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Post by bobwright on Dec 9, 2019 12:05:34 GMT -5
Now y'all have done it! Gone and opened a new can of worms! Back in the Twentieth Century, I tried my hand at holster making. With a few tools from Tandy Leather, some cowhide, and penciled drawings, I made up these holsters:    These taught me one great lesson: Leave holster making to professionals! Bob Wright P.S. In the top photo, the gun on the left is an Uberti Cattleman in .44 Magnum imported by Iver Johnson. This puts the photo dated around 1975. The belt shown was given to me by a friend. It had originally been a buscadero rig with the drop loop. He had cut the drop off and cut a new slot. He wore the holster with the belt loop over the belt and threaded through the slot to keep the holster in place. |
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Post by wheelguns on Dec 9, 2019 12:34:37 GMT -5
They look pretty darn good to me!
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Post by sixshot on Dec 9, 2019 16:09:50 GMT -5
Hey Bob, you're a handy old Rooster, those look nice! I know you're not using some of them, why not send them up here to Idaho, or bring them up & we'll wear the dust off shooting Ground Squirrels & Rock Chucks, Badgers, etc. I know you can shoot, just don't know if you can clear leather! The thong or the strap isn't a big deal one way or the other, use what suits you but that tiny thong, to me can be a pain sometimes when I come around the trail & there's a big plumb grouse in the trail & I'm trying to get that thong off. Barranti has modified them & these new ones work much better & FASTER! I still like the strap for many reasons but it's a personal thing for all of us. One thing about a strong side holster if you are riding in a truck or tractor or some other piece of equipment, beware! That holster can easily rub a hole in your seat, ask me how I know. Now I always wear a cross draw or a shoulder rig & I have a strong side rig sitting next to me or on the dash, it's not on my belt. I hunt 4-5 times a week in the summer & a strong side holster does NOT go on my belt. When I still had horses & mules I used them often. Here are some of the different examples of good belt rigs, both strong side & cross draw, some with thongs, showing a good thong with a small tab on the back, some with the retention screw & a Hank Sloan model that's always a great choice. Also a good speed strip works well at times in place of a cartridge loop if you don't want one on your belt. You'll be surprised how fast you can reload with one.       Dick |
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Post by Burnston on Dec 9, 2019 21:16:12 GMT -5
Photo follow-up: Many of these gents who have responded to your inquiry are seasoned men, both in experience and years. That said, please take the following as simply what works for me, as opposed to a contradiction of what these fine veterans have said. My work takes place in multiple environments, involves significant and constant movement, and is subject to all weather conditions imaginable. This rig works for me with what I do; not as a periodic woods rig, but as an every day, every circumstance tool for remaining armed, and safe while armed.  Exposed trigger: In spite of constant motion and weather conditions, I prefer an exposed trigger. It provides easier access when I am on a moving horse, for example. Additionally, having used a covered trigger rig, I've not found it protects my pistol from the usual dirt and grime that accompanies the traditional Oklahoma work environment any more than an exposed trigger does. Still, there is something to be said for the added safety of a covered trigger.  The slack in the above photo is attributed to wearing my belt one hole too large today, to accommodate the long handles that today's weather necessitated. Bear in mind, this is not a fast draw rig. However, I was able to do what needed done to/with my longhorn friend with ease while armed because of this particular holster/belt combo. When I first ordered this holster, I requested it be made with a 1.5in belt loop. I then soaked the belt loop in alcohol, and ran my 1.75in belt through it and let it sit to dry. This provided a fit so tense that holster movement is minimal on the belt.  Mr. Bob Wright mentions wearing his slide and holster on the same side, as a right handed shooter. He is well regarded and should be listen to in shooting matters. As a right handed shooter, I choose to wear my slide on the left, but as you can see, I carry a double action. This makes a significant difference in where my spare ammo sits compared to my pistol. This particular slide is home-made. As Mr. Wright eloquently pointed out, tis best to leave the leather work to professionals.  Our esteemed Mr. Dick Thompson put it very well when he said a strap v. thong is according to personal preference, and he would be one to know. I choose a thong simply because in times past during significant movement such as roping, or working cattle on the ground, my arm, or a bovine fiend has been responsible for unsnapping my pistol through an unfortunate and random brushing of some body part against my holster. Incidentally, this is the same reason I choose not to use a tension screw. Having been violently thrown and worked over by an outlaw Cayuse or two, I've been in wrecks where not even a tension screw would have held my pistol in place. Luckily, I've used this particular thong so extensively that a semi-forceful motion with my thumb removes it from the hammer, and frees the pistol for liberal use.  There is certainly something to be said for a Hank Sloan rig. As you can see, my hammer has warranted significant repair on the lining of my good jacket. Please take the above (and regrettably, long) response with a grain of salt. I am not as experienced, or wise as the several men who have responded to you. I simply work, on a daily basis, with this pistol in this rig on my hip through all manner of physical activity, and I've yet to develop any complaints. Bear in mind, I arrived here through trial and error. It is not through guess work that I know a strap, tension screw, and cross-draw rig will not work for me. Ultimately, it is you, your needs, and your time/experience that will determine what you carry and how you carry it. |
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Post by lwfpdchief on Dec 9, 2019 23:27:20 GMT -5
Maybe we need a thread devoted solely to working rigs? I love see these holsters that are used,scratched and wear marks.
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Post by lwfpdchief on Dec 10, 2019 0:39:28 GMT -5
What model smith you carrying
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Post by Burnston on Dec 10, 2019 13:34:28 GMT -5
What model smith you carrying Smith m21, .44spl. |
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Post by sixshot on Dec 10, 2019 15:19:34 GMT -5
Burston, very well put & I agree with everything you said. I love seeing a well worn rig & gun that has also been taken care of, shows real character! Just like any working cowboy that sixgun, a nice model 21 I might add is a working tool & gets used, abused but also taken care of over a long period of time, I tip my hat to you. Almost forgot, you are skinnier than Fermin............ Absolutely great write up!!
Another thing I might add is ALL the good holster makers got their ideas from working cowboys just like you, they needed to know what worked & what didn't.
Dick
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Post by lwfpdchief on Dec 10, 2019 16:00:23 GMT -5
Thank you all!
I just placed an order for El Paso saddlery 120 Tom Threepersons with basket stamping
Been lurking around here for awhile. Let me tell you guys that you are a bad influence but in a good way. I have learned plenty on here.
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Post by Burnston on Dec 10, 2019 21:55:45 GMT -5
Burston, very well put & I agree with everything you said. I love seeing a well worn rig & gun that has also been taken care of, shows real character! Just like any working cowboy that sixgun, a nice model 21 I might add is a working tool & gets used, abused but also taken care of over a long period of time, I tip my hat to you. Almost forgot, you are skinnier than Fermin............ Absolutely great write up!! Another thing I might add is ALL the good holster makers got their ideas from working cowboys just like you, they needed to know what worked & what didn't. Dick Mr. Thompson, I appreciate the compliment. You should know that my weight in comparison to Fermin's is a major motivator in my life. In fact, it is the very reason I've cut myself down to only four ribeye's per week, and switched from rare to medium rare. 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? |
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Post by sixshot on Dec 10, 2019 22:53:11 GMT -5
Burnston, other than a military style flap holster I don't think there's anything out there that will beat would you already have.
Dick
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Post by bobwright on Dec 11, 2019 10:39:01 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
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Post by bigmuddy on Dec 11, 2019 19:37:40 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    |
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Post by leftysixgun on Dec 11, 2019 21:15:57 GMT -5
Wow, I learned something about holster design tonight. I always wondered what the odd flap over the hammer and rear sight was for......thanks guys.
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Post by Burnston on Dec 11, 2019 23:18:16 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. |
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