Mounting a Pistol Pouch to a Backpack Hip Belt - how did you do it?

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IMtheNRA

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If you found a good method of attaching a discreet pouch that holds a mid-size pistol to your backpack hip belt, please post a photo here.
 
Hill People chest rig is a pouch that has a pistol compartment and is discreet.

Condor is an adjustable holster with very wide molle attachments that would likely fit over your belt. It is a holster, not a pouch. I bought one to accommodate my 1911 hiking/camping pistol with light mounted.
 
@JTQ said "I'm not completely sure what a "hip belt" is.."

I think the OP is referring to the bottom belt on a backpack that helps support the weight of the pack on your hips, in addition to the shoulder straps.

I'm no help coming up with a pouch.
 
Speedo66 said:
@JTQ said "I'm not completely sure what a "hip belt" is.."

I think the OP is referring to the bottom belt on a backpack that helps support the weight of the pack on your hips, in addition to the shoulder straps.
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That is what I'm assuming, but in my limited backpack experience, the variation of those belts is nearly endless.

Knowing which pack/belt the OP has, and what gun the OP is considering may help us come up with a solution. In addition, if the OP has a holster in mind that he/she wants to use, that would also have a bearing on possible solutions. Also, what the OP considers "discreet" would also be helpful.
 
I always use a larger fanny type pack worn backwards (facing front) when we use full size backpacks. Works great and doesn't look out of place. Lets you carry the gun, snacks, and the small things you use all the time (compass, GPS, etc) and want quick access to.

I dont like the idea of having the gun attached to the pack itself, as if I have to drop it, I lose the gun with it. The fanny pack stays with you and is quick access, pack or not. I keep the gun I normally carry, in its holster, secured in the pack, and once we are stopped, I put the gun and holster on as I normally carry it.
 
I use a thigh holster while hiking personally. I could never find a hip or chest solution that worked with a pack belt and straps.
 
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I wouldn’t attach a handgun to a pack.
You go for a long hike, you get back to camp or get to your campsite tired. You remove and set your pack down hard. What’s at the bottom? Your gun.

When I hiked with a handgun the gun was in a holster or a fanny pack as @Gordon and @trackskippy mentioned.
 
The Wilderness Safepacker.
IMG_20220422_205007492_HDR.jpg
IMG_20220422_205032675.jpg

That's the largest one they make. It has a 4" GP100 and two speedloaders in it. But it can just barely accommodate a 5.5" Redhawk and two speedloaders. I've carried it this way, it works nicely.

https://www.thewilderness.com/safepacker-concealment-holster/

If you order one, you'll have an option to add a Velcro swatch. It's to reduce the hook coverage and allow it to fit a pack belt more easily.
IMG_20220422_205235673_HDR.jpg

They also offer carry straps. If the pack is going on and off, I like to use a 1" strap and just slide the pack belt in and out. That way the gun stays on my person, not on the pack.
 
One thing I like about that “The Wilderness” gun pouch is that it doesn’t scream “Tacticool” if you don’t want it to. The small logo patch on the corner of the patch says “tactical” in small letters, but it definitely does not stand out. It appears one could black out that little line or modify it with a soldering iron.

I have been looking for a carry option for woods and shore carry that doesn’t attract attention or look like it says “Hey, look how cool I am. I carry a gun!” :barf:

Thank you for posting this thread @IMtheNRA and thanks for the post @WrongHanded
I am going to order one of these for my S&W 327NG and if I really like it as much as I think I will I will get one for my GP100. Thanks again.

EDIT: I just ordered the LGR-Snub version of the Safe Packer. When it comes I will let you know what I think. I have also been looking for a waist pouch to carry when riding my motorcycle. This looks like it will come in very handy and get lots of use. :cool:
 
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Pat Riot said:
I wouldn’t attach a handgun to a pack.
You go for a long hike, you get back to camp or get to your campsite tired. You remove and set your pack down hard. What’s at the bottom? Your gun.
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Exactly. A pack has to be able to be dropped when necessary. If you attach your gun to the pack (including a hip belt), that would leave you disarmed.

The Army has long experience with this. The M1910 pack (and its successor, the M1928 pack) was an integral part of the soldier's equipment. Someone had the bright idea that all the equipment should be put on / taken off as a unit. But that meant that if a soldier removed his pack to rest, he would be without his ammunition. Not good. Every equipment development since WW2 has tried to find ways around this. Today, the pack is completely separate from the rest of the equipment.
 
AlexanderA said:
Exactly. A pack has to be able to be dropped when necessary. If you attach your gun to the pack (including a hip belt), that would leave you disarmed.

The Army has long experience with this. The M1910 pack (and its successor, the M1928 pack) was an integral part of the soldier's equipment. Someone had the bright idea that all the equipment should be put on / taken off as a unit. But that meant that if a soldier removed his pack to rest, he would be without his ammunition. Not good. Every equipment development since WW2 has tried to find ways around this. Today, the pack is completely separate from the rest of the equipment.
Click to expand...

Yup. You know. As stupid as this is about to sound, I'm actually thinking of picking up a surplus ALICE/LBE web gear set to wear under my pack just to hold a gun on a holster. I'm sure I'd look like a goof ball on the trail, though.

I currently use a clip-on holster attached to my pack's hip belt, but it hangs awkwardly.
 
This is where something like the fanny/waist pack shines. It doesn't look odd or out of place, carries all sorts of stuff you might want ready access too, and its multi purpose too.

The one I use looks something like this....

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/213781/obermeyer-hip-ster-bag-mens

Its just basic, sits close to the body, doesn't have a lot of extra pockets, but will easily and comfortably carry something like a Colt Commander, Glock 17, and their associated gear in the back pocket.
 
I've found the Tanker style best for carrying with a pack on. I do like thigh drop down holsters too, just a lot more hours with the tanker that works so well it's easy to forget sometimes & got a few stares making a liquor store supply run from camp without my vest on. It's out of the way for rifle work, great from seated positions that aren't so great with the thigh holster, always there- pants up or down so you don't get caught empty handed :)
 
I've never understood the idea that leaving the paved surface makes you a target for every bear or other wild animal in the forest. Here in WA we have bears, lots of them, yet the last bear attack was in a suburban neighborhood on trash night, over a decade ago. Meanwhile, hikers are crawling all over the National Parks, National Forests, Wilderness Areas, and dozens of State Parks totally unarmed and never have a problem.

Yes, carry when you hike or backpack, but don't let paranoia ruin the reason you went out there. It's not a combat zone.

G20SF in a Bianchi M12 holster; the M12 attaches to the pack belt of whatever pack I'm wearing.

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In all of my many trips into the BWCA in Northern Minnesota, I've never seen a bear EXCEPT at the garbage cans at the entry points. It's the MOOSE that you really need to worry about! While a deer is graceful, a moose moves through the woods like a tank, knocking down every tree in it's way!

FYI, we DO have bear in the Twin Cities metro area. But I'm far more worried about the gang bangers.
 
Alllen Bundy said:
In all of my many trips into the BWCA in Northern Minnesota, I've never seen a bear EXCEPT at the garbage cans at the entry points. It's the MOOSE that you really need to worry about! While a deer is graceful, a moose moves through the woods like a tank, knocking down every tree in it's way!
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Moose are also quite aggressive in certain circumstances. We had one stomp a 10 yr old boy in my neighborhood. Kid got between momma and baby moose. Another one stomped a man to death after some local kids had been throwing snowballs at it. Guy was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some jackwagon charged a moose on his snow machine, so the moose started stomping the machine, so the guy shot it with a 9mm. All kinds of stories out there. Probably more moose stories than bear stories.

We did have one odd summer where he had 5-6 bear attacks. I added a revolver to my bear spray shortly after that. The bear spray is easier to attach and carry on a pack.
 
Pretty good question...while I've carried in a waist belt attached pouch; it is NOT a fast draw carry position. Twenty years ago, a Kentucky Captain of State Police carried his 10mm on each of our campout/backpacking trips. The gun was in an OWB at his 4:30 position and the back pack hip belt rested just above it. He never said he got blisters carrying that way, but it sure looked uncomfortable. As I recall it was one of the Smith early autos in that much over-rated caliber.

I've also sewn a holster into and below the left armpit of my fly fishing vest for my 3" Smith M-60 or 3" M-63. This worked well, but he holster was leather and I'm not a fan of wet leather on any handgun steel. A cheap nylon model, with a good thumb break snap would have worked better. I doubt this would work out for any back pack I've ever encountered. Best Regards, Rod
 
I read all the responses here before posting to see if anyone mentioned the brilliant Safepackers.
Hang pair of wireless headphones on them and it helps further disguise and untacticool them.
Safepacker is a great piece of equipment. Their belts are of solid quality, too, if you are shopping.
 
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