High Country Handguns for defense

[rbljack]

Well, over the years I've been tromping around during the off season without any protection (sidearm...don't start in with the prophylactic jokes) LOL.

We recently took a trip over to NM and went in on horseback up the mountain on an early scout trip. I carried the basics in my pack for a day trip....but I've really been wanting to add a sidearm for those scout trips. It would also come in handy for bowhunting trips, and hog hunting/hiking here in Texas.

Im curious to know a few things and hear your opinions:

1. first off...which gun? caliber? etc. I currently don't mess around in grizzly country, so Im looking at either a SP101 in 357 mag/38special, or a 10 mm glock. Seems that the glock 20 might be an easier option to carry into the backcountry...but not sure.

2. What is your preferred carry method for quick/decent access when wearing a large pack? Holster suggestions and mounting locations welcome....

The thing I want to stress is that the handgun is for carrying for self defense, not hunting purposes.

 

[JWP58]

I carry what I carry every day. Glock 23 w/ speer gold dots. When in the mountains I use a simple kydex holster on the hip belt on my outdoorsman pack (or on my belt when at camp).

 

[Where's Bruce?]

For 2 legged defense a G22 is my sidearm, for 4 legged critters I pack a 329PD.

 

[CrzyTrekker]

I'm not a real advocate of carrying in Colorado, but I definitely would in Wyoming, Montana, etc. (grizzly country). All the black bears I've encountered here have chuffed at me for a few seconds, and then burned a trail through the woods.

Having said that, when I do occasionally carry I love my Tanker Holster from El Paso Saddlery. Rides securely on my chest and does not interfere with my pack at all. It's a superior holster when you consider how a lot of other holsters eventually become uncomfortable. Obviously the Tanker Holster is an "open carry" solution so you have to be comfortable with that. Gun of choice is a stainless Ruger SP101 in .357 with hard cast loads.

Come to think of it, I haven't carried this year at all. Last year maybe once on a solo fishing trip.

 

[Seacoo]

G20 with wide meplat hardcast rounds by Double Tap.

I recently discovered G-Code holsters. took my existing safariland holster, added a G-code adapter and added receiving plates to all my packs. Wicked strong and simple. I'll try to link the thread I started in the backpack section to solve my holster problem.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/content.php?1/addcontent&contenttypeid=18&postid=371498&parentid=1

 

[Seacoo]

maybe this?

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?31612-holster-options-for-Kifaru-frame/page2

 

[husky390]

When in the woods, I carry a Gen 4 G20 with Meprolight adjustable night sights and a KKM 6" barrel using Buffalo Bore 220gr Hard Cast loads. It rides in a Hill People Gear Kit Bag with a Fricke Zaccheus trigger guard holster. The Kit Bag is on me all the time and the gun can be at the ready in no time. The Kit Bag can be worn by itself or it ties into the load lifters on my pack so I don't even notice I have it on. It will hold a spare mag, gps, calls, lighter and other stuff I use throughout the day.

Another option is the new G40 as it has a 6" barrel with a full length slide, is actually lighter than my G20 and only weighs 3.15ozs more than the smallest SP101. These are empty weights of course but with the G20 or G40, you have three times the capacity of the SP101. Another one to look at is the G29 if it will fit your hand.

Side view of the Kit Bag, but it's not fully zipped up.


.

 

[COlineman78]

I'm not a real advocate of carrying in Colorado, but I definitely would in Wyoming, Montana, etc. (grizzly country). All the black bears I've encountered here have chuffed at me for a few seconds, and then burned a trail through the woods.

Having said that, when I do occasionally carry I love my Tanker Holster from El Paso Saddlery. Rides securely on my chest and does not interfere with my pack at all. It's a superior holster when you consider how a lot of other holsters eventually become uncomfortable. Obviously the Tanker Holster is an "open carry" solution so you have to be comfortable with that. Gun of choice is a stainless Ruger SP101 in .357 with hard cast loads.

Come to think of it, I haven't carried this year at all. Last year maybe once on a solo fishing trip.

I agree carrying for bears isn't necessary in CO. That being said I carry anyways. I would however say to anyone that has a fear of bears, wildlife in general or the dark (probably not anyone on this site): do everyone a favor and leave your sidearm at home and carry mace.

I carry a Sig P227 in .45 with night sights. I either use a blackhawk duty holster on my pack belt or the USGI UH-92 drop leg especially when hunting to keep it out of the way.

 

[rbljack]

ive had a few close calls over the years with black bears, and one cougar, but was carrying my rifle for every situation except for one. I haven't really been intimiated by the black bears either, but maybe that's me just taking the wild critter for granted. I never had to take a shot at one, but did have to hold my rifle aimed at a momma bear running past me on one side, while the cubs ran by me on my OTHER side at about 20 feet on each side of me!! It was thick lodgepole pine, and they must have scented me...they were just in get the hell outta here mode, and didn't give me a second look. Lucky me..i really didn't want to have to pull the trigger, but it was definilty on my mind. That's the closest call I ever had though.

I do know that after I spotted a cougar in a tree, I found myself looking over my shoulder for the next two hours....LOL.

Never had to mess with grizzlies, but this youtube video will really get ya re-evaluating the "no need to carry" philosophy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUG8UPsgE3U

 

[HOT ROD]

I carry a G22 in a black hawk holster while in the woods. I would like to get the G40 sum day...

 

[Elkfitness]

I carry when bowhunting in colorado, mainly for keeping the wife happy. That and a spot. II carry my 40 in a holster I picked up somewhere that holds it mid thigh on my right thigh where it doesn't interfere with my belt. I've practiced enough to draw it proficiently. For me, it's more for a crazy 2 footed person or the moose I seem to always encounter.

 

[HawkCreek]

Glock 20 in a Hill People Gear KitBag with a Raven Concealment trigger guard holster.

 

[trophytaka]

i carry either my glock 20 or glock 29 when hunting or scouting. if im rollin with the 20 it rides in a serpa holster on my kifaru hip belt. if i chose the 29 it fits perfectly in my hip belt pouch.

 

[charvey9]

Smith & Wesson 329PD in .44 Mag. Its lighter than any .357 on the market. Bladetech holster with techlock.

 

[bbrown]

Ruger LCR .357 is my daily CCW and goes with me on any scouting, fishing or archery trips but not when rifle hunting. Really only carry for the 2 legged variety - stumbled across my share of weed grows, old meth cook sites and a couple oddities when in the back country.

Still haven't perfected the best way to carry while wearing a pack but slipping it in the small belt pouch on the hip belt works just not the fastest to deploy.

 

[Trout bum]

S&W 329PD, .44, in holster on kuiu belt (not pack waist belt).

 

[_RJ_]

G19 or G21. Speer Gold Dots. I'm way more concerned with 2 legged than 4 legged creatures. Those back woods drug operations are no joke. Last year my grandpa was checking cows and ran into fishing line with hooks dangling from it. Neither him or his horse were impressed.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I carry a S&W .500 with a 2 3/4" barrel, in a holster across my chest for all my excursions (hunting,fishing, hiking, etc.). When I'm hunting and have my bino harness on, I just lower the pistol a little so that the holster runs just under the bino's across my upper belly. I've never had to use it, hopefully never will, but it is easily accessible and comes out very quickly.

 

[Rucker61]

I'll be carrying a 3" SP101 with 180 gr Underwoods this year, in a Triple K holster.

 

[cowboy300]

I carry a Smith and Wesson Model 60 357 loaded with hardcast handloads in a Simply Rugged pancake holster. That holster is the most comfortable I have found. I can wear it comfortably under my Exo pack hip belt as long as the pack isnt loaded down heavy and I strap it to the pack belt when it is. It also works great with my chinks when Im riding mules/horses.