How to CC when hiking?

[gbw]

I walk cross country in S. Mississippi, similar to La. In this heat, light weight is second only to reliability. I've tried most of the usual suspects, so far the best I've found is a Kel-Tec 9mm PF9 iwb using their belt clip. Very easy to carry, small, light, powerful, you can carry snake shot (I do), reliable and concealable. Any flap of cloth between you and the gun is also helpful, usually I just tuck in a t-shirt - under the gun, but leave it out everywhere else.

 

[Pilot]

For hiking, I use a Buttpack, or Maxpedition Jumbo, or OC if in deeper woods with a OWB holster.

 

[shep854]

How well does a shoulder holster work when worn with a pack? It seems that the packstrap would press down on the holster strap, causing irritation and possibly raising blisters, not to mention interfering with access to the pistol.

 

[blindhari]

As I am an old man this is an old solution to carry of a short barrel revolver while back packing. I still have a Bianchi cross draw thumb snap, I think called speedleather when I bought it, that rides on my weak side. At one time it was stiff but after 50 years off and on use its a good deal softer now. When I got the holster I was concerned with not freaking out other hikers. This holster rides at about a 30 degree angle along the belt and is easy to cover with a tshirt bulge over it or a light jacket or shirt. At waist level it is always in reach. First thing I did was wrap a S&W combat masterpiece in plastic wrap, then put holster in boiling water for about 10 seconds, rammed S&W into hot wet holster, secured with rubber bands and let it air dry to form fit gun. After drying I pulled gun and rubbed a light coat of bees wax inside holster then warmed with air gun and wiped out excess. Did the bees wax about four or five times over a week and reinserted S&W when I finished and let holster cool around gun. Finally I used a bath towel and rubbed ou all excess wax. These days it carrries a 65-5 S&W it has been resized for. It is no longer a stiff holster. It is cofortable, easy to conceal, always accesable, and has never rusted anything due to sweat.
Like I said an old solution that still works for me. If this one wears out I guess I will have to buy another and break it in.

blindhari