Posted: 9/7/2011 4:14:05 AM EDT
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Looking for high quality lightweight daypack that has a hydration bladder AND a built in holster or at least pouch/pocket for one. Have seen some homemade/custom packs with a pouch that holds a pistol in the small-of-back position INSIDE the bottom of the pack. Anyone know of a commercial manufacturer.
Couple areas I day hike in are becoming impacted with bears cats coyotes and feral dogs as well as the ever growing population of 2 legged predators. Open carry is legal but life is easier without the gawkers and the aggravation. Obviously I will sacrifice some speed but a good pack should let me carry my Glock 20 in some comfort. |
| You have gawkers in Wyoming? I hike all over in Washington openly carrying and nobody bats an eye, and our trails are full of libs, aged hippies, and supporters of the current regime. Are you sure you’re not projecting your own fears? Seriously, nobody important cares. You’ll have a much better time hiking if you spend your money on a real pack, properly fitted, that is comfortable than you will with some off the shelf combat tactical silliness. |
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You have gawkers in Wyoming? I hike all over in Washington openly carrying and nobody bats an eye, and our trails are full of libs, aged hippies, and supporters of the current regime. Are you sure you’re not projecting your own fears? Seriously, nobody important cares. You’ll have a much better time hiking if you spend your money on a real pack, properly fitted, that is comfortable than you will with some off the shelf combat tactical silliness. I agree |
| We have tourists in Wyoming. Try open carry with a bunch of camera carriers in a major tourist area. by the time you and LEO/Rangers agree tourists are a nuisance you will have lost a part of your day and all of your patience and enjoyment. I carry concealed all day everyday, when I am in the real back country I carry openly. But, there are times when you want to take a nice liesurely hike in a close in area, or an area filled with tourist. I dont carry to attract attention. |
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I've been round and round with this issue. The only comfortable, easy draw solution is a chest pack or a Fanny pack if you're carrying a full size weapon.
With a smaller gun, a waist belt pouch works well. My backpacking pack didn't have lash straps on the belt, so I sewed some on. Works great. Az |
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The only comfortable, easy draw solution is a chest pack or a Fanny pack if you're carrying a full size weapon. That's a strange assertion, and completely untrue. My North Face pack has a 'gear loop' on the right side, perfect for a Bianchi M12 holster, and nothing you mention is more comfortable or easier from which to draw. 
To the OP, we have tourists here as well, many of them foreigners coming in through SeaTac International Airport. I have NEVER had any issues with hikers or Rangers while carrying. |
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I use a generic black flap holster attached to the waistband of my climbing pack. easy access and it is hard to notice that I am carrying. have used it for years here in nw wy without comment. have not used it in the parks. might be a good compromise. Care to provide a link to such type of holster? |
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The only comfortable, easy draw solution is a chest pack or a Fanny pack if you're carrying a full size weapon. That's a strange assertion, and completely untrue. My North Face pack has a 'gear loop' on the right side, perfect for a Bianchi M12 holster, and nothing you mention is more comfortable or easier from which to draw. http://www.topohiker.com/Holster.png To the OP, we have tourists here as well, many of them foreigners coming in through SeaTac International Airport. I have NEVER had any issues with hikers or Rangers while carrying. I meant for concealed carry. Sorry for the confusion. I actually have a holster just like yours for my .45 and it's a good solution. I even sewed straps on one of my packs waistbelts just to carry it. 
Az |
I use this for hiking.
Tactical Tailor Not built into a pack but works good. |
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I use THIS.
It's a sling bag, but can be worn on either side and straps around your waist if you like. Has an internal pocket for a bladder and two exterior zippered pockets for handguns. The holster pockets have velcro inside as well if you choose to mount a universal holster to keep the handgun that much more secure. The pockets are large enough to hold a full sized handgun in a Serpa holster. Not the best brand (Condor/ModGear) but I've beat the crap outta mine and it's held up great. I've littlerally tossed it down the driveway among other things and it's a decent bag for the price. 
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I use a camera pouch on the hipbelt of my pack. Lowepro makes a large assortment of various sizes and styles that are designed for carrying camera gear on your belt. I carry a S&W642 most of the time and I've never had anyone give it a second glance that I know of; I've stood there talking to rangers with it and they never said anything.
There's always the Wilderness Safepacker too. |
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I carry a S&W642 most of the time and I've never had anyone give it a second glance that I know of; I've stood there talking to rangers with it and they never said anything. Nobody has ever said anything to me, nor given my openly carried G20SF a second glance, including Forest Rangers.
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I carry a S&W642 most of the time and I've never had anyone give it a second glance that I know of; I've stood there talking to rangers with it and they never said anything. Nobody has ever said anything to me, nor given my openly carried G20SF a second glance, including Forest Rangers. Unfortunately over here there's a rule about only having .22s with barrels under 6" or something like that on National Forest lands (I can't remember the exact wording as I pretty much disregarded it). Obviously having something centerfire, even my small .38 revolver, didn't fit their requirements and a large frame pistol would definitely get some attention (I've got a G21SF with a 10mm conversion for it and it's definitely no pocket pistol  ).
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