To those of you that carry a back up handgun while backpacking, hunting, fishing, etc.... How do you carry it? What do you feel is the best mix of comfort and accesibility? Is there a specific brand/nodel of holster you like?

I have found the best way for me is to carry it in a cross draw holster. I like the DeSantis for the S&W 4" 44 best. It has a fairly radical rake and is comfortable to wear and walk in, even in steep country where you have to lift you leg up when going up hill.
It interferes with a pack belt and straps less than any other carry, unless you actually attach the holster to the pack belt.

In cold or rainy weather you can unzip the bottom of your coat and still have access to the handgun.

I use a Bianchi UM84R to carry a 4" N-frame (they say K/L frame but an N-frame fits fine)

the flap gives excellent protection and retention, and the attachmetn system lets you fasten it to your belt or pack strong-side, crossdraw, or whatever suits.

With the barrel pointed down and away from me.

I carry mine in a horizonal shoulder holster when wearing a pack. I find that a pancake type holster very usefull also.

Cross draw Tom Three Persons from ElPaso saddlery,I have 5 for various handguns.Can be put into action quickly wether you are driving,walking or horseback.w/regards

I carry my 4" Tracker in an inexpensive Uncle Mikes cross draw pancake holster attached to the hip belt of the pack. This protects the gun and keeps it out of the way of my rifle. I carry a Bianchi Black Widow hoster with me for when I don't have the pack on.

I have never used a holster because of their weight and bulk.

My pack (an internal frame Jannd) has a small side pocket, and I just stuff the barrel into it (a S&W M329).

When around camp I just stuff it into my waistban.

I just spent a few weeks at my mountain home in Idaho and used this combo and was quite pleased. I carried it crossdraw but it can also ride strong side. From Simplyruggeed Holsters.

I second-the-motion on the Simply Rugged holsters. They are outstanding, made by a man who lives and works in Alaska.

simplyrugged.com will get you there.

Hey, Boxhead, generally, where's your cabin in Idaho? Hope it's out of the fire areas. A lot of them burning now.

L.W.

I have a uncle mikes hip holster that I either put on my belt or the whole rig will fit into my hunting coat pocket.

The gun is a taurus titanium 41 mag 4".

cross-draw
S&W Mod.60 .38Spc

I like the look of the simply rugged holster. Will give him a call.

I use an old police duty holster that swivels but locks in place with a snap. It rides rather low, almost mid thigh, but my hand drops right on the handle if I just let my arm drop.

Since it never gets in the way of my backpack hip belt I never take it off. That's its greatest virtue. It's unobtrusive and comfortable so I'm never without my 44.

Does that help? Well, I got a moose because the gun was there and I've been a lot more comfortable the two times I've "bumped" into bears near camp while getting water, etc.

The most powerful, most accurate, handgun in the world will do you no good if you don't have it ON you when you need it.

Just ordered a loaded pancake from Simply Rugged in dark brown.

Boxhead,

What color is yours?

I am one of the under 900 non-enforcement Canadians that has a permit to carry handguns in remote areas of my province here in Canada.

I have found the best carry method for me when I have a back pack on is to attach my holster cross draw to the padded hip/waist straps 2" belt. Then on my strong side I attach either my mag or speed loader pouches.

This gives me a very comfortable easy/fast access carry method that does not have any straps under any part of my pack as well as the added weight is really not noticable.

When I get to where I am hiking too and take the pack off I either pull a light weight holster out of my pack and attach it to my belt or I quickly remove the holster from the pack and use that one on my pants belt.

I just pick this one up for my ported 3" 629.

In my hand, of course. Sorry that was gratuitous!

I have my pack with me at all times; full when traveling, and (near) empty when activly hunting (I hang my gear in a tree). The pistol (S&W 329) is stuck barrel-down in a small pocket on the side of my pack (only the barrel goes in-the rest of the pistol is exposed-it carries like a holster and I can access it easily).

When in camp I just stick it in my waistband.

Next month I'm competing in a 24hr Sniper Challenge and we'll cover 30+ miles. I'm planning on trying out something new. I'll let you know how it works. They have four different chest packs to choose from.

Alan

http://hillpeoplegear.com/Prod...uctID/2/Default.aspx

El Paso saddlery 1942 Tanker model. Distributes the weight of a BFR 475 Linebaugh well. works well with pack straps. Pistol is still accessable while wearing waders fishing in Alaska.

I also like the DeSantis Crossdraw for my 44.

I'm left handed and carry a full auto Boker on the left and either a Glock 35 or 36 cross draw in a belt slide between the first and third belt loops.



At my lease I carry up to 18 hours a day. Have had to employ in quick fashion a few times. The trigger is covered at all times till I draw. It works for me.

GWB

For CO bear protection I think a 357 Mag is sufficient. So I carry my titanium 340PD when backpacking/ archery elk hunting. The best way I've found to carry it is an ankle holster around the backpack hip belt on the left side. It gives me a cross-draw carry, since I am right handed.

I have a 6" stainless 44 Mag, but it is so heavy and bulky I will leave it in camp rather than carry it.

"The best carry pistol is the one you have with you!"

quote:

The best carry pistol is the one you have with you!"

Very very true most people buy way more handgun then they need then when they find it to big to carry or shoot all the time they leave it at home.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:

quote:

The best carry pistol is the one you have with you!"

Very very true most people buy way more handgun then they need then when they find it to big to carry or shoot all the time they leave it at home.

IMHO, a good bit of thought should go into your decision as to, what/when/where and how.

Here are some of the tools I emply 24/7/365 depending on the time, place and the situation.

These are "working" guns.



Top to bottom, & left to right

All weights are with the pistols loaded.

Colt "agent", 38 special, 18 oz.

Rossi, 357 Mag. 33 oz.

Ruger New Model Blackhawk, 41 mag., 45 oz.

Taurus, Titanium, 44 special, 22 oz.

Colt Woodsman, 22 lr., 29 oz.

Ruger Mark II target, 22 lr., 40 oz.

Ruger LCP, Crimson Trace laser, 380 auto, 12 oz.

Glock 35 long slide, 40 S&W, 15 rounds, 35 oz.

Glock 36 with Pierce Grip extension, 7 rounds, 45 ACP, 27 oz.

Going to the stop and rob at night is the LCP and the colt

At the lease, the glock 35, 36 and the Ruger 41 mag.

The two rugers are the heaviest and are carried least.

The glock 36 is a joy to carry, but after an encounter with a charging boar, I was still pulling the trigger after 7. He was dead at my feet, but the idea of having 9 more after letting 7 fly becomes very comforting. The 35 long slide gives me 16 fully stoked. I like that.

Best

GWB