I remember when many people inside the shooting community considered off-body carry an unserious option. To some, the idea of putting a pistol in a bag still conjures up visions of a snub-nosed revolver rattling around in a purse.
Innovative manufacturers have tackled the problems with off-body carry head-on, though, and you might be surprised by how good some of the new CCW bags are.
But can they compete with a quality inside the waistband holster? In some ways, no. But that doesn’t mean off-body carry is without merit. Let’s take a look at why you should use one method over the other. You might just change your mind.
Why You Should Use a Holster
If you want the ultimate in speed and security, nothing tops a good IWB holster. Products like the Incog X and Species holsters put your pistol right up against your skin where you can draw it quickly. They stay locked in place on your waistline so you can build an efficient, consistent drawstroke.
Unlike off-body carry, holsters make it effortless to keep tabs on your pistol. You don’t have to wonder if it’s moving around or if someone is trying to slip it away from you because it’s in contact with your body.
And there’s something for everyone.
Holsters support strong-side and appendix carry. You can find almost endless configurations to support various combinations of pistols, lights, and optics (just check out the Safariland holster finder). Perhaps most importantly, they offer the highest level of protection against trigger ingress.
The bottom line is simple; if you want to be safe and still draw in a flash, holsters are the way to go.
Why You Should Use Off-Body Carry
As good as modern IWB holsters are, some people still aren’t comfortable with them. It could be a matter of body type or concerns about putting the muzzle so close to body parts (see: “Never point your weapon at anything you don’t intend to shoot”). Just because I don’t share these issues doesn’t mean I get to write them off for other people.
Another consideration is the size of the pistol you’re carrying. It’s possible to stuff a full-size pistol with an optic and a weapon light into your pants, but it’s not very comfortable. What about a personal defense weapon like the Sig Sauer P320-Flux Legion or an AR pistol? There are some firearms IWB holsters just can’t support.
Manufacturers that specialize in off-body carry are making it possible to carry all that and more safely with dedicated organization and storage solutions built in. These products allow you to carry more magazines, more medical supplies, and more daily essentials without cramming your pockets so full you can’t get your hands in them.
Some even support body armor. Premier Body Armor makes inserts for a bunch of CCW bags so you can enjoy a level of bullet-stopping protection in addition to carrying your pistol.
Get The Best of Both Worlds
I recently tested the Viktos Counteract 15, a 15-liter backpack with a dedicated CCW compartment that deploys a rigid tray from a hidden compartment with the tug of a single strap. It comes with a Hookie Holster attachment that mounts your IWB holster to the CCW tray with a hook and loop panel.
I wrapped the elastic retention straps around a Safariland Species holster and it fit perfectly. Sure, I could carry the Hellcat Pro on my waist, but the Counteract 15 lets me use a 17-round extended magazine a lot more comfortably. The front compartment holds four magazines, a tourniquet, basic medical supplies, a flashlight, a folding knife, and a multitool a lot better than my pockets would.
In the main compartment, there’s still enough room for a Premier Body Armor insert, my laptop, a power bank, a water bottle, and a puffy jacket so I can prepare for the challenges I’m most likely to encounter during the day – namely, story deadlines and mild physical discomfort.
The best part? I still get all the advantages of the Species holster. It’s rigid, secure, and covers the trigger — only this time it’s inside the pack rather than on my belt. If I want to use it as intended, I can slip it out of the pack, clip it to my belt, and be on my way in seconds.
Ammunition for this review was provided courtesy of Ammo To Go. If you want to shoot the same ammo I used in this story, pick up a case of Federal American Eagle 115-grain FMJ 9mm.
Bottom Line: Training is (Still) Key
Holsters are good. Off-body carry is good. There are times and places for each. As always, it comes down to training.
Relatively speaking, drawing from a holster will always be faster than drawing from a bag — but you should still train to make both as quick as possible. If you’re going to split time between both, train with both. If you like one more than the other, prioritize it in your training, as well.
Remember, we never rise to the occasion; we fall to the level of our training. Make sure it’s a short drop.
