Theory of the Holster: the cowboy rig

[stirner]

Realizing from the "Wazoo" thread just how many holster experts are assembled here, thought I'd offer for comment an idea and holster I had.

   

   Working on a ranch years ago, I made some chaps and other things out of leather, using the ranch boss's tools.  I then made a holster to hold my American Arms .357 replica of the Colt Single Action Army.  I didn't really know what I was doing but I spent a little time on it.

   

   What I did -- and what I seek any comments on -- was to attach the belt loop near to where the gun's cylinder was inside the holster, and then to attach the belt loop at such an angle that the gun "aimed," when sitting on my waist, at the ground behind me (it was a cross draw for the right hand).

   

   I know I'm not explaining this well.  Rest a big revolver on its butt and tip of the muzzle; maintain that angle (more or less) when the gun is in the holster on one's hip.

   

   Anyway, I really like that simple little holster, mostly because I made it but I also think I came up with a really good design.  Now, I know I wasn't the first to try this, and I wonder if anyone knows why this isn't a little more common.

   

   Riding a horse, it is very comfortable.  It stays out of my way as the "arch" of the gun does not interfere with my left leg.  Off the horse it secures this (big) revolver securely and without any flap or bounce.  

   

   In fact, I also had a minimag that I liked.  I expected I would want to carry it often because this other rig would be too heavy.  But the .357 fit so well I wore it most of the time.

   

   (I posted some other time how I riveted a tiny leather loop into my minirevolver leather holster [came with the gun]:  this pulled over the gun's hammer to ensure the gun wouldn't fall out, which was a concern I had.)

   

   I even really like the crossdraw, which is important also to keep away from the rope on the right of the saddle.

   

   I'm curious if anyone has thoughts on this kind of rig.  It is only "western" because it holds a big revolver on the belt.  I am just surprised I've never seen another like it, though I haven't searched too far.

   

   thanks,

   Stirner

[ln1]

Cowboy action shooters use crossdraw holsters, but they're "limited" to a 30-degree cant on that holster.  Your holster sounds like it's closer to 50 or 60-degree.  My concern with that much of a cant is the ability to keep the gun in the holster if you/gun were jostled around.  As you noted, on the revolvers you generally use a piece of leather that slides directly over the hammer or wraps around the hammer.  With the autos, you generally see a snap-over.  You would want something like that if you have a holster with that much cant.  There are various style loops or clips you could use to hold it on your belt - just depends on how low and how "concealed" you want to carry it.

   

   I personally like the crossdraw holster and I use one on my cowboy action shooting rig.  It's quicker on the draw than a strong-side (vertical) holster.  And as you mentioned, it essentially stays out of the way when seated.

   

[stirner]

Ln1,

   

   You're right about keeping the gun in the holster:  I have a snap (that goes around the top of the grip/bottom of the hammer) and otherwise it wouldn't work.

   

   And a new term for me, "cant".  Can someone explain just how this degree measurement is performed?

   

   I would suppose that barrel pointing straight at the ground is a zero degree cant, while a ninety degree cant would be like a shoulder rig where the barrel of the gun is parallel to the ground.

   

   Then, I would say mine is about 60, like you say.  I do wonder why I've never seen a large revolver holster with a cant this high...looking in the wrong places maybe?  I know that people want a fast draw, but for a real cowboy these days that's not so important.

[ricart]

Here is an opinion re your rig.  It is very good for your job, maybe not so good for most others.  Probably, in your job, wearing a gun is common place, not so in the so-called civilized world.  We, in law enforcement, while that style of carry would be great for when in the patrol car, it would be only good for a better chance of getting disarmed in a fist fight.  Citizens that carry, usually do not carry a large frame revolver.  I have tried a cross draw rig with small frame guns and found them not to conceal as well as the shoulder or strong hand standard hip holsters.  As for as a real cowboy and fast draw in the old days,  that is pretty well a Hollywood myth just as are the low slung holsters and walking down a dusty street to "draw" on somebody.  Hickock usually carried his "Navy's" in a sash or in his pockets,  and, by Earp's own account, at the OK "Shoot out", he had removed his Colt from the holster and placed it into his coat pocket to keep his hand on it, indicating to me he was not carrying the Buntline Special as many movies indicate.  A general description of your rig is a holster made by El Paso Saddery of the 1920 design by Chreeokee Indian, Tom Threepersons.  (This company has been in business since 1889 and made designs for Texas gunfighter John Wesley Hardin and Gen. George Patton)  Again, for your line of work, I think it is a great design.

[ln1]

Stirner,

   

   "Cant" is the angle degree of the holster relative to a vertical/horizontal line.  The most common is a 30-degree, grip canted forward.  It's often seen in the belt slide type holsters commonly carrying autos.  A holster can also be made that puts your grip opposite of how you carry it now - essentially the barrels are canted forward - and carried on either side as "strong-side" holsters.  This is mostly done by competition shooters to speed up the draw of the gun.

   

   The degree of cant available depends on the holster style.  With the cowboy revolvers it's not too difficult to do as those holsters generally have a large flap of leather that comes over the gun belt.  So you can adjust that angle accordingly.  There are a number of leathercrafters out there who can make this style of holster for you.  If you're interested, let me know, and I can send you a list of folks.

   

   As Ricart points out, the "drop holster," or more commonly known as the buscadero type rig, didn't really didn't become popular until early to mid-20th century, as western movies started to reach their peak.  Most cowboys before that weren't looking for "style" points - it was more important to have a practical holster/rig.  It was not uncommon to see a cowboy with just a holster attached to his regular pants belt.  And not too many working cowboys carried a holster covered with silver studded spots either.  Their holsters may have had some tooled design and that often was a flowery type design.

[stirner]

Ricart and LN1, thanks for the history and information. Learn something every day.

   

   I don't need one made--still got the one I cobbled together!--but thanks and I'll keep my eyes out for similar ones, just for curiosity.

   

   Another thing I wonder about are saddle holsters.  I've heard they've become pretty popular but I don't think I saw one back when I was a cowboy.