I asked a mod (s&wchad) where to post this and he said that here would be fine. so as the Wheelguns used are post-1980 models, here goes.

Does anyone else here use lanyards on their handguns?

Here is my S&W 681
Here is a close-up of the grip frame.

Here is my 610.

My 986 is similar to the 610. I have also put them on other revolvers.

I used the Hogue lanyard screw in each case. For the 681, I had a now-retired gunsmith in Kansas mill and tap the frame and for the others, I used a Hogue attachment clip with Pachmayr Compac grips and simply made a cutout for the attachment. For these, there was no need to alter the gun. I prefer Compacs to the Hogue.

Lanyards make sense in many cases. If you are hunting or boating, their use can prevent the loss of a valuable handgun, thus they are eminently practical.

Any other users of lanyards here?

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Let's be careful out there

I like a lanyard loop on a handgun. I only have one with a factory lanyard loop, a S&W 1917.


Edit to add...after thinking about it I have two Glock 17s (an old duty gun and my current duty gun) that have a hole in the bottom of the backstrap for attaching a lanyard. So I guess I have three.

Sounds like a great idea for hunting and boating. I had to back-track my route in the woods many years ago (age 14) to find and recover my Ruger Single Six, which had come out of my holster.....despite the leather loop[ I had over the hammer spur.

Anyone know where lanyards first got started? Military/cavalry perhaps?

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

I’m a firm believer of handgun lanyards for field . Years ago I shot a deer right around sunset . I jumped out of my stand and ran about 100 yards to get to the deer . As soon as I stopped I realized my Redhawk was no longer in its holster .
After much looking and with some of the time using a flashlight I found it right under my stand . After that it was lanyard time for me .

As a former infantryman I can say that we always used lanyards on our 1911’s while out in the field .

At first I thought no way, but come to think of it, a lanyard might be just the thing on a bicycle. Twice I've had guns come loose while riding my bike. Something about the hip movements will worry a gun out of its holster. Because of that I will only pocket carry while riding because it is most secure.

Now you got me thinking. Maybe I could add a lanyard to my Taurus 605 and carry it OWB.

Ol Footlong, my 629-5 Extreme Hunter has a lanyard set up for a sling. I don't reckon this gun will be going in the woods though.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

I have these two.

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If you have Hogues on your revolver, their lanyard screw and a quick link are all you need to have. Cotton clothesline cord or 550 paracord will do for the lanyard itself.

A carabiner could be used, but I think the quick link is more secure. They can be had in hardware stores. Get the smallest one available.

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Let's be careful out there

I read somewhere that the lanyard was originally seen less as a retention aid and more as a shooting assistance method.

The lanyard was anchored so that it would be drawn over the shoulder. When the pistol was drawn the lanyard would be drawn taut and helped to hold the pistol steady. Like a shoestring tripod for a camera or similar in intent to a single point carbine sling.

Whenever I ride my 4 wheeler, I carry something with a lanyard ring. Not worth risking losing one.

Don't laugh, but a 7.62 Russian Nagant is my go-to knock-around revolver for muddy tasks.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

In my opinion the Lanyard is a fine thing for a sporting hand gun. But for Police Work is another thing. The lanyard could be used to choke an Officer in a hand to hand struggle. Handgun retention is taught in Police training. Although I have never heard of any training with a lanyard on a Pistol or Revolver. I started as a Police Officer in the early 1970s.

+1. We wore lanyards in Army Military Police (early ‘70’s) and all they were good for is giving the drunks something to grab during a barroom brawl. I won’t even allow one on my property.