Purse snatcher grabs your fanny pack with your gun inside.

F

FUD

Moderator
Living in the hot & humid Florida swamps where it doesn't even get out of the 80's in the "cold" of winter, concealed carry is a bit of a problem especially when wearing a tucked in shirt and no jacket. The biggest gun that I can effectively carry concealed is my Kahr MK9 -- sometimes I can go as big as my S&W3913 but that's really pushing the upper limit.

Some times I would really like to carry something bigger (either my S&W4013 or my S&W4513) but that would mean either a jacket or an untucked shirt -- both of which, might not be proper for me MOST (not ALL) of the time. It has been suggested here on TFL that people frequently look like tourists and carry fanny packs to hide their firearm.

I've thought about this and the idea appeals to me but I always keep asking myself "what if?" ...

... Whether a BG knows that you have a gun or not doesn't really matter because chances are that a fanny pack will contain something of value -- a gun, a wallet, money, credit cards, pager, etc.

All of the fanny packs that I have seen are held in place by this snap in clipping buckle. Depending on where you position the fanny pack (on the left or the right), the buckle could end up behind you. I would think that an experienced BG could sneak up behind you (especially when there's people all around), quickly unclip the buckle before you realize it, grab the fanny pack and make a run for it.

Comments? Suggestions? Actually experiences?

Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
fud-nra.gif
 
I wish I could give you better advice for this dilemma, considering we here in Colorado don't yet HAVE a state-wide concealed carry bill (Dammit!).

So, I'd suggest that you break out the old sewing needle and thread and "Modify" the strap of the fanny pack with either a difficult-to-undo-without-time type of connector -like a knotted system. OR, one that has more than one clip on it that must be on the same side as your vision (Make a secondary (Actual) clip UNDER the pack whilest making the VISIBLE (Decoy) clip inoperative.

I'd ALSO strongly suggest that you place a strong wire under the strap. This would prevent a knife from easily slicing through. Simple reinforcement.

GOOD LUCK!

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Going Nowhere? Join Me There! Enjoy your stay!

[This message has been edited by Randall Flagg (edited August 09, 2000).]
 
I know several will disagree....because they wear a fanny pack but personally I think they are a bad idea. A purse or anything that is not attached to the body is worse but not much. I have heard countless women say they always hold the strap. It doesn't matter. If you are struggeling over your purse or fany pack you are fighting for the very thing that contains your gun. Any mode of carry beats a purse. Any mode of carry, besides a purse, beats a fanny pack. Period.

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Gunslinger
 
Gunslinger, my thoughts exactly -- which is why I am leary of going to this mode of carry.
 
FUD the fanny pack I use has the buckle next to the pack. Check the dozens of mfg to find one you like. I use mine all the time for wallet, etc. and carry it most of the time like a purse. Sometime the gun is in it, sometime I carry the fanny pack but the gun is IWB and sometimes I carry two. MWT
 
I think "What If" is always a part of carrying a concealed weapon (and the main reason we carry them). Along with the right to carry comes the responsibility to have "better than average" possession retention skills. In other words... keep an eye out for pickpockets! :).

While I agree with Gunslinger that it's not the ideal form of carry, sometimes it's the only real option other than abstainance (mountain biking in a sport coat is not much fun).

It's too bad that most gun-designed fanny packs aren't better designed for this contingency. But, our holsters don't have anti-pickpocket devices either. Again, I think our own readiness and caution is what's most important. If you're still concerned, a little black electrical tape (or even black zip-ties) around the clasp can give a purse snatcher a disappointing day.
 
That's where a belt pouch is superior to a fanny pack. Unless your trouser belt breaks, that pack isn't coming off. Sometimes I've used the pack as a decoy with my gun in the waistband holder. That way if a non-LEO asks me if I'm carrying, I show open the pack and I never have to ID myself as a LEO.
 
Ahh! Gunslinger. We meet again!

I agree as well. I don't even OWN one (Fanny Pack). However, I just wanted to make the suggestion for the lucky gunowner who is ALLOWED to defend himself in public with a firearm. (Note the hint of jealousy in my words?)

grrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

BTW, what would it take to get the moderators here to activate the HTML option?

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Going Nowhere? Join Me There! Enjoy your stay!
 
I carry in a fanny pack when the weather dictates shorts and a t-shirt. I have also moved the snap buckle around right next to the pack as Powermwt explained. I will admit it's not the best method of carry, but it's better than not carrying at all. The one thing I worry about is gun-savvy criminals... a fanny pack of a certain size SCREAMS "gun inside" to anyone with half an ounce of firearms knowledge. Thankfully, we don't get but 2-3 months of warm weather here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. The rest of the year it's IWB or high-ride duty.
 
That's a good question. I've got the same problem in Phoenix.

I'll try my fanny pack on sometime, and ask a friend to try and quickly unbuckle it. I tend to think that when it is adjusted fairly tightly, it is not that easy to unbuckle. On mine, you must depress the tabs on each side of the buckle.

I suppose if it is a significant concern you could have a second strap sewn on for little cost, or have a sleeve made (with velcro?) that would slip over the buckle once fastened. Anything you do to slow them down would likely foil their plans, no?

Live and let live. Regards from AZ
 
A skilled operator with a strap knife will have passed your fanny pack to his/her partner so fast you will have no idea who did it nor where your stuff went. Buckle is not the target. Cable in the strap would help but not protect from somebody peeling the pack and leavin it on you. Dense crowds are a bummer with pack or purse.

Sam....if it has been made, I have lost at least one of em.
 
When I took my CHL course the instructor did a quick overview of how to carry. One of the points he made was that a fanny pack was basically assumed to contain a gun by any LEO he knew. (He is a local county deputy and sometime narc). I am now using a Walkman CD belt pack. It has two compartments and the back one isn't hardly visible unless you know its there. I keep a knife and a pack of fags in the from and they totally hide any print from the gun in the back. That said, it only lets me carry my AMT Back-up. My 1911 will not fit so it has to wait for jacket weather. All three days of it down here in Deep East Texas.

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Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club
68-70
 
FUD,

Years ago I cam pon the finest fanny pack I've ever encountered. It was so well-thought out I wish I could buy one here. Unfortunately the manufacturer, FrontLine of Israel, doesn't have a reliable dsitribuitor. At any rate, one of the little extras this pack had was a small safety tie stitched to the belt. It had its own small buckle and looped onto the belt or pant's belt loop. The small loop would hold the pack secure in the event that someone cut the main strap and attempted to run with it. Making this modification isn't difficult, but it does require an industrial sewing machine. You can purchase small loops (omplete with their own little bucke setup) at an outdoor store, I've seen them sold as keychains there, and take it to a shoe repair place to have it sewn onto your pack's main strap.

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"Get yourself a Lorcin and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol."

[This message has been edited by Tecolote (edited August 09, 2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by TexasVet:
I am now using a Walkman CD belt pack. It has two compartments and the back one isn't hardly visible unless you know its there. I keep a knife and a pack of fags in the from and they totally hide any print from the gun in the back[/quote]

I agree with TexasVet's view. I usually care a full size 9mm in an in-pants holster cross-draw style. While it is somewhat aquward at times, its suitable for carry in loose-fitting pants/shorts with an untucked shirt. However, with my newly purchased Taurus m85 (which I can put just about anywhere!), I tend to carry in the same fashion.. but the point being is that it stays on my body

However, your issue is that you wish to carry on a fanny pack. I have an aquaintance (lets say) that carries similar to TexasVet. He places his Glock 27 in the back pocket of a CD Player/case that he carries with him. Since it doesn't have a strap he has to carry it at all times. Since it is in his hand, you could say that he is better off than it being on a strap. However, the unexpectant always seems to occur.

Concerning large crowds is always an issue. I find that I am extremely more careful in such situations. I remove my wallet from my back pocket and place in it the front pocket. I would only assume that I keep an even closer watch on my firearm. (sometimes keeping my hand on it at all times.)

I don't even think this adds up to two cents, but you know.. :)

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God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

[This message has been edited by KaMaKaZe (edited August 09, 2000).]
 
I don't like fanny packs myself, but those I know who use them always wrap the strap around their buckled leather belt a couple of times.
 
The basic flaw in this argument is that sometime you want to carry something bigger.

You are better served with a gun you practice with consistenly rather than changing caliber vs. perceived threat, esp. for a civilian.

That being said, if you want to carry a semi in circumstances where you cannot wear a covering garment for a IWB - get a tuckable - several companies make them.

As far as the caliber, the Mk9 in your pocket will handle most threats as would your Taurus.

Fanny packs are slow to access and are give aways. They can be targeted as many point out.

Do some timed draws from holster, pocket and fanny pack - you'll not be thrilled with it.

Now if you want a smaller gun with a little more power (not that I think that is crucial),
ditch the 4013 and get one of Kahr's in 40. Easily concealable in the smaller models.
 
No method of carry is perfect. I've worn a butt bag for years, and only now does it have my P11 in it. It's a compromise, and it's better than no gun.
 
EnochGale, had the MK40. Couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it. Wasn't the gun, just too much kick in such a small package. Don't have a problem with recoil and accuracy with either the MK9 or the 4013 but the MK40 was a bit too much.

I also routinely practise with all of my guns -- some more than others, obviously. A majority of my firearms are S&W 2nd & 3rd generation pistols -- with the exception of size & caliber, they all function identically and I'm pretty competent [sp?] with them.
 
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