I've been using a Safepacker but I'm considering a paddle holster for use on my backpack belts (padded Kifaru, non-live wing MR). I would like to be able to remove the holster and put it in my waistband if I drop the pack without a lot of noise (velcro) or unstrapping fuss.

I'm looking at Safariland ALS as I would like positive retention when in the brush. Fobus might be considered too.
Would the Safariland work well? I don't carry full time so this is really not a concealment issue.

Thanks

I personally would not trust a valuable handgun to a paddle holster on a a backpack belt. I have had paddle holsters, and good ones, come off under less rigorous demands and movement than backpacking.

I would, and have, simply spend the money for two holsters. One that is left on the pack and one that goes on the belt and stays there.

In both cases, the obvious choice for me has been a pancake style holster to keep the weight of the handgun close to my body so that its wieght does not have the advantage of leverage against me in addition to its own real dead weight.

I have carried a 329PD, Charter Arms 44, and several full sized and commander sized 1911 in these fashions. Having two pancake holsters is a lot less headache and grief than losing a handgun on a trail or in a creek crossing.

ALS holsters rock but I strongly urge you to consider a Hill People Gear Kit Bag that rides on your chest. Check out their site and be advise they have two versions that have PALS on the front.

Do you have a firearm selected? That would make a lot of difference to me.

Glocktard, good video there that makes the point well.

Of all the various holsters I have tried since beginning to carry in 1991, the Paddle types are by far my least favorite.

Here's what I would use, assuming I could find one to fit the gun.

Model 6379 ALS� Concealment Clip-On Belt Holster

http://www.safariland.com/belt-slide/model-6379-als-concealment-clip-on-belt-holster-28103.html

I have and use the ALS, Fobus, and the SERPA. They are all great for attaching to a pack belt but I think the Fobus is probably the most user friendly. The plastic bends more easier and works well on thick belts.

The molding on an ALS paddle is contoured pretty sharply. Meaning it is not a simple concave. It curves inward on the front of your hip and this may get tiresome on long hikes for you.

If you want to try the paddle route, I'd highly recommend giving a Fobus a try. It's a $20.00 experiment, so if you don't like it, no big deal. The ALS is bad ass, but they ain't cheap.

I have a HP Kit Bag and they do work very well. But I much prefer carrying my sidearms strong side, and the paddle is the easiest way to get that done when wearing a pack.



Travis

That clip ain't going to cut it on most pack belts.



Travis

Fobus is about as good as it gets in a paddle holster.

What pancake holster and pack are you using that allows the hip belt to thread through the holster?



Travis

An uber-cool blackhawk sportster, and a fieldline. Both purchased at the local mission...errr walmart

I've tried the plastic paddle holster on pack belt idea, and I wasn't impressed with any aspect of it. Didn't matter much how I arranged it - it just isn't a great option. I went to carrying either in a bandoleer holster or a chest pack, depending on the size of the gun.

I also tried putting a belt scabbard on the web portion of the pack belt (on mine, you can undo the webbing strap from the buckle and thread the holster on ) and I didn't like much that either. It just wasn't all that secure, and put the gun in a less-than-optimal position.

I know some guys go to military style flap holsters with a drop extension to get the gun below the pack belt, but that doesn't appeal to me either for various reasons. At least it's secure though, and works as advertised (so I hear). I considered having a custom holster made to fit the thick padded pack belt - but it just doesn't seem to be a priority for me. And it would be pack-specific anyway, which doesn't get me excited when I consider the probability of upgrading a pack.

I guess you have to ask yourself just how fast do you need to get to your gun while wearing a heavy pack, vs how likely are you to lose or damage the gun while holstered on the pack belt. In my case, the answers go against belt carry with a heavy pack.

The Fobus would work good if you put a rubber band around the paddle and body. But the Fobus wont keep crud out. I like a top flap holster instead. Google "AMS holsters" for a cheap holter easily modified.
https://sites.google.com/site/hobby...pd-info/pouch_keepers.JPG?attredirects=0

For me the solution depends on what I am carrying and where I am. The safepacker's one big advantage is that it hides the weapon so you don't wig out the natives.

I have a Galico thumbbreak for my S&W 360 and I can wear it on my belt or on the hipbelt of my pack. I use the straps that snug the pack to the hipbelt to secure the holster on my hiking pack. I wanted the thumbbreak because when its on my pack I can't feel the gun and I didn't want to drop it and not know. Its a simple, fairly cheap system, but requires you to have a way to attach it the hipbelt.

I also have two guides choice chest holsters (one for my bisley 45/single 6 and the other for my 1911's). To my mind,except for the ability to hide the fact I am carrying a firearm, this is the superior set up, first it carries the weight of the firearm better than my hip, I can wear the same set up, pack/no pack without the hassle of moving the holster and its always on the outside even if I wear a rain jacket or parka. Because of where the firearm rides I would notice it if it did come out of the holster (although the holster does have a retention strap).

I make and modify gear when it doesn't suit me and I have given some thought of whipping up the same strap system that the Guides choice uses using some 1" nylon, to covert my safepacker into a "chest" holster. This might be the best of both worlds for hiking among the libs. It might work well for carry in the civilized world in the summer. These days 95% of folks would just take the safepacker as a phone/pad case

I have not been able to use ANY backpack for a couple of years, but when I could, the hip belt on my Eberlestock backpack has a smaller diameter outer belt to use in atatching other accessories. My Monster Fanny pack, which I used more often, has the same feature.

I gotta ask; I assume you're bring the gun for protection. If that's the case, why put it someplace you can't get at it?

Why can't you get at a paddle holster attached to a hip belt?




Travis

Who are you asking? I don't see anyone having that problem.

maybe this by noKnees: "I wanted the thumbbreak because when its on my pack I can't feel the gun and I didn't want to drop it and not know."

Maybe - but every method has it's drawbacks, and ways to deal with them. That particular one is just a matter of training - as are most any that don't include burying the gun in a backpack. I guess the closest thing mentioned here to being "inaccessible" would be that Safepacker - but that would be an ill-informed assumption. It isn't an open-top belt scabbard, but the gun is still readily accessible for the carrier who has trained in it's use. It's not like guys are backpacking in places where threats are so eminent that they should go about Hardin-style with gun and hand in pocket at all times. Day hikes, I can see that. BTDT, won the t-shirt. But backpacking - no.