All In One Holster/Cartridge/Shotshell Rig

[dart368]

I am completely new and will have the hardware very soon but I have a generic/cheap holster set up that I got from Nogales about 15 years ago.

I know I am going to need to upgrade it and have been looking.  Nothing seemed to catch my eye until I saw a rig that buckled in the back.  It had a left and right holster, held 8 shotshells up front in the middle and 5-6 .38/.357 cartridges behind each holster. 

I thought this was a nice idea as I would only need one belt and would have everything I needed on it.  I want to say it was going for around $300 but of course, it was very plain as in no studs, designs, loops, etc.

Are there other manufacturers who make this style or is it not a good idea to go this route?  Thanks.

[EE Taft]

Acually, it is a very practical design. If one has problems with a shotgun belt being uncomfortable it is a great alternative.

I would venture to guess that just about any maker here including myself could make one for you.

Prices will differ depending on design, features, tooling and "fancy stuff". Your best bet would be to ask around. Look at some of the stuff listed in the "leather makers....show us your stuff!" threads and PM any maker that shows general features that strike your fancy.

The only way to know is to ask......so you're already on the right track!

Hope this helps you get started!

~EE Taft~

[EE Taft]

One more thing......Ya might tell us (in general) what part of the world you are in. That might narrow your search to the point where you could deal locally.



Cheers!

~EE Taft~

[Cliff Fendley]

I've made them different ways. Some people want the shotgun loops in the center, some off to the side of the other cartridges. It's personal preference.

Most of the makers on this board are custom makers so your not going to get a certain style/model as you may be thinking. It's custom built to the customers request.

[dart368]

Awesome advice from you guys.  Thanks.  I am in the bay area of Northern California. 

I am finding it overwhelming as there are SO many choices from color to tooling to conchos to straps to studs to....it goes on and on.

Maybe my price range would help.  I am looking to try and find a rig for around $300.  Is that too unreasonable for what I am looking to get?  I was thinking of a tan brown color and maybe some tooling or a strap so it isn't too plain looking.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Welcome to the forum, Dart. You're certainly asking the right people about this. Any of the professionals here can make what you want. In addition to EE's suggestion, describe exactly what you are in the market for and let the pards here send you a pm with what they can do for you. Looking forward to seeing pics of what you finally get.

[dart368]

Welcome to the forum, Dart. You're certainly asking the right people about this. Any of the professionals here can make what you want. In addition to EE's suggestion, describe exactly what you are in the market for and let the pards here send you a pm with what they can do for you. Looking forward to seeing pics of what you finally get.

Thanks Marshal,

Well, I am looking for a holster on each side that will have shot shell holders built in and cartridge holders on each side.  I originally saw one where it buckled in the back, had the eight shot shell holders lined up in the front and center, one holster on each side and six cartidge holders behind the guns.

Someone told me that a better idea might be to have the buckle up front, four shot shell holders in front of the two holsters on each side and .38 cartridge holders going around the back.  This looks like a better set up to me and I like that idea.  I would like it to be tan/brown in color and perhaps some strapping or some designs on it so it isn't completely plain but nothing too Gawdy or "B" western looking.

I am in Northern California in Fairfield so a local person would be great or it would have to be shiped.  I am looking to pay around $300 for it.  Please feel free to let me know what you guys can do for this green horn who is new to this game but wanting to go all in. :-)  Thanks.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

There you go, pards. pm the man with what you can do.

[Bugscuffle]

Most of the buckle in the back rigs that I have seen have been advertised as rigs for the ladies. I prsonally don't see it as being qute that sexist, but when I built my own rig I set it up this way.


At least it is an alternative to the buckle in the back rig.

[dart368]

Now that is interesting and a cleaver concept of putting two buckles on it.  I am not sure of the design though.  Does the holsters sit against your body and the shot shells on the outside in front?

[Bugscuffle]

Yes the holsters sit in the usual positions and the shotshells are where the buckle usually is. An added advantage is that it leaves you twice as much latitude in waist size in that you can adjust either/both buckles to the correct belt length. When I made it up I thought that I was being very clever, but I found out later that someone else had thought of this idea over 100 years ago. The postr that pointd this out to me called it a "Mexican Revolution" rig. I don't know if that is the corrcet name or not, but it sure does work well for me. Her is another photo that shows it a little better.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Bugscuffle, that design was popular in Mexico around that time. It really lends itself nicely to what you did with the shell loops on it. Here's a pic of an original one someone (don't recall who) posted here once.

[dart368]

Bugscuffle, that design was popular in Mexico around that time. It really lends itself nicely to what you did with the shell loops on it. Here's a pic of an original one someone (don't recall who) posted here once.

Ahhh, now it makes complete sense looking at it from this angle.  Yes, that is a nice set up. 

[Massive]

Here are a few reasons not to do an integrated belt, which is not to say one shouldn't do it, just some things to consider.

- Speed.  Since in CAS the shotgun is loaded from the belt speed off the belt is critical to some people.   If you are somewhat lower waisted like many men, your gun belt will be lower than a secondary belt that other competitor may wear, making it further to the shells for you.  But if you are high wasted and short torsoed then not only will the shells be higher, but you may actually have difficulty fititng two belts.  This applies particularly comonly to those women with high waists, and very short torsos on a small overall body size, for them the design is ideal.  So if you do go integrated and want speed, you could sellect a loop design that gets the shells as high off the belt as possible.

- Speed 2.  If you grab great handfulls of shells off the belt in order to speed load a pump, then you may find that an inegrated belt in some configurations gets in the way of getting you arm flat to the body and around a lot of shells.  So if you go integrated choose a loop design that gets the shells high above the pistols, and forward out from the body.  Or at least consider this issue.

- Capacity.  While integrated belts can hold enough shells for most stages, some comps have lots of shotgun shooting and an integrated belt won't carry the capacity required.

- Versatility.  Coould be a number of things, but if you want to wear the gun belt for other non-CAS type things, then you may not care to have the shotgun ammo mounted on the same belt.  Of course you could have another belt, or rig, but then you have to learn another rig.

[Bugscuffle]

Massive, all too true what you said, but remember that some of those "high waisted" shooters are actually in violation of SASS rules. I don't know about NCOWS rules concening this, but in SASS shooting events the catridge belt must be worn at or below the naval (that's the belly button type, not the military ships kind). This rule is very often "winked at" at our club, but then again so are buscadero belts and non conforming footwear. I you are going to shoot in a regional or national SASS match, you had better find a way to carry those shotshells legally.

[Massive]

Good to know, I guess the fact we live way far from anywhere shows through at times...

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Here is my rig.  Inspired by a Mexican gunbelt in PACKING IRON.  I have two centre pieces made for it.  The primary is 4 double 12 gauge loops, and the other takes .38-55. I can adapt it to just about anything I need by making another centre piece.

[Bugscuffle]

Here is my rig.  Inspired by a Mexican gunbelt in PACKING IRON.  I have two centre pieces made for it.  The primary is 4 double 12 gauge loops, and the other takes .38-55. I can adapt it to just about anything I need by making another centre piece.

That's a good looking rig there, Sir Charles. I must not have s much "room up front" that you allow for.  You fit four, double loops into the front piece. I had a problem gettng five singles on mine without iterfering with drawing my gun.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I built the rig front to back.  I made the centre piece to fit the double pouches for 8 12 gauge shells crowding them as close together as I could.  Then I made the rest of the belt. As I wear size 34 jeans that pushed the buckles over my hip bones. The buckles are secured with Chicago screws, and I had to move them once to fit my waist. The model in PACKING IRON has the buckles much closer together.

AND the one in the book has very nice embroidery while mine is very plain-jane.

[Professor Marvel]

My Good Netizens -
I would like to offer a different perspective - I use a plain wide pistol belt, without cartridge loops, supporting  slimjim holsters and a sheath knife in the back, and my 12 ga shells are held in my vest pockets! Not in a cloth bag around my neck

This is because I shoot percussion revolvers, a Sharps Percussion rifle, an 1866 Yellowboy replica and a 32" damascus bbl hammered original side-by-side ( a long story on which I shall be happy to pontificate when I am not falling asleep and getting QWERTY across my forhead) . I am barely managing to stay within a pre-1870 timeframe - would that I could afford a Henry!

Rather than speed, I choose to enage in as much authenticity as I can muster without being too demanding or overly costly. I know that I will never finish in the top 25% and am not likey to finish in the top 50% timewise, but I enjoy the game.
I am still looking for a good time-period correct pocketwatch and lucifer-safe.

yhs
prof (sleepy) marvel