How do you CCW while hiking/Camping?

A

Aquacopter

Joined
Mar 22, 2007
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I was reading the post of do you carry and how do you react to firearms while hiking/camping, and it got me to thinking that it doesn't matter if you have the gun if it takes you a half a minute to get it from you bag. So I was wondering how you guys carry your weapons. I personally carry it in a pocket in my backpack that takes me about 5 seconds to get to it. I haven't found a good CCW holster that doesn't print the outline of the gun on my coat or shirt.
 
a cover flap pouch on my belt (under the steel in this pic!)
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I usually carry IWB with a Galco skyops (hiking and for every day wear), still looking for a decent OWB for hiking and still concealing. Also use a blackhawk serpa holster but it is far too bulky to conceal well on me. With the skyops I can keep it concealed with just a plain t-shirt, my only problem is I have a long torso so some t-shirts do not go down far enough to keep it concealed well when bending around and not tucked in.

Really enjoying these forums, learning a lot just from reading and everyone seems to be well mannered and respectful for the most part.

*edit: Forgot to add that this is with a Glock 19
 
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I usually carry a S&W 63, with a 4 inch barrel. It rides cross draw in a nylon holster. I don't worry much about concealed. If some one is coming, I'll drape a hand towel over it.
I'll often carry a J frame .38 Speical Smith in a pants pocket. Sam Andrews leather pocket holster.
 
I use a Bianchi leather pancake holster, for my S&W #65 4" .357mag. it rides very easy & flat on my side. & with the outdoor vest or light jacket, that I wear, it goes unnoticed by people.
 
This probably won't help you out much, but I carry openly pretty much everywhere but Denver (where it's illegal). As the old saying goes, 'Tis a privilege to live in Colorado. Open carry is legal most places.
 
Safepacker by tactical wilderness. It attaches to most my packs with the use of a Kifaru handgun bearer. With the safepacker, I use the government model. Holds most 5" autos, plus, with just a little room to spare. The 454 Alaskan. What I like about it is that it is STEALTH. Like noted, it has carried the 454 Casull hand cannon and no one is the wiser. Really like it.

safepack1.JPG

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safepack5.JPG

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From the top of Grandeur peak SLC UT, and the view of the city at 16x.
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Last on the ZXR at the first peak in the pipeline hike (you can just see it on there).
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Now I cant wait for the weather to get a little better so I can get back to hiking. Gonna get more snow this weekend again.
 
spoolup said:
Safepacker by tactical wilderness. It attaches to most my packs with the use of a Kifaru handgun bearer. With the safepacker, I use the government model. Holds most 5" autos, plus, with just a little room to spare. The 454 Alaskan. What I like about it is that it is STEALTH. Like noted, it has carried the 454 Casull hand cannon and no one is the wiser. Really like it.
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My uncle has one of those......very clever design!
It can also be carried with a shoulder strap ala man purse.
I also like how you can put your weak hand through the strap and hold the pouch while you draw it!
 
I also use a leather Bianchi pancake holster for my Glock model 22. Very secure and it lays very flat. I usually wear it on my belt, and I can strap my backpack waist belt over it comfortably. Except on one pack, it bugs me. I remove the buckle clip on the waist belt and thread the strap through the holster. Put the buckle back on and away I go. Not very concealed, though.

QUESTION: Forgive me if this is ignorant, but when you're in the woods why do you all care if it is concealed or visible? I am licensed to carry concealed, but when I'm out in nature, I don't try to conceal my weapons. What am I missing?
 
Thanks guys, also the safepacker can be used as a holster in the hammock. I had to mod it since taking this photo by adding a little 1" or so 550 cord loop that loops inwards so that the opening hangs the right way (IE 90* different from the photo below), but here is an older shot giving you the idea in my hennessy hammock.

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As for why CCW when hiking. Some people just get nervous or even down right scared if they see someone packing even in the back country. I have seen people avoid or comment about some poor guy hiking thru while we were on a break since he was carrying a little 380. One guys said... well there are even gun nuts out here. I just finished my MRE Peanut butter donned the pack and walked on, little did he know the 454 was just feet from him.

Its like the old saying. People dont worry about something they cant see. Me, I carry daily. anything from a 9 to 40 to 357mag to a 45. When outdoors, its atleast a 357, but usually the 454. When camping with the family, I keep a 45-70 in the tent. Everyone who camps with me/ us knows this as well and are all okay with it.
 
I open carry (Colorado) a G20 10mm in a Kydex holster at 3:00 mostly. If I'm in a municipality that doesn't allow open carry (open carry is not in the state law, so local govts can ban it) I carry in a fanny pack thingy that can be ripped open quickly. Drawing is only slightly slower for me when rolling CCW.
 
spoolup said:
Safepacker by tactical wilderness. It attaches to most my packs with the use of a Kifaru handgun bearer. With the safepacker, I use the government model. Holds most 5" autos, plus, with just a little room to spare. The 454 Alaskan. What I like about it is that it is STEALTH. Like noted, it has carried the 454 Casull hand cannon and no one is the wiser. Really like it.

safepack1.JPG

safepack2.JPG

safepack3.JPG

safepack4.JPG

safepack5.JPG

safepack6.JPG

safepack7.JPG


From the top of Grandeur peak SLC UT, and the view of the city at 16x.
7.JPG

11.JPG


Last on the ZXR at the first peak in the pipeline hike (you can just see it on there).
j.JPG


Now I cant wait for the weather to get a little better so I can get back to hiking. Gonna get more snow this weekend again.
Click to expand...

Nice lookin' pack. What kind is it?
 
Smith J frame belted on right hip or Beretta 950 rt fr pocket in the warmer months. Glock on right hip when wearing a coat in the colder months.
 
M3mphis said:
QUESTION: Forgive me if this is ignorant, but when you're in the woods why do you all care if it is concealed or visible? I am licensed to carry concealed, but when I'm out in nature, I don't try to conceal my weapons. What am I missing?
Click to expand...

The law on concealed or open carry varies from state to state. In TX, open carry is generally not allowed, but concealed carry is.

For myself, I only carry openly when on my own property, or the property of someone whom I know and who has given permission. I'm not generally in favor of open carry, but it's an individual decision in those places where it is legal.

Andy
 
That Safepacker is really slick. I need to get one. I typically carry a CZ-75D PCR 9MM when I hike but may go to a full size 1911 .45 with that Safepacker. Do you carry that XD in the "Commander/P229" sized Safepacker?
 
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