Shoulder or hip holster for Blackhawk -6.5" Revolver

[streak]

Need your guy`s input both pro and con on which is best holster, hip or shoulder. for carrying the Blackhawk in hunting situations. Also your input on prefered brand names for these holsters.

[bluecow]

i use an old style military L.B.E. that way my pants dont fall down, yet not all the weight is on my shoulders. its easy to throw on over a bulky hunting jacket.  plus you add knife sheath a couple of pouch and you got a ready to go hunting system.  i love leather but for my style of hunting ill take the nylon uncle mikes.  even though it works vary well i dont like it.  it just dont feel right (like synthetic stocks) but the price is right and its tough   

[bilmac]

I know of several guys ,including me, who have bought shoulder holsters and never use them, if you must try one, you might put a WTB in the classifieds.

I don't have a problem with a 6" Blackhawk on my belt. I carry it crossdraw so it isn't so nasty while in the drivers seat in the pickup.

[OLDHandgunner]

For a revolver I prefer a crossdraw. It's comfortable and easy to get at.
I like the Bianchi Crossdraws.

[Redhawk1]

I am a handgun hunter, and I prefer the crossdraw holsters. I have tried the shoulder rigs and don't like them. The crossdraw is easy and quick. I get mine custom made by Reeds Gun Leather, Danny Reed 336-696-9047, reedgrdner@aol.com and his web site is.
http://www.reedgunleather.com/

The best holster I have ever had made.  I have 3 of his holsters, 3 belts and a few other leather goods that he makes.

[woods]

     Alot of what one to use depends on your hunting situation. In cold weather heavy clothing makes the shoulder rig a very poor option, but longer coats also make a hip holster tough to get to also. My handguns are all hip except for one, this one I use on the tractor, hip holster is allways in the way so I switched to a shoulder with it. Your going to have to weigh your choice against your useage. I am definetly a hip holster fan but the sholder rig has it's place.

woods

[streak]

bluecow,bilmac,OLD Handgunner,Redhawk1,and woods,
Thanks for the information!
I have a Uncle Mikes shoulder holster for my scoped SRH ,while it is good for this type of revolver it is a little cumbersome and as mentioned with heavy clothing a major problem.
Therefore, I think I will give the crossdraw holster a good look!

[Redhawk1]

streak, when I had Danny Reed make me a crossdraw holster, I also had him make me a belt that I could wear over my heavy clothing. It is longer than my standard belt I wear on my jeans and it works very good.

The good thing about the crossdraw is, when sitting in a stand, I can slide it more forward and have easy access to it while in the tree stand.

[Badnews Bob]

I made up my own rig thats simular to a military one, I use a 1.5" belt with suspenders on it, I carry my sheath knife water bottle small axe and my pistol in a crossdraw holster, Sometimes if I am not to close to home I'll add a small fanny pack with string, first aid.candy,and other just in case type things.

I've found this to be much more comfortable than haveing the wieght carried by your belt, also you can move the holster around some to allow for your seating options.

You can easily modify this rig to suite your taste or current situation.

[coyotejoe]

I much prefer a shoulder rig for any long and heavy handgun and I generally make my own holsters, whether belt or shoulder. A belt holster is very uncomfortable when seated in a vehicle or getting in and out. It's also impossible under a coat which you have to open wide and fight the coat tail.  Cold weather and heavy clothing are a plus for the shoulder rig worn under the coat where it is protected and handy, just leave the coat zipper down a few inches.   Also, when you have to drop your pants you don't have to worry about what to do with your gun in a shoulder holster. My 3" SP-101 I'll carry on my belt, that's in a paddle holster easily removed when in the truck or when taking a dump. The shoulder rig puts no weight on the belt, is out of the way and yet is accessible from any position, stand sitting or lying down.
 Some of the above posts suggest ways to compensate for the drawbacks of the belt holster, I just avoid it.

[bilmac]

The reason I bought a shoulder holster is because I was doing duck hunter law enforcement and wearing chest waders. I couldn't even stand to wear it for that purpose and ended up carrying me gun in the front inside pocket of the waders. Good thing duck hunters are good guys. About the only thing my gun would have been good for would have been slooow rattlesnakes.

[dpe.ahoy]

I got a heavy-duty leather shoulder holster for my longer guns while hunting.  You just put it over your head and it hangs very well, doesn't flop around as much as I thought it would.  I can bend over and touch my toes wearing it and it doesn't try to slide around.  The way it's cut it stays very well.  I will put a snap on it at some point to keep it closer and for extra safety.  Then I can hook it to a belt if wearing one over my coat.  Warmer weather, I prefer cross draw belt wear.  DP

[streak]

dpe.ahoy,
What type of heavy duty shoulder holster do you wear in the colder weather?
I will be doing  deer hunting in East Texas in thick woods where early part of the season can be rather warm or cool so would go with the crossdraw at that time. Last part of season can be unsettled from bone  chilling blue bird days or wet cold and miserable! So a shoulder holster might come in handy in the real cold weather.
Also what brand of cross draw holster do you use?

[petemi]

I use a crossdraw for my 6.5 .357 Blackhawk, usually over coveralls.  It's comfortable, easy to reach and get in and out of vehicles with, and doesn't keep bumping into the rifle or shotgun slung over my right shoulder.  I can't remember if it came out of Cabelas or Sportsmens Guide.

Pete

[Ladobe]

Cross draw hip works the best for me with medium length barrels and is all I use anymore.