Packing Heat in the Rockies...

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Lone_Gunman

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I have been asked to open a new thread regarding this issue, but I would like to limit discussion with the following assumptions:

1. The decision has been made to carry a gun. I realize bear spray and other alternatives exist, but I do not want to talk about them in this thread.

2. Concealed carry would be preferable to open carry, but if I cant figure a suitable way to conceal, then open carry would be considered if the state allows it.

3. A backpack with a hip belt will be used. Assume a load of 25 pounds. So any suggestions on how to carry will need to take that into consideration. For example, I do not see a way to carry anything in a hip holster if I have a pack with a hip belt.

4. Size and weight of the gun are important, as is its effectiveness against large predators including humans.

5. Assume a party of 4 is involved. Not everyone would be armed. If more than one person carries, not everyone needs to be carrying something big.

6. I am not any more or less focused on gun selection as I am on any other gear I am taking.


Questions that I would like answered are:

1. What guns are the best compromise of size, weight, and effectiveness for this scenario? I am leaning towards a 3 or 4" 620, but if a compelling case can be made for something else, I am open.

2. How do you carry it, given the parameters above? Specific holster/pouch/whatever recommendations would be appreciated. Is it unrealistic to think there is a way to conceal a 4" 629 mountain gun for example, while carrying a back pack, in such a way as to be able to quickly bring it to bear if needed? This is the main question I am trying to answer.
 
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I would look into Getting a Maxpedition Backpack with gun storage compartment for easy accessibility.
 
I have a .45 colt Ruger vaquero,4 something inch,with hot loaded 325 LBT's. I simply drop it in my RF pocket. Quick to get out,and invisible.
 
If your hip belt has a pocket on it a short barrled (2") magnum revolver would fit inside possibly and be fairly accessable if needed. Not as quick as you may need if encountering a charging bear or cougar but everything is a compromise. You could also attach one of maxpeditions or similar accessory pouches to the chest straps etc.
 
When I lived in the Rockies I wore a Mountain Smith Wizard for trips of 3 days or less.

The thing is bomb-proof.

I carried a GP-100 crossdraw w/ 2 speed loaders, all attached to the pack.

Nobody ever said a word, and I ran into a lot of people on the trail.

Think of your safety first. If someone takes issues, respond as you will.

Hope this helps.

DFW1911
 
I was just thinking a 25lb load is pretty small, just a weekender unless you are really a light weight hiker. What are you trip details and what sort of pack will you be using? Is the hip belt padded like on a 3500+ cubic inch pack that is used for long weekends or week long trips? I have a pouch from spec ops i use at work. I attach it to my bdu's to carry pens, pencils, note pad, caps, tags etc. Also used it for carrying a pistol, Ipod, camera on a daypack hip belt when doing day hikes. If you pm me about the details asked above I could see I have a similar pack and e-mail pictures.
 
In that type of situation I carry a Glock 20 inside of a fanny pack worn in the front. 2nd choice would be a 3-4" 357 mag. Easiest way to carry a gun with a backpack I have found and does not draw a lot of attention from other hikers.

I like the Glock because it is smaller,thinner and lighter than a revolver and with 16 rounds of ammo comparable to hot loaded 357 mag it is potent. I really do not worry too much about 4 legged predators, but in the extremely rare case it were needed I would feel much better with a hot 10mm than a 45 or 9mm.

If I were in a situation where there was a greater danger from bigger bears than people I would carry my 3" or 4" Smith 629.
 
i know it is not in your parameters, but my choice would be a 4" s&w 629 (or 460/500 mag) in a shoulder holster. to heck with ccw, anyone hiking in the rockies would understand why you were carrying. the point is protection against bears.
 
I would go with open carry. No need to conceal in the woods. The open carry option expands the list of handguns that you could utilize. In the woods, I prefer my 6" Colt Trooper in .357 mag with a couple of speed loaders in my pocket for good measure. Enough firepower for anything you are likely to encounter.
 
In California open carry causes a stir,and calls to ranger stations even where it's legal.I like the CCW/fannt pack forward option.True,gunfolk will know what's up,but it's not them you're trying not to scare.
 
If a cross draw holster isn't comfortable, then I would look into chest holsters.

http://www.survivalsheath.com/holsters/index.htm

http://www.wwlholsters.com/chest-carry.asp

http://www.epsaddlery.com/c-25-shoulder-holsters.aspx

Just a few links and things to think about. If you carry a revolver in a chest rig, it looks more like a 'hunting' rig than something scary!!! It is also very quick to bring the revolver or pistol into action if needed.;)

They are extremely comfortable too and that should be a very big consideration when hiking a long trail!!:cool:
 
I used to use a fanny pack worn to the front for concealed. For open, and maybe carrying something larger, say a four inch barrel or longer,
simply riugged chesty puller. the harness can be used with other holsters, or simply rugged's pancake holster. http://www.simplyrugged.com/store/chesty_puller.html

As for firearm, I prefer a revolver when I'm in the woods ( flame away) I believe they are more reliable in adverse conditions, plus you can carry a serious woods caliber like a .44Mag. Now that I own one, i would carry my Ruger Alaskan.
 
Are shoulder holsters comfortable when you have a backpack on?? It would seem to me that two sets of shoulder harnesses would be uncomforatble pretty quick.

As for the fanny bag, how would that work with a backpack with a hip belt???
 
Do not wear a shoulder rig with a backpack....

You will regret it and the gun is almost unaccessible under the other straps.


This is bad Juju...

I tried it...
 
I *HATE* hip belt carry for hiking. I can still feel the thing weighing me down, interfering with my legs and cutting into my side. I stopped doing it after the first summer up here. I don't think there's a good way to do it with any firearm over 25 oz. and still have freedom of movement.

But limited to your parameters I'd go with a K-frame .357 or a Security Six, loaded with 180 or 200 grain hardcast solids.

Do not wear a shoulder rig with a backpack
Click to expand...

There are ones designed to be integrated into the backpack so they strap across your front like the chest strap. Very handy. With the AK Sportsman you just remove the existing straps and integrate it into the backpack's front straps, or string new straps.

The very easiest is to just use the backpack scabbard and carry a light levergun. It carries easier than any handgun that way.
 
In that type of situation I carry a Glock 20 inside of a fanny pack worn in the front. 2nd choice would be a 3-4" 357 mag. Easiest way to carry a gun with a backpack I have found and does not draw a lot of attention from other hikers.
Click to expand...

I have been thinking about this since reading about the Black Bear attack in another thread. I occasionally carry my XDm .40, and the FP is really the easies way to easily hide it & still have it quick at hand. After reading the other post, +1 to the 10mm Glock. I would add to the list of potentials a 4" 686 .357 or 29/629 .44. for consideration.
 
3. A backpack with a hip belt will be used. Assume a load of 25 pounds. So any suggestions on how to carry will need to take that into consideration. For example, I do not see a way to carry anything in a hip holster if I have a pack with a hip belt.
Click to expand...
Thread the gun onto your trouser belt and pull it up high. Run the pack hip belt below the trouser belt, on the hips, like it's supposed to be. The gun will hang down over the hip belt.

Alternatively, get a belt pouch designed to be threaded on a belt. When carrying the pack, thread it on the hip belt. When not carrying the pack, thread it on your trouser belt.
 
What Vern said above. I carry a Smith M&P in an open holster, with a Deuter 45+10 liter backpack. Your first concern: a decent pack. A crappy pack, and no matter what way you carry you're gonna be suffering. Get a nice fitted pack, carry it on your hips like it's designed. I find that with a pack adjusted with the weight on my hips, and with the pistol on a belt holster, the pack will rest nicely behind the firearm, between my side and the pistol grip. This makes for a comfortable hike, and an accessible firearm.

As for concealed, an IWB holster sounds like a lovely taste of hell to me. I've tried it a couple times, and even without a pack it's pretty horrible. Maxpedition packs might be an option for concealed, but I haven't found them a) overly stable for hard hiking, especially for the accessible options like the Sitka (one shoulder strap) or b) not very accessible. I would not use one of those for a primary carry option. Fanny packs work ok, but for hard hiking get in the way and are a general nuisance, especially if you are also carrying a decent pack with hip straps.

If its legal for you to open carry, that is how I would suggest.

Alternatively, a decent pack scabbard and a lever gun would be great. Check out Kifaru packs, with their gunslinger option. Fast, and secure.
 
I carry a .44 Mag Ruger Redhawk in a shoulder holster. I've been to western Montana, northern California and eastern Arizona where bear or moose are potential threats.

I have a Gregory Lassen backpack and a Kelty daypack. The shoulder straps on both immediately wrap toward my back, under my armpits. So, neither set of straps interfere with a shoulder holstered gun.

About weight, I had and I'm sure we all have a spare five pounds on our butt we can lose. Evens out the weight gain of the gun and improves our health. :)

---

I should elaborate about my shoulder holster. It's a leather holster with thin but wide shoulder straps. It's adjustable for a nice fit. It was expensive, but I can leave the gun on all day.

woodsguns.jpg

Not sure if a nylon holster with thick pads would work as well.
 
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A week or two on the trail will certainly take the pounds off you. And the harder you work, the more weight you will lose. Still, I like to go as light as possible. To me, 20 lbs is the max for a 9-day trip.
 
Lone -

"Are shoulder holsters comfortable when you have a backpack on?? It would seem to me that two sets of shoulder harnesses would be uncomforatble pretty quick.

As for the fanny bag, how would that work with a backpack with a hip belt???"

I carry a 9mm CZ in a shoulder holster for both fishing (chestwaders) and
backpacking.

Re: the backpack. My shoulder rig's geometry sets the holster just
perfectly forward of my pack straps. Also, on the other side, the spare magazines.

As the shoulder rig's supporting straps are quite thin, I have had no issues
with chafing underneath the pack.

Of course, this is open carry, which I prefer.

For concealed carry under these conditions, you'll need

To hear from those who have tangled with that difficulty.

And, jumping sideways a little bit, to
Vern Humphrey.

20 lbs. for 9 days. Totally awesome.

OK. How did you get it down to twenty pounds?

I don't need weights, just a list of equipment.

I've been looking to hit thirty pounds for my entire adult life.

And am still - although it is my best ever -

At 32.6 lbs. for 8 days.

isher
 
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