Packing Heat in the Rockies...

[rbernie]

When backpacking, I have carried on-pack, in a shoulder holster, and on a belt holster. The handgun was a S&W 4" M629.

The on-pack holster idea worked great (attaching a holster to the hip strap of the pack) - until I shed the pack and had occasion to want the handgun more accessible.

I found that the shoulder holster would work OK, but not terrific. If I arranged things just so, I could get everything to clear but it was a fiddly setup. I spent more time carrying this way than any other, simply because it worked well enough that I just made do.

Moving to a belt holster that sat up above the pack hip strap seemed to work best, but I didn't get many miles this way because I stopped backpacking shortly after getting this setup.

I bought a drop holster to try once, but never did get a chance to wring it out. It certainly made me feel a bit silly, and securing the bottom of the holster didn't look comfortable for all-day packing.

 

[jmr40]

The fanny pack worn in front does not interfere with the hip belt at all. My wife uses it as well to keep items in that are easily reached without removing your pack. If not carrying a gun it is a great place to keep sunglasses, a small camera or anything else you want to be able to access easily. On one trip my wifes Yorkie rode in her fanny pack. The pack belt is tighter and higher on your hips. Even though the fanny pack is put on 1st it will hang lower in the front below the pack buckle.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

The pack belt is tighter and higher on your hips. Even though the fanny pack is put on 1st it will hang lower in the front below the pack buckle.

I just tried this, and you are correct. I think that is how I will carry. It seems discrete, and allows easy access.

 

[84B20]

I'm with harrygunner, mostly, with this one. I carry a 50lb. camera pack and a Ruger Redhawk loaded with either GARRETT CARTRIGES 44 MAG HAMMERHEAD AMMO (330-GR SUPER-HARD-CAST GC LONG-HAMMERHEAD AT 1400-FPS) or BUFFALO BORE Heavy .44 Magnum +P+ Pistol and Handgun Ammo (340 gr. L.F.N. - G.C. (1,478 fps/M.E. 1,649 ft. lbs.).

I recently ordered a custom holster from http://www.timelyaccessories.com (no connection, just a satisfied customer) because I couldn't get Freedom Arms to make one for my Redhawk (they only make holsters for their own guns). The holster is a cross draw type that shouldn't interfere with my pack.

The price was very reasonable, about the same as the ones from Freedom Arms.

 

[harrygunner]

We also agree on the ammo. If you look at the photo of my rig, the lead ammo above the Glock 29 is the Buffalo Bore 340 gr. L.F.N. The lead ammo below the G29 is Double Tap's 200gr 10mm hardened flat nose.

I like to get away, deep in the forest by myself, so I work to have more than "good enough". A GPS, compass, 2m hand held transceiver also go along.

Another point about weight, I bit the bullet for properly fitted boots. I don't go over 40 Lbs in the backpack, but with my custom fit boots, my arches and ankles are fully supported. That and a good backpack keep the sport enjoyable.

I lucked up with a sales person who was an avid hiker. In the store, he placed 40 Lbs of lead in my backpack and measured my feet with and without a load. Then, he had me stand on an incline with the loaded pack to check for slippage. I won't get into the custom fitting part since some will think I'm a California yuppie, but it really makes a difference on the trail.

 

[Avenger29]

I lucked up with a sales person who was an avid hiker. In the store, he placed 40 Lbs of lead in my backpack and measured my feet with and without a load. Then, he had me stand on an incline with the loaded pack to check for slippage. I won't get into the custom fitting part since some will think I'm a California yuppie, but it really makes a difference on the trail.

The comfort of your feet is extremely important...far too many people neglect this part, and I would not be suprised if that contributed to back problems and other health concerns later in life. Nothing "yuppie" about it to take care of your feet in the best manner possible.

 

[AStone]

As a backpacker, I've been asking for solutions to this issue on THR for years. Still haven't found a good one. Maybe this time.

I tried the thing with fanny pack in front once, but found it cumbersome. Extra stuff in front didn't feel right for me.

Run the pack hip belt below the trouser belt, on the hips, like it's supposed to be.

I agree with Vern on most things, but respectfully disagree in this case.

My trouser belt runs right across my iliac crest, the bony protrusion on my side that's on the top of my pelvis. A waist belt on a backpack when fitted properly cups that iliac crest. It doesn't ride below it.

I bought a drop holster to try once, but never did get a chance to wring it out. It certainly made me feel a bit silly, and securing the bottom of the holster didn't look comfortable for all-day packing.

Would you say more about that, please? Who made the drop holster? What did you carry in it.

I've been thinking about a drop holster for a while as a solution to this issue.
The gun would then ride below the waist belt - even faster draw - and could remain on when the pack is off.

Problem is, drop holsters seem to be available for tactical weapons - semis - but I have yet to find one for a revolver.

 

[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 make a lot of my own equipment. My pack, for example, is a sack with three outside pockets and a flap that goes from the bottom, up the back and forms the top flap. This flap holds a folded foam pad against the back -- so the pack "frame" is also the sleeping pad. My tent is a 10X10 lightweight tarp with a hood, so it also does duty as rain gear. My stove is an anti-gravity stove -- weighs less than an ounce. Add in some alcohol for the stove, a plastic bottle for a canteen, a very small key chain flashlight, a watch with a built-in compass, a 2-lb sleeping bag, a visqueen ground sheet, 3 pairs of socks, a very lightweight jacket, and a few bandaids and iodine, and that's all I carry. For each day, I have a couple of packets of oatmeal and one freeze-dried meal (half at noon, and the other half at night.)

 

[rbernie]

Would you say more about that, please? Who made the drop holster? What did you carry in it.

HighSpeedGearInc. - despite the deliberately zoomy name, they make very good stuff. I carried a 5" 1911 in mine, most times. The pouch-mit-flap design does allow other firearms to fit, but the strap-retention model does not do so well with revolvers.

They are warm, and as far as I can tell are not designed to be worn with shorts unless the shorts extend to the knees. Climbing really steep terrain caused the leg loops to bunch and chafe a bit more than I'd like.

They also felt a bit too Lara Croft for my taste, but that's just me being an old fuddy-duddy.

 

[earplug]

Vest carry

A well vented vest, with reinforced pocket to carry your pistol. Can carry strong side outside pocket or weak side inside pocket.
Won't hang up like a belt carry with a pack and belly band. Stays on your body when pack is off.
Stays put when you have to take a CRAP in the woods. Won't drop with your pants or belt.
It won't be as fast as a belt carry and when unfastened the vest will swing as you walk or run. This can be fixed with adjustable straps.
Allows easy carry of other handy stuff like pocket knife, bandana, compass, lip balm and extra ammo.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The problem is wearing a pack with the vest, and not getting interference between some pockets and the straps. Much better to carry with a holster hanging over the hip belt or a pouch threaded onto the hip belt.

 

[CoRoMo]

I do backcountry hiking like this every summer. I don't want more than 20lbs hanging on me if I can help it. I open carry a 4.5" Ruger New Model Blackhawk .357mag in a shoulder holster, loaded with potent hollowpoints. On a few occasions where I was hiking deep and alone, I added either a double barrel 12ga. to the setup, or a M94 .30-30.

 

[sachmo]

If you are going to be backpacking in the mountains I would travel light and bring extra water. This is not the Alaska coastal range so your chances of being attacked by a bear are slim and none. Same goes for moutain lions, wolves, coyotes etc. If you are intent on packing a pistol I would chose a lightweight .22 lr or mag. Pick one that you like and bring enough ammo to plink and have a little fun. Put it in your backpack no need for quick draw, the animals are afraid of you and the gangbangers dont go into the mountains much. The people that you are likely to run across are going to be like you, just out enjoying the experience. If you want to carry something on your belt make it a good knife.When I go hiking around the mountains in the summer usually Ill take a camera and if I want to carry a firearm I will take one of my .22 rimfire or .22 lightweight center fire rifles. I will be in an area were I can do a little warmup practice shooting for the fall Elk hunt. It really depends on how much walking I plan on doing and my reasons for being there. Course you never know when you might run across Big Foot and then your gonna wish you were toten that scoped 454 Casull in a cross draw holster.

 

[SCMtns]

I've had good luck with two set-ups: a shoulder holster worn under the pack, and the gun on the backpack. Guns carried used to be a 5" 629 Classic or a 7.5" SBH, but nowadays is pretty much always a SRH Alaskan in .454. I mostly carry the Alaskan loaded with hot .45 Colts in the 300-325 grain range, either my own handloads or Buffalo Bore's.

I found the pack actually does a nice job of keeping the shoulder holster from moving around, and nothing ever gets in the way. However, I only carry this way in the more remote wilderness areas so I won't scare the hippies.

If I'm concerned about concealment, the Alaskan fits into the side water-bottle pockets of both my packs- a Mountainsmith Ghost and a big old ArcTeryx. It stays as accessible back there as the water bottle that supposed to be in its place, but is just out of sight and will easily pass casual inspection.

Hope this helps.

-SCMtns

 

[Cowboygunsmith]

You might think like an off duty police officer and get a 22mag boot gun. You are not going to be hunting or trying to impress anyone or anything. You want it as a emergency weapon and a boot gun can be got to fast if needed. I have been riding and hiking in the Cascades and Rokies for over 50yrs and I am not talking day trips or week trips I mean working cattle and logging. The funny thing is I have never had a bear or a wild criter even look sideways at me let alone attack. Not saying it wont happen but the odds are not as great as getting mugged in Seattle. Again it is for emergencies and nothing more.

 

[AStone]

The funny thing is I have never had a bear or a wild criter even look sideways at me let alone attack. Not saying it wont happen but the odds are not as great as getting mugged in Seattle. Again it is for emergencies and nothing more.

That reflects my experience as well, and every person I know that's spent time in the Rockies (at least southern). As long as one pays attention to not taking food in the tent, not wearing clothes in that have food spilled on them, etc, it's just not an issue.

These days, I carry in wilderness, but not out of concerned for the 4-legged bg's, but the two legged ones.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Editorializing about the low probability of a bear attack, and the futility of carrying a handgun defense against such attacks, is exactly what got the last thread on this subject closed. It is not constructive to this discussion to make such comments. As I already stated, the decision to carry has been made and will not be changed. The salient question, and the only one that needs to be addressed, is "what is the best way to carry a firearm while backpacking?"

If we can't limit the discussion to that, I hope a moderator will close the thread again.

 

[green country shooter]

I carry a snubbie in a small fanny pack, which i attach to the shoulder straps of the backpack. If I am going to take the backpack off i can unhook it, though it takes a while, or just put the gun in my pocket for that time. I don't really think it's a good idea to wander from your backpack. I lost mine that way one time for almost an entire day.

I also carry some snake shot, but it's more in case i get hungry than to shoot snakes.

 

[hso]

What pack are you using?

 

[oneounceload]

Another vote for the chest carry holster - a friend uses that when he goes fly-fishing - keeps it handy while in the stream, yet out of the way

 

[Guns and more]

I would look into Getting a Maxpedition Backpack with gun storage compartment for easy accessibility.

+1

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

Take a small gun as any handgun will only be effective against humans.
Bring a rifle.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

So are you saying that if you were attacked by a large animal, you would not want a 44 magnum instead of a pointy stick??

 

[Vern Humphrey]

So are you saying that if you were attacked by a large animal, you would not want a 44 magnum instead of a pointy stick??

I would want at least a .30-06 instead of a pointy stick.

 

[AStone]

Editorializing about the low probability of a bear attack, and the futility of carrying a handgun defense against such attacks, is exactly what got the last thread on this subject closed. It is not constructive to this discussion to make such comments. As I already stated, the decision to carry has been made and will not be changed. The salient question, and the only one that needs to be addressed, is "what is the best way to carry a firearm while backpacking?"

Since I am one of the ones making a statement about low probability of bear attack, I wish to clarify - no, reiterate - my position.

As I stated above, I no longer carry in wilderness "out of concerned for the 4-legged bg's, but the two legged ones".

That is, I support your decision to carry in wilderness 100% regardless of why you are doing it. My words are not intended to dissuade anyone from carrying. My hope is to expand the reason to carry, not eliminate them.

Having said that, I sincerely hope that this thread is not closed because I am interested in carrying a revolver with my waistbelted backpack (even if for different reasons than others at the current time), and the information here is helpful in that regard.

So are you saying that if you were attacked by a large animal, you would not want a 44 magnum instead of a pointy stick??

With all due respect, I detect an inconsistency in the gentleman's discussion parameters for this thread.

If indeed you have made a decision to carry a handgun in these circumstances - and I trust that you have - then you should avoid getting caught up in arguments questioning why or what you wish to carry, and stick to your emphatic statement above:

... the only one that needs to be addressed, is "what is the best way to carry a firearm while backpacking?"

 

[Lone_Gunman]

If indeed you have made a decision to carry a handgun in these circumstances - and I trust that you have - then you should avoid getting caught up in arguments questioning why or what you wish to carry, and stick to your emphatic statement above

You are correct, I was baited, and was caught in the trap.