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Post by Burnston on Dec 11, 2019 23:24:25 GMT -5
Jokes aside, thanks for the compliment, and the contribution to lwfpdchief's thread. I love the look of a good Hank Sloan, as you posted. My problem is hammer access. I've long wanted to employ a Hank Sloan during winter months (for obvious reasons,) but the shroud offers very limited access to a hammer thong, and a tension screw creates problems as I mentioned above. Perhaps there is an obvious solution I am not seeing? I have one of the generically called "Hank Sloan" holsters for my 4" N frames. Like Burston mentions, the lack of a hammer thong has kept me from using it when in the saddle or any other time that activity could cause me to lose my gun. This post got me to thinking (usually means trouble) why couldn't I add a thong to improve retention. Before I headed out today I decided to give it a try. Wore it all day today and function is fine. Luckily I didn't see how it would work if I got "pitched" but I am sure if I end up on the ground I'll still have my Smith. Dan Dan, I am glad your experiment proved successful. Also, I am glad you did not get to test it fully by being thrown. My problem with a Hank Sloan is not it's lack of hammer thong. As you've shown, one can be added and successfully used. My issue lies in the lack of accessibility. In my experience, I cannot remove the thong from the hammer using the edge of my thumb as I do with my Threepersons with satisfactory speed or ease due to the trademark hammer shroud, though it can be done with a little less speed and a bit less ease. What did you think in your trial? Were you able to clear your hammer as quickly as you would have in a Threepersons rig? |
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Post by bigmuddy on Dec 12, 2019 0:00:08 GMT -5
I found it was no slower removing the thong than any of my open topped type rigs. The gun shown in the pic is always a little slower with a hammer thong due to the wide target hammer. I played with it a bit at the house with a M28 that has a standard width hammer and a flick of the thumb cleared the gun to draw. I find the "tab" type thongs like the one shown are always easier to clear. Notice I did attach this one a bit to the rear allowing me to clear it without interference from the hammer shroud.
Dan
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jt
.30 Stingray
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Post by jt on Dec 12, 2019 0:48:54 GMT -5
Burnston, I keep looking at that photo in which that old longhorn is staring at me, and that Smith with the old style stag grips, grip adapter, and that Tom Threepersons holster, and there's just something 1930ish about that picture. Looks as if it could have been taken right our of Sixguns by Keith. Like maybe a revenoor or something! Thanks for your post. Bob Wright Mr. Wright, My wife lives with what she calls a "startling reality;" evidently her 33 year old husband is somewhere in his mid-seventies in his head. While I appreciate my youth, I feel I missed the golden days of revolvers, leather, and working revolver leather. It helps that my father and grandfather both ingrained an appreciation for all things time tested and time proven. Thank you for the compliment. 100 years late... the mentality toward me from the lady in my household as well, ha I guess there still-is a few of us juniors who accidentally dropped from that old broken mould! |
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jt
.30 Stingray
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Post by jt on Dec 12, 2019 1:53:00 GMT -5
I'd like to post some pictures on my own ideal holster in the thread, but am still using my make-shifts & prototypes while waiting (& waiting) (& waiting) on Doc to get my own "perfect" outfit completely done... didn't think I customized it so drastic it should have taken as long as it has, but she's ticked over a full years wait now & for reasons unknown we're still counting. Doc?? (Maybe he'll read this).
Anyway. For mine (for 4,3/4" barrel) I went off the Lawrence 120 (#5) style that Keith was fond of, as a base, only rather than the typical muzzle rearward cant I asked Doc to do a slightly forward from neutral instead and drop it 3/8's of an inch from standard to hang lower & position it nearer natural hand-level for an instant fluid draw.. majority won't realize this, but they carry better hung that-way too, on a guys (regular wranglers) belt while wearing chinks or chaps between the holster & your jeans than what the shorter-height belt level ones do. Looped onto your regular wranglers belt, then rested over top your chaps like I'm explaining, the longer/lower loop holster rests on your leg more relaxed and allows far less restrictive movement while saddled than strapping a whole cartridge-belt rig ontop of your jeans and chaps n whole bit. It's a much more comfortable & relaxed carry while working.
This personal custom is also supposed to be done with a cavalry button style retainer strap vs the 120's standard snap-button one. On other holsters I've found snaps to be problematic in wet, muddy and snowy/frozen scenarios, they clog up with grit and don't work, yet my cavalry snap holsters tick right along no issue. I sure do hope ol Doc would save my leather from collecting dust on his bench much longer. I think a few of the serious users and sixgunners reading these threads would see some great value in the changes I've suggested to that old tried design once this "work improved" one finally comes to reality and you guys would be able to get a look.
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Post by bigmuddy on Dec 12, 2019 7:31:50 GMT -5
JT
Look forward to seeing your rig. If I'm wearing chaps/chinks I have to use a gun belt or chest rig. Wearing a high riding holster on a pants belt as you've stated just doesn't work.
Also like your idea for the military style stud closure for the strap. Not only is it more durable but also much quieter than a snap for hunting application. On a quiet morning popping a snap open in the deer woods sounds like a hammer on an anvil.
Dan
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Post by bobwright on Dec 12, 2019 11:02:18 GMT -5
JT Look forward to seeing your rig. If I'm wearing chaps/chinks I have to use a gun belt or chest rig. Wearing a high riding holster on a pants belt as you've stated just doesn't work. Also like your idea for the military style stud closure for the strap. Not only is it more durable but also much quieter than a snap for hunting application. On a quiet morning popping a snap open in the deer woods sounds like a hammer on an anvil. Dan I made this holster many years ago and I made the strap long enough so that I could unsnap it beforehand and tuck it behind my belt to avoid that "snap."  Bob Wright |
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Post by sixshot on Dec 12, 2019 15:24:45 GMT -5
Bob, that's exactly what I do, tuck it out of the way. That's one of the reasons Barranti puts the longer strap on his rigs, that plus it's much easier to unsnap with gloves on or cold fingers! I have several.
Dick
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Post by Frank V on Dec 12, 2019 18:42:51 GMT -5
What model smith you carrying Smith m21, .44spl. One of my favorite six-guns! |
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Post by Burnston on Dec 12, 2019 20:39:15 GMT -5
.. majority won't realize this, but they carry better hung that-way too, on a guys (regular wranglers) belt while wearing chinks or chaps between the holster & your jeans than what the shorter-height belt level ones do. Looped onto your regular wranglers belt, then rested over top your chaps like I'm explaining, the longer/lower loop holster rests on your leg more relaxed and allows far less restrictive movement while saddled than strapping a whole cartridge-belt rig ontop of your jeans and chaps n whole bit. It's a much more comfortable & relaxed carry while working. JT, Dan, This does indeed sound like a fantastic rig, yet I feel provoked to express my disagreement regarding traditional holsters with chaps. I edited the accompanying photo and removed the other half dozen fellows for their privacy's sake, but they are all geared up similarly; traditional holsters through our belt loops outside our bat-wings and chinks, featuring everything from double Smiths to single Colts and 1911s. There exist photos while mounted taken shortly after this one, featuring the same assortment, that I unfortunately do not have access to. My point is not to contradict. Simply to point out that the classic design in the classic configuration on our jeans, chaps, or fruit of the looms, (you're welcome for that image,) does indeed work for a dozen working hands in central Oklahoma.  |
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Post by bigmuddy on Dec 12, 2019 22:42:40 GMT -5
This has been a great thread IMO. I'm learning a lot and always enjoy gun leather discussions. I had to go try a holster on my belt with chaps again. It seems I wear mine just enough higher to make the holster feel "in the way". I can make adjustments to make it work but old habits may be hard to break. 😜 Another great pic Burnston... But a BOLT GUN?  I thought sure you'd carry a lever. 🙈 |
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Post by Burnston on Dec 12, 2019 23:18:55 GMT -5
This has been a great thread IMO. I'm learning a lot and always enjoy gun leather discussions. I had to go try a holster on my belt with chaps again. It seems I wear mine just enough higher to make the holster feel "in the way". I can make adjustments to make it work but old habits may be hard to break. 😜 Another great pic Burnston... But a BOLT GUN? I thought sure you'd carry a lever. 🙈 It has been a great thread; one that makes me wish we could discuss more over an open fire with tin cups in our hands. You're not wrong about the lever gun. As far as the two firearms I grab every day, its the Smith 21 and the Marlin JM CB 45-70, both with cast rounds. On specific days when specific requests (orders) are issued at specific ranges, I grab a Ruger Guide in 30-06. If memory serves, we had some long range orders that only jacketed bullets could accommodate on that particular day. |
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Post by lwfpdchief on Dec 12, 2019 23:56:23 GMT -5
I have a Winchester 94 30-30 that rides in the truck every day. Some days I might bring out the marlin 336 in 30-30 that I bought new in 1978. I have since converted it to a straight stock. My soon to be edc pistol is going to be my blackhawk in 45 colt. That’s what started this thread. Just needed to get something to pack it in.
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jt
.30 Stingray
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Post by jt on Dec 13, 2019 0:30:20 GMT -5
.. majority won't realize this, but they carry better hung that-way too, on a guys (regular wranglers) belt while wearing chinks or chaps between the holster & your jeans than what the shorter-height belt level ones do. Looped onto your regular wranglers belt, then rested over top your chaps like I'm explaining, the longer/lower loop holster rests on your leg more relaxed and allows far less restrictive movement while saddled than strapping a whole cartridge-belt rig ontop of your jeans and chaps n whole bit. It's a much more comfortable & relaxed carry while working. JT, Dan, This does indeed sound like a fantastic rig, yet I feel provoked to express my disagreement regarding traditional holsters with chaps. I edited the accompanying photo and removed the other half dozen fellows for their privacy's sake, but they are all geared up similarly; traditional holsters through our belt loops outside our bat-wings and chinks, featuring everything from double Smiths to single Colts and 1911s. There exist photos while mounted taken shortly after this one, featuring the same assortment, that I unfortunately do not have access to. My point is not to contradict. Simply to point out that the classic design in the classic configuration on our jeans, chaps, or fruit of the looms, (you're welcome for that image,) does indeed work for a dozen working hands in central Oklahoma. I use my standard holsters just like that as well, never said they don't work, just made a point that a slightly deeper-hung loop off the belt while a guys got chaps inbetween the holster & his leg simply allows for a holster with a bit more flexibility (and therefore) a more relaxed carry. What happens to (my) short, high riding holsters when a guy sits down on a saddle, or bends to reset a thrown shoe, sits his ass for a coffee (or whatever) is they tend to be pushed outward at an odd angle by the chaps underneath, then wind up pointed away from your leg like a sore prick stuck out at somewhat of a 90; making for someplace to catch a snag. The ones I use with a touch longer, deeper-hung loop off the belt give the gun & holster just enough extra flexibility to remain at a better rest against your leg in these field/work/chaps-related instances. That 3/8's or so longer loop I mention is all it takes to cure things, for that guy.
That's really all I was pointing out for positives & slightly-negatives between the types. For all applications outside of these ones (above): the stiffest, quickest holster a guy can get the better IF getting the gun out that split second faster is going to be more important than the general field-points I touched on. |
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Post by Robster on Dec 13, 2019 7:53:14 GMT -5
This is an extremely enjoyable and informative thread. I have enjoyed it thoroughly. I was compelled to add my .02 to the thread. This is my setup for being horseback. When I ordered my chinks, I asked that the belt be run outside then looped back in so I could attach my holster directly to my chinks. It works for me but I'm usually just packing my 4.5" single six with the .22 magnum cylinder in it so it's not a long, heavy or bulky combo. This is the chinks with the holster and SS attached  This is the belt setup from the outside and inside. I'm not a fan of the small loop the belt threads through on the inside. I may cut through the yoke and thread the belt back to the outside if the loop fails.   This is the left side of the chinks. The ring I usually attach my Garmin Alpha 100 to when hunting with the hounds. It's the tracking system I use on them so I can see where they are.  And of course I have to post the Single Action. that is being packed. I had a Super Blackhawk hammer made for it by Alan Harton. I put a steel ejector rod housing and steel gripframe on it as well. I've never been a fan of the aluminum gripframe and ERH paired with steel so I put this setup together and I am really happy with the results.    And this is my setup when not in the saddle  |
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Post by clintsfolly on Dec 13, 2019 9:28:12 GMT -5
Love that SS ! Used but not abused!
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I thought sure you'd carry a lever. 🙈
