Holster hunting for NMBH

[shooting on a shoestring]

My 4 -5/8" NMBH needs a ride. I was thinking brown basket weave, a nice holster. I won't be carrying it often, but probably all day when I do. I've taken a quick run through the local gun shops and found mostly plastic or fabric holsters such as Uncle Mike's (which I use for CCW), and some nice leather but for autos.

Where should I shop for a good looking and good working rig?

[45 2.1]

These guys make good stuff.
http://www.epsaddlery.com/

[Frank V]

I absolutley 2nd 45 2.1 s recomendation of El Paso Saddlery they are top quality. Another I have experience with is www.oldwestreproductions.com Rick is a top notch leather artistan. He specialises in old west designs. I have one & it's tops too. give these two people a look. I think you will like what you see. www.simplyrugged.com is another good maker. Frank

[flhroy]

Plus one for simplyrugged. Those are great hand made holsters for great price.

Take Care

Roy

[freedom475]

http://www.dustinlinebaugh.com/image...olster-003.jpg

This is a nice shoulder holster rig for SA's

Bianchi also makes a real nice western style hip holster. I have one for my FA 97 45colt, it is just about perfect for the little 4 1/4 SA.

[2 dogs]

Check out Barrantileather.com for Mike's #5 rig....top of the line!

[shooting on a shoestring]

Oh yes. This is the stuff I was hoping was out there. Thank ya'll for the links.

[Frank V]

Shooting, you are welcome. Hope it helps. I personaly use all but the Simply Rugged, but that may change. They offer a pancake holster that has removable belt loops that will make it into an inside waistband holster that looks very interesting. Frank

[EDK]

Mike Barranti, Milt Sparks, Bob Mernickle.

Whatever holster you get, you need a belt of equal quality and thickness. The heavy duty belt will let you carry all day comfortably. A flimsy belt will be a literal pain in the back! Cheaply made flimsy leather is a pet peeve of mine.

[Dale53]

I have a number of Leather rigs (and some decent Nylon rigs, also, for hunting in the brush).

My favorite leather holster for the single action 4 5/8ths revolvers is the El Paso Saddlery "Tom Three Persons". El Paso is the old Sam D. Meyers Company of El Paso. The fine tradition is being carried proudly. As the previous poster stated, a good belt is needed to get the best out of any good holster. The Tom Three Persons holster works well with my Bianchi pants belt (1 3/4"). El Paso will have a proper match.

Order the belt and holster to fit (tight belt loop) and you will have years of use and joy.

Dale53

[shooting on a shoestring]

I appreciate the advice about belts. However I've been a practioner of heavy leather 1&1/2 belts since I was a kid. Yep wimpy belts don't serve much purpose.

However, I've not carried a full sized revolver holstered for any lenght of time. Although I've lived with either a J-Frame or a SP101 between me and my britches for years. I have on a few occasions carried my 6 inch Mod 19 in a Safariland basket weave thumb break holster. Rides my hip well until I get in the pickup, then it has about 2 inches too much barrel.

I've seen a couple of heavy leather shoulder holsters in the above links, that drape across the chest from the strong side shoulder, and carry the muzzle of the revolver about belt level or a couple of inches below. Has anyone used one of these?

[Bret4207]

A someone who wears a duty rig so heavy and full of gadgets I refer to it as "My Bat Utility Belt!" (You guys do remember Batman right?) I recommend a heavy 2-2 1/2" belt if you really intend to wear it much. Mine rig must weigh 6 or 7 pounds now. The wide belt helps.

If you want to stick to a narrower belt move the holster off your hip and more towards the center of your back. It'll tuck into the hollow of the small of your back and be much more comfortable.

[freedom475]

I've seen a couple of heavy leather shoulder holsters in the above links, that drape across the chest from the strong side shoulder, and carry the muzzle of the revolver about belt level or a couple of inches below. Has anyone used one of these?

I have used the Bianchi X15 large, leather shoulder hoster to carry my FA 83, 7.5in 454 Cassul a lot of miles on foot and horseback. After just a short time I forget that I have it on, so much so it cost me a black bear one time. I spent a bunch of time trying to get into shooting position for my long bow, when I finaly messed up the stalk at about 25 yrds and scared the bear away I realised I had had the 454 the whole time

I bet that the holster that Dustin Linebaugh endorses and used on his grizzly bear hunt in Alaska is a very comfortable holster, The thing I like best is that it can be warn over your clothes, even a coat. Look around his site and find the pics of his grizzly, you'll see him and his friends are all wearing one of the holsters.
It is going to be my next holster. I just worry that it might be a little hot in the summer.

[Dale53]

I have a Bianchi X15 for my SBH Ruger. However, my deer hunting rig is a Bianchi Hush System Scoped with a Flap. The area that I hunt is often covered with brush that beats up both a revolver AND the holster if it is made of leather. The Hush system is across the chest and carries both my Ruger Red Hawk & Scope (7½") and S&W Mod 29 & Scope (8 3/8") with perfect comfort all day long in rough territory. My hunting is all on foot.

On thing that I particularly like about the Hush System is that it is easy to adjust in the field for clothing changes. Sometimes when I start to hunt early it is bitterly cold but by the afternoon I have to shed clothing. I have used this for years and still have found nothing better for a BIG revolver.

For a field pistol (exemplified by the Classic Colt Single Action size revolver) I have found nothing more comfortable for "all day on your feet in rough country wear" a Bianchi Padded Nylon gun belt with matching Ranger holster. These are extremely well made Nylon and are undamaged by the brush or rough use over long periods of time.

I know nylon is not traditional but sometimes I just like something that WORKS!

I hunt in areas that won't let you wear a gun under a coat regardless of the weather. This has perhaps colored my opinions for durable and practical gun rigs. I often find myself hunting in the rain or snow mix and that is HARD on good leather.

Dale53

[shooting on a shoestring]

I appreciate the comments. Great site. Great insight.