VegasGeorge
09-29-2007, 11:31 AM
This is a field test report on the Roma Leathers, Leather Pistol Pack.
(See: www.romagunbags.com)
The Pistol Pack is a generic “fanny pack” type concealed carry device. It appears to be made from high quality leather. There is leather piping on all the seams and quality zippers with double closures on the two main pockets. All the zipper closures have leather pull tabs on them.
The belt is 1 ˝” nylon webbing secured to the back of the pack. It features quality plastic hardware and ample adjustment material. I would estimate that the pack would fit a 50” waist. One nice touch is a large belt loop stitched to the back of the pack to allow you to thread a trouser belt through and a Velcro strap which would allow you to do the same without removing your trouser belt.
The carry mechanism is in the inner pocket, closest to your body. Access is gained by opening one or both zippers and pulling the outer two pockets away and down to reveal the weapon you are carrying. Three inch string pulls are sewn into the zipper track to provide a grasping point to pull the zipper apart for quick opening. The pack comes with a six inch leather holster sheath banded with Velcro, and an elastic loop for holding your spare magazine. The back surface of the pack is covered with Velcro to allow positioning of the holster according to the size of the weapon and the desires of the wearer. There is also a six inch webbing strap with Velcro that can encircle the holster to further secure it. Alternatively, one can omit use of the holster and secure a large frame pistol with the webbing strap alone. In terms of weapon accommodation, I have carried a Kimber Ultra Carry, H&K USP, Beretta 92F, Sig P226, and several 2” revolvers. The Pistol Pack I tested is marked “S” for small. The Packs are also made in two larger sizes, “M,” and “L”. Due to the clever use of Velcro, the Pistol Pack may be worn to either side of the body, to conform to the wearer’s strong side for drawing the weapon.
The partition or separator between the inner and outer zippered compartment appears to be of fairly substantial synthetic fabric. This is a weak point in many “fanny pack” designs. Rough grips, sharp edges and knurled metal surfaces usually wear through thin material rather quickly. This allows the entire pack to deform and the contents of one pocket to intrude on the next. A better divider would be some form of rigid plastic. Whether the Pistol Pack’s fabric will stand up is unknown.
The outer zippered compartment is about 5 ˝” by 9” at its widest point and easily accommodates a well stuffed tri-fold wallet and a PDA cell phone. There is also a key ring with hardware to secure it to the interior of the pack. The outer surface of the pack has two leather pockets. The larger is 4”x3.5”x1” and has a substantial brass snap closure which is easily manipulated with one hand. The second pocket is designed for cell-phones. It has a rigid face to protect screens or other fragile surfaces, and a clever magnetic catch which precludes wear on what will probably be the most frequently used closure. The flap on this pocket is attached by a strip of elastic material which I presume was designed to allow the flap to be stretched over a phone higher than the top of the pocket. If you attempt to do this you will find that the elastic on the flap is several times stronger than the magnetic clasp. Thus, you can not close the pocket. But, on the bright side, the pocket flap easily accommodates a cell phone the height of the Motorola Razr (4") with no problem.
Overall I find the Roma Leathers, Leather Pistol Pack, to be a product that shows good workmanship, clever design features and high quality materials that should provide an excellent service life. I found no negatives with any part of the pack and I particularly like the holster sleeve which affords added trigger protection and ease of draw. While there would seem to be little you could do to an ordinary “fanny pack” to improve it, Roma Leathers appears to have found a way.
(See: www.romagunbags.com)
The Pistol Pack is a generic “fanny pack” type concealed carry device. It appears to be made from high quality leather. There is leather piping on all the seams and quality zippers with double closures on the two main pockets. All the zipper closures have leather pull tabs on them.
The belt is 1 ˝” nylon webbing secured to the back of the pack. It features quality plastic hardware and ample adjustment material. I would estimate that the pack would fit a 50” waist. One nice touch is a large belt loop stitched to the back of the pack to allow you to thread a trouser belt through and a Velcro strap which would allow you to do the same without removing your trouser belt.
The carry mechanism is in the inner pocket, closest to your body. Access is gained by opening one or both zippers and pulling the outer two pockets away and down to reveal the weapon you are carrying. Three inch string pulls are sewn into the zipper track to provide a grasping point to pull the zipper apart for quick opening. The pack comes with a six inch leather holster sheath banded with Velcro, and an elastic loop for holding your spare magazine. The back surface of the pack is covered with Velcro to allow positioning of the holster according to the size of the weapon and the desires of the wearer. There is also a six inch webbing strap with Velcro that can encircle the holster to further secure it. Alternatively, one can omit use of the holster and secure a large frame pistol with the webbing strap alone. In terms of weapon accommodation, I have carried a Kimber Ultra Carry, H&K USP, Beretta 92F, Sig P226, and several 2” revolvers. The Pistol Pack I tested is marked “S” for small. The Packs are also made in two larger sizes, “M,” and “L”. Due to the clever use of Velcro, the Pistol Pack may be worn to either side of the body, to conform to the wearer’s strong side for drawing the weapon.
The partition or separator between the inner and outer zippered compartment appears to be of fairly substantial synthetic fabric. This is a weak point in many “fanny pack” designs. Rough grips, sharp edges and knurled metal surfaces usually wear through thin material rather quickly. This allows the entire pack to deform and the contents of one pocket to intrude on the next. A better divider would be some form of rigid plastic. Whether the Pistol Pack’s fabric will stand up is unknown.
The outer zippered compartment is about 5 ˝” by 9” at its widest point and easily accommodates a well stuffed tri-fold wallet and a PDA cell phone. There is also a key ring with hardware to secure it to the interior of the pack. The outer surface of the pack has two leather pockets. The larger is 4”x3.5”x1” and has a substantial brass snap closure which is easily manipulated with one hand. The second pocket is designed for cell-phones. It has a rigid face to protect screens or other fragile surfaces, and a clever magnetic catch which precludes wear on what will probably be the most frequently used closure. The flap on this pocket is attached by a strip of elastic material which I presume was designed to allow the flap to be stretched over a phone higher than the top of the pocket. If you attempt to do this you will find that the elastic on the flap is several times stronger than the magnetic clasp. Thus, you can not close the pocket. But, on the bright side, the pocket flap easily accommodates a cell phone the height of the Motorola Razr (4") with no problem.
Overall I find the Roma Leathers, Leather Pistol Pack, to be a product that shows good workmanship, clever design features and high quality materials that should provide an excellent service life. I found no negatives with any part of the pack and I particularly like the holster sleeve which affords added trigger protection and ease of draw. While there would seem to be little you could do to an ordinary “fanny pack” to improve it, Roma Leathers appears to have found a way.