Pistol holster for backpacking?

R

readyme

Joined
Oct 4, 2004
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For those of you who choose to carry a pistol in the backcountry, what do you choose?
I have been giving this some thought lately. It seems there are few option.
One is a thigh holster which gets the pistol out of the way while still being accessible. The other popular one is the Safepacker concealed "bag".
Are there other options? One I thought of was the old Dana Designs dry rib bag that mounted to your backpack strap, in the rib area. I think it could house a pistol in the crossdraw position.

Just want to get some ideas, thanks.
 
From a CA native point of view, depending on the gun you choose and weather, get a pocket holster and carry it in a nice jacket with button pockets. I prefer heavy duty army type jackets and just carry a .357 small gun in my pocket.
 
Sometimes I wear a separate Milt Sparks gunbelt and a leather holster, apart from my backpacking waistbelt. That's mainly for carrying a 44 in brown bear country. In black bear territory or for two-legged concerns, I don't use a holster. I carry a light J-frame in either my front pocket or in a water bottle holder on the pack's waistbelt.

DancesWithKnives
 
I like the Maxpedition Fatboy. You can almost walk through a crowd with your hand on the gun and all anyone sees is a hand in a pocket :) When not packing that way I use the same holsters I'd use for concealed carry which places the gun on the right hip on the waistband.
 
Toucan Oasis said:
Well. To be " politically correct ", in a nation full of brainwashed idiots, I recommend something like this.
It does a fine job of protecting your "tool", as well
http://www.triplek.com/Products/id/38/grp/409/prd/134/
Click to expand...

Perception change: Not so long ago that would have made me laugh. That's the kind of thing one sees in India or other third world places, and I would have probably ripped the piss out of it for being a relic that really ought to come with a free stick on mustache of the despot. Thinking about it now, and what it is for the civilian, and I've changed my mind a little. For most people I'd suggest that they are looking for nothing more than a method to tote and protect an encumbrance they will in all probability never draw in anger. Viewed like that those start to make sense. Still, even if a change in law, not my kinda thing. Thought provoking though.
 
Since we are not allowed to carry concealed in WI, I opt for the thigh rig here. I used to attach a holster to the waist belt pad of my pack but when I didn't have the pack on I had no way to carry it. The thigh rig is a Blackhawk CQC Serpa for a Springfield XD 9mm. It's kind of a tacticool type but it works.
 
When back packing weight is critical; so I normally go with a small nylon holster on my right hip or behind the hip.
To prevent issues with the law I normally do no carry concealed.
Over the last 30 years I have never needed a firearm in the back country so it is a waste of weight, IMO; but sometimes eases the mind if near "civilization". (One time a meth head emerged from the brush from a totaly unexpected direction, but thats another story).
Some will call "protection from wildlife"; this is largely bogus as you are not likely to see a mountain lion before its got you and handguns large enough to be effective against bears are too heavy, IMO, to backpack (try a shoulder rig for these). In areas with feral dogs it is only prudent to carry.

Enjoy!
 
Simply Rugged has a harness system to carry the pistol in the center of your chest. The company is in Alaska. I have two pancake holsters from them that can be modified to carry my pistols in a variety of ways. Right of Left on belt. In the waistband. Or get the chest rig. Rob Leahy is is name. Tell him Lee "Loosearrow" sent you.
 
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I use a Triple K cartridge belt with drop holster when i"m in the woods it distributes the weight better and a galco when I carry concealed.
 
Glock26 said:
From a CA native point of view, depending on the gun you choose and weather, get a pocket holster and carry it in a nice jacket with button pockets. I prefer heavy duty army type jackets and just carry a .357 small gun in my pocket.
Click to expand...

Really?! How did you get a permit, especially in LA? Or are you LEO?



P.S. You don't really have to answer that if you don't want. It's just rare to see a permit holder that doesn't live in a rural county.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I realize that it is a tool that will likely never be used (hopefully). But in any case, I like to be prepared for all scenarios (ya never know).

cmdionne, what have you seen for chest rigs? I am seriously considering a molle chest rig to add a pistol and other easily accessible items without ever having to dig for them.

Loosearrow, Simply Rugged chest holster is another great idea I had not thought of. Thanks.
 
stinray4540, i carry when and where it is legal. Ex, when i'm fishing or hiking in national forests.
 
When I go on solo overnight bowhunts, I carry my 6.5" .44 magnum, and concealment has always been a problem. I recently had a concealment pouch made for a large thigh rig. Here is the thread describing it.

765393948_LbcMZ-L.jpg
765393965_Y5UdQ-L.jpg


When I'm not hunting, but just out for some woods time, especially on maintained trails, I usually opt for a small pouch attached to my pack's waistbelt that my small 9mm fits into. It blends perfectly and doesn't raise any eyebrows.
http://pritch.smugmug.com/photos/765393965_Y5UdQ-L.jpg
 
Pritch said:
When I go on solo overnight bowhunts, I carry my 6.5" .44 magnum, and concealment has always been a problem. I recently had a concealment pouch made for a large thigh rig. Here is the thread describing it.

765393948_LbcMZ-L.jpg
765393965_Y5UdQ-L.jpg


When I'm not hunting, but just out for some woods time, especially on maintained trails, I usually opt for a small pouch attached to my pack's waistbelt that my small 9mm fits into. It blends perfectly and doesn't raise any eyebrows.
http://pritch.smugmug.com/photos/765393965_Y5UdQ-L.jpg
Click to expand...
A bit radical, but whatever works.:thumbup:
Sheep don't seem to have Xray vision.
 
Wilderness Safepacker for me, attached to the Hip Belt on my backpack. Completely unobtrusitve to any observer and instantly accessible if needed. (I keep a S&W .357 in it.)
 
Another vote for the Safepacker as well here.

Excellent solution.

I have also found some camera cases to work out as well. All depends on what you want to carry though.
 
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