Kydex, Leather, Safepacker

[Soon2bLEO]

This isn't really a question about concealment, though on certain trips I'd like my 3" 629 RB out of sight. The Safepapcker either on a thewilderness 5 stitch Instructor belt ( I also like this belt for the Kydex holsters)or on the hip strap of my backpack, the Safepacker seems to fill the bill. I have 3 sets of grips, smooth
finger groove combat, hogue monogrips and siles rubber boot grips.

Will Kydex hold up out in the field backpacking/hiking backcountry or am I better off sticking with one of the leather rigs below?

Post I have in classifieds:
WTB CROSS DRAW with THUMB BREAK holster for my S&W 629-4 Backpacker 3" N-Frame. Closest I've found is the Bianchi Cyclone & the Galco Phoenix but in 4" only.

So far I've found (think'n bout) a couple other options.
sidearmor.com makes a belt slide holster in kydex for the n frame with a 30 degree cant in 4,6&8" I can probably cut down to 3". Also comp-tac.com offers a kydex for the 3" n frame, a 25 degree cross draw paddle.
'SS revolver, rubber grips'. (I have a model 629-4 Backpacker)backpacking/hiking/fishing gun...almost doesn't make sense to holster in leather...stainless gun,rubber grips,kydex holster,nylon belt looks great on paper!


Any thoughts or experience on this?
Thanks

 

[Soon2bLEO]

This isn't really a question about concealment, though on certain trips I'd like my 3" 629 RB out of sight. The Safepapcker either on a thewilderness 5 stitch Instructor belt ( I also like this belt for the Kydex holsters)or on the hip strap of my backpack, the Safepacker seems to fill the bill. I have 3 sets of grips, smooth
finger groove combat, hogue monogrips and siles rubber boot grips.

Will Kydex hold up out in the field backpacking/hiking backcountry or am I better off sticking with one of the leather rigs below?

Post I have in classifieds:
WTB CROSS DRAW with THUMB BREAK holster for my S&W 629-4 Backpacker 3" N-Frame. Closest I've found is the Bianchi Cyclone & the Galco Phoenix but in 4" only.

So far I've found (think'n bout) a couple other options.
sidearmor.com makes a belt slide holster in kydex for the n frame with a 30 degree cant in 4,6&8" I can probably cut down to 3". Also comp-tac.com offers a kydex for the 3" n frame, a 25 degree cross draw paddle.
'SS revolver, rubber grips'. (I have a model 629-4 Backpacker)backpacking/hiking/fishing gun...almost doesn't make sense to holster in leather...stainless gun,rubber grips,kydex holster,nylon belt looks great on paper!


Any thoughts or experience on this?
Thanks

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, FWIW, I have a Comp-Tac kydex belt holster for a 4-inch N-frame. Retention is good, and cleaning it can be as simple as rinsing it off with clean water. It doesn't conceal well, though--the gun butt sticks out away from the body rather than tucking in close. It would be a good rig for open carry in the field or "gun games" in which concealment is not important.

I understand that other Comp-Tac models are better for concealment, such as their various inside-the-waistband models. However, I have not tried any of these.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[2000Z-71]

For a 3" you'd probably have to go to a custom maker. There's a lot of them out there. Mernickle comes to mind. Look off to the left hand side of his site, he has a whole field carry section.

I've always liked the looks of this one:

http://www.mernickleholsters.com/fc/fc13r2.html

Link to site:

http://www.mernickleholsters.com/index.htm

 

[waywardfool]

I use the safepacker on my hipbelt when backpacking. I got the smallest model (7x7??) for a 2" J-frame. Works great, I really like it. It mixes well with the black belt/straps/etc of my pack, and kind of "hides" behind my arm if I'm stopping to speak to someone. However, I am concerned that, as the Safepacker becomes more popular, that Rangers/Game Wardens/Etc will learn to recognize one off the bat. I think I'll put a Greenpeace patch on the front of mine.

 

[jkc]

I'm a big fan of the Safepacker. Most casual observers are completely oblivious to it, under most carry conditions/circumstances. It is very kind to the gun, protecting it from many kinds of abuse. It adapts to many different carry configurations, including one I like over water with light clothing, its own belt. You won't regret purchasing one for every size handgun you regularly carry, I'd bet.