Revolver holsters. Closed or open toe?

[BCRider]

I'm preparing myself to make up my first double holster rig for my cap and ball revolvers. As always the big question is "Closed or open toe?". Do I make it closed to try to keep dirt from getting in or do I make it open so any dirt that does get in can fall through instead of collecting in the toe?

I'm open to suggestion as to the Pros and Cons of each. My gut tells me "open" so stuff doesn't collect and so it's easier to get a bristle brush into the insides to brush out any embedded grit and give it an easy exit. But my gut isn't always right.

So let's hear what you lot have to say.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Open....

I prefer open style holsters.
They allow air to circulate, they let grit, lint, dust, dirt, water/moisture drip out.
Holsters with closed styles can become homes for crud, gunk, oils, grit, etc.



RS

 

[Greg528iT]

You should watch the movie, "Evil Roy Slade" and him making an open toed shoe from closed for a lady.

Cowboy gun, revolver.. OPEN.. snub nosed DA/SA.. either

 

[Byrd666]

All my holsters are open.

 

[CPO15]

I prefer open, with 1/4" extra length to protect the muzzle and provide comfort if used IWB.

Just a personal preference, YMMV.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I also prefer open as long as there is sufficient material to completely extend past the muzzle a little bit.

VooDoo

 

[RustyShackelford]

Deputy Rick......

I like open style for holsters but I don't get the duty belt types like the version worn by Deputy Rick in the hit zombie TV series: The Walking Dead.

His huge Python .357magnum sticks out of the black www.texshoemaker.com leather rig.
It seems clunky & awkward.
Strangely, I saw a older(early 1990s) In The Heat Of The Night episode recently on TV. The Chief Gilespie character(played by actor Carrol O'Connor) also had a huge stainless or nickeled wheel gun in a leather holster with a gap type opening. O'Connor wore it cross-draw too, .
It looked strange & uncomfortable.

 

[rcmodel]

I am a big fan of closed end holsters on carry guns, packing guns, & hunting guns.

I sometimes set on the ground in a blind, or slip and fall on my azz in the mud, ice, or snow.

A closed holster keeps an unexpected plugged bore at bay if you need the gun in a hurry.
(And the reason military C&B holsters were either closed end, or had a sewn in muzzle plug.)

Probably not a consideration for a double-gun C&B western rig though.

rc

 

[BCRider]

For deep woods carry in sloppy conditions I can see the desire behind closed toe holsters. But as you say it's not that likely that I'm going to slip and plug the muzzle during a cowboy action match.

So open toe it is since you are all mirroring my own thinking. And yes, the holsters will be a little longer than the guns.

 

[CraigC]

Either way. For function, both schools of thought have merit and I can see the utility in either. Although I've never had a problem with an open toe allowing crap to get into the muzzle, I can see how it would happen.

Aesthetically, a closed toe is usually more attractive and a more elegant solution. A stitched toe plug is an art in and of itself and one that is well done is a thing of beauty. A holster that is simply stitched all the way around is also quite attractive, on most designs. To me, some designs, like the Californian, simply look funny with a stitched toe.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Military style holsters were closed toe.. for crawling around in the mud and such. If you don't plan on doing that, open for sure.

 

[BCRider]

It's been more than a few years since I crawled around in the mud and dirt as a kid. I think I can assure you all that I'll be able to avoid such activity....

Since I started talking about making a rig for my BP revolvers I've also talked myself into making up a rig for a good shooting buddy that uses the small frame Uberti Stallion birds head model revolvers. Currently she's using some modified ex-police holsters and a regular leather belt.

I suspect with my current job list that I won't get started on these two rigs until early December. At least I'd better since the rig for the lady in question would be a Christmas present.

 

[Twiki357]

For me, it's open toe all the way just so long as it's a little longer than the barrel..

 

[Packman]

Military style holsters were closed toe.. for crawling around in the mud and such. If you don't plan on doing that, open for sure.

This. I can see the utility of closed in certain situations, but for the most part, I'm definitely preferential toward open toe, as long as the holster covers a little beyond the muzzle. Visible barrel looks really tacky to me.