Modded my Mountain Smith

Robert H

Robert H

Premium Sheathmaker
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Mar 24, 2001
Messages
8,326
So I had an old Mountain Smith pack I wanted to make more comfortable to wear with some weight. Two full Nalgene's can flop around pretty bad on a long hike.

I added a modified shoulder rig with fastex buckles, an additional belt loop on the side for a blade, then filled it with goodies. Ended up with a very comfortable pack that I took along for about 15 miles over a few days last week in Arizona.

The Pack.
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Knife detail (Koster w/firesteel)
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Close knife detail
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Worn
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Contents
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I've got the same pack and would like to do the same thing. I really like the size of the fanny pack but it's not comfortable over long periods. I typically have the shoulder strap that comes with it over one shoulder or the other.

What model pistol is that? Looks like it would be easy to carry. Can you get all four fingers on the grip?

SS93
 
Nice rig man. I like the setup like that making the fanny pack into a hybrid backpack. Looks stable and comfy.
 
steelstump93 said:
I've got the same pack and would like to do the same thing. I really like the size of the fanny pack but it's not comfortable over long periods. I typically have the shoulder strap that comes with it over one shoulder or the other.

What model pistol is that? Looks like it would be easy to carry. Can you get all four fingers on the grip?

SS93
Click to expand...

It's a S&W 296 .44 special 5 shot. Plenty big, about half again as large as a J frame. Unfortunately I've only found HKS speed loaders for it. I wish Bianchi would make speed strips in 44.
 
Bro, those pictures look like Night of the Comet happened, but it was blue instead of orange. :D
 
Thats a trick rig Rob! You got all the bases covered in a well organised and thought out compact pack. Good stuff bro!
 
That looks a lot like my pack, Koster and everything.

Mountainsmith.jpg


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How difficult of a project was it? I know what you mean about the instability, even with one Nalgene, it tends to bounce a lot.
 
I do a lot of my own sewing, so it was pretty quick. I"m an old H harness type anyhow, never did get thing LBV thing down. H harnesses were terrible for vehicles, but you didn't sweat in them like you do know with the vests, so it sort of made sense. Although armor was never even though of back then, so the harness was the ticket!
 
My wife and I each have one of those Tour Packs. I love the capacity and the "Sheeple Friendly" appearance, but have always been underwhelmed by the hip belt. I have on a couple of occasions clipped on suspenders to offset some of the weight. Your mod looks much more effective. :thumbup:

-- FLIX
 
Great idea. I have the same pack. Now you have me itching to try your mod. Thanks for sharing with us.
 
Flotsam beat me to it. I have tow of their packs with the strapettes and it is a huge improvement over just the belt.
 
I've had a very similar MS pack for a looooooong time. I'd forgotten I had it until I saw your post. It doesn't have the water bottle holders and is probably a bit bigger-- looks just like the one that shown on the campmor page but it's blue and teal. I used it as a possibles bag for kayak trips back in the day. I haven't used it in ages but might have to dig it out and look at adding the straps. Looks like a perfect, and really necessary, mod for that pack. Shoot, if nothing else, I need to dig it out and put it on fleabay. I got too much stuff crowding my space. lol
 
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