Drop leg holster for backpacking

ChrisMJX · 05-02-2013, 16:27

I have been mucking along with a really lousy drop leg holster for my G32 for a year or two now and I'm sick of it. I take extended trips on foot through the Colorado backcountry fairly often, and I prefer to carry my pistol on my thigh where it is easily accessible at all times, but out of the way for the most part.

Does anyone have experience with a drop leg holster they can recommend for backpacking? Keep in mind that I am often climbing trail sections that resemble steep stairs more than relatively level trails, so I'd like to be able to somehow minimize its tendency to move around my thigh, and it needs to have some sort of retention strap or clip etc.

98LS-WON · 05-03-2013, 04:16

I personally hate walking around w/ a leg drop holster, and it makes 1 cargo pocket completly unuseable. Have you though about securing a holster to the shoulder strap of your pack as a cross draw?

Gun Shark · 05-03-2013, 04:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98LS-WON

I personally hate walking around w/ a leg drop holster, and it makes 1 cargo pocket completly unuseable. Have you though about securing a holster to the shoulder strap of your pack as a cross draw?

That's what I would do. I have friends who carry in a drop down leg holster and it seems unpleasant to say the least.

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ChrisMJX · 05-03-2013, 09:09

You're both right, it can be unpleasant for sure. It has occurred to me to strap it to my chest somehow, but there tends to be a lot going on across my chest when I'm backpacking. For instance, my water tube stretches across and clips to my chest, then my GPS unit clips to a shoulder strap, and I sometimes have other things on the other strap, such as a knife or compass if we're doing orienteering, tools... Another consideration is when we make trail stops, we often take our packs off, slinging them down to the ground and back up again.

For these reasons I elected for a drop leg holster. Its not perfect, and if someone can suggest a good option for a chest holster I'd appreciate it, but its been tough to find a good, stay-put leg holster too!

98LS-WON · 05-03-2013, 10:05

I've used a BlackHawk legdrop for an entire deployment and it held up well, but it tends to flop around a lot if you are moving fast. Another option (I can't remember who makes it) is a holster than connects to your belt but lowers the pistol about 2-3 inches so the butt clears your vest. I bet that would probably clear the waist straps of your pack as well.

Found an example, like this except dropped another inch or 2. http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info...v75n2ol5qtadl5

captdreifus · 05-03-2013, 11:46

http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/p....aspx?pid=6304

Best drop leg made.

ViennaGambit · 05-03-2013, 12:02

I use a Hill People Gear chest pack - very very modular.

http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Produc...2/Default.aspx

smokeross · 05-03-2013, 13:57

When I am wearing a pack, especially when I am packing out meat, I wear my Redhawk hanging low, right in front of my Johnson. It isn't hitting the pack, and I can always reach it with either hand.
If a bear was mauling my right arm, I can still get to the gun with my left. Not so if I'm packing strong side. It's happened to folks up here.

countrygun · 05-03-2013, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeross

When I am wearing a pack, especially when I am packing out meat, I wear my Redhawk hanging low, right in front of my Johnson. It isn't hitting the pack, and I can always reach it with either hand.
If a bear was mauling my right arm, I can still get to the gun with my left. Not so if I'm packing strong side. It's happened to folks up here.

Well, for some of us that would not be a very specific location. at the knee? Mid thigh?

02LimitedX · 05-03-2013, 17:49

I like using http://www.ribzwear.com/ribz-front-pack/ . You can keep everything you need at hand inside it, easily accessible.

Jermzzzzzzz · 05-10-2013, 00:39

I use the HPG kit bag for carrying while backpacking.
Www.hillpeoplegear.com

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dp2002813 · 05-10-2013, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeross

When I am wearing a pack, especially when I am packing out meat, I wear my Redhawk hanging low, right in front of my Johnson. It isn't hitting the pack, and I can always reach it with either hand.
If a bear was mauling my right arm, I can still get to the gun with my left. Not so if I'm packing strong side. It's happened to folks up here.

I apologize.

I am having trouble visualizing this carry position. All I can see is a pistol on a lanyard hung around my neck, like in the movie "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly", Eli Wallach's character Tuco.

I like the sound of ambidextrous access though. Please explain.

ChrisMJX · 05-11-2013, 21:56

Jermzzzzzzz & ViennaGambit:

Don't these bags interfere with your backpack's straps? It looks like these straps go over your shoulders, and what about the backpack's chest strap?

Jermzzzzzzz · 05-11-2013, 21:59

A packs strap fits comfortably over the kit bags straps or you can dock the kit bag to the strap

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packeagle · 05-11-2013, 22:00

I use a Safariland Drop Leg.

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ViennaGambit · 05-11-2013, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisMJX

Jermzzzzzzz & ViennaGambit:

Don't these bags interfere with your backpack's straps? It looks like these straps go over your shoulders, and what about the backpack's chest strap?

No - you take the kit bag straps off and they kit bag docks directly to the d-rings on the shoulder straps of your back pack around the area of the sternum straps. Then when you get to camp you just put the kit bag straps back on and wear it as a chest pack...

Sounds annoying but its easy and worth it - I sleep with the kit bag on.

ETA: you use the lift kit to attach to your pack:

http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Produc...9/Default.aspx

if youre genuinely interested, I'll hook it up tomorrow and take some pics for you.