Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Pistol carry location???

I just bought a Ruger Suoer Redhawk Alaskan in .44 Mag just in case I get to go moose / bear hunting in Alaska in the next few years. Where is the best place to carry it. Strong side belt holster will interfere with carrying rifle with sling. Chest holster will interfere with binoculars. I’m thinking cross draw belt holster or tanker type holster. Any and all suggestions / recommendations / advice welcome.

I like a chest holster. Diamond D Guides Choice. These are pretty adjustable, you can even carry them under your arm. I've also used a Pistol Packaging set up when I carried something bigger. I bought the bandalero and had a holster made for it, for the gun I like to carry.

I carry my Python in a shoulder (chest?) holster. I carried the Blackhawk strong side hip.

Interesting.

I carry in a Guide's Choice with a bandoleer and a speed loader pouch. I modified the attaching of the speedloader pouch by punching a hole on the back of it and attaching it to the chest strap with an extra leather screw I ordered as spares with the holster. It keeps the speedloader pouch horizontal where I can open and withdraw the speedloader with my right hand.

One of the guys I work with bought a chest holster from Alien Gear. It works well too.

The diamond d or, if you want a gun on your belt get a simply rugged sourdough crossdraw. It sits the gun high enough that it works with a pack waist belt.

Strong side belt

I use a Diamond D Guides Choice as well for my .500 S&W. I often carry a bino pack and the pistol rides just below it. So, more on my belly than my chest when carrying the binos.

Redhawk is strong side hip. 7.5” SBH is crossdraw hip, mostly so it doesn’t interfere while horseback.

Thinking seriously of going to kydex chest so it is always external, even in rain.

Simultaneously I assume.

Of course. I’m a firm believer in having a primary gun, a secondary gun, and a tertiary gun.

...just sitting here grinning...

I just use that pattern when I'm in the city.

I should get a picture.

I have good strong side and cross draw holsters and good gun belts to support the carrying of full sized hand guns. The best way I have found to carry a heavy revolver is the Diamond D Guides Choice chest holster. I have carried my S&W .44 Mountain Revolver with the skinny 4" barrel in one for many years. It does not interfere with my binoculars which are always around my neck when hunting. The Ruger you have is a big and heavy revolver and carrying any such revolver in a strong side hip holster with a pack and rifle and rain gear may make you wish for a smaller revolver or none at all.

I usually don't want to pack a revolver if I have my .338 or 30-06 or 45-70 in my hands and I have hunted in Alaska for over 50 years. I have met no one that was "saved" from animal attacks or scope failure because they relied on a back up hand gun.

I do often have a small S&W J frame .22 Kit Gun in my back pack, just in case I need a grouse getter. My 2 cents.

If you're packing a Moose/Bear rifle then forget the handgun.

where ever you decide to carry it, practice drawing and firing it.

I dont know why this is such a complicated question. It's very simple considering the type of hunt.

If 100% backpacking, just carry a hunting rifle. Also carry a friend to run camp guard while gutting an animal.

If otherwise, carry a sidearm, for those times you are away from the long gun. The diamond D allows for a variety of carry positions to allow for binos no problem.

For when cabin/atv/utv hunting, I have no problem with a long gun, a pistol, and a camp carbine.