I work 24 hour shifts as a firefighter and I EDC a 14 inch tool bag from Lowes to get my stuff* to and from work. I carry it by the handles, while it does have a shoulder strap the bag is wide and makes shoulder carry awkward. I have a hour commute and don't wear my pistol to work but since tomorrow is always a day off, I normally don't go straight home so I end up carrying from work. I tried the Sitka Gearslinger from Maxpedition and its too big for my needs. My son clamed it so I will get to see how it holds up.
I don't need a lot of capacity but organization is a must and it needs to have a more positive shoulder carry. Because I work 24s I need to be able to stow my pistol in the bag, which will be secured in my locker. Policy states no weapons on city property and it gets violated multiple times daily but I still want to be discrete as possible.(I have worked on the chief's 1911 on the kitchen table at the station, so its not like we are trying to hide anything). I don't have a problem spending the dough for quality gear but I don't want to end up spending a months wages on stuff that don't work. I don't know what I don't know about sling bags and shoulder bags and don't know what I would like. Here are my considerations so far;
From Maxpedition, I would most likely order basic black since they have dropped a lot of colors. I have an aversion to kaki, desert tan, coyote. I could do a green but...
Jumbo Versipack, https://www.maxpedition.com/products...12191268044871
From the Gearslinger line,
Lunada, https://www.maxpedition.com/products/lunada-gearslinger Remora, https://www.maxpedition.com/products...nt=39636969617
Noatak, https://www.maxpedition.com/products/noatak-gearslinger
Here is a couple of knock offs;
Tru-Spec Trek sling pack, https://tacticalgear.com/tru-spec-tr...#/22842/4442/1
Condor EDC bag, https://tacticalgear.com/condor-edc-...k#/22510/848/1
I could get both for the price of one Maxpedition product and once I figure out which style I could upgrade to the better product. If Maxpedition is better.
I will look at any other suggestion yall might have, too.
Thanks, fes
* stuff, I just dumped the bag.
flashlight
spare flashlight
batteries for flashlights
Band-Aids
Advil
BC powders
Allergies spray
External battery for phone
charging cables for phone and battery
ear buds, cable and wireless
IFAK
fire, 2 sources
Cliff Bar
bottle of water, sometimes
spare keys
Pistol with holster, either 9mm 1911 Commander or Sig P365
2 to 4 spare/extra mags with one mag holder
a fuse to my boat motor???
a tube of lotion
a jar Carmex lip balm
and a roll of poop bags, dog