With a little time behind me on the Sneaky Bags Shoulder Utility Bag, or S.U.B. for brevity’s sake. The Sneaky Bags S.U.B. is a messenger style bag that allows you carry a fighting loadout in a covert or discrete way. I did a first look a little earlier this month, so check it out for a more detailed look. I said this during the first look, but it should be said again, the Sneaky Bags S.U.B. is incredibly discrete. There is nothing that is a dead give away that this bag has anything to do with guns or ammo.
The Sneaky Bags S.U.B. – Covert Fighting Load
While I hung my pro-gunfighter belt a few years ago I never had to works discreetly in any way. So I designed this loadout based on what I thought someone in close protection who needs to be discrete would carry. I’m also reviewing one of the Sneaky Bags Covert Rifle Bags, and this loadout was designed to work in coordination with a rifle in the Covert Rifle Bag. Specifically the SCAR 16s.
So my amateur covert Loadout is pretty simple. Two 30 round magazines, and one 40 round magazine, a handgun with TLR 1, and three spare handgun magazines. There is a total of 100 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, plus the magazine in the rifle, and the 4 magazines in the chest rig hidden in the Covert Rifle Bag. So 8 magazines between both bags.
This bag itself would be the first response bag to an attack. A close protection specialist’s first priority would be to get their client to a safe location. This may mean little to no time to pull out the plate carrier or chest rig. You’d need to be able to fight to safety just using the Sneaky Bag S.U.B. The 40 round magazine is to break contact and retreat to safety, or to fight through an ambush. The handgun and light are essentially a backup handgun in case your primary handgun runs out of gas. If the job requires formal attire and discretion is needed a primary handgun may be too small for an extended fight.
Fighting
The inside of the main pouch is versatile and allows for a variety of set-ups. I used two MOLLE based polymer magazine pouches for the 30 rounders on the hook and loop/MOLLE panel. On the opposite side, there is a solid wall of hook and loop. On this side, I used a hook and loop magazine pouch placed at the very bottom. This allowed the 40 rounder to remain concealed and easy to grab.
The handgun is the Magnum Research MR9, with Streamlight TLR 1, and a Blackhawk Omnivore holster. I used a Universal Holster adapter to attach the Omnivore and gun to the hook and loop panel.
The Secondary pouch is intentionally left empty. to be used as a drop pouch.
The third and smallest pouch is lined with elastic bands that allow the easy insert of handgun magazines. I also tossed in a couple of tourniquets, and alternatively, my AMK trauma kit fits perfectly in this pouch. You can go either way with this pouch.
On the Range
I own a track of land and have a private range so hands on test firing wasn’t a challenge.
Using the Sneaky Bags S.U.B. on the range was pretty intuitive and simple to do. Optionally you can attach two straps to the top and bottom of the bag. This allows you to secure the bag to your body and remain more stable. I attached a single strap to my thigh and found this worked really well at keeping the bag from flopping while scootin and shootin. This extra strap can be rolled up and secured using the bungee on the back of the bag.
The main pouch is nice and opened, which makes it easy to grip and rip magazines, as well as that additional handgun. I had new issues drawing magazines or my handgun from the pouch in the standing or kneeling position. Obviously in the prone things would be a bit slower.
I was ready to give up on the middle pouch as a drop pouch until I realized I was an idiot. Inside the middle pouch is a lip that pulls outward. I was having trouble keeping the pouch open enough to use as a dump pouch. Once I realized this lip existed and pulled it out it acted like a funnel. The pouch stayed open and magazines went in.
The handgun magazine pouch was a little trickier in a hurry cause the flap would get in the way. After a little time on the range I discovered I could attach the flap the wall of velcro behind and above the handgun magazines. It was out-of-place and if I was using the ID pouch the ID would be plenty visible.
How Covert is the Sneaky Bags S.U.B.
The last test was just carrying the bag around. Taking it in public, loaded with mags and handguns and conceal carrying the entire kit. I took it on the daily errands. I didn’t take a whole lot of pictures because A, that draws attention and B, my wife is terrible at taking photos.
So we went grocery shopping and got lunch. No one seemed to notice or care about the bag. It stays secure and was actually very comfortable with that super thick carry strap. Everything was hidden from view by the bag’s depth and how the flap covers everything. It’s nice and out of view.
Shoulder Utility
Overall the Sneaky Bags S.U.B. does its job well. It’s comfortable to carry, well made, and quite discrete. It’s functional and highly customizable. The bag could easily be converted into a fighting bag, a medic’s bag, or the most kick ass diaper bag out there. If you have a need for discrete method of carrying ammo, and gear I wouldn’t have any issues suggesting the Sneaky Bags S.U.B.
