Amazon Listing Name: 5.11 Tactical Select Carry Pistol Pouch, Charcoal/Black, Style 58604
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Today, I’m covering another concealed carry pistol pack in my latest series of waist bags. As you can see, it’s none other than 5.11’s Tactical Select.
Finally! A recognizable brand name with some responsibility to produce a quality CCW pistol pouch. That’s not to say the other brands on Amazon can’t hold their own, but 5.11 should be a cut above the rest.
Maybe you’re tired of penny-pinching and need to spend that little bit of extra cash for a well-built daily carry. If that’s you…this just might be it!
Of course, it’s better to play it safe and go over the quirks and features of the 5.11 pistol pouch. As always, I’m your host, Sun Jae at Saber’s Carry.
I always personally purchase these EDC bags to provide helpful and reliable reviews. I’m not sponsored or paid.
Some Fast Facts about the 5.11 Select Carry Pistol Pouch
| At a Glance | |
| Main CCW Dimensions | 6.5” x 14” (inches) flat pistol pouch |
| Material | 1050 Denier Nylon, 840 Denier Nylon, Polyester interior |
| Type of Gun | Compact [Glock 19] and smaller (subcompact recommended) |
| Color Option(s) | Charcoal/Black |
| Notable Feature(s) | Thick Hot-Pull Tabs, locking zippers, strap retention bands, quality construction |
| Price | $ (still budget-friendly but on the pricier end) |
I’d like to think this waist pack stands apart from many other inexpensive packs. However, it’s important to know there are some drawbacks to this one.
So I have a couple of suggestions for you to consider! DTOM’s fanny pack is another great pick for a nice, compact pouch for your sidearm. It’s discreet too!
The Tacticool Fanny Pack poses itself as a budget-oriented option for concealed carry as well.
First Impressions & General Thoughts
First up, you’re not able to carry much of anything other than your pistol. Know that you’re limited to two tiny accessory pouches and the main compartment.
With that said, the zippers, outer shell, and design of the pistol pouch meet my expectations of a great 5.11 product. The exterior material inspires confidence and the zipper handles are easy to tug.
Don’t be fooled into thinking the entire bag is made out of nylon, rather it’s a mix of polyester and nylon. Regardless, it’s going to be strong and resistant to wear.
It’s not quite a bonafide low-profile concealed carry bag as I’d suspect others can guess you’re carrying a gun here. (However, some customers mentioned their friends and family didn’t suspect a thing.)
I appreciate the muted colors as I wouldn’t want anything flashy.
On the flip side, you’d expect the standard breathable mesh padding, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a bonus feature.
Not only do you get a heavy-duty plastic buckle, but there’s even space to loop your belt through for a secure fit. It’s right behind the mesh padding!
Naturally, this pistol pouch can flex into a cross-body style pack and fits comfortably close to your body. It’s low profile enough for some light exercise or an entire day of hiking or biking.
Concealed Carry Compartment
Evidently, 5.11 lives up to its statement of building “purpose-built gear”. The CCW pouch is the only real compartment we’re dealing with today and it’s everything you need for lightweight carry.
Everything for compact pistols and smaller that is. You get some robust elastic retention bands, Hot-Pull tabs for a quick draw, and two magazine slots.
Initially, I tested out the Glock 43X as an ideal carry gun for this pistol pouch. The only issue would be the trigger guard preventing the gun from fitting into the elastic band all the way.
Despite this, simply sliding the barrel inside the side cavity secures the gun as it won’t be going anywhere. It’s not a bad idea to clip on a minimalistic trigger guard though.
It’s mostly the same story with the Glock 19.
There’s no chance of the trigger guard pulling through the elastic band, but the entire pistol fits more snugly into the pistol pouch.
Sure, the 5.11 Tactical Select makes enough room for a Glock 19 and two magazines, but you’ll have to deal with a little more mass on your waist.
Also, the slide of the gun finds itself tucked underneath the top lip of the pocket. Just know it’s a little more work to quickly pull out this pistol.
Per usual, it’s a “must” to experiment with my full-sized 1911 in the name of science. I’m happy to report that if there’s a will, then there is a way.
Although cumbersome and hefty, a 1911 and other similarly sized guns will fit in this CCW bag. It’s definitely difficult to deploy quickly as the rear sights are prone to catching onto the bag.
No worries with my Smith & Wesson Shield Plus here. Sadly, the trigger guard proved to be too big for the elastic band yet again.
Amazingly, the 5.11’s band accommodated only the 1911’s trigger guard out of the 4 pistols.
Some Other Details
Fortunately, we’re not paying a hefty price tag for an exceptional pistol pouch, but some corners had to be cut.
Only a portion of the exterior is Denier nylon with the majority of the bag being polyester. Having said that, there’s nothing wrong with good ol’ polyester lining.
Depending on what handgun you’re carrying, it’s a little awkward to strap the bag on the side of your waist. A good portion of the pack will be rigid with a gun inside, so I personally choose to wear it right in front.
Moreover, if you’re on the slender side like I am, you will have some loose straps hanging down your side.
Thankfully, the strap retention bands mitigate that problem…and those loose straps are actually convenient to tug at for a tighter fit.
Other Pockets / Compartments
Yes! You do get extra storage on the 5.11 pistol pouch!
It’s just enough to hold… some extra cash and earbuds.
Again, 5.11 decided to focus on delivering an off-body carry pack specializing in concealed carry. Not much else, unfortunately.
In addition, keep in mind one of these pockets may be unusable because of the barrel of your carry gun.
What all fits inside the pistol pouch?
To be concise, pack your handgun, a magazine or two, and your set of keys. This pack is an ideal companion for a simple jog or trip through the woods on a nature trail
5.11 claims you’ll remain inconspicuous while “blending in the crowd” so don’t worry about wearing this pistol pouch in an urban setting either.
I regret to inform you that I don’t have the usual photo of an EDC layout that one might pack into this waist bag.
Instead, I’ve included a completely innocent picture of an unloaded pistol and a cat who definitely volunteered to pose in the picture.
In conclusion
Generally, when we’re at a loss for what to do or choose, we fall back to what we know works best.
Since you’re looking for a smaller, lightweight CCW option, simply rely on 5.11’s pistol pouch to do the job. It’s a tad more expensive than other obscure brands, but well worth the upgrade.
If you’re looking for more storage at a dirt cheap price, consider the ProCase Tactical Sling Bag! Sacrifices were definitely made to make that bag…
As always, thanks for reading and safe travels to you!
Sun Jae
