Time for a new holster, thoughts please?

Capt Quirk · July 01, 2018, 06:48:46 PM

I traded off the Uberti 357, and got a Ruger SBH 44. So, time to make a new holster for the new gun. Where I'm getting stuck, is how to carry it?The Uberti only had a 4 3/4" BBL, so it worked great in a shoulder rig, or in the cross draw I made a few weeks ago. Normally, I would make a drop loop holster for the 3:00 hip, but that is a little too open for town... not that I really worry about concealment. I like it when people see my rig, and love it when they ask where I got it.

The Ruger has a 7 1/2" BBL, so I'm thinking it might be too long for a shoulder rig. Cross draw is comfortable, but I also had issues closing the car door, and hitting everything I walked by. That longer barrel would really be dangerous.

Any thoughts?

Marshal Will Wingam · July 01, 2018, 08:02:47 PM

I guess a skeleton rig might work for that one. Other than that, I can't think of a good concealable holster for it unless you have the barrel changed for a shorter one.

Capt Quirk · July 01, 2018, 08:18:38 PM

Concealable isn't really an issue, as much as discreet. I don't want to look like I rode in for a gunfight at the So-So Coral. When in town, I would usually not bother with a shirt or coat with the shoulder rig. Most of the cops here already know me, one or two have my holsters. Out of town... yeah. Definitely wear a cover shirt.

Which brings me back to a shoulder rig. Is it doable with that long a gun? Or just do it high on a belt?

Major 2 · July 02, 2018, 04:42:11 AM

How's this

or

http://www.armslist.com/posts/1462865/tampa-holsters-for-sale--large-revolver-shoulder-holster-

I made mine bandoleer style ( I don't like the feel of a constraining strap around my chest or a butterfly sling style )

Capt Quirk · July 02, 2018, 07:35:20 AM

Hey Major, thanks for weighing in. How well does the shoulder holster work with that long barrel?

Major 2 · July 02, 2018, 10:13:17 AM

It's OK for trail and woods.... I don't use it for town

I have 3.5 " Storekeeper for that, in a similar bandoleer style short holster on occasion

but mostly a 2" in pocket holster

Capt Quirk · July 02, 2018, 11:26:02 AM

My pocket gun is a 1928 Lilliput. 25. Not a real reliable thing, which is why it stays in a drawer. Unfortunately, I'm stuck with one do all pistol, unless you count the wife's .40.

Professor Marvel · July 03, 2018, 01:17:38 AM

Quote from: Major 2 on July 02, 2018, 04:42:11 AM
How's this
I made mine bandoleer style ( I don't like the feel of a constraining strap around my chest or a butterfly sling style )

insert Major2's Uncle Mike's rig.....

These Uncle Mike nylon holsters are very affordable and durable. I got several used, cheap, off fleabay. I take mine apart first thing, swap the plastic ~~left hand~~ oops right hand aka "off-side" "plate" for leather or nylon carriers - mag pouch, speed loaders or cartridge dump box. I then adjust the shoulder straps to my own comfort , and dump the buckles, sewing them down, and adding the left hand belt strap to the pouch. Sometimes I replace the coarse heavy webbing with smooth silky seat-belt webbing. Once adjusted to correct fit, I find I can move quite freely, as the webbing slips over the shoulders and through the back plate whilst moving, and the load is balanced across the shoulders and back .

I carry an 8 inch Remington 1858 in one of these on a regular basis. It is very comfortable, very discrete, (almost concealable),
and when adjusted correctly I can sit in a car ( I am right-handed) and still access the revolver easily. They also work great with Smith N frames and 1911's. As Well as 4 3/4 to 7" Model P SAA.

I find they are rather bulky for Colt 1851's, 1860's or the small frame smith and colt revovlers.

I am currently rebuilding and slimming down an ancient 4 3/4" "Herter's .44 Cartridge" SA I got real cheap. It's a SA 44 mag made by Sauer and Sohn - heavily overbuilt and hell for stout! I plan to use a 5" Uncle Mikes rig for this .

yhs
prof marvel

Major 2 · July 03, 2018, 04:11:11 AM

"My pocket gun is a 1928 Lilliput. 25. Not a real reliable thing, which is why it stays in a drawer."

Well sir I'd say that does not count .... it's a drawer gun then and curio at best, being it's "Not a real reliable"
not to mention it's not with you if needed it home in the drawer

I personally prefer, a revolver and S&W in particular my 2 choices below, , but if your budget allows and/or you simply want or like small thin Semi auto's then SCCY cpx-2 9mm @ $224.99 or Ruger LC9 $329.

I did not mean to highjack your Holster thread....

Capt Quirk · July 03, 2018, 09:56:49 AM

Quote from: Major 2 on July 03, 2018, 04:11:11 AM
"My pocket gun is a 1928 Lilliput. 25. Not a real reliable thing, which is why it stays in a drawer."

Well sir I'd say that does not count .... it's a drawer gun then and curio at best, being it's "Not a real reliable"
not to mention it's not with you if needed it home in the drawer

I personally prefer, a revolver and S&W in particular my 2 choices below, , but if your budget allows and/or you simply want or like small thin Semi auto's then SCCY cpx-2 9mm @ $224.99 or Ruger LC9 $329.

I did not mean to highjack your Holster thread....

No worries, Major, I have been accused of hijacking on occasion. You are dead on about the Lilliput. As far as budget for another pistol, it is zero. As much as I would love to grab another pistol to carry, I can't justify it. So, it is either carry the SBH, or the Lilliput... or the wife's S&W 40. I have no problem with wearing the 44, except for the length. It seems too long for a shoulder draw, unless I drop it a couple more inches. I really think that is the way I'll end up going.

@Prof. Marvel, the bandalero/ chest harness would work, snd I have made one for scoped SBH before. I just didn't care for it. But thank you sir, for your input.

Trailrider · July 03, 2018, 10:02:03 AM

Quote from: Capt Quirk on July 02, 2018, 07:35:20 AM
Hey Major, thanks for weighing in. How well does the shoulder holster work with that long barrel?

For something as relatively heavy as a Ruger Super Blackhawk, I recommend against shoulder holsters. The spine and shoulders are a flexible-T. No matter how you secure it, a shoulder rig will cause you to unconsciously tense muscles to compensate for the asymmetrical load, resulting in fatigue. For outdoor use...riding a horse or just walking, I recommend a crossdraw holster on a belt at least 2-inches wide. However, I can see how this may not work in a vehicle. It might be better to go to a lighter, shorter-barrel gun. The alternative might be to simply take the gun from the holster and place it in a handy spot in the vehicle. Another alternative to consider would be a canted crossdraw holster on your right side, requiring a twist- or cavalry-draw holster.

Coffinmaker · July 03, 2018, 10:13:43 AM

My good Captain,

If I may. Might I suggest the application of a nice new Hacksaw?? Very effective at making things "fit" as it twer.

Capt Quirk · July 03, 2018, 01:20:47 PM

Quote from: Coffinmaker on July 03, 2018, 10:13:43 AM
My good Captain,

If I may. Might I suggest the application of a nice new Hacksaw?? Very effective at making things "fit" as it twer.

@ Trailblazer, that is a very interesting point about shoulder rigs, one I never considered. I wore that 357 for a long time, and it wasn't that heavy there. but, I do experience severe stabbing pain in my right scapula. I had always attributed that to a disgruntled ex with a voodoo doll.

Graveyard Jack · July 04, 2018, 01:24:07 PM

Chest rigs like this 7X work great for big sixguns. They are very comfortable. I just finished a bandoleer rig for a scoped BFR that went to Africa in May. No pics but it worked out well.

That said, I carry most my 7½" guns in a belt holster, strongside, crossdraw, either works.

Capt Quirk · July 08, 2018, 09:44:37 PM

@ CraigC- How much cant do you have on that crossdraw? The last crossdraw I made had an extreme cant, close to 85 degrees. It was also for a much shorter pistol.

As far as chest rigs, I never seriously thought much about them. I did make one though, for a fella with a scoped SBH with an 8 or 10 inch BBL.

Baltimore Ed · July 08, 2018, 10:24:22 PM

When I shoot my 7.5 inch Colt New Service in a match I use a crossdraw for it. I have long arms and a long bbl is too hard to draw from the strong side. I've never tried to carry it in a car though. I have carried short bbled revolvers in a concealed shoulder rig or in a concealed crossdraw holster. I like crossdraws. Maybe some kind of vertical clamshell shoulder holster would work for your hogleg or as a last resort—-a hacksaw.

Capt Quirk · July 09, 2018, 01:18:02 AM

I'm sure I'll get used to the longer barrel, no need to snip the tip. I am curious as to how much cant you have on your cross draw rigs.

Capt Quirk · September 13, 2018, 10:32:40 AM

Ok, time to see where I'm going with the new holster. For normal carry, in town and the woods, I cobbled together a quick shoulder rig. When I say quick, there is no tooling, dyeing, or even a finish. Just nekkid leather. It wears just fine, but, still a bit of a chore to pull.

For those special occasions, I want something a little nicer. I wanted to try doing roses, but didn't want it to turn out "girly", so I went a little dark. By all means, please dissect this, and tell me what I could have done different, what I should change, if I should start over, or just scrap it all together. I want to do a full on Buscadero belt with it, but, if this isn't working, no reason to make the belt.

I had started out with a color scheme of dark brown, and black out most of the center, and sort of changed up when it came time to dye. I tried to give it a sepia type effect, just not sure it is working. The rose came out nice, the leaves will take more practice. I'm not sure if I need to make the leaves bigger, or get finer tools, but most of the pointy sawtooth edges didn't come out right. Once again, I lost a lot of detail and depth when I dyed it.