Author Topic: How do you pack your Contender when hunting? (Read 1737 times)

ibebirdman · « **on:** February 11, 2007, 01:45:36 PM »

I am looking the best way to carry my 10 inch scoped G2 when hunting, which normally means I have a backpack carrying other gear. I have seen a variety of holsters out there for Contenders: shoulder holsters, hip holsters, bandolier holster. What do you use and why to you like or dislike it? How well does it work when carrying a backpack?

Thanks for the help!

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2007, 02:57:17 PM »

All of my Contenders are Super 14. I just carry them with a Sling like I would if I was carrying a Rifle. I have found that the sling works the best for me and it is simple and easy.

Larry

sidekick · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2007, 03:12:51 PM »

I usually wear a Uncle Mike's bandolier holster for both 10" & 14" Contenders, but prefer to have the pistol in my hand whenever possible. The holster serves as temporary storage when going to or from a stand in the dark or when I need both hands for other purposes. I've also used a sling setup which has advantages over a holster in some situations, but I invariably end up banging the pistol, or usually the scope, against something when I use this method of carry.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2007, 03:54:32 PM »

The nice thing about the sling is, if you use it in conjunction with a shooting stick, like the Stoney Point, and adjust the sling so that when you extend it the sling istight against your back and you sit the handgun on the shooting stick, you have a very solid shooting platform. So, no matter where you are, getting a solid place to shoot is not a problem.

Dave

Heavy C · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2007, 03:57:59 PM »

Bandolier for me. I do most of my hunting out of stands so it works the best.

MnMike · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2007, 04:27:08 PM »

I mostly just carry the Contender in my hand. When I don't, I use a drill holster from Harbor Freight ($2.99). Not elegant, but it works and it's cheap.

mike

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2007, 06:24:27 PM »

well i think i have about 5 different holsters lol depending on were im going an what im all taking...but when i have my backpack 80% of the time i use a Uncle Mike's bandolier holster
its over sized an you can adjust the staps easy an it dosent hender too much... i all so use a set of alain binoc straps an a set of nikon 7x35 on my chest so as you can see thers a lot of junk i travel in with.... so might look in to it....

little good advice lol...if your really friendly with a local store that sells them take your gun an back pack in.. go up to the one that knows you the best an tell him your situation..
me being in retail sales in the sporting goods market i wouldent have an issue at all if some one came in an wanted to try out a few different ones

well good luck

Dave

bustedknee · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2007, 10:57:57 AM »

A sling of my own design. It has a plastic snap buckle on the front half.
It carries like a normal sling (cross shoulder) but when I relase the buckle it extends out to full arm length.
This give me greater support when shooting off hand.

I've seen a sling advertised that may do the same functions but I haven't bought one.

When I'm making tracks it rides in the day pack. This is one reason I like the 10-inch barrels - no one knows I'm hunting.
When hunting I usually sling carry under my jacket. Again concealibility and it keeps the weather off my gun.

Bullseye · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2007, 11:59:23 AM »

With my 10 or 14" barrels with or without a scope I either carry with a sling or hip holsters from Pistol Packaging. Not sure they make the holsters like I have anymore where the gun goes in the holster and there is a slot cut in the holster for the scope base (the scope is not in the holster). I did not think I would like the holster but I have carried it on my hip with a 14" barrel and scope for a weekend and it did not bother me. However last deer season I never used anything but a sling.

southern utah · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2007, 05:35:20 PM »

try ths
http://www.eabco.com/JSI01.html
I manufacture them and that's me a few years ago.

htrjv · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2007, 12:48:03 PM »

Being left handed, my choices are pretty slim. I did manage to find a Gun-Mate bandolier holster (made by Uncle Mike's) in Cabela's catalog. The one for the 10" revolver works GREAT for my TC w/14" barrel w/scope. It is reversible (right or left handed), AND can be used as a belt holster, too. @ $29.95, can't be beat. Best Wishes, Joe

MS Hitman · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2007, 03:43:05 PM »

Either in my hand or by a sling. I use a backpack for most of my hunting and it rides on the top very well. This method has served me well for the past 15 years or so.

jhalcott · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2007, 04:32:43 PM »

http://qh-holsters.com/
give this guy a call, he might be able to help.

S & W 642 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2007, 02:19:55 AM »

Quiethide holsters are great and Dave makes them custom fit each gun they are quality made and he stands behind his work.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2007, 02:32:04 AM »

I like the bandolier holster when wither hunting from a stand or ground blind, I have and use a sling if I am stalking.

encore3006 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2007, 04:25:38 AM »

I like the bandolier holster and sometimes use a sling. In rugged terrain the holster will keep the firearm safely in place if I have to struggle with manuevering around.

Keith L · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2007, 04:27:46 AM »

I have several different hoslters that seem to work better with shorter barreled Contenders. The Super 14s I use a home made sling that my wife sewed for me after I showed her what I wanted to do with it. I also use it to help stabilize things when I don't have a solid rest from my stand.

rickyp · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2007, 05:01:11 AM »

I carry all mine on a sling that I made my self and when in the deer stand I put a very heavy duty wire tie around the grip swivel and hang it on a ez hanger arm. It keeps it close to me and the muzzle is pointed down for safety. I also use the wire tie to raise and lower the handgun from the stand after I am ready to hunt.

The sling is long enough that if a shot presents it's self when going in and out of the woods, the holster would make it harder to get a fast shot off.

People have in the past talked about putting the handgun in a back pack, This will work well if you have a concealed weapons permit. but if not you can get in a lot of trouble if stopped by a game warder or LEO.
Several years ago I was hunting on public land and got cough in a sudden rain storm I pulled a little emergency poncho out of my pocket and put it on over everything including my contender. when I got the my truck a local game warder was in his truck and came over to talk to me, He was very cool and not looking to bust someone for a simple mistake. He told em that if he wanted to he could take me in because I had a concealed weapon, but he wouldn't because it was obvious what happened and that I was not trying to do anything wrong and just trying to stay dry. Others officers may have not been so understanding.

Keith L · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:06:25 AM »

If you unload the Contender prior to putting it in the backpack, or covering it with the pancho would you be ok? I think in Wisconsin it would be the same as having it in a case. But then if you had a shot at a deer then you likely wouldn't have time to load and get the shot off. We don't have legal CC here in Wisconsin so it is kind of moot.

rickyp · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2007, 12:31:46 PM »

In MD is is almost impossable to get a CCW permit. They say it can be done but I dont kow anyone but LEO and prison guards that have them.

So even if the handgun was unloaded they would still consider a conceled weapon. the whole thing is that it would be with-in reach and or on my person and hidden.

I have talked to a lot of LEOs and quite a few of them don't know you can use a handgun for hunting. I always keep a copy of the hunting regs in my truck to show them.

Gregory · « **Reply #20 on:** February 14, 2007, 12:41:02 PM »

I've used slings and shoulder holsters in the past, but now I just carry my 10" TC in my backpack when I hike to my stand before daylight, and on stand it's in my hand.

For woods walking, I'll use a shoulder holster.

Keith L · « **Reply #21 on:** February 14, 2007, 02:03:55 PM »

Quote from: rickyp on February 14, 2007, 12:31:46 PM

In MD is is almost impossable to get a CCW permit. They say it can be done but I dont kow anyone but LEO and prison guards that have them.

So even if the handgun was unloaded they would still consider a conceled weapon. the whole thing is that it would be with-in reach and or on my person and hidden.

I have talked to a lot of LEOs and quite a few of them don't know you can use a handgun for hunting. I always keep a copy of the hunting regs in my truck to show them.

Man, that is worse than us. To have the law on the books but not be able to use it is wrong. And by us a cased weapon is legal as long as it is unloaded. Where they would have us is if we had a holster under our coat, or put the loaded pistol in a pocket (my hunting coat has major league sized pockets) and were caught.

Sounds like a good plan, keeping the regs in the truck. Here in the rural part of the state most of the LEOs hunt also, so they know the regs. I bet if you get close to Milwaukee or Madison things would change.

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #22 on:** February 14, 2007, 06:24:20 PM »

yeah its kinda simple an straight forword here...if its covered an not in the open its concealed...if not its either in a case were the ammo cant be in the box either...now heres the picky part...
if its in a holster with a cover...its considered concealed..
but a CC is about 20 mins worth of work an its good for 5 years...

Gdbyrd · « **Reply #23 on:** February 15, 2007, 07:50:14 PM »

Quote from: rickyp on February 14, 2007, 05:01:11 AM

He told em that if he wanted to he could take me in because I had a concealed weapon, but he wouldn't because it was obvious what happened and that I was not trying to do anything wrong and just trying to stay dry. Others officers may have not been so understanding.

I hate officers like that...most of the ones that I've met that are like this are just trying to show off some "power" they have. When I was younger me and a friend were bird hunting on his dad's property..My sister came along to begin with but got sick mid day and ended up having someone come pick her up..she left an ice chest full of beer...I was about 17 or so...Well, as we were leaving a game warden pulled up and as my friend was getting out of my car he said, "Oh crap..I don't have my license on me.." We were both let off with a warning..there were two officers there..one of them said, "If I wanted to I could take both of your guns and lock both of you up for a long time..or since you have your license and your buddy here doesn't it looks to me like you got greedy and shot all of these birds..that's a huge fine son." After he said that his buddy started laughing and then they both laughed..apologized, said the most they could do is fine us but were going to let us off because they believed us, and next time make sure we had our license. We poured out all the beer in front of them and both of them said they remember going out as teenagers, bird hunting and drinking...couldn't hold it against us for doing the same...NO way in HELL did I ever drink before I was 21....even then not beer, lol.

I think a lot of time these guys say way more than they can really do. I suppose they could do a lot but they'd be awfully crooked, and I believe that kind of thing catches up with people very quickly.

To the topic: I have always just carried mine, especially if walking. The terrain in South Tx is pretty flat for the most part and having it out gives me a better opportunity to take a shot at anything I happen to spook out while trekking. I tried a bandolier and a side holster..the Bandolier seemed to work pretty well, but for me if I'm making anything above a normal walk the gun would bounce on and off of me...I was always worried it'd hit the scope just right and knock me off zero. The side holster was just way too big and bulky, it also pulled my pants down quite a bit(I'm very slim, built about like a toothpick).

rickyp · « **Reply #24 on:** February 16, 2007, 03:28:31 AM »

We have a new game warden in my parts, I talked with him this past hunting season. He told me he has been in the area for a few years now Talking with him he told me straight up if I am straight with him and makes his job easy he will be easy on me.

2 years ago a Tennant on the farm I hunt called the game warden on me saying I am hunting with out permission. The real thing is she is a tree hugger and I was parking next to her rented land. this is where the land owner told me to park. I always leave the permission slip along with my name and cell phone number in the windshield so if there is every any problems I am easy to get ahold of. I was hunting the edge of a field across from my truck, I could see him drive up in the state car, stop and look at my truck, He then got back in and went in to the womans drive way and I could hear him tell her " it is deer season and he does have permission to be hear and I am not going to bother him" he said this very load. He remembered that day. While talking to him I described my hunting buddy's truck to him and he tells me my buddy's name and told me he has already ran into him duck hunting. This guy doesn't forget anything !
I was also telling him about a problem we could have, MD requires a hunter to have written permission on them, The land owner requires us to keep the permission slip in the window and will not let us make a copy and will only give each of us one. he doesn't want a lot of them floating around. I told him about this and he was like as long as it is in the truck I will be OK and to not worry about it.

Back on the holsters: I had a very nice leather holster and belt that fox ridge sold quite a few years ago for my 10" contenders. I found it hard on the hips and pulls down my pants. and every time I went to sit down The holster would hit. The sling I am using is a simple 1" nylon strap I got from walmart in the camping isle for $2 and an extra slide buckle I got for $0.50 The strap is the same as a camper used to secure a sleeping bag. It works very well. I run it over my head to the apposite shoulder and it hangs on my side about belt high

Keith L · « **Reply #25 on:** February 16, 2007, 05:11:38 AM »

"The sling I am using is a simple 1" nylon strap I got from walmart in the camping isle for $2 and an extra slide buckle I got for $0.50 The strap is the same as a camper used to secure a sleeping bag. It works very well. I run it over my head to the apposite shoulder and it hangs on my side about belt high"

After trying half a dozen different holster types and a boughten sling or two I use this same type arangement. I keep trying other things when I see them thinking I will like them better, but what you described always seems to go hunting with me.

S & W 642 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 16, 2007, 07:12:56 AM »

How do you attach this to the barrell and the pistol grip of the gun. I have a Encore If you have any pics it would be appreciated.

Keith L · « **Reply #27 on:** February 16, 2007, 08:01:41 AM »

I use Uncle Mike's kit for slings on Contenders. It is a grip bolt with a sling mount for a head, and there are an assortment of forearm screws with sling mounts. I have only used this on a traditional Contender so I don't know if it will work on a G2.

rickyp · « **Reply #28 on:** February 16, 2007, 12:19:31 PM »

on my contender I have an uncle mikes sling kit. instead of using the front stud for a forend screw I drilled the rynight forends and used a machine screw stud with a good washer and a little loc tite to make sure it doenst come out

For My encore I use the T/C sling kit. I have the rubber forend and I drilled a hole in the center between the barrel screws and used a machine screw stud with a washer I then used JB weld and filled the space the washer sits in so it will never come out. I put the barrel band in my encore box.