Stuffin' it smart: bags, sacks, rucks & packs

American Handgunner, July-August, 2009 by John Connor

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My earliest childhood memories include methodically organizing all my possessions into a modified ]Marine field pack and a Navy seabag, I guess that doesn't sound very "mainstream," but my family's life wasn't very mainstream, moving all 'round the Western Pacific and Asia on skoshie-short notice. And one of the first rules I learned was that all my stuff had to fit into those two containers--or something stayed behind.

I was just a pup when Dad cut the shoulder straps of that Marine pack, broke out his lock-stitching awl and re positioned 'em to fit me--also teaching me the use of that awl. My first project was stitching a canvas tube pouch to that pack to hold the track sections of my little toy train firmly and securely; as Dad would say, "ship-shape & squared away."

Everything had its place; easy to story, go, or lay hands on quick. In that regard, there wasn't much transition to becoming a Marine: shrug into my harness, sling my rifle, hoist my seabag, and I was ready to lock, load & rock. It felt good--and those essential disciplines of organization, portability and security continued through service as a SWAT cop, then as "a contracted representative of U.S. and Western interests." That means "living out of a bag."

You don't have to live out of a bag to use and appreciate the same dynamics, and you've got so many more great choices than I had for many years! Whether your need is for a NottaHolster, an Urban Bug-Out Bag, a Traveling Trauma Kit, a "Briefcase With Bite" or just a fine field pack, the fight one's out there waiting for you!

For more of Connor "s half-baked ideas about selecting bags and packs, go to www.americanhandgunner.com and click on Web Blast!

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Less than three minutes after picking up the Escape & Evasion Bag from Diamondback Tactical, I knew it was (a) heavy duty without being heavy, (b) extremely well made in every detail, and (c) packed with too many functional features to cover here. I also adopted it for immediate, daily use. Go to the Web site for into on features and dimensions, but what it doesn't soy is how comfortably it carries, how smooth and supple the material and construction are, and the "clincher" for me: o very tow noise signature. This is a terrific all-around bag at a surprisingly low price, www.diamondbacktactical.com

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The hardy Hoplite warriors at Gunsite like the Eagle Tactical Attache so much they've graced it with their black raven insignia and sell it in their online pro shop. Only the informed might suspect o hidden howitzer rides between the front flapped pouch and the spacious main compartment. That's Gunsite Director of Ops Ed Head's well-worn 1911 with the gorgeous grips peekin' out--the big showoff. I gotta admit though, that showoff sure knows his gout. www.gunsite.com

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Maxpedition Hard-Use Gear has something for everyone, including "neat freaks" packin' handfuls of pens, mini-lights, PDAs, cell phones and digital gizmos--and who then try to keep 'era heal. The Neat Freak will do it in style slung flora o shoulder, hitched on a belt or dropped into o bigger bog. A wide-opening clamshell design puts everything at your fingertips--or closed up tight and secure. If you're tire of all that pocket litter threatening to pull your pants down on your messenger bog sounding like a washing machine fulla silverware, get a Neat Freak. www.moxpedition.com

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Dillon Precision's enormously popular Wilderness Safepacker is solidly mode. This "Hallo-Holster" con be hand curried like a day planner, slung from o shoulder: clipped to o belt or slipped into a forger bog. Our pal Mark Pixler at Dillon was already a fun--then he witnessed another man's life saved by his Safepacker. Now he's o fanatic about it. Hock of o testimonial, huh? www.dillonprecision.com

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Designed for military women, the BLACKHAWK! Tactical Handbag has proven popular with female cops and other women who could care less about faux-fur trim and want o tank-tough utilitarian "bag for all seasons." With a waterproof interior, a rugged, abrasion-resistant Hawk-Tex bottom and military-grade buckles and straps, a woman can be assured her Tactical Handbag will still be serving when those cutesy fashion purses are KIA. All the right compartments and pouches, inside and out, in black, coyote tan and foliage green, www.blackhawk.com

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Crossbreed Holster's CCSB--Concealed Carry Shoulder Bag--looks as good serving a man as it does a woman; rich, hand-stitched leather you could pass along to grandchildren, and one of the slickest, quietest cannon-concealment rigs ever. Two sizes accommodate lots of gear, and the included Ohai Velcro-backed holster keeps your handgun handy. www.crossbreedholsters.com

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Leave it to u former SEAL to spot the gap between too-small overnighter hags and monster-bogs you need two men and a boy to carry--and fill it with o tough, thoughtfully-structured mid-size gear carrier. That's what Chris Osman, CEO of TAG--Tactical Assault Gear--has done with his Deployment Bag. Read the dimensions of the main and side compartments on his website, and I think you h see it's perfect for bout 90 percent of your travel needs. Then read about this: all TAG gear is 100 percent guaranteed for life, and 100 percent made in the USA. www.tacticlassaulttgear.com