Are you a carry novice? Here is a story for you.

[TomsTXCHL]

If I was only allowed to give one word of advice on people new to carrying, it would be "GUNBELT".

Something else I know nothing about. A quick rundown on the "whys" and "what to look fors" would be helpful to me.

Obviously it's about supporting the CCW and keeping it in place for draw, which is one of the problems I foresee with pocket carry in my cargo shorts. These things are loose of course and the pocket sags quite a bit and pulls at the waist. As I describe this problem now, I'm thinking "an undergarment that straps the CCW to my leg and which I access thru a hole in the shorts! Yeah, that's the ticket!" but this is probably a crazy notion.

Maybe maximus this is exactly why you use a bag in the summer...

[Stonewalker]

Thanks for the insights. I don't yet have my CHL, though took Tom Estep's class Saturday and the paperwork is in the mail this morning. Giving me the benefit of your experience is quite a gift. I appreciate it.

[WildBill]

Thanks for the insights. I don't yet have my CHL, though took Tom Estep's class Saturday and the paperwork is in the mail this morning. Giving me the benefit of your experience is quite a gift. I appreciate it.

Stonewaker - Welcome to the forum. I took my first CHL class from Tom Estep. He is the person who introduced me to the TexasCHLForum. You are fortunate that you took the class from him. He is a first rate instructor.

[C-dub]

I am almost sure that what Ammoboy2 was referring to as far as the speed with which you can access your gun quickly when you bag carry is, can you do it one handed? Sure, when you're practicing, you can achieve quick access, but what about under stress when you're trying to fight someone off with one hand and get your gun into action with the other?

I have also considered bag carry in one way or another. I used to even carry and the often maligned fanny pack, which was never over my fanny, when I would be in shorts and sandals in the summer.

[maximus2161]

I am almost sure that what Ammoboy2 was referring to as far as the speed with which you can access your gun quickly when you bag carry is, can you do it one handed? Sure, when you're practicing, you can achieve quick access, but what about under stress when you're trying to fight someone off with one hand and get your gun into action with the other?

I have also considered bag carry in one way or another. I used to even carry and the often maligned fanny pack, which was never over my fanny, when I would be in shorts and sandals in the summer.

Actually you make an outstanding point. Accessing your gun from a bag with one hand....under stress. I have some bags that I dont use for that because its just not practical. As far as being under stress...I really hope I never find out even with the amount of practice and training I have. Probably wont really know until I was in that situation. Again hope I never find out.

But when I use an EDC bag for CCW yes I can access it one handed based on the design. Actually its designed to be accessed one handed. But this bag is designed to work that way. I have all kinds of gear bags. I have two that really work well for CCW when I do that. Once I moved to a smaller handgun I found I could pocket carry more comfortably. So in the last few month I will pocket and still carry a small EDC bag but with other stuff in it and not a gun. I will keep a couple of spare mags in a bag sometimes.

[C-dub]

Do these bags that you can access the gun with one hand have a lanyard to open the compartment or a flap like on a mail carrier bag?

[maximus2161]

Do these bags that you can access the gun with one hand have a lanyard to open the compartment or a flap like on a mail carrier bag?

First off most of my bags regardless of use have 550 paracord pulltabs. Just easier for me to use. But the small edc bag I use has a compartment that looks like a pocket (well it it is a pocket) but it has a stiff pull tab you use. Its zippered on the sides with a pull tab at the top that opens with a pull. Its sorta hard to explain forgive me.

[C-dub]

Do these bags that you can access the gun with one hand have a lanyard to open the compartment or a flap like on a mail carrier bag?

First off most of my bags regardless of use have 550 paracord pulltabs. Just easier for me to use. But the small edc bag I use has a compartment that looks like a pocket (well it it is a pocket) but it has a stiff pull tab you use. Its zippered on the sides with a pull tab at the top that opens with a pull. Its sorta hard to explain forgive me.

It's not that difficult to imagine. If the zipper or pull tabs work easily, you should be able to access your gun with one hand okay. It might not be as easy as one carried OWB, but if it works and you have practiced with it and are comfortable carrying this way that's what matters.