Backpack w/ CCW...

blade man

blade man

Joined
Jan 8, 2001
Messages
1,242
I have a query for the folks in this fine forum...I've rotated through a few BOBs/go bags over the past few years...I've used a Maxped Pygmy Falcon, rothco messenger bag, 5.11 PUSH pack, and, as of late, a Blackhawk E&E bag.

I really would like to use a backpack, due to the better distribution of the load-out and the increased security if I'm moving dynamically, but run into a snag with my CCW.

I carry at around 4:00 on my waistband, right where a backpack tends to cover up. This causes the bag to push the gun into me, making it very uncomfortable. This was part of the impetus behind me switching to a shoulder bag.

I'm wondering if any of you have found a good solution to this? Obviously I can carry the gun in a different manner, but I'm not a fan of putting it in the bag (particularly the backpack). An OWB rig might solve this, I suppose. Just wondering what some of you have come up with?

My thinking of usage is partly EDC, mostly day hikes and trips, though the question is still relevant to longer trips where I'd be using a bigger bag.
 
ankle holster if you wear pants, that's what I'm looking into.....depending on what caliber and size of the gun....
 
try it at 3:00.

should work fine with most packs as long as you're not using a belt on the pack.

also worth consideration would be a Safepacker from The Wilderness. that would move the hardware to the belt of the pack in a dedicated pouch, when you take the pack off, switch back to IWB.

not a big fan of ankle rigs for primary CCW guns. may be OK for a smaller, lighter backup, but some people may still not like that.

curious what the OP is carrying and what he's carrying it in. different guns, and different holsters may have more or less issue with this problem. just other options to consider besides where on the belt you're carrying it.
 
I carry OWB with a 1400 ci pack for dayhikes. The only problems I run in to with it is on Summer days it tends to print with a thin T-Shirt on. I am looking at a larger pack with a waistbelt for longer trips and winter hikes and was trying to come with simular solutions as Fixer mentioned. Some sort of modular pouch that can be easily accessed from the packs belt. I think this will end up being the best solution.
 
I'd recommend against an ankle holster for a primary weapon. You need to see something coming a mile away to be able to draw from an ankle in time to deal with a threat. Also, if you have to cross through water or post hole through deep snow, you're subjecting your pistol to a lot of extra crud and moisture. That said, I do sometimes carry an ankle gun as a second.

Appendix carry would move the gun out of the way of your pack, and can make for a very fast presentation.

When I'm out in the woods, I've either got a 4" Redhawk in a Simply Rugged holster at 3 o'clock strong side, or a M&P 40c in Blade Tech kydex at the same position. The butt of the Redhawk rubs against the strap of my pack and makes my pants ride a little lower than I'd like, but then I just hitch my pants back up.
 
That’s a tough situation that I’ve run in to myself. My carry gun is no less a part of my EDC than my car keys or wallet. In fact I have left without a wallet and cell phone on a few occasions, but I don’t forget my gun. It’s not for everyone, but I digress.

If you are using packs without a waist belt, moving the gun over to 3:00 generally works depending on what gun I am carrying. When It comes to packs with waist belts, that’s the real issue. I don’t care for pocket guns, but when I’m using a pack with a waist belt, I generally carry my 642 in the pocket of my cargo pants or shorts in a Mika or modified Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. I may or may not have something larger in my pack, but I just haven’t found much of a good way to carry with a waist belt.
 
You didn't mention what you carry, which might help with this. I'm also going to presume that you use the waistbelt on your pack and you don't want your gun to be IWB beneath that belt.

In the summer, when hiking (versus hunting) on busy trails, I sometimes carry an airweight snubby revolver in a pocket holster, or one of my full-size auto-pistols in a Maxped Versipak Jumbo (not carrying a backpack).

I've not had to solve the problem of carrying a larger pistol and a larger pack at the same time. Usually if I'm carrying a larger pack and a gun, it's a rifle.

I actually like the idea, offered by Rich275 of a waistpack, carried up front, with your pack belt above it. I've never tried this, but it might be just the ticket for carrying a larger gun while hauling a heavy pack. The weight of gun and ammo etc... up front might help balance the pack in the back.

Depending on how big your gun is, you might also find a pouch that will strap or clip to the waistbelt on your pack. I use a similar setup to carry muzzleloader kit with my Badlands hunting pack.

SP
 
ou ymight try the Tommy's gun pack. Sign up for the emails and don't buy. wait.
eventually you'll get crazy stuff like "$20 this weekend only with free shipping"

The 2" heavy duty belt can handle my maxped M2 ditch kit with ease... it would even handle a fully loaded canteen set up if the belt was cinched down enough, but then you couldn't spin it on your waist like I do. just an option.
 
solocanoe said:
ou ymight try the Tommy's gun pack. Sign up for the emails and don't buy. wait.
eventually you'll get crazy stuff like "$20 this weekend only with free shipping"

The 2" heavy duty belt can handle my maxped M2 ditch kit with ease... it would even handle a fully loaded canteen set up if the belt was cinched down enough, but then you couldn't spin it on your waist like I do. just an option.
Click to expand...

"If you want to carry a gun and not look like a tactical operator...."

Nothing screams gun more than a fanny pack and a photographer's vest in my opinion. I love how he fully sweeps himself when he draws the gun out of it. But, for use with a backpack it might be an option. :thumbup:
 
formtight said:
CCW? What's CCW...? Oh wait. I live in California.
Click to expand...

Only two states in the US w/o CCW are Illinois and Wisconsin. Every other state has some form of it.

Unfortunately, in California, you need to prove how wealthy, powerful and important you are that would make you a target for violence. Average Joe? Good luck.
 
blade man said:
I have a query for the folks in this fine forum...I've rotated through a few BOBs/go bags over the past few years...I've used a Maxped Pygmy Falcon, rothco messenger bag, 5.11 PUSH pack, and, as of late, a Blackhawk E&E bag.

I really would like to use a backpack, due to the better distribution of the load-out and the increased security if I'm moving dynamically, but run into a snag with my CCW.

I carry at around 4:00 on my waistband, right where a backpack tends to cover up. This causes the bag to push the gun into me, making it very uncomfortable. This was part of the impetus behind me switching to a shoulder bag.

I'm wondering if any of you have found a good solution to this? Obviously I can carry the gun in a different manner, but I'm not a fan of putting it in the bag (particularly the backpack). An OWB rig might solve this, I suppose. Just wondering what some of you have come up with?

My thinking of usage is partly EDC, mostly day hikes and trips, though the question is still relevant to longer trips where I'd be using a bigger bag.
Click to expand...

What are you using to conceal the gun? I use a Crossbreed Supertuck for my XD9 Service full cant and carry at 3 O'Clock. I also have a back pack as my go bag/GHB. At this position I'm able to concealed carry and throw my pack on with no interruption as far as the pack getting in the way or pushing on my XD. If I ever had to draw ( heaven forbid ) with my pack on my pistol is within easy reach for a fast draw with the pack not even being a factor.
 
adaman04 said:
Only two states in the US w/o CCW are Illinois and Wisconsin. Every other state has some form of it.

Unfortunately, in California, you need to prove how wealthy, powerful and important you are that would make you a target for violence. Average Joe? Good luck.
Click to expand...

Especially where I am (bordering LA/OC counties). I'm surprised LEO's are allowed to carry!
 
+1 on the front carry (belly waistband) under the T shirt. I carry a Colt Officer Lightweight .45 and once you get use to it you don't even know its there.
 
Thanks everyone for the comments so far! I carry a Glock 19 in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II. I carry at 4:00 because my scoliosis creates a small "hollow" right there that will allow me to hide even a 5" 1911 under a light t-shirt with no issues. I'll occasionally carry a S&W 340 M&P in a Galco Summer Special at 4:00.

I actually prefer appendix carry, but can't get away with it very well because I'm fairly narrow across the hips (30" waist). Even a Glock 26 or 27 sticks out. The fanny pack isn't a bad idea, but, like Adaman04, I feel it's VERY obvious if you know what you're looking for. I might try scooting the gun forward to 3:00--not sure if that'll work out.

BTW, the Maxped Pygmy Falcon doesn't use a waist belt. Otherwise, a Safepacker would be great attached to that.
 
blade man said:
Thanks everyone for the comments so far! I carry a Glock 19 in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II. I carry at 4:00 because my scoliosis creates a small "hollow" right there that will allow me to hide even a 5" 1911 under a light t-shirt with no issues. I'll occasionally carry a S&W 340 M&P in a Galco Summer Special at 4:00.

I actually prefer appendix carry, but can't get away with it very well because I'm fairly narrow across the hips (30" waist). Even a Glock 26 or 27 sticks out. The fanny pack isn't a bad idea, but, like Adaman04, I feel it's VERY obvious if you know what you're looking for. I might try scooting the gun forward to 3:00--not sure if that'll work out.

BTW, the Maxped Pygmy Falcon doesn't use a waist belt. Otherwise, a Safepacker would be great attached to that.
Click to expand...

Try 3 O'Oclock. Trust me it works out pretty well with a pack. And you should really consider a Crossbreed Supertuck. By far the most comfortable, concealable holster I've ever tried. You can get them in cowhide or horse hide. Horse hide is better if you are going to be sweating.
 
AKC75 said:
Try 3 O'Oclock. Trust me it works out pretty well with a pack. And you should really consider a Crossbreed Supertuck. By far the most comfortable, concealable holster I've ever tried. You can get them in cowhide or horse hide. Horse hide is better if you are going to be sweating.
Click to expand...

Not a fan of Crossbreeds whatsoever, actually. A couple buddies have them, and the sweatguard makes it pretty much impossible to draw with a flagged thumb and a deep seat high on the tang. You pretty much have to scoop with your fingers, something I don't do when it comes to a drawstroke. Thanks for the suggestion, though!
 
blade man said:
Not a fan of Crossbreeds whatsoever, actually. A couple buddies have them, and the sweatguard makes it pretty much impossible to draw with a flagged thumb and a deep seat high on the tang. You pretty much have to scoop with your fingers, something I don't do when it comes to a drawstroke. Thanks for the suggestion, though!
Click to expand...

That's easily remedied with a combat cut that you can have Crossbreed do or just do yourself. You just cut out the leather along the outline of the grip of the pistol so there is no more leather in the way as you try to grip the pistol. That's not so much of a sweat guard as it's designed for added comfort more than anything.

Anyway, I'm sure the 3 position will work for ya.:D
 
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