Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting lightweight pistols

Apologies if this gets asked every week (not a ton popped when I searched and almost all that did is about bear protection)... what lightweight pistols do y'all backpack with when big bears aren't the primary concern? Are new production SW airweights really such a notch down from older models?

browning 1911-22

Dang I hope not, I've got one of the older ones. That would piss me off!!

What would be the main reason for carrying? I love 22’s for fun and plinking. Defense against attack from humans or an aggressive dog is a good reason, and might call for something larger. My favorites are a Ruger 22 or a Glock 9mm, depending on circumstances. Actually, the world is full of good choices. Get what you like best!

Most times a Glock 17.

I am not sure of the combined weight ( to lazy to add it up) of a G44 and also a Glock 19/23. Might be lighter then a 1911, idk

A while back I bought this LCRx in 357 Mag for a lightweight outdoors gun. I still haven't sourced a decent holster for it though.

MM, have you tried a small chest pack?

That's a sharp looking revolver. How is the alloy/weight vs. recoil in full house 357 rounds? I've been eyeing one of these in 38+p but I'm wondering if 14oz or so is too light for wife or smaller shooters?

Basically wild dogs and druggies in the trail. Almost more a hiking than hunting concern, but some overlap.

Good thinking. We all think about lions and tigers and bears(oh my!), but a dog or a human are far more likely to cause you trouble. Almost any quality 9mm, 38 or 357 would be fine. Even a 22 would usually work. Too big and you’ll hate carrying it. Too small and it might be hard to shoot accurately. Maybe try several with friends or at a rental place. Get one you like and can shoot. Think about ammo cost and availability as well. You’ll want to practice.

No, I've never tried a chest rig. Maybe I should, they seem popular.

The 357 is steel frame, 21 ounces empty. I've put 158gr full house loads through it. Recoil is strong, but manageable. The grip tames a lot of the shock compared to a lightweight with wood grips.

25 yards with the 158gr 357 load, Shooting DA.


Most of the time I load it up with a 38Spl +p handload. A 170gr Keith SWC, over 5.0gr Unique. I think it's around 850 fps.

I carry a Glock 48 in a Hill People Gear chest pouch about everywhere outdoors.

Yea I typically carry a snub nosed 357 with 38+p Keith type bullets. Have a Super Blackhawk in 44 mag if I need to fend off a velociraptor. Am thinking a 38+p or 357 in the 3" range would be ideal right in the middle.

I used to own a Smith 60 357 with the 3in bbl and adjustable sights. It only held 5, but was a good all around gun. I found +P 38 loads quite tolerable, but 357’s, not so much. I now carry a Glock 43x about everywhere. Others here are probably much more capable handgunners than me, and might prefer something else.

Smith 329 would seem ideal for your intended purpose. Unless you want/need more than 6 rds.

Naturally the 3" LCRx is out of stock the internet over.

JM - what are your thoughts about recent SW QC complaints? Ive never owned one.

That's what I carry most of the time backpacking. It's not fun to shoot .. but I don't go backpacking into wilderness areas to plink. If I shoot something, it's to kill it. The 329PD teaches you to make the first shot count .. if only so you don't have to shoot it again. Not joking, not exaggerating. Surprising how accurate it is though.

Tom

They're great for backpacking. Don't need to mess with a holster that fits on the hip pad, and when you take the pack off, you still have the chest rig on.

The Hill People Gear packs have a padded compartment for pistols and it's made so that the zipper rips open really quick if you need to get to it. Plus, it has extra room for other stuff you might want handy.

The HPG chest rig is the one I always hear people talking about. If I go that way, I'll definitely go HPG.

I have one for running. Gray, without the molle on the outside.

It's awesome.

Which attachment guys?

I was really skeptical on the HPG chest bag/pouch/whatever. After using it in 3-4 states, in/out of woods, National Parks, stores, vehicles, treestands, and about everywhere else, they are gold. I carry a spare mag in the front zipper pocket and a gps attached to the molly on the front. I also put my phone in the front zipper pocket and have attached my keys to the inside. I bought both the Runners version and the full size version. Gave the full size to my Dad and kept the runner version. Hes been trying to talk me into trading since........

I've used it to carry all my Glocks, a M20 fits with ease with and without a pack. I've not tried my Ruger Bisely but may at some point - but the M20 has largely replaced my Bisley 45 colt as a serious defense gun for woods adventures when bitey things are around. I really like the M20 and HPG setup. I use it unzipped on top and right hand side. With practice, you can extract a Glock from the HPG quickly and be shooting accurately within 2 secs. I hesitate to say 1 sec but it is very quick. The real bonus is you can zip it [bleep] and go into a store and no one knows. I've also worn it wearing a seat belt. For me, they are excellent.

Same.

What happened to that vet that was making a combo bino/gun harness and posted here? I went to find his website a while back and it looked like it was not running.

I've been on the watch for a 3" 357 but they are tough to find right now.....and selling for high $ when found. I've become a big fan of the LCR/LCRx revolvers.

Like folks have mentioned, the HPG is a great item to have. I use mine all the time, hunting, hiking, working around the farm. Not being firearm specific is a bonus. With several handguns I use a kydex triggerguard that has a loop which goes around a tab in the bottom of the HPG pouch so it pulls off when you draw.....and also can keep the handgun from sliding out the side if you leave the side of the pouch unzipped for straight access. I've never had one slide out but it's just extra insurance......

Most often if I'm hiking I carry one of the following:
1. 3" LCRx in 22
2. 1 7/8" LCR 357 or 22 (with 38's and/or 2 shot capsules)
3. Sig P365

An available belt holster for the 3" LCRx is below. I used one of these for 1 7/8" LCR's (22 and 357) and another for a 3" LCRx (22). Very nice little holster. Below is a link for the left hand 3". Usually if I'm carrying either of the 1 7/8"s it's in my left front pocket or the HPG though.

https://shopruger.com/LCRx-3-Mitch-Rosen-Holster-Left-Hand/productinfo/50244/

Pics for reference. This is the runners version, non molle. Guns are M&P 4" compact (G19 size) and M&P 5" (G34 size). The "big" HPG kit bags would be HUGE. The runner version has an elastic strap that's awesome for stopping any bouncing around.









I use a velcro holster from a Maxpedition bag to keep the firearm in place for a consistent draw.

i have two woods bum/backpacking/hiking guns. a G31, and a G20 the 31 loaded with 125 Speer Gold Dots, the 20 loaded with 180 Federal Trophy Bonded Bear claws

I second ( or third, furth fifth..whatever) the chest Rig i just ordered an HPG kit bag and have a Gunfigter industries Kenai Chest holster which I really love

The Kenai is awesome, but the HPG kit bag lets me keep from stampeding the sheep....

I have been back-packing all my life. about 55 years as of now. When going to the mountains I usually pack as light as I can, but one thing I never gave a thought to was buying a L.W. handgun for pack-trips.
The gun that goes with me the most and has for 45 years is my 4" M29 44 mag in a full flap holster.

About 1/2 the time I carry a rifle. When I do and it's not a hunt but just a back-packing trip, the 2 that I take most often are either an AR15 carbine or an AK47 with a folding stock. Another that I carried a lot years ago is my M1 Garand, which is anything but light. Sometimes I have taken a good 22LR, usually a Ruger M77/22 or an old Winchester M62A. When taking a 22 I usually take several hundred rounds to shoot. But taking the AK or the AR I often don't take more then the 30 rounds in the gun because I am not going shooting with those most times but just going on a hike and they are with me for the odd times I want to shoot something.

In every case however I carry a hand gun . I have taken about every one I own or have owned at one time or another, but the one that gets taken most has been the 4" M29. If for any reason I wanted to take a handgun because of it's light weight I'd take my 4" S&W Kit Gun, and maybe my M10 S&W 38 special.

Heavier gun with less ammo than lighter piece with more ammo.

One advantage of as lightweight is, you're never tempted to leave it in the truck to save weight.

Yes. Plus I find the various Glocks to take up less space on my person. I've carried numerous hawglegs and they seem to be in the way alot.

If all I was worried about was wild dogs and people, I’d probably go with the LCP for ease of carry. In my area Glock 20 is with me almost everywhere due to moose and bear, and meth heads....

The G20 really hits the sweet spot for size, weight, caliber, and capacity.

I carry my tiny NAA 22 mag revolver more than any pistol I’ve ever had.

Glock 32 in .357 Sig along with my Ruger LCP II in .22 LR in my pocket for plinking.

Goalie,
Is this the holster?
https://www.maxpedition.com/products/universal-ccw-holster

Looks helpful to keep things in position.

I carry a G43 w/ 2 round extension mags. BB 147gr hc ammo. Gun and 2 loaded mags weighs 28 oz and is carried in a HPG Recon chest rig. This is the best combo for weight/efficiency that I have tried so far. I spend 6-8 weeks/year in griz and moose country and am pretty comfortable w/ this set up.


mike r

Yup.

Mines green and came with a Maxpedition bag.

I like the trigger covered, even though I don't put other stuff in with the gun, as the M&Ps and Glocks don't have a safety other than the trigger dingle.

I know that Taurus aren't particularly popular with some here, but I have had the 357 poly protecter for close 10 years maybe a little longer.I hunt on horses, and back packs and have packed it probably 500 miles. It only weighs 20 oz, and I had a leather man make me a cross draw holster for it. That works really well in the saddle, and is easily accessible with a back pack as well. The pistol is reasonably accurate, and I really like the red fiber optic front sight. I have had it snowy,dirty, muddy, and it works well. It definitely fits the " light" category. You never even know its there.

Going with the OP's parameters in a backpack hunting thread and not just a walk or hike in the outdoors, I carry a Kahr CW9 in zippered pocket in my pack and a rifle. When the pack is off for any length of time the Kahr goes into a cargo pocket of my pants.

I ordered one. Ok, they are 2 for one at the moment, so I ordered 2.

tht's the main reason I ordered one. I figure it will be great for hiking, fishing, taking the kids to the park etc

A 4" Taurus ti 41 mag is about the same weight as a 3"LCRx 357 mag (21 oz).

A woman can practice with light loads. Then for carry, put in full loads. When she's stressed and needs it, she'll never notice the extra recoil.

Greg, if you're asking about the HPG kit bag, it comes with its own straps that are made to be comfortably worn underneath your pack straps so no attachment necessary. Or desirable IMO, the thing I like best about it is that when the pack comes off the kit bag stays put so even if you stop for only a few minutes to answer natures call, it's right there on your chest.

Thanks...

It's a good design IMO. Easy to adjust straps with a snap buckle for quick on/off, and the straps are connected to a mesh panel that rides on your back and spreads the load really well.

I have an HPG Recon which has molle loops. For hunting I use Blue force gear 10 Speed double AR pouch and Pistol mag pouches on the front which carry wind dust, chap stick, LRF and a spare pistol mag. You should probably get a device that covers your trigger guard and attaches to the loop in the bottom of the bag so it comes off when you draw.


mike r

I carry an xdm 10mm 5.25 " barrel in a heavy recon kit bag while hunting. Binos and rangefinder in front pouch, and occasionally a spare mag, which is probably just silly.

If not hunting, I usually have the same pistol in a runners kit bag, with a small utility blade knife and my phone in the front pocket.

I've carried a 4" 629 and a 4" 329pd in the recon, and it works ok. With full size binos in the front pouch the cylinder sort of jams into my sternum after a while.

G29 or G43 in a HPG Recon kit bag. For the OP's purposes, a Glock 19 would be a great choice as would a Sig 365.

You are putting your binos in the front pocket of the Recon and not using the bino pouch on the front of it? Easy to get binos in/out?

hpg is a great rig

If not in grizzly country I just carry a S&w 642 38 special with +P. otherwise a g20

Correct. Been doing that since I got the kit bag.

It probably isn't as fast as the magnetic closure bino pouches, but easy and fast enough for me. Left edge of my binos and right edge of my rangefinder bump into each other once in a while, but no big deal. A guy could add some padding if he was worried about that. Sig kilo 2k and 10x42 ultravids.

Ruger SR22 in the outermost compartment of my Camelback Mule. The compartment is open in that it doesn't have a zipper. I have to slide one arm out before I can get to the gun. I am SOL is the need for a super quick draw arises.

651 S&W, 22/45UL, G-19, tI TRACKER 4" .357 MAG,

I wish they still made them. I really enjoy my .357 but my main hunting pistol is a .41 mag 6.5" Blackhawk. It wouldbe nice to be able to run one load on a hunt.

Glock 43 in a HPG chest bag.

Or an SR22 or a Glock 19.

Depends on two legged or four legged threats.

I am not that interested in handguns but have two that I am very pleased to own. Both are revolvers because I like things that are stupid easy to operated under stress. The first is a Ruger lw 22 magnum with a 3” barrel. The second is a S&W 357 3” 5 shot SS outfit. I don’t even know the numbers but I know they are easy to work with.

I had the good fortune to visit with LCol Jeff Cooper on several occasions and he suggested that a 22 Mag was a very good defense gun for a non-pistolero. 458Win gave his daughter a SS 357 to keep herself safe. I listened to them and thought no more about pistols.

A smith 360 is in my pocket at all times for 2 legged wolves. If im cruising the woods in addition to that ill carry one of 3. A 4” buckmark, a 5” 629 or a smith governor

I carry a S&W Airweight, newer version. Shoots just fine - paper plate accurate at 15-20 yards. It's no 686 for accuracy but is about 1/2 the size & weight. I usually carry 2 rounds with bird/snake shot and 3 with 158gr SWC.

Thank you for the info. I thought I had my mind made up, but now...

The Kifaru Koala chest rig can carry a lot of stuff comfortably. I can even overnight with one.

It’s too bad the don’t make it anymore.

I'm all about lightweight for backpacking, but won't compromise personal protection. I do downsize what I carry to the local threats and that's it. In the woods the smallest/lightest I'll go is a airweight 357 J-frame. That's typically in areas with snakes and two chambers have shot shells in them. Otherwise it's a G23, or 10mm, or in big bear cases, a 44mag. Typically in the woods, I've got some sort of 10mm on me. Most weight around 40ozs +/- loaded. To save weight, I'll cut other items from my pack but the gun, medkit, and fire starter kit remain full size.

HPG recon kit bag is usually carrying a Glock 22 with a light attached or more often a Charter Arms bulldog target with 4” barrel and adjustable sights. Semiwadcutter HSM cowboy loads are plenty peppy from anything I might run across.

Might not fill all niches but it’s certainly accurate, reliable & very light - S&W M&P .22

Glock 19. Light enough with great mag capacity. 143gr HST rounds.

I don't backpack, but do carry a fairly heavy doublestack in the HPG pack for day hunts and just bumming around. I was really skeptical of the chest purse, but after several years of use I really like it. Handles the weight just fine.

I did recently purchase a P365XL and SW22. The SIG was primarily for IWB, but I think it'll work well in the HPG with less bulk than my M&P. I always have a LRF in the bag, and would like to add compact binos on occasion. I think the 365 would work better there.

More than likely, I'll be carrying the SW22 the most though.

It's a MAN purse 4th. I like the victory!

Enjoy the murse.

Euro-man purse, but I can't complain about the functionality.

It seems that most of the general public don't even notice it. I've had a few guys come ask, "Hey is that a Hill People Gear bag?!" I figure they know there's a pistol in there.

The non molle one doesn't get a second look in the suburbs.

I'm carrying even on runs right now, and the sheep don't notice at all.

My light pistol is a S&W 422. Shoots well enough and holds 12 rounds. I killed a coyote with it a couple weeks ago while out crappie fishing. I used to give a friend of mine hell for his camou f ag bag but I can see their usefulness.

If I'm in town, nobody seems to notice. Hunters and shooters are the ones that have approached me.

I’m not in bear country or do any actual backpack hunting but...

A lighweight commander sized 1911 does fit in the main compartment of a snubby sized HPG kit bag.

I personally use the waist pack version and it is even more none-gun-looking.

One can carry 8+1 of 45 ACP in the gun and spare mags can be carried in the rear-most compartment.

My own handloads of 255 gr LaserCast SWC over 5.2 gr of Unique are going 870 fps and shoot +1” at 10y in a fixed sight Colt Commander and, personally, I can still shoot it better than any Glock and it is less chunky. It is surprisingly soft shooting/less snappy - more so than a Glock 43 for sure.

That’s like having a standard pressure 45 Colt in a soft shooting, slim, lightweight semiauto.

The LCR's are the bomb! I'm too looking for a easy access holster that doesn't interfere much with a packs shoulder or chest straps.

I just received one and tried it in my HPG chest purse. Works well, and easy to adjust for different pistols.

Thanks, cwh2 and Goalie. Never saw that universal holster before.

Jason

Yeah, it is, IMO, a needed accessory for the kit bags. I like it better than the kydex trigger covers, as it keeps the firearm in a consistent location, which allows for a faster, repeatable draw.

Yeah, I've had the pistol roll with the slide at the bottom of the bag. Another problem with the Kydex is fiddling with the length of the static line to get it correct (not hard but something to consider otherwise you end up needing a lot of range of motion) and it's not quiet for popping a grouse, bunny, or squirrel.

After trying the Maxpedition holster a bit, I found that it works great on pistols without weapon mounted light. With light attached, it would sometimes get stuck. At that point, the Maxpedition just gets ripped from it's velcro mount. I suppose that I could just make the holster fit a bit looser, but that defeats its purpose.

Going to try the Vertx Tactigami next. Maybe have one for my pistols with WML, and use the Maxpedition for other pistols. We'll see.