Hiking holsters?

[splashdown]

I'm looking for advice on a holster for packing.
I would be looking for an open carry holster.
what is best drop leg? hip? other?

Any one have a particular favorite?

[P5Ret]

Depends on what your carrying, and how much other gear you take on a hike. Drop holsters have the advantage of being out of the way of most other gear, but the disadvantage of being instantly recognized. I personally like to stay as low profile as possible, and avoid the tactical look when hiking. I usually take a revolver, in a cross draw, or an old school flap holster, to keep it from getting too dinged up on brush or rocks, if I have to climb.

[pyromensch]

don't like drop legs, mainly because, it adds weight to the swing of your leg, i prefer hip/belt level holster. cross draw is nice too, if you have a pack, you don't have the elbow contacting the pack, issue. or a good shoulder holster, (but then there is the moisture, from sweat, ).

[Squid]

how about shoulder holster with flap?

If you wanna go low-pro it will be lost in backpack straps, camelback tubes, binocs, etc.

Most fishermen I've seen with anti-bear big guns use shoulder holster.

I'd think shoulder slightly forward to belly/chest would be ideal.

[Hardwarejunkie]

I've been thinking about one of these.

http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Chest_Holsters.php

[splashdown]

will be packing a pack for sure. The pack interfering with the hip holster was my main concern.
I feel the same about low profile or out of site but am concerned about having to dig it out of a pack if I need it.

[smittty]

I've been thinking about one of these.

http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Chest_Holsters.php

That's the same style as the US M7 shoulder holster. You can get good quality replica from "pacific canvas & leather". You can get an originals from desert storm erra on ebay. They were made by Adirondack Leather. The replicas from PC&L are equal IMO.

I have an M7 and it holds all my full size 9mm pistols.

Another holster I like is the "Voodoo tactical Modular pistol Holster pouch". I had to look up the name, it's a mouth full!
Anyway, I like it because it's cheap (under $20), it's good quality, it allows a tact light to be mounted to the pistol and because of the molle straps it can be attached to the wide hip belt of a backpack. And it holds all my full size pistols. It's my first choice for backpacking or exposed woods carry.

[44fred]

I've been thinking about one of these.

http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Chest_Holsters.php

I bought one of these a couple months ago.
One of the finest holsters I've owned. My S&W 460V is a perfect candidate for this set up. HEAVY, HEAVY gun but the weight disappears with this. Advantage is you can still wear a pack and your gun is right there if needed.

[Hardwarejunkie]

Smittty and 44fred, thanks for the info.
Unfortunately, I need to find myself a Ruger Alaskan 454 first.
I looked at a used one Monday and may go back this Saturday.
I certainly might get a Nambu type 14 repo from PC&L though.

[IrishPirate]

where you going? if it's an established trail that gets used a lot then low key might be a good idea (in case some yuppy putz gets all freaked out when you pass them and calls the sheriff). If it's wilderness then don't worry about it. If your pack has a thick waist strap then you might be able to put a holster on it if you prefer hip carry. Uncle Mike's holsters work well with my pack.

Drop leg is best IMHO because it's out of the way of your pack, easily accessible, and if you set your pack down and walk away, your gun goes with you. It doesn't add a bunch of extra weight and throw off your stride unless you get a cheap POS that makes your gun bounce around and hit your thigh.

if you've got a revolver you could maybe go with one of those old cowboy holsters that ride really low, but those were pretty much replaced by drop-legs for a reason...

don't dress like a mall ninja or weekend warrior and you probably will just be looked at like any other hiker, and most people probably wont even notice your gun.

[jokat989]

I've been thinking about one of these.

http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Chest_Holsters.php

this guy is good with leather and hand makes everything up here in alaska. its worth it.

[paul0660]

http://www.simplyrugged.com/ This guy was in Alaska, has since moved to Arizona. High quality reasonably priced.