I dunno, made in China 13.99 special, should have it tomorrow, hopefully works OK for the purpose
https://a.co/d/dPUDYWq
Shotgun fanny packs
- Thread starter Bil13h
- Start date
https://a.co/d/dPUDYWq
Fanny packs have made a comeback in recent years, and I'd say that it's for good reason. For those who don't have the pocket space for first aid or otherwise, the fanny pack provides a right-sized carry option without the need for a backpack. Even better, they're a fantastic way to carry shells. Most fanny packs will get at least a box in them, while others can stretch those numbers up to two. If you really want to get silly, just look at a lumbar pack like the Mystery Ranch Hip Monkey - I'm talking three to four boxes easy. Not great on the move, but a fantastic way to maintain resupply.
My only recommendation here would be to avoid anything that opens more than half-way down. Clamshell packs are great for accessing your pistol quickly but are even better at dumping shells. And while fanny packs are aces when it comes to capacity, comfort, and concealment, there are a couple of minor drawbacks to consider.
Similar to pocket carry, you're going to have to reorient in-hand before bringing them to the gun, and they make a fair bit of noise on the move. This brings me to my final gripe and likely the most important one - retention. If you forget to zip that sucker back up before speeding off, you're going to find yourself with an empty bag. While it's not the end of the world on the flat range, it's not a mistake you'd want to make in the real. To combat this, I recommend putting a large pull tab on one of the zippers, and training yourself to remember which way is 'closed'. It sure beats the alternative.
That said, the shotshell belt has long been a favorite of mine. They have near-perfect retention on the move, are silent in the field, and the shells are consistently oriented. While you could pocket-fondle a shell until it makes sense, sometimes you just don't have that kind of time. With a properly sized belt, the hand goes to the waistline, slides to a shell, and extracts. It doesn't matter if you're left-handed or right, there's a configuration for you. At about $10 for a decent elasticized belt, they can be packed up with a full box and staged as you need them. You burn through a belt of shells - grab another from your pack. If you reload violin style (buttstock over strong side shoulder), you can grab two shells at a time and really speed through.
Are there better 3-gun solutions? Yup. Are they as easy, cost-effective, and practical as these? Nope.
My only recommendation here would be to avoid anything that opens more than half-way down. Clamshell packs are great for accessing your pistol quickly but are even better at dumping shells. And while fanny packs are aces when it comes to capacity, comfort, and concealment, there are a couple of minor drawbacks to consider.
Similar to pocket carry, you're going to have to reorient in-hand before bringing them to the gun, and they make a fair bit of noise on the move. This brings me to my final gripe and likely the most important one - retention. If you forget to zip that sucker back up before speeding off, you're going to find yourself with an empty bag. While it's not the end of the world on the flat range, it's not a mistake you'd want to make in the real. To combat this, I recommend putting a large pull tab on one of the zippers, and training yourself to remember which way is 'closed'. It sure beats the alternative.
That said, the shotshell belt has long been a favorite of mine. They have near-perfect retention on the move, are silent in the field, and the shells are consistently oriented. While you could pocket-fondle a shell until it makes sense, sometimes you just don't have that kind of time. With a properly sized belt, the hand goes to the waistline, slides to a shell, and extracts. It doesn't matter if you're left-handed or right, there's a configuration for you. At about $10 for a decent elasticized belt, they can be packed up with a full box and staged as you need them. You burn through a belt of shells - grab another from your pack. If you reload violin style (buttstock over strong side shoulder), you can grab two shells at a time and really speed through.
Are there better 3-gun solutions? Yup. Are they as easy, cost-effective, and practical as these? Nope.
Bigcrigger
Regular
This is wicked!!
In addition to most of the above, I have a pouch like this one except that it seems to be better quality and unfolds in stages one more time for 1/3 more shells (and has no narsty flag). It is in fact a pretty neat compact system:
And, better, a sort of skeletal taco vest sort of like this one that will adjust to go over any thickness of clothing and holds either magazines or velcro shotshell cards, with a velcro card on whatever shotgun I might be using (except nice doubles, and I don't like the overspecialized stubby style of gun as shown):
But the most important thing to have are the velcro cards, which will go in most anything and be there for you.
And, better, a sort of skeletal taco vest sort of like this one that will adjust to go over any thickness of clothing and holds either magazines or velcro shotshell cards, with a velcro card on whatever shotgun I might be using (except nice doubles, and I don't like the overspecialized stubby style of gun as shown):
But the most important thing to have are the velcro cards, which will go in most anything and be there for you.
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This English style of shoulder carried cartridge bag should not be discounted. They're designed with a scalloped front cutout under the top flap allowing quick access to loose shells, generally holding about 100 of them. The nice leather ones as shown, but without the shell loops on the front, have been known to be used a handbags for sporty English ladies, but as the bottom photo shows they can be very utilitarian. A while back Bass Pro was selling off some nicer Beretta ones that they'd acquired from Cabelas and I picked a couple up at bargain prices, useful for skeet shooting and many other things as well.
