I have several Jessie James bags, including this one. It is a beautiful bag. The only con is that on every single bag the plastic trim on the arm handles comes off and makes my high end looking bag look tacky. I take very good care of my bags and it still happens. So I use them until the plastic starts to separate and then I toss them. I just bought another brand and will see if that bag has the same issue. If not, I will probably switch.
The bag is well made, looks nice and can carry pretty much anything you could need over the course of a day as far as common, everyday items. It is also comfortable.
As for using it as a CCW bag, this is where it fails. My experiences below are from my using the bag to carry my Beretta PX4 full size 9mm.
It will concealed your pistol, but getting the pistol out of the bag is not as easy as it could be. It has a hidden zipper on either side of the bag that can access the large compartment where the firearm is secured. All of the compartments are zippered. On one side of the bag, there is one zipper that sits just a few millimeters directly above the zipper to the CCW compartment! Not a good thing when you need your firearm. Further, for a pistol this size, the opening to draw is pretty tight. If you don't get the draw just right, you’ll hang up on the butt or the sights. The draw was only marginally better with my Glock 36.
There is a medium sized velcro loop patch in the large compartment that allows for your velcro hooks on your holster to attach. My issue with this system is that where the velcro wool inside the bag is attached has no rigid base, and try as I might, I cannot get my PX4 to sit still in one spot. It feels like it’s moving around and the holster velcro may separate from the wool at anytime. The holster provided was flimsy - only marginally better than cloth.
My suggestions?
1) a firmer holster or none at all.
2) a thin sheet of some sort of stiffening material between the fabric layers of the back compartment to give the holster/velcro a firmer foundation. Also, a larger patch of velcro wool.
3) go longer with the openings to the CCW compartment. Also ditch the zipper for this compartment. A pull tab would be better, especially for lefties as this is where I found the zipper pulls being in such close proximity.
4) add some elastic loops for one or two spare magazines in the CCW compartment.
I absolutely love this little backpack. It’s big enough to carry my concealed carry and it’s not oversized.
Bought first bag from jesse james, excellent bag, carrying since receiving. 2 things though, belt loosens, and when opening opens about 1/4 of top zipper. Plenty of room to grab pistol, but definitely have to practice. Great product overall
I bought this bag as my current conceal carry bag is starting to wear out. I love this bag because it can be a backpack or a side bag.