Those of you who carry a handgun when backpacking, or backpack hunting, or using a backpack to get to your hunting area, where and how do you carry your handgun?

It depends on what I am packing. My smaller handguns -- like my Model 29s I carry in a holster on my belt. Otherwise, I carry in a shoulder holster -- particularly my Super Redhawks. With the red dot on my .475, really the only way I can carry it is in a shoulder holster. I use an Uncle Mike's nylon rig for the unscoped handguns, and I borrowed a shoulder holster for a TC Contender with a scope (it's made by TC) to carry my .475 on my last hunting trip.

quote:

Originally posted by Naphtali:
Those of you...using a backpack to get to your hunting area, where and how do you carry your handgun?

When I hunt with a pistol or a handgun I often carry it in a gunrug inside my daypack until I get to the woods, blind, or stand. Once the hunt starts the gun is in hand. Were I ever to need a defense gun while backpacking I'd look at fitting a crossdraw holster to the pack's waistbelt.

Mine are large revolvers -- FA 475s, and SRHs. Putting the revolver out of reach is a solution I prefer to avoid. To carry, though, opens a new bag of cats. How do you avoid having padded hip belts and shoulder straps interfere with waist carried revolvers? The only possible "shoulder holster" carry that might work, as I view it in imagination, would be on the chest rather than close to one side?

jwp475 has a shoulder rig that actually puts the revolver closer to the chest -- it's not all the way over on the side. Maybe he can give some more info about. jwp, where are you?

quote:

Originally posted by Naphtali:
Mine are large revolvers -- FA 475s, and SRHs. The only possible "shoulder holster" carry that might work, as I view it in imagination, would be on the chest rather than close to one side?

A fella might be able to attach a "chest holster" to the shoulder straps. Here's something along those lines http://www.davidjohnstonleather.com/Pages/GuidesChoice.html or http://www.grizzlytuff.com/index.htm or http://www.simplyrugged.com/leather_goods/chesty_puller_conv.html

I have found ther DeSantis dual action hunter crossdraw holster the be the most comfortable way to carry a 4" S&W 44 Mag.

I use the crossdraw holster from Freedom Arms for my FA 475 Linebaugh.

I carry my handgun 100% of the time when in the woods, even when camp.

I use this rig from El Paso Saddlery for my Bisley 45 Colt.

Yes I have a shoulder holster that I had made for me when I was in Alaska. It acctualy allows the grip of the revolver to tilt toward the chest making it easy to reach with a back pack on. Or you can adjust it to carry straight up and down like a conventional shoulder holster.

I ran into the same problem as you as I hunt with a backpack exclusively. The best system that I have found so far to carry my T/C's with a backpack is a sling. The next best option (and an even better option for a revolver) is a bandolier type holster made by Quiethide Holsters.

I put my pack on first and then wear the bandolier holster over the pack. Again, I mainly hunt with T/C's but I also had Dave to make me a holster for my 8 3/8" .500 S&W revolver as well.

This is the best system that I have found so far. Good luck.

Ballistic nylon chest holster works for me. I think Uncle Mike's makes it for my Raging Bull.

I use a shoulder holster when back packing. Mine was made by Lawrence, leather, hangs pretty much straight down and cut for a 7.5" barrel with a wood block I can insert for a 6.5" barrel.

I rest the tip of the holster on the pack belt to take some of the stress off my shoulder as the day progresses. I suppose one could put a belt holster onto the pack belt but I have never had a problem with using a shoulder holster.

I did add a retension strap to what was previously a spring tension holster.

works for me, dvnv

Although they do not wear backpacks, American soldiers do wear substantial gear on their persons. Many have extension devices on waist-mounted gear that extends/lowers the gear to hip level.

I have knife sheaths built to my specifications that achieve the same result. These are very, very convenient to use.

Are there holster makers who create pivoting drop extension full flap holsters, preferably from horsehide? I mention "pivoting" because a pivoting, strapped down holster should be comfortable to wear standing, moving, or sitting.

The trend is towards what is called a drop holster that puts the handgun lower down on your leg and makes drawing the pistol easier. Soldiers do indeed carry packs -- I cannot recall a day in the field when we didn't carry them.

I never had a problem with an external aluminum frame back pack when wearing my shoulder holster

Pacific Canvas & Holster makes a pivoting belt holster that is very close to what I think is needed 1912 Cavalry Holster. Since "close" doesn't count except in the grenade toss and nuclear warfare, is anyone aware of a holster maker who builds to order from horsehide?

I just bought my first Badlands pack. The Super Day (and I think every other backpack they make) has a holster inside the waist belt. I played around with it and it works. It fits a Kimber 45 and a S&W 357 perfect. It wouldn’t work with a scoped handgun but a reg sized handgun is snug and keeps the weight off your belt.

Naphtali: Kramer in Tacoma Washington builds out of horsehide, but I doubt they build to order.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Naphtali: Kramer in Tacoma Washington builds out of horsehide, but I doubt they build to order.

You are correct on both facets. I've corresponded with Kramer. No custom work. I can furnish names for many holster makers who will not do custom work. Part of their rationale is like the man who tells his doctor his appendix must come out. The doctor performs the appendectomy and the man's defective gall bladder kills him. Part of their rationale is that most holster makers are small or one-man shops. They cannot afford the time to create one-off designs.

This is not helpful, but I understand. . . which brings me back to asking for holster maker who uses horsehide. Possibly, an alternative would be a saddle maker with an adventurous streak?

Depending on the handgun and depending on the pack...

I've carried my 1911 high on my pack, holstered so that I can reach it over my left shoulder.
I've also carried the 1911 crossdraw on the pack's support belt rig.

I have the SW custom shop belt rig for my PC Hunter X-frame revolver (leather)
It's cut for a scope and clears leather with a relatively short draw.
That holster was supplied with a cross-the-torso support strap and a thigh strap.
I've worn the 500mag in that rig on 20 mile chases through steep timber, up and down canyons all day, with a pack and full kit of gear.
Works for me.


--Tinker