TexasCHLforum.com

I feel you here..

Here are somethings that I have tried and can give feedback on. I am in the same business so I go through the same pain. I really want open carry to pass so badly because concealed carry is a royal pain.

My CHL is supposed to be arriving today so all of this has been experimenting around the house and with a Taser in place of the gun when out.
My game plan is a tuckable IWB in w/appendix carry with a Kahr PM9 (the new redesigned one). In my gear bag will be a compact springfield 45 or my S&W MP compact 40. The gear bag typically is going to be my Laptop bag or if I get a netbook something smaller. If I am at a client site and am uncomfotable with the big gun in a possibly unattended gear bag, then the gun will stay in the car. The one on my hip will never leave. Sometimes clients have a no guns policy but unless there is a posted sign OR I have signed such policy it simply does not apply to me (a contractor). Even if it did apply to me I would probally never remember to disarm. (oops..)

Now as for the bags, you know how it is these days some times with remote access you just dont need a laptop any computer with an internet connection and you have access to your tools.

My favorite non laptop bag is the Maxpedition Neat Freak. If you are worried someone might think it looks girlie well just get the digital camo one. It carries a lot of stuff and has a center panel specifically designed for carry, you can buy a universal holster and mag carriers that velcro right on to the velcro panel. You can also clip it to your belt so it does not slide around.

THe other bag I love is the Manta Versa pack, They dont make this one any more but you can still find them on the net and ebay. This one is good because you can configure it how ever you want. There are tons of smaller packs that you can permanently attach to it. It uses the military style "molle" system.

If you want the Manta Versa pack righ I can make you a great deal on mine, I bought the green and my wife will not shut up about it. So it has got to go.. It is fine by me but she says she wont go out with me in public with it. I have everything for it too. let me know on that.

You can check out all of their gear at http://www.maxpedition.com

Some other tips that will help. Uncle mikes holsters and Velcro. Wonderful combination for making your own set up.

Uncle Mikes >>http://www.uncle-mikes.com/products/ins ... sters.html
The kind of velcro you need >>http://cgi.ebay.com/BLACK-2-VELCRO-STYL ... 7C294%3A50

On the uncle mikes you need to delicately cut off the plastic clip so you just have the holster. The velcro panels will stick to them just fine. Not perfectly but good enough. You can take the other panel and stick it where every you want. In the maxpedition gear they have velcro panels built in. I have also used this to modify a fanny pack that was not designed for carry and also my laptop bag. I also like this set up better than the maxpedition "universal holster" The tape style velcro sticks just fine to the nylon that most laptop and netbook bags are made of.

Hope my experiences can help a bit.
Brad