Tam has a brief post up about how, being tool using animals and all, that even if you don’t carry a pistol you should probably at least always carry a knife and/or flashlight.
For the last few years I’ve been carrying a little Benchmade folder that was a gift from a very generous LMI a few years back. You get so used to carrying a pocketknife that when you wind up reaching for it and its not there, you get quite surprised.
For flashlights, I love SureFire as much as the next guy but my wallet does not. I was actually really pleasantly surprised by how much I like the Fenix flashlights, especially this little guy. This is the one I carry around in my pocket and Ive been very pleased with it. It runs on AA batts, so it fits my logistics table quite nicely, throws a good amount of light, is LED, and for the money its a pretty tough act to beat.
Some guys get carried away with all this ‘EDC’ stuff. I’ve seen some people post pictures of their ‘EDC loadout’ and it’s enough crap to drag your Levi’s down to your ankles if your belt isn’t doing its part. For me, I keep the pocketknife clipped in one pocket, flashlight in another, wallet in the back pocket and a gun on the belt. That’s pretty much it. If I need to carry more gear than that, I usually go with the messenger bag I picked up a few months back…gives me room to carry my textbooks, spare ammo, extra sweater or cap, and it all carries rather well on the padded strap.
I know someone is going to ask where I carry a spare magazine. Honestly, ninety percent of the time I don’t. Most people would feel comfortable carrying a 6-shot revolver and 2 speedloaders….thats the same amount of ammo my Glock 9mm carries without a spare mag, so…I figure I’m doing okay there.
“I keep the pocketknife clipped in one pocket, flashlight in another, wallet in the back pocket and a gun on the belt. That’s pretty much it. If I need to carry more gear than that, I usually go with the messenger bag I picked up a few months back…”
Great minds really must think alike. 😉
As a general rule, the SECOND least used piece of equipment a cop carries on his belt is his gun. His FIRST least used piece of equipment is his spare ammo.
Its very hard to beat a good Leatherman Wave (put Amazon link here) for everyday carry. one handed opening like most knives but a few extra and useful goodies as well.
90% of the time carry a Swiss Army knife and ProTac 1 light from Streamlight on my key chain, wallet, and phone. Other options include pepper spray, collapsable police baton, and I have a couple handguns to choose from, but right now I generally don’t feel a need for it that stuff.
The Streamlight works great, it’s small, plenty bright, the battery (cr123) life is long enough and my use of it is in short enough bursts that I usually have to replace it every 6-9 months.
I have a leatherman micra and a nite-eyez squeeze light on my keychain….which is enough EDC carry for me. The squeeze light is pretty anemic but it serves to light up my briefcase (somewhat larger folder, Wave, and Pelican AA LED flash) or the center console of my truck (SAK, LED headlamp).
Just wait until you are running from a gang and drawing your gun, only to discover that the mag release got tripped. A full mag generally will depart as soon as you get the gun near level. The bouncing from your running guarantees it will drop out. Welcome to the flintlock era with that single shot handgun, if no spare.
The leader heard/saw the mag hit and skitter along the pavement.
Yeah, I know, I shouldn’t have run. That was a mistake. Like running from an animal, they automatically want to chase. Live and learn.