Handgun holster while wearing a pack?

[briancorneal]

So here's my dilemma:  I have an XDS 45 4" and I wear my pack most of the time while archery hunting.  The waist belt gets in the way for a regular belt holster, and my bino's, as well as the pack straps, don't make a shoulder holster very comfortable.  Beside a thigh rig and putting it in my pack, what's out there?  I just want my 45 available to use if necessary, yet comfortable to wear all day.

[JimmyHoffa]

You can loosen the belt the holster is on and John Wayne the pistol.  Wear it just below the pack belt.

[crazysccrmd]

You can loosen the belt the holster is on and John Wayne the pistol.  Wear it just below the pack belt.

I do that, a thigh rig or attach the holster to the pack waist belt on some.

[wildmanoutdoors]

I take the buckle off my pack belt, slide the holster on and put the buckle back on.

[SniperDanWA]

You can loosen the belt the holster is on and John Wayne the pistol.  Wear it just below the pack belt.

I do that, a thigh rig or attach the holster to the pack waist belt on some.

I have a thigh holster for hunting and I use at the range to keep out of the way.  Mine can attach to any belt and is droppable to 10" or so from the waist.  Right height to still reach, but not get caught in brush while walking.

[kenjo]

Shoulder holster. Doesn't get in the way of the pack straps and quicker access.

[Alchase]

I take the buckle off my pack belt, slide the holster on and put the buckle back on.

I do the same, or I attach a paddle. I modify all my packs (kind of a hobby) so far I have found a way to be able to mount a Blackhawk Serpa to every pack belt I own.

[jackelope]

What does the waist strap look like on your pack? Mine has molle web on it so I got the Blackhawk adapter for a serpa holster. It works sweet. I also have a thigh rig but have never used it.

[400out]

What does the waist strap look like on your pack? Mine has molle web on it so I got the Blackhawk adapter for a serpa holster. It works sweet. I also have a thigh rig but have never used it.

he had a pic on another thread of his setup and it looked good 

[jackelope]

This is it set up cross draw but you've got to have the web for it to work.

[Fishstiq]

I dayhike with a Badlands Monster, and I have the 2200 for actual hunting or overnight stuff.  Either way, my thigh rig works great.  Very secure, comfortable, and quick to access.

[briancorneal]

What does the waist strap look like on your pack? Mine has molle web on it so I got the Blackhawk adapter for a serpa holster. It works sweet. I also have a thigh rig but have never used it.

I have a Mystery Ranch 6500, and I've tried attaching my handgun w/holster onto the waist, but the gun leans forward (even with the strap tightened like crazy).  Maybe I have to try another holster thats more balanced. 

[jackelope]

Would something like this work?


Or a thigh rig might be your best bet.

[Alchase]

The Serpa's and Fobus both have adjustment screws on the belt attachment so you can snug them up to most belt thicknesses. You can also molle attach like Jackelopes's. There are so many attachment types to choose from.

Briancorneal, unless you have the "Pocket Contour waistbelt" upgrade on your pack, molle attachments should work just fine?

Jackelope, which Eberlestock is that?

[jackelope]

Pretty sure it's a J104.

[Alchase]

Sweat pack, I have the X2, I love their packs!

[washelkhunter]

An inside the waist band holster with a belt clip works well on the inside of the pack waist strap.

[jackelope]

An inside the waist band holster with a belt clip works well on the inside of the pack waist strap.

How comfortable is that with a heavy pack?

[briancorneal]

The Serpa's and Fobus both have adjustment screws on the belt attachment so you can snug them up to most belt thicknesses. You can also molle attach like Jackelopes's. There are so many attachment types to choose from.

Briancorneal, unless you have the "Pocket Contour waistbelt" upgrade on your pack, molle attachments should work just fine?

Jackelope, which Eberlestock is that?

I do have the upgraded waist belt, unfortunately.

[fair-chase]

I do have the upgraded waist belt, unfortunately.

Why not attach to the webbing on the shoulder straps? Seems like it would be accessable and out of the way depending on your bino harness. Of course finding a holster that attaches to vertical webbing may limit your options, but it should be doable.

[briancorneal]

A thigh rig is looking pretty good now.  But I've heard about them being a pain because it gets snagged on brush.  Any recommendations on a nylon or non-kydex/plastic thigh rig holster for a 5'-10" 175#  guy?

[Heredoggydoggy]

I have a Wilderness holster for my handgun.  The loop on the back is big enough to slide over a waistband on a pack, and the best part is, it doesn't even look like a holster for a gun!  They come in several sizes, depending on the gun, and plenty of space for extra magazines, etc.  I had mine on my pack, but the whole thing got too heavy with all the stuff I carry.  I have a rifle with me, so what the heck?   

[Fl0und3rz]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,65396.msg821526.html#msg821526

[Alchase]

A thigh rig is looking pretty good now.  But I've heard about them being a pain because it gets snagged on brush.  Any recommendations on a nylon or non-kydex/plastic thigh rig holster for a 5'-10" 175#  guy?

If you do not use those belt pockets, you could get the original belt with the molle, or try modifying their "wet rib" pocket shown here,

http://www.mysteryranch.com/hunting/hunting-pack-accessories/wet-rib
or just use the same attach points as their "wet rib" attachment?

[steeliedrew]

I have the badlands superday pack. It's got a holster on each side of the waist strap. Keeps my XDM .40 accessible and it's very comfortable.

[jackelope]

Those built in holsters on the super day are nice.

[steeliedrew]

Those built in holsters on the super day are nice.

Yup. I like em. if I'm ever rich I'll be packing dual kimber covert 1911's in there. Haha.

[tgray]

Check out Diamond D Custom Leather

[400out]

Those built in holsters on the super day are nice.

Yup. I like em. if I'm ever rich I'll be packing dual kimber covert 1911's in there. Haha.

I wish they would do it with all their packs 

[Elknut1]

Years ago I used the Superday on day hunts with the built in holster, it wasn't bad but tough to get the pistol out very quick. Nowadays I use an X2 pack & since then I've picked up a hip holster for my 357mag with a 4" barrel. I put it around my waist at the hip & strap my pack on over it, I've done this for several years now & it's very comfortable. You can see the leather holster & gun barrel sticking down as I carry it.

  ElkNut1

[pd]

Years ago I used the Superday on day hunts with the built in holster, it wasn't bad but tough to get the pistol out very quick. Nowadays I use an X2 pack & since then I've picked up a hip holster for my 357mag with a 4" barrel. I put it around my waist at the hip & strap my pack on over it, I've done this for several years now & it's very comfortable. You can see the leather holster & gun barrel sticking down as I carry it.

  ElkNut1

[/i][/color]

Hey ElkNut1 (nice photo, by the way).  I am not sure that I follow you.  You strap the waist belt of the X2 OVER the holster??  How do you access the firearm?  Please take a photo for us.  Thanks.

[Alchase]

I also have the X2, I use a Blackhawk Serpa II, mounted off hand on the belt of the X2.

[Elknut1]

Pd, I have the pistol in a hip holster, the whole unit is on my pants belt. This means if I remove my pack I'm still wearing the pistol. If I'm wearing the pack over my pistol I just unclip my pack waist belt & it exposes the pistol to grab for. It's pretty fast access.

  ElkNut1

[Jonathan_S]

I take the buckle off my pack belt, slide the holster on and put the buckle back on.

[pd]

Here is my current solution.  I have been working on this for a while, and this is what I will try this coming hiking season.  I looked far and wide for a bag or pouch to hold my XD 4" S&W40.  I don't need a quick draw, but I do want something handy.  I don't require a holster, and I want to keep the sidearm out of the weather, if possible.

I found a bag (the COVRT Pistol Pouch) at 5.11 Tactical: http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Bags-Backpacks/COVRT/COVRT-Pistol-Pouch.html

I had the local seamstress sew loops onto the back of the pouch.  She used automobile seatbelt webbing.

The bag can be worn high on the shoulder straps (above the chest straps), or low on the shoulder straps (resting on the waist strap). 

If you don't like this solution, go with the example from ElkNut1.

I will post pictures separately.

[pd]

COVRT photograph #2

[pd]

COVRT photograph #3

[Fireant11]

Check out Tactical Tailors in Lakewood (and on the web).  They specialize in tailoring items for law enforcement and the military.  I've got a Camelback pack and wanted a holster for my 357 mag.  They built one for about $35 that clips on my shoulder strap of my pack. 

It works great and is readily available.

[pd]

Check out Tactical Tailors in Lakewood (and on the web).  They specialize in tailoring items for law enforcement and the military.  I've got a Camelback pack and wanted a holster for my 357 mag.  They built one for about $35 that clips on my shoulder strap of my pack. 

It works great and is readily available.

Photograph, please.

[briancorneal]

I do like the custom pack strap bag.  I'd like to check out tactical tailor and see what they can do for me.  I always thought a custom item would come with a "custom" price, but $35 is pretty reasonable.  I'd also like a pic or two though.

[Fireant11]

Haven't tried posting pics before.  Hope this works!

[fisheral87]

My method sound similar to elknut's. I am using a rigger style belt with a leather holster under a waist pack to carry my pistol. Waist carry for me is the most comfortable, I can see the drop leg being problematic, but that custom job looks good too.

Al

[Joeman3285]

Here's the one I use up in Ak when I'm doing exploration work in bear country.  Works well with my .44.  It hangs on your chest so it doesn't get much in the way of a pack.  You just have to play with the chest strap a little.  It's really nice for going through thick brush as it doesn't catch anywhere near as bad as a hip or thigh holster.   

http://www.alaskasportsmanproducts.com/

Here's another one that I haven't used but is in a similar vein. 

http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Chest_Holsters.php

[jackelope]

The problem with those is interfering with bino's.

[coyote_out]

If you drop them down so that they kind of rest on your hip belt, they probably wouldn't interfere that bad.  Idk though, I haven't tried either. 

[KFhunter]

I take the buckle off my pack belt, slide the holster on and put the buckle back on.

This is what I been doing, was thinking about getting two holsters the same and just keep one on the backpacks waist strap permanently.

I like the pics, some good ideas there

[Dbax129]

I have had success with doing the same on the chest strap. Also, a friend of mine has a holster that is like a shoulder, but has a cross strap so his 1911 sits flat against his chest, and is adjustable so he can set it higher or lower, left or right a little.

[Alchase]

I take the buckle off my pack belt, slide the holster on and put the buckle back on.

This is what I been doing, was thinking about getting two holsters the same and just keep one on the backpacks waist strap permanently.

I like the pics, some good ideas there

I bought 4 Blackhawk Serpas, mounted one (removed the the buckle and slid the holster on then remounted the buckle) to my pack.
 
Then I keep another with paddle in my truck, just in case I want that option when not wearing my conceal holsters, or in deer camp not wearing my pack.

The other two have the quick disconnect on them for either the bedside stand or in vehicle mounts.

[pd]

Haven't tried posting pics before.  Hope this works!

Update. I copied Fire Ant 11 and went to Tactical Tailors in Lakewood. These guys are great. The built me a custom holster/bag--just got it today.

Will try to post pictures....