How to carry a revolver up high on your body?

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Hellbore

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I just bought a Ruger Redhawk, which I want to carry on fishing and hunting and camping trips in bear country. I don't want to carry it on my hip because when I wade in streams it would take a swim, which I assume would be a bad thing.

What kind of holsters are there that would be more fisherman-friendly or backpacker-friendly? I was thinking maybe a holser that held the gun under my arm might be good, but would that work for backpacking? I am thinking it might get in the way of the backpack's shoulder straps.

Any ideas? Is there a good way to carry while backpacking without getting the gun wet wading in streams?

P.S - On a somewhat related note, if my Redhawk falls in a stream will it still fire? I don't know much about guns getting wet and such.
 
If you're wanting to carry while backpacking, the best option is probably going to be a hip holster. If the Ruger that you bought is the stainless version, then you could probably use a synthetic holster and the water shouldn't be an issue for the gun. You could use the blued version if that's what you have, but you would have to be sure to dry, clean and oil it just about every day while on the hike to prevent rust. Just getting the gun wet should not affect the works at all, that's not to say that I would be doing any underwater firing demonstrations though...... :neener:

The main thing to worry about getting wet is the ammo. The gun should function just fine even when wet, but you will need to make sure that the ammo is sealed well. The water could seep into either the case mouth or the primer pocket, resulting in a dud round. One method is to seal the case mouth and primer pocket with clear nail polish.

W
 
An Idea

Have zero experience with this, but have fly fished. What about a holster behind the intersection of your shoulders and neck/ I've never seen such a rig but that would stay dry ex rain or stepping is a hole. Drawing would be like reaching over your head to scratch a mosquitoe bite (which you will also get).
 
The behind-the-neck holster sounds like a good idea for fishing, wouldn't work for backpacking though... It would be pretty cool to have while wading though :) Also the novelty value would be cool...
 
High Ride

Here is a hi ride holster but it is for K&L frames from 3 to 4 inches.

hiride3.jpg


Gary
 
MERNICKLE HOLSTERS!!!!!!!!!!1

They make exactly the holster you are looking for. Ride horizontally on the chest and keeps the gun out of the water while fishing (assuming you don't fall down a lot).

There is a picture of a woman wearing a large revolver in one of their fishing rigs on their website.

I have two Mernickle holsters and after carrying a gun for a living for 33 years it is the best I've ever used.
 
I really like the "survival sheath" but they don't list one for the Ruger Redhawk.

They do list one for Ruger SP101 and Ruger Super Blackhawk.
 
I like these accross-the-chest holsters, but does anyone know of one specifically made to fit a Ruger Redhawk 5.5" barrel revolver?

P.S. - I finally picked up the Redhawk today:

2guns.jpg
 
These cross chest holsters are sometimes called bandoleer holsters. You can find them at nearly any store that carries Uncle Mike holsters or at any gun show holster table. I favor these type holsters when I hunt because I carry a climbing treestand with shoulder straps (like a backpack). These holsers keep the gun secure, out of the way, but still accessible with backpack on or off, sitting or standing, climbing in a treestand or wading a creek. I pay between $20 and $25 for these nylon bandoleer holsters at gun shows. These holsters come with an attached belt or a loop to attach it to your regular belt. I strongly advise using the belt attachment. These belts attach at the very bottom of the holster so the entire gun is carried above your belt. The bandoleer holster can be carried directly in front of you or off to one side. They are very versatile.

Pics of my scoped hunting handguns with bandoleer holsters.

my445bando1a.JPG


my445bando1b.JPG


my44bando1a.JPG


my44bando1b.JPG
 
Yes your gun will still fire if it gets wet.

Yes your factory ammo will still fire if it gets wet. You'll need to submerge it for quite a while before reliability is affected.


My advice... think LANYARD.
 
You might take a look at Hoffners Custom Leather Holsters also. They make a IWB model that only has the barrel beneath the belt, and secures the trigger. I just ordered one for my GP100.
 
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Hellbore: Go to Mernickle Holsters then to their testimonials page and click on the "Alaska" photo. It's of a female in waders with a horizontal holster. Bob will make that holster for just about any handgun made.

Do yourself a favor and look into this product. :p
 
I received my Hoffners also. Not only can I carry the gp100 with it fairly comfortably, but if I have to I can even conceal my 6 inch S&W 19-3 with it.
 
I concur on the Hoffners holster linked by Ric. The best part is that it is kydex, so you can adjust the placement of those leather loops. I drilled new holes further "out" away from the cylinder, and lower down. This enabled me to adjust the cant of the holster, made it ride even higher, reduced the printing (the thickest parts, the straps, are attached to the cylinder swell, which sticks out the most. Dumb idea), and made it more stable in the bargain (loops further apart are better than loops closer together).

This really is a neat holster, and the best part is that it will fit multiple revolvers. I carry it with a 3" and a 4" K-38. The only real downside is that it seems hard on the finish...I would be loathe to carry a blued gun in it. But nickel and stainless seem fine. Then again, as it is kydex, if it gets wet, just wipe it off. Its also inexpensive.

Mike
 
Both of my revos are blued, so I'll have to keep that in mind with the Hoffners. Thanks.
 
I second Bronco45's suggestion to check out Mernickle's website. Bob is a great guy. He made me a custom rig for my 9.5" SRH that is exactly what I asked for.

Don't be afraid to call him. He'll spend the time with you to figure out a solution to your problem.

Is he cheap? Nope.
Is he fast? Nope.
Do you get what you want and pay for? Absolutely!!!
 
Both of my revos are blued, so I'll have to keep that in mind with the Hoffners. Thanks.
Click to expand...
NP. The retention, while adjustable, puts some pressure on the gun, by definition. I actually noticed a black kydex streak on my stainless revo. If blued guns can get holster wear from soft leather, I'm sure they can from aggressively rubbing plastic. Its a pity...otherwise this might be a pretty good "universal" holster.

-Mike
 
What works for me is carrying the weapon in the vest. No holster. I use a Filson Guide vest, with generous, easy access "reach-in" pockets accessible crossdraw from the front. These aren't the flybox pockets, but are a snap closure front side-entry compartment that sits behind the flybox pockets. Big enough for a large handgun.

I wouldn't worry about the gun getting wet unless it's really going to stay fully submerged for a long time. If you fell in, then wiped the gun down afterwards, you're going to be fine. The gun will fire.
 
I found a Filson Travel vest, but not a Guide best. Are you by chance referring to the travel vest?
 
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