This is the one I was referring to:
http://originalsoegear.com/palsmicro.html
Room for a pistol, few magazines/ speed loaders etc
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Handgun Carry while Wearing a Pack?
- Thread starter XMP
- Start date
This is the one I was referring to:
http://originalsoegear.com/palsmicro.html
Room for a pistol, few magazines/ speed loaders etc
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2009
- Messages
- 6,234
A Versipack would be ideal, but it really depends on the pack. Drop leg holsters are nice if open carry is legal, or on your kidney pads if you have MOLLE or some other sort of strap mount. Worst case scenario is I pop off the ankle strap on my concealed carry holster and stick it in my right pocket.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2007
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- 1,655
My waist belt (Kifaru) has MOLLE pals so I think I can rig a holster onto it, but most of the holsters for non-military guns aren't set up to MOLLE easily. I normally carry a Ruger Redhawk 4" with Buffalo Bore loads in Grizzly country; most holsters for it are traditional in style.
Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll consider them carefully.
Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll consider them carefully.
The thigh Holster Reorx recommends is extremely comfortable and level 2 to boot.
For the most in versatility is Blade-Tech's TMMR system which allows one to go from a Thigh Holster to a MOLLIE attached Chest Holster to a traditional Belt Holster using a Tek Loc and back -n- forth. The only draw back is it is a bit bulker than the Blackhawk mentioned above. But if you want to (by the click of a level literally) move your holster from one place to another than the TMMR is something to consider.
The TMMR also accomadates mounted flashlights which are essential in a wilderness situation.
For the most in versatility is Blade-Tech's TMMR system which allows one to go from a Thigh Holster to a MOLLIE attached Chest Holster to a traditional Belt Holster using a Tek Loc and back -n- forth. The only draw back is it is a bit bulker than the Blackhawk mentioned above. But if you want to (by the click of a level literally) move your holster from one place to another than the TMMR is something to consider.
The TMMR also accomadates mounted flashlights which are essential in a wilderness situation.
I thread a nylon holster through the waistbelt stabilizer strap. (Cross draw) This allows instant access to the gun. The holster rides on the outside of the pack waistbelt.
I dont buy a pack unless I can thread a holster through some type of strap on the waistbelt. Sometimes this involves some creative nylon strap rigging in addition to the stock belt stabilizer strap.
I also carry an extra nylon holster and light nylon belt, (2.5oz), for when I am at base camp and pack-free, this way I dont a have to disassemble my holster system every time I camp.
I have tried most of the fanny pack systems and dont like them for several reasons.
First, they make deployment slower. Most bear attacks happen VERY quickly. Fumbling with a zipper or any kind of covering is a liability. Getting a gun out a holster and accurately firing it at a charging bear is a crapshoot anyway, why make it worse by using a purse?
Second, they get in the way, and are hot. Having something large strapped to the front of you gets in the way when you are climbing and scrambling. Your knees are always smacking into the thing. Chest rigs get in the way less, but they are even hotter than waist packs.
Third, they are one more thing to put on and take off. The more I have backpacked, the simpler I like things. I often stop several times when I hike, before I arrive at my campsite. I always take off my pack when I stop. Having to strap another piece of equipment like a gun pack on, and around, your torso, while already wearing a pack with a waistbelt/shoulder straps/ sternum strap, is cumbersome and can be very uncomfortable. By the third time in a day, it gets old.
Another thing to consider, if you do take rest stops, and take your pack and gun purse off, youd better remember to put that thing back on! Ive seen many extras left behind on rocks through the years. On the other hand, if your gun is always on your pack belt, you will never leave it behind.
A lighter smaller gun makes a difference in ease of carry. Going from a 47oz Colt Anaconda to a 27oz S&W Alaska Backpacker made a huge difference in comfort. The Colt used to get really annoying after a few hours and miles. Now, I hardly notice the S&W.
Sorry I cant post a picture of my belt rig right now, maybe later.
Now, having said all that, I do have a couple of waistbelt/purse holsters that I use when I am not wearing a pack, out amongst lots of people and it would be prudent to keep things under wraps. Combat fishing is a good example, as are day hikes along more used trails. But when I am backpacking, away from civilization, I holster my gun.
I dont buy a pack unless I can thread a holster through some type of strap on the waistbelt. Sometimes this involves some creative nylon strap rigging in addition to the stock belt stabilizer strap.
I also carry an extra nylon holster and light nylon belt, (2.5oz), for when I am at base camp and pack-free, this way I dont a have to disassemble my holster system every time I camp.
I have tried most of the fanny pack systems and dont like them for several reasons.
First, they make deployment slower. Most bear attacks happen VERY quickly. Fumbling with a zipper or any kind of covering is a liability. Getting a gun out a holster and accurately firing it at a charging bear is a crapshoot anyway, why make it worse by using a purse?
Second, they get in the way, and are hot. Having something large strapped to the front of you gets in the way when you are climbing and scrambling. Your knees are always smacking into the thing. Chest rigs get in the way less, but they are even hotter than waist packs.
Third, they are one more thing to put on and take off. The more I have backpacked, the simpler I like things. I often stop several times when I hike, before I arrive at my campsite. I always take off my pack when I stop. Having to strap another piece of equipment like a gun pack on, and around, your torso, while already wearing a pack with a waistbelt/shoulder straps/ sternum strap, is cumbersome and can be very uncomfortable. By the third time in a day, it gets old.
Another thing to consider, if you do take rest stops, and take your pack and gun purse off, youd better remember to put that thing back on! Ive seen many extras left behind on rocks through the years. On the other hand, if your gun is always on your pack belt, you will never leave it behind.
A lighter smaller gun makes a difference in ease of carry. Going from a 47oz Colt Anaconda to a 27oz S&W Alaska Backpacker made a huge difference in comfort. The Colt used to get really annoying after a few hours and miles. Now, I hardly notice the S&W.
Sorry I cant post a picture of my belt rig right now, maybe later.
Now, having said all that, I do have a couple of waistbelt/purse holsters that I use when I am not wearing a pack, out amongst lots of people and it would be prudent to keep things under wraps. Combat fishing is a good example, as are day hikes along more used trails. But when I am backpacking, away from civilization, I holster my gun.
I do not pack a hand cannon so my PM-9 and spare mag work fine in a molle type first aid pouch. It has elastic straps so an inside the waistband holster works perfect inside the pouch to keep the wpn in place . I put the pouch on either my pack waist strap or belt. It would probably work on my sternum strap as well. One zipper opens the pouch.
As far as a fanny pack being too slow to deploy, practice will fix that. I practice with my blackhawk pack by drawing and firing one round at a time with a box of ammo. (50rds=50 drawers).
Earlier this year(while running) a pit bull charged. My wpn was out and one well placed round put the attacker down. It happened so fast that I remember going for the braided pullcord and in the next instant the dog was down. My leg had splatter from the impact due to the proximity of the attack.
note: the only mods to my pack were removing the big zipper pulls and replacing them with very small pieces of 550 cord.(makes it quieter too) The pull lanyard is of the braided key-chain type.
As far as a fanny pack being too slow to deploy, practice will fix that. I practice with my blackhawk pack by drawing and firing one round at a time with a box of ammo. (50rds=50 drawers).
Earlier this year(while running) a pit bull charged. My wpn was out and one well placed round put the attacker down. It happened so fast that I remember going for the braided pullcord and in the next instant the dog was down. My leg had splatter from the impact due to the proximity of the attack.
note: the only mods to my pack were removing the big zipper pulls and replacing them with very small pieces of 550 cord.(makes it quieter too) The pull lanyard is of the braided key-chain type.
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2008
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- 541
I love my simply rugged chest rig. However I also have a knife kit strapped to my right thigh and bear spray on my left so i dont have the thigh realestate. (thigh carry really is more comfortable for any gun weighing over 24.0z)
The sourdough chest holster is really comfortable even after a few days you might want to check his site, to see if its up your alley.
The sourdough chest holster is really comfortable even after a few days you might want to check his site, to see if its up your alley.
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2001
- Messages
- 18,959
After reading all the responses here twice, I went back to the OP's question and did a little trial and error before starting my response...
I live in NW Montana, about 90 miles from either Idaho or Canada, in an area with more bears per capita (from what I've read), than any other place in the CONUS - my back yard is the Swan Mountain Range of the Rockies, behind that the Bob Marshall Wilderness, we can carry openly and I hike up there, often. (concealed carry for Glacier Nat'l Park))
Still, a Grizzly, or even a large Black bear (regardless of color), is going to move really fast - and shooting a bear on the charge is far different than shooting a bear that's sitting in a berry patch or crossing the road.
So, back to the OP's post. I assume that you're carrying a large caliber handgun, on the order of a .44 mag revolver, or at least a .357 mag revolver or 10mm auto w/hot loads, right? And you want to know how to carry it? I guess my questions would be; are you carrying openly, and do you really think you'll be able to get to it if need be?
For overnight or multi-day hikes, I put on my hiking shorts or pants and fill the lower cargo pockets with everything I think I'll need; then strap on a leather gunbelt and holster with an old JP Sauer and Son 5.5" SAA in .44Mag; then put on my 55lb loaded Malmut pack. The pack waist band has bear spray attached via a carabiner. I use a similar belt set up for day hike packs by just moving the bear spray.
The spray is on the left, the handgun on the right, and each goes into a front pants pocket. Maybe not the best approach, but they don't flop around, are secured, and are accessible. Still, I'm under no delusion that I'll be able to get to 'em in a hurry, much less use 'em successfully if need be.
I was stalked by a lion up on Wolf Creek a few weeks back, the dog was getting pretty wound up - and stepped over fresh bear dung on the way off Peter's ridge last week, dung that wasn't there on the way up - I was likely first up on both hikes for the season.
So, if you see me hiking with a gun in hand at times, now you know why...lol
Hope that helps.
p.s. I sometimes hike with a lady that was paid to do bear studies up here for close to 20 years - she's been bit by bears at least a few times and doesn't think it's a really big deal at all. She'd rather I take nothing more than a whistle, saying that most people's fears of bear attacks are unfounded. As always, YMMV
I live in NW Montana, about 90 miles from either Idaho or Canada, in an area with more bears per capita (from what I've read), than any other place in the CONUS - my back yard is the Swan Mountain Range of the Rockies, behind that the Bob Marshall Wilderness, we can carry openly and I hike up there, often. (concealed carry for Glacier Nat'l Park))
Still, a Grizzly, or even a large Black bear (regardless of color), is going to move really fast - and shooting a bear on the charge is far different than shooting a bear that's sitting in a berry patch or crossing the road.
So, back to the OP's post. I assume that you're carrying a large caliber handgun, on the order of a .44 mag revolver, or at least a .357 mag revolver or 10mm auto w/hot loads, right? And you want to know how to carry it? I guess my questions would be; are you carrying openly, and do you really think you'll be able to get to it if need be?
For overnight or multi-day hikes, I put on my hiking shorts or pants and fill the lower cargo pockets with everything I think I'll need; then strap on a leather gunbelt and holster with an old JP Sauer and Son 5.5" SAA in .44Mag; then put on my 55lb loaded Malmut pack. The pack waist band has bear spray attached via a carabiner. I use a similar belt set up for day hike packs by just moving the bear spray.
The spray is on the left, the handgun on the right, and each goes into a front pants pocket. Maybe not the best approach, but they don't flop around, are secured, and are accessible. Still, I'm under no delusion that I'll be able to get to 'em in a hurry, much less use 'em successfully if need be.
I was stalked by a lion up on Wolf Creek a few weeks back, the dog was getting pretty wound up - and stepped over fresh bear dung on the way off Peter's ridge last week, dung that wasn't there on the way up - I was likely first up on both hikes for the season.
So, if you see me hiking with a gun in hand at times, now you know why...lol
Hope that helps.
p.s. I sometimes hike with a lady that was paid to do bear studies up here for close to 20 years - she's been bit by bears at least a few times and doesn't think it's a really big deal at all. She'd rather I take nothing more than a whistle, saying that most people's fears of bear attacks are unfounded. As always, YMMV
Ok, I got to take some pics of my system.
As you can see, I thread the stabilizer straps through the holster slots.
Once the stabilizer straps are cinched tight, while wearing the pack, the holster stays pretty stable. It rides off to the side and out of the way, yet is instantly accessible.
I hope this helps.
As you can see, I thread the stabilizer straps through the holster slots.
Once the stabilizer straps are cinched tight, while wearing the pack, the holster stays pretty stable. It rides off to the side and out of the way, yet is instantly accessible.
I hope this helps.
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Melvin, I usually open carry a Ruger Redhawk with Buffalo Bore loads on the right side when hiking in bear country. (BTW I've been to your neck of the woods and it is beautiful country). A pack's waistbelt, at least in my case, interferes with normal right side belt carry, so I'm exploring options. I'm trying to figure out something that leaves the gun accessible without looking like I'm on SWAT in the Wild (e.g., drop leg thigh rig) or makes it difficult to hike.
Bearcut, I like your suggestion; I'll have to play around with my stabilizer straps and see if they'll adequately support the weight of a handgun. Thanks for the suggestion.
Bearcut, I like your suggestion; I'll have to play around with my stabilizer straps and see if they'll adequately support the weight of a handgun. Thanks for the suggestion.