carry3
— And Yeah… Guys Too.
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you know it’s more important than ever to carry on- and off-duty. Why you carry is easy — how you carry is another story. You can’t protect your loved ones with a gun you left at home or with the one you left in your car. The good news? Thanks to some really great products, you can have function and, let’s just say it — fashion. Some of you might be more comfortable calling it having “options.”
Waist Worthy
Just like with anything I love, the closer the better, and my gun is no exception. If I can feel it against my skin, I know exactly where it is. My all-time favorite carry is on the waistband, both inside and out. For inside the waistband, I love the BLACKHAWK! Tuckable Holster. This highly concealable suede IWB is perfect for carrying my S&W Shield. The suede, paired with the high retention clip, keeps the amazingly slim Shield exactly where I can get to it. I can wear the Tuckable with my favorite “overpriced” jeans and never worry about it getting away from me.
Another great IWB option is the Allusion Suppression by Bianchi. This holster is great for those who share my love of leather. Bianchi has paired their amazing leather with antimicrobial technology. I can conceal my gun and appease my inner germaphobe. This comes in handy in Southern California during the summer months. The super comfortable foam does a good job of wicking the sweat and keeping the holster cool against my body.
For outside the waistband is Bianchi’s Foldaway Holster. While it’s hard to think of it as a “holster” — it’s more a flap of leather and my belt forms the inner side of the holster — it really works. This handy little holster folds flat on the belt when not in use and actually takes up less space than my smartphone holster. This simple design is perfect for investigations, working courts, transportation and anywhere you want to forgo the on-and-off game of most holsters. And with an MSRP of around $15, you can afford to throw one in all your vehicles and gear bags. It’s almost one size fits all, which is never true, except in this case. It’s available in both black and brown so you can coordinate — which is very important for those not wanting to clash. Admit it.
The BLACKHAWK! Serpa has been my duty holster for as long as I can remember. With the Auto Lock technology built on the master grip principle, my finger does all the work. It comes with both the belt loop and paddle and is easy to set up.
The BLACKHAWK! Leather Speed Classic (for a J-frame here) and
Tuckable (right) offer two time-proven choices.
Everyday Tactical’s Tablet Bag is a mini messenger bag that,
while purse-like, doesn’t look like one. Holds a gun and scads of other stuff.
The Allusion Suppression holster by Bianchi pairs antimicrobial
technology with their amazing leather. Comfy and secure.
The BLACKHAWK! Serpa is a rugged, reliable duty rig and is rapidly
becoming the go-to choice for agencies and individual officers.
Gun Purse
While you muy macho guys may not need a gun purse, maybe a lady in your life might? Open your mind and read on; it might make you a hero — or at least get you out of trouble one day. The gals at Everyday Tactical got this one dead on. This nylon Tablet Bag (also available in faux leather) doesn’t scream “gun bag” and it actually looks like something an everyday person would carry. I love this bag for jeans, shorts and everything in between. It’s like a mini messenger bag, only better. With a fully adjustable hook-and-loop front pocket, you can adjust the angle to fit your draw. This bag has enough room for your credentials, tablet and anything else a gal might need to carry. With individual pockets, you don’t have to worry about getting “stuff” in your triggerguard or flashing the checker at the grocery store.
Now if you’re partial to the purse you already carry, Galco has something for you. The CarrySafe is a drop-in style holster featuring an elastic holster, which you can infinitely adjust on the hook and loop-covered rigid back. This back has a very stout clip you then attach to a pocket inside whatever purse/bag you’re carrying. This magic holster is adjustable more ways than I can master and it also fits multiple weapons — as well as multiple bags. Depending on what you feel like carrying inside the bag — at least you feel like carrying! You guys can use a CarrySafe if you decide to keep your gun in a non-tactical briefcase or messenger bag — even your gym bag.
As if those options weren’t enough, there’s more new cool gear on the market. And yes, these bags are great for the boys too. BLACKHAWK! has a few great bags, but my favorite is the Brick Go Bag. It’s small enough for me to carry what I need, the way I want to carry it. It comes with fully adjustable inside dividers. This bag is great as a cross-body, and just as easily stows under my seat.
Last but not least, BlueForce Gear introduced the Hive Satchel this year. I can’t say enough about this cross-body bag. This lightweight stretchy material is cool, and is a brand new look for what we normally think of in gear. It has its own designated pistol pocket, which sits up front, so you can get to it and you don’t have to worry about someone else being able to. This bag also goes from right- to left-handed in a snap. You can add inside bags for anything from first aid, to gun cleaning kits to spare magazines.
Accessorize all you want — both of these bags are customizable and full of hook and loop, so all the attachments stay put. Both of these bags go from range bag to weekend warrior in no time. So after you get home from the range, you can rush to the soccer field and still protect your loved ones. Real world, ain’t it?
With all these choices, it doesn’t matter how you carry — as long as you do!
You do, don’t you?
Don’t you?
By Aimme Grant
For more info: www.americancop.com/product-index and click on the company name.
Aimee Grant is a police officer and firearms instructor with a Southern California agency.
Paddle holsters, like Triple K’s Amadini, offer the option of
carrying a gun at the waist if you’re wearing a lightweight belt.
They’re also easy to put on and take off without having to remove
your belt each time.
Galco’s CarrySafe allows you (guys or gals) to carry in just
about any bag or purse. All you need is an interior pocket to
clip it to and you’re good to go. The holster itself is infinitely
adjustable thanks to all the hook and loop.
BlueForce Gear introduced the Hive Satchel and it’s changing
the way gun bags might look. It’s adaptable, and you can add
inside bags to hold all sorts of stuff. Innovative and clever.
The Brick Go Bag from BLACKHAWK! is small enough to carry what
you need, the way you want to carry it. It comes with fully
adjustable inside dividers. It’s great as a cross-body, and
just as easily stows under a seat.
View This American COP October 2013 Issue Now!
