Upside Down Shoulder Holster for N Frame?

[Ringneck]

Did one exist? For snub or for 4 inch? I have one for a K-Frame 4 inch and it's pretty big but very functional at hiding the gun so I got to wondering if one existed for it's bigger cousins.

B. LaGrange

[jimmyj]

I had one for a Model 29 4" (Bianchi ?)
The weight of the weapon would drop out of the holster if you lean over an object (counter top) and there was any push on the corner of the grip bottom at all

[BE Mike]

The only time I've had a gun come out of a holster, was a S&W 3" model 36 in a leather upside down shoulder holster. Once burned, lesson learned.

[flintsghost]

The original Jackass leather company rigs can still be found on Ebay. While Jackass became Galco and they still make shoulder rigs, they are not even close to satisfactory. Safariland made one that was called a #19 for J's and K's in various barrel lengths but while they may have made an N version, I have never seen one. K L Null still makes one but it is only for J's and K's and semi's. Now it's in Kydex but it used to be made in horsehide. I have and use a horsehide Null for J's, and three Jackass rigs in K, N, and Colt 1911 that I still use.

[rednichols]

Originally Posted by jimmyj

I had one for a Model 29 4" (Bianchi ?)
The weight of the weapon would drop out of the holster if you lean over an object (counter top) and there was any push on the corner of the grip bottom at all

As Bianchi's principal designer in that era, I'll say that's unlikely. Though John himself would make just about anything then for a direct mail,order buyer.

All upside dozens were not equal, and the early elasticised versions were notorious for losing even small revolvers. The Bianchi 9R was developed to counter that, and the 209 capitalised on the science of them, though I'll have to say that Neale worked that science out before we did :-). So the 4" version gives better retention than a 2".

Likely we all just assumed then that there was insufficient demand then for an N fitment. Certainly there were no U-Ds from Bianchi for anything longer than a 3".

[Kansasgunner]

Had a Safariland upside down for an N frame. Not at all acceptable, revolver would break free at the hint of movement. Used the harness for another purpose and cut the holster apart and trashed it.

[Ringneck]

Thanks for all the information and personal experiences.

I'm not sure who made my UD for a 4 inch K, maybe Safariland.

I kind of wanted one for an N for the collection, now I'm debating even wasting my money for that. Could probably find some other old holsters instead.

Thanks!

Brad

[bronco45]

I saw guys (cops) who would "massage" upside down shoulder rigs so they were easier to draw from. duh! Over time their stretching of the rig and manipulating the spring in the Bianchi#9 caused the gun to be carried in a loose fit, therefore dangerous!

A few came out unexpectedly and the rigs weren't worn for long. The design itself was safe, it was manipulating it that made some of them fail. I also remember cops putting cigarette ashes and butts down the barrels of 12 gauges vertically mounted on the transmission hump. These were the same dumbasses who loosened the strain screw on the mainspring of their S&Ws.

[jimmyj]

I was on a squad that one member used a upside down shoulder rig. However no one thought that adding a trigger shoe to his model 36 was a bad idea until while re-holstering His revolver he shot himself in the arm.

[Pig Hunter]

I have an R9 I carry my custom Official Police with a 2" barrel. Great retention and ,for me, a joy to carry. The elastic strap has no stretch anymore. If you could find anyone to make one for an N frame that would be the design to copy. AE Nelson still makes them but very limited in the models it will fit. If anyone know a source for heavy duty elastic, that is all I would change, and I modify almost everything . Mark

[Ringneck]

Pig Hunter

I heard it was made from "surgical" or "medical" grade elastic. Something like this: Molnlycke Tubigrip Elastic Tubular Bandage 1434, 1435, 1436, 1437, 1438, 1439, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1443, 1448, 1449, 1450, 1451, 1452, 1453, 1520, 1521, 1522, Tubigrip

Been considering rehabbing one of my holsters with it.

[Pig Hunter]

That may be a bit much, the strap is only about 5/8"wide. The gun retention is a spring.

[16thVACav]

Maybe it is just me (judging from what is currently being manufactured), but I'm just a little uncomfortable with where the muzzle is pointing with upside down and horizontal shoulder holsters.

[bronco45]

I've got a couple of Galco horizontal rigs that I have for a Kahr CW9 and a Colt DS. Also have an Alessi horizontal rig for a 1911. I've used the Alessi for over 25 years. I'm left handed and wear them when driving for long distances. Rest of the time it is strong side IWB or OWB!

[old tanker]

Originally Posted by Pig Hunter

... If anyone know a source for heavy duty elastic, that is all I would change, and I modify almost everything . Mark

I got some heavy duty elastic to repair an old S&W model 03 62 holster from my local parachute rigger. Used on some types to open the packs, it is some serious elastic.