Hammer thong or button strap?

.38 Special

.38 Special

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Sep 15, 2006
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I think I'm finally getting around to ordering an El Paso Saddlery 1920 "Threepersons" with fancy carving, for my 5" S&W Model of 1950.

Pretty much like the one on the right:
elpasosaddlery_1920_tom3-600x600.jpg

I've always ordered button straps on such things, but am wondering about hammer thongs. I may have used one, decades ago, on a holster for an SAA, but it was so long ago that any recollections are hazy at best.

So I'm looking for folks with experience to let me know if there are any downfalls. Thanks!
 
A properly built Threepersons does not need additional retention features. The welt pushing against the frame is sufficient.

With an El Paso, the choice is yours. I would opt for the strap, but would like it a bit longer. Much like what Lawrence built for Elmer Keith. But that is because I used such a strap decades ago and have some familiarity with how to draw from that style of holster.

Kevin
 
On these open trigger guard style holsters for pistols like 1911 and double action style revolvers the strap with snap or thumb breaks are used as an added safety feature. On a single action style there is no real concern of discharge if something gets into trigger guard so a period style hammer thong is fine. But with double action revolvers the strap with snap or thumb break keeps the hammer from being pulled back if something was to get inside of trigger guard while holstered. A added tie-down shouldn't be necessary for a properly made holster to have a friction hold to prevent falling out under regular use. But since the trigger guard is exposed on these style rigs the tiedowns give a extra bit of safety from accidental discharge.
 
StrawHat said:
If you have a holster that is so worn out or poorly constructed that it allows the cylinder to turn, it is time to buy a proper holster.

Kevin
Click to expand...
If you take a double action revolver in any kind of holster with the trigger guard exposed and pull the trigger or a stick or someone else gets there finger in there and trigger gets pulled with nothing holding the hammer from coming back it will fire. Leather or kydex even tightly molded wouldn't stop the cylinder from turning when trigger is pulled on a double action.
 
If they won't make it without one, I go for a thong and usually leave it off. I hate straps. I hate making them and I hate using them. :p



Hillbilly Hydrographics said:
If you take a double action revolver in any kind of holster with the trigger guard exposed and pull the trigger or a stick or someone else gets there finger in there and trigger gets pulled with nothing holding the hammer from coming back it will fire. Leather or kydex even tightly molded wouldn't stop the cylinder from turning when trigger is pulled on a double action.
Click to expand...
No it won't. A properly fitted holster will not allow the cylinder to turn. Especially an El Paso Threepersons with that sticky pigskin lining. It takes several times the weight of the gun to pull a DA trigger. So anything strong enough to do that will lift the gun right out of the holster. This is unfounded safety nanny nonsense.
 
I would have the strap with snap.

I seem to recall reading something about that strap on the Tom Threepersons Holster in the past. Either Elmer Keith, Ed McGivern, or Bill Jordan got the long strap added to that holster.

Looking at my copy of Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting by Ed McGivern, I don't think it was him. So maybe Keith or Jordan?

Now you got me on the hunt.

I seem to recall the idea behind the long strap past the snap was you could sweep it off - unsnap it with your shooting hand and draw your revolver all in 1 motion.
 
Ok it was Keith that added the long strap to the Tom Threepersons holster.

Lawrence #120 Keith holster

www.simplyrugged.com

The 120 - Store - Simply Rugged Holsters

For a more traditional design we make the 120, styled after the George Lawrence Company’s timeless field holster. This holster was George Lawrence’s version of the Tom Threepersons Holster first offered by Sam Meyers of El Paso. Elmer Keith contributed to the design, requesting a long tail on...
www.simplyrugged.com www.simplyrugged.com
"This holster was George Lawrence’s version of the Tom Threepersons Holster first offered by Sam Meyers of El Paso. Elmer Keith contributed to the design, requesting a long tail on the retention strap for a more positive hold on the strap. This allows you to chop up and release the snap while the hand continues to grasp the gun."

I'm still looking for a reference to Keith on the strap.
 
CraigC said:
A properly fitted holster will not allow the cylinder to turn. Especially an El Paso Threepersons with that sticky pigskin lining. It takes several times the weight of the gun to pull a DA trigger. So anything strong enough to do that will lift the gun right out of the holster.
Click to expand...
That never occurred to me.
 
Many years ago I carried a SA revolver in a holster with the thong hiking the sandhills under the cap. Never did learn to like it for some reason although I was never in a big hurry to draw the gun. I switched to one with a strap. Truthfully I never had much need for anything to hold the gun in place even when climbing up the side of the cap to check something out. Lots of small caves along the sides. It was a waste of time as all I ever found was a little fur or some small bones where something dined on a small critter that was most likely a rabbit. I might spend half the day away from my vehicle, return for some water and continue to another place or drive to some other spot I wanted to explore. I always got the good out of a day.

Now I just stuff the gun between my wrangler's seat and console inside a gun rug to protect it and where it is beside my hand. If I get out and walk it gets stuck in my hip pocket because I usually carry a short handgun. I no longer stray far from my vehicle and my trips seldom last all day. I was much tougher and agile 60 years ago.
 
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I'm used to holsters which don't have any sort of extra retention device and have never had any problem with them. I may just ask El Paso to leave them off entirely...
 
For Me ... the button down snap strap is more secure ... it makes me feel better when I'm outdoors , walking through wood to have it snapped down .

The hammer thong is not as secure and fine on a Bar-B-Que gun or range gun where you wont be doing a lot of work ... they are sexy and racy looking for sure .

I would let my main use dictate the type ... hunting & woods walking = snap-strap .
BBQ , recreational and Looking Good = hammer thong.

I will say every one of my leather holsters has some type of retention strap ...most are the snap down .

Oh Heck ... Life's Short ... Just get one of each !!!
Gary
 
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I went with thong on my SAA rig. Why? I have no idea. Now I get to shorten it to work right.

wcz65OZ.jpg
 
I like both equally well, that is to say, I prefer a holster without either. For single action, a thong is the best though because you can slip it off while acquiring your grip, and it's much less likely to come undone accidentally.

I once had an inside the waistband holster that had snaps on the belt loops. I went to a local gunsmith pretty regularly, and his chairs were just the right width for a skinny person. I almost always snagged the belt loop when exiting the chair.
 
Unrelated, I use Galco Holsters for my SA Cowboy Action Rig which have hammer thongs.

1880's Holster Strongside

Model 1880's is the holster for the single action shooter on the budget of the working cowboy. It is reminiscent of the rigs worn in American Western's in the 1950's and 60's.
www.galcogunleather.com www.galcogunleather.com
SAA Holster Rigs.jpg


And Bianchi Model 111 Cyclone Holsters for my Ruger Security Six DA revolvers with thumb snaps.
bianchileather.com

Model 111 Cyclone™ Belt Holster | Bianchi Leather

Crafted for optimal comfort and versatility, the classic design and rugged durability of the Model 111 Cyclone Belt Holster makes it a must-have product.
bianchileather.com bianchileather.com
Ruger Security Six with holsters.jpg

So yes for a revolver, I do like some sort of retention. My holsters are kind of generic in fit though. I would imagine a tighter fitting holster would do a better job at retaining a revolver.

Reading around the web on the Tom Threeperson holsters, there are few folks who used them that dropped there revolver when it was not secured by a strap or thong.
 
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Like Craig, I really don't like straps or thongs...but....I've got just one j frame holster that I made 30+ years ago that's just loosened up too much over the years & I fitted a strap to that one, leaving the attaching rivet a bit loose to allow it to be rotated in front of the holster when not needed. I think Bill Jorden advocated that type of strap in "No 2nd Place Winner". His idea was to leave the strap unsnapped in front of the rig and only button the hammer down if going into a chase etc. The thought being that instant use of the gun was a necessity and that an officer would have time to buckle it in if necessary....I'm not nor ever was an LEO so I can't comment.

I fit mine to hold the gun tightly, but allow a normal draw movement. It's a snug fit and I've inadvertently tested it several times off unruly horses, one ladder, & the 2nd tier of a hay wagon. I was pretty scuffed up in all of these adventures, but the guns stayed put....heck, I should have filmed them, I could have done right well $.

Best regards, and 38 Special, get the snap/strap and with the long strap for easier manipulation...Keith was right about that. Rod
 
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I have never had any issues with the thongs here but have with the strap deals. But I do think the threeperson deals are gump holsters as in cant pay me to use our own one.
 
I am headed to work, so I can't post pics now, but I have had a EPS Three Persons that I have used for the past twenty five years or so. I can tell you from experience that if you are using the holster on horseback or on an ATV you are going to want some type of retention. I prefer the strap/snap as it is quicker to use for me.
 
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