Seeking Alaskan Holster Advice

[Jon in TN]

I recently purchased a Ruge Alaskan to carry as a side arm when I'm rifle hunting and just beating around the woods. There's nothing to be found local, so I've only been able to look at some online. There doesn't appear to be allot of options for a large frame short barreled revolver... What are you guys using? Or tried out? Or like best?
Thanks in advance,
Jon 

[gcrank1]

Jon, I dont have an Alaskan, but I have had other largish revolvers through the years; ie, 7 1/2" S-BH and RH, 6" 629, 3"ish 629 Lew Horton(?) and ALL were too big for a true 'belt gun' IMHO. That is to say, one on the left would give me a serious 'list to port' and/or be trying to pull my pants down and be getting bumped in my day to day activities and chores. Same was true with strong-side or crossdraw, with the crossdraw getting in the way and bumped way more than nice grips ever should.
My solution is a shoulder rig (somewhat of a basic 'western style') for the shorter barreled revolvers like the 4 5/8s or less, but it should be OK for 5-5 1/2ish, I think. There is an over the shoulder rig to take a regular hip holster that looked promising, especially for longer barreled or scoped guns.
For me, the gun is out of the way in daily activities and just carries better in the shoulder rig much more than the hip type, and it gets out of the weather too when I cover myself.

[jimster]

http://www.simplyrugged.com/
These are good holsters for all around use, you can set yourself up for strong side, cross draw, and chest straps all on the same holster. They make them for the Ruger Alaskan, or most anything. I have bought three of their holsters over the years, I have not been disappointed.
 

[gcrank1]

Take a look at this site:
www.lobogunleather.com

[mcwoodduck]

For my 4" M629 I am using an open top pancake style holster that seem to keep the gun in place and ready.  Mine is from Old El Paso Sadlery.  Type it into BING.com and you will come up with the site.  If they can not make a holster for the Alaskan model they will e-mail you and tell you. 
Even my 4" K frame seem to ride in it snug and does not seem loose to fall out of the open top. 
I used the 44 in a Revolver challange at the local club not too long ago and while the gun was snug it was not hampered when I drew for the stages. 

[Lloyd Smale]

try a holster for a 3 inch n frame smith. Redhawks fit pretty well in N frame holsters

[woods]

     I purchased a simply rugged holster for my Alaskan 44 mag, love it, fits tight to my body with good retention on my handgun.  I bought the 1 3\4 belt and holster in ox blood color. Leather is good quality, it's a little squeaky as leather products often are but with a little olive oil it quiets down. Best about it though it fits under several of my longer jackets in the cross draw position (holster rides high on the belt) without any one knowing its there. In this holster its tucked away and I can work around my farm unhindered by having a handgun on my hip in the way whether in a vehicle, tractor or side by side. (seat belts are still a pain). I'm pretty good sized person 6' 3" and over 250  so I bought the wider belt.  Hope this helps.
 
woods 

[Jon in TN]

I really appreciate all the input guys. There's so many options out there and it's good to have a place start...
Jon

[Three Bears]

Used this in Alaska for Ruger 44 and now use it in Louisiana swamps... Alaska Sportsman
Chest Holster..... http://www.alaskasportsmanproducts.com/ great holster and the Company is great to work with.

[mrbumps]

Here is my Alaskan in 480 in a Simply Rugged Pancake "Loaded" version.  Works great for me.
 

[Charcoal]

This chest rig works well with my Ruger Super Redhawk:
http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Diamond_D_Custom_Leather.php

[Sourdough]

The Ruger Alaskan has a short barrel, and I for one don't like the way it hangs on the right side.  When I had one I wore it on the left side in a cross draw holster.  Seemed to be more out of the way there, and easier to get to.  I got rid of it and went to a 460 Smith, I wear it the same way, just a longer holster.

The Holster MR BUMPS shows I think would work real well.  With the two belt slots on the right side it could be worn on the right straight up and down.  Or on the left using the lower slot as a cross draw.

[Nate C]

Used this in Alaska for Ruger 44 and now use it in Louisiana swamps... Alaska Sportsman
Chest Holster..... http://www.alaskasportsmanproducts.com/ great holster and the Company is great to work with.

This +1

I was up there for 4 blessed years, and I carried this holster everywhere.  It worked for a 4-5/8" super blackhawk or a 4" Redhawk or a Super Red Hawk Alaskan.

You can wear it with waders.  You can wear it with a backpack.  You can draw it from (horseback, atv, etc.).   This is the least glamorous handgun holster I own, but its hands down my favorite for active outdoor use.