Best Holster for Me?

[Maverick223]

I am looking for a nice secure holster for hiking, camping, canoeing, and perhaps for mtn biking and mtn climbing as well. I am considering a few different types. First a standard holster lashed to a backpack as this wouldn't interfere with movement as much as anything else I can think of (great for mountaineering), but I don't want to switch it from the day pack, to the weekend pack, to the week long pack, nor do I want to be forced into taking a pack at all at times.

My second thought was the thigh rig, which looks phenomenally stupid unless you are SWAT but may be the best in my circumstances (I am out in the woods so I'm not terribly concerned about the "mall-ninja look"). My concerns are: comfort when hiking long distances, heat, and getting snagged on brush, et cetera (obviously this wouldn't be used for mtn climbing). One of the things that I like is quick access and many offer a flap that covers the pistol from rain, dust, et cetera.

My last thought was a vest, which looks equally stupid (again I will be in the woods, so despite my obvious tacticoolness I am unlikely to attract other "mall-ninjas"), but does solve a few problems. It allows me to add more junk like maps, GPS/compass, crackers, et cetera in addition to the pistol and extra magazine, and access should be good. The biggest problems that I see with this option is all of the weight on my chest (but this may help when I have a heavy pack).

There are a couple other options like the standard belt holster (but this flops around too much), and shoulder rig (can't imagine this being comfortable on hikes), and I am certainly open to other options. The pistol in question is a HK USP .45ACP FS and I would rather keep cost below about $100 (but I want quality, so if I have to pay a bit more I will). Also I am leaning towards nylon holsters as that is what I am used to and I believe that Kydex and Leather might cause undue holster wear.

Eh, lets go ahead and make it a poll...What say ye great people of THR?

 

[The Bushmaster]

Let's see...

Standard holster lashed to backpack.==Can't get to it when needed in a hurry.

Thigh holster==As you said looks stupid [even for SWAT] and would tire that leg out on long hikes and even short hikes and would also be uncomfortable to boot.

Vest holster==Would probably get in the way and/or snag on backpack harness.

Standard belt holster==(Worn on the belt strong side) as long as it was just below the backpack and the harness, but as high as possible would be my preference from experience.

If you can afford a custom or can find one. I'd go with a holster that had a bit of a forward cant also.

 

[Guillermo]

While I am not offering this as the best holster for you, I often borrow my daughter's Galco Dual Action Sportsman.

It is a full coverage holster with a good retention strap. What makes it unique is the two slots for your belt. You can wear it strong side or cross draw. Can easily be lashed to a backpack too.

The best advice that I can offer is to get a reinforced belt. I wear the 9.11 instructors belt and it makes carrying a dream

 

[JEB]

id say go with the vest. but then again i like to have lots of pockets when in the woods

 

[Maverick223]

Thank you all for the advice. I think the thigh rig is out of the runnings, I would be embarrassed to wear it in the woods...by myself...even if there was a zombie apocalypse. The vest doesn't seem like a horrible idea, but The Bushmaster, you may be right about the backpack straps interfering.

Any recommendations for good belt holsters (nylon preferred) or vests? I will probably end up picking up a new belt regardless as I would like to have a nice back-up belt that can be used as a emergency harness (though I use a pretty stout reinforced leather belt now, so I don't know how much this will help).

 

[Maia007]

I work in the woods spring/summer/fall and I carry. Typically I carry a small revolver or small auto in the pocket. That allows reasonably quick access for potential social work. I suppose that IWB would also work well enough with a small firearm, but I don't care for it myself in the woods environment.

Also, I am not a fan of strapping anything onto a pack, not to mention anything that might be needed in a hurry.

When there is a need (such as in SE Alaska) to carry something larger in a pistol, I prefer a rifle. But for the larger pistol that should be carried on the belt, I would insist on a full-flap design belt holster. A firearm in an open-top holster is just asking to get hung up on brush or subjected to other common mishaps. Those chest rigs you see for large hunting revolvers also look like they might work.

Vests are ok. I usually wear one, but the access is slower than I like, especially when the firearm is in a pocket holster (to protect the trigger) inside the vest pocket. I don't like carrying any pistol/revo without positive trigger protection.

Perhaps a special leather like pocket sewn into the vest allowing for a secure hold and a "shoulder holster" presentation might work.

 

[Maverick223]

Thank you for the advice and bump. I too generally prefer a light carbine (my M1 Carbine has gone on many a hike), but sometimes that is not practical. Sounds like a well designed belt holster is the way to go for my large auto.

 

[Zundfolge]

Maybe you should look in to a handgun hunting rig.

Basically a holster strapped to the chest.

These guys make nice ones http://www.grizzlytuff.com/ (they make ones for autos too, not just giant scoped revolvers).

Aside from looking somewhat comfortable,they also look appropriate in a woods environment.

 

[Maverick223]

Thank you for the advice, Zundfolge; but I can't see that working well with a backpack.

 

[blindhari]

Take a look at Bianchi Model 7 Shadow. It covers a lot of the gun, can be concealed carry, but for woods or backpack it goes to crossdraw. This will drop gun down lower to belt and closer to where you keep your hands when packing. Ask any cop who has made it up the ranks to Detective about having a pistol close to thier shooting hand. Thumb snap gets a light coat of beeswax and will open perfectly and hold gun reliably. if you have any kind of coat or long shirt on, it disappears.

blindhari

 

[Maverick223]

Thanks, blindhari, that appears to be a nice holster. Not a bad price either, the only concern that I have is using leather. I have only used leather sparingly with a shoulder rig and nickel plated pistol. Will it not wear on the pistol's finish?

 

[Zundfolge]

Thank you for the advice, Zundfolge; but I can't see that working well with a backpack.

Ah, well Maxpedition makes several backpacks with built in holsters.

This one in particular looks like it would make for a nice day hiking pack (but they make several other nice ones).

 

[Maverick223]

I think the best solution may be two different holsters. I really like the Condor II Maxpedition bag for day trips, et cetera; but it is far too small for longer trips (planning a wk.+ long camping trip for this Summer-Fall). For this trip it looks like a good quality standard belt holster may be the way to go.

Again, thank you all for the recommendations and advice. Keep it coming.

 

[Eightball]

Depending on your pack, a belt holster, or a drop-leg holster if your waist belt interferes with a regular belt holster. Might look kinda stupid, but would be a lot more intuitive to draw/use, IMO.

 

[Maverick223]

Depending on your pack, a belt holster, or a drop-leg holster if your waist belt interferes with a regular belt holster. Might look kinda stupid, but would be a lot more intuitive to draw/use, IMO.

Hmm, that is a good point, wonder if I could attach the holster to the pack belt?

 

[blindhari]

I carried a S&W 65-5 357 mag in a Bianchi Xdraw thumb snap speed holster for over 15 years off and on. I used warm bees wax inside holster and polished buffed. I admit that this was a stainless but the guy who bought it from me paid my price no argument when he saw the condition of the gun. I threw in the holster. If this had been a blued gun and worn I would have considered that a small price to pay. Mine was the Lady Smith with rosewood grips. I took some ribbing from friends for packing a lady's gun. 6 rounds in an average 5" circle and they looked for some one else to kid. The only reason I let it go was sugery that made it impossible for me to shoot with any degree of comfort.

blindhari

 

[Maverick223]

The finish on the HK is very durable, perhaps I shouldn't write off leather after all.

 

[W.E.G.]

How much ground do you plan to cover, and over how many days?

That's a REALLY BIG gun to drag out on a long hike.
Hope you're in hella-good physical shape.

I'd go with a much smaller gun in small pouch lashed somewhere that will make it accessible.
If you are hiking somewhere that requires 24/7quick-draw ability, you might want to re-think your route.

 

[John Parker]

Here's what I've used many times on hikes with a Safariland 6295. It drops your holster below your belt line, but remains stable, secure, and (almost) high enough to conceal under a long shirt. And you don't look like a ****** w/ a thigh rig. ;-)

http://www.copquest.com/23-2400.htm

 

[Maverick223]

How much ground do you plan to cover, and over how many days?

The long trip will be over about 8 days, various terrain, several hundred miles, but mostly on the water. Most trips are day or weekend hiking/camping trips that will cover a few dozen miles or less over fairly rough terrain.

That's a REALLY BIG gun to drag out on a long hike.

I like it, it works every time and fires a somewhat large projectile (still anemic for bear, but I am considering loading a few .45Super for this).

If you are hiking somewhere that requires 24/7quick-draw ability, you might want to re-think your route.

I don't need quick draw capability, but I would like it readily accessible (not buried in my pack). I doubt I will need it at all, but I am more worried about wildlife than social situations.