I have a model 29 with a 6.5 inch barrel. I’m looking for a holster. I’ve thought about the El Paso Saddlery Cross Draw. I’m going to be carrying it hunting and camping mostly in the Rocky Mountains. If anyone has experience with these holsters, or another holster they think is great for this type of work let me know. If anyone has a load they think is perfect for a camp gun let me know as well.
Here's a photo of the holster I'm thinking about.

I use a shoulder holster for guns with barrels longer than 4 inches. It is more comfortable and easier to sit down.
A cross draw holster would be more comfortable to pack a 6.5 inch barrel gun than a strong side holster, so if you are going with a holster on your belt use a cross draw. JMO.

You mention a good load to use. Do you reload?

Try a Galco Phoenix. They are of very good quality, and can be worn crossdraw or strongside. They are lined with a good lining that works great, but doesn't seem to collect dirt much if any, and they are open muzzle, so any little pieces of debris that might happen to get down inside the holster can fal on through without sticking in the muzzle. I own them for several of my N frames includng my 6-6.5" guns.

I rarely carry a handgun when I hunt with a rifle, as it gets in the way and adds weight. If I hunt with a handgun, it's usually a Smith 44 in a Bianchi Cyclone in the cross-draw position. (Galco makes the exact same design, calling it the Phoenix.) When I hike or goof around in the woods, I carry a 1911 or a 4" Model 29, both concealed. That keeps the gun clean and protected. I've broken more than my share of rear sights in holsters that leave the rear sight exposed, so I'm no fan of the Tom Threepersons designs you showed in your post. They were a leap forward in the 1920's, but better designs are available now.

Try the Bianchi Cyclone. And for a camp load, try 6 grains of Bullseye under a 250-grain bullet in 44 Magnum cases.


Okie John

I agree with the three previous posts. Bianchi, Galco, etc. I am not a fan of reaching for a strap to allow access to my sidearm. I much prefer a thumb snap access when I'm in the woods. I'm in dangerous game country and may need the very quick access that the thumb snap allows. I purchased a Jackass holster(pre-Galco) from a forum member not long ago and it is almost my idea of the perfect holster. It offers cross-draw and strong-side carry and is of the utmost quality leather and stitching. As for a camp load, use what will best suit your purpose, ie...plinking, bear protection, the occasional rabbit. JMO...........Good luck in your search.....

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I like this one.
The Galco DAO (Dual Action Outdoorsman) offers a lot more protection for the firearm than a lot of other field holsters.
One other thing to keep in mind, especially if your are going to sling a rifle, you'll need to carry the hand-gun on the opposite side. So having the strongside/crossdraw option is almost a must.
Or, I've been eyeing one of the "Tanker Models" from El Paso, I'd really like to try one of these for a 3" N frame.

Galco holsters; Holsters; Gun holster, pistol holsters, western holsters, shoulder holsters, leather holster and Glock holsters

Bruce

Galco DAO w/ 629 Classic 5"

The De Santis Dual Action Hunter is the most comfortable cross draw holster I have worn.

I have them for short and longer barreled revolvers.

I also have the Galco cross draw for short and long barrels and it is good as well.

Also I just recently found a used Bianchi Cyclone at a good rice for a 4" 29 and I have been wearing it on my place. It to is comfortable.

I find them most comfortable, and most handy when worn just to the left of my belt buckle, I am right handed] especially when carrying an over 4" revolver.

I turn my belt around, so the end of the belt does not interfere with the holster placement.

I am a big fan of the Bianchi Cyclone #111 crossdraw holster. It can be worn both as a crossdraw or on the strong side. I have more than a few of these for various double action revolvers and 1911. For single action revolvers Galco SAO is my favorite.

For a load in the Rocky Mountains it woulod be hard to beat the Federal 300gr Cast Core. Recoil is actually less than RP Fed and WW 240gr loads.

Same goes for the Speer 270gr SP.

The Buffalo Bore 255gr Cast Lower Recoil load is a good one as well.

If there are grouse in season be sure and carry some Speer shot shells, they work great.

If you reload then the old Elmer Keith load with a hard cast 240/250 gr bullet over 21 gr of 2400 is hard to beat.

For a "City" carry load while going to and from the Mountains try the Speer 200gr Short barreled load.

They shoot good in my 4" and in my 6.5" as well.

If you want even less recoil for your carry load just use the Speer or Federal 200gr 44 Special loads.

I don't have a Model 29, but for hiking and just bumming around in the woods, I carry a Ruger Redhawk in .45 Colt. I just recently had ordered a Sourdough Pancake holster from Simply Rugged: Leather gun holster, concealed carry holster - Simply Rugged Holsters? - Proudly made in the USA (I have no connection to Simply Rugged. Just a satisfied customer.)

It is very well made and can be worn crossdraw or strong side.



Rick

Rick

I like the way that holster covers all the sharp edges, sights, hammer, etc, yet allows a proper grip on the gun.

Thanks for all the replies and great suggestions. When I get something I'll let you all know. Thanks especially for the load information. I do handload and have loaded .44 spl for years, but this is my first venture into .44 mag territory. I'm not a big fan of seeing how hot I can load, but the magnum cases do open some territory for hotter loads.

I have been very happy with a crossdraw rig for my M29 6.5", put together by one our very own forum members here.

Check out his site at : Lobo Gun Leather - Home

He's great to work with and prices are beyond good.

Good luck.

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Great minds think alike. I had Lobo Gunleather build me a rig for a Sig. P-229 and I have been very happy with it. I think I reach out and contact him regarding a holster for the Mdl. 29

I've carried three different 29 variants in Montana's Bob Marshall since the late 70s, mostly on horseback. I currently carry a 5" 629 Classic in a pretty, old Safariland holster. My load is a 280 grain hard cast, wide meplat w/gas check from Beartooth bullets. I load H110 for about 1250 fps. Very accurate. I've changed to the Hogue rubber grip with finger grooves for this use as this handle makes it more likely that I can hang onto my 629 if something big and hairy is trying to wrestle with me.

Many years ago I picked up a Roy Baker Pancake for 6.5" N-Frames and it's been the only holster I've used for long barreled Ns. Very comfortable and can be worn strong side or cross draw in several different position. Last I looked Simply Rugged was making this holster along with their open top variation.

It also depends on where you want the butt of the gun. The Bianchi Cyclone and Galco models position the gun fairly close to the belt line. The Simply Rugged and Baker raises the butt much higher... I usually use the latter as they conceal much better. Even in the woods I never advertise I have a handgun on board.

Bob

I had El Paso Saddlery make up a tanker chest rig a few years ago in "rough out" finish for a 4" Model 29. I like it a lot. I'm considering having one made for a 6" Model 27.