Extra carry ammo concealment - The Firearms Forum

delta13soultaker · 12-24-2006, 05:21 PM

I just wanted to quickly share something I've been doing to keep my extra carry magazine hidden in plain sight. Where I live now it's hot enough to wear a T-shirt on Christmas Eve...which got me thinking that a lot of other people do too and might find this tip useful since summer clothes make concealment difficult.

I used to carry an extra mag in a standard belt-loop magazine pouch. A while back I started carrying them in an extra Leatherman Tool or Gerber knife pouch. Buck knife pouches work too if you prefer a snap closed flap as opposed to velcro.

A Gerber Tool/Leatherman Tool case can hold most hi-cap or 1911 mags. I found a belt-loop case for a sharpening stone that holds a .380 mag perfectly too.

It's very easy to withdraw a mag from these types of pouches and until you do it holds them very secure. They are also plentiful enough that most of us have lots laying around in the truck, boat etc. If you don't own any...they are cheaper than mag pouches anyway.

This trick may not be new to some people but some of ya may of never seen it. If you're reaching for your wallet and snag your shirt up to expose a pocketknife pouch it gets wayyyy less attention than a big double stack stick with a gleaming jacketed hollow point cartridge on top! No one is naive enough to not realize they're looking at a pistol magazine...even if they don't see the rounds. (But another Leatherman... no big deal) Anyway, I find it easier to just have to worry about not flashing one side of my belt than worrying about both sides...thus hide 'em in plain sight.

Hope this is useful to many. If anyone has any tips I'd be glad to hear them.

Happy Holidays to all.

southernshooter · 12-24-2006, 11:54 PM

Adjustable cell phone holsters are great

Pistolenschutze · 12-25-2006, 10:04 AM

Sounds like a reasonable solution, delta, at least for autos. I often carry a .38 snubbie and use Bianchi Speed Strips to carry the reloads.

pickenup · 12-25-2006, 11:33 AM

I like........hide it in plain sight.

delta13soultaker · 12-26-2006, 09:07 PM

Thanks for the input. A cellphone holster is a good option.

Pistol...so ya just keep those speed strips in your back pocket I'm supposing?

Ursus · 12-27-2006, 09:06 AM

I've used a Gerber knife pouch too an they're great...except that around here most people are more used to see mag. pouches than Gerber's pouches...so when I'm actually carryng my knife, everyone think I'm carrying... a mag.

(I'd try the cell phone approach, it will be better, I'm sure)

Marlin · 12-27-2006, 09:54 AM

Since I'm on Oxygen 24/7/365, I carry both my portable heater and the extra speed loaders in my hand held oxygen case. No one would suspect that I am not only packing but have plenty of extra ammo handy! My usual everyday item is a Smith Moedl 60.

When I carry either the Browning HP or the 1911, I similarly have at least two extra magazines in the case, too. My HP mags are either 15 or 17 capacity, factory made Argentine military surplus.

IShootBack · 12-28-2006, 03:56 PM

I can here the comments now.

I rarely, if ever carry spare mags. I will carry extra ammo in my vehicle while traveling.

In the old days, I carried a CCW revolver and used an ammo wallet for spares. Worked very well.

I cannot imagine needing more than 11 rounds for self defense. Situation avoidance is the best defense.

If I were to carry spare mags, I would certainly use the leatherman or cell phone case ideas. They are outstanding ideas.

delta13soultaker · 12-28-2006, 04:58 PM

Marlin, I'm gonna say you're making best use of a situation. I'd say your loaded to turn back the horde, sir.

Ursus · 12-29-2006, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IShootBack

I can here the comments now. Situation avoidance is the best defense.

True. But this is also an argument for those who are against people carrying a gun. They say they dont see the need... Better to have it and not need it.... that applies to extra ammo too I think.

delta13soultaker · 12-29-2006, 04:18 PM

I agree about the extra ammo, but IMHO it's a good policy to have that extra magazine too because no matter how good quality they are, they are the weakest link in the function of a "self-stuffer". Having said that....there've been plenty times I broke my own policy.

obxned · 03-10-2007, 11:57 PM

I use a cheap black nylon pouch sold for large folding knives. It just happens to be a perfect fit for my .45 mags.

In real warm weather, I carry a .380 and just stuff a spare mag in my pocket.

12-24-2006, 05:21 PM	#1
delta13soultaker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Depends on Uncle Sam's whim every 3 yrs. Posts: 2,948	Extra carry ammo concealment I just wanted to quickly share something I've been doing to keep my extra carry magazine hidden in plain sight. Where I live now it's hot enough to wear a T-shirt on Christmas Eve...which got me thinking that a lot of other people do too and might find this tip useful since summer clothes make concealment difficult. I used to carry an extra mag in a standard belt-loop magazine pouch. A while back I started carrying them in an extra Leatherman Tool or Gerber knife pouch. Buck knife pouches work too if you prefer a snap closed flap as opposed to velcro. A Gerber Tool/Leatherman Tool case can hold most hi-cap or 1911 mags. I found a belt-loop case for a sharpening stone that holds a .380 mag perfectly too. It's very easy to withdraw a mag from these types of pouches and until you do it holds them very secure. They are also plentiful enough that most of us have lots laying around in the truck, boat etc. If you don't own any...they are cheaper than mag pouches anyway. This trick may not be new to some people but some of ya may of never seen it. If you're reaching for your wallet and snag your shirt up to expose a pocketknife pouch it gets wayyyy less attention than a big double stack stick with a gleaming jacketed hollow point cartridge on top! No one is naive enough to not realize they're looking at a pistol magazine...even if they don't see the rounds. (But another Leatherman... no big deal) Anyway, I find it easier to just have to worry about not flashing one side of my belt than worrying about both sides...thus hide 'em in plain sight. Hope this is useful to many. If anyone has any tips I'd be glad to hear them. Happy Holidays to all. __________________ Never say die! "A nation who forgets its defenders is soon forgotten itself." "A good shot must necessarily be a good man since the essence of good marksmanship is self-control and self-control is the essential quality of a good man." – Theodore Roosevelt -->

12-24-2006, 11:54 PM	#2
southernshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep South Mississippi Posts: 5,943	Re: Extra carry ammo concealment Adjustable cell phone holsters are great __________________ Only you can see this

12-25-2006, 10:04 AM	#3
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: Extra carry ammo concealment Sounds like a reasonable solution, delta, at least for autos. I often carry a .38 snubbie and use Bianchi Speed Strips to carry the reloads. __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

12-25-2006, 11:33 AM	#4
pickenup Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 6,841	Re: Extra carry ammo concealment I like........hide it in plain sight. __________________ The gene pool needs chlorine

12-26-2006, 09:07 PM	#5
delta13soultaker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Depends on Uncle Sam's whim every 3 yrs. Posts: 2,948	Re: Extra carry ammo concealment Thanks for the input. A cellphone holster is a good option. Pistol...so ya just keep those speed strips in your back pocket I'm supposing? __________________ Never say die! "A nation who forgets its defenders is soon forgotten itself." "A good shot must necessarily be a good man since the essence of good marksmanship is self-control and self-control is the essential quality of a good man." – Theodore Roosevelt

12-27-2006, 09:06 AM	#6
Ursus Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: El Salvador, Central America. Posts: 1,030	Re: Extra carry ammo concealment I've used a Gerber knife pouch too an they're great...except that around here most people are more used to see mag. pouches than Gerber's pouches...so when I'm actually carryng my knife, everyone think I'm carrying... a mag. (I'd try the cell phone approach, it will be better, I'm sure) __________________ SI VIS PACEM, PARABELLUM.

12-27-2006, 09:54 AM	#7
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,854	Re: Extra carry ammo concealment Since I'm on Oxygen 24/7/365, I carry both my portable heater and the extra speed loaders in my hand held oxygen case. No one would suspect that I am not only packing but have plenty of extra ammo handy! My usual everyday item is a Smith Moedl 60. When I carry either the Browning HP or the 1911, I similarly have at least two extra magazines in the case, too. My HP mags are either 15 or 17 capacity, factory made Argentine military surplus. __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*

12-28-2006, 03:56 PM	#8
IShootBack Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,309	Re: Extra carry ammo concealment I can here the comments now. I rarely, if ever carry spare mags. I will carry extra ammo in my vehicle while traveling. In the old days, I carried a CCW revolver and used an ammo wallet for spares. Worked very well. I cannot imagine needing more than 11 rounds for self defense. Situation avoidance is the best defense. If I were to carry spare mags, I would certainly use the leatherman or cell phone case ideas. They are outstanding ideas. __________________ "The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is his name." Exodus15:3

12-28-2006, 04:58 PM	#9
delta13soultaker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Depends on Uncle Sam's whim every 3 yrs. Posts: 2,948	Re: Extra carry ammo concealment Marlin, I'm gonna say you're making best use of a situation. I'd say your loaded to turn back the horde, sir. __________________ Never say die! "A nation who forgets its defenders is soon forgotten itself." "A good shot must necessarily be a good man since the essence of good marksmanship is self-control and self-control is the essential quality of a good man." – Theodore Roosevelt

12-29-2006, 04:18 PM	#11
delta13soultaker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Depends on Uncle Sam's whim every 3 yrs. Posts: 2,948	Re: Extra carry ammo concealment I agree about the extra ammo, but IMHO it's a good policy to have that extra magazine too because no matter how good quality they are, they are the weakest link in the function of a "self-stuffer". Having said that....there've been plenty times I broke my own policy. __________________ Never say die! "A nation who forgets its defenders is soon forgotten itself." "A good shot must necessarily be a good man since the essence of good marksmanship is self-control and self-control is the essential quality of a good man." – Theodore Roosevelt

03-10-2007, 11:57 PM	#12
obxned Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,342	Re: Extra carry ammo concealment I use a cheap black nylon pouch sold for large folding knives. It just happens to be a perfect fit for my .45 mags. In real warm weather, I carry a .380 and just stuff a spare mag in my pocket.