I had a near catastrophic event happen over the weekend with a nearly new fanny pack that could have been a disaster if not for a good carry pouch for my ccw NorthAmerican Guardian.
Three months ago I bought a Bulldog fanny pack from Cabelas. The pack was recommended to me, had a five star rating and the price was good.
The second time I used it, one of the minor zippers tore away after one use.
On Saturday while motorcycling in Missouri, the zipper that contained the DeSantis pack gave way dumping the pack on an interstate. Luckily, the Desantis pack held and the truck following us missed it. The weapon was undamaged, but had it not been in the DeSantis pack, anything could have happened. The zipper had simply seperated. I was able to do a quick repair with the slide, but I will not use this pack again. The people at Cabelas were very nice and are giving me a full refund, but my advice is DO NOT buy this fanny pack under any circumstances or if you value your concealed carry weapon. I hate to think what could have happened if the Guradian hadn't been in the DeSantis pack, which BTW, I highly recommend to everyone. If you want information on model numbers, I will be glad to give them.
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“From my cold, dead hands.” Charleston Heston.
Could be said for both my LCP 380 and a Hershey Bar!
Based on problems I have had with zippers in luggage and on winter jackets, I would not utilize a fanny pack with a zipper down the side for my CCE weapon.
I usually use one of the pouch types, that I can unzip and reach in and draw the gun.
They are not without problems either. I found one recently I liked in Camo, that looked sturdier than my old glove leather pack that was too lightweight for anything other than a BUG (back up gun).
I bought it and was pretty happy with it, until I realized the buckle attachment was defective and the thing started popping loose.
I had to decide whether to buy a new buckle and sew it on or come up with some other alternative.
Not being the best in the world at stitching cordura nylon, I bought some velcro strips and encircled the buckle with them. Pain in the keyster to put on, but it works AND is dependable.
I probably need to start checking me emails regularly to get a notifiction when Tommys GunPacks has their 80 percent off sale, LOL...
That's why I like the DeSantis pouches so well. Single zipper closure, the case looks like a cell phone pack, or day planner, it's small, maybe 5x8inches if not smaller, and securely carries a small weapon like a NAA Guardian, or a Ruger LCP without detection. I found them through the North American Arms site under accessories, but I've seen them elsewhere. I have two of them and so far no failures. They clip securely to a belt, are available in rt and lt draw. For some reason, I had slipped the whole case into my fannypack and hadn't secured the weapon by itself in the velcro holster. I'm glad I had or the bare weapon would have wound up on the asphault. So much for concealed at that point. I was lucky in that for all anyone knew, I had simply dropped my dayplanner.
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“From my cold, dead hands.” Charleston Heston.
Could be said for both my LCP 380 and a Hershey Bar!
Everybody seems to have different ideas on "how" to carry, or "where" to carry?
I use a typical "discount store type" fanny pack, cost about $6. It has a large inside compartment where I keep my Bersa Thunder. The outer compartment can hold more than one, spare mags, or whatever you want to put in there. I like the pack because it's genuine leather, quite strong & I trust it. Periodically, (when empty) I try to "rip it" or cause the buckle to break. I test it, to be sure it will "carry safely."
...works for me....
Update: Cabelas has been great to deal with concerning this problem. I mailed the fanny pack back to them upon request and received a letter from them last week stating that they were crediting my Master Card for the cost.
I agree on the durability of leather. My back up fanny pack is a bargain one that I picked up at a gun show for like 3 dollars. So far, no failures with it. I liked the Bulldog for the simple reason that it had a lot of compartments and a built in holster that could defy Illinois no carry laws from what I've heard.
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“From my cold, dead hands.” Charleston Heston.
Could be said for both my LCP 380 and a Hershey Bar!
Hey Mr Jerry! We be fine. Hubby was thinking about you the other day and wondering how you are. We are at our Missouri farm this weekend rabbit hunting and preparing for deer season. Bambi gonna meet my 30-30 and ouch's 25 06!! He wants to use his fifty but we don't want all hamburger/deerburger. If you get around B town stop by. We are hoping to get to the E Peoria gun show next week. You planning on going?
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“From my cold, dead hands.” Charleston Heston.
Could be said for both my LCP 380 and a Hershey Bar!
If you get around B town stop by. We are hoping to get to the E Peoria gun show next week. You planning on going?
