Packin' horse pistols

[HorsePen Henry]

Howdy fellas,
Any of you guys have experience packin' a horse pistol like Ol' Gus in the Lonesome Dove movie? I have a 1st model Dragoon that I want to make a holster for. These things will pull yer Wranglers down some.    I am concerned with which style of holster do you recommend for comfort and historical/traditional style as well.
Thanks ahead of the game,
Horse Pen

[Trailrider]

Pard,
There ain't no such thing as a "comfortable" belt rig for the Walker and the Dragoons, unless, of course you are a big person!  Weight is weight, and these critters were originally intended to be holstered in (pommel) "holsters", not "belt scabbards"!

Having said that, I would recommend either a slim jim or  a military-style holster with or without flap. These would be the most authentic.  Because of the overall lengths of these guns, they would probably work best with a butt-forward carry, either cavalry (twist) draw or crossdraw.

Hope this helps, Pard!

[Dalton Masterson]

HorsePen, I carry mine in several variations of this rig I made. I have evolved the same holster over the years, making several with some of my thicker pieces of leather. I like the barrel thru the end look, as you can tell what it is from afar. As a crossdraw, it draws easy for a 4.5 pound gun.
Trailrider is right about the comfort. But I am a bigger guy (260) and have no problems wearing it all day at a shoot.

I have made several full length holsters as well, but they just dont look as right as these sawed off ones.
DM

[HorsePen Henry]

That is a fine lookin' holster Dalton.
What do you fellas think of the holster on page 82 of Packing Iron? The detail I am drawing your attention to is the square sewed on piece with the two belt slots cut into it. Have ya ever tried one like that on a percussion holster for a BIG pistol? I'm also thinkin' the cut work like the one on page 78. The incised cut work.
Dalton, I think you have made several like that since I joined up with you fellas here.
Horse Pen

[Dalton Masterson]

Horsepen, I have made about 4 of those, all just a little bit different in cut. Still whittling down on the triggerguard a little each time. This one is close to what I want, but not quite there.

One thing I do notice, is that a standard belt loop does get a lot of stress, right at the top, so that slotted patch may be the best way to go.

I have done a few of the incised ones. That one is on my list of things to do. Nice pattern too. Good luck!
DM

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Howdy, pards. X-Pen, I'm also thinking that the slotted patch belt idea would be ideal for this. It would help the holster to lie flatter against your body, reducing the amount it would pull away from you. I like your idea of the cut pattern on that holster. I might also be inclined to leave the toe open even if it isn't shortened.

Great holster, Dalton. Thanks for sharing that one.

[Angel_Eyes]

Hi there Horsepen, if you look down the forum page at my "First attempt-comments" you will see the one I made for my Walker.
The other guys are correct, these pistols are heavy, I have to cinch it in tight to where my waist used to be!!!
Good luck with your project, pard.

UKshooter

[Dr. Bob]

Great looking holster Dalton.  I really like the shape of the open end!   Real classy.

[kid sheleen]

Hi Horse Pen!

Many years ago I made a crossdraw holster for my Walker Colt.  It was a standard slim jim design with a sewn on belt loop in the back like the one Al Stohlman shows in the "How to make holsters" book for a crossdraw snubnose .38.  I used 10/11 oz leather with no design on it and wet-molded it to the gun.  I'd show a picture but I no longer have the gun or the holster,  But since I'm as big as a horse it wore just fine, all be it heavy.

Dalton, I wish i was 260lbs again, but I would'nt go back to 4th grade for nothin'!

[HorsePen Henry]

Thanks to all y'all for replying. Much to ponder on from good ol' boys that have done it.

Many thanks!!!
Horse Pen