[HonorableRagbag]

I am curious to know what methods people use for concealed carry while backpacking. Up till now I have carried a small .380 in a plastic bag (to protect from moisture) in my pocket while backpacking but my preferred carry gun is a Springfield XD-40 Subcompact. I am having trouble deciding how to carry it so that it is protected from moisture and concealed yet is readily available. Most of my backpacking is done on the Appalachian Trail and I do not wish to make other hikers feel ill at ease, therefore open carry is not really an option, but I am not willling to sacrifice the safety of myself and my companions by leaving my firearm behind. Any methods or techniques that have worked for you or others would be greatly appreciated.




"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." -Thomas Jefferson

[NDN-MAN]

Have you thought about a black powder shooters (possibles bag) ? It will hold snacks, map, poncho, compass, pistol and more.
Just stay out of National Park Lands. The rules and regs. as of today are agianst us carrying.
Good luck and stay safe.

[MaterDei]

I wouldn't be too concerned about making other hikers feel ill at ease. If they feel ill at ease it's because they are not used to being around people with firearms. This is perfectly natural and something you can help remedy by carrying openly.

If you really insist on carrying concealed I'd suggest a shoulder holster over a tee shirt and under an unbuttoned button down shirt. I wouldn't be too concerned about moisture. An XD is very capable of handling moisture, just wipe it down at the end of each day.

Enjoy the trek.

[paintballdude902]

materdie ive carried a glock in a shoulder rig around the barn openly (im 18 no ccw will 21) and when i put anything on my back with it on like a back pack i use for trail rides that has a firstaide kit and a compass along with water and a 2way radio to the barn it will get very uncomfortable and i almost always end up putting the rig around the saddle horn

hiking a long trail with a shoulder rig isnt going to be fun what about an iwb? (inside waste band)

[Blarelli]

Open carry is the only way to go when backpacking.

[jhark123]

I would usually open carry. My plan for National Park carry (if they force you to conceal) is a J frame in a pocket holster in belt camera bag.

[Hook686]

What state is you carry permit issue from ?


jhark I do not thin any kind of carry is legal in National Parks. Anyone planning such a move ought carefully check it out before getting there.

[wheelgunslinger]

Most of the AT goes through gamelands, so firearms regs relative to hunting seasons will apply. And, really anything over 22 cal will get you busted on hunting lands if it's not the appropriate season, barrel length, and you don't have a license.

Mind the regs of the part of the AT where you're walking.

You can put a small handgun on the pack strap opposite your strongside, unless you use a hiking stick/ walking pole. Many store guns in small velcro/nylon cases that are easy access and secure storage.
Don't sweat putting it in a waterproof bag. That's a waste of time. Just disassemble it every night and clean it and you're good. bring a small bottle of oil.

I put a lot of time in on the AT as well. I tend to carry my recurve bow and 3 arrows with me most of the year. During the fall, when deer season is on, I will carry my 357 on the pack strap or hip belt (depending on the pack I take) in a nylon Uncle Mike's holster that does fine.

Most who worry about self defense will bring a dog with them. Open carry will invite a lot of discussion about guns in the shelters and trail. Some antis even get mean about it. But, I wouldn't not carry a gun if it was legal in that particular part of the trail.

[AK103K]

I've hiked and camped on the AT for years and always had my pistol along. I usually just wore my normal IWB type holster, but depending on the ruck, and its hip belt set up, I would sometimes use a fanny pack. I still always brought my holster along for in camp though.

I'm not a fan of open carry. Besides being tacky and alarming people, I always looked at it as tipping my hand and giving up an edge.

Another issue is, the AT does pass through at least one National Park in PA, and also a number of small towns. Your not always in a gun friendly, or remote area.

[Tomcat47]

I myself appear to be the president of the tree huggers of america....

I have a very nice 35mm camera setup in its own bag and the outer pocket houses my .41 Magnum Taurus tracker in 4".

The bag may be a little bulky and a litte heavy at the end of the day, but it has served me well on the trail whether in yellowstone, Glacier Park MT., or the AT here in the east.

Most parks it is an actual No No to carry anyway so we must do what we do.

This works for me and I look like a bird watcher and I do take a lot of pics, but very unsuspecting to a thug or a grizzly for that matter.

[jhark123]

Hook686

National Park rules are currently up for a change to follow state laws on firearms where the park resides.

See rule change here:
http://federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2008-09606_PI.pdf

See comment section here (not much time left to comment!):
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=SubmitComment&o=090000648053d497

hit the comment section!!!

[Vern Humphrey]

I hike in the only national park that currently allows hunting and firearms -- the Buffalo National River in Arkansas. I usually carry my Colt Woodsman, but in other areas I have a pouch on my hip belt for things like match safes, lip balm, compass, etc., and I carry a Colt Detective Special in there. When I take it off, the DS goes in a pants pocket.

[DH999]

Jagwear makes a belt pack that looks like a camera pack - it slides on your belt or could be fastened to a backpack hip belt. They make three different sizes and I think these are great for hiking carry. I have all three sizes and I'm very happy with them - there's an internal "holster" that holds the gun secure and covers the trigger. Here's a link:

http://www.jagwear.com/jagwr2-3.htm

Anyone else use these?

[another okie]

I put a snubbie in my pocket. I noticed recently that Cambelbak makes a pack called the Demon (I think) that has a hard case in it with quick access to a velcroed in holster.

http://www.botachtactical.com/camelbakdemon.html

[drtworks]

I've hiked all over Washington and Oregon with my S&W 622 strapped across my chest, and have never had any adverse reaction from other hikers. Also, have taken many grouse and squirrels on the trail. Way better than freeze dried dinners!

I've never hiked in National Parks, not because of the weapons ban, but because they're militant about leash laws and I always hike with my Lab.

[The Bushmaster]

I don't backpack...My horse does though... I'm a saddlebagger. When I ride I open carry...I assume you are backpacking in the mountains. Why would you carry concealed?

[Unisaw]

I have hiked portions of the AT while carrying. My preferred method is to wear a small fanny pack in front just below the hip belt of the backpack. Map and snacks go in the outer pocket while an SP-101 goes in the inner pocket. No one has ever given me a second glance, especially when I pull a snack out of the outer pocket.

[MCgunner]

I just carry on the gun belt, screw 'em if they don't like it. If I had to conceal, I guess a pocket is as good as any, just like I do daily.

[jlbraun]

The Safepacker.

http://store.thewilderness.com/index.php?cPath=51

Search around at THR for my review. Love the dern thing.

[Hook686]

DH999 I agree the jagwear packs are really good. Great price too.

[DFW1911]

For backpacking (this will seem obvious) make sure your pack is comfortable and then practice with your XD in various locations.

For me, I carry a S&W 329PD strapped in something of a chest holster setup. It makes it easy to carry open or concealed and doesn't interfere with the fitting of my pack...and it's easy to get to in a hurry.

I don't think I've ever been hiking w/o a handgun and I've never been hassled, even when the gun was in plain sight. BTW, I'm not the only one on trails who is carrying. We have to remember that the Rocky Mts. have some reasonably serious predators and I believe hiking without a firearm is somewhat irresponsible.

Then again I'm biased :D

[jmr40]

Not legal to carry at all on many portions of the AT. Also many parts of are heavily used at times of the year. You could easily see 100 other hikers a day in places. It is best to keep your gun out of sight. I have used the fanny pack worn in front as well as pockets that are accessable on my pack before.

[SG1]

Here's something you might like:

http://www.maxpedition.com/Default.asp?

I like the versipaks.

[Marlin 45 carbine]

In the Natl and State Parks on the AT the carrying of any firearm is a no-no. also there are at least 2 State Forests (1 Ma. 1 Pa.) where it's verboten.
that said I have several times carried a shotgun or .22LR rifle on the Natl Fst stretches and hunted along the way with some disapproval met but more hikers relishing shared game I took & cooked up at campsites/shelters. in particular rabbit & squacks. the takeing of birds (grouse) for some reason met almost all disapproval?

[wheelgunslinger]

-1 on Maxpedition products for serious back country use.

I also get a warm reception for fresh meat in the shelters. But, again, you have to make sure you are within the limits of the laws applicable if you want to carry a handgun. Some trail people will narc you out if they see it, as they see the AT as a sacred space where firearms don't fit in their harmonious ideals.

[rnr4me]

How 'bout the chestey puller (http://www.simplyrugged.com/leather_goods/chesty_puller_conv.html) ?

[jv]

I bought several accessory pockets and attached them to the backpack's big, fat, padded hip belt and shoulder straps. One of the rectangular ones has a thumb-break holster inside, held in place with velcro. Keeps the rain off and it's very handy and very secure.

[AK103K]

I never liked the idea of the gun attached to my ruck. If I have to drop it, the gun goes with it. If its in a holster on your body, or in a fanny pack, that is separate from the ruck, then its with you no matter what.

[.38 Special]

I like packs with pouches on the hip belt. I reserve the one on the left for snacks, GPS, etc. and the one on the right for the Taurus 85.

If I ever need to quick draw I am hosed, but I am not completely helpless either.

[Dave Hicks]

As someone said what CCWs you have is a critical issue.

If you are talking AT there are a lot of jurisdictions and local park regs in addition to the NPS question.

For me (VA & UT) outside of the "park" issues:

GA, NC, TN, VA, WV,... PA....................... = OK :)
.......................... MD,..., NY, ................ = Forget it :cuss:
...........................................MA, NH, ME = OC but tricky :uhoh:

[roscoe]

The Safepacker is almost always the right choice. Easy access, not obviously a gun, carries reloads, attaches to your belt or backpack waistbelt, comes in different colors, built like a rock, price is right, etc.

[MadMercS55]

I've been using a Maxpedition 3-day pack for awhile now with great results. It has a zippered compartment for a camelback system and will also hold a medium sized semi-auto even with the camelback in place. For me, the zipper is positioned so I can reach back with my right hand, unzip and have easy access to my pistol. Depending on the hike I often carry a Maxpedition Jumbo versipack in addition to the backpack, and I can also keep my sidearm nicely concealed and easily at hand there too. My normal hiking sidearm these days is a Sig P220. I've been debating on getting a Glock 20 in 10mm as my dedicated outdoors pistol, but haven't gotten to it yet.

[dairycreek]

I don't pack anymore. Too old and too lame. But, when I did, I found that a belt pistol pack by BAGMASTER worked well for me. It can be secured to your belt either by a metal clip or with regular belt stays. Holds gun, extra ammo, and can have more room for a lot of "stuff". Pretty inexpensive and incredibly well built.
http://www.bagmaster.com/website/cart/images/products/BPP_L_BRN_1_gun_Web.jpg

[SsevenN]

I am having trouble deciding how to carry it so that it is protected from moisture and concealed yet is readily available. Most of my backpacking is done on the Appalachian Trail and I do not wish to make other hikers feel ill at ease, therefore open carry is not really an option, but I am not willling to sacrifice the safety of myself and my companions by leaving my firearm behind.

Ignore this if it has been hashed out, I did not pre-read the thread.:uhoh:

There are specific holsters made for hiking. Yes, they ride on the outside of the belt like a traditional holster, but look nothing like a holster.

I can't recall the name of the product, but I bought it off Midway USA.
It looks like a carry case for binoculars, but will hold a Full Size handgun of almost any model safely and comfortably.

This holster also allows for "quickdraws".

The front side is Velcro'd in place, with a strap securing a water-resistent cover over the top.

After "popping" the top you have quick access to a previously 100% covered handgun.

Ahh. I found a Pic..........

http://www.exxcess.info/detail.aspx?ID=222

[DMZ]

I never liked the idea of the gun attached to my ruck. If I have to drop it, the gun goes with it. If its in a holster on your body, or in a fanny pack, that is separate from the ruck, then its with you no matter what.

I usually open carry a 3" .357 Mag. But have gone to a fanny pack as I can carry it away from camp, say down to the river for a bit of fishing, and it holds a few Quickstrips as well.

[skinewmexico]

Carry a Kel-Tec. Meets Rule #1 of a gunfight. And it will fit in a pouch on your hip belt.

[sam700]

I got to agree with a couple of the previous posters, the safe packer is the way to go. It's specifically made for backpackers and it doesn't look like a holster.