Was wondering if anyone had any prefernce with handgun hunting holsters. I need something to tote my N-frames around. I plan on using it as backup when I'm hog hunting. I'm thinking of shoulder holster of some description, but I've never used one before for any length of time. Any suggestions/recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

You didn't mention barrel length, which may be an issue --- a hunting buddy recently set up a Ruger single action .44 with a long barrel and an Aimpoint sight, and he's chosen a Galco "shoulder" or chest holster that looks to me like a pretty nice, if pricey, rig. There are others that look pretty good as well. My 4" 629 rides in a Side Armor kydex belt rig, or in a Wilderness SafePacker, which offers good protection from abrasion when sitting on and scrambling around rocks, as is often the case here, keeps the gun clean and out of the weather (such as needs keeping out of, around here), and also provides a high level of security against being snatched by grabby chaparral brush "fingers", which try to pluck at everything on your person...

I have shoulder holsters for backwoods use but if there is ANY "labor" involved I worry about sweat on my handgun.

I like a flap-type belt holster the best. It protects the weapon from just about everything.

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

Good point. Its a stainless model 629 in 6" non fully lugged barrel. Nothing exciting there. Its not scoped either. I will use it primarily as a back up gun in case I spring up on a hog in the underbrush of Northern LA. I would like something that carrys pretty close to the body, but is also readily accessible in the even of needing to stop an angry boar.

I've made a few of these for hunters recently and they seem to be working out pretty good...they can be adjusted to wear inside or outside your coat, up under your arm pit, on your chest or down by the belt line.
Nothing new here, just my version of it.

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Attached photo shows the holster that I use to carry my Model 29 while hunting. Lobo Gun Leather Model 5-X, smooth lined, cross-draw configuration, thumb-break retention, covered trigger guard, rear sight protected.

Cross-draw provides good accessibility, is comfortable for all day use, and allows me to sling my rifle over the right shoulder without interference with a strong-side holster.

Let me know if I can make one for you.

Lobo Gun Leather - Home

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Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake....you can wear it strongside, crossdraw, IWB, or across the chest with the Chesty Puller conversion system. Superb field holster - an improved version of the old Roy Baker Pancake.



Simply Rugged Holsters

Mernickle holsters makes a nice shoulder holster model number sh7 i suggest you consider checking it out.

I have used handguns for hunting since about 1985. I have used shoulder holsters... cross-draw holsters, strong-side holsters, *** holsters to carry S&W K and N Frame revolvers with mostly 4" and some 6" barrels. I prefer 4" barrels for carrying... backup. For hunting I want a 5-6 inch barrel. I have a nice El Paso Saddlery Tom Threepersons holster that has worked extremely well for me when carrying a 5" 625-2 and a 6" 28-2. I am now contemplating a new holster for my 24-4. It will probably be a El Paso Austin... maybe with a nice stiff matching belt. If I plan on taking a revolver out hunting in cold weather, I'd likely select a cross-draw.. something like a Bianchi Cyclone which has worked well for me both with revolvers and large automatics such as 1911 type pistols.

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I've carried handguns off and on since at least 1968 while doing a variety of chores: working around a mine, part-time hunting guide (for pigs), wildlife biologist, cowboy action, and just plain farting around the deserts of California, in the Sierras, in Alaska, and the Cascades. During that time, I've carried a variety of handguns in a variety of holsters.

Unless it has a 6" or longer barrel, I prefer a Tom Threepersons style. Otherwise, any strong side such as a Roy's thumbreak works. For a big pistol/revolver, I prefer a chest holster or a "Doc Holliday" style. The armpits holsters feel like your pulling out your arm hair all day. I've also found that everyone is a little different==that's why most of us have at least one box full of extras.

I've made a couple of these, and my customers seem to be happy with them.

El Paso Saddlery makes a "1942 Tanker" shoulder rig that works very well with a heavy handgun. They are very comfortable keeping the gun out of your way when in brush, climbing over rocks , etc.

Both of mine are lined which adds $20 ...they ran $120 total IIRC.

FN in MT

I use two Bianchi holsters for my N frames when hunting. For longer barrels I use their X-15 shoulder holsters and shorter ones the Cyclone cross draw belt holsters.
Good holsters and not real expensive either.

My Sourdough Pancake arrived in the mail this past saturday. It is a good holster. I find that it works great as a in my pants holster, for my 4" 686. One thing that I figured out is if you mount the IWB buttons straps on the back side of the holster, you can tighten up any slack, and lesson imprinting on your shirt.
I have also used a Bianchi x-2100 Phantom shoulder holster.

For the use and type you've mentioned, the sourdough pancake w/ optional methods would prolly be my choice.