Trying to find ways to carry my pistol while "backpacking" to a safe zone during a SHTF scenario. Would a tactical drop holster be a good way to go or a tactical vest?
ninja_hamster
When I get my CCW (As soon as I turn 21, basically), I'll be getting a shoulder holster with an M9 or 1911 and wear it under a suit jacket.
Considering I'm not quite seventeen and I'm running my own business in all but taxes, I imagine by 21 I'll either be pretty well off, in college, or had my hopes and dreams crushed by a socialistic society that wants no one to succeed so no one can fail.
Considering I'm not quite seventeen and I'm running my own business in all but taxes, I imagine by 21 I'll either be pretty well off, in college, or had my hopes and dreams crushed by a socialistic society that wants no one to succeed so no one can fail.
You think after that training they would let you get a license with proof of that training, but some states have some silly laws regarding CCW's. Could always go to OC Virginia or NH haha. So have an option for CCW in urban areas and quick-draw for remote areas I take it?
Owndapwn, funny and so true.
Either pistol is good and under a suit even better. Your own business? Intriguing.
To the OP, if backpacking, then wear a holster weak side and camouflage it with the same fabric as your trousers/shirt so it is not readily understood to be a holster and pistol from close range. I mean the whole thing, including pistol grip under some sort of flap or holster with trouser fabric and pistol grip with shirt fabric. That sort of thing.
Either pistol is good and under a suit even better. Your own business? Intriguing.
To the OP, if backpacking, then wear a holster weak side and camouflage it with the same fabric as your trousers/shirt so it is not readily understood to be a holster and pistol from close range. I mean the whole thing, including pistol grip under some sort of flap or holster with trouser fabric and pistol grip with shirt fabric. That sort of thing.
Why would you carry a pistol in a "tactical" drop leg holster?
The only reason military/LE use drop legs is because they have body armor, a primary, and other gear that gets in the way, or all of that plus they are rappelling/parachuting. When not hindered by these other factors, we carry a pistol on our hip. In many jurisdictions, drop legs are banned for use under normal circumstances.
There is nothing "tactical" about a drop leg.
If backpacking, unless you need to use the waist straps, I don't see why you can't wear it on your hip IWB/OWB. Not sure why you would wear it on your weak side either...
Drop legs also tend to cut off the circulation, can be hard to run with, suck for retention, can be hard to draw from, etc.
If wearing it on your hip is for whatever reason impractical (waist straps), you can try chest carry (very good retention, very accessible) or fashion a holster to one of the straps of your backpack... not sure I want to be open carrying during SHTF anyway.
The only reason military/LE use drop legs is because they have body armor, a primary, and other gear that gets in the way, or all of that plus they are rappelling/parachuting. When not hindered by these other factors, we carry a pistol on our hip. In many jurisdictions, drop legs are banned for use under normal circumstances.
There is nothing "tactical" about a drop leg.
If backpacking, unless you need to use the waist straps, I don't see why you can't wear it on your hip IWB/OWB. Not sure why you would wear it on your weak side either...
Drop legs also tend to cut off the circulation, can be hard to run with, suck for retention, can be hard to draw from, etc.
If wearing it on your hip is for whatever reason impractical (waist straps), you can try chest carry (very good retention, very accessible) or fashion a holster to one of the straps of your backpack... not sure I want to be open carrying during SHTF anyway.
Why all the fancy ideas about how to carry a pistol? It is not rocket science.
How do you usually carry it? If that interfers with carrying while backpacking then here are some solutions that work for me.
1) Hip carry @ 3 o'clock. There is no law that says you have to use the hip belt on your pack. Just buckle it to itself around the back of the pack. Wear a cover shirt just like you would if going to the store or a movie.
2) Chest holster. I use a kydex chest holster made by http://www.survivalsheath.com/main/home.htm They are awesome holsters. It will fit either butt up or butt down depending on which one you get. Can be drawn downward from under your shirt or from the top through the neck line/open buttons. There are also other manufacturers. I just put that one out there because I have experience with it and my Air Marshal friend turned me on to them.
3) Shoulder holster. These will work but I have found that they seem to get in the way of the shoulder straps of the pack. Like I said it works but it was annoying to me. Maybe try a shoulder holster that adjusts for height so that you can wear it lower to the waist and not so high up in the armpit area. That may afford you more adjustability to get around the pack strap problem. Of course just wear a cover sirt with this.
4) Waist pack/fanny pack. Yes, yes, I know. You will look like a nerd, or a tourist, blah blah blah. Lucky for me I live in Florida and can wear one all the time. As long as I dress, say, in my work out clothes for short runs around town I just look like someone without any pockets hence the need for a waist pack. With hiking I don't think anyone would question one. Many people carry one in the woods as a convenient pouch for survival items and such. The waist pack puts the pistol in easy reach, is self concealed thus no need for cover shirts, keeps the pistol on your body, allows for free use of your packs hip belt.
My personal choice is either the chest rig or the waist pack. They both share most of the common merits that make them convenient and if I had to choose between those two it would probably be the waist pack.
How do you usually carry it? If that interfers with carrying while backpacking then here are some solutions that work for me.
1) Hip carry @ 3 o'clock. There is no law that says you have to use the hip belt on your pack. Just buckle it to itself around the back of the pack. Wear a cover shirt just like you would if going to the store or a movie.
2) Chest holster. I use a kydex chest holster made by http://www.survivalsheath.com/main/home.htm They are awesome holsters. It will fit either butt up or butt down depending on which one you get. Can be drawn downward from under your shirt or from the top through the neck line/open buttons. There are also other manufacturers. I just put that one out there because I have experience with it and my Air Marshal friend turned me on to them.
3) Shoulder holster. These will work but I have found that they seem to get in the way of the shoulder straps of the pack. Like I said it works but it was annoying to me. Maybe try a shoulder holster that adjusts for height so that you can wear it lower to the waist and not so high up in the armpit area. That may afford you more adjustability to get around the pack strap problem. Of course just wear a cover sirt with this.
4) Waist pack/fanny pack. Yes, yes, I know. You will look like a nerd, or a tourist, blah blah blah. Lucky for me I live in Florida and can wear one all the time. As long as I dress, say, in my work out clothes for short runs around town I just look like someone without any pockets hence the need for a waist pack. With hiking I don't think anyone would question one. Many people carry one in the woods as a convenient pouch for survival items and such. The waist pack puts the pistol in easy reach, is self concealed thus no need for cover shirts, keeps the pistol on your body, allows for free use of your packs hip belt.
My personal choice is either the chest rig or the waist pack. They both share most of the common merits that make them convenient and if I had to choose between those two it would probably be the waist pack.
It's all about what is most comfortable to you. Leg drops stick out like a sore thumb, but they serve their purpose. They do tend to get in the way and they can be heavy. I personally have a load bearing vest with a pistol belt, that I wear under my pack. I use a leg drop suspended from the pistol belt. It works just fine. However it is bulky, and easy to spot. So if concealment is your goal, you might want a subcompact that you can put in a pocket.
I carry my pistol on my hip while backpacking all the time. The waist strap doesn't really seem to get in the way at all. It would probably hinder my draw time, but I am no Quick Draw McGraw anyways.
I can't imagine it would be very comfortable walking very far with a a pistol in a drop leg holster swinging all over the place and banging into everything you walk by. But I'm sure they look really cool in the mirror!
I can't imagine it would be very comfortable walking very far with a a pistol in a drop leg holster swinging all over the place and banging into everything you walk by. But I'm sure they look really cool in the mirror!
HI guys, four post here.
Dude, please don't do it. DO NOT paint yourself with the shoot me first target. An exposed weapon makes you a priority threat. Have your weapon, but use your non removable weapon first, your brains. Don't look out of the ordinary. Don't look like a threat. Do not advertise than you might have something somebody else might want. Wearing a firearm exposed puts you a step behind somebody willing to do you harm.
be safe.
n1oc
PS. sorry dude, if I was rough.
Dude, please don't do it. DO NOT paint yourself with the shoot me first target. An exposed weapon makes you a priority threat. Have your weapon, but use your non removable weapon first, your brains. Don't look out of the ordinary. Don't look like a threat. Do not advertise than you might have something somebody else might want. Wearing a firearm exposed puts you a step behind somebody willing to do you harm.
be safe.n1oc
PS. sorry dude, if I was rough.
Concealed carry, remember New Orleans.
I actually thought the shoulder holster was a great suggestion.
Otherwise iwb, owb under a concealment garment, or pocket carry,
And the fanny pack is a good idea as well, no one looks twice at a fanny pack anymore. They just think GEEK, and thats what you want, stay low key.
Drop holster gets everyone in red alert, screams here comes a problem.
I actually thought the shoulder holster was a great suggestion.
Otherwise iwb, owb under a concealment garment, or pocket carry,
And the fanny pack is a good idea as well, no one looks twice at a fanny pack anymore. They just think GEEK, and thats what you want, stay low key.
Drop holster gets everyone in red alert, screams here comes a problem.
Bagmaster fanny pack that is accessable with velcro instead of a zipper.
I have a blue one and a green one in nice friendly camping / non-threatening sheeple colors. One is large for my .44 and the other is medium for my normal CCW.
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http://www.bagmaster.com/cart/products/47/Ambidextrous Fanny Pack Medium.htm
btw now it looks like they discontinued the velcro (zippers now) and the large only comes in black. Got mine like 20 yrs ago.
I have a blue one and a green one in nice friendly camping / non-threatening sheeple colors. One is large for my .44 and the other is medium for my normal CCW.
http://www.bagmaster.com/cart/products/47/Ambidextrous Fanny Pack Medium.htm
btw now it looks like they discontinued the velcro (zippers now) and the large only comes in black. Got mine like 20 yrs ago.
Get a decent pack with a nice hipbelt with attachment webbing. I carry either my Glock 26 or 19 in a small molle pouch on my hipbelt when hiking.
When hiking I usually carry two pistols. A Kahr Arms PM9 "OR" S&W Model 638 Bodyguard in a front pocket. Then I carry a bigger handgun in a Domke OutPack pouch. The OutPack is rectangular with a good belt loop and a pair of "D" rings on the side for an optional shoulder strap. It holds the pistol securely without shouting "GUN" to anyone who sees it. It also has a little extra room for extra kit. I did put a small square of foam in the bottom to insure the pistol sits upright.
I agree with others that packing heat should NOT be obvious. Never give up your element of surprise in a SHTF situation.
I might also mention that cops tend to think that people with exposed handguns and weapons might well be a threat to them and as a matter of routine secure the weapons of the people they deal with until they assure themselves you are not a threat. Not fair but that's the way it is.
As a cop myself, if I do not see it then I do not make an effort to find out about it. A thigh holster or tactical vest, not worn by someone in uniform and looking like they are where they are supposed to be will get a LOT of attention from whatever LE is on the street. And be forwarned...some LE might end up on the dark side when SHTF. New Orleans is recent proof of that not to mention the possibility of imposters looking for trouble. Being obvious with weapons will be like a floating duck in an aligator tank. You WILL get some serious unwanted interest.
My opinion and worth what you paid for it.
I agree with others that packing heat should NOT be obvious. Never give up your element of surprise in a SHTF situation.
I might also mention that cops tend to think that people with exposed handguns and weapons might well be a threat to them and as a matter of routine secure the weapons of the people they deal with until they assure themselves you are not a threat. Not fair but that's the way it is.
As a cop myself, if I do not see it then I do not make an effort to find out about it. A thigh holster or tactical vest, not worn by someone in uniform and looking like they are where they are supposed to be will get a LOT of attention from whatever LE is on the street. And be forwarned...some LE might end up on the dark side when SHTF. New Orleans is recent proof of that not to mention the possibility of imposters looking for trouble. Being obvious with weapons will be like a floating duck in an aligator tank. You WILL get some serious unwanted interest.
My opinion and worth what you paid for it.
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