p.2 #1 · Bag for Camera & Gun - Wait, hear me out!
I second (or third, or fourth) the recommendation to NOT try to carry in your camera bag, for the same reason I try to discourage women from carrying guns in their purses. Even if it is always on your person, the bag will be a target for thieves. If someone tries to nab it, at best you're in a struggle to get your gun. At worst, they have it instead of you.
Something like a fanny pack sounds like a good option for what you need. There's also a product called a "Safepacker" made by The Wilderness Tactical Products. It's like a fanny pack, but doesn't look like a fanny pack. It looks more like a big PDA case that can be adapted to multiple methods of carry. A small gun in a pocket holster is another reasonable option.
The bottom line is you want something you can get to quickly if your life it imminently threatened. If your life is not imminently threatened, leave it where it is. But if you took the class and got the license, you already know that.
p.2 #8 · Bag for Camera & Gun - Wait, hear me out!
BigBlueDodge wrote:
In my state, ANY citizen can keep a loaded firearm in their vehicle, license or not
Luck you. I live in the People's Republic of California, you can't get a conceal permit unless you are real important person. So the rest of the average joe's lives are not that important, we are suppose to use our cell phone to call 911 when we need help. And hopefully they get there in time to help and not show up 10 minutes later to i.d. your bloody body.
p.2 #10 · Bag for Camera & Gun - Wait, hear me out!
I will echo what a few others have said here...I believe you need to keep the firearm on your body and under your control. There are a number of alternative carry options when a standard IWB holster will not suffice.
The fanny pack was mentioned and is viable when shooting with a camera as most folks will believe it is part of your equipment. I have used this method on a number of occasions.
The holstered pocket pistol, as mentioned, is a great way to go as well, but be sure to practice with an empty gun until you are comfortable with the draw and with the carry of it.
You can go to a more deep concealment option, like Thunderwear, belly band, or gun shirt, but you will trade off some comfort and speed for the extra concealment.
One option I have not seen suggested in here yet is a variant of the IWB that allows for a shirt to be tucked in over the holster. Look at the Milt Sparks Versa Max II (leather) or the Comp Tac CTAC (Kydex). The Milt Sparks is top of the line and is tough to get, with a wait time of about 6 months when ordering. However, the wait is well worth it. Very versatile holster.
p.2 #11 · Bag for Camera & Gun - Wait, hear me out!
Thanks all for the advice. This has been a really good discussion for the most part.
After hearing your input, I have abandoned my idea of using the bag for storage. Instead, am going to focus more on using a different holster placement, or possibly consider a new gun (I'm really liking the idea of a snub nose revolver and just carrying that in my front pocket. That way, when I'm bending over, laying down, squatting, twisting, whatever I won't risk exposing the firearm.
mbree, the Milt Sparks Versa Max II is actually on my buy list. I will be placing my order for one very soon.
Last, to all of those that made comments not relevant to the original posting. Let me state that I do not apologize, or am sorry for the fact that my country allows law abiding citizens the right to protect themselves. I work for a huge, multi-national company, who frequently transfers employees from abroad to live and work in the US. These employees often come from countries where gun ownership is not permitted. I find it amazing at how quickly these individuals will go purchase a firearm once they get into the US. They have been denied that right in their home country, and very quickly take advantage of the right when they come to the US. I am quite confident, that a person would prefer that his government give him a choice to own a firearm (whether he chooses to or not), rather than the government not giving him a choice at.
p.2 #12 · Bag for Camera & Gun - Wait, hear me out!
DIS Ottawa wrote:
If you live in a place that is so dangerous that you feel you must carry a gun, maybe you should move.
Ha, what world do you live in? I hate to break it to you, but danger lurks everywhere, even in Ottawa. What I carry is irrelevant, if there is a possibility of danger, I carry something to protect myself. If I'm in Ottawa, then it's a knife and if I'm in the US, it's a gun. I use the tool that the government permits me to use.
DIS Ottawa wrote:
On the other hand, if people didn't carry guns perhaps their society wouldn't be so violent and dangerous.
Not true. If a country has a problem with child pornography being circulated, do you say it is because the people are allowed to have cameras? If a country has many fatalities due to car wrecks, do you outlaw the cars? The tools are not the problem, it's the people behind them. Take a way the tool, and the people will just find another tool and improperly use it. It's a never ending game.
DIS Ottawa wrote:
And this is a photography forum - personally I find this topic inappropriate.
Actually, this topic is most appropriate. Based on the feedback posted thus far, this is something that others have dealt with in the past. If this topic was inappropriate, no one would have posted feedback. This topic is not about whether it's right or wrong to carry a gun. This topic was about camera bags being used to conceal a gun. I think your emotional feelings are skewing what the topic is really about. I don't care what you think about me carrying a gun. I do care what you think would be a good bag to potentially conceal it in? I'm listening to your suggestion.
p.2 #14 · Bag for Camera & Gun - Wait, hear me out!
Another vote for a waist pack. I use a Bianchi Top Secret II 4410 for daily carry, (large 9MM) Velcro hidden compartment 2 other pockets to carry odds and ends in.
No one has ever looked twice at me.
Mike
p.2 #15 · Bag for Camera & Gun - Wait, hear me out!
Real questions is: is your camera arm the same as you gun arm? What to do when trouble strikes, drop the camera and go for the gun? Or do you train your weak arm to draw and fire?
p.2 #16 · Bag for Camera & Gun - Wait, hear me out!
Savas K wrote:
Real questions is: is your camera arm the same as you gun arm? What to do when trouble strikes, drop the camera and go for the gun? Or do you train your weak arm to draw and fire?
Thats what the neck strap is for, so your camera won't hit the ground if you have to let go of it to draw.
p.2 #17 · Bag for Camera & Gun - Wait, hear me out!
trebuchet wrote:
Get a J-frame S&W wheelgun and a Kramer pocket holster. ( I have the S&W 442)
5 shots of 158gr JHP .38 +p and a speedloader with another 5 rounds should get you away from any threat.
I call it my American Express card. I don't leave home without it.
It looks like a wallet when sitting in my front pocket.
I have the same set up. I sent mine to Jack Wiegand to have an action job done and install a full length ejector rod onto it.
That said, I have to agree with those that say keep the firearm close to you and independant of the camera bag. If the sheet hits the fan the gun and your life are both way more important than your camera gear. With all due respect.
I usually carry open here in Washington state (while backpacking) when I do have to go concealed I carry my Smith 442/Ruger SP101/Glock 27 in a belt pouch attached to my waste belt. The arm MUST be accessible quickly at all times.
p.2 #18 · Bag for Camera & Gun - Wait, hear me out!
BigBlueDodge wrote:
... These employees often come from countries where gun ownership is not permitted. I find it amazing at how quickly these individuals will go purchase a firearm once they get into the US. They have been denied that right in their home country, and very quickly take advantage of the right when they come to the US. ...
Heh... or just maybe it's because, suddenly finding themselves in a country where a lot of people are running around armed, they feel the need. ;-)
p.2 #19 · Bag for Camera & Gun - Wait, hear me out!
A small fanny pack worn in front with a .357 Sig Glock Compact is my companion in the city or the woods. You are responsible for defending yourself and your property. The media is filled with stories of those who have given this responsibility over to others...
p.2 #20 · Bag for Camera & Gun - Wait, hear me out!
Have you considered sewing a transponder into your camera/gun bag like in the movie "No Country for Old Men"? The thieves would be easy to find, and a handgun would be a lot more easily concealed than Chirgurh's captive bolt pistol. Any right action would only underscore that this country is 'no place for young thieves'. Kidding.
Actually, this topic is most appropriate. Based on the feedback posted thus far, this is something that others have dealt with in the past. If this topic was inappropriate, no one would have posted feedback. This topic is not about whether it's right or wrong to carry a gun. This topic was about camera bags being used to conceal a gun. I think your emotional feelings are skewing what the topic is really about. I don't care what you think about me carrying a gun. I do care what you think would be a good bag to potentially conceal it in? I'm listening to your suggestion. ...Show more →
No, Big Blue, it is still inappropriate even though you try to make it just about a camera bag. If you need others to pick out a camera bag for you that's one thing, but to qualify a bag or, as eventually discussed here, a system to conceal a deadly weapon it's a totally different topic. It's one of those things you should figure out for yourself, or at least Google it. The reason you are getting some negative feedback is because it involves an alternative use for a camera bag - essentially gun concealment and it's posted on a camera forum.
