Most handgun fanny packs are designed with a elongated tab that sticks out between the hook-and-loop fasteners or dual zipper heads to open the pack. Pulling the tab downward separates the case to offer unfettered access to the gun. The tab can be pulled with either support or strong hand. When comparing products, check to see that the tab is of ample size to be easily accessed under stress.

Like just about everything else, there are good waist pack designs and bad ones. The most distinctive design difference is how securely they hold the gun. Avoid packs with a generic, loose “pocket holster” that holds many different gun models. If the holster doesn’t fit your gun properly, the gun may fall out of the pocket and end up on the ground when you open the pack during a draw.

One of the best methods I have found to secure a gun inside a waist pack is a wide neoprene strap. A good example of this is the Escort or Elite Waistpack manufactured by Galco (usgalco.com, 800-874-2526). While the gun is held securely by the elastic material, it releases easily during the draw.

Pocket carry offers a unique advantage: You can keep your hand on your gun without arousing suspicion. Having your hand on your gun cuts your draw time in half and eliminates the draw completely if you keep your gun in a coat pocket and shoot through the clothing.

Use of a pocket holster is essential for carry in pants pockets because it maintains the gun in an upright position, breaks up the outline of the gun to keep it from printing and helps keep the gun free of pocket lint.

There are three types of pocket holsters delineated by their method of releasing the gun: the push-off holster, which uses the thumb to push the holster off the gun before lifting for the draw; the retention design, which has a hook to catch the holster on the pants during the draw; and loose-fit holsters, which stay in the pocket by friction.

My experience has shown that the first two options work best. One fine example is the pocket holster by Aholster Company (aholster.com, 423-972-1348). Made of Kydex, it is rounded to shape to your leg, offers a relatively flat-faced front to keep the gun from printing and the retention is perfect—just enough to keep the gun holstered yet easy to retrieve.

Pocket carry does not have to be restricted to small guns. I comfortably pocket carry two Ruger SP101s all day long. It is a good idea to refrain from putting anything in the pocket besides the gun because small objects such as keys and coins can get caught and foul the draw.

If all these other alternative carry methods aren’t possible in a situation, it’s time for the deep concealment holster, which buries the gun under clothing for maximum concealment. Some go deep inside the waistband, others underneath an outer shirt.

One example of deep concealment is SmartCarry (Concealed Protection 3, smartcarry.com, 727-581-7001), which is a belted pocket worn in the front, beneath the pants, deep under the belt. I was introduced to this method years ago by a fellow student at training seminar. He came into class with a full-size 1911 carried in this fashion, and I was quite surprised at the stealth; I could barely make out a slight outline of the butt of the grip.

The SmartCarry is custom ordered; you supply your waist size and carry gun. The draw is accomplished by either pulling your waistband out with your support hand or simply burying your gun hand between your body and pant.

The success of this method of carry is somewhat dependent on the size and shape of your body. Being of short stature with a short rise, I found the SmartCarry was best reserved for smaller guns, but like demonstrated by my friend, full-size guns can work as well.

Similar in concept, the PagerPal (Concealed City, pagerpal.com) is a deep concealment holster that slides deep inside the pants, under the beltline, and attaches to the belt by way of a pager pocket. The modern incarnation is now called Cell/PDA Pal.