Concealed carry w/ backpack while hiking

[Thedub88]

Hi guys! Im new to this forum and had a question for you.
I went hiking with my girl last weekend. I found that when I carried my full size 1911 on my right hip, the backpack was resting on top of my gun. Also' my bag has the side straps that wrap around like a seat belt, which wraps directly across my gun.

For those that carry while hiking, how do you carry?

ps. im in MA, no open carry
pps. im day hiking with small day backpack

 

[cleardiddion]

First off, welcome to THR!

To help you with your question it would help to know what state that you're in so that people can get a better sense of what rules you have to play with.

In my case, I go hiking quite a bit. Usually I just end up open carrying at around the 3/4 o'clock position. It's just a lot handier and accessible with most kinds of backpacks on. When I have to deal with waist straps I've gone as far to attach the holster to the strap if it's small enough but I've found that there really isn't all that comfortable way when it comes to that style of pack.

Hope this helps a small bit.

 

[CoRoMo]

Welcome dub!

I open carry a .357 in a shoulder rig when I hike, but I haven't used that holster with my backpack. If I were going to carry concealed, I'd probably use my fanny pack.

 

[Mainsail]

I carry a G20SF 10mm in a standard Bianchi militay flap holster. Your title mentions CCW, but I carry openly here in WA. My hiking pants do not have a belt, and if you ever have the experience of hiking while your pack belt pinches some flesh between itself and your pants belt, you'll never hike in that configuration again. The Bianchi can be attached to the pack belt or the pack.

 

[Thedub88]

sorry no open carry in MA

 

[thunder173]

I do a considerable amount of backpacking in areas, ....and/or with folks,.. that I'd just as soon not announce the fact that I am carrying. I picked up a pair of belt pouches some years back that are large enough to carry my Bersa/Firestorn MiniThunder in .45,...did a fast stitch job on one of them for a velcro tear open, as versus having a zipper,...and put some foam padding on the front and rear surfaces of the pouch to break up the outline of the pistol. It rides on the left front side of my pack's waist belt for a fast rip open crossdraw if need be,...and is right at hand. The opposite side is an identical pouch containing my usual trail stuff,..bug dope etc,....nobody has ever guessed what is in the left side pouch.

Once in camp,..it comes out of that pouch and goes onto my belt/IWB with my shirt over it. Works for me,.....YMMV...... Give it a try......

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I usually carry it in a zippered side pouch on my pack. It's not the most accessible while wearing the pack, but once I've stopped for the night or if I'm taking a long break, it gets carried in my pocket in a pocket holster.

I honestly haven't figured out a way to carry it comfortably(no chafing), concealed, and readily accessible while hiking. Meeting those three requirements is difficult enough during a normal day without having to worry about a pack hip belt around your waist. I'll be checking this thread to see if anyone posts any good ideas.

Oh, and with weight being a huge issue while hiking, I couldn't imagine carrying a full size pistol. I try to keep my pack weight under 25 lbs, so I end up sacrificing a few minor creature comforts just to carry my kel tec pf 9 up into the mountains... a full size 1911 would make me miserable.

 

[mljdeckard]

I also use a Bianchi military flap holster (M-12/UM-84) holster for woods carry, I got the leg drop-down extension for it, and I use the thumb break instead of the flap because it won't close over the beavertail on my 1911. Now that there are no restrictions on carrying even in natl parks in Utah, I'll open carry and not care.

 

[Zundfolge]

You might look at Maxpedition gear ... many of their packs have built in holsters.


You might try making some sort of holster that rests in the small of your back between you and your pack.

 

[cleardiddion]

Guess it depends on what sort of pack you carry too.
If it's a soft/light daypack then the small of the back isn't too bad; but, if you wear something for long term backpacking/external framed thing then it just kinda hurts and isn't even worth considering.

 

[pv18463]

Try a Safepacker

http://store.thewilderness.com/index.php?cPath=70_51&osCsid=md1m9ql2bsm51dqnoq6guk0rv0

 

[steven58]

+1 on the safepacker.I carry a S&W .44 Mountain Gun with one. Not only is the gun concealed and protected but the design allows you to quickly shift the safepacker from backpack waist belt to trouser belt without removing the gun. You can also attach it horizontally to a chest strap. Acess is relatively quick for a flap type holster.

 

[Mad Chemist]

Hiking or backpacking? There is a difference.

 

[cleardiddion]

Huh, I rather like this safepacker thing. Might need to get one for the car and whatnot.

 

[MariusDP51]

There are moonbags for sale that have a compartment for your handgun. Access is real easy and quick and in only two movements you are ready to fire. Added advantage is that extra compartments can carry anything from your tactical flashlight or cellphone to lip-balm or even some first aid goodies or hiking snacks.

 

[Bwana John]

Try a Safepacker

Yep!

 

[RatDrall]

What is the difference between hiding a gun in the woods vs. hiding one in other public places?

I carry a 4" K-frame, either IWB in a Blade Tech holster, or outside my waistband in a tight fitting pancake holster. Both holsters work on a trail or at the grocery store.

 

[Guillermo]

when hiking I carry a medium frame Smith & Wesson (usually my daughter's Model 19 but I just got a 686 for this purpose)

I carry it cross draw weak side and wear a long shirt to hide it when I get around other folks

 

[Autolycus]

The Safepacker as was suggested above is a good idea.

 

[WTBguns10kOK]

big revolver in a regular OWB thingy at 3, doesn't interfere with big or small backpax

 

[3:00hold]

When I hike, even with packs that have waist strap, I use an IWB holser and J-frame, appendix carry. I think the most comfortable would be one of those drop holsters, but that woudln't work for you.

 

[sarge83]

A .45 is a good man stopper, but I would be concerned about bears with that caliber. I would carry at a minimum a .357 magnum. Which would give you some bear defense and the .357 would more than take care of any miscreants you would encounter in the mountains.

 

[kd7nqb]

Ok so here is what I would do

Step one: Move to a free state
Step two: By yourself a cheap Kydex Holster
Step Three: Open carry the hell out of that thing while you are hiking.

Well at least thats how I do it, BUT when that doesn't work out for you (or you cant convince the lady to give up everything for better gun rights) then I would use a safepacker or a shoulder holster. I lucked out and my full size backpack has a pretty good "junk" pouch that I can put a gun in. A lot like a fanny pack.