I keep my firearm in a wilderness tactical safe packer holster, also makes it easy to transport discreetly once you leave the tent.
https://www.thewilderness.com/safepacker-concealment-holster/
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Use a Pelican box. There are many to suit your needs.
You never know when you might need a samuri sword as well. I usually put the nunchucks and throwing stars under my pillow. You can never be too safe. Or dangerous. I get confused 
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I’m in the habit of keeping mine in Alien Gear’s IWB shape shift holster because I’ve found that it slides nicely into the camelbak pocket in most small backpacks and stays put. Any other wide IWB holster should do the same. I use the REI flash pack, which is a small enough to push into the corner and be out of the way in the tent. I’m able to toss my pocket knife, wallet and other small items in there too.
While my wife probably feels better knowing it’s in the pack, she’d be pissed if she ever woke up with her head next to a holstered pistol because is slipped over to her side.
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You can walk in to my house and if you get passed dog you can feel the steel of my 16th century blades. Unfortunately they are not by Hatori Hanzo.
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Hi! In a similar situation, I just put the gun on my headboard so that I didn’t touch it when I was sleeping, but I could easily pick it up at any moment.
I’m with the folks saying to keep it in a holster. I’d also add to always keep it in the same place so that you get reps retrieving it in the dark etc. No point having it in a different spot every night and then not having the muscle memory to locate it under stress.
Someone above mentioned Alien Gear, they make nice modular holsters that can transition very smoothly from the hip to a fixed location in a vehicle etc.
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Just put it in a small admin pouch and tuck it down between the mattress and the tent wall next to your leg. See link to $20 pouch on Amazon… Amazon.com
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I store stuff in a small fanny pack in the tent (keys, chapstick, etc.). I also keep the 9mm in the Tier 1 concealed holster that I carry - this can fit inside the fanny pack but I usually keep it out.
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Some have mentioned it, but some do not sound like they have a lot of training. I would highly recommend training. Waking up from a dead sleep and assuming you’re going to accurately identify a target, unholster or reach for a pistol, rack a round and properly acquire a real target, all the while wiping the sleep out of your eyes, is in for a rude awakening. If you’re camping with family/friends, you’re just as likely to injure them as well as yourself. Please train.
Additionally, if you’re going to carry, please look into liability insurance. USCCA or others.
Handling firearms provides a certain level of security. It’s a false sense of security if you haven’t trained properly and even worse, if you don’t have liability insurance. Please take a class. Everyone else around you will appreciate it.
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If you are thinking bear defense, you should just keep bear spray handy, and carry it always when out of the tent. Or invest in a more suitable caliber handgun - 9mm with the correct ammo (not light JHPs) is OK for smaller animals, but it is completely inadequate for the larger four legged predators.
That said, in my experience you are way more likely to encounter a rowdy/ drunk / drugged fellow camper than to have to fight off a bear in the middle of the night.
I have carried for 45 years, if you keep a gun, it should be loaded and always on your person, or very close at hand if you are asleep.
John Davies
Spokane WA
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I always sleep with my head on the tailgate side so roof storage is too high to reach. There is always a can of bear spray in the tent area within reach when sleeping, this is my preferred defense against 4 or 2 legged threats. If I were to carry a firearm it would be a semi-auto with magazine loaded but not chambered, also within reach.
It would keep it in the center of the tent area so more difficult for someone climbing on the side of the vehicle or ladder to reach in and grab. My $.02
I don’t understand the Israeli-carry method that some choose. Carry one in the chamber.
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I mean, I agree, but people are scared of guns that aren’t that familiar with them. But still understand the guns purpose. That’s probably why.
With that being said I carry every day, so when I’m camping I just put the holstered gun under my pillow.
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Well Chuck Norris sleeps with his gun over his pillow
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9mm with correct ammo definitely adequate for bear
Interesting video for sure but I will stick with my 10mm! If all you have is a 9, I think you can feel comfortable with a heavier round but the stopping power behind the 10 makes it a much better choice for stopping a bear, in my opinion.
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So for guns that have no mechanical safety, carrying one in the pipe is not ideal for many people. I like my privates intact. I’ve seen the Israeli method. It’s not as ideal as carrying one in the pipe, but if you “practice” like you’re suppose to, and get proficient, it will work.
As for people being scared of a gun they are not familiar with, if it’s their gun, then they are not the smartest gun owner to be carrying/using a gun they aren’t familiar with. That, by definition, is just stupid.
No matter the gun or the way you carry, you have to practice and be proficient. As far as caliber, at least for self-defense against people, use the gun/caliber you are most proficient with. As for bears or other animal attacks, then you have to go with the largest caliber that you can be proficient with. Don’t go into the woods with a 10 mm if you clearly can’t handle it. Maybe consider a magnum wheel gun with very good ammo. Either way, practice. Would hate to hear about someone on here injuring themselves or someone else (me!) because of their own ignorance.
I’m not familiar with other pistols but my Glocks have 3 safeties. But I also don’t just stick my gun in my waistband like some animals out there do. I keep mine in a holster with the trigger covered as that is the ultimate safety. Your ding a ling is safe.
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I use holsters also. It’s less to do with when you have it holstered, versus when you draw the weapon that makes for “mistakes” if there’s one in the chamber. Snap caps are a wonderful tool for practicing with.