your favorite handgun chest rig

[fidelity]

I saw this on a NutNFancy video …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TukuPDIZz8c

… and really liked the chest rig that I saw at the 5:50 timemark (and yes, some dude says "clip" soon thereafter). Looks very convenient for camping and backpacking where open carry is permitted. I can't find it on the NutNFancy website or at their affiliates but could have missed it. I did find some others through a little Google searching … ranging from streamlined to professional grade (I prefer something as seen in the video) ...

http://www.reactgear.com/Maxpedition-FatBoy-Versipack-0403-p/0403-p.htm
http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Universal-Spec-Ops-Pistol-HarnessHolster,1429,2.htm
http://www.skdtac.com/Eagle-M4-Chest-Rig-LE-3-Mag-p/eag.563.htm
http://www.skdtac.com/Eagle-LE-Active-Shooter-Chest-Rig-p/eag.670.htm
http://www.optactical.com/araratslchri2.html
http://www.lapolicegear.com/tg-mcr5-chest-rig.html
http://www.lapolicegear.com/tactical-cross-draw-vest.html

Searching old posts here also found this nice one for concealed carry …

http://www.mdshooters.com/showpost.php?p=1759465&postcount=2

For those with practical experience, are there any chest rigs that you own and find convenient for backpacking (e.g. if camping at state or national parks in Nevada or Utah)? I understand there may be a limited subset of folks in Maryland that have any use for these, and elsewhere they might prefer conceal carry depending on their permits and state laws when in local national parks.

 

[Semper Noctem]

Butt fancy.

 

[RaVis]

You know it.

http://www.nextgadgets.net/double-the-pewsure-double-the-fun-conjoined-twin-glocks-with-scope/

 

[LONGSHOT]

M-7 w/out chess strap.

 

[HappyCamper]

Mookie war rigs heavy & light, chinese AK 4 cell rig, IDF chest rig and the maxpedition are four that I have used pretty hard and they worked well. But like anything, they have advantages and disavantages depending on specific application of use.

For backpacking, you need to highly consider what other packs and gear you will be touting and make sure they play nice together. It's critical to think of it all as a system, not as individual things. Also then think ahead how you will carry your weps water and Nav.

If you will be backcountry backpacking then there is a whole other level of prep. ALWAYS have your weapon Highly accessible in the backcountry in the SW US.
Lastly, be careful and prepared. If I had a dollar for every lost or injured hiker I saved from the South Western US that was unprepared for the backcountry, I could buy myself another Glock.

 

[fidelity]

Mookie war rigs heavy & light, chinese AK 4 cell rig, IDF chest rig and the maxpedition are four that I have used pretty hard and they worked well. But like anything, they have advantages and disavantages depending on specific application of use.

For backpacking, you need to highly consider what other packs and gear you will be touting and make sure they play nice together. It's critical to think of it all as a system, not as individual things. Also then think ahead how you will carry your weps water and Nav.

If you will be backcountry backpacking then there is a whole other level of prep. ALWAYS have your weapon Highly accessible in the backcountry in the SW US.
Lastly, be careful and prepared. If I had a dollar for every lost or injured hiker I saved from the South Western US that was unprepared for the backcountry, I could buy myself another Glock.

The maxpedition site has nice stuff. Good point about integrating with other gear. Most of my stuff, including backpacks, are 15-20 years old. So a backpack upgrade would't be out of line and your maxpedition tip looks like the best place to explore. We're thinking of taking a vacation in spring. I have some backcountry experience, but have small kids, so we would do easy stuff. Car camping and extended day hikes. I'm also more focused on protecting them, so would prefer to plan family vacations where I can carry.

The point that you bring up about the SW (where I haven't camped or explored in the past so am less familiar with) ... is there a lot of criminal activity in the national parks in this area?

 

[HappyCamper]

The maxpedition site has nice stuff. Good point about integrating with other gear. Most of my stuff, including backpacks, are 15-20 years old from grad school in the Pacific Northwest. So a backpack upgrade would't be out of line and your maxpedition tip looks like the best place to explore. We're thinking of taking a vacation in spring. I have some backcountry experience (extended backcountry camping in the Northwest and Alaska), but have small kids, so we would do easy stuff. Car camping and extended day hikes. I'm also more focused on protecting them, so would prefer to plan family vacations where I can carry.

The point that you bring up about the SW (where I haven't camped or explored in the past so am less familiar with) ... is there a lot of criminal activity in the national parks in this area?

Even if you only plan on day hikes, since you are protecting and planning for multiple people, especially young ones, be prepared to carry a good 48 hour bag at the least. For the SW that doesn't particularly have to be a huge bag, but it depends on the particular site you intend on exploring. Higher elevations or rigorous geographic areas might dictate a few more items for inclusion.

The threat is pretty particular to the site you go to and I would categorize it into three types:

First there is the natural biological one. If you go backcountry, depending on the area, there is a decent chance you will encounter animals that could do you harm. Bear, cats, snakes, javelina.. a bunch more. They are out there and can't be ignored, but most of the time they will avoid you. However, if they don't, usually, they will act aggressively and quickly, hence the reason to have your weapon quickly accessible.

Second is the nut cases that are out in the wilderness. There are crazy people everywhere, even in the middle of nowhere. I swear I've met more f'ed up people 20 miles from a road than at your local Walmart. Travel quietly and be aware of your surroundings, even in the middle of nowhere. Also included here is the massive flux of illegals near the border - yes it is a reality. And the significant remote growing operations in the wildlands of the regions. We came across many random, unexpected growing sites, a few of which were well set up and protected. Be careful and quickly exfiltrate if anything like this is encountered.

Lastly, the worst enemy you have is natural. Thirst, curiosity and memorization. Many get so awestruck by the magnificence of the SW they lose the common sense and judgement of what they are doing. This is by far your biggest threat and you don't need a weapon to battle it, just proper planning and your mind (but only a fool travels the remote SW without a weapon)

 

[Blaster229]

Best casual/hiking chest rig out there. Kifaru KOALA

https://kifaru.net/koala.html

It has many options for slinging and attaching and all kinds of goodness.

 

[HappyCamper]

Best casual/hiking chest rig out there. Kifaru KOALA

https://kifaru.net/koala.html

It has many options for slinging and attaching and all kinds of goodness.

That looks pretty slick. Price isn't a killer either. Might get one and add it to the gear pile.