Looking for a full coverage holster for hiking with a pistol.

[Macchina]

Hello. I love to hike the trails in Michigan, but like to carry when I do. I have my CPL, but I find it hard to carry concealed comfortably and effectively when I have a backpack on (40lbs. Gregory pack with a large waiststrap). I currently carry my P239 in a full zip Molle pouch that goes on the waistband. It's not bad, but my gun is loose in the pouch and I'd rather have a pouch that is designed to be a holster. I like the looks of the Wilderness Safepacker, but it seems a bit flimsy for the price. Are there any other products like this out there like the Safepacker? I will use this only a few times a year, so price is an issue. I'd like to keep it around $30.

I know I can open carry, but I don't like the looks I get on the trail.

 

[iiibdsiil]

What about sewing a cheap holster in the Molle pouch? Then you could use the pouch for something else also.

 

[AK103K]

Hiking/Backpacking is the one time a fanny pack doesnt stand out and offers a great place to carry while doing so. It also gives you a place to put all the small (and important) stuff you usually like access to, and always have it on your person, even if you have to drop your ruck.

My wife uses one from REI that isnt even a gun specific pack, and it works well. It has front and rear pockets, and the gun sits in an old nylon holster I velcroed into the back pocket. I've used it too a couple of times, but depending on the ruck and the plans, I still usually prefer my normal IWB holster most of the time.

 

[Dr.Rob]

NOTHING flimsy about the safepacker.

 

[CJ]

Safepacker is NOT flimsy, in fact I almost with mine were a little more flexible at times. I'll admit the selling price seems a bit high for what it is, but it is a very well thought out, evolved design.

Another possibility I've toyed with was to attach the fuzzy side of some velcro into an existing pouch, mold some kydex around the gun in question, trim the kydex around the shape leaving some nice extra space, and adding the pokey side of the velcro to the kydex. This lets me adjust its placement in the pouch with it being held in place nicely. The production route of this is the Crossbreed 'Ohai Modular Holster', but that's almost $50, and for my purposes, the assembled version above works well enough, especially inside a closed pouch.

 

[Rexster]

Safepacker. Flimsy? No. Well, compared to a Pelican Case, maybe.

 

[Macchina]

Ha Ha, point taken. I will be getting a safepacker then.

The pics must not do it justice because it looks like a Chinese belt purse to me from the pics, I guess there's only one way to feel on in person.

If anybody has a Sig P239, what size did you get (I think I'll get the Officer, but it it will fit into a smaller size, all the better!)

 

[Lv4snobrdg]

as long as you are within your legal rights to open carry why wouldn't you? Especially in "the wilderness"...

I know I am a simple old boy who grew up on an indian reservation and literally rode a horse to school and @ 9 years old carried a 22LR pistol and a 410 shotgun with me everywhere I went...for snakes...

I would be very disappointed in myself if I got attacked by a cougar cuz I was fiddlin with a zipper to some fanny pack to get my iron out...Scratch disappointed cuz I would be badly hurt or dead.

I won't be cougar poo just cuz of some looks I get from the ignorant! I use my leg rig when I go out on the trails. Anyone has a problem with it I let them know they are not too smart coming out here without iron of their own.

I like the Safepacker, I might pick one up if you give a decent review. It doesn't look too girly and if its heavy duty it might be worth it. You know for ridin the bus