place is paramount.

Bet you could get pretty clever with the tool belt, though, at least for a smaller gun. Add or delete stitching to make a pocket of appropriate dimensions to conceal it, then stitch in a bit of velcro to mount a simple two piece Amazon kydex pancake holster with the belt hardware removed.

 

[Usmccookie]

CCW-specific bags and backpacks are pretty cool, the specific compartment that mounts the gun in a specific and repeatable place is paramount.

Bet you could get pretty clever with the tool belt, though, at least for a smaller gun. Add or delete stitching to make a pocket of appropriate dimensions to conceal it, then stitch in a bit of velcro to mount a simple two piece Amazon kydex pancake holster with the belt hardware removed.

Im texting a couple buddies in a group chat. One of them said something similar. Idk If i could pull it off. I'm trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Fanny pack is going to be the closest in-control option without being too obvious.

I used to carry a full size in their large one.

Uncle Mike's GunRunner Fanny Pack Holster Medium (12.5 x 6-1/8)

Features:Waterproof nylon constructionHolds compact 9mm, .40 and .45 autos, 2" - 3" barrel medium revolvers and most full-size service...

www.midwayusa.com

Good luck finding one because it looks like they are discontinued.

 

[Magyars]

How about adding a sneaky pete holster to the tool belt?

 

[Snapdragon]

Something along these lines would be interesting...

Glock Disguised as a Drill | OutdoorHub

In case you didn’t see it before, the Glock is highlighted by the red circle below. The Glock 21 was cleverly customized to look like the DeWalt drill by its owner. The drill bit is even attached to the guide rod, giving it that real power-tool look. This might be one of the best-ever examples …

www.outdoorhub.com

 

[Usmccookie]

Something along these lines would be interesting...

Glock Disguised as a Drill | OutdoorHub

In case you didn’t see it before, the Glock is highlighted by the red circle below. The Glock 21 was cleverly customized to look like the DeWalt drill by its owner. The drill bit is even attached to the guide rod, giving it that real power-tool look. This might be one of the best-ever examples …

www.outdoorhub.com

View attachment 136154

I haven't seen a Milwaukee one. That might be cool. I'm all Milwaukee tools, with the exception of some hilti

 

[bwframe]

The obvious problem with any kind of off body carry is when you have no choice but to set it down. Then you are separated from your sidearm along with leaving it susceptible to being stolen or forgotten.

The other end of the issue is that nearly all of the murse type off body solutions may seem discrete, yet scream "gun inside" to most people who might be looking for that. No such thing as a quick discrete draw, as the contents of the murse is a target of robbers that know such.

I might suggest a pants solution like Duluth Trading Co. Their sturdy work pants have large Velcro flapped pockets that accommodate a G43 in a pocket holster very nicely. A couple three mags sprinkled in the opposite side pockets balance the weight nicely.

 

[Itchytriggerfinger]

I can't with good conscience recommend any off body carry. You just never know who is in the area. If I can't holster, I use a belly band. It's not ideal but it's better than any other option I can find.

 

[armalitesheepdog]

I like the Duluth trading company idea.
Hell I think I might get a pair

 

[MCgrease08]

Off body carry really should be a last resort. There are a few different pant makers that have built in pockets or holsters that allow for carry below the waist line and along the thigh. I'd personally explore all of those options first before even considering off body carry. When you need to draw your gun, you need to do it quickly. Off body has way too many variables that hinder a fast, repeatable draw.

 

[Usmccookie]

Holsters are a no go. I don't even have my phone in my pocket, let alone my wallet due to bulk. At work, it's either off body, or no gun type of deal. I understand the issue and risk of of body. And to be clear, it would be laying near my tool bag. I am stuck between this or no gun.

 

[Usmccookie]

So I guess the question should be.
Carry off body, or leave the gun at home during the time I am astronomically more likely to need it.

 

[Usmccookie]

The obvious problem with any kind of off body carry is when you have no choice but to set it down. Then you are separated from your sidearm along with leaving it susceptible to being stolen or forgotten.

The other end of the issue is that nearly all of the murse type off body solutions may seem discrete, yet scream "gun inside" to most people who might be looking for that. No such thing as a quick discrete draw, as the contents of the murse is a target of robbers that know such.

I might suggest a pants solution like Duluth Trading Co. Their sturdy work pants have large Velcro flapped pockets that accommodate a G43 in a pocket holster very nicely. A couple three mags sprinkled in the opposite side pockets balance the weight nicely.

I will give the pants a go. I love their pants for work. If nothing else, another pair of work pants would be nice

 

[cbhausen]

Could you find a dead electric drill which is big enough and maybe gut it and hide a gun inside?