Question about Rifle Scabbards

[Rube Burrows]

Ok, this may be a dumb question but here goes anyways.

As a new horse owner eventually I would like to outfit my saddle and such with a rifle scabbard.

Watching westerns I see some people put them sliding in from the rear.....top, from more of a frontward entry....etc.

My question is this; Is there a video or anything that shows how to attach a rifle scabbard in different ways?

When buying a rifle scabbard or getting one made is there things to look for and to avoid?

I know there is not much to them but figured I would ask the "experts"

[Eloy Santa Cruz]

Rube, butt foreward is probably most secure but it has it's problems. Riding through brush with the butt foreward can cause the rifle to catch and snag also debris can work it's way into the scabbard. Butt to the rear will prevent this however the butt must be elevated high enough so that the rifle will not slip out while riding uphill or galloping. Don't count entirely on a retention strap as these have a way of working loose at the most inopportune times.

[Major 2]

Eloy said it,  butt forward is Invitation  to snag,
also I never like the fact it was under your leg and blocked some contact with the horse  ( kinda like the bar in your back on a folding bed in you know what I mean)
Butt to the rear, high enought to not slip or be dragged out , meant it was something else you had to throw your leg over.

Most confortable for me, was the Cavalry sling with snap hook, in the carbine ring and the leather CW issue thimble for the barrel....
Carried both a Sharps Carbine & a Springfield Carbine in just fashion, reenacting.

[Don Nix]

The best way to carry a rifle in a scabbard on a horse IMHO is to attach the scabbard so that it rides vertically in front  of your leg. Butt stock up muzzle down. Srap it to the pommel then the bottom stap to your cinch ring. Its out of your way, easily accressible and comfortable to you and the horse.
A rifle carried laterally  under neath your leg is uncomfortable to you and the horse and it prohibits the horse from flexing and keeps the rider from making contact with the horse..
I have seen riders who carried  the rifle butt stock forward along side the horses neck  and thi really interfered with the horses flexation..
Carried with buttstock to the rear it must be elevated high enough to keep from losing the rifle,which will happen sooner or later.Then if the buttstock is carried high enough to keep  it secure then you can hardly get your leg across the saddle.
Also try reaching back behind you and down and drawing the rifle from the scabbard from beneath your leg. Its a  sure way to drop a rifle. 

[Rube Burrows]

I was thinking that the butt stock towards the rear would eventually result in the rifle coming out. I see it in westerns bouncing and I always think......how can that stay in there bouncing about like that....but.....of course in the movies they never come out.

Thanks for the comments.

No videos out there that show different ways to attach?

[GunClick Rick]

Well looks like it is time for scabbard redesign...Shaped to the rifle so it stays in but firmly pulls out?

[Rube Burrows]

Well looks like it is time for scabbard redesign...Shaped to the rifle so it stays in but firmly pulls out?

That would be nice. I have some knife scabbards that when I push the knife in it kind of snaps in place.....and holds. No snaps or anything on it though.

[GunClick Rick]

Exactly what i was thinkin,i get a couple too.

[w.b. masterson]

You also want to carry it on the opposite side that you rope with and the gun facing backwards.  That allows a smooth draw similar to a crossdraw.  Much easier to put it back in the scabbard this way as well.