Hiking/Camping CCW: Looking for carry ideas...

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c919

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Well camping season is upon us and I just upped the anty with my woods gun. I'll be making the transition from my SP101 to a Glock 20. I'm curious to how others carry while hiking.

Now I'm not talking about day hikes, but I'm also not talking about doing the whole AT either. I'll mostly be doing overnight and long weekend trips, nothing too crazy but I will have a big pack and what not. So obviously anything on the belt is out, no IWB/OWB. I think it's safe to say that a shoulder holster would be miserable as well.

I'm thinking that a fanny pack is really my only decent option. Other than that, I have brainstormed that there might be a way to secure the gun on one of my waist straps on my pack, but I do want it to remain fairly concealed so this technique might be out as well.

So for my fellow THR hikers: how do you carry in the backcountry? Got any unique ideas for me? If not, got any fanny pack suggestions?

BTW, pictures are awesome. Let's see your hiking/camping carry rigs...

ETA: Please, no responses trying to sway me from using the G20 as my woods gun. I really don't want a caliber war I am well aware of the capabilities of all my other options and this is the one I want to carry. So please refrain from any posting any opinions about the G20's capabilities as a woods gun. I, as well as many others, are quite confident in it it's abilities to take a small black bear, boar or human.
 
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Maybe you should rethink the transition from the SP101 to a Glock 20 for a woods gun. Most folks seem to prefer a revolver for a camping/hiking gun. For over 35 years I have carried a 2 3/4 in Speed Six as a trail gun. It has been loaded with everything from snake shot to hot .357 hollowpoints. Most frequently carried on the hip. With all the other stuff I was carrying, it was not all that noticeable. Just my two cents.

But if you are set on a Glock 20, I suggest a simple hip holster...maybe a cross draw. Believe it our not, The Uncle Mike's holsters really are pretty nice for packing a trail gun and they are darn inexpensive too.
 
I carry a .357 SS Ruger security six with 2.75" barrel in a Safepacker. Here is the link to the safepacker http://store.thewilderness.com/index.php?cPath=51 I have the Government size, and it will even hold a my new S&W M13 w/ 4" barrel as long as I use the factory Magna's or a boot grip. I love the safepacker because it doesn't look like a holster, it just kinda blends into all the other stuff attached to me or my pack;)

I think a Glock 20 would make make a mean trail gun, especially if loaded with 16 Doubletap 230gr Wide Flat Nose Gas - Checked rounds;) The DT 230gr loading has the same sectional density as the 180gr .357's I carry in my .357's...and sectional density=penetration!
 
This topic is covered EXTENSIVELY here....

First, your biggest concern will likely be 2 legged predators (eg people). For all other animals the .357 magnum is fine in all but the most rugged of places.

For other animals or packs a $40 bottle of bear repellant is fine.

Be smart, bury your trash, hang your food away from your campsite, etc.

I had a G20 once and found the ammo cost prohibitive to practice much and it was frankly too hot of a round to keep on target well. Conversely well placed shots from a .357 will be fine.
 
Man, I knew I should have stated that there will be no swaying me from my carry choice. I appreciate the input, but I've put much thought and research into this. I have made my decision, and no offense to those of you who suggested otherwise, but the G20 is the new choice. So please limit responses to carry methods etc, not weapon choice. Thanks.

This topic is covered EXTENSIVELY here....
Click to expand...
Really, it's not. I've been searching around and didn't find what I was looking for. There is definitely some info on this topic here, but I couldn't find the info I was looking for. Frankly, your misinterpretation of my topic is extensively covered, but I'm not looking for advice on the gun. Just to clarify, I'm looking for pictures and reviews on carry methods that work well while backpacking.

wnycollector,

I have looked into the Safepacker and it looks like a good system. I'm actually leaning towards it right now. There is also a promising fanny pack on their website that looks good as well. Thanks.
 
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I usually carry a 9mm Walther P99C with a couple of extra magazines; it's the same as my daily carry piece -- it's just never made a lot of sense to me to carry a "special" camping gun. If I'm going out for an overnight, I'll usually bring along an extra couple of boxes of self-defense ammo, at least one full box of FMJ, and sometimes a second handgun -- usually a Walther P9.
 
For the woods with backpacks, I've only found four options:

- Safepacker/fanny pack,
- Chest rig
- Thigh holster
- Hip holster if the belt strap from the pack is smallish, like a camelbak; just tuck the strap inside the grip.
 
I usually carry a 9mm Walther P99C with a couple of extra magazines; it's the same as my daily carry piece -- it's just never made a lot of sense to me to carry a "special" camping gun.
Click to expand...

Hah, you must not be married. You'd better believe I'll jump on any excuse for a new gun. Especially when the wife would actually prefer that I get said gun. :D:D:D

Honestly though, comfort and preference are my reasons. To each his own, but I wouldn't feel too comfortable up against a boar with a 9mm. There was actually a thread on here about 6 months ago where a guy shot a smaller sized boar 3 times in the head and the thing was still charging him. Luckily his buddy was able to draw a bow and dispatch the beast.

I've been treed by a boar before and let me tell you, I want the biggest, meanest gun I can reasonably lug around in the woods. So in this case that would be the G20 on account of it's weight, size, power, power and my ability to shoot it more accurately than a big bore revolver.
 
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I'm assuming that by 'camping' you really mean backpacking. Camping is driving your car or truck someplace and pretending to be homeless for a weekend. Backpacking is hiking with your tent on your back.

I carry my G20SF in a regular Bianchi military flap holster, openly on the pack belt. The Bianchi is the only holster that goes over the belt, not needing the belt to be fed through the holster slots. If you own a backpack you know that the buckle will not fit through the slots on a holster.
 
I have a gearslinger monsoon from maxpedition. It has a big zipper pouch on the small of the back. You can carry any pistol in there you want.
 
You didn't say where you will be backpacking. If in a National Park make sure you are carring open unless you have a CCW for the State you are in. State laws do apply in National Parks.

If you are wearing a backpack, on the belt carry will not work with the waist straps. Sholder hosters will be uncomfortable and cut into your shoulders with the BP shoulder straps. Your only other option is a military style pliots holster that rides in the front. You can pick them up at any army surplus store or on the internet at sportsmans guide.

You don't want to hear it but, if two legged preditors are your concern than your choice of weapon is fine. If however your concern is bears or wolfs, you really are under gunned. A 4 inch 41 or 44 mag would serve you better on that type of threat.

Good luck and stay safe and get some bear spray because your choice of fire arm will not help you. That is a fact not an opinion.

Jim
 
I think that you might find "loaded for bear" excessive given the weight you are already carrying and your preference for non-holstered carry. Unless you are in grizzly country, which is a different matter (in which case you would require a rifle).

I think that pocket carry with an alloy J frame to be more than sufficient (and convenient) for your most likely problem encounter.

.38+P or .357.
 
Sorry I misunderstood.

I went hiking/camping/backpacking intermittenly for two weeks in several national parks recently. I carried my SP101 and a speedloader in my Maxpedition pack. It worked well.
 
^^^ No worries my friend. The SP101 is undoubtedly a great carry option. That has been my EDC and woods gun for a while. It's my all time favorite revolver. I feel pretty confident with it against any 2-leggers and most beasts, but I just felt like going with something in an auto format with a bit more punch.
 
When I go hiking / camping I always carry with my holster attached to the waist straps on my pack - normally cross-draw at about 10 o'clock. While in camp I just OWB as needed.

I guess I could chest carry as well, but really haven't needed to since my method works well. I normally carry either a GP-100 4", a 329 PD, or a 1911 in 10mm.

Experiment with your pack: your answer may be right in front of you.

Oh, the G20 is a great choice...I say you stick with it :)!

Have fun,
DFW1911
 
My out in the woods gun is a G20 loaded with 200gr FMJ.

It'll give me reasonable protection against most 4-legged critters and not be a useless low-capacity hand-cannon if I run into any nasty 2-legged ones.

The G20 basically gives me 357 Magnum ballistics in an eaisier to shoot and reload platform with much better capacity.
 
GojuBrian said:
I have a gearslinger monsoon from maxpedition. It has a big zipper pouch on the small of the back. You can carry any pistol in there you want.
Click to expand...

maxpocket_0117.jpg

I have the Sitka Gearslinger from the same company, and a attachment pouch over the main strap. I don't have a 'special' gun for hiking, but my primary carry fits in the pouch on the strap without being cumbersome otherwise. I find this very convenient because I cannot easily reach my IWB/OWB holsters while wearing the backpack or motorcycle jackets. It's sometimes hard to even get into my jacket pockets while wearing the backpack. This pouch is right where I need it, and it will adapt to the straps of other backpacks easily. It cannot be easily torn from the strap even if the plastic clip isn't snapped together; one of the zippers is attached to a keyper via some 550 cord. That pouch will accommodate up to a J-frame revolver with minimalist grips. I carry a Kahr MK9 there and it's snug. I'm sure a J-frame would be the same way, but that's five rounds of .357 Magnum ready to go across your chest within easy reach.

Doesn't solve your problem with the G20, but you asked for our solutions. That's mine. Sounds like you've already got your own pack.
 
Hmm, been thinking about that one, and I came up with two answers. One, I have my EDC, my CZ P01, and that would ride with me no matter what. Where is a good question, but I do have a cross draw rig from Hazel. Probably would need a chest rig if wearing a backpack.
The other answer is the project gun I am working on, my camping/backpacking carbine. Here in AZ carry in a National Forest is quite alright, and the law change means I can carry into a National Park as well, though I don't anticipate doing so. Many would scream INSANE for the weight, (6 pounds), and extra effort, but I am trying to find a lightweight stock and scope, or just get the irons adjusted correctly, down the road. It's a project. :)


527withscope.jpg

Sorry to post a rifle in the handguns section, just wanted to completely answer the OP.
 
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