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Is discretion truly the better part of valor?
I tend to think so. In fact, I believe it should be a core tenet to your beliefs as a concealed carrier.
But today we aren’t going to be going too serious. Rather, we’re going to look at the tenets and tools of the gray man. First, though, let’s make sure we all know what that means.
Who Is the Gray Man?
A gray man is a personal who is prepared for anything, but also blends in when disaster strikes, concealing their preparedness from others. People who fit the gray man persona are the three JBs: Jason Bourne, James Bond, and Jack Bauer. Well, Bond can be a bit flashy, but he slides in under the radar when necessary. While these people are fictional characters, I wanted to assemble what I thought would be the tools of the gray man in the real world.
I also wanted to keep the list realistic for your normal everyday Joe. You won’t see anything on here you couldn’t purchase yourself, at least in the United States. And, while my most dangerous mission these days is making my morning coffee, this is all gear that I own, so I’m speaking from experience.
This gear has passed my sniff test, and I can wholeheartedly suggest it.
What Does the Gray Man Wear?
Now that’s it’s a bit nippy outside the gray man has to have a nice winter coat right? Depending on where you live your requirements are different.The Tactical Jacket
My current favorite is the Propper Full Zip Tech Sweater. I’ve been wearing this jacket for a few months and absolutely love it.
The Tech Sweater is superbly comfy and it allows me to move without restriction. It’s ready for everything, from duty to concealed carry.
For concealed carry you have the traditional two pocket front layout. It’s designed for keeping your hands warm and for easy access to your gun. The pockets features an internal zipper that allows you to reach under your jacket. With the jacket zippered up no one will actually be able to see what you are doing with your hands.
You can pull your weapon through the oversized pocket, and draw it effortlessly and silently. You can remain low profile until the moment your gun leaves your pocket.
For duty use, the jacket has two zippers down the side that allow you to open the sides and give you instant access to belt worn gear. It instantly goes from covert to overt.
$80
at Amazon
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
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The Armored Undershirt
What goes under your jacket? Of course, body armor would be great, but it’s bulky. Well, most armor is bulky, but concealable and affordable options exist. One such option starts with a shirt.
$45
at Amazon
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
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Guns of the Gray Man
At minimum, a Gray woman/man should carry some weapon to defend him/herself. I like a handgun, and I assume most people are the same way. My gun of choice doesn’t reflect my favorite handgun, but is a pragmatic choice.
$359
at GrabAGun
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
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Holster Selection
Since my gray man is wearing the Tech Sweater, he’s going to be rocking an appendix holster. Not just any appendix holster, but the NSR Glock holster.
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25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
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25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
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The Long Gun
Like most of us, I don’t normally carry a rifle, but I figure our fictional gray man may want the option. So what rifle would someone carry discretely that would be effective in a fight? Well, there aren’t too many choices for discreet rifle carry, but one stands out.
$350
at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
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The Bag
If I’m carrying a long gun I need a place to carry it right? I’m certainly not going IWB with the Kel Tec. The gray man needs a bag. What bag exactly?
$195
at Amazon
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
$6
at Amazon
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
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Spare Mags
You gotta have some spare mags, and since we are focusing on the Glock platform for this article you have tons of options. There are, of course, Glock’s OEM mags in varying capacities. You aren’t limited to Glock magazines though. Due to the popularity of the platform there are several aftermarket magazine companies. We covered them here, and my two suggestions still stand. Magpul and ETS both make outstanding aftermarket magazines.
$22
at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
$12
at GunMag Warehouse
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Carrying an IFAK
A Gray man tries to be ready for anything, including putting bandaids on his boo boos. An IFAK, or individual first aid kit, is a must have. If you are already carrying a bag, then you might as well have a way of patching yourself up. I didn’t need my Marine Corps training to teach me that it’s best to keep as much blood in as you as possible. An IFAK should be a complete trauma kit. Our fictional Gray man does have some medical training, and it’s not a bad idea for you to take a course or two with the Red Cross or a similar organization yourself.
$60
at Amazon
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
The Knives
Everyone needs a knife or two. An EDC knife is a must and you have tons of options. Now, like Denzel in Training Day, I like the Spyderco series.
Available Coupons
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25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Available Coupons
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25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Lights!
We have a whole article on EDC flashlights and anything on that list would be a great light for your bag. For a pocket light option the 5.11 EDC light is pretty nice. I’ve had mine for a long time now and it’s served me well. I’ve beat the heck out of this poor thing and it just keeps coming back. This little light is super small, no larger than a pocket knife, and clips onto the pocket.
$20
at Amazon
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Nothing is Black and White
26 Leave a Reply
I think a MP5k clone, AR-15 pistol, Sig Rattler pistol with a sling for “SAS method” would be way more concealable than the folding kel tec. Plus no need to fold open the gun to bring it into action
I'm right with you, nice load out but, I prefer the sub 2000 .40 cal and the glock 23 which can swap magz and I alrady have my Kabar 1200 which is a great knife. I want all the other stuff you mentioned except I already have a nice carry bag made by Savior which will also carry a security length 12 gauge and has room for accessories
Whats the 2021 version of this I wonder with limited supply?
Keltec is nice and cheap, but if i had to bug out and carry a pack with a primary and a secondary i would probably ride out with a Kriss Vector inside a switchblade from eberlestock or maybe a little trick.
For a great concealed carry pistol, go with the Sig P365XL Romeo Zero. It's reliable, accurate, and holds at least 12 rounds. And the Romeo Zero red dot can't be beaten. Did I mention that it's about as slim a profile for EDC as you can get? One last thing: don't carry appendix!! EVER!! As my Force Recon Marine father told me, "never, ever, point your pistol at your gun!" :)
nothing wrong with appendix or 530-6. Train, Train then Train some more. No matter how you carry at some point your still flagging a part of your body. No to mention most people still flag themselves when they draw even with a OWB at 300.
To the point,with no bs good starting point.
That undershirt is pretty cool. I can't imagine any circumstance where I would need to go through my day sporting concealed soft armor, but it seems like a "you'll know when you need it" type of thing.
I was looking at that Keltec today. Sweet little weapon. I like the modification recommendations as well. Definitely. I think I am a budding gray woman.
Some people watch to much tv...
You aren’t within 100 miles of being “gray” using the stuff you described. I hope no with a serious need to avoid detection takes this article seriously.
What would you differently?
I subscribed to the idea of being prepared for events that are encountered. However, the article is truly based in the concept of "what can I sell the reader." The info is basic but a person needs to expand their knowledge and choose equipment that works for them.
I know I’m late reading this article but these are my sentiments EXACTLY! The jacket alone screams tactical. Not even “shades” of gray. Lol
The problem..... EVERYONE knows that a Vertx bag is for EDC/CCW..... so it's not so "grayman".
My only thoughts are that this is a kit for a high threat environment. Being a grey man isn't about being ready for world war 3 all the time- it's about being adaptive and under the radar, responding to increasing threats by increasing your readiness.
A grey man definitely only needs a CCW pistol, a keen sense of awareness, good training, and an ability to blend in 90% of the time.
Roger that!
Funnily enough, this is a concept I've pursued as well, and our loadouts are very similar. I'm carrying a modded Sub-2000 (with the Red Lion Precision forend and front sight), but with the Smith mags to match my M&P 2.0. Both fit snugly and securely in the Vertex Commuter. Great bag.
"Our chosen kit is the RE Factor Tactical Delta" Here's a hint guys -- sixty bucks for a small empty bag might be fine for people whose gear is paid for by their government agency, but not for everyone -- and the ridiculous photo is nothing but bait and switch (or maybe I should say click-bait and switch). Your photo shows suitable contents for a first aid kit but I don't think your chosen "kit" is even in that photo.
I don't disagree with you, but I think the way I'd put it is that I'd be more interested in knowing what the gray man includes in his IFAK, rather than what bag he keeps it in.
Great read will take the info and apply to the knowledge as a beginning step to becoming grey myself. Thank you
Great stuff Travis.
I carry a Glock 17, great choice. My gray man would carry a fire steel or gel packs too, never knowhen you're gonna need fire!
Keep up the great work.
Mr Gray Man might want to look at the new Ruger PC 9mm pistol caliber carbine when it comes out later this year. It is a take down model so it would fit in the pack and also share magazines and ammo with the pistol, like the Kel-Tec. Looks like a nicely made gun.
Awesome article! Quick enjoyable read, thanks for that. Lots of good recommendations here - really digging that Propper jacket (& still waiting for Brownell’s to bring back that Sub 2000 in stock! Haha). I’m a South Florida native who just came back from a camping trip near Ocala, so I recognized the Spanish moss in the pics lol
I would have my gray man wear a single point sling under the jacket, to be attached to the rifle once it comes out of the bag. If two point slings are more your speed, a Vickers Sling on the rifle in the bag would be a valuable addition.
Yeah you could make a necktie with a snap hook at the end. Nobody would think that was odd.