Dependable Gadgets and Gear for Off Duty Use

I recently saw an article from a well-respected lawman who was discussing the things he’d learned through the year about the bits and pieces of “kit” law enforcement uses. In this case, it was all about items that would be off-duty or plainclothes use because none of the people involved in the discussion wear a uniform… or have in quite some time. The discussion, as described, inspired me to think about the pieces of kit I depended on this year, day-to-day, out of uniform.

The G43X with Modular Optic System configuration.

Let’s start out with my Glock Model 43X. Up front, I have to confess that I did not buy a Glock 43X. I bought a Glock 43 and a Glock 48. After I was familiarized with and came to appreciate my red dot sight, I purchased slides for each cut appropriately and two Shield RMSc sights. In the long run, I mounted the Glock 43 sight cut slide, with the Shield RMSc mounted, to the Glock 48 frame, creating a Glock 43X with a red dot sight in place.

I further outfitted that Glock 43X with a Shield Arms Carry Kit which included three 15-round metal magazines that fit flush into the Glock grip and the necessary metal magazine catch/release (so that the metal mags don’t eat up the polymer mag catch). With the mag catch installed, I can load and use the 15-round magazines, which gives me 16 rounds in the gun (15+1) and a spare magazine with 15 rounds more (just in case something goes seriously sideways while I’m out at the grocery store, cigar shop or local restaurant). I honestly think the biggest threat I might face anymore is on the side of the road if my Jeep breaks down while I’m on travel. You never know what two-legged predator might show up to “help.”

I stoke those magazines with Speer Gold Dot G2 ammo. Do some research on the round and you’ll find a bit of discussion about over-penetration and other challenges some folks have declared as disqualifying for using the round. On the other hand, you’ll also find out that USSOCOM—the United States Special Operations Command (you know, the SEALs, Army Special Forces, Air Force Para-Rescue, Coast Guard MSRT and more)—have selected the ammo for use in their 9mm weapons. I like the Gold Dot G2 because the elastomer fill in the hollow-point cavity effectively makes it a non-hollowpoint round—which means I can carry it in New Jersey free of concern of being arrested in violation of their law which prohibits anyone from carrying hollowpoints unless they are state police (so I’ve been told; haven’t independently researched; just easier to avoid the potential problem if it even might exist).

Along with the sidearm, I typically carry (at a minimum) a knife, my lighter, a flashlight, my keys, my wallet and a badge. Yes, the badge says “RETIRED” on it now, but it still identifies my parent agency and my rank, and it’s good to have hanging/visible if, God forbid, I have to actually pull out my gun for anything. My primary knife of choice is the Zero Tolerance Model #0308. It’s a fair-sized robustly built knife with a 3.8” liner-locked blade that has proven easy to keep clean and sharp over the years I’ve had it. That’s clipped in my right hip pocket, and in that same pocket is my wallet. Long ago I gave up my folding or tri-fold wallet due to how thick it was. Years back, we (society in general) learned that sitting on a wallet while driving can cause lower back issues because of the tilt it causes in the spine at the hips. My replacement is an RF-blocking thin leather wallet with a slit pocket on either side and a central compartment that holds six credit-cards. I put my driver’s license, retired ID and LEOSA card on one side, while the other side carries my agency electronic key card and my insurance cards.

Frank's lighter, which comes in handy quite often for other than lighting cigars.

The lighter, which comes in handy quite often for other than lighting cigars, is a Zippo case that I received after donating to AmericanSnipers.org, but the guts are a butane torch unit I got online for about $14. It’s a dual-jet design that burns quite hot. The reservoir for the butane isn’t huge but I only need to refill it every other week (ish).

Streamlight Wedge Slim Everyday Carry Flashlight

I habitually carry two flashlights: in my jacket is the ASP Scribe rechargeable penlight that cranks out about 400 lumens of light and is very convenient to carry. In my backpack (my “go bag” that I take about everywhere) there’s a rechargeable Streamlight Wedge. It’s not as bright as the ASP Scribe unless you activate the “turbo” feature. Typically, the Wedge pushed 300 lumens but the high power feature pushes 1,000. If I have to clip a light into my off-side (left) hip pocket (where I carry my lighter) then I put the Wedge there.

Obviously I have my cell phone with me when I go anywhere and quite often I have a Leatherman multitool on my person as well. No, I’m not MacGyver, but that’s more a lack of knowledge in chemistry than a lack of willingness to creatively solve problems.

Now, as I type this, SHOT Show 2025 is about a month away and you never know what new gadgets or upgraded tools you’ll find there. So, fair warning, this day-to-day load-out is certainly subject to change. What changes would you make or do you have in yours?