Drop holster for hunting?

[rbernie]

I'm toying with the idea of using a drop/thigh holster for carring a backup handgun (usually a 5" 1911, occasionally a 2" S&W K-frame) while hunting. I need to make room in my fanny pack for other things, my OWB hip holsters don't clear the pack waist straps and become inaccessible when I'm in cold-weather wear, and a shoulder rig looks like it would get in the way of the binocular harness and would be a real PITA to put on and adjust over my variable-thickness winter wear.

In Googling this, it looks like drop holsters fall into two camps - the 'fast presentation' group (Blackhawk TAC SERPA, G-Code REAC, etc.) and the 'secure retention' group (HSGI, Spectre, Uncle Mikes, etc.). Right now, I'm leaning towards the HSGI because it looks the most comfortable and the most secure.

How secure is the retention system on the TAC SERPA or REAC? How uncomfortable are any of these choices to wear in the field? I generally still-hunt and hike 8-10 miles a day, so I'd hate to find out that the one I bought chafes my legs badly and makes me miserable when I'm four miles out of camp. I don't generaly run a lot or low crawl, but I spend a fair bit of time in thickets having branches and stuff try to pull my gear off my body.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be welcomed.

 

[NMshooter]

I have the HSGI drop holster, and of the several different drop holsters I have owned and used it is the most comfortable. Particularly if after adjusting it to fit you cover the adjustable portion of the leg strap with 100MPH tape so it does not wear a hole through the opposite pant leg...

That said, I would highly recommend you test out your idea to walk around for any distance with a drop holster strapped to your leg, as you may find it uncomfortable.

You can carry on the belt, including IWB, though it depends on your clothing and where your pack rides as to how well this works. A pack with a waist strap that rides above your hips will leave some room for stuff on the belt, but some items will press against the strap and one or the other will wear through eventually. Be willing to experiment.

Having a flap on the holster may help to streamline it, making it less likely to hang up on other pieces of equipment or vegetation. Helps to keep the crud out when you end up slipping and falling on a patch of ice or cold mud...

Sorry I have no easy answers, but we are all built differently, and what works for me may not work for you.

 

[LAK]

About the only topography I would consider wearing such a rig suitable is very open country - and fairly level at that. Apt to snag when walking or climbing through brush, rock and fallen timber etc, and just a general irritation.

One of the best solutions for a binocular IMO is a regular neckstrap and a pullover shirt with a center chest pouch. I have not seen them here in the CONUS, but in Europa such shirts - a sort of pullover/smock - are or were made. Anyone who knows what they are doing with fabric and sewing gear ought to be able to make one up from scratch or add a pouch to an existing garment to your specs.
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[ETCss Phil McCrackin]

I use my Blackhawk Drop holster whenever I am in the field, and need/want to carry a sidearm. Of course, it was my duty rig when I was on shore duty and I am extremely comfortable with it. Also, I am far too cheap to get something new when something old works just fine.

If you are going to wear any of them for strenious activity make sure you wear it the correct way, ie. just low enough to clear any obstructions on your upper body and still be able to use the leg straps. Drop holsters were not invented so people could wear them halfway down their upper leg, with the barrel near your knee. For every person that wears them right, there's 15 John Wayne wannabes that insist on wearing their weapon so it flops around constantly at a walking pace, never mind running or climbing.

 

[rbernie]

I decided on the HSGI holster. It came in today - one day AFTER my 'end o' the year' deer/hog hunt. I've been wearing it for most of the day, and (while not a conclusive comfort test) I think that it's going to work out just fine. Time will tell if it's more of a drag (pun intended) in the woods or not.

Thanks to all who contributed their thoughts.

 

[chrisTx]

i use an old leather bianchi drop swivel duty holster to carry my 1911 on hunting trips. with the swivel, i can move it around when i'm in the stand.

 

[GrammatonCleric]

Drop leg holster for wheelguns

Hey guys, sorry about reviving an old topic, but I was wondering if any company makes drop leg holsters for revolvers. I'd like to find one for my 5" barrel S&W M625. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[NMshooter]

A 625?

Definitely a custom build, you could try calling some of the manufacturers out there and asking if they would be willing to make one.

Be willing to pay more than list price.

 

[Kor]

Check out Blade-Tech, this page lists the holster as available for the 629, which should work - if not, Blade-Tech can probably custom-make one, since they offer other holsters for the 625:

http://www.blade-tech.com/Tactical-Thigh-holsters-pr-875.html

For another holster that should leave your waistline clear for your backpack's waist belt, and that DEFINITELY lists the 5" 625 as available:

http://www.blade-tech.com/product.php?productid=824