Alan
I have had the same problem. For day hikes and hunting
I use a rucksack. They are very much out of style, but still have a function that can not be met with modern designs. I usually wear 2 revolvers (see previous post) and nearly always at least one revolver. I always wear a pack with survival gear and water. Waist bands and such are just in the way. The rucksack I use had a waist band but I ditched the thing many years ago. Mine was from Cabelas. I just checked their latest catalog and didn't see it. They still had them last year so maybe they still do. Its called a duck hunters rucksack, as I recall (about โ). Three big outside pockets. I have had mine about 15 years. Cheaper Than Dirt as some european military rucksacks that might work for you. On longer trips where I am actually backpacking into an area, I have worn a holster directly on the waist band of a freighter type packframe and bag. Most modern bags would not work becasue the waist belts are so bulky. Mine is an old REI. I had El Paso Saddlery make me a 2.5" gun belt with only 6 cartridge loops placed just to the left of the very front of the belt. A pack will destroy belt loops in a few hundred miles (ie a low slung rucksack). I have thought about the shoulder holster route, but haven't gone that way. I read somewhere that the old tanker style shoulder holster works well with a back pack. El Paso makes those but I don't have one. See the previous post regarding El Paso. Doubt if I have helped you. At least you know someone else has gone down that same road.