The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: Overload on October 24, 2009, 10:20:58 PM
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There's been a topic here from last year about camping handguns, but my question is different.
What style of holster works well while hiking? I'm sure the gun makes a bit of difference, but I would guess that a drop leg (hip) , ankle or inside waistband holsters would be poor choices. Would they?
What about shoulder holsters? I figure if you a long handgun (6"+ barrel) you're more limited, but if I'm hunting or hiking and want a backup handgun it seems my choices are limited.
thoughts?
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The more I carry, the more I like cross-draw...when 'hiking' I guess it depends upon the need for concealment as well as the weight of the pistol,
MP
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I had momentarily forgotten about the Back country episode of The Best Defense. The thread has a lot of useful information.
http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=5477.10
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If you are just hiking, unencumbered your options are fairly wide open . Ankle holsters are never the best choice if only because the movements to draw are slow, complicated , telegraph your intent and leave you defenseless while looking away from the threat.
If hiking with a pack, straps of both pack and holster make shoulder rigs impractical and uncomfortable. A waist belt on the pack makes all forms of waist carry impracticable UNLESS you put the holster on the waist belt, however you then dis arm your self when you take off your pack so I would say that the best way to carry with a pack would be the hip or drop leg holster.
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Why mess with a good thing? Open carry with a strong side holster. If one is carrying a "hogleg", 6+ " barrel, size does matter and depending on gear and pack, a cross-draw works also, or a chest front holster rig,.
Even my G21, which is a big momma, would be just fine in a belted holster at the strong side hip.
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The holster that I got for hiking, backpacking, etc. is a combo belt holster - works pretty well either strong side or crossdraw. Depending on the particulars of what I'm doing/wearing, I wear it on my belt, on a wider utility belt, or on the waist strap of my backpack.
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It really depends on what else you have with you. If you just have a small pack( and I highly recomend you carry small pack with some basics.) then cross draw, strong side.... is just fine. If you have a larger pack with a waist strap, any type of carry that is around the waist is not going to work.
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I carry cross draw most of the time, but i also have chest rig i kind of like favor depending on my load. Drop leg has never worked well for me for some reason.
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I always carry a side arm when hunting. I usually carry on the belt strong side. I have never had it get in the way of my rifle. On occasion I have worn cross draw, either works for me.
BTW the gun is either my Redhawk 5" barrel or my Blackhawk 4 5/8.
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At least in MI, even if you have a carry permit you were only allowed to carry one gun of any kind per person in the woods (hunting or not). I haven't looked into it here or other states though.
I got stopped and warned once (carrying a 10/22, and a Mark III in a belt holster durring squirrel season).
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In FL my CCW allows me to carry as many guns, knives, etc as I desire. Hunting depends on the season. No guns in archery (of course) and Black powder only in that season but I can still carry my CCW.
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Depends on what type of pack I'm hiking with. For the most part I'm wearig a crossdraw holster for my single action Blackhawk. My belt and holster ride low enough so that my day pack belt rides over it. I use a Camelbak pack, one of the medium size ones, for my hiking.
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I mentioned it in another thread, but this is what I'm hoping to holster:
(http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/8659/automag31.jpg)
AMT Automag III in 30 Carbine. 6" barrel, a few ounces heavier than a 1911.
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I mentioned it in another thread, but this is what I'm hoping to holster:
(http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/8659/automag31.jpg)
AMT Automag III in 30 Carbine. 6" barrel, a few ounces heavier than a 1911.
Have I ever told you how much I hate you?
;D
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At least in MI, even if you have a carry permit you were only allowed to carry one gun of any kind per person in the woods (hunting or not). I haven't looked into it here or other states though.
I got stopped and warned once (carrying a 10/22, and a Mark III in a belt holster durring squirrel season).
Badger,
Not arguing or disagreeing with you, but I have never heard of that or seen that in the hunting or CCW regulations. Do you know where in the law it is mentioned? I want to look into it as I carry a revolver as a back up when deer hunting and as CCW. Thanks.
Overload, those AutoMags are crap and I think you should get rid of it. Preferably to some one on this forum who can give it some TLC and figure out how to make it run along side their carbine. :)
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Overload, those AutoMags are crap and I think you should get rid of it. Preferably to some one on this forum who can give it some TLC and figure out how to make it run along side their carbine. :)
I agree. Except for me getting rid of it. But, I'm on this forum and I am planning on giving it some TLC and figureing out how to make it run along side my m1 carbine. It's my entry into the '2 guns, 1 caliber' stakes.
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At least in MI, even if you have a carry permit you were only allowed to carry one gun of any kind per person in the woods (hunting or not). I haven't looked into it here or other states though.
I got stopped and warned once (carrying a 10/22, and a Mark III in a belt holster durring squirrel season).
You can open carry as many guns as you want when you hunt. Not sure about concealed carry. I haven't seen anything about it in the hunting regulations. I get a small game permit so I can open carry in the woods whether I'm hunting or just camping.
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After the DNR guy stopped me I read the little regulations book more closely and had found where it say's only one weapon may be carried. I remember it being in an area talking about nobody being under 18 being able to hand gun hunt, some regulations concerning CCW's, and other crap that prevented my daughter from using the Mark III. ::) Stupid laws. The pistol was perfect for her.
Overload, NICE GUN! Posting the picture is an evil tease!!! ;)
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Overload, NICE GUN! Posting the picture is an evil tease!!! ;)
Good fire starter too! As long as ya don't point it straight up you should be able to start something on fire when ya shoot it. ;)
;D
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I bet Overload's pistol has a pretty good bark.
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After the DNR guy stopped me I read the little regulations book more closely and had found where it say's only one weapon may be carried. I remember it being in an area talking about nobody being under 18 being able to hand gun hunt, some regulations concerning CCW's, and other crap that prevented my daughter from using the Mark III. ::) Stupid laws. The pistol was perfect for her.
Overload, NICE GUN! Posting the picture is an evil tease!!! ;)
Badger, I went back and read the hunting regulations manual and couldn't find anything in it for only one gun. I spoke with a lieutenit in the LE division of the DNR. The only time you can't carry more than one gun afield is for waterfoul hunting. I did not discuss if that applied to CCW when waterfoul hunting or about minors being present. I can find nothing in the CCW regulations that limits you to only one gun. Since you said you were squirrel hunting I assume that the DNR officer that warned you didn't know the law. Now if your minor daughter was carring the handgun that is a violation as minors are not allowed to handgun hunt.
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The tough part comes when you're using a pack or hydration system, and you've got to work the gun around all those straps. The chest holster we showed in THE BEST DEFENSE is actually an excellent choice (it's my holster). I just got my Survival Sheath System S&W 329 shoulder holster, and I'll probably wear it when we go hiking this weekend (in snow up to my butt, I might add).
Overload, I applaud your commitment to weird guns! I have a 3-screw Blackhawk in .30 Carbine with a short barrel...noise alone is fatal to most living organisms. I love it to death. I say give that sucker a little TLC (and maybe some kind of metal finish on the frame to throttle back the galling that was endemic with those guns) and haul that beast into the woods. I think maybe a vertical shoulder holster might work the best with a long slide gun like the Automag, maybe a Bianchi X15.
Michael B
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The tough part comes when you're using a pack or hydration system, and you've got to work the gun around all those straps. The chest holster we showed in THE BEST DEFENSE is actually an excellent choice (it's my holster). I just got my Survival Sheath System S&W 329 shoulder holster, and I'll probably wear it when we go hiking this weekend (in snow up to my butt, I might add).
Overload, I applaud your commitment to weird guns! I have a 3-screw Blackhawk in .30 Carbine with a short barrel...noise alone is fatal to most living organisms. I love it to death. I say give that sucker a little TLC (and maybe some kind of metal finish on the frame to throttle back the galling that was endemic with those guns) and haul that beast into the woods. I think maybe a vertical shoulder holster might work the best with a long slide gun like the Automag, maybe a Bianchi X15.
Michael B
How short, MB? Was it factory or custom?
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3-screw Blackhawk in .30 Carbine with a short barrel NICE! Is the accuracy compareable to other short revolvers? I'd guess 4" is about as short as you'd dare go, and keep the hair on your knuckles. ;D
"Up to 4' of snow"!!!!
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Snow-falls-Colo/ss/events/us/092209coloradosnow#photoViewer=/091029/480/3c6b7f7627c24f07bb16ddc1a491cbc9
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Overload, I applaud your commitment to weird guns!
This made me think, and I have a few weird guns: Browning BDM- able to be switched between DAO and Double/Single action; Benelli M3- can switch it from pump to semi auto; HK P7- squeeze cocker. I had a Judge, but sold it.
I wonder what that says about me?
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I will be hiking this weekend with my Glock 26. I will simply be using a paddle holster and an untucked Henley shirt that is very baggy. Technically, I have to remain concealed, but we will be out in the middle of no where so there really should be no problem. I will also be packing an IWB holster incase there are more day hikers then expected or incase it gets hot in the afternoon and I need "deep concealment".
I will be carrying a 40 lb pack on the hike in and out, and I will still be using the paddle holster for that. If you actually talk to the folks that work at the backpacking shops they will tell you that those straps on the pack are actually not supposed to to go around your waist, but rather higher up near the bottom of your rib cage. This works out to be just above the holstered gun and with a baggy shirt it leaves just a small bulge that is really of no mind to anyone passing you on the trail. I think the paddle holster is one of the most comfortable ways to carry for an extended time when hiking/camping, and it is what I think is the most comfortable way to conceal carry while carrying a large pack.
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Our hunting rules are clear that their rules take precedent over CCW. That means your CCW piece needs to be legal for the game, season, and tag. No CCW during bow season.
Carrying with a pack depends on the pack. ericire12 is right that a hip belt is supposed to be on your HIPS and shouldn't interfere with a lower riding paddle or belt holster--more of an open carry holster than a CC one. Truth is it isn't always that simple.
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Our hunting rules are clear that their rules take precedent over CCW. That means your CCW piece needs to be legal for the game, season, and tag. No CCW during bow season.
Carrying with a pack depends on the pack. ericire12 is right that a hip belt is supposed to be on your HIPS and shouldn't interfere with a lower riding paddle or belt holster--more of an open carry holster than a CC one. Truth is it isn't always that simple.
Odd. What stateare you in? In Fl. and Tx. CCW trumps the hunting regs, though I would rather explain a 9mm or .38 vs a .44 mag during bow season :-\. Again though, carrying concealed has its advantages. Stick the thing in the pocket of your cargo pants or in an IWB and no should know its there.
FQ13
FQ13
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Kansas. There also are very specific rules on valid handgun rounds. 357, 44, and 45 Colt are the only common handguns legal.
I know plenty of the wardens, most would probably let a CCW slide during rifle season, but you better not get caught with a CCW and a bow.
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In NH most bow hunters carry a pistol for the "Coup de grace", rather than waiting for the downed animal to die on it's own.
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In NH most bow hunters carry a pistol for the "Coup de grace", rather than waiting for the downed animal to die on it's own.
What ever happened to the hunting knife ;D
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Need to save that for "Candidates night" ;D
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I don't want to get that close to a wounded animal.
If you make a good shot, with a bow, it will be over very fast. You either take out the lungs or the heart.
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I don't want to get that close to a wounded animal.
If you make a good shot, with a bow, it will be over very fast. You either take out the lungs or the heart.
Still has to bleed out
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If you take out the heart, it should be no more then about 20 seconds til they are "a sleep" not dead yet, but the brain has shut down.
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I have a friend who carries his Taurus (probably a Tracker from what e describes.) .357 in a shoulder holster when turkey hunting in case some angry hogs run across him.
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Read the whole thing.
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/securedownload.jpg?t=1257440113)