[chorlton]

I'm getting ahead of myself a bit here because I dont have my chl yet, but I'd like to get an idea of how folks carry when hiking or backpacking. Its just for my 3" sp101. I can't see belt holsters working out because of the backpack hip belts. My little Uncle Mikes IWB holster fits pretty good on the inside of the hip belt, but I guess i need to think more about retention and protection from the elements?

[SuperNaut]

I made my own chest holster out of leather. But if I hadn't I'd've bought this (http://www.alaskasportsmanproducts.com/)

[ZeSpectre]

I hike/backpack with cargo pants like these (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47608283&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&color=KHAKI&img=/media/693187_1158Lrg.JPG&view=large). I used to carry a S&W 66 with a 4" barrel in a padded holster in the lower "cargo" pocket. Sometimes the banging was annoying but most of the time I just never noticed it. It made quite a bulge in the pocket but then again a lot of my pockets were full of stuff so nobody ever noticed.

Tried ankle carry once, BLECH. Hurt my ankle and got all kinds of dust and grit in the gun.

Had a thigh holster that I used a few times as well but I never really warmed up to it.

My current backpack has this neat little "fanny pack" sort of thing on the waist belt that would fit my current CCW perfectly.

[Chuhhuniban]

I bought a really inexpensive soft nylon holster with a thumb-break retention strap on it, took it (and my backpack) to an awning shop (industrial strength sewing machines and nylon webbing) and had them modify the back to hold the holster on my backpack shoulder straps just ahead of where the strap goes back under my left arm. The holster cost about $14 (IIRC) and just stays on the backpack along with a GPS holster and a Leatherman holster, all accessible from the front without groping behind me. The Alaskan thingy is really nifty (I've seen one), but at $80, I can put one of my field expedient ones on my backpack, my wife's backpack and still have enough left for three or four boxes of ammunition. I do have the advantage of living in an open carry state (I have a CWP too), so I don't have to conceal the pistol.

[MCgunner]

I haven't toted more than a day pack for years, doesn't have the waste belt. If I did again, I'd have to figure somethin' out or just pocket carry my .38, I reckon. I like having at least my 4" .357, though, when in the mountains. Perhaps one of those bandolier holsters would work? Don't know if I could wear the shoulder holster with the pack on.

[chorlton]

Thanks for all the ideas so far - I guess I should add the wilderness stuff will be in CO.

[Jackal]

Well, for true wilderness carry, as in out in the middle of nowhere and hiking, just a standard non-concealed OWB holster should be just fine. Why conceal it in the woods?

[chorlton]

Yeah I have no problem with open carry in the woods, but as I said the hip belt on my packs would get in the way of any belt holster.

[bad LT]

I kind of like these for carrying with a backpack on:

http://thewilderness.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=18

They can attach over most hipbelts.

[redbone]

+1 on the Safepacker. I have two of them, and can't recommend them enough.

[Waywatcher]

I didn't have much extra money laying around last time I went backpacking.

I went to Target and bought a $9 fanny-pack that worked just fine for my Glock.

[Waywatcher]

Why conceal it in the woods?

Because its still quite possible to run into bad people.

Also, it protects the gun from the elements.

[Exmasonite]

Depends on the situation/hike.

Day hike/around camp: Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack

During the day on a trek w/ backpack, usually in the pouch behind the back of my head.

[ZeSpectre]

Quote:
Why conceal it in the woods?
Because its still quite possible to run into bad people.
Also, it protects the gun from the elements.

+1 on that.

[Vern Humphrey]

I make my own holsters. Depending on the gun, I have several holsters. Two of my favorites are a drop-loop holster (carried on the trouser belt, it hangs just below the pack waistbelt), and one that has snaps on the belt loop -- unsnap it, thread it through the belt and snap. The former is always on the trouser belt, the latter can be quickly switched from pack belt to trouser belt.

[azredhawk44]

I make my own holsters. Depending on the gun, I have several holsters. Two of my favorites are a drop-loop holster (carried on the trouser belt, it hangs just below the pack waistbelt), and one that has snaps on the belt loop -- unsnap it, thread it through the belt and snap. The former is always on the trouser belt, the latter can be quickly switched from pack belt to trouser belt.

This is my tactic when carrying my redhawk while hiking/backpacking/hunting.

I have a cowboy style drop loop holster for that particular gun. My pack belt rides near my kidneys on top of my hips, and the drop loop holster puts the gun grip about 8" below the pack belt... perfect. Nice and easy draw.

I've tried a tactical thigh holster when I carry an automatic... aside from the strange looks I get from other hikers, it was annoying. It rubbed my leg uncomfortably. I'll admit I got a cheapie gunshow special, but it didn't seem to fit properly and the gun would slide all over the place as I walked.

If the redhawk is too big for the job (read: no critters over 200lbs), I will carry either my sp101 3" or a .45acp automatic (Glock 21 or 1911). This gun will get carried attached to the shoulderstrap of the backpack with an inexpensive ballistic nylon hip holster by detaching the shoulderstrap from the bottom of the bag, threading through the holster belt loop and then reattaching the shoulderstrap. Improvised shoulder carry rig.

[41 Mag M&P]

.41 redhawk in a crossdraw.

I don't think this would work with a backpack though.

[Kael]

I use "appendix carry" in the woods, its completely concealed and the only method that carries comfortably (and is accessible) under a backpacks hip belt.

[wqbang]

- Horizontal Shoulder holster
- Wilderness Safepacker
- Bianchi M12 miliary flap holster. This has steel spring attachments that can slip over webbing. It just depends on your hip belt design.

['Card]

Kayaking, hiking, bowhunting, whatever. I carry my XD-45 in a dropleg holster on my right thigh. One of those MOLLE platform things with the holster and two extra pouches (one for an extra mag, the other for my Leatherman) attached to it.

Looks a little more "Mall Ninja" than I'd like, but as my Grandpa always told me: "Do what works. The woods ain't no fashion show." - and it works pretty well. Keeps the gun where it's easily accessible, but down on my thigh where it doesn't interfere with my backpack straps, and won't get in the way when I draw my bow.

[jeepmor]

I second the cargo pants pocket carry for the woods in a soft Uncle Mikes holster. Any shoulder or waistband carry is out, comfortably speaking, when employing the backpack. It does have it's limitations however, I can only wade knee deep while plunking bait out for those high mountain lake trout. I have already come to terms with the fact that if I hook into a big lunker, my gun may get wet. I always bring a little something to dry the gun should it take a bath. Unfortunately, this has yet to be a problem and I don't really want to have to dry out my gun in the sun or by a campfire, so I am careful.

I would like to see something in the cargo pants arena that provided a little less flop like a tension band or elastic inside the pant pocket and a loop that you could clip/affix the holster to for added retention. You would have to be able to release it for non-carry comfort.

[Majic]

Crossdraw.

[koja48]

Always have a 1911 in a Miami rig, sometimes a Python in a cross draw, a pump shottie when bears are a consideration.

[Run&Shoot]

When I do day hikes I use an REI Traverse
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=48111594&parent_category_rn=4500509&vcat=REI_SSHP_REI_TOC

It has two water bottle pockets accessible from the front where the hip belt joins the pack. These pockets are each large enough to hold a G19/23, or a 2 1/2" revolver (probably a 3" Sp101 would fit). I use it as a sort of crossdraw shoulder holster, putting the G23 in the pocket off my left side, and four spare mags in the right side pocket.

If not wearing a back pack then I use a fanny pack or IWB.

[nitestocker]

i carrie a 651 in my front pocket or a redhawk in a crossdraw but hop[ing to trade the redhawk for a glock 20

[chorlton]

Thanks for all the ideas, guys!

[mmmarkiep]

For day hikes, I'm thinking of getting this:

Camelbak Demon (http://www.uscav.com/Productinfo.aspx?ProductID=9468&TabID=1&CatID=5230)

Or this:

Camelbak Goblin (http://www.uscav.com/Productinfo.aspx?ProductID=11206&TabID=1&CatID=5230)

Anybody have one of these?

[roscoe]

Safepacker all the way!

[shep854]

I generally use a waist pack, positioned front & center. Besides my sidearm, it's handy for other small items and munchies. When hiking, I like to keep my pants pockets empty for comfort.

[nemoaz]

I'd don't understand the Camelbak Demon. Looks like you couldn't draw the weapon without removing the pack.

+1 on a fanny pack in the woods for sure.