Sidearm carry options in the outdoors

j williams

j williams

Joined
Nov 14, 2005
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How does veryone carry a sidearm in the woods? Do you carry OWB, IWB? Drop-leg? Strong-side? Cross-draw? Or do you pack it in your bag? Does it dictate pack choices for you? I carried in a maxpidition versipak before, but thought it made the bag to heavy. I like to carry strongside, 4oclock in a pancake type holster with a slight cant. Im looking for other options though, and wanna know........What works for you???
 
Oh, and I agree its a very personal choice in what works for said person, others differ, and it certainly has to do with what sidearm you carry. I always have carried an auto. Full size mostly.
 
I don't carry normally in the woods (as getting handgun in my neck of the woods is diff at best) if I did, I would be set up for a cross draw OWB with a revolver probably .22 lr or .22 mag but that's just me
 
I often carry a colt woodsman or ruger MKI in a simple old leather strongside belt holster, unless I'm hunting. In that case, I carry my Seville .44 mag. in a leather crossdraw holster. It rides high enough to sandwich between me and my packs kidney belt with the butt jutting out for a clean firm grip. I can really draw fast from this position, which has saved my ass on one occasion.
 
I carry a S&W model 36-1 in the woods often. It's not a heavy piece, and sometimes I'll drop it in the Maxpedition Jumbo. If I want to carry and I'm not taking the pack, then I normally have it strong-side, OWB, in a soft armor thumb-break holster.
 
4 o'clock strong side, usually kydex OWB. I believe leg carry is the best way to go out in the woods, but sadly there's the sheeple reaction to be considered.
 
I usually have to CCW but would prefer an OWB rig if I'm hunting or able to in more remote areas. I usually have to carry it in my lumbar/shoulder bag or if I have a small pack without a waist belt (Maxpedtion Pygmy II), than I can carry it in an OWB holster with a shirt over it. I'm thinking about putting the Safepacker holster from Wilderness on my Christmas list...

ROCK6
 
In the woods, scouting around, I carry a 4" 357 on my belt - this is private land. If I on public land it is a 38 snubby IWB holster. I also have a Walther P22 in a molle style butt pack that sometimes gets moved to a Fobus on the belt holster when bumming around.
 
SpookyPistolero said:
4 o'clock strong side, usually kydex OWB. I believe leg carry is the best way to go out in the woods, but sadly there's the sheeple reaction to be considered.
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I agree. Leg carry would be ideal. When I deer hunt I like a drop leg.

That safepacker looks like an interesting rig.:thumbup:
 
Kimber .45 in a Kirkpatrick cross draw, custom Glock 17 in Kramer strongside.

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S&W 3" .44 magnum in old Bianchi strongside

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Thanks, those are my three favorites. This shows the Kimber, S&W .44, New Model Ruger Vaquero .357, and my grandfather`s old S&W Model 15 .38 Special with old style Rogers grips, that he carried as Chief of Police in my little town a long time ago. I gave the .38 to my daughter when she graduated from the academy as a keepsake. I carry the Ruger in a Uncle Mikes nylon holster.

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If its my 1911, one of those WWII M3 chest/shoulder holsters. They are the most damn confortable rig I can think of. If its a DA revolver, then its crossdraw on a belt. If I'm on a horse, then its usually SA revolver in a traditional rig. If its my glock 20, then usually concealed.

Variety is the spice of life.
 
Ok, this begs the question, how many are carrying with permit? I am going to take the class and get mine, but if I was going deep in country, I would probably carry even if I didn't have it.
 
Rockywolf said:
Ok, this begs the question, how many are carrying with permit? I am going to take the class and get mine, but if I was going deep in country, I would probably carry even if I didn't have it.
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No such thing as a carry permit in Illinois, you just take your chances. ;)You can carry openly while hunting, and there is a handgun deer season.
 
Rockywolf said:
Ok, this begs the question, how many are carrying with permit? I am going to take the class and get mine, but if I was going deep in country, I would probably carry even if I didn't have it.
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I have CHL for a few different states (TX, FL and GA). When I was in GA, I carried my pistol open when deer hunting, so if you have a hunting license, that would suffice for open carry (during hunting season) but you really just need to check you local laws as it may not be required if you're carrying just for protection against bear or big cats.

ROCK6
 
Nice weapons John. I dont see a key lock on that S&W, is it pre-lock? Thats a damn fine revolver. Nice collection all around!!

I really like that crossdraw your kimber is in. Is that custom, or can you just order those?
 
Yes it is pre lock. The Ruger is the only one with a lock, and it`s under the grips. Also have a Springfield XD Tactical 9mm, Ruger Single Six, and my Dad`s old Beretta .25. Let`s not even get into the long guns! The holster is handmade, but it was not a special order. Look in Combat Handguns magazine, he usually has an ad in there. My wife got it for me in 1996 when she bought me the Kimber.
 
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