Jaco
Member
A long three part question!
How would you carry a compact pistol when hiking? I have a PPK that I would want to carry with me when hiking, but have a few problems:
I use my old Army outer frame backpack. I cannot wear the pistol anywhere on my hips because of my hip belt. I preferably don’t want to carry it on the hip belt itself, because I unclip it when I climb or cross rivers, so that it frequently gets wet and sandy. Ankle carry is out, because most of the time I wear shorts, and with a heavy backpack on I would just keel over if I try to get it out fast. In South Africa you must wear a weapon concealed which is another complicating factor, and in our Nature Reserves firearms are prohibited (although attacks on hikers and fishermen has started as well). Because of this I would like to carry concealed in some manner, but in a way that the pistol can be reached quickly if needed. If this is not possible, then so be it, rather have a fine from Nature Conservation than being six feet under. My pocket holster doesn’t work, because it keeps slapping against my leg, and really gets irritating after a few miles. Is there someone with experience on this?
Another firearm isn’t an option, because our firearm legislation prohibits us to one firearm only. And I am not going to get another type of pistol, seeing as there cannot be anything as beautiful as a real European Walther.
In a few months my wife will get the license for her Astra Cadix .22 snubby. When she is with me hiking, that will then be the hiking firearm, because it can be loaded with snakeshot. Would .22 LR snakeshot work against snakes a little bit bigger than the US rattlers? What is the maximum distance this type of shot would be effective? I plan to carry 2 cartridges of this with a few heavier local made cartridges for the bigger problems you would encounter in the bush and mountains.
What do you carry when hiking and why? How do you carry it? How many reloads do you carry?
Thanks a lot in advance!
How would you carry a compact pistol when hiking? I have a PPK that I would want to carry with me when hiking, but have a few problems:
I use my old Army outer frame backpack. I cannot wear the pistol anywhere on my hips because of my hip belt. I preferably don’t want to carry it on the hip belt itself, because I unclip it when I climb or cross rivers, so that it frequently gets wet and sandy. Ankle carry is out, because most of the time I wear shorts, and with a heavy backpack on I would just keel over if I try to get it out fast. In South Africa you must wear a weapon concealed which is another complicating factor, and in our Nature Reserves firearms are prohibited (although attacks on hikers and fishermen has started as well). Because of this I would like to carry concealed in some manner, but in a way that the pistol can be reached quickly if needed. If this is not possible, then so be it, rather have a fine from Nature Conservation than being six feet under. My pocket holster doesn’t work, because it keeps slapping against my leg, and really gets irritating after a few miles. Is there someone with experience on this?
Another firearm isn’t an option, because our firearm legislation prohibits us to one firearm only. And I am not going to get another type of pistol, seeing as there cannot be anything as beautiful as a real European Walther.
In a few months my wife will get the license for her Astra Cadix .22 snubby. When she is with me hiking, that will then be the hiking firearm, because it can be loaded with snakeshot. Would .22 LR snakeshot work against snakes a little bit bigger than the US rattlers? What is the maximum distance this type of shot would be effective? I plan to carry 2 cartridges of this with a few heavier local made cartridges for the bigger problems you would encounter in the bush and mountains.
What do you carry when hiking and why? How do you carry it? How many reloads do you carry?
Thanks a lot in advance!