Carrying while backpacking

[Dtoccj116]

I was doing a day hike and had my m&p 9c in my crossbreed holster and the waist band on my pack was pushing it down. Has anybody carried while backpacking and if so what holster did you use?


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[mc5aw]

Depends what firearm is being carried. You might want to check out a chest rig, as it won't get hung up on a pack's belt.

[briarjumper12]

I've used a Safariland thigh rig for my 4006. I don't like the thigh rigs. They tend to flop around, bang on things as you walk by and don't work too good when it's time stretch out for a short break.
I too have been looking for the best carry method with a backpack. As of now I just use smaller packs without the hip belts.
I have also tried the Chesty Puller from the maker in Alaska. It's not the solution either.
I will be watching this thread to see if any body has any good suggestions.
JY

[ColbyBruce]

Try a cross draw on your backpack waist belt.

[laskt9]

I would think appendix carry would work alright would it not?

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[canoeguy]

A holster that carries the handgun lower on the belt works for me, like a Hunter brand holster. I do a bit of hiking with a pack that has a belt and found the following work good, holstered gun on trouser belt and belt secured on pack:

Ruger Single action in a Hunter leather holster.

Glock 17 with a Blackhawk Serpa.

4" Model 10 or 64 in a G.I. leather flap holster.

Works not so good:

4" Model 10 or 64 in a Bianchi #5BH

Any sort of "High Ride" or Pancake style holster, even with a compact pistol such as a Ruger SR22.

[balin]

i carry my 386pd in a pocket holster of my cargo pants.

[LoboGunLeather]

After 3 knee operations and a hernia I can't do any heavy-duty backpacking, but I do carry a day pack while hunting to carry knives, saw, lunch, thermos, etc. I use a cross-draw thumb-break Model 5-X holster for the 4" Model 29. No conflict with the dap pack straps and I can sling my rifle over the right shoulder with no interference.

[Ivan the Butcher]

I've backpacked in "State" forests not state parks, that said I always open carried. 20-30 years ago it was always a 1911(or A1) in a nylon holster that I Alice clipped to the hip belt. (Spare ammo was 1-21 round mag. of SD rounds in the side pocket of the pack.) The last trip in the hills was a Colt Cobra in a thin foam IWB holster, inside the adjustment strap of the hip belt, a speed loader in an outside pocket and a box of plinking 38's for entertainment. We have CCW now, but in the hills I like a visible weapon. On a fall trip a long time ago, one of our party had a 20 gauge coach gun in a scabbard on his pack (If you have a long gun you would like to have a valid hunting license, it makes things go easily if the rangers don't think you're poaching). Long guns are a lot of weight if you don't need them. A good cover story is you're getting in shape for next seasons elk hunt out west. Ivan

[x2501]

Carry in a fanny pack worn on the front, belt slightly loose, Put on pack, snap pack belt under fanny pack, tighten pack belt. Fanny pack hangs over pack buckle, gun stays with you if you have to drop pack. I carry my 4" 629 like this.

[Maccabeus]

I typically carry a light weight J-frame in the cargo pocket of my shorts as a BUG.

A 4513TSW in a cheap leather bianchi IWB I've had for years worn in front appendix style (although, I wear mine more centered than typical appendix style). The back pack waist band straps over the pistol/holster, but not in an uncomfortable way. Nor does it interfere with accessibility.

In the other cargo pocket of my shorts I put a couple extra mags in a holder for the 4513 which balances out the weight of the BUG when walking.

[Waywatcher]

Originally Posted by x2501

Carry in a fanny pack worn on the front, belt slightly loose, Put on pack, snap pack belt under fanny pack, tighten pack belt. Fanny pack hangs over pack buckle, gun stays with you if you have to drop pack. I carry my 4" 629 like this.

Welcome to the forum!

I backpacked 6 days in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana using this method. Worked great; gun accessible and comfortable.

[crump84]

The past couple of trips I've actually just hooked a paddle holster cross draw on my waist belt. (Think someone already mentioned this) This only works if I'm using my multi day pack since it has a thick padded belt. I have noticed some rubbing if I'm hiking hard or have to do a lot of scrambling but for the most part it rides pretty comfortably. I've thought about the fanny pack idea but I just can't bring myself to wear one :P

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[jbouwens]

Originally Posted by Waywatcher

Welcome to the forum!

I backpacked 6 days in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana using this method. Worked great; gun accessible and comfortable.

I carry this way too. Works really good for 4 inch revolvers and autos (or less), bigger boomers get on the heavy side but heck..... it's a counter weight for the overgrown backpack I carry.

[Arik]

I used a nylon (cheap to test) shoulder holster for my M&P45. Ehhh...so so. Wasnt too bad but the backpack pushed on the gun making it stick out from underneath my armpit a bit. Not totally uncomfortable but not ideal.

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[badge 851]

Originally Posted by Dtoccj116

I was doing a day hike and had my m&p 9c in my crossbreed holster and the waist band on my pack was pushing it down. Has anybody carried while backpacking and if so what holster did you use?


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•Personal Defense - K frame snubnose 357 Magnum in a Don Hume® J.I.T. Slide; or Galco® High Ride Silohette holster.
• Critter Defense 4" 41 Remingron Magnum in a Galco® FLETCH Holster.

[shortdog]

Originally Posted by x2501

Carry in a fanny pack worn on the front, belt slightly loose, Put on pack, snap pack belt under fanny pack, tighten pack belt. Fanny pack hangs over pack buckle, gun stays with you if you have to drop pack. I carry my 4" 629 like this.

I have been carrying like this for more than 20 years when backpacking. Keeps the gun clean, out of sight, and readily accessible without getting in the way. Also gives you a handy place for things like sunblock, chapstick, bug repellent, etc.

[bennettfam]

My 642 rides in a small camera pouch attached to the shoulder strap. Easy to access quickly, and subtly disguised. When I drop the pack the .38 gets transferred to a fanny pack or cargo pocket. Slick!

[Dtoccj116]

I'm thinking ill either get a camera bag I can attach to my pack or maybe the 5.11 fanny pack but idk if I can bring myself to wearing a fanny pack lol


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[TrailRated]

I carry my 686 4" bbl in a custom chest pouch. Think of a chest pouch for binoculars and you get the idea. It works great and has very easy access.

[bearfoot]

walmart sells a camo pack, retangle shape. 2 pockets, belt loop, shoulder strap, maybe 10" x3"x 6". it will take a full size semi pistol, extra mags, bx of ammo(xtra pocket). doesn't take a water bottle, length. it is also good with weapon in the holster in the pack. another good carrier, they were $20 @ belks, a small expandable lleather purse, they were sold everywhere years ago. got it for $5. was for a xmas present, but as a CCW carrier, i "borrowed" it for a weapon carrier . shoulder strap, but can be adj. for around the waist. it also has a place for a cell phone or walkie talkie. slim back pocket, inside mesh / seperate pockets. easy to just put in a rollway to have it at hand traveling on the road, almost everything in one place.

[bearfoot]

walmart sells a camo pack, retangle shape. 2 pockets, belt loop, shoulder strap, maybe 10" x3"x 6". it will take a full size semi pistol, extra mags, bx of ammo(xtra pocket). doesn't take a water bottle, length. it is also good with weapon in the holster in the pack. another good carrier, they were $20 @ belks, a small expandable lleather purse, they were sold everywhere years ago. got it for $5. was for a xmas present, but as a CCW carrier, i "borrowed" it for a weapon carrier . shoulder strap, but can be adj. for around the waist. it also has a place for a cell phone or walkie talkie. slim back pocket, inside mesh / seperate pockets. a good day pack. easy to just put in a rollway to have it at hand traveling on the road, almost everything in one place.

[Dtoccj116]

I ended up getting the hill people gear recon kit bag and I absolutely love it well worth the money


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[brokenprism]

If you do enough backpacking that you want a long term solution, get a cheap nylon holster with retaining strap. Sew Velcro on the back and see a patch of it on the backpack off side shoulder strap. When you hike, attach the holster upside down to the Velcro patch. Strap holds gun in place and location puts it at chest or clavicle height. When you go into public places peel it off. If you need it concealed while you hike, cover it with a cloth or flap of something.

[Ranger514]

Originally Posted by x2501

Carry in a fanny pack worn on the front, belt slightly loose, Put on pack, snap pack belt under fanny pack, tighten pack belt. Fanny pack hangs over pack buckle, gun stays with you if you have to drop pack. I carry my 4" 629 like this.

I wore a fanny pack in this manner for 10 years when on backcountry foot patrols. I carried about 40 pounds of gear in a small, internal frame backpack with a hip belt. The fanny pack rode well with a 66 or a Sig 229 inside. If you carry a bigger wheel gun in Griz territory, you might want to check out some of the chest holsters from companies like Diamond D or Haugen Leather.

[Wyo]

I often use an M3-type cross chest holster as was used by tankers or aircrew in WWII. It rides below the armpit on the left side low enough to avoid interfering with the pack straps and high enough to ride over the kidney belt. Works well for a 1911 or Colt Delta and the naval version is good for a 4" K- frame. Stays with you when the pack is off. If concealment is an issue (usually not a problem in my area) I just wear it under a light cover garment and tell any inquisitive folks it's a binocular strap - actually, I've only been asked once. Another method is the front-chest carry on a MOLLE carrier like you see in some current military setups. No good for concealment but very handy and works fine with any of the SERPA holsters.

I don't care for any method that leaves the gun on the pack as you're often without the pack and the gun is typically harder to get to. We really do have occasional problems with griz in Wyoming and I like to have the handgun handy all the time.