I'm thinking about getting a Tanker style holster from El Paso Saddlery for my snub nosed 629, and had a question for anyone using one. I plan on using it for hiking and woods bumming. I was wondering if I rotated it slightly so that it rides under my shoulder, could I conceal it under a loose shirt? In the field I'm not worried about hiding it, but I'm just thinking I might need to stop in a store on the way home and would need to hide it. Anyone ever tried this? Thanks

Can't help you....I only wear mine when driving my tank.

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Sir, the M3 and later M7 style shoulder holsters don't conceal well under a shirt--they're too big. They do hide tolerably well under a jacket, though. The jacket needs to be buttoned/zipped up pretty high to cover the strap across your chest.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Take a look at this one at Cabelas:

Cabela's: Leather M7/M9 Shoulder Holster

I carried my 45 in an issue tanker holster for my last ten years, when in the field ( I still have that holster). In coolish to cold weather, I wore it over my fatique shirt and under my field jacket and/or parka. The field jacket concealed the rig, as long as it was buttoned or zipped up. For my job it made a lot more sense than carrying the 45 in the usual hip holster. For one thing sidearms can bang around alot on your leg and/or catch on camoflage nets easier in the military hip holster. The tanker holster was comfortable, out of the way, but easy to get to. However, they were never designed for concealed carry. They were designed to be out of the way and not get snagged on hatches and other stuff. I recall seeing chopper pilots also wearing tanker holsters.

I really walked into that one, didn't I?

Too answer your question, a tanker holster woudl be an excellent way to carry when hiking or woods bumming. Like I said I wore one for about ten years, to include while wearing a rucksack, and taking some long hikes. You need either a jacket or a really heavy over size shirt to conceal one.

I bought a few in my earlier day to look cool, but that's about all they do. I find them quite uncomfortable to wear for any real length of time. You are much better off with a really good belt and belt holster set up IMHO.

regards,
chief38

This is a version replicating the original Military item. It is manufactured by Pacific Canvas and Leather Co. Inc., as are probably all Tanker style holsters regardless of retailer, except custom makers like El Paso, (some are even honest enough to note this in their advertising!). It is available for only 4" fixed-sight K-frame and Colt Model 1911 pistols, OP wants one for an N-Frame.

If anyone is interested in a lot of interesting replica holsters here is a link to PCL Pacific Canvas & Leather Co. INC

This style holster is excellent for it's original intended purpose, Tank crewmen and pilots/aircrew, and also just the ticket for ATVs and any time you want to wear it under a heavy jacket or coat. For walking and mounted use not the best choice.

They're good. I used one for most of my military career. Not as comfortable as a good OWB for either the 1911A1 or the M9, but more convenient, especially in vehicles. Slow, but very secure; performed over 60 parachute jumps with mine.

I still have it, but have really not had any civilian uses for it, as I have other leather.

Would be just fine for casual woods and field use, but can only be concealed by bulky clothes. And remember: slow.

Semper fi

While in Iraq, I routinely carried my M9 in a tanker holster. It was much easier than a hip or thigh holster, especially when getting in and out of vehicles. For moving around in the woods, it's secure and keeps the gun out of the elements when eorn under a jacket, although it's definitely not a fast access holster.

Here's a pic of mine for a 4" N frame. You can see how it attaches to your pants belt. If you adjusted the main strap, and attached the lower strap to your belt more to the left, you could move the gun more under your shoulder, but I haven't tried it so I don't know how comfortable that would be. And that's a lot to hide under a shirt.

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