I recently purchased a Maxpedition Monsoon for my off duty bag. I’ll be carrying my Glock 23 (when I don’t have it in my Sparks rig), a patrol med kit, a small fixed blade (RC 3 or Swamp Rat), probably a small ESSE survival kit, a small surefire, and maybe a few other small items. I’ve been able to find a lot of helpful information about contents for an off duty bag from searching this very useful forum, but I’m having a hard time with setting up the bag. There are so many attachment points/options. Does anyone have a picture/description of their set up on a gearslinger-type bag? Thanks.
Respectfully,
Jordan
(PS) I posted this here, instead of the disaster prep page, as I’m looking for a regular use off duty pack, not an apocalypse pack.
The med kit, since you’re less likely to use it often but will need in a hurry when you do need it, I’d put in separate small pocket that you can easily get to when the pack is rotated so that it sits ready for access at your belly.
This may not help with configuring the bag, but I replaced most of the plastic hardware on my Malaga with either 550 and MASH Hooks or Cobra buckles, depending on what seemed reasonable at the particular point. All the plastic D-Rings are gone, replaced with 550 loops. Overall its a far more durable pack as a result. Also removed the compression straps, they just get in the way.
I liked the monsoon, but went with the Noatak for it’s size. I added an “admin insert” and it’s pretty handy. I know it’s not ideal for off-duty carry, but I guess it’s my compromise when it’s Africa hot outside.
I like mine so far. They’re built like tanks. I think it’ll do what I need it to when I get a good layout figured out. Don’t be afraid to check out the other packs in the gearslinger series too.
The organizer is really handy and easy to get to. The pack could use a bit more velcro inside and a few less little pockets, that never hold anything in place, but it’s do-able. I may add another pouch inside in the near future.
I’ve outgrown the maxpedition jumbo that hauls lunch & crap to work with me on a daily basis & need a replacement as we do not have lockers. No handgun will go to work, it’s a federal offense & the gray bar hotel just ain’t worth it.
Been thinking about a monsoon a kodiakor possibly a sitka, the nalgene bottle pouch on the kodiak/sitka is nice.
Big thing with the single strap, ride a motorcycle to work and don’t want the load to shift causing problems, but also having a pistol when on road trips in the bag would be nice.
If you tighten the shit out of the shoulder strap and use the waist strap, there isnt much shift in my Malaga when mountain biking. Still, for that application, I prefer a traditional pack with two shoulder straps… Far more secure. If you really want to carry on your bike, a gearslinger would work but considering the relatively slow speed of the draw and the possibility of constantly having to readjust the pack so that its not under your arm like a man purse, I’d investigate IWB options first. So long as you’re not riding around in full leathers, shouldnt be very different from drawing while wearing a winter coat.
Normally when I carry on the motorcycle it’s a Sig 239 in a CTAC, but after crashing on the highway, having my jeans & wilderness belt shredded & feeling the 239 get ripped from the holster and watching it bounce down the pavement a few hundred feet…coming to rest in the middle of the passing lane…and the deeply bruised hip where the 239 rested prior to crashing…
Just not a big fan of IWB on the interstate any more…:eek::eek:
Good thing was Colorado highway patrol never said a word, gave em my CCP & said the pistol is in the saddle bag…
Understandable. Couple months ago I took a guy to the pavement while carrying a leatherman/surefire combo IWB around 7o’clock, that alone hurt like hell so I can imagine what yours felt like. Solutions: gearslinger, car or just… dont crash. Good luck.
This is the exact reason I talked my wife into getting one. She rides horses. She used to cary everything in a saddle bag, not wanting her off-duty on her hip in case she’s thrown “just didn’t feel right”. A few weeks back she got bucked off and thrown into a parked truck. She was glad her it wasn’t holsterd, because the right side of her body took a hell of a beating. The problem is if you go one way and the horse goes another… you’re left with nothing. So, I got her a Noatak too and she loves it.
Almost ready to pull the trigger on a Kodiak Gearslinger, just like the layout of it better along with being big enough for whatever junk I haul to work. Also thinking about getting a holster strap & mag holder all from LaPolice gear…they have free S&H along with 10% off.
Just not sure of the holster strap thing, the 5.11 velcro holster is not listed anymore I’ve got one the jumbo & it’s to small for a M&P (or the 229) so hopefully the strap will fit & hold a pistol securely.
I’ve got the maxpedition ccw holster, and it fits my Glock 23. It’s not the most secure setup, but it hasn’t shaken loose yet. The maxpedition mag holders are nice. I’ve got the double
Mag holder that’s molded, not the modular one. The
Kodiak should be cool. Let me what you think of it.
I purchased the Sitka last month and added the CCW holster and the mag holders. Keep my M&P 45 & mags in the back section of the bag. I attached a small S-Biner to the zipper pull in order to be able to pull it open fast and draw. It’s not the fastest but with practice you would be surprised how fast you can draw. I use it a lot to go hiking and mountain biking so with the shoulder strap in front I can’t conceal anything IWB it just prints way to much. I carry a 2 day FAK, survival kit, 30’ of 8mm climbing robe and glow sticks along with other needs. Great bag and a perfect size for a one day hike. Can’t go wrong with Maxpedition…
I’ve been thinking about getting a Monsoon for a general use/day pack/occasional overnight bag. Not for hiking, but maybe for going out shooting on private property and more often hauling stuff to work and back. Do most of you guys find that this bag is a good size for general use, or would I be better served by something a little smaller?