About Swivel Holsters ?

[Smith357]

About Swivel Holsters

I've seen them, but have never used one. I was wondering if they would be a good field holster. With plenty of police surplus, they look like they could be a nice cheap and rugged solution for woods carry.

I just started using Dangler Sheaths for my fixed blades and find it to be comfortable and practical way to carry a medium to large blade in the field.

I'm betting there are a few here who have actually used them and give some real world advise on them.

BTW the gun is a 5" M&P

 

[shawn mccarver]

Nothing wrong with a swivel holster for the use you describe. There are not too many reputable companies making them these days, and Tex Shoemaker and Ted Blocker are two that come to mind. I imagine there are others. Don Hume, Safariland and Bianchi no longer offer a swivel, and other companies that made good quality swivel holsters are simply out of business, such as Bucheimer, Safety Speed, etc.

The biggest issue to look out for in a swivel holster is to make sure the large rivet that connects the holster body to the belt hanger is reinforced in a way that prevents the two parts from coming loose, which results in the holster body being left where the rivet came apart, which is, hopefully, the seat of your car!

 

[MichiganScott]

I carried a 6" M28 in a swivel holster for a couple of years back in the mid '70's because it came with the gun and I couldn't afford anything else. They make sitting with a long barreled pistol much easier, but at least with mine, you had to unsnap it when you sat down and snap it back together when you stood up. It could become unsnapped without you knowing it.

Mine did not carry the gun quite as low as a tactical holster, but it certainly wasn't high rise either. They served a purpose for those that got in and out of a car repeatedly, but a high rise paddle may be better for most people.

 

[JayCeeNC]

Swivel holsters are made for comfort, not speed.
Sorta like us old guys...

 

[Frank46]

"Wolfie" who sells holsters here found a S&W marked swivel holster black basket weave for my S&W 624 6.5" bbl. And when the german police surplused the Sig P6 there were swivel holsters made by AKAH. You could on the German holsters use it as a swivel holster or by pushing a button remove the swivel and use it as a conventional holster.
Frank

 

[rwsmith]

Oh thanks....

Swivel holsters are made for comfort, not speed.
Sorta like us old guys...

I thought he was talking about the quick draw variety.

 

[k22fan]

Be sure it has a good strap and snap! Without the snap fastened if brush sangs it and rocks it to horizontal you could lose your revolver.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Good News = Easy access/ openly exposed when wearing a fairly long winter coat. Except when you want to protect the gun from the weather that's a negative.

Swivel holsters are an artifact from the days of 6in bbl duty revolver , and comfort driving a car , at the expense of access to the gun while driving. Also an accomodation for the vertically challenged who wish to carry a long bbl revolver.

The flip side of the fact of them almost having disapeared , is that any you do come across are likely well worn former LE gear, selling inexpensively. So if you find an inexpensive one , buy it and try it.

Even in the tail end of the revolver era , I never cared to use one. When I wished to use a relatively low hanging holster ( from the point of view of being still able to sit) , I would use a Border Patrol style with a 4in , or on those occasions when wishing a 6in , a medimum high holster along the lines of a Bianchi #5 .