Holster for hunting

Farm Boy Deuce · July 2014

Last year while hunting i carried my Ruger SR22 in a belt slide type holster. It is a great little pistol but obviously not legal for hunting. I wanted to carry my .357 Blackhawk but only have a belt holster. Not ideal in a tree stand while wearing insulated coveralls. Now I have my 681, I want to carry it as backup or for that pistol range shot that may present itself.

So for those of you that carry a handgun while hunting what type of holster do you use?
Does anyone use a tanker type holster? That type seems like it would work to put on after my coveralls and under whatever jacket I wear.
Any other ideas that may be helpful?

Zee · July 2014

I mostly use a crossdraw in the field for revolvers.

Bianchi 111 Cyclone Crossdraw

Galco D.A.O. Dual Action Outdoorsman

Really enjoy both holsters.

Jayhawker · July 2014

Zee wrote: »

I mostly use a crossdraw in the field for revolvers.

This....

However...due to the generosity of a forum member, last year I used this

http://www.mountainhomeleather.com/hninfo.htm

for my Vaquero...and it worked very nicely....

Fisheadgib · July 2014

I posted this a couple of years ago about a simple little gizmo I made to be able to use any belt holster as a bandolier type holster. It's just a 2"x4" piece of aluminum with some slots cut into it to fit a sling. I bought some cheap AK47 slings from Sportsman's Warehouse and the whole thing costs me about six bucks. I've given quite a few away to friends and I've used one for several seasons now and have had no problems with it. It doesn't hold it rigidly enough to run with it staying in place but for walking to and sitting in a stand it works well.

snake284 · July 2014

I bought this very holster 30 some years ago.

http://www.grainger.com/product/23XZ47?gclid=CNKx-dz_7b8CFWoR7Aod3AoAaQ&cm_mmc=PPC:GooglePLA-_-Security-_-Security%20Management%20and%20Law%20Enforcement-_-23XZ47&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=23XZ47&ef_id=U7llSgAAAUGFcyk2:20140730213854:s

It's nylon, not leather. Nylon is inert to a blued gun's finish. My 586 stays in this holster and has for that 30 years when I'm not firing it and my blue finish is still pretty much pristine. The only problem I had, and I believe I'd have the same problem if it'd been leather is that I bought my 586 with a partridge sight which hangs on the nylon when you try to draw it. So I took the Dremel to the front sight and "Look Out Bubba!" But it's a fast draw special now, :jester:

bullsi1911 · July 2014

Zee wrote: »

I mostly use a crossdraw in the field for revolvers.

Same here. Keeps the slung rifle from hitting the gun.

I use the El Paso Saddlery 1920 Crossdraw:
http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-67-12-1920-crossdraw-2-to-7-12-barrels.aspx

Razorbacker · July 2014

I use a Western style for my Bisley on my strong side. I used to carry a .22LR crossdraw at the same time for squirrels and sech. I still want to scope my Casull so I'm looking at this:

http://www.galcogunleather.com/kodiak-hunter-shoulder-holster_8_2_1178.html

But I dunno, not only is that pricey but I'm kinda mad at Galco right now.

I wore coveralls years ago but I'm not a fan any more so if I had to wear them, I guess I'd be asking questions too.

shootbrownelk · July 2014

Razorbacker wrote: »

I use a Western style for my Bisley on my strong side. I used to carry a .22LR crossdraw at the same time for squirrels and sech. I still want to scope my Casull so I'm looking at this:

http://www.galcogunleather.com/kodiak-hunter-shoulder-holster_8_2_1178.html

But I dunno, not only is that pricey but I'm kinda mad at Galco right now.

I wore coveralls years ago but I'm not a fan any more so if I had to wear them, I guess I'd be asking questions too.

Wow, that's a nice holster. I have a 7 1/2" SRH in .454 that I have a red dot on. Looks like this'll work! Thanks Razor

wildgene · July 2014

...I use a Wyoming Combo holster for my 657, a couple of KNJ's for the .22/ 22Mag...

http://ringlercustomleather.com/id59.html

gator · July 2014

I like the guides choice a bit pricey but good quality.

http://www.shop.diamonddcustomleather.com/Guides-Choice-Chest-Holster-GC.htm?productId=1

5280 shooter II · July 2014

Usually I'll carry a .357 or .44 mag in a cross-draw for hunting big game........cause there's other big game that may want to eat your newly dead big game.......or you. I've tried Tanker holsters........NO-GO, too far out of reach and interferes with back pack straps....better on the belt, away from the rifle butt when carrying on the shoulder. I hunt in serious mountains, so yeah.......the rifle is slung 80% of the time. But if you have a CCL.....you can pack a .22 in a tanker holster under yer coat and use it for small game.....less obtrusive and less needed for quick use

When I carried a G-23 it was in a Bianchi M-12 (military flap), or a universal Viking thigh holster for the G-20 or CZ-97.....those suck too.....Cross-draw in a "hunting legal" cartridge is the way to go.....That can even be a .22 if you can bag rabbits or grouse with a small game license............a .30'06 tends to almost vaporize small critters.:tooth:

Here's my problem in CO.......w/o a CCL.......I can't cover it......even under an over-the-hip parka....Though most Wardens will let you pass this technicality as long as you're cool and upfront about it......Here's my other problem.......Mountain Lions don't hibernate.....and we've been tracked while walking out......IF you fail to shoot the darned thing first (they like this pouncing from tree approach here)...you're gonna curl up in a ball to protect yourself from getting gutted.......guess which carry method is easiest to reach when you're wrapping up yer stomach with your arms?

But that's the extreme paranoia, do what works for your needs with your kit. Personally I'd like to see more cross-draw type holsters with a flap to cover the pistol.

Farm Boy Deuce · July 2014

Cross draw is definitely on the table. I just remembered that I need to replace my bibs anyway, I have been wanting to get a pair of wool pants for a couple years now anyway.

I was carrying a hunting legal K frame one day, anyway I took it off my belt and dumped it into the right front cargo pocket on my bibs. My sister and I stopped in town for a Coke.
I forgot I had the revolver in my pocket until I had to squeeze past a hi-po, county mountie and the local possum policeman. Not having a CCL then I was sweating just a little.

bisley · July 2014

Farm Boy Deuce wrote: »

Does anyone use a tanker type holster?

Yes.

I cobbled together a makeshift 'across the chest' holster for my 10mm Glock, using part of a Blackhawk Serpa, and some denim, leather, Kydex, and Velcro. My belly is too big for a cross-draw to work well, so I fixed this one up to ride high up across my chest. This makes it handy for sitting down, such as sitting in a box blind or riding the Mule around in the woods.

It is way too ugly to post a picture of, and I have it disassembled right now so I can use the Serpa as a paddle holster.

Farm Boy Deuce · July 2014

Being a natural born cheapskate I am going to try fishheadgib's idea first. I might even have everything I need to make one this weekend.

bullsi1911 · July 2014

cpj wrote: »

That's a damn good idea. :up:

I built one of those using heavy kydex. Never got around to using it. Need to.

bisley · July 2014

Yep, that ought to work pretty good. I remember seeing that post and I was going to try it, but forgot. Simple is good. The rig I made is a nylon belt that I buckle around my chest, with a strap going from the front of belt, up and over my collarbone and connecting to the belt on the back. It's pretty comfortable when adjusted perfectly. But I would definitely try the slotted metal insert thingee first.

Farm Boy Deuce · July 2014

I may get froggy and try to fasten a strap to the bottom of the holster. I could run that strap down to my belt to keep it from flopping.

Gene L · July 2014

I use a tanker style holster for my Model 29. I haven't carried it for a long way yet, but it's fairly comfortable on carry alone. Pretty cheap leather holster but effective.

Fisheadgib · July 2014

Alright, I finally got around to taking and uploading a picture of my holster being worn. The straps can be adjusted to ride high or low and if you're sitting in a stand, you can move it around easily to make it more comfortable or accessible. This is a 7-1/2" redhawk in it.

Farm Boy Deuce · July 2014

Yeah for I wear hunting currently I think your holster will work nicely.

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