Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Backpack handgun holster?

I've been looking for a holster of some type for a Glock 10mm to go on the side of my hip belt of my MRanch. I like the looks of the kit bag, but I have been using a badlands bino bag/pocket thats really similar and can't use both.
Anyone have a trick for hooking to the hip belt??

Well you guys sold me on the kitbag. I do hike and ride a bike enough that I should get more use with it concealed than another type of holster. It looks to be very comfortable and from the comments here it will be. I will let everyone know after the pack trip if I'm completely happy with the purchase. Thanks for all the feedback.

I think you'll be very happy with your decision. The only issue I had to adjust too was the slight rubbing that sometimes irritated my wooly chest. I got used to it, but I did fidget a little in the beginning. Just a heads-up if you're a sasquatch too.

Kifaru makes an adapter that attaches to PALS webbing. You can then use any holster than would normally ride on a belt.

HERE

I'm still wondering how you knew I was as wooly as Bigfoot? Since I moved back to Bama there have been no more sightings of the creature in the NW.

I just run a mitch rosen with a 329 in it. I weave the sternum strap through it and it rides fine. when I get to my area and de backpack, I still have a useful sidearm holster. small ight and multi purpose.

If you are going to have to unzip a handgun for defense in any bag you might as well put it in the pack. Don't kid yourself about being able to unzip and present a weapon in the heat of the moment. You mentioned bear defense and I know how quick a black bear can be on you even with a rifle in hand aimed downrange at him. God help you if you need to clear leather at all ...let alone unzip a bag. If it ain't in your hand your probably not going to make it...zipping it up is a joke if your serious about defense. A handgun doesn't need to be comfortable, it needs to be to be "comforting".

I use a leather crossdraw holster that is just below my hip belt. It works fine on horse back too.

I's still be lucky to get off a well aimed shot at a bear set on getting into me...that's the truth.

Obviously you have no idea how a Kit bag or a Koala works. It is just as fast as a cross draw holster for me. It is called "practice", you do that enough and you can easily get your gun out with speed. I have already drawn "real life" from a kit bag and a Koala once at bears that were less than 10 yards away. I have had no problems getting out my handgun.

You are the exception, not the rule, and I commend you on your speed and your ability to face bears. I also commend you on your dedication to practicing such a skillful draw from a zipped bag.

My opinion is still the same regarding a "zipped up" defensive weapon. If this rig doesn't have a zipper as I thought originally than I am mistaken but my opinion will remain the same regardless when it comes to access.

You can have your opinion and I'll have mine.

Go ahead and watch the you tube video on the Hill People Gear website, you will see what i am talking about. Access is alot faster then you would think.

Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nXfp1zsJ0BE

While not my style, it appears to be quick provided you have both hands free. I do like the design and I like the storage as a stand alone kit...of course I woould just fill it with more junk. Neat design just not for me. Here's a shot of me with a pack on and my crossdraw holster in Colorado, it's what works for me.

Is that a Bisley Vaquero?

Nothing wrong with a cross-draw belt holster, or strong side for that matter---------like you said, whatever works for YOU. As the owner of a decent pile of nice leather though, I still find the Kit Bag to be an great invention. If I felt I was in REAL danger of a Brown Bear attack, I'd probably opt for an Marlin Guide Gun or Rem 870 riding in a Kifaru Gunbearer (if wearing a pack) or in my hand if not. For my needs, the Kit Bag is plenty fast, and its only concession is the need for two free hands rather than one. Since I shoot with two hands anyway, the one that rips open the bag is right where it needs to be as the support hand as the pistol clear the bag. Even when drawing from leather my support hand always goes to my chest while my gun hand is grabbing the pistol, so it's a natural (conditioned) response. Consistency is nice.

If I was strictly concerned about a fast presentation, I'd probably stick with one of the custom kydex holsters that attaches directly to MOLLE webbing. But for the compromise of concealed carry, the KB is top notch, with added benefits beyond just a holster.

It does have a zipper but you don't really unzip the bag, you rip it open. It is a two handed operation if you're going to do it with any speed. Weak hand rips the bag away and the strong hand grasps the gun. Much faster than you'd think, especially if you actually try it. It would definitely be slower than a standard holster with one hand though. I suspect you might be surprised by a time trial between a leather cross draw holster with strap in place and the Kit Bag. Would depend on the user of course.

CCH is right on and you can trust what he says. He turned me onto the HPG bag and it's everything everyone says. I'm a Kifaru junkie but the HPG is what you want.

Good point, I completely missed that part. The strap either makes it a two hand operation, or slows the draw while the gun hand releases the strap first before drawing. I tend to keep straps undone for that reason, only snapping them down if I foresee a reason. IIRC Elmer/Skeeter/Jordan used the same approach with their strap holsters. I'm definitely not them, but why reinvent the wheel if they've noodled out the issue already.

I remember one campout where I left my EPS Tanker strap undone, and I got a few helpful reminders and silent glances from friends who were from "gun guys." One dude I met on the trail even asked me why I had a pistol in the first place. All this is completely avoided with the Kit Bag.

I've been using a El Paso Saddlery tankerman's holster for my short Super Blackhawk. The leather is thin enough not to be a problem under the pack straps. It's a little heavy for the width of the strap but acceptable. I think it'd be great for your Taurus.

I used to pack an identical .44 in an uncle mike's vertical shoulder holster. I was surprised a bit, but it didn't conflict with the shoulder straps or hip belt either.

With my frame packs, high ride hip holsters typically work ok, they fit in that gap between the pack frame, webbing, and my hip bone. With an internal frame pack or big day pack with a belt that fits tight clear around, that doesn't work out.

Tom

how about you guys split the difference with a cross draw kit bag



Made this one for a hard rock miner friend of mine who has taken to carrying a .454 because of "those pesky moose". It's a one off custom called the "thirty eight and a half".

No plans to put it into production, and custom work like this is only done as a personal favor. Just thought you might get a kick out of it.

I feel honored knowing both the hard rock miner (a rugged individual) and the story behind the name.

Bisley 45 Blackhawk

I like all the point smade about those chest kits...OK...Let me just get to the real reason I won't have one...God should strike me down if he sees my revolvers in anything synthetic, kydex around a Single action makes is simply unnatural. My holster is a 120 style with an extra long strap (like Elmer recommended) so I can release the strap as I chop up and grasp the pistol with one hand. Of course I also still wear wool so I may be a bit behind the times....

The whole point is that NO ONE will see your SA wrapped in nylon or if they do, you aren't going to be trying to garner style points at that moment. Besides, if God is a true traditionalist, a Ruger (while a superior using gun) isn't going to cut it for him and you will be smote mightily for your failure to carry a vintage Colt SAA. EK was known to drop his gun into his boot if necessary to remain inconspicuous. I'm betting he wouldn't turn up his nose at the HPG Kit Bag given his practical nature. He seemed to like things that worked.