Buscadero Rig for a 7" Schofield?

WaddWatsonEllis · August 25, 2009, 08:14:16 PM

First, I REALLY like my 7" Schofields! And I don't want to change them.

But ... and this is a big but ... pulling them out of a holster in a hurry is a PIA. Not made any less by my extremely short waist and long arms ... it feels like the grips are in my armpits before the barrels can begin to rotate forward.

The holsters were originally crossdraw but SASS seems to have this problem with crossdraw ... they don't say no double crossdraw out right ... they just forbid 'double butt forward' rigs.

So I turned them around, which makes the barrels face forward and is about as good a rig as I can get, but it is still cumbersome to draw the weapons unless my cartridge belt hangs like a gangsta's pants ....

SO ... I have been thinking that the 2 to three extra inches provided by a buscadero belt might be just the ticket.

The thing is, before I start committing $500 to $600 dollars to a rig, I would like to talk about it with the group.

Of those of you with 7" Schofields, what kind of rig do you use?

If you have a buscadero rig, who or what company made it? And what is the model?

What do you like about it?

What would you change if you were reordering?

Thanks in advance to all who respond ... I am just trying to educate myself before buying ....

Old Top · August 26, 2009, 02:58:10 AM

Wadd,

Check out Curly Cole's smug mug page he has pictures of my drop loop holsters that I use for my schofields, it is a holster similar to the rough out rig used by clint eastwood in his westerns. Another thing you may try is two belts, that would allow you to wear them lower on your hips.

Old Top

WaddWatsonEllis · August 26, 2009, 09:29:11 AM

Old Top,

The least expensive option might indeed be two cartridge belts ... come to think of it, I could try that using my standard cartridge belt and my shotgun cartridge belt ... I never thought of that until you gave me the idea ... thanks!

'Curley Coles Smug Mug Page' ... don't know how to get there ... do I go to his profile and it has a link?

Or do you have a link you could put in a reply, PM or email?

Thanks!

WaddWatsonEllis · August 26, 2009, 06:29:55 PM

C'mon guys,

There has to be someone who has suggestions ... if you don't want to put them here, please send me a PM or my email is on my profile.....

Thanks!

Curley Cole · August 27, 2009, 01:27:49 AM

WWE

Curley Cole · August 27, 2009, 01:31:07 AM

Sorry about that:

WWE

I know that Top is sending you a few pix tonite.
you cas also see more pix and most of them are by my leather maker RedDog Leather, and you will be spending WAY less than $500 for a pure custom rig.

My web page:

http://sdough.smugmug.com

look under Just For Fun

curley

Curley Cole · August 27, 2009, 01:38:46 AM

Here is a shot of Tops rig when it was brand new...(and wearing Remmies cuz I have no Schos..) He as you can see ordered it with sevreal changes from the original...I can't tell you how much he paid for it as he got a "special deal" but I can assure you that this rig would cost you less that $300 or so and made as you wished it.

keep on Top to send ya the pix, and check out my web page.
good shootin
curley

Irish Dave · August 27, 2009, 10:11:26 AM

WWE:

I fully understand your concerns about the length of draw with your long-barreled Schofields.
Nonetheless, with due respect, I have to ask:

"Are you really sure you want to put this fine old 19th Century firearm (even a repro) in a modern, 20th Century-style rig?"

WaddWatsonEllis · August 27, 2009, 10:31:21 AM

Dave,

From the amount of replies I have had from Buscadero rigged Schofields, I would say that you are in the majority ...

*S*

But I already have a custom built rig that is a traditonal high-riding (i.e. 19th century) rig. First I had to turn them around because of the double but forward rig. Drawing them double crossdraw was fine, but using them double strong side is not.

I just measured: I am approximately 12 inches from waist to armpit. The grips are at my waist level, and the gun is 13 3/4 inches long, from the bottom of the grip to the tip of the barrel. So I do the math and think, hey, a dropped Buscadero style that would put the grips two to three inches below my waist (without lowering my gunbelt so low that I have to worry about it sliding off my butt) might just be tht thing.

So, Dave, I am open to any suggestions. As I said, I love the guns, don't want to change them. I just want to avoid hitting my armpits or having to hyperextend my shoulders backwards to clear the barrels from the holsters.

I know I am not alone in this problem by the 59 visitations to my thread ....

So any help would be appreciated; thanks for the thoughtful and kind reply !

'Monterrey' Jack Brass · August 28, 2009, 02:06:54 PM

W. W. Ellis – There is a possible solution that might work for you and when I use two revolvers at local SASS shoots this is what I do (I have gorilla arms too so holsters worn a bit lower are better for me as well): I use two gunbelts with one holster on each belt. By adjusting the belts you can lower or raise the holsters at your leisure. I know of no historic precedent for this technique but if you're required to carry & shoot two revolvers it's a practical way to go bearing in mind your requirement. Also you can avoid the dreaded, despised, and hollywood-history 'buscadero rig' by going this route.

In my case, when shooting my '73 Colts or '75 Remingtons, I employ two .44 looped cartridge belts in this wise. Looks a bit jaunty, nay – even somewhat fearsome...! but the weight of forty-four rounds in each belt (eighty-eight .44 WCF rounds total) help in keeping both belts down when drawing the revolvers. Wearing two belts also works with non-looped but you have to tighten them a bit more and draw slower.

I figure we're historically incorrect for carrying two revolvers in the first place but at least these same two revolvers can be carried on two period correct belts in two period correct holsters. That's about as good as it gets all things considered. I don't normally share my opinions on this forum - try to stick to facts and not inflict my opinions on the good people here who are happy with their own opinions - but here is a rare time when I feel like forwarding an opinion. Who knows, the two-belt method may work for you too.

If you try it out let us know how it goes.

Brass

WaddWatsonEllis · August 28, 2009, 04:15:06 PM

Brass,

My shotgun cartridge belt matches my holster cartridge belt almost exactly (okay, it is a quarter inch thinner).

So I tried what you suggest using the cartridge belt as a second belt in an 'X' pattern.

The good news is that it put the guns right where I would like them.

The bad news was that it took forever to get on and the two belts kept shifting. Plus it put the shotgun cartridges behind me (I wear the belt backward normally so that the cartridges are up front.

Add to this a little pocket pistol worn on the left side crossdraw and it was just more complicated than what I wanted.

I am told and have read that there were a few 'shootists' that used what would later be called a 'Buscadero' rig in the 1800s... but have never had anyone mention a person or have a picture of an early one.

So I keep looking around ....

WaddWatsonEllis · September 29, 2009, 09:12:10 AM

Bumpin this thread...

N

Montana Slim · October 02, 2009, 04:20:50 PM

Quote from: WaddWatsonEllis on August 25, 2009, 08:14:16 PM
......The holsters were originally crossdraw but SASS seems to have this problem with crossdraw ... they don't say no double crossdraw out right ... they just forbid 'double butt forward' rigs.

The thing is, before I start committing $500 to $600 dollars to a rig, I would like to talk about it with the group.

Well, I shoot 1860's with long barrels (R-Ms & percussion)....with my cartridge conversions I use common double-loop butt-rearward setup located on my hips. Not "simple" or "fast" on the draw but works for me. My percussion guns ride in slim jims mounted high on my waste. Both are mounted butt forward. I use a twist draw with the RH gun and generally slide the LH one over for a cross-draw. However, I have used the twist draw with either hand. I've seen SASS prohibition on using this style, except for gunfighter....My cliubs allow me to use these styles for many years...I've demonstrated proper, safe execution of this draw to R.O.s and match officials.....and taught the technique to several shooters. I find imitation to be a form of flattery. I've made most of my leather and purchased one set (belt & 2 holsters) for less than $100...(River Junction). Interesting that so many folks actually feel the need to spend $500 or more on their handgun leather.

Regards and god luck,
Slim

Lightning Buck McGraw · December 19, 2010, 12:38:41 PM

I use a double bandoleer as my rig, from Mernickle holsters. You can find it on the Web Site. It's called "The Lightning Buck Rig" $:-\$
(no, really. It is.) It's called that because I helped design it.
WARNING! It's a bit costly!

But it IS worth it!!!

WaddWatsonEllis · December 19, 2010, 03:46:37 PM

Okay, I bought the bullet ...

I bought Will Ghormley's pattern on the Johnny Ring rig worn in Tombstone .... and modified the holsters quite a bit.

First, I extended/lowered them about 3"

Then I raised the cutouts for the slotted conchos up to make them more dentered with the uraised outer flaps.

Then I ordered a amall gentelman's knife from Dave Cole and sent him some of my leather so that he could mimic the holsters with a matching sheath ....

Below is the outcome ... I have my first match the first weekend in January, qne I am busy making a matching shotgun cartridge belt so that I can wear it ....