The Gear - what to take, what to leave.

[Jag]

Just looking for various opinions.

I work in narc investigations which does call for some covert work, the rest being in normal plain clothes (read: suit). Now this means I have limited belt space etc for the gear. Currently items I have as "must have" are:- gun, reload and cuffs.

After that I juggle between pocket knife, torch (surefire 6p), baton (asp) and mobile phone. Generally I find if I leave something behind, I need it (of course).

In people's experience what have you found to be "must have" items? Anything I am missing? Any way to carry everything without standing out like a sore thumb?

Cheers.

[Tackleberry]

I would also consider carrying a small can of OC as a viable means of subduing an agressive suspect where lethal force is not justified, in my experience the use of OC has saved me alot of wind in fighting with someone. I try to work out alot and think I keep myself in pretty good shape, I'll tell you though if it weren't for OC I'd be just about spent on some instances w/o back-up. Todays Narc has some pretty good options as far as carrying gear goes, safariland makes some pretty good equipment paddles that come on and off pretty easily, I own a few and they are pretty comfortable as well. If you wear a jacket most of the time and are wearing these items you can't even see them. I have a paddle that carries handcuffs and a surefire 6Z light I also have another carrier that can hold a spare mag and a can of OC, If I were to leave something at home it would be the ASP, they would be just to cumbersome to carry, although ASP does make a vertical shoulder carrier to carry a new lightweight detective's ASP that they just came out with. Good luck!


Stay Safe!

Tac

[Niteshift]

Originally posted by Jag:
Just looking for various opinions.

I work in narc investigations which does call for some covert work, the rest being in normal plain clothes (read: suit). Now this means I have limited belt space etc for the gear. Currently items I have as "must have" are:- gun, reload and cuffs.

After that I juggle between pocket knife, torch (surefire 6p), baton (asp) and mobile phone. Generally I find if I leave something behind, I need it (of course).

In people's experience what have you found to be "must have" items? Anything I am missing? Any way to carry everything without standing out like a sore thumb?

Cheers.

I sympathize Jag. I have the same problem with my duty belt.....too much gear and not enough waist to space it around.

Small can of OC is a good suggestion.

One idea is to drop the ASP and go with the Koubaton deal that ASP makes. It has the OC in it, so you get a Koubaton, OC and keys in one package.

Another idea might be to use the flashlight attachment for the ASP, combining the ASP and light in one package.

How much cuffing do you plan to do? If not a lot, go with something like the RIPP restraints or reusable flex-cuffs. If you do need metal cuffs, check out the ultra-lights from American Handcuff....man are they lightweight.

Phones are getting so damn small, you risk losing them. Take a look at the Star-Tac, not much bigger than the older pagers (an item I noticed you didn't mention).

An off the wall idea might be ankle/calf carry of the cuffs (and maybe some other stuff). A couple of companies make rigs to do that. I've never tried them so I can't give you a recommendation, but with the lightweight cuffs, it would be lighter than that airweight S&W 442 I forget is on my ankle.

Experiment. I figured out how to conceal a Beretta 92 on me (without a jacket) and I had a pretty slender build at the time.
It wasn't perfect, but it worked.

[Roman]

Tac is right on the money with this one. I have had nothing but success with OC. There's always some guy out there who's bigger and badder than you, and a small can of OC, even the keychain size ones, can save your a*s in a pinch. Also, depending on what kind of work you're doing, I would also consider a small microcassette recorder... not so much to record people without their knowledge, but they're great for taking notes to yourself or recording an interview with someone.

[John from Maryland]

It seems that Tac, Niteshift, Roman, and I are all in agreement on this one. (Be afraid. Be very afraid.)
Carry the OC spray. If you can't find a suitable belt carrier, drop a can in your coat pocket. There are a variety of OC sprays available that will fit your requirements as an investigator. Most confrontations are at close range where even the smaller cans will be effective. OC is a force multiplier you should not be without.
Consider carrying some of your gear in the cruiser. While some confrontations erupt unexpectedly, you'll have warning for most of them. You want to have body armor in your vehicle. In your assignment, I would keep the armor in a concealment carrier that can be put on under your plainclothes. Have a seperate tactical carrier to tote the ASP, flashlight, extra ammunition or handcuffs, etc. That allows you to put the vest on for surveillance while still having the other gear available for raids, takedowns, and unexpected encounters with the cream of Australian society (as well as fun-loving American tourists).
Hope this helps. Be safe.

[Sparky]

I'm in the same boat. Not narcotics, but wear a coat and tie. I always wear my badge on a clip next to my gun, and two spare mags on my weak side next to my pager. I also carry a small can of OC in my pants pocket. Everything else stays in my car or my brief case. Depending on what I will be doing that day i e. working at my desk or out on the street, I may throw the cuffs on or my surefire, etc.

What I'm still looking for is a sort of grab-it-and-go bag that holds some of these things that I could throw over my shoulder that would keep ready access to them.

Blackhawk and Eagle make some stuff like this that i might get. (When my wife will let me spend the money that is http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif ) i've seen some narc guys use it. That way you can have your radio and cell phone in a flapped satchel in a holster like thing next to your spare mags, and light all of it on a panel of the satchel. If the deal goes south, you can just throw it on and go. It holds everything in a way that you can grab it quick without having to fish for it.

Blackhawk and Eagle both have webites and online catalogs. They both make excellent stuff.

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-Sparky
Fiat justina.

[Tackleberry]

Sparky you are in luck!

I purchased a bag that meets your exact requirements from www.calibrepress.com (http://www.calibrepress.com) for $49.95 it's called the E-Bag Emergency response bag. Here is the description in the magazine...When your life is on the line, this amazing new carrier puts everything at your fingertips. If your caught in a firefight or anticipate trouble on a high risk call, just grab it as you exit your unit. Inside you can carry a versatile array of tactical essentials for a prolonged emergency. Four years in R&D and street cop tested, E-Bag's secure, velcroed pockets can carry extra ammo, utility knife, resuscitation mask, handcuffs, mini flashlight, safety gloves, multi purpose tool and much more. Even the quick release shoulder strap doubles as an adjustable hobble! Black...Compact...Heavy Duty stiched...Light weight...water repellant...vinyl-backed, cordura nylon construction. stands up to constant abuse and rugged conditions. Believe me this bag can carry anything you might need and has come in very handy with me. Check it out for yourself on their website.


Tac

[Niteshift]

Sparky,

I do the same thing you do, badge clipped next to the gun. I was taught to do that so that if someone sees your gun, they see the badge and don't freak.

I took a class a couple of months ago and one of the guys brought up a good point. If you use anything resembling a weaver, your weak-side is forward, which puts your badge (presumably being on your strong-side) turned away from the person you're aiming at. He felt it might contribute to an ID issue.

I still do it the way I always have, I just thought I'd throw it out as food for thought.

[Jag]

Some excellent feedback there guys, thanks. Sounds like the OC is a must and a few other options I'll have a look at.

I have to say that actually wearing the badge, on the belt or otherwise visible area, is not something commonly practiced where I come from. Its a bit of a special event thing ie: warrants only. May have to change that idea....

[Niteshift]

Jag,

When I talk about wearing the badge on the belt in this context, I mean while carrying concealed. Your jacket (or whatever) covers it and your gun, but if your jacket blows open or something like that, people see the badge and gun at the same time, so they don't get as weird about it.

[Sparky]

Yep....I've seen the calibrepress rig, but it just isn't exactly what I'm looking for. Blackhawk will custom make on for you with interchangeable pockets whose position you can customize. (My wife says I am picky. My wife knows me well.) Caliber press made such a big deal opver their rig being street tested that i tried to give em some feedback, but they didn't seem interested. My wife is right, I'm just too picky. Thanks for the tip though, I'm sure a lot of folks will like the kit.

As far as the badge thing goes. I've been trained (or should i say painfully RE-trained) to shoot isocoles. squared off onto the target. In SWAT this was part of instinctive shooting and one of it's other main purposes was to put the most body armor coverage between you and the threat. Makes since to me. Not as much as putting a foot or two of concrete between me and the threat, but you buys your ticket and you takes your chances. I was trained to also use a badge clip that I can rip off easy if OD or plain clothes. The clip goes over your "weak hand" fingers which then grip the pistol. This way, whoever you ppoint the gun at sees your badge. Almost MORE importantly. When officers approach as back up from the rear and see you. You can raise your weekhand only to show thenm the back of your hand which has your badge on it.

It does take a moment to rip it out and squaezze your fingers into the clip, but I have found that I usually have the time. I have tried this on the street and it has worked great for me.

On second thought, I might check out that caliber press bag and see if I can make it work! I need a pocket for 5.56 mags though!


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-Sparky
Fiat justina.