Having a concealed carry firearm on my person is very important to me. I take responsibility for my own protection and that of my family very seriously. I am sure that most people who carry concealed feel the same way.
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“Off body carry” (specifically the use of an off-body carry bag) is something I rarely do. When I have done so, I did it in certain situations that dictate or necessitate it.
There are definitely some pros and cons to off-body carry. So, let’s go over them based on my personal experiences with various methods of how I did it. I am not a lawyer, and none of this is legal advice, so carry accordingly and within your local laws.
The biggest pro for off-body carry is that it is a solution that allows you to have your firearm with you when your primary and preferred methods are not feasible.
First, I’ll review some of the situations and circumstances in which I decided to employ off-body carry. In most of these cases, off-body carry was the only option. It was either off-body carry or no carry at all.
Weather is a big factor because it controls the type of apparel you wear. An off-body carry is an excellent option for both extremes, hot and cold. In hot weather, you may wear light shorts or even swim trunks. Both of which are not usually stable enough to hold and secure a holstered pistol.
In cold weather, you’ll most likely be in multiple layers and wearing gloves. You could have a holstered pistol inside or outside your waistband, but getting to it through all those layers may take too long to get to when needed. That is not even to mention all of the snag hazards along the way during the draw and presentation.
Injuries can affect how you carry your firearm. There have been a few instances when the grippy texture of my gun rubbed against my abdomen, leading to open wounds. This happens sometimes, depending on certain pants I wear that position the pistol in a way that jabs it into me, and after a while it becomes a minor injury.
Even though it is minor, it is still painful and needs to heal. It can only heal up from not having any contact with the pistol. That means carrying on my person is out for a moment until it heals up. Off-body carry is the only way to go for me when this happens.
There are other reasons and situations where one might choose to carry off-body, but those are the most common situations when I employ off-body carry.
Okay, now we will discuss the drawbacks of off body carry. There are plenty of them, compared to carrying on your person. As with anything you choose to carry and the methods you utilize, it is always a good idea to know your setup’s capabilities and limitations.
Speed is the major factor here, and it is the biggest con to off-body carry. With practice, you can draw your EDC pistol from your waistband pretty quickly. The same can be said about drawing from your off-body pack. However, it is much slower since there are more steps required to get to your gun.
Let’s go over the steps while using a backpack. I won’t be going over every type of pack, but each will be slightly different. In all cases, dry practice will greatly benefit in making the draw time as short as possible.
You can see the amount of time and many variables that can become obstacles while you are going for your pistol. If time and circumstances allow, you will most likely want to keep the backpack on you after drawing the pistol.
Another thing to consider is that while you are carrying your firearm in your pack, you are absolutely married to it. It must be in your control at all times. Treat it like your luggage at the airport or public transportation; never leave it unattended.
This should be common sense and knowledge, but I have personally recovered an unattended, loaded firearm from a police officer who left it in the bathroom stall after using the facilities. Thankfully, a responsible citizen notified us of that incident. You can imagine if a person with ill intent got a hold of that pistol.
That is an example of complacency with an IWB body carry, but putting down a pack can be an easy thing to do and get complacent with. You simply can not do it with your off-body carry pack.
With sling packs and fanny packs, you should be able to keep the pack straped to your body and are a bit quicker than a two strapped backpack.
Setting up an off-body carry setup can vary drastically with different types of packs, accessories, and holsters. I always make sure to carry spare mags and an IFAK or med kit in there since you will have the space for them.
Let’s review one of my carry methods with the Vertx Long Walks 28L pack. I use the BAP, or Belt Adapter Panel, to attach my Kydex holster to the main compartment of my pack.
The BAP has two parts, and it can accommodate many different types of holsters, from belt loops to IWB types.
Once I have it velcroed in the main compartment, I know it will be safe and secure, ready to go when I need it.
For more firepower, the Long Walks Pack was able to hold my 10.5″ AR Pistol equipped with a Gen 3 Law Tactical Folder. In my case, I like to utilize the main compartment for both pistol and rifle or AR Pistol, as it is the biggest and easiest to access compartment.
Now, let’s go over products that allow you to carry off body. There are a ton of great companies with excellent products that are designed specifically for this purpose. I’ve used a lot of different products over the years.
These are packs with two shoulder straps.
Sling bags have a single cross-body body strap.
Fanny packs are back in fashion. They strap around your waistband.
So far, I’ve been focused on carrying Every Day Carry or EDC pistols. Off-body carry starts with pistols but doesn’t end with them; that’s just the beginning.
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You can carry a folded rifle or sized long gun with a backpack to increase your firepower. This can be done in conjunction with your EDC. This can be for the uniformed patrol officer or plainclothes officer to have a rifle at hand without having it overtly on display in certain situations, like around crowds.
Having a gun in your pack would be great to have on a hike in areas that are far away, in the middle of nowhere.
Your off-body pack requires more attention and situational awareness to ensure no one comes near it so they can unzip any of the compartments. Most off-body carry packs are unlocked, as a lock will make the draw even slower and draw unwanted attention to itself.
Finally, I want to go over tactics on the best way to maximize the effectiveness of off-body carry should you choose to use it as a method of carrying your firearm with the pros and cons in consideration.
Knowing that there are a lot of limitations is the key to effectively getting your firearm out and in the fight. Speed in the draw and finding the right opportunity and position to draw on a threat are critical factors. Creating distance from the threat or getting some concealment can buy you precious time as well as keep you from being spotted by the threat and getting engaged before you are ready.
I can go into what-ifs and different scenarios, but you get the idea. The bottom line is that if you’re using off-body carry, you are either doing it because it’s almost a last-resort way of carrying or because you want to bring more firepower with you.
When deciding on a packaging option for your product, you will likely come across two main types: rigid and flexible. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages which we will explore in this article. Rigid packaging is a rigid box or container that is made from materials such as plastic, metal, or cardboard. It is not flexible and does not deform when pressure is applied. Flexible packaging, on the other hand, is a bag or pouch made from materials such as plastic or laminated paper. It can be stretched and deformed when pressure is applied. Let’s take a closer look at each type of packaging.
Rigid packaging is a rigid box or container that is made from materials such as plastic, metal, or cardboard. It is not flexible and does not deform when pressure is applied. Rigid packaging can be either reusable or disposable. Some examples of rigid packaging include:
There are several advantages to using rigid packaging:
There are also some disadvantages to using rigid packaging:
Flexible packaging is a bag or pouch made from materials such as plastic or laminated paper. It can be stretched and deformed when pressure is applied. Flexible packaging can be either heat-sealed or glued. Some examples of flexible packaging include:
There are several advantages to using flexible packaging:
There are also some disadvantages to using flexible packaging:
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to rigid vs flexible packaging. It all depends on your specific needs and preferences. Some companies prefer rigid packaging because it provides more protection for the product and gives a luxurious feel. Others prefer flexible packaging because it is less expensive and takes up less space. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which type of packaging is best for your product.
A study conducted by the Freedonia Group found that 54% of consumers prefer rigid packaging while 46% prefer flexible packaging. The study also found that rigid packaging is more popular with older consumers while flexible packaging is more popular with younger consumers.
Rigid packaging is often used for products that are:
Flexible packaging is often used for products that are:
Rigid packaging is often used for products that require a high level of protection, such as electronics, glassware, and medical devices. It is also commonly used for food and beverage products, such as milk, soda, and soup.
Flexible packaging is often used for products that are lightweight and easy to store, such as cereal, granola, and snacks. It is also commonly used for frozen foods, such as ice cream and frozen vegetables.
Some examples of companies that use rigid packaging:
Some examples of companies that use flexible packaging:
There are many factors to consider when choosing rigid vs flexible packaging. Some things to keep in mind include:
The cost of rigid packaging vs flexible packaging depends on many factors, such as the type of material used, the size and shape of the packaging, the printing process, and the quantity ordered. In general, rigid packaging is more expensive to produce than flexible packaging.
Rigid packaging is more expensive because it requires more material and labor to produce. The rigid packaging process also generally takes longer than the flexible packaging process.
Rigid packaging is more likely to be recycled than flexible packaging. However, rigid packaging also has a larger environmental impact because it requires more energy and resources to produce.
Flexible packaging is less likely to be recycled than rigid packaging. However, flexible packaging has a smaller environmental impact because it requires less energy and resources to produce.
If you are still unsure of which type of packaging to choose, the best thing to do is to experiment with both and see which one works better for your products and your company. It’s important to choose the one that best meets your needs.
Ultimately, the decision of rigid vs flexible packaging comes down to personal preference and what type of product you are selling. If you are still unsure of which option to choose, consider consulting with a packaging expert at Maco PKG.
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