I've always wanted a set-up like this..... ever since I was 9 when Carmel Video got a VHS copy of it in '88!

Is such a set-up comfortable? Does it feel weird having the weight below you waistline/pants belt? Can there not be much retention in the holster for an easy draw, since I assume the gun belt is not worn too tight?

I've yet to get a cowboy rig either so I've only worn pant's belt holsters or duty/Sam Browne rigs.

Also, what belt width do you think the two belts in the photos are?

It appears Nolte is wearing Wrangler dress jeans and the belt loops filled out by the pants belt, so the pants belt is probably 1 3/4.

But, the gun belt appears wider? Is there just a smaller buckle on the pants belt and a larger one on the gun belt with the width of the belts being the same?

Or is the gun belt wider? If it is, then it is larger than 1 3/4. Two inches then? I doubt it is uniform duty belt width of 2 1/4 (?) ?

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Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

Gun rigs that are worn at the level that Nolte wears them fatigues the wearer in a short period of time. IMO made for horseback use, or some form of mounted patrol.

Don Hume and other makers make a 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 belt width "River belt" which Nolte is wearing. I used to wear a Bianchi 1 3/4" Black Basketweave River Belt and a 5B holster for a Model 29 4" a pair of handcuffs (S&W of course) and a single speedloader and a six cartridge belt slide on a pair of Uniform pants.

Helped save my back, as a supervisor I was allowed to carry the lightened equipment load and it worked for the time that I wore it. Later made plainclothes and adapted the same unit to Wrangler Dress Jeans and instead of a Model 29-2, started carrying a Colt LW Commander in 45 and two magazines in a pouch plus the handcuffs.

I have seen period photos frm mid 20th century of Tx Rangers wearing similar type setups.

Off the top of my head , it was at least as much a case of high waisted pants as it was low riding gunsbelt.

Me too. Look here

I want a BBQ rig!

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Jorge

The trouser belt is 1 3/4 inches, probably with a 1/2 billet.
The gun belt is 2 inches with a 1 inch billet.
Nolte based his character on Joaquin Jackson. In his book, "One Ranger, A Memoir" Jackson describes his gear, as well as his relationship with Nolte.
My El Paso Saddlery rig with Austin holster and mag case is a pretty close match (I don't need to carry handcuffs any longer).

Back in June of this past year, I made a trip to southern New Mexico for a visit with Bart Skelton. We spent a few days handling and shooting some of Skeeter's guns and talking about guns and gunleather. Bart fetched a couple holsters from his office and showed them to me. They both were built by Texas Ranger Tol Dawson, and are shown here. The bottom holster in this photo belonged to Joaquin Jackson. Before leaving, Bart presented me with Joaquin's holster. Quite a thrill! The holster at the top of the photo is a more refined version of Joaquin's holster, and Bart suggested I start building them.




After returning home, I began working on my pattern, and here are the first two prototypes, along with Joaquin's holster. I frequently use the bottom left holster as a carry rig with my Sig 1911.




Once I had the holster pattern sorted out, I needed a name, so I asked Bart what he thought. He gave Joaquin a call for his opinion, and he suggested the name Border Ranger. As a thank you to Bart for his inspiration, I sent him this holster and matching mag pouch. I'll be building another just like it for Joaquin in appreciation for his part in the project.




A short time after I built my prototypes, gunwriter Jim Wilson, former Sheriff of Crockett County Texas contacted me. While he was sheriff, he wore a Tol Dawson rig, and he commissioned me to recreate it for him. Here it is with his Colt Commander with silver stocks.

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Mike 'Doc' Barranti

I like em like that...............

Pant belt 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inch, gunbelt 2 to maybe 2 1/4 inches
With matching buckles of course....

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Just curious...why do they still make them with a trigger cut out? Is that just being traditional? I always thought exposed triggers were more prone to an AD.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

I like them too.

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Eccentric old coot

Traditional? Yes. More prone to AD (ND)? No.

If you follow the 4 basic rules of firearms, you will never have a Negligent Discharge. I'd bet money that the majority of holster related NDs happen upon reholstering a gun into a holster with a covered trigger guard while the person has their finger on the trigger... Safety starts and ends with the shooter, not the holster.

That said, I build a bunch of holsters with covered triggers...it's good to have choices!

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Mike 'Doc' Barranti

Instead of worrying about a safe holster I carry a safer gun. I have never heard of anything pulling the trigger of a revolver and making it go off while it is in the holster. When I carry my Colt .45ACP I carry it with the hammer down and I have never heard of one of them going off when carried with the hammer down. Larry

Sip,

I ain't carried the ol war horse but fur forty sumthing years....

Used to have a rig with a cut out trigger guard slot.

But, when I started carrying cocked, unlocked and the grip safety pinned down...I went to the covered trigger guard for safety sake.








Su Amigo,
Dave

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Just picked this up from 05carbonDRZ on this board for my 4" Armaloyed Model 520 with fitted Spegal grips. I am looking for excuses to wear it. I am doing training for a rural agency here in Texas and love seeing some of the traditional styled rigs being worn.

Malpassowildflower, I was originally going to do the Dirty Harry shoulder rig for your old 6.5" 29-2. Being I am in the Republic, I changed my mind and have a similar holster coming for it.

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Looking good,Those Spegel Stocks go great with the color of the Holster.

Chisholm Trail leather makes a very nice copy. I think they also made the original. Either way looks nice on the website. They make great leather.

My 1967 Lawrence holster and Colt .45. The hammer throng is partially hid behind the hammer. Larry

Here is a similar 1911 Holster I made:

image by alex1961m, on Flickr

The belts, buckles, holsters, and grips were all made by inmates in the Texas Prison Craft Shops. They supply many Texas Law Dawgs with custom quality gear. The pants belt is 1.5 inches wide, the gun rig belt is 2 inches.

That thar rig is fine as frog's hair..

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Eccentric old coot

Here's mine from when I polished the seat of a Ford 'Crown Vic' 50-60 hrs a week.....



The folded suede belt made her a lot more comfortable...

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Sheriff Russell Cottle. ret

That is just stellar! Keith44spl has my 4 piece buckle sets now for a rig (loving the thought of a western lawman building my rig) and my cinco peso badge is getting done at TDOC right now. This is a really wonderful tradition for Texas LE.....even if some folks are offended by the process. From a cop standpoint, having some inmates who can gain a productive skill is a good thing. Other prison craft shops are known for custom tack and bridles, here it is the buckles and leather. No matter what it is I am glad to spend the money to keep the crooks doing something positive.

Nyeti..... Brother, I'm with you 100%. I've used TDCJ for years. Besides holsters, buckles, and belts. I've had boots and spurs made too.

These are the finest rigs I have ever seen... the one in the center is........ w o w. I have, for the most part, very simple tastes.... but could change for these set ups. Beautiful.

Thanks, DevilDog72 They always do quality work.

I reckon I better git out my Sunday Go to Meetin' hat the next time I take a picture.

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Eccentric old coot

I think you should too!

Well.... my Sunday go to meeting Hat and a sample of my taste ...... to this point that is.

DevilDog72,
That rig should ought to get you into any BBQ around.. If it don't, you probably would not have enjoyed the people there anyway.

That's a good lookin' rig. Wear it in good health Sir.

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Eccentric old coot

Thanks Iggy..... and I think you are on to something there Pard.

That's a fine looking shooter and gun rig, especially for a feller who wears a black hat

Here's a photo of the Border Ranger holster, matching double mag pouch, and belt that Doc Barranti made me for my Sig Sauer P226 pistol. It quickly became my all-time favorite gun rig!

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

TXTrooper.... and what pray tell is wrong with my hat? My hair and beard is so silvery gray a Silver Belly would jest 'bout disappear and ya could not tell where one began and t'other left off.....

I love Texas Ranger belts. I might just buy one, not for carry but for general wear.

Good guys wear white or silver belly...... However, I do understand your reason. I actually have a few black hats too

TX, well there..... good guy's...hmmmmm

What color is that sombrero on your avatar there sport?

Just maybe I is undercover. A new silver belly is on my list along with another gun rig for my M66-3 sub.

I tapped that highlighted Silver Belly just outta curiosity......took me to a plastic squid fishin lure. I'm thinkin that ain't the hat you're talkin bout.....

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Even older, even crankier....

A10,
The hat on display in TXTroopers post is known as a " Silver Belly" due to is greyish-silver coloration.

I hope this helps....

A lot of great stuff can be said about a few of our nation's law enforcement agencies. But the best adjective I can think of is cool. Being a Texas Ranger could've been a cool gig. One riot, one ranger. That sums it up.

While science is crucial in solving crimes, it doesn't catch bad guys. Cops do that part. Texas Rangers knew how do catch bad guys with extreme coolness.

It seems that Ranger Jackson passed away 15 June, 2016. He was 80 years old. May he RIP.

Dan