A Horseman's Holster

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Vern Humphrey

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In another thread, I was asked to post a picture of my holster for single action revolvers. This is one I have used for quite a while -- a plain, working holster.

As you can see, this holster is different from the standard Three Persons Holster. For one thing, I spend a lot of time on horseback (the bowie knife is for hacking through brambles and branches in the Ozarks.) A gun that exposes the trigger guard and leaves half the gun hanging out like a starlett's boobs on opening night is going to result in a lost or damaged gun. If you need a thong to hold your gun in the holster, by the time you get back from bashing through the woods, your holster will be empty.

With this design the holster "swallows" the gun and keeps it safe. And the holster is formed to the gun for greater security.
 

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So it basically just covers the triggerguard, has a slightly deeper throat and NO retention? What is so magical about an uncovered triggerguard that your sixgun will become lost or damaged, but covering it will prevent it?

This holster has retained my gun even when a horse was actively trying to make my saddle not retain me.
Have you actually used a Threepersons? How many guns have you lost from one?

I've seen a gun fall from a Threepersons -- it wasn't my gun.
If the holster is properly fitted to the sixgun, you will have to turn it upside down for the sixgun to fall out. Which is exactly how the one you critiqued is fitted. The thong does not hold the gun in the holster. It is only there for added security when necessary.
In my opinion, for a horseman's holster, a thong should not be necessary.

Even without the hammer thong, the sixgun is not going to fall out or get damaged unless you get thrown off your horse.
Something that occasionally happens when riding:

"Never a hoss that couldn't be rode
"Never a man that couldn't be throwed.";)

And for the record, some people do more strenuous things than riding a horse while wearing these holsters. I've been using them for years doing all sorts of things and have never lost a sixgun or had one damaged.
Well, I've made about 400 parachute jumps, and fought as a Mechanized Rifle Company commander -- is that strenuous enough for you?
 
Nice holster. I usually carry my SP101 when I ride using this simple holster. Even got bucked off the other day and the holster held my SP101 tight to my side.
 

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I like that design Vern. I'm not a big fan of exposing firearms to the elements more than is needed. I usually have a flap holster but those are slow to get into. Yours looks like a good compromise.
 
Vern: "A gun that exposes the trigger guard and leaves half the gun hanging out like a starlett's boobs on opening night is going to result in a lost or damaged gun"

<chuckle>

Now that has got to be one of the classic lines written here at The High Road ! :D
 
I usually carry my SP101 when I ride using this simple holster. Even got bucked off the other day and the holster held my SP101 tight to my side.

That's a cool thing about a well made pancake such as yours, as you cinch up it pulls that top layer of leather tightly against you.
Nice looking holster.
 
I've been using a Bianchi "Lawman" holster for a Ruger 6 1/2" Blackhawk. The trigger guard is exposed and it uses a strap and snap to retain the weapon. I, too, am a horseman and ride high mountain trails (Cascades and the Bitterroots) and the rough country of the Ozark "foot hills". I, also, have had a few "unauthorized" dismounts and have never lost the Ruger from my holster. Though I have damaged a few grip panels in the "upside down" landings.
 
Virtually any properly fitted holster, including the one you're deriding, will retain the handgun. Snaps and thongs are just insurance. Believe it or not, some people actually put some effort and thought into this. Believe it or not, you're not the only one that actually "uses" them outdoors.
 
I ain't riding that horse..!! I have enough troubles with my "independent, I'll do it my way" mare.

No arguement intended, Vern. Just mention another way to carry on horse back.
 
For those who just tuned in, the Strawberry Roan is the legendary horse no one can ride.

"I know there're some ponies I cannot ride
Some are still livin' -- they haven't all died
And I'll bet all my money, there's no man alive
Can stay on old Strawberry when he does his High Dive."
 
While assigned to the USMC Mounted Color Guard, I learned, the hard way, that a lanyard is a Very Good Thing<tm>.

"Detail, halt!"
"Lets go back and look for my forty-five..."
Having also made a few hundred parachute jumps, I am a big fan of a lanyard on a pistol.
 
I would think cross draw made a lot of sense if one spent a lot of time on a horse....til Hollywood came along...
 

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