Andy Anderson

[Red Cent]

I enjoy looking at holsters from his era. As I was looking, I ran across an old article on here. This picture caught my eye.



The reason is the way the trigger guard sets. Most all holster makers offer the holster with a shelf or welt sticking out past the trigger guard. As one who is interested in speed along with acquisition of the handgun, I had ny holsters builtin a similar fashion.

[Harley Starr]

I had the honor of meeting James Drury at a gunshow a few years back. A true gentleman. He also had his Andy Anderson rig on display and pointed out a few aspects of it. Andy Anderson's name was embroidered in big bold letters.

[Crossdrawnj]

As you have probably figured out, the gun sits in the holster this way so the hammer can be cocked while still in the boot of the holster and the cylinder will turn freely. This helps with the speed draw. I too have admired the old holster designs from the 60's and 70's, even though they are not true to the period.

Spaghetti Western Replicas and Dave Cox, from Cedar Ridge Saddlery offer a copy of these rigs. I ordered one in October from Cedar Ridge just like the one pictured and I'm still waiting, waiting, waiting.. You might also check out the holsters of Alfonso's (who son is still in business),Ojala and some of the early rigs by Bianchi.

Crossdraw

[Red Cent]

As a Bob Mernickle customer,I can appreciate the "bucket". However, no one makes a rig like this any more. Notice how much of the bottom and front of the trigger guard is exposed. Nowadays, they build a welt/shelf that extends out to and sometimes past the trigger guard.

[Slowhand Bob]

Red Cent, not sure how it will turn out but I did start something along these lines today.  Not making any promises but these usually take some tweaking for me to get them the way I want them but I will give her a try.  Not sure why the old 'walk and draws' never caught on with some of the SASS guys but I'm going to try and show them one tomorrow, if things go well on this first attempt.  This first one will not have a metal liner and certainly is not built around an 'in-holster' cock.  I am having a bit of a Wild Bunch design mental burn-out and will do some cowboy six shooter stuff fer a bit before going back to that front seam sight track design.  I do have three really nice WB holster patterns on file now though.  Gang my hands and fingers are sore though!

[Bugscuffle]

Thanks for the picture and the personal accounts of having met James Drury. I have not, but have wished that I had. I have a different approach to the holster. I deliberatly build my personal holsters so that I cannot put my finger into the trigger guard when I first grip the gun. This is because many years ago, when I was young and foolish, I was practicing my quick draw. I reached down gripped the gun and my finger just naturally (o.k. stupidly) slipped into the trigger guard. I drew the gun and started pointing it forward before it had cleared the holster. This left my poor trigger finger in a very precarious position. Sure enough, something cought up, probably the front sight on the front edge of the holster. The result was that the forward motion of the pistol butt continued but the muzzle did not. The result was my trigger finger bent straight sideways over the other three fingers. Please note that fingers do not bend in that direction naturally. I dislocated the trigger finger and I could not use it at all for six months and had only limited and painful use of it for another six months.

[Red Cent]

"....I deliberatly build my personal holsters so that I cannot put my finger into the trigger guard when I first grip the gun."

These holsters originally started as a rig somewhat like the Johnny Ringo. Non-leather maker and instant gratification, but they work. One of these days I will have someone duplicate them.



And they give you one big hole to hit.

[Slowhand Bob]

Here is what I have been doing all morning.  It is still very damp from fitting and I will wait before passing final judgement but I fear it will need to be narrowed between 1/4" and 1/2" to get her right.  I might even take it out and let some of the fast guys try it and give their opinions.  As she sits right now you can cock the gun in the holster, looser than I prefer.  I am pretty happy with most of the other aspects of this one and it will be a great candidate for a metal skeleton.

[Red Cent]

SBob, what would happen if you took out the stitches below the trigger guard down to when it heds straihjt down? I think the revolver will go down til the trigger guard bottoms out. Round off that little point sticking out and cut it down in front as much as it was or more. Ain't no rule against it.

Fast guys can get the srong hand gun out of a slim jim. If they have two strong side holsters, they have to hook (left hand) the little finger inf ront of the grip, the middle finger in the FRONT of the trigger guard and the thumb just infront of the hammer. You cannot do that with a slim jim. We present the revolver to the strong hand with the grip clear as we cock iwith the left hand. Zero shifting or rehandling the revolver with either hand. Thats the reason I have my holsters made without that trigger guard shelf.

The next biggest thing is reholstering. If you could do what I mentioned, then roll out the outside top a little to make the hole. It is easy to holster standing still, but if you have to turn while holstering it gets a little dicey. Bigger is better.

Personal preference. Discussions show a bunch of cowboys agree. Make the back slab as narrow and stiff as you can.  Like the Andy Anderson rig. No skirt.

Hope I have explained that OK.

[Red Cent]

The revolver may look buried. Its not. Remember, we ain't fast drawing. Of all my rigs this hybrid is the fastest. In and out of the holster.

[Deuce Stevens]

here is a set of holsters with reverse seam. The purists will hate this one but it give the most access to the trigger guard for off hand transfer than any other design. This particular rig is deerskin lined as well as being kydex lined.

[Slowhand Bob]

I will give those a try, was planning something similar for the 1911 also.  I am thinking that you wear something with more drop since reading where you like tie downs coupled with a tighter holster fit.

Guys my new one does need to be trimmed a little in the mouth, from the frame swell up to the guard rest.  When I can get to the safe I do want to try a Ruger New Model Blackhawk in this particular one.  I can immagine some actually liking this ones fit with Colt size guns but for something that is cut away this much it really needs tightening.  Now to see if I will be in the shop today or chasing honey-doos!   

[Red Cent]

Hey Deuce, long time no see.

That is something like what I would want. The boys around Virginia are wearing something like that but the seam runs up the side of the holster. They work very well. Man, been a while. Cannot remember the names. Gemstone Jamie and her Dad.

I find I need the front cut down even though I use an IPSC draw for the right/strong hand. However, when I come out of the left holster, I torque the holster forward and bind up a little. Relieving the front does away with this.

Thanks for showing these and giving the guys another show and tell of what I was trying to say.

Going to the World?

[Red Cent]

SBob, Rod Kiebler uses wetted bullhide to stiffen the tops/edges of holsters. I m sure there are other ways. Seems that running a decorative strip of bullhide strategically would allow a deeper cut down front. The cut should allow the barrel/ejector rod to pas through but be retained by the cylinders.

Rod made the holsters in the avatar.

[Deuce Stevens]

Hey RC. It would be pretty easy to modify that design that I have pictured to have some cut down in the front. Think it would work out pretty well actually. Planning on EOT. Leaving for Winter Range tommrow.

[Slowhand Bob]

I completed most of the modifications on my pattern today and hope to have it ready for wet molding tomorrow afternoon, if the honey-doos do not chime in!  I probably spent more time on mag pouch designs than with the cowboy holster and they are actually tougher to do, every small change in one spot affects the fit in another! 

I would have to find it but I posted a picture somewhere of a front main seam and I think it may have had a pretty deep cut in the front.  Mine is for a 1911 but it would be pretty much the same idea but I have no clue as to who made it.  At any rate that will be the next new one I start, just not sure when?

[Red Cent]

Good luck at WR. Red River Ray is coming plus the usual NC cowpokes. If a couple of stars line up I may make End of Trail. Would be good if I could take Elder Statesmman also.

Holsters need some form. Could be easily done.