Handgun Carry while Wearing a Pack?

XMP

XMP

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Feb 9, 2007
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There are times, particularly in grizzly territory, where I carry a handgun while hiking. This isn't much of a problem when dayhiking because I find that most daypacks aren't long enough for me to comfortably use a packbelt, so I can just holster the gun on my regular belt. However, when backpacking for overnight trips with a bigger pack mounting a holster on a regular belt isn't practical, since the packbelt itself rides over this area.

So has anyone solved this particular problem in an effective way. If so how? (Please don't go the 'use bearspray instead' route; this isn't intended as a question of gun vs. spray thread, but simply a practical question of carrying a handgun and a backpack). Thanks.
 
How about putting the holster on the packbelt and then moving it to your regular belt in the evening? A holster with Molle/Alice clips would make that easy to do.
 
In the past I have used a safe packer with great success. Very adaptable to multiple carry needs. I have also seen someone put it onto their sternum strap for longer backpacking trips and I think they make it in multiple sizes now.
 
I've converted a North Face fanny pack (worn across my belly) for this purpose. I just secured a kydex sheath inside, wove a nice paracord rip-cord and sewed it just inside the zipper. Nice thing about this method is I have easy access to water, snacks, a small FAK, my multitool, all sorts of handy items inside the various pockets. Rides real well with the shoulder straps I connected to the carry handle. Let me see if I can find a picture... OK, here's a good shot of my system. Note the orange rip cord.
Picture180.jpg
 
Your packbelt should ride over your hips, and your pants belt can ride on them, so you just have to make sure you don't wear 'mom' jeans with your pack, and you could carry your holster on your regular belt.
 
For the last year I have been using a Mountainsmith waist pack for short hikes. It holds my wallet,keys,cell phone,wave & Ruger LCP. When backpacking, I use it to carry my Charter Arms bulldog .44 or Glock 23. I wear it in front just above my backpacks waistbelt.

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I dont have pics, atm, but I use Sunrise Leather crossdraw for my Bowen Custom 4" Redhawk. Works really well. That frontal fanny pack looks like it has some possibilities but I prefer the holster.
 
scotsmanspride said:
In the past I have used a safe packer with great success. Very adaptable to multiple carry needs. I have also seen someone put it onto their sternum strap for longer backpacking trips and I think they make it in multiple sizes now.
Click to expand...

I was going to mention SafePacker. This is without a doubt, the best way to carry while hiking. Right at hand, yet hidden from casual view.

http://store.thewilderness.com/index.php?cPath=51
 
I carry my Sig P239 (.40 S&W) in an Officers size Safepacker. Since the mags are single stack, I can fit two spares in there with the gun. The Wilderness also sells a very nice shoulder strap I'd recommend getting along with the Safepacker if you get one.
Not only does the Safepacker keep dirt and dust out of your gun, it also lets you carry a bigger gun than any pair of hiking shorts will hold up or any thin tight t-shirt will ever conceal...
When I get to camp, I am able to carry a real gun while I'm in my nylon shorts and wicking tech tee!
The Safepacker is in front on the ground left of the Guyot.
DSC00652.jpg
 
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Not the best for Grizzly country, but if you want to carry a pocket pistol but lack access to your pockets, I find my TCP fits nicely in the front pocket of a Maxpedition 10x4 Bottle Holder:
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The only other option I have found if you want to take a large caliber hand gun is the Kifaru Koala http://www.kifaru.net/koala.html. Drawback is the price and it is somewhat big pack.

Currently I have been using the a Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack. But I am not fully satisfied with it. I am not able draw my firearm as fast as I want. Perhaps I still need to break it in.
 
That Safepacker looks very interesting. Right now, I carry IWB (kydex) with a G26 and loose pants. Once I tighten my pack's waist belt, it digs-in like a mofo. Plus, in the summer the gun is literally full of sweat.

Thanks for this thread.
 
heresay1 said:
The only other option I have found if you want to take a large caliber hand gun is the Kifaru Koala http://www.kifaru.net/koala.html. Drawback is the price and it is somewhat big pack.

Currently I have been using the a Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack. But I am not fully satisfied with it. I am not able draw my firearm as fast as I want. Perhaps I still need to break it in.
Click to expand...

Good luck breakin that bad boy in! I ve been trying for about 3 yrs now. Even washed it. Still stiff like its new. I think that Maxped stuff is indestructible!--KV
 
if you are in bear territory and there are many places for him/her to hide your best bet is to keep that firearm by your side not tucked away. bear attacks happen very very quickly and most are over with in seconds.. fyi
 
Hammer27 said:
Some form of chest rig is probably best. If it has a MOLLE compatible holster available (I'm not talking just nylon; SERPA, Safariland can be mounted to MOLLE kit) one of the newer "micro-chest rigs" would provide some good options.

These are little more low key:
http://www.usmilitarysurplus.com/surpluscatalog/product_info.php?cPath=174_52&products_id=779

A fanny pack may not be a bad idea either:
http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Weapon-Fanny-Pack,879,34.htm
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The "micro-chest rig" (which by putting the dash in between micro and chest implies that you have a small chest, not that your chest rig is small) looks really funny to me. Sure is accessible, but something that swings at your side tends to look (and feel) like a simple camera bag or general man-purse. I would feel a little funny on the trail with that thing...
 
A chest rig for a big bore revolver would be my choice. You need a stable platform to comfortably tote a .44 or .454 around. Something loaded with Barnes Solids. If like Superfuzz you can acquire anything built by Hamilton Bowen you are definitely ahead of the learning curve. It is a kick to clean out the cylinder of a Bowen .500 Linebaugh with your index finger. regards Les
 
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