Gents:

Am looking for a small utility/day pack to wear on my back that would have a concealed holster of some type large enough for a Browning Hi-Power. Would like to be able to access the pistol easily without removing the pak.

Any idears?

Appreciate input,
tom

How about a pack to wear on your front?

I have one of these, and really like it. Much more comfortable than it looks.

http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Produ...etails/mid/1916/ProductID/6/Default.aspx

I have a day pack with a pocket in the top flap. I am sure it was intended for a map or other quick access item but it fits my 1911 just right. The zipper faces the front and I leave it unzipped. I can easily reach behind my head to access the pistol.

Mauser--any problems with the pistol staying put w/the zipper open?

Jordan: is it still pretty fast to get into being zippered?

interesting, have not considered a front pack until now...I know it won't work for my wife...:)

oops--just saw the video link...looks pretty fast--as long as you pull the right zipper, I imagine...:)

I've got this one:

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/FATBOY-VERSIPACK-29p31.htm

And this one:

http://www.511tactical.com/rush-moab-6.html

I like them both and they both have a pocket designed for a pistol. The Fatboy may be a little small for the high power, but it may be close. My full size Xdm won't quite fit, but midsize and smaller would work.

You won't have any problem with the 5.11 Rush 6 in terms of it fitting. This pack is a little bigger than the Fat Boy. It is also the pack that I use more often. I use it when I'm riding my bike to work and it works great.

You can get multitudes of color options for either one.

http://www.thewilderness.com/safepacker-concealment-holster/

These are handy. http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Chest_Holsters.php

Well, they aren't too concealed...in a pack--but I do like looking at the girls wearing those...

Gents, I admit to be a throwback to another age and don't wanna step on you younger guys feelers in any way, but just gotta say here, it will never ever ever never get cold enough for me to walk around in the hinterlands of the UP with something that looks like I borrowed it from my daughter...

The Hills people deal might work though--was hoping to hear from someone who had a utility or daypak that you could kinda reach behind yer back and access said Browning without to much angst. Now that I pontificate some more, it do appear easier when hanging in front of you...

Wrecks being wrecks, reaching up quickly over my head might not be a good idea on those occasional days when the hydraulics aren't working real well...:)

Anything else is a huge mistake.

I guess I'm semi-young (early 40's), but I don't think that the Moab 6 I recommended looks like something borrowed from a woman. But, hey, maybe it does. Oh well. It goes across the back like you wanted, but because its a sling pack it's really easy to bring it around the the front to access the pistol quickly.

Pic borrowed from the web, but this is the one I have:


I use mine when riding bike to work and when hiking. I don't "wear it around town".

I'll second the Hill People Kit bag, it's great. The handgun compartment is constructed so that you can rip open the zippers easily without having to pull on them. Here's a pic of me this past weekend with mine. Had an S&W revolver, camera, binos, and snacks in there, barely knew I was wearing it:

Another vote for the Hillpeople Gear rigs. It wears well under all my packs and affords very quick access to my handgun. It allows me to access my rangefinder, winddust and leatherman w/out having grope for them on my belt or remove my pack. The best part is I can remove my pack w/out being separated from my handgun. The construction quality and materials are outstanding as are the people you deal with.

mike r

No issues. the pistol stays put. The pistol rests on the back side of the pack with the zippered opening just barely facing front. It is an easy reach.

Thanks for all the input, Gents.

Will spring for the Hill gear and give it a shot

A good move. This is one of my favorite pieces of gear I've bought in recent years. The handgun compartment is in the rear and has two zippers. They can be left parked at a corner with the corner slightly open. Insert a thumb and pull and the zippers will give way giving instant access. As quick as a holster IMO. The back compartment is dedicated to the handgun you're carrying so you don't have to monkey around a loaded gun while accessing other gear.
The separate front compartment can be used for maps, gps, compass, reading glasses, snacks, knife, etc, etc.
The harness can be removed and the kit bag attached to your backpack straps(which is the way I usually use it). I've also worn it with its harness and a backpack on top with no issues. This allows you to remove your pack but keep the kitbag on around camp.

Zackly what I was gonna suggest. I love mine!! It is perfect for me. I bought two. It is more versatile than you realize.

If you buy it & don't like it, send me a p.m. & I will pay what you have in it including shipping.

grinning, appreciate the offer reloder...

did you combine the kit bag with any of their other packs?

No sir, just the kit bag. I absolutely love it.

I guess a lot depends on your use.

The safepacker seems obvious what it is but is full concealment and padded as well as secure. It's means of attachment are adaptable.

The chest pocket from Hillpeople may work for some but would need to hang lower for me to be comfortable with a rifle and it would take some real getting used to going prone. It may work well with an adjustable height chest strap on a backpack.

Is this for hiking trails where a bigger pocket looking rig would be less conspicuos than say a book bag going to college type where a much less tacticool look is needed?

I don't know that I have ever crossed a hiking trail in the UP...am sure there are some somewhere. Actually seldom bump into anybody, in or out of season, unless it moving over while driving down a lumber trail...:)

In the first post, I mentioned I was looking for a small day or utility pack that would hold a pistol for easy access. The safepacker looks like it would work fine on a pack belt, but it is not a day/utility pack and it isn't any cheaper.

If I have a rifle, it's season and I don't carry a pistol--just more lunch. Going prone ain't in the cards for the terrain & cover...

My idea of a small day/utility pack is more like Badlands Source or Reactor and even then I think they're a bit to small for me. I'd be looking at the 2200 or something similar. So for concealment I'd probably consider a similar sized pack with a pocket in the belt. My personal defense pistol is small. Concealment isn't easy but then again, depending on the situation....

You'd likely get better feedback in the personal defense forum if that's what you're asking about. In reference to a daypack a pouch on the strap or belt would be a good thing. Unzipping a pocket may use up what little time you have to react.

That's not a problem with this piece of gear. It's designed to open without having to pull on a zipper to open it. The guys who designed it are up to speed on what works with personal defense and they designed it with that in mind.

I have a safepacker too but I prefer the kit bag for quick access. Thing is, even without a pistol it's a good piece of gear for anything you want to have readily accessible like a camera, binos, headlamp, snacks, etc.

Shooting a rifle with it on is not a problem either.

smokepole- exactly. I'm trying to address his idea of a backpack, most have zippers. I think a safepacker would work well, but the way I read the OP's response I thought it sounded like he thinks it's to big. I don't even know what size gun he's trying to hide. Maybe I missed it.