CC'inng While Hiking

Yep, I know the feeling. I've got my Taurus 85 that gets CC'ed most of the time. However, I'm also looking to add a revolver in .44 Special to the mix for hiking as well. Out in the woods I'm ok with OC.

Who's day are you worried about ruining? People you regularly hike with? Or passerby's?

I always OC in a vertical shoulder holster, and most folks don't even notice when my pack is on.

I've hiked all over the Cascades and Olympics for 15 years, on trails and off the trails. I use a regular Bianchi M12 holster for my G20SF; goes over the pack belt and locks on. Protects the gun and draws easily. Never once in hundreds of encounters with other hikers, backpackers, Forest Rangers, Park Rangers, or wildlife was anyone's time spoiled.

I carry my G29 loaded with 200 gr DoubleTap hardcast IWB. Compared to my 4" 629 it is over a pound lighter, is much shorter and narrower, and holds 12 or 16 rounds depending on the magazine. It gets 1250 fps from the shorter barrel. Not quite 44 mag levels, but closer to actual speeds you'd get from a 3-4" 44mag with 240 gr loads than most people think.

I choose backpacks with appropriate sized compartments on the side that I can easily reach. Depending on what model backpack you have, you can fit something pretty substantial in there and not have it dragging your pants down or getting soaked with sweat. I've not had a situation yet where I 've had to draw a gun while hiking in under 10 seconds, and I can definitely get to it in less than that. Otherwise, I'm not a fan of off body carry, but this is my preferred method when hiking

Get a G29 and buy an aftermarket barrel chambered in .40 S&W.

Easy on the wallet, and when the balloon goes up, the 10 miker miker will be par for the course.

I take the G20 for hiking duty, unless I am somewhere that I think BIG nasties are likely. I have found that with a pack one of the Hill People Gear chest pouches is the way to go. Very handy little bag for me.

I like 200g XTPs in mine at about 1250 FPS as an all around hiking load on east coast. 180 gold dots at 1320 fps for in town. Hard cast 220 FN is an option from Underwood Ammo if you do not load your own. Much better than double tap as they seem to fair much better when tested over the chronograph.

I hiked several miles today with a SA XDs in an IWB hybrid holster from Hidden Hybrid Holsters. It was comfortable and the woman I was with had no idea. She knows I carry though so she probably suspected. She's fine with it.

I also carry a 3" Ruger SP101 in a pancake holster from Simply Rugged at times. Under a shirt or jacket only the lower 1" or so sticks out and no one notices. I've walked into a grocery store and no one ever notices.

I prefer to open carry full sized guns on the trail but I understand your concern. I frequently hike up to the highest point in my area and there are frequently a lot of tourists there and I don't feel like dealing with sideways looks and murmuring. It's happened to me and it got on my nerves.

I was hiking with extended family in CO and came across people open carrying. They had some very mean things to say about anyone with the audacity to carry a firearm in their presence, even out in the wild. The next few days were filled with rude commentary on how big it must make someone feel to frighten everyone else on the trail. There was no mention of of the dangers we all faced on the trail, or the legality of open carry, or even if it was a sound idea, but a lot of talk about small penises and racist politics.

Just because they won't say it to your face doesn't mean they didn't see your gun.

There's the Safepacker line of "discreet" holsters:

http://www.thewilderness.com/safepacker-concealment-holster/

They ain't cheap, but they are pretty versatile. At 1:14 on the video, they show you how it can be attached to just about any type of belt.

Standard strong-side OWB is your fastest draw, whether using a drop holster or normal belt rig. Sounds like those don't appeal to you.

Your next fastest setup is strong side IWB, covered with a thin untucked shirt (or use a tuckable design and you can tuck the shirt if that's your thing). If your waist pack makes this difficult or impossible, the only other concealable options, without adding garments, is a pocket holster or ankle holster. Neither are going to be particularly quick to draw from while hiking, but either one is likely faster than carrying off your person.

I think you should evaluate your priorities. What is most important? If it's having a gun that's readily accessible, carry in any number of IWB holsters, and start wearing a standard hiking backpack with a chest strap. I'm not an avid-enough hiker to understand how that may be an inconvenience or less-ideal system than what you use now. It always works fine for me when I hike, but that's just a handful of times per year. The most intense hike I've done up here in the PNW is Tin Can Gap; roughly 12 miles round trip, and just under 3000 feet of ele gained. My backpack served me just fine for that.

Anywho... To get the best of all worlds, or find a good compromise in each area, you may need to re-evaluate the other gear you're using. As far as your guns, I'd say a G29 would be about as good as it gets in terms of an optimum, concealable hiking pistol.

Here's another vote for the Safepacker. Very discreet, but easy to access with any belt, or pack strap. Also carries a reload. I carry it on the waistbelt of my pack, because I hate things over my chest, but it could be carried there. I carry a 3" SP101 with Buffalo Bore 200-grain hardcast in (black) bear country.

Roscoe, I thought Buffalo Bore's biggest .357 was 180gr cast?

Another vote for the Safepacker.

Very comfortable on the belt style.
I like how it's attachment system allows it to be moved from pack belt to pants belt quickly, easily and without exposing the gun to view.
Also, for a full flap, neoprene padded holster it's reasonably quick to access.
While it's a bit bulky for urban wear on the trail, especially as part of a pack, it blends right in.

Safepacker.

I carried a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in .44mag while hiking using a Safepacker. It even works around "town" in normal clothing in the outdoor/tourist/visitor type locations.

toivo

Thanks for the link. I like the unconventional look of the Safepacker holster and it's ability to blend in with your pack and any other extra pouches.

balin said:

I I prefer to carry concealed to not spoil anyones time.

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If someone gets bent out of shape just because you're legally carrying a gun, that's their problem. Not yours.

SeanSw said:

I was hiking with extended family in CO and came across people open carrying. They had some very mean things to say about anyone with the audacity to carry a firearm in their presence, even out in the wild. The next few days were filled with rude commentary on how big it must make someone feel to frighten everyone else on the trail. There was no mention of of the dangers we all faced on the trail, or the legality of open carry, or even if it was a sound idea, but a lot of talk about small penises and racist politics.

Just because they won't say it to your face doesn't mean they didn't see your gun.

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I can honestly say if I had anyone acting that way or saying those things, family or not, they would be dropped from my life, and I may have even left them behind on the trail.

I have no use for bigots what so ever, and will not tolerate them in my life.

Good luck to you with that lot.

Wishoot said:

If someone gets bent out of shape just because you're legally carrying a gun, that's their problem. Not yours.

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That's true man, but it's his choice. I choose to conceal at times on the trail just to avoid the headache. I just don't feel like dealing with fools.

balin said:

No actually how I choose to deal with my fellow man is my problem. And am well aware of my priorities. And have stated them in the above text. If you choose different then me I support you decision for your self and think you should follow your beliefs. I don't openly display my guns, religious, political beliefs sexual orientation or most other things. But am more then willing to discuss such things with any one that would like to. And think if more people tried being accepting of others beliefs rather then criticising we might find more common ground and be able to move forward in this country. Buy that is just my weird way of thinking.

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Well said.