Side arm holster??

[cocky84]

Im going on my first moose hunt to Alaska next fall. I will be carrying a 44mag revolver. What kind of holster does everyone use? I ask this because I will have a larger backpack on most of the time so any chest holster will be in the way of the straps. Any belt holster will be in the way of the pack waist belt. I could put it on the pack waist belt but then anytime I take my pack off I would not have the gun on me. So I thought about a drop leg holster, but I will be wearing waist waders.

So..... what does everybody recommend?

 

[AdamW]

What barrel length are you carrying? Chest holsters like the Diamond D Guides Choice or the similar offering from Clark Fork Leather actually work pretty well with a backpack. The Diamond D specifically was designed to work in conjunction with a backpack. I made my own holster of a similar design. The biggest issue is just getting the sternum strap where you want it (behind the holster typically). Another alternative, depending on barrel length, might be the Hill People Gear Kit Bag. You listed all the options pretty much and they all have their pros and cons. A drop leg holster or any holster that carries the weight of the gun below the belt is no fun IMO.

Hey fellow Missourian by the way!

 

[cocky84]

Its a 4" barrel. Ive looked at those chest holsters and they look very nice. I will try to find someone who has one so i can try it out. Where about in Mo you located. Im in nw corner. North of st joe.

 

[AdamW]

Its a 4" barrel. Ive looked at those chest holsters and they look very nice. I will try to find someone who has one so i can try it out. Where about in Mo you located. Im in nw corner. North of st joe.

I think the biggest issue is not wanting to have other gear on your chest in the way of the holster e.g. binos etc.

Almost smack in the middle of the state near Columbia.

 

[Yellowknife]

So..... what does everybody recommend?

Although not totally un-heard of, very few Alaska moose hunters carry a sidearm and a rifle at the same time. Are you bow hunting?

However, if you really think you need a rifle and a handgun at the same time, quite a few of the "chest holsters" can be adjusted low and left to be out of the way of the binoculars. The Diamond D is a good harness in that regard, and quite popular. Some belt holsters also drop low enough to be out of the way of a hip belt. Particularly the cross draw type.

 

[jmden]

I pack a rifle and pistol routinely, at least to camp. I tend to shoot long range and sometimes prefer not to pack a rifle a long ways to the kill site. Point being that what I've found works best for me is a paddle style holster for both a .40SW or a .50AE. When backpacking, it fits nicely on the Kifaru Bikini waistbelt (on mine there's a piece of approx 2" webbing on the outside of the hipbelt that that paddle goes over). When the pack comes off, the paddle holster easily comes off the pack hipbelt and then onto my pants belt. Works OK for me and it's not in the way of binos. I use the Kifaru Gun Bearer so the paddle holster goes on my left side when packing a rifle for a crossdraw type of arrangement.

This seems to be an issue many have tried to resolve...not sure there's a perfect way to do it.

 

[Ian]

You could check out Montana Holster and Shoulder Rig, just Google search it, I have a buddy who really likes his, haven't tried it myself though.

 

[cocky84]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will be rifle hunting. I will be taking a 7mm mag. I do realize it is not totally necessary but it is my first time up there and its more for peace of mind. And it was a good reason to tell my wife i needed a new pistol. Lol

 

[Yellowknife]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will be rifle hunting. I will be taking a 7mm mag. I do realize it is not totally necessary but it is my first time up there and its more for peace of mind. And it was a good reason to tell my wife i needed a new pistol. Lol

Ok. But if you do have serious bear issues, I recommend solving them with the rifle if at all possible. With a 7 mag along, I would find the .44 to just be several lbs of annoying weight in an awkward spot. Not sure what point I'd leave the rifle for a pistol. I've faced off with bears with my .44 (or 10mm) a few times now while working or camping, and found that holding a handgun isn't exactly the same "peace of mind" as a long gun.

Yk

 

[PNWGATOR]

Definately check out the Diamond D Custom Leather Guides Choice Chest Holster. I think it'll meet your needs.

 

[BRobertson]

I carry a revolver whenever I am out and about. It is what I hunt with.
There is no problem using an across the chest style shoulder holster with a pack. I use a Bianchi 4100 Ranger nylon . Optics Planet has the best prices on these.
The nylon is not as pretty as leather, but is far superior for serious handgun carry here in Alaska. It is half the weight of any leather holster, and will not absorb moisture.
I have lots of nice leather holsters, but always use nylon for packing a heavy revolver. I have been carrying a revolver like this for over 45 years, so I have tried everything.

Also, I agree that technically a rifle of sufficient caliber is more desirable for bear defense, however there are lots of tales over the years of folks getting attacked and loosing touch with their rifle. A handgun is always with you and is better than sticking your hand down their throat!!
Bear spray is for folks that qualify for Natural Selection awards!!
A large caliber handgun, with a proper bullet, and in the proper hands is a very viable bear weapon. I have killed several brown/grizzlies with a .44, and have several friends that have done the same. Although I have to add that we are all experienced handgun hunters.

Bob

 

[mtluckydan]

Check these folks out - they have been great to work with and are building my holster in January. The are incorporating a safari land ELS connections system into one of their kydex/leather lined holsters. It will be molle for the pack belt and change to belt when the pack gets set down.

http://www.giholsters.com/

 

[PJG]

I've got 3 garret holsters and two mag carriers, good product for sure. I use them for conceal carry.

The only thing I would worry about in a backcountry holster is how much moisture the leather will hold if it gets soaked. I use a kydex holster for backcountry carry just because of that reason.

 

[cocky84]

Thanks. Im kinda liking the idea of the nylon Leather is dang pretty though.

 

[jmden]

Second the kydex or nylon plastic type holster as it will not hold moisture. Even nylon fabric will hold some--no bueno for firearms.

Edit: A Blade-Tec or Blawkhawk CQC holster, both with level 2 retention with paddles, is what I've chosen for backcountry carry so far...

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Went through this recently...found a good one. http://www.rokslide.com/forums/show...-Glock-22-amp-S-amp-W-329PD&highlight=Holster

 

[rbljack]

Found me a 454 casull that I couldn't pass up over the weekend. its a Taurus raging bull in 5 inch barrel. talk about a hand cannon. I haven't shot it yet, but I think I already have my holster picked out...LOL. that diamond d guides choice seems to be a great set up. I wont carry this gun during rifle hunts, but we will be turkey hunting in the mountains next spring in NM, and I think its coming along with my scout trips and backpacking trips to the mountains in the future.

 

[Sodbuster]

PNWGATOR
Definately check out the Diamond D Custom Leather Guides Choice Chest Holster. I think it'll meet your needs.

Bunch of Moose hunters in Missouri.
PNWGATOR is making an excellent suggestion here. I hunt with a friend and his son out of Fiarbanks. His son carrys a Casull in a Diamond D with his backpack with no problem.

 

[Sodbuster]

rbljack
Found me a 454 casull that I couldn't pass up over the weekend. its a Taurus raging bull in 5 inch barrel. talk about a hand cannon. I haven't shot it yet, but I think I already have my holster picked out...LOL. that diamond d guides choice seems to be a great set up.

Exact system I described.

 

[wyosteve]

rbl--I think you'll love the Casull. I sold both my Smith 629 .44's and got a Smith 460 in 5 in. It shoots .45 Colt, 454 Casull and Smith 460 rounds. I shoot Casull's the most since the ammo is a bit easier to find and less expensive for practice. Love the gun. Found a gentleman from Peyton, CO. that makes leather shoulder rigs for it. If you can't find a suitable holster, let me know and I'll pm his info. Very reasonably priced btw, i.e. $110.00.