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I did a bit of a search and didn't come up with much.

Has anyone found a holster that works for backpacking? I normally leave mine at home but have been doing a bit more backpacking solo. I am in the market for something smaller than what I have and wondered what others use.

I have a leg holster but don't like the feeling of it around my leg. I usually just strap it to my compression straps on my pack but, I would prefer something kind of low key but easy to get at.

Sorry fellow HAZers. Although I've been a big HAZ user for the last few years, I'd basically used this site for viewing and uploading photo sets and GPX tracks. I didn't even pay attention to the forums (fora?) until a couple of days ago. You can thank the annoying "Antennas On Peaks" banner at the top of my page for me even discovering these forums. After days of being inconvenienced by the banner, I selected one of the buttons with the sole hope of making the banner go away. But, voila, I stumbled into HAZ forum land.

So please cut this forum newbie a little slack, and now that I've been schooled on the Forum Rules, I'll try to keep my opinions on message hence forth. Sorry.

SAMBA wrote:Sorry fellow HAZers.

No apologies needed. Welcome to the forums. There's tons of useful information, some thoughtful discussions, opinions, and even silliness and humor. I just didn't want this thread to devolve into the argument of carry vs. not. Though please feel free to add your thoughts on that subject to either of the other threads I linked to. I think you will find that there are plenty of people who share your opinion.

People ask me if I'm paranoid when I carry. Never when I'm carrying, a little when I'm not.

@SAMBA Oops! As the one ultimately to blame for that annoying banner, please accept my apologies for sucking you into the swirling chaos that is the HAZ fora.

@paulshikleejr
Yo Lil' K,

I appreciate your "Oops", but it may be a little late unless I can figure out a way to rescind a curse. Know anything about witchcraft?

@SAMBA
What curse?

@SAMBA Ribbit.

I wasn't trying to make this a to carry or not thread. I was really just curious as to how you do it, if you chose to.

I purchased a new hand gun today that I am excited about. It will be very nice for my backpacking needs.

I also purchased a few holstering options for the both the .40 that I have been carrying and the .380 that I just purchased.

Thanks so much for the input everyone. It made my buying today alot easier.

scott

@Espi

it took me a while to figure out a comfortable way to carry. You have to weigh the physical comfort with how you want to be seen. At first, I really wanted something more concealable because I didn't want to make other hikers nervous. The inside the waistband concealment holsters always seemed like a bad idea basically because of how much one sweats while hiking. I finally decided that I don't care if it bothers someone and I wear it how its comfortable and accessible.

Thoreau wrote: I refuse, however, to have a gun mounted to anything but myself. Having it attached to a pack strap would mean never being able to set the pack down without undoing the velcro connection every time to take the setup with ya. The Safepacker is fantastic for in-hand carry though, or throwing it in a pack (although that kinda negates even having it.)

As for being covert, I agree with beterarcher. I couldn't care less what other people think. That's their problem. Sure made for some interesting conversations on past backpacking trips in the Grand Canyon though =)

I couldn't agree more. But I did find a solution that lets me use the Serpa CQC and still keep armed when I take off the pack. I posted my setup with some pics in this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=3882#p89239

I came home from California to find broken pipes at my house. The plumber worked off and on for four days. I had no money to pay him, so I gave him my Ladysmith .38.

On the occasions when I would carry it due to reports of rabid foxes and such (Blue Primitive Area, Black river, etc.) I would often wrap it in a bandanna and stick it in my pocket. Simple.

I carry a ultralight .38 with a pocket paddle holster. I tuck it in my hip belt when I have my big pack on. I use a belt holster when I'm using my day pack. There's only 2 reasons I carry while in the back country, hungry bears and angry humans.

@Bradshaws
What about mountain lions that are curious as to how you taste? ;)

If a cat is going to attack you, you'll usually feel it before you see it That's why I keep my knife very sharp and easy to get to at all times. Now a bear on the other hand, if it messes with you it has made up it's mind " your food" and most of the time that happens while you're asleep. That's why my gun is ALWAYS at arms reach while I sleep.

@Bradshaws Will an "ultralight .38" protect you from a bear?

@paulshikleejr I would like to have a larger caliber weapon but the carry weight of my .38 is 17oz loaded. Would it stop an attacking bear? I hope so!!! But on the serious side, my pistol is my absolute last resort in any situation. So if I pulled it on a bear it would have to be close enough that I could smell it. I do feel 5 rounds of .38+p at that range would stop a bears advances or at least change its mind.

The S&W 329 PD (also called the Alaskan Backpacker model) is an ultralight 44 mag with a 2.5" barrel, weighs in at 27oz. Definitely do more damage than that little .38

Azbackcountry wrote:The S&W 329 PD (also called the Alaskan Backpacker model) is an ultralight 44 mag with a 2.5" barrel, weighs in at 27oz. Definitely do more damage than that little .38

Do you conceal it in your beard, Mr. Adam's? I want to watch that movie again.

ASUAviator wrote:

Azbackcountry wrote:The S&W 329 PD (also called the Alaskan Backpacker model) is an ultralight 44 mag with a 2.5" barrel, weighs in at 27oz. Definitely do more damage than that little .38

Do you conceal it in your beard, Mr. Adam's? I want to watch that movie again.

No sir....usually rides on my chest in a Survival Sheath Systems chest holster

Azbackcountry wrote:The S&W 329 PD (also called the Alaskan Backpacker model) is an ultralight 44 mag with a 2.5" barrel, weighs in at 27oz. Definitely do more damage than that little .38

That is a very, very nice pistol. It's also a $1000 pistol! I just couldn't put a weapon that nice through mud, water and sand like I do my .38. I can understand everyones point that the .38 special is inadiquit, but all I want it to do is buy me some time to gain control of the situation. For weight, power and price this is about as good as I can do. I do like the Ruger LCP in .357mag, it is the same weight as my .38 and is less than $500. Thank for all the input. I've been wanting to see what and how everyone else was carrying. Great topic