- Joined
- May 3, 2006
- Messages
- 1,819
Hi guys,
We've discussed several times before the difficulties of carrying a sidearm when also wearing a pack. In the past I have carried a small firearm in a pouch attached to my pack's hip belt, but wasn't satisfied.
I've wanted a way to carry my 6.5" S&W 629 in which it would remain acessable, but also be "concealed," either practically or withing the requirements of the law.
When hiking during non-hunting season, I prefer my firearm to be concealed. During hunting season, I would just as soon have it exposed. Unfortunately, During archery-only season, bowhunters are "permitted" (Thank you oh generous, all powerful gubmint!
) to carry a handgun if they have a CPL, but it appears they insist that the firearm be concealed.
A couple of weeks ago I scored a drop-leg platform from Bladetech for the kydex holster they had made for me. I liked having the revolver below my hip belt, but it was anything but concealed. Fortunately, I met Scott from SKT Industries, who does custom tactical nylon sewing.
We had similar ideas about creating a "shroud" that would fit over the revolver and holster, and appear to be a large nylon pouch. I turned him loose and this is the result. It is attached to the plastic drop platrorm that the holster is secured to.
As you can see, there are two flat pockets on the face. There is also zipper access from the bottom, making otherwise wasted space usable. Right now the revolver prints a bit, but once I put my tarp in there it should smooth out. (I haven't decided whether the Speedloader pouch will stay or not.)
The top portion of the "pouch" pulls up and out of the way, giving access to the firmly holstered 629 inside.
I'm really jazzed by the way this turned out and am itching to get out and test it.
I also had Scott do some modifications to my Maxpedition SaberCat, isolating the lower compression straps from the top carry handle, and adding a shoulder harness. (I'll describe that in another thread.) He also made me several custom-sized pouches for items I carry but have been unable to find suitable pouches for previously. Clockwise from the top left, they are Smoke, Flashlight, Speedloader, Range finder, and a custom drop loop.
I showed Scott a drop loop that I purchased a couple of years ago that has since been discontinued. He came up with this one for me and it is a vast improvement. It is a nice way to wear a knife on your belt without it getting in the way of your hip belt.
It is SO COOL to have a guy locally that can do custom "tactical" sewing. SKT's work is excellent and he is as much of a gear geek as I am. His prices are very reasonable, especially given the degree of personal attention provided.
I have one or two still classified projects he's doing for me but then I'll be good. I promise!
We've discussed several times before the difficulties of carrying a sidearm when also wearing a pack. In the past I have carried a small firearm in a pouch attached to my pack's hip belt, but wasn't satisfied.
I've wanted a way to carry my 6.5" S&W 629 in which it would remain acessable, but also be "concealed," either practically or withing the requirements of the law.
When hiking during non-hunting season, I prefer my firearm to be concealed. During hunting season, I would just as soon have it exposed. Unfortunately, During archery-only season, bowhunters are "permitted" (Thank you oh generous, all powerful gubmint!
) to carry a handgun if they have a CPL, but it appears they insist that the firearm be concealed.
A couple of weeks ago I scored a drop-leg platform from Bladetech for the kydex holster they had made for me. I liked having the revolver below my hip belt, but it was anything but concealed. Fortunately, I met Scott from SKT Industries, who does custom tactical nylon sewing.
We had similar ideas about creating a "shroud" that would fit over the revolver and holster, and appear to be a large nylon pouch. I turned him loose and this is the result. It is attached to the plastic drop platrorm that the holster is secured to.
As you can see, there are two flat pockets on the face. There is also zipper access from the bottom, making otherwise wasted space usable. Right now the revolver prints a bit, but once I put my tarp in there it should smooth out. (I haven't decided whether the Speedloader pouch will stay or not.)
The top portion of the "pouch" pulls up and out of the way, giving access to the firmly holstered 629 inside.
I'm really jazzed by the way this turned out and am itching to get out and test it.
I also had Scott do some modifications to my Maxpedition SaberCat, isolating the lower compression straps from the top carry handle, and adding a shoulder harness. (I'll describe that in another thread.) He also made me several custom-sized pouches for items I carry but have been unable to find suitable pouches for previously. Clockwise from the top left, they are Smoke, Flashlight, Speedloader, Range finder, and a custom drop loop.
I showed Scott a drop loop that I purchased a couple of years ago that has since been discontinued. He came up with this one for me and it is a vast improvement. It is a nice way to wear a knife on your belt without it getting in the way of your hip belt.
It is SO COOL to have a guy locally that can do custom "tactical" sewing. SKT's work is excellent and he is as much of a gear geek as I am. His prices are very reasonable, especially given the degree of personal attention provided.
I have one or two still classified projects he's doing for me but then I'll be good. I promise!
(It looks like the speedloader will end up elsewhere, though.) 
