WY Combo holster 1st impression, long post

[Snyd]

I posted this write up a few years ago at hangunhunt forums. www.handgunhunt.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/83575/page/0/fpart/1 The pic links are broken now and the WY Combo holster came up in another thread so I figured I'd redo the post here.

This was my "kitchen review". I have since used the holster in the field several times and it has lived up to my expectations and works great. It works well over the shoulder, around the waist, hiking, crawling, sitting, standing, atving, etc. with or without a pack. Very versatile. I have since cut the excess of the strap once I figure out how much I needed.


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I posted a couple months ago about this holster i was thinking of ordering.
I scoured the internet and had a hard time finding many pics that satisfied me. So, I figured I'd take a bunch of pics and post this long thread for the benefit of any others who are considering this holster. I'll say this before I get started. It's one sweet setup. I can't wait to get out in the field with it.
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The gun is a Ruger SBH Bisley Hunter in 45 Colt. The scope is a Weaver Classic 2x28 sitting in factory ruger rings. Holster is the Wyoming Combination Holster made by Von Ringler www.ringlercustomleather.com/

First impressions is…. wow, how can a guy make a custom holster for a scoped handgun without having the gun and scope?! I emailed Von some pics and measurements and a tracing of the gun with the scope on it. What I got in the mail today was a custom fit holster. Amazing.

The first pic is of the holster out of the box. It looks like the gun has been in it for a while. Second pic is the first time the gun has been in it. Perfect and I mean PERFECT fit. Notice how the scope clears the top of the holster. This thing draws nice a smooth. Doesn't' get hung up on anything.








Here's the backside. I'll mess around with it and when I'm satisfied with the main belt length I'll cut off the excess. You can also see the belt strap. It has a snap on the front side. The length of the strap that secures the revolver is also adjustable. There is a slit in the strap and it's held in by the screw. Hard to see in this pic.. Nice design.








Now for trying it on. It is very secure and comes up nice a snug. It looks larger in the pic because of the way the camera exaggerates things. Kinda like sitting way behind the bear in the pic. Heres one with no pac, my arm is held back, with my arm by my side the scope is back almost under my armpit. It feels very comfortable.



Heres one with my day hunting pack on. Kelty Grizzly. The holster works great with it.




Here's one sitting. Very comfortable, stays nice and close, doesn't ride up or auger down into my hip.




Some guys (including myself) wondered how well it would stay snug when crawling around. Here's one on my hands and knees. It didn't hardly budge. Combination of the wrap around effect and the belt strap I'm sure.





Quick and easy to slip off or unsnap and put on a coat and throw it back on. Here are a few with my insulated hunting coat on and one that shows how quick the revolver clears leather. The design works well. I don't have to knock myself in the chin with the hammer to clear the holster.






Squatting down the holster does not bind up, just kind of goes with the flow and it's easy to draw from that position as well




Snap it up tighter and carry it cross draw around the waist. Might come in handy. No prob jumping around or bending over. It stays put.

[IMGhttp://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w505/pbsnyd/WyoCombo/wy_14.jpg[/IMG]






Here it is with my pack on and carrying it around the waist crossdraw. I put one leg up on a stool so you can see that it does not interfere with hiking or climbing. Again, it looks huge in the pics but it really isn't. It's more of the optical illusion effect.

[dlhredfoxx]

Thanks for posting a very thorough review Snyd! The pics really help. Von makes AWESOME gun leather, I have two of his Linebaugh style holsters. Like the way you can use it with a pack... would you have room for a waist belt underneath it? What about binos?

[Lee Martin]

Good looking rig. That model Blackhawk with glass is a real game getter.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time"

[Snyd]

Yes, there is a waist belt underneath it. I can use binos as well. If you look at the pics with the pack on you can see it has bino hangers on it. I have found that when wearing my pack, I prefer to carry it cross draw.

[Markbo]

Excellent write up and photos! One thing that jumps out at me is that the gun looks like it sits way out of the holster. I am sure it is very snug, but it would be better protected from the elements if it sat in there deeper. I am not sayng it is wrong or bad or anything like that.. it's just different. Also, have you tried to carry that gun without the scope? I have scopped and non-scopped Blackhawks and being able to use one rig for both would sure be nice without having to buy two. Any thoughts?

I really like where it rides... seems just right. I didn't know about the crossdraw capability. I can sure see that coming in handy! ;D

[Snyd]

This holster will not work with the gun un-scoped.

I know what you mean about the gun being exposed. But when it's carried on the shoulder it actually sits more under your armpit. In the pics I have my arm pulled back. It's definitely not a chest holster. The nice thing about the design is that it is quick and easy to draw. The gun will "roll" out as you draw. I think that if it were more enclosed you'd hit yourself in the chin trying to get the thing out.

Aug 30, 2012 12:01:42 GMT -5 Markbo said:

Excellent write up and photos! One thing that jumps out at me is that the gun looks like it sits way out of the holster. I am sure it is very snug, but it would be better protected from the elements if it sat in there deeper. I am not sayng it is wrong or bad or anything like that.. it's just different. Also, have you tried to carry that gun without the scope? I have scopped and non-scopped Blackhawks and being able to use one rig for both would sure be nice without having to buy two. Any thoughts?

I really like where it rides... seems just right. I didn't know about the crossdraw capability. I can sure see that coming in handy! ;D

[wildwillalaska]

I like it. I need to some up,with alternatives to my favorite chest holster as it conflicts too much with my field glasses.