Backpacking with a Firearm

[Ed]

I’ve backpacked a good deal in the eastern and western US. I don’t think I’ve ever carried. And I usually carry everywhere. I’m usually in a group and even cut it down to one small knife. Someone will have a mulitool. Most people take way to much junk. I do always carry a small CW HF rig to play with however....

I guess I wouldn’t be bothered with a small 380. But I’m not wearing it on my belt cause that would interfere with my pack belt. I guess I could put it in a pack. I usually hike in pretty strenuous areas. Not a lot of thugs could make it. I’ve also run across bears , but they know to leave me alone...

 

[Chuck R.]

I often hike unarmed and don't worry about it most of the time.

However if you must arm yourself I'd get a Hill People Gear chest pack and carry a compact semiautomatic.

Another vote for the HPG chest rig!

The issue with carrying a "sidearm" and a pack is if you've got a hip-belt on your pack. The chest rig solves the problem. I've run into numerous folks on trails and they're none the wiser. The gun is still easily accessible and there's enough room for some other essentials like compass, fire kit, etc.

 

[Chief TC]

I am not suggesting this type of handgun but I have hiked 10 miles in a day carrying a 4" model 66 357 with all the overnight gear I need. This is carrying it openly because it is a side firearm during elk hunting and fishing high alpine lakes where I am concerned about a bear/cougar encounter. Seems maybe you need just a light simple self-defense gun in a fanny pack set up if you want to conceal or roomy hiking pants with good side pockets. So i am thinking .380 ACP??

 

[crstrode]

I know something about backpacking. Don't take a firearm. It's just too heavy and not worth the weight.

On a gun forum, I have rarely seen advice that is best to reject more than this.

 

[crstrode]

Um, yeah, but the way your post shows makes it appear that I made the statement (about not taking a firearm), you quoted me quoting the member that made that remark. I quoted that member to disagree.

I was up in the Olympics (day hike, no big pack, just a light ruck) on an unseasonably warm fall day; I took off my loose short-sleeved shirt (had a tank top underneath with a SIG P-229 in a Kramer Belt Scabbard). A group of tourists (apparently British) that we passed on the trail made several comments about encountering someone who was armed. This wasn't long after the guy was killed by a mountain goat on Hurricane Ridge but before this recent (8 year old attacked by a cougar in the National Park) incident:
https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/pa...pic-national-park/6XPVMSIHDVFIZNFP3E2ZZ3MM3U/
My wife looked at them as we went by and said, "Better than a sharp stick. And you don't even have a sharp stick."

Sorry, Old Dog, You are correct.

I see I have erred yet again. Please accept my apologies.

By the way, I also nearly always carry a walking stick. Sometimes a vigorous beat-down is very satisfying . . .

 

[bearcreek]

On a gun forum, I have rarely seen advice that is best to reject more than this.

You realize you posted this exact same thing yesterday?

 

[westernrover]

Sure crime happens all too often, everywhere. I’d come closer to expecting it the closer I am to Houston too.

This was my first hit googling it though.

Ambushed and Robbed on Houston’s Buffalo Bayou Hike-Bike Trail

Like many Houstonians tired of being indoors and pleasantly surprised by the cool weather last weekend, I took to our city’s increasingly well-developed hike and bike trails to seek fresh air and nature during these often too-isolating times. At approximately 10:30 in the morning on Sunday...

generalacademic.com

"In what seemed like less than a minute, the three thieves rode off with our bikes and personal possessions in the attached bike bag, which included a cell phone, sunglasses, locks, and of course our Covid face masks"

 

[crstrode]

You realize you posted this exact same thing yesterday?

Yes I do - however I attributed the original quote to the wrong fellow. It was not Old Dog but Westernrover

Westernrover is the one that deserves credit for the utter nonsense.

 

[Old Dog]

@crstrode - no worries, brother.

 

[bearcreek]

To me, the thing couldn't look any more like a gun pack if they tried - and frankly, I suspect they did. I'm sure it works just fine, but it meets the definition of "concealed" only by technicality.

What would you suggest that they change?

 

[bearcreek]

Yes I do - however I attributed the original quote to the wrong fellow. It was not Old Dog but Westernrover

Westernrover is the one that deserves credit for the utter nonsense.

I see. FWIW, you can edit your previous posts.

 

[longbeard92]

My son talked me into hiking the Lone Star Hiking Trail next year, we'll be doing about 90 miles over 7 days. Besides being a little worried about hiking that far carrying a backpack at 69, I'm concerned by the location of the trail to metropolitan Houston. It starts NW of Conroe and transverses the north side of Lake Conroe with numerous mid-trail access points along the way. This layout makes it very easy for miscreants to target hikers and make an easy getaway.

I need a way to carry a weapon and backpack that provides quick and easy access to the gun while also keeping it concealed. I normally carry using an IWB holster, but the backpack has a waist belt that will make that impossible. I carried a small day pack with a shoulder holster when we lived in Alaska, but this backpack is much larger and has a harness that goes across the chest making a shoulder holster problematic. Does anyone have a suggestion? I want to keep the gun concealed because I don't want to advertise I'm carrying. I'm actually thinking of carrying my 4" S&W 581 and a few speed loaders instead of my normal Springfield XD-S. EDC.

Whenever my son talks me into an adventure like this, I have him carry the sidearm and I carry a 3 ounce pepper spray

 

[WisBorn]

Whenever my son talks me into an adventure like this, I have him carry the sidearm and I carry a 3 ounce pepper spray

My wife carries a can of bear spray. At minimum I carry a j frame 38 special +p. I like Underwood 158 grain hardcast . It is advertised as1250 fps. From the 2" barrel it is still going 1100 fps with 400#s of energy.

 

[Buzznrose]

I don't know specifically what XD-S you have, but that is a fine choice as long as you have a few extra magazines. I agree a pocket .38 would be nice backup.

Dress up how you would on this hike, with pack and all, and then try and figure out how you will carry. There may be a way that you are not seeing.

If I were on this hike, I'd be figuring out a way to carry my G23.

If you do choose to upgrade, and you like your XD-S, maybe look at a Hellcat. I do agree your biggest threats are people and hogs, with feral dogs being a possibility. Of course, there are boogers, but we all know they don't exist, regardless how many folks say they see them...

 

[Gordon]

I had this pack custom made for me it weighs 3 pounds empty. It is loaded as pictured with everything I take on three day with two overnights in the Illinois River basin of Oregon April thru June with Sons and grand sons. It weighs 38 pounds without water and I take a little over a gallon which is eight pounds. It has no belt so I wear a light War belt this time with a Sig M18 type with Red Dot and the two 17 and one twenty one loaded mags with 124 grain hollow point ammo. Also a plastic Sure fire light and light 4.5" bladed knife on belt ,not the AR mag pictured. The light nylon two point suspenders hold up the war belt on which I also clip on a water bottle when hiking around without the pack .
We go 15 miles in and on second day after making camp walk around and maybe a quick swim or fish in icy streams . Pack up and walk out third day. Only gain 700 feet the whole time very gradually. I train on a stationary bike and walk quickly three times a week for two miles with pack. I'll be 77 and had both knees successfully replaced very well last year.

 

[Gordon]

Here are the pictures for my reply

 

[longbeard92]

My wife carries a can of bear spray. At minimum I carry a j frame 38 special +p. I like Underwood 158 grain hardcast . It is advertised as1250 fps. From the 2" barrel it is still going 1100 fps with 400#s of energy.

My comment was an attempt at humor. Hahaha.
For some years when we packed into a wilderness area for elk, it was a j frame that was carried in a pocket holster, and that, inside a water bottle holder attached to the belt of my Kelty. As the pack came off, the holster and .38 slipped into my cargo pocket. The Buffalo Bore version of your Underwood accompanied it. We don’t hunt out west anymore, but the same j frame is usually with me when I’m in my central Wisconsin woods. Plenty of coyotes.

 

[longbeard92]

Here are the pictures for my reply

You have my full admiration to be doing that at 77. I’m 73 and made my last western backpack hunt at 67. My back just won’t do it anymore with or without a j frame. A self guided pack-in hunt is a great adventure. Ours were bow hunts and some of my best memories with my 2 sons.

 

[Buzznrose]

I had this pack custom made for me it weighs 3 pounds empty. It is loaded as pictured with everything I take on three day with two overnights in the Illinois River basin of Oregon April thru June with Sons and grand sons. It weighs 38 pounds without water and I take a little over a gallon which is eight pounds. It has no belt so I were a light War belt this time with a two round Sig M18 type with Red Dot and the two 17 and one twenty one loaded mags with 124 grain hollow point ammo. Also a plastic Sure fire light and light 4.5" bladed knife on belt. We go 15 miles in and on second day after making camp walk around and maybe a quick swim or fish in icy streams . Pack up and walk out second day. Only gain 700 feet the whole time very gradually. I train on a stationary bike and walk quickly three times a week for two miles with pack. I'll be 77 a d had both knees replaced very well last year.

You are an inspiration, Brother!

 

[crstrode]

I see. FWIW, you can edit your previous posts.

I did that also.

 

[WisBorn]

My comment was an attempt at humor. Hahaha.
For some years when we packed into a wilderness area for elk, it was a j frame that was carried in a pocket holster, and that, inside a water bottle holder attached to the belt of my Kelty. As the pack came off, the holster and .38 slipped into my cargo pocket. The Buffalo Bore version of your Underwood accompanied it. We don’t hunt out west anymore, but the same j frame is usually with me when I’m in my central Wisconsin woods. Plenty of coyotes.

There are some black bears and wolves in Central WI. The biggest black bear that I have ever seen was outside of Plainfield, WI.

 

[Rexster]

The Safepacker, from The Wilderness dot com, will fit on most backpack’s waist belts.

Safepacker Concealment Holster

Safepacker concealed weapon holster made in the USA. Concealment gun holsters and pistol holsters for concealed carry use.

www.thewilderness.com

The Hill People Gear series of Kit Bags is a small chest pack, that is designed to be worn separately from the backpack, so that when one removes the backpacks, the Kit Bag remains on one’s person, unless removed as a separate act. The Kit bag can be rigged to attach to the backpack harness, but that means it gets removed along with the backpack.

Hill People Gear | Real use gear for backcountry travelers

Real use gear for backcountry travelers

www.hillpeoplegear.com

 

[Armored farmer]

I like the HPG kit bag because it will accommodate any of my handguns ...even those with mounted weapon lights.

 

[buck460XVR]

I have used chest rigs while backpacking with good results, but some work better than others, especially if you want to attempt to conceal it. I also have used ankle holsters with j-frame revolvers and my Kimber Micro .380. Those tend to work well for me also and most of the time I forget they are there till I take off my boots.

 

[Rexster]

My wife’s family owns undeveloped land, in the Conroe area, not far from the Lone Star Trail. If I were to drive to the Lone Star Trail, today, and go for a hike, I would carry a weapon suitable for large feral dogs, which most certainly includes unconfined, delinquent pets. THAT is what kills people, especially us senior citizens, in the urban, greenway, suburban, exurban, and undeveloped parts of the greater Houston area. This actually starts with a stick, preferably of staff length, which serves as a snake stick, first, and a defensive weapon, second. Any time I step from a trail, into thick SE Texas vegetation, I want a snake stick. Snake sticks are not for beating snakes to death, but to probe, and, as necessary, move the snake away. (Best practice is to detour around the snake.)

Those who want to use a stick for defense against warm-blooded problems can choose a stouter stick.

There are no bears, along the Lone Star trail, unless one or more bears were to escape from a zoo, and hitch-hike. Feral hogs are common, but only seem to “charge” hog hunters, who block the hogs’ escape route, as a way to get more “likes” on the hunter’s you-tube presentations. Having said that, one or more feral hogs killed a home health care nurse, in her elderly clients’ driveway, in Chambers County, east of Houston, a few years ago.

MOST feral hogs will simply run away, when they become aware of humans being at close range.

Personally, my usual minimum (in size) primary carry firearm, in the Houston area, whether in the metro parts, or outlying areas, is a Ruger SP101. Only in the most unusual circumstances is a 2.25” or 3” SP101 too big, or too heavy. S&W J-Frames are uncomfortable for my aging hands, when firing .38 ammo, unless equipped with over-sized grips, which makes the J-snub as large as an SP101.