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Fanny Pack CC Advice Please

5K views 41 replies 29 participants last post by  Majorlk 
#1 ·
Recently purchased a used bicycle so I could start getting some exercise. (I forgot how much I enjoy riding a bike - especially on bike paths and quiet, residential streets around my neighborhood.)

Anyway, I'd like to keep my daily carry (S&W .38 snubbie) with me while riding. I can't carry it IWB because it prints like crazy while I'm slightly bent over peddling and I don't wear a belt with my athletic shorts. A shoulder rig won't work for me, nor would an ankle holster.

I don't want to mount it to the bicycle for many reasons; not the least of which is that don't want to have it off my body at any time.

I've seen many fanny packs available online for CC but I'm not overly comfortable buying one without getting input from real-life users. I'm looking for one that can securely carry my S&W, has room for my wallet and phone, and that gives me quick and easy access to my pistol too.

So .....do any of you own and use a fanny pack specifically designed for CC of a smaller handgun / revolver? Any of you regularly ride a bicycle and carry too?

Thanks in advance for any advice / insights.
 
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#32 ·
Like True Grit, I bought a plain fanny pack years ago that has worked fine when I wanted it.

I did make one modification that I think makes a lot of difference. I bought a cheap foam yoga mat that I have cut up for a number of uses, including lining the interior of the fanny pack. The foam gives the gun a snug fit and gives the pack some shape so the gun is easier to draw. A few drops of contact cement holds the foam in place. I don't use it much now but it worked great when I did. It's not as bulky as most of the belt bags designed for concealed carry and looks, as others have pointed out, like a bag with stuff in it, but not necessarily a gun.
 
#34 ·
One advice given by my CCW instructor was wear shirts that look hideous that people look away. In that sense, fanny packs work.
 
#37 ·
I have been carrying privately and as a cop for about 50 years and have all the fanny packs listed here. Cycling is a problem because of so much movement. All the fanny packs with zippers are simply too slow, even the ones with the little tab. If a couple dogs get after you, you basically have to stop to get them open. In those cases where folks get mugged the bad guy just jumps out of the bushes, zero time to fumble with a zipper. I do suggest the belly bands, the cheap ones are just as good as the expensive ones. I have also carried a lot on horseback and atvs, where a belt an holster are required, but only a loose shirt or jacked works for that. I also agree with the big loose Panama shirts for cover. I have carried all over the country in protective service jobs wearing them and you can conceal full size guns all day long. Just saying, my opinion is that everybody, especially the bad guys expect a fanny pack to have a gun and/or a wallet and that makes bad guys attack by surprise. I never, ever wear one, unless I have a big gun in it, and a smaller gun (Ruger LCP) in a pocket. My 2 cents.
 
#38 · (Edited)
Well, there are a lot more responses to this topic that I anticipated. Again, thank you all for the input and advice.

As it turns out, I was out shopping with my wife this past weekend. As she browsed whatever it is she was looking for, I took a look at the luggage / travel items. Found a very simple rectangular shaped PUMA brand fanny pack with two zippered compartments. One compartment seems perfect for the snubbie.

I've yet to ride with it, but trying it out at home it seems like it might work for me; if I wear it on my left side, I can easily unzip it with my left hand and do a quick crossdraw with my right hand.

Going to do a trail run with it this week to check out comfort and stability of the pack.

If it doesn't work out for me, I think I'll look into the bellyband option.

Oh, and for what it is worth, I really don't care what others think about me wearing a fanny pack - whether I'm less manly or whether I'm armed. But just to be safe, I made sure to get the pink one with little flowers on it. :p

Thanks again for the thoughts and insights.
 
#40 ·
I don't know about that one either Slowalkintexan??? Maybe in Texas it would work? But if I saw it I'd think "The fellow has a shooter!". Living in CA you have to be even more secretive. So much so that when I got old enough and no longer could wear a regular pant's belt (stomach issues, etc.) I went looking for just a regular "fanny" pack for my keys/wallet, etc. Everything I tried broadcast "Shooter Inside"! I finally ended up with a stomach shaped/kidney bag that went over one shoulder. It was even done in a very bright light green with black and yellow highlights. Silly looking, but not "offensive". First thing my mother said when she saw it was "Don't you worry that everyone will think you have a gun in that bag?". Can't win for loosing I guess? Part of the pitfalls of living in California I guess? Smithy.
 
#41 ·
Update: The Puma zippered fanny pack works quite well.

I removed the cord tie from one zipper pull and tied it to the cord on the other zipper pull - gives a better tactile feel so I can easily grab the right pull if needed. I wear the pack on my left side which allows me to bicycle without any impediment from the bag. And it can easily unzip the compartment with my left hand and grab the revolver with my right hand.

So far, so good. The bag doesn't shiift nor does the snubbie inside. There's room in the other compartment for my CCW permit and my phone.

On a side note, and for those who like to cycle, I read an article by a bike cop who advised that, if you do find yourself in an altercation while cycling, be sure to unbuckle your helmet. The reason being that, if an aggressor gets hold of your bike helmet while it is strapped on, he will pretty much have control over you; where your head goes, the body tends to follow.
 
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