Help with 1911 while hunting wearing a backpack

Are you asking if the waist strap of the backpack will bend the gun's hammer? I can't imagine that it will. Hammer's made of steel, right?

As an alternative, check out The Safepacker, Hill Country's Kit bag, or even a fanny pack rigged to the straps. I know you said it is comfortable, but I can't imagine it works well with big loads or over long distances. I don't think it will bend anything, but I wouldn't be 100% comfortable with that much pressure on a fire control part.

Do you need to carry concealed? Is there any way that you can put the existing holster onto the backpack waist strap? (instead of on YOUR belt)

K1500 said:

As an alternative, check out The Safepacker, Hill Country's Kit bag, or even a fanny pack rigged to the straps. I know you said it is comfortable, but I can't imagine it works well with big loads or over long distances. I don't think it will bend anything, but I wouldn't be 100% comfortable with that much pressure on a fire control part.

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The Safepacker & HPG kitbag were exactly what I was thinking of when I read this post!

I would give the edge to the safepacker if you plan to take the pack off with any frequency. You can just take it off the pack belt and secure it to your pants belt. This is a great option if you plan to stick with one pistol.

If you plan on carrying concealed with the pack on most of the day the kitbag is the way to go. It has multiple carry configurations other than just "chest carry" too.

I have also had some success with a purpose built fanny pack worn cross draw fashion slung under the pack-belt. Though finding one large enough for a full-size 1911 may be an issue?

The other issue to consider is that a generic pistol fanny pack or the HPG kit bag will allow you to carry multiple pistols whereas the safepacker is purpose-built for one type of firearm only - like any other custom holster. Personally, for holster options that aren't of the "EDC" variety, I like some versitility - i.e. the ability to carry both revolvers and multiple sized autos...

Yo Mama said:

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I don't want a drop leg holster, as then the gun is exposed to rain and dust.

Let me know what you think. Thanks.

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I don't worry about dust and rain with my guns, they see it all the time. That's just hunting. If I was worried about dust and rain, I'd stay home. I would think that the pressure against the frame of the gun and the back and forth movement of the pack strap against it, would tend to put more wear on the gun and it's finish than dust and rain. Also I would think that the strap over the gun may impede access. I would also rather have my gun more easily accessible for quick use on a thigh holster than trying to untangle it from backpack straps. If I wasn't worried about quick access, then I'd probably put it IN the backpack.

Wouldn't a chest holster work better with a backpack, as in more comfortable and more accessible?

Simply Rugged "Chesty Puller" system
http://shop.simplyrugged.com/ecommerce/Chesty-Puller-Conversion-System.cfm?item_id=160&parent=672

El Paso Saddlery "Tanker" holster
http://www.epsaddlery.com/c-14-military.aspx

If the waistbelt of your pack covers the top portion of your gun, wouldn't that make it difficult to access if you needed to in a hurry?

Yep..Chesty Puller rig works great.

I tend to use my chest strap on my packs while hiking or hunting. The waist strap prevents the gun from being accessed quickly. I also carry a 1911 IWB 3 o'clock cocked and locked. When doing this I run the waist strap which is pretty thin on my hunting packs. I run it between my body and the gun. On packs that have a thick waist strap I carry quarter cocked. To much rubbing on the top portion of the gun for my liking. If I come upon someone I unsnap the waist band upon sight of them but make no other motions towards my firearm. This way nothing prevents me from pulling if needed.

Is it a Race Gun? or is it a Carry Gun? because the 1911 has fought in multiple wars and conflicts in all kinds of weather. Weather should not be an issue if you Bring a little Gun Oil and a Rag along

Pick you up a replica of a M3 Military 1911 holster for about $30 off Ebay and you'll be good to go.

When I'm humping camping gear in a backpack, I carry cross draw. The padded belt fits better. When I'm fishing with a day pack, I carry strong side. When I'm hunting with a day pack, I'm back to cross draw so I'm not constantly banging my sidearm into my rifle. None of these solutions are particularly tactical or quickly accessible but I've been doing it since the 1970's and seem to have survived and I haven't lost a gun so far.
Of course,YMMV.
Doug

It's hard to carry a handgun while having a pack on your back. Every gun store in Alaska carries chest holsters for this very reason, I own three myself.

Possibly carry it in condition 2 or 1?

LD

I'm not sure why you would be any more concerned about dust exposure on your thigh than on your hip.

Tanker rig type holster?

I think this is also referred to as the M3 holster or the M7. M3 and M7 holsters may be two different types of "Tanker rigs." M3 looks to be a bit simpler and easier.

Yo Mama, Just and FYI on drop thigh holsters. I've tried them for hiking, and talked to several people who use them for work... the general consensus is they suck to walk in. They are great if you are going to be riding in a vehicle and may need to draw your pistol, but walking with one for several hours can get very uncomfortable. I hear the top-end holsters aren't too bad, but they can cost a lot. Stay away from the cheap ones as they aren't worth the effort throw in a lake.

My 2 cents, go for a chest rig or get a low ride belt holster and wear your pack belt above it.

I would say a change of holster would work (something along the lines of a chest or thgh rig) or ... something I learned when carrying a handgun with a ruck is to move the gun forward to the 3 o'clock position.

In Iraq I used the old black leather chest holster a lot of the time. (It prompted several odd conversations when people asked me where I found that vintage holster, and I had to explain to them that it was actually issued to me. Yes. really.) I also used the M-12 holster with the leg extension, but that particular one is very stiff, it doesn't leave much wiggle. And I would recommend to use the M-12 holster (there are plenty of used ones out there,) but to use it with a 1911, if it has a beavertail safety like most do nowadays, you would have to take the flap off and add the thumb break anyway.

I also hunt with a backpack and have always used a cross draw, stays out of the way when I sling my rifle on my shoulder and is always handy to get to, even while sitting taking a rest.