OT- Holster question

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Sun May 18, 2008 3:49 pm

I am looking for something that I can put on my hip strongside for walking/shooting and then something to put under arm cross-draw for carring under my coat for hunting. Am I looking at two seperate holster-rigs or two seperate rigs that I could slip one holster between? I am quite "holster-illiterate".

I don't have anything to carry with yet and with two 7.5" revolvers now I thought I might start looking.

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Sun May 18, 2008 4:01 pm

Checkout Simply Rugged's The Chesty Puller Conversion System http://www.simplyrugged.com/

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sun May 18, 2008 4:48 pm

Holsters are a highly "personal choice" item any recommendations will reflect that. Having worn both styles, at 6'-0" and of average build I'm not comfortable with anything bigger than my Combat Commander in a shoulder holster and even my 4" S&W interferes with sitting in a strong side hip holster.

I'd suggest a crossdraw like Texas Jack's Cross Draw Slim Jim. Can be worn on a trouser or cartridge belt. Worn in front of the off-hip on my fanny pack belt the lower center of gravity is less tiring. Being directly in front, it's less likely to snag on brush, etc.

YMMV.

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Sun May 18, 2008 5:05 pm

I like the angled cross draws, they work the best for me.

Steve Collins · Post by **Steve Collins** » Sun May 18, 2008 9:17 pm

Jaguarundi wrote:Checkout Simply Rugged's The Chesty Puller Conversion System http://www.simplyrugged.com/

I used this same rig quite a bit while I was deployed in Baghdad last year. I used the shoulder harness in some cases, but usually had the holster on my hip. It was nice to be able to have the choice without having to have 2 or 3 different holsters.

stormspotter · Post by **stormspotter** » Sun May 18, 2008 9:25 pm

You might check Mernickle's PS6 SA. It is a pancake style and has dual belt loops for strong or cross draw.

I have one for my ruger 50th 357. Workmanship is outstanding and firearm is very secure, even without a safety strap.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:41 pm

Try this fellow. http://www.levergunleather.com/index.htm
He can make up exactly what you want. Here's a rig he made for me.

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Mon May 19, 2008 5:03 pm

I'll have to to say that the Mernickle rig is really nice to carry. I have one for my 5 1/2 inch Colt .45, and my grandson has one for his Ruger NV 4 3/4 inch .357.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Mon May 19, 2008 9:56 pm

How about an old "cavalry twist" holster? This is worn on your strong side, but with the butt of the revolver forward. You can use your strong side hand by flipping the palm outward and pulling the gun up and twisting it toward the target at the same time. You can also reach across and pull the gun with your weak-side hand if need be - though it is more of a reach than a "cross-draw" type set up. This gives some flexibility.

Another idea is a flap holster for the strong side. It will protect the gun in the elements while out hunting as well. Unless you need to fast draw them hoglegs, the flap holster shouldn't be a problem at all.

kirkwood · Post by **kirkwood** » Tue May 20, 2008 1:27 am

I searched for months for a universal holster system that would do it all and concluded that it doesn't exist unless it is a custom rig. There are so many things you have to weigh in your decision, that asking for advice on which type to go with may just cause you to have more questions.

Just keep looking at different brands and types and you will keep coming back to a shoulder rig or a belt holster for personal reasons that matter only to you. You'll eventually figure out which one appeals most to you. You will also tend to keep coming back to certain brands due to quality, finish, or price. I would narrow it down to a couple of holsters that you realy like and then come back here and ask if anyone had problems with them.

I prefer a Galco shoulder rig for my own reasons, but I still sometimes switch over to a belt holster if I know I will be wearing the gun all day without a break. If you do get a shoulder rig, it must be able to distribute the weight evenly on both of your shoulders with wide straps over the top and lots of strap position variations built in to fit your frame. Comfort is key when going with a shoulder rig, so you will pay much more for that. Comfort is less of an issue with a belt holster, but being able to reposition or remove the holster easily when sitting or driving is a problem to keep in mind.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Tue May 20, 2008 5:45 am

Good stuff guys. I querried also because I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted and wanted some ideas.

kirkwood, thanks for the good advice.

stormspotter, that is exactly what I had in mind. I checked out their site and like the price(well, tolerated it actually

).

Now is the part where I get lost. I get the hip belt, that's not exactly brain surgery, but what am I looking for to hold it on my chest/stomach crossdraw. I need to keep it just hight enough to sit with it.

I keep looking at all them leather "bras" and to me they all look the same.

NonPCnraRN · Post by **NonPCnraRN** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:23 am

I would go with the Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake. The same holster can be worn strongside, cross draw or with the Chesty Puller harness as previously mentioned. It can also be adapted for inside the waist band use.
http://www.simplyrugged.com/leather_goods/index.html

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Wed May 21, 2008 7:22 am

Another solution is a rig made by Von Ringler, which has "Wyoming" as part of the name of the rig. I googled it a while back and found a link for a site that sells them, or did at the time. Von Ringler himself did not have a website at the time. I found mine pre-owned on an online auction site, before it became evilbay. By adjusting the rig, it can be worn around the waist or as a bandolero style, though in my opinion it is a pretty poor way (too floppy) to wear a sixgun at the waist, and is best used at chest level. (Edited to add: Wyoming Combination Holster, with a "TM" for trademarked, stamped right on it.)

Really, for a great value and excellent service, I would just go with Simply Rugged. His system looks to be more practical if you want to use one holster both ways. I don't (yet) have any of his rigs, but guys whose word is as good as gold around here and at the old Sixgunner.com have repeatedly recommended Rob Leahy and his Simply Rugged rigs.

I can also attest to the excellent craftsmanship of Bob Mernickle, though I seldom wear my Mernickle holsters, as I almost always wear a pistol with which I have "qualed" at waist level. Therefore, I can't really say how they feel after a long day on foot. Bob Mernickle makes an excellent chest rig, too, but I have never seen one.

shooter · Post by **shooter** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:00 pm

I am a big fan of El Paso Saddlery holsters. You can get a strong side holster for around 65 bucks, or a cross draw for the same price. They are fairly inexpensive and very durable. I think they're nice looking too. They also make a rig called the "Tanker Holster". It may be what you're looking for in a shoulder rig. Here's the links. For the strong side or cross draw I like the "Tom Threepersons" holster. It can fit on a regular belt or a cartridge belt.

Tanker- click on the image to view a larger picture of someone wearing it.
http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-96-15-1942 ... rrels.aspx

Threepersons
http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-96-15-1942 ... rrels.aspx