Holsters are always the first, best option for everyday carry. But when summer temperatures put the axe to even light cover garments, concealed carry bags like these examples from Falco offer viable solutions…and some added advantages.
by Rob Reaser
With years of concealed carry behind me, I’ve adapted to a particular rhythm that is probably not unlike your own.
First, I have settled on OWB (outside the waistband) holsters as the most comfortable, most practical, and fastest to a clean draw for my clothing style and body shape. Second, the guns I choose to carry varies by clothing needs and the prevailing climate. In winter, I have the pleasure of carrying my stalwart 1911. In summer, I trend toward sub- and micro-compact 9mms. The between seasons could see me strapping on anything from the 1911 to the sub-compacts.
Outdoor pursuits change the calculus. When I’m backpacking, flyfishing, or doing anything where concealment is not a factor, I’m rolling with the 1911 or perhaps a 3-inch-barrel .38/.357 revolver. The problem I have with…we’ll call it “outdoor carry” …is that a handgun on my belt is extremely uncomfortable when I have a 33-lb. pack on my back that’s cinched to me with a wide and padded lumbar strap.
I know I’m not alone in these struggles. Sometimes, we need alternative solutions for diverse carry needs. Women, especially, have challenges in finding carry solutions for their body shape and clothing requirements.
That’s where concealed carry bags truly shine.
Anatomy of a Concealed Carry Bag
A concealed carry bag is, as its name implies, simply a bag into which a handgun is secured. These bags will have four common denominators:
- they will include either a strap to hang the bag across the shoulder, or a quick-release buckled strap system that goes around the waist or across the torso
- the bag will have a compartment dedicated to holding the gun
- the bag will use a model-specific holster pocket, typically with hook-and-loop backing, to secure the gun inside the bag, or it will use an adjustable hook-and-loop strap to secure the gun inside the compartment
- the bag will typically use a fast-open zipper system for quick access to the gun
Concealed carry bags are often classified as off-body carry systems because they tend not to be secured to your body (in contrast to a holster system). In other words, the bag can be easily removed by lifting or unbuckling a strap. Purse-carry or fanny pack carry are perfect examples of traditional off-body carry systems.
Styles, though, change over the years. Today, we see a broad range of packs and bags used every day by men and women across all walks of society for various purposes. This is good because now concealed carry packs blend in with conventional fashion norms. A guy or gal carrying a sling pack or shoulder bag doesn’t elicit a second take whereas they might have ten or fifteen years ago.
Why Concealed Carry Bags?
A concealed carry bag should not be considered an equal alternative to a holster system. It’s not. The on-body holster — properly fitted for the gun, boasting optimal retention, and well-positioned for the shooter — is always the best option for carrying a defensive handgun. You want that gun to stay on you through any physical activity, and you want a carry system that will give you a fast draw to target. Only a quality belt holster delivers on both counts.
There are, though, conditions where off-body carry systems are prudent. Consider the aforementioned examples, such as when wearing light clothing in high-temperature climates or when the waistband is otherwise occupied, say, with a backpack. Carrying a child on the hip might negate a belt holster system. Some folks simply find carrying a gun on the hip all day or for several hours to be too heavy or uncomfortable. Women who wear a dress is another example. Perhaps you will be required to change your clothing (a gym, a doctor’s office, a clothing store) and your gun needs to stay hidden. The list goes on.
Of course, with more people in general making carry bags of one sort or another part of their wardrobe, a concealed carry bag goes relatively unnoticed and unremarked. Think of it as the “gray man” effect.
One big advantage the concealed carry bag offers, depending on the style, is a place for you to stash important items. As personal defense practitioners, these items should always include the “Fundamental Four” as Shoot ON contributor Paul Markel explained in his article Building No-Nonsense Kits for Personal Defense: Part 1. These include something lethal, something bright, something sharp, and something medical.
Bags for Changing Scenarios
To explore the options of modern concealed carry bags, we went to Falco Holsters, manufacturer of premium holster systems for just about any type of carry need you may have. From the company’s impressive lineup of concealed carry bags, we wanted to look at three specific styles of concealed carry bags that could cover most scenarios and applications: shoulder bag, sling bag, and drop leg bag.
Choosing the type of concealed carry bag that’s right for you will depend on several factors, such as intended activity, dress, environment, and, of course, comfort.
Shoulder Bag: Falco G210
Of the three concealed carry bag styles we’re going to look at, the shoulder bag is the most conventional and utilitarian. Such bags have been worn by men and women since forever in some form or another. Guys who might blanch at carrying a shoulder bag need only consider its purpose and precedent.
Let us start with the precedent. Since North America’s settler and pioneer days, responsible men carried two visible items as part of their daily dress-out — their muzzleloader rifles and a “necessities bag” slung across their torso. Now for the purpose. Just like the necessities bag of yore, the modern concealed carry shoulder bag should hold the Fundamental Four (something lethal [your pistol], sharp, bright, and medical), as these are the necessities of today’s martial-minded men and women.
The Falco G210 shoulder bag fulfills this role quite well.
The G210 has a stiff, zippered back panel that is sized to fit a full-size handgun. The largest pistol I have is this Stoeger STR-9S Combat hosting a Burris FastFire 4 and the extended 20-round magazine. It doesn’t get much bigger than that, yet the G210 easily accommodates.
Pistol retention comes courtesy of an adjustable hook-and-loop “holster.” Simply wrap the holster snugly around gun so that it creates the best pocket for your firearm. Next, place the holstered gun onto the G210’s loop panel. The gun is now secure in the compartment.
Since the G210 is designed for left- or right-hand draw, the bag comes with a zip pull sewn into each top corner of the rear panel. These zip pulls allow you to grab the expose loop and pull to unzip the panel and gain access to your gun. A right-hand shooter would carry the bag so that it hangs on the left side of the body; the right-side zip pull would be protruding between the two closed zippers during normal carry.
In addition to the gun compartment, the G210 has a large, primary zippered compartment and a smaller zippered compartment in front of it. These are perfect for securing emergency essentials and other small valuables. A smaller, non-zippered pocket is sewn onto the front while a front flap covers the pouch and is held closed with magnets. I see this as the perfect place to stow non-lethal spray in the case of an animal attack.
Cross-Body (Sling) Bag: Falco G122
Cross-body, or sling bags, have become popular for many applications, and for good reasons. They hold close to the body, meaning they won’t flop around like a long-strap shoulder bag may, and they leave both hands free to fight or to run. And unlike a fanny pack, they keep weight off the pelvis, making them comfortable for all-day carry or for long travels in a vehicle.
Falco’s G122 concealed carry CrossBody bag is adjustable for a broad spectrum of torso sizes and can be worn across the left or right side of the body as well as across the back or front. It all depends on your situation and personal tastes.
Like the G210 shoulder bag, the G122 sling bag has two stacked and zippered front pockets. These don’t hold the same volume as the shoulder bag, but they are big enough for carrying the essentials.
This bag has semi-trapezoidal shape, with the gun compartment tapering toward the padded side of the adjustable sling. As such, it is challenged to accept a tall overall-height pistol like the aforementioned STR-9S combat setup, but if you are a big-boy revolver fan, this might be the bag for you.
I found the G122 to be perfect for a compact or sub-compact carry solution. Guns of these sizes carry easily across the shoulder, and the oblong shape of the bag allows ample room for stowing an extra magazine or two — which is something you should consider with any carry system you choose. Also, I like the front-of-body positioning of this bag. You have quick access to the zip pull, a fast draw, and upon the draw, a straight presentation to the target — just as you are taught in defensive pistol class.
A couple other features of the G122 should be noted. First, the bag is backed with a high-traction, rubberized material that helps keep the bag from sliding around your torso. Second, should you wish, the bag can be worn around the waist like a conventional fanny pack.
Drop Leg Bag: Falco G213
Of the three concealed carry bag styles we’re looking at, my hands-down favorite is Falco’s G213 drop leg bag. I say that with a caveat — this style probably wouldn’t be the best choice if you wish to “stay gray” in a high-density urban environment because the drop leg style, while not necessarily screaming “tactical,” certainly announces it with an authoritative voice.
Rather, the G213 drop leg is an ideal solution for active outdoor scenarios. Backpackers, hunters, and aggressive day hikers are all to familiar with the problems of traditional OWB holster carry. You want fast access to your gun, but the positioning of a pack’s lumbar strap or belt makes comfortable carry with an OWB holster practically impossible. The drop leg bag, though, solves this problem.
The G213 hangs low around the waist, with the leg strap providing both support and bag position retention. It moves with you, providing freedom of movement for walking, running, or climbing, yet doesn’t flop around or get in your way. Furthermore, the bag doesn’t interfere with a backpack’s lumbar belt.
Of course, the G213 is more than an OWB holster substitute. As with the other concealed carry bags discussed here, the G213 accommodates emergency items and other essentials thanks to two zippered exterior pockets.
Suitable for left- or right-hand carry, the G213 places your handgun right where you expect it to be, which counts as a plus.
As you can see from the above photo, you don’t have to use the supplied hook-and-loop holster strap to secure your gun into this or any of the bags seen here. If you already have a modular-style holster with a leather or Kydex pocket and a hook panel backer, or if you prefer such a holster to maximize retention, the Falco concealed carry bags with work with those systems.
Off-Body Carry System Reminders
If you intend to use a concealed carry bag in place of a conventional holster system, there are a couple important things to keep in mind:
- Never Take It Off! – You know the rule. You are responsible for your firearm at all times. Personal retention is mandatory. Always keep the concealed carry bag securely strapped to your body when in public. A shoulder bag, for example, should never be worn with the strap simply hanging on the shoulder — too easy for a street thug to snatch it and run. Wear the strap over your head and across your body to maintain possession even during a physical engagement.
- Practice with Your Bag! – A concealed carry bag is more complicated and slower to the draw than an OWB or most IWB holster systems. You must first open the bag before drawing. That not only takes more time, but it also means drawing from an unorthodox position. Muscle memory is everything for getting your firearm deployed in a crisis. That’s why it is important to practice drawing and presenting your gun from your chosen concealed carry bag. Practice will speed up your presentation and allow you to refine nuances, such as bag positioning and zip pull placement, to make your draw as efficient and safe as possible.
We live, as they say, in interesting times, with random, deadly violence seemingly on the rise across the country. Threats appear in the most unlikely and unsuspected places, and we must be ready always. If a conventional holster system doesn’t work for your particular situation or dress, a concealed carry bag like those presented here should definitely be part of your go-to kit.
