New Pard needs gunleather advice for R-M 1851 Navy's

[Anontex2]

Picking up a pair with 5 1/2 inch barrels at Texas Jack's on Sunday.  New to CAS and need leather advice.  Should I go with Slim Jims that I can p/u with the guns or go a different direction?  I like the looks and apparent quality/value of Mike Shelhart's Rio Bravo double rig I see online.  Is my better bet a RH-RHCD rig or a Strong Left-Strong Right?  If double strong, forward cant or straight up? Again, I am a newbie so please be (relatively) gentle re my total lack of knowledge.  Thanks, Pards!    Bill

[Flint]

For the shorter barrels, a crossdraw is not as helpful as it is with a longer 7-1/2 inch barrel, but to a great extent, it's up to the shooter. 

With a double grip to the rear setup, unless you are shooting Double Duelist or Gunfighter, you will draw the left hand gun with the left hand and pass it to the right hand, which, with practice can be pretty quick, as you can start the draw while the right hand is still reholstering.

With a crossdraw, there is no hand-to-hand transfer, but the right hand has to reholster one gun, then reach for the left hand gun.

I recently changed over to the crossdraw, and I like it better, but your mileage may vary.  With the crossdraw, you also have to twist your body with the "Cowboy Swish" to keep the RO from penalizing you for breaking the 170 with the left hand draw and reholstering sequence.

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

I use a strong side straight and a crossdraw kanted somewaht but not Kanted too much, but, I step to the line with mine in a "Saturday Night In town" setup. Meaning that both holsters are drawn to the front of my belt opposite the buckle (belly Button) like the old "Saturday Night in Town" Parlor pictures show.  Saturday Nights in some towns you wanted both guns in front for a fast draw if needed.

[Grouchy Spike]

Choice is mostly a function of your budget after you decide to cross draw or not.

I holstered my 8" Open Tops in a buscadero rig made for my 5 1/2" Ruger NVs  by Lassiter Thunder (see his ad in Texican Rangers's Texican Star newsletter texicanrangers.org).  He's in San Antonio. 

Tried another name brand buscadero rig made for 8" barrels, but the feel wasn't the same as the Lassiter Thunder rig.  I shoot Double Duelist (not very quickly) so a low holster makes it easier on older joints to draw the long barrels.

Bit the bullet and ordered another buscadero rig from Lassiter Thunder. 

[sweettooth]

I shoot opentops 5 1/2 , just sold a rig slim jim holsters had two cross draws and a strong side. That way I could go cross draw or reverse the cross draws. for 2 strong side canted. worked wel and only sold it because a pard need some leather and has teenagers .
  I now use a buscadero rig. But also own a kirkpatrick long hunter 2 stronsides that I really like as it has a 2in. drop . ,
I made sure my rigs were smooth lined  leather.
  If you can make it by the texican rangers match sat. You can see a variety of leather . And I can let you try on some after the match . I am sure other people might let you try theirs also.
  But my opentops fit nicely in a buscadero.