> TEOTWAWKI Blog: Drawing from the HPG Kit Bag

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4/11/12

Drawing from the HPG Kit Bag

Last week I reviewed the Hill People Gear Kit Bag - you can read the full write up here. In the review, I mentioned the high potential for sweeping your arm/elbow during the draw--unless good technique is followed. While we all train and know our handguns, accidental discharges happen to all kinds of shooters, including experts and professionals. Avoiding sweeping a body part during the draw is a general best practice.

Here are two different ways to draw from the HPG kit bag and avoid sweeping your body parts.

First up is the method that I've found myself preferring--it's most like the standard drawstroke and requires only small modification to technique.


I run the zipper to the Kit Bag's handgun compartment open slightly, around an inch and a half open. This allows me to insert my strong hand, pictured here, to begin the draw. You can have the bag fully zipped--there's just an added step of unzipping.

Note the position of my support hand--resting on the abdomen--which matches my standard drawstroke. This keeps the hand clear and out of the way, but ready to meet the strong hand and complete the draw during extension. My support side elbow is kept tucked in close to the body to avoid crossing in the line of the barrel during draw.

Another thing to note is the location of the zipper pulls for the main compartment--they are on the support side, to avoid any confusion during the draw. The handgun compartment zipper pulls (and gap) are on the strong side.




Here, I've pushed my hand through the zipper opening and into the compartment, establishing a firm grip.


Here, the handgun is drawn from the kit bag and begins rotation outward, towards the target. Complete the draw--move to retention and extend as usual from here.

There's no sweeping--these pictures don't do the greatest job, but the muzzle is kept horizontal, then rotated towards the target.

I like prefer this draw because it's quick, one-handed and similar to the normal drawstroke that I practice. Muscle memory takes over in critical situations, so I want something that integrates with that well. Also, being one handed means that I do have that support hand ready to engage a threat if I'm unable to complete the initial draw. It's easier to mentally switch gears to defense if your hand is unoccupied.

Next up is similar to the draw shown on the HPG website, just a bit exaggerated in order to make sure we avoid sweeping.


This draw is two handed. Same gap in the handgun compartment's zippers to facilitate the draw. Support hand reaches up, grabs the bag and yanks it open.


Here the bag has been yanked open and I've established a grip. The in this picture, the muzzle is oriented under my support arm, pointing at an angle. I'll need to be careful to keep the muzzle pointed downwards as I draw.


And here I've cleared the bag, with the muzzle oriented downwards, avoiding sweeping my hand. At this point, I would move to rotate into retention and then extend towards target as normal.

Anyways, certainly something to think about and practice if you're a Kit Bag owner. Make sure to follow all the usual precautions for safe practice. You probably won't be able to practice with the Kit Bag on a square range--you would regularly sweep the guy on the bench next to you--so dry practice and safe back country practice will probably be your best bet.

The Hill People Gear Kit Bag is available in a variety of colors and styles from the good guys at HPG. Check 'em out!