True dat. And when you sweat as much as I do, it can be wet weather for an IWB gun in clear weather in September. Came back from a walk up Mt. Washington with a M29, and bought a 629. RIG stored under the Goodyears on my 29 saved it, after I wiped off all the sweat with my fresh replacement T-shirt, but I learned a reason for stainless.
Model 60, Getting Wet on the Trail
- Thread starter NCBeagle
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Working in a coastal environment, stainless revolvers were a major boon to us in particular. But at the same time, LE in general was making a massive transition towards stainless revolvers. Once started that did not change until semi-auto pistols took over.
I very often read here strong, almost vehement, preferences expressed for blue steel/walnut. I agree that high polish blue and walnut have certain classic beauty. I have a late model Winchester 52 built by Miroku that exemplifies this. I would describe it as subdued elegance. I also have a customized Ruger 77/22 varmint model that is a great shooter, and my favorite .22 rimfire. But the 52 has it beat in the looks department.
For me, firearms, other than display and/or collector pieces, are functional tools. That is when stainless (and I do know that stainless is not really stainless) can show its benefits. Between duty, off duty, backpacking and horse packing (in plain sight) I have greatly appreciated the additional durability of stainless. I am OCD about firearms maintenance, so my cleaning standards have not been compromised. But there are times, especially in the back country, where it might be a while before I could clean/lube a firearm. Stainless gave me enough of an additional margin to ensure peace of mind.
My no-dash 586 is electroless nickel plated because I wanted to replicate as much as possible that same finish durability as stainless.
Stainless on the trail, as OP illustrates, just makes sense.
I very often read here strong, almost vehement, preferences expressed for blue steel/walnut. I agree that high polish blue and walnut have certain classic beauty. I have a late model Winchester 52 built by Miroku that exemplifies this. I would describe it as subdued elegance. I also have a customized Ruger 77/22 varmint model that is a great shooter, and my favorite .22 rimfire. But the 52 has it beat in the looks department.
For me, firearms, other than display and/or collector pieces, are functional tools. That is when stainless (and I do know that stainless is not really stainless) can show its benefits. Between duty, off duty, backpacking and horse packing (in plain sight) I have greatly appreciated the additional durability of stainless. I am OCD about firearms maintenance, so my cleaning standards have not been compromised. But there are times, especially in the back country, where it might be a while before I could clean/lube a firearm. Stainless gave me enough of an additional margin to ensure peace of mind.
My no-dash 586 is electroless nickel plated because I wanted to replicate as much as possible that same finish durability as stainless.
Stainless on the trail, as OP illustrates, just makes sense.
Deliberately jumped in creek chasing a buck.....624 took a deep dunkin. later at home took grips off and blew it out with hi-pressure air nozzle. Wiped and lubed.....Dunkin didn't hurt it at all.
I have taken my share of intentional or unintentional baths with guns on. With few exceptions, blued with no adverse effects or meticulous cleaning regimens.
While I lived in the northeast, a steel blue mod 36 rode in an ankle holster almost daily. Stepping in deep puddles, snow drifts etc and with minimal care still looked good when I sold it.
I can understand stainless for very humid places ( Louisiana bayou, Florida keys) but blue is far more durable than people give it credit for.
The Navy and Coast Guard seem to be able to keep non stainless guns working just fine in extreme environments.
No matter what, regardless if new, excellent or well worn a blue gun will ALWAYS look better than stainless.
While I lived in the northeast, a steel blue mod 36 rode in an ankle holster almost daily. Stepping in deep puddles, snow drifts etc and with minimal care still looked good when I sold it.
I can understand stainless for very humid places ( Louisiana bayou, Florida keys) but blue is far more durable than people give it credit for.
The Navy and Coast Guard seem to be able to keep non stainless guns working just fine in extreme environments.
No matter what, regardless if new, excellent or well worn a blue gun will ALWAYS look better than stainless.
A Smith & Wesson revolver in a Lobo leather holster out in the elements? Just as God intended!
OP
Oh no. Happened again. A Model 442 caught in the rain. Hiking down the beach in Kiawah. It didn't get too wet.
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I've had a few carry guns get soaked - in fact I posted a thread about my Sig P365 getting wet just two weeks ago in a major downpour. Took it apart, cleaned and lightly oiled it - back in action.
40 years ago when I carried my M60 in an ankle rig I stepped out of my car at night into a pot hole that had about 8 inches of water in it! Yup - it got soaked along with my new shoes! After I got home I disassembled it, cleaned and oiled it. No problems.
It happens and I am sure it will happen again. If you ever watch Paul Harrell's channel it is filmed in the mountains of Washington State and it is constantly raining there. All his guns get a good soaking on a regular basis. I don't know him personally but he probably cleans and oils them quite often.
Under rubber grips is the place to check first as they always seem to promote rusting, even on Stainless guns.
40 years ago when I carried my M60 in an ankle rig I stepped out of my car at night into a pot hole that had about 8 inches of water in it! Yup - it got soaked along with my new shoes! After I got home I disassembled it, cleaned and oiled it. No problems.
It happens and I am sure it will happen again. If you ever watch Paul Harrell's channel it is filmed in the mountains of Washington State and it is constantly raining there. All his guns get a good soaking on a regular basis. I don't know him personally but he probably cleans and oils them quite often.
Under rubber grips is the place to check first as they always seem to promote rusting, even on Stainless guns.
I live and hunt in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon, to be exact. Oregon during deer season is often an above ground pool without walls. I have a Win. M70 that has gone swimming pretty much every year since 1970 or so. There is not a spot of rust on it. I've even witnessed it being dropped in a creek. Notice I say witnessed, I didn't do it. Wipe it down as much as you can during the day and give it a good once over at night back in camp. It also has a Banner 4X from the '60s that has never fogged.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Over a year of my life spent on the development of the Offset Belt Clip IWB holster, putzing around with belt clip manufacturers, pulling my hair out as early prototypes required revision after revision, before I was eventually able to offer the first production model to the public.
What do you guys do with that little masterpiece of innovation and inspiration? Take it out and soak it with water!
Can you imagine how that makes me feel? Actually, I'm tickled to death that one of my little ideas worked out so well!
What do you guys do with that little masterpiece of innovation and inspiration? Take it out and soak it with water!
Can you imagine how that makes me feel? Actually, I'm tickled to death that one of my little ideas worked out so well!
OP
Your little idea is AWESOME. I carry almost exclusively in the appendix position. That's how I use it. I have Kydex options, but this is my preference today. I use the Colt D frame size for Smith J, Colt D, and Kimber K6S / K6xs. I have several and use them every day. Have some of yours and more recent production. Thanks for making the Offset Belt Clip and the excellent Enhanced Pancake.
The offset clip is by far the coolest and most innovative design I've seen for IWB. I also love that Lobo made their pancake holster with guide holes to keep it tighter to the body. Definitely an innovator in gun leather and proving those wrong who say that holster design has already reached a high point. I am honored that I have my first of many being made by them and plan on getting one of these IWB for my brother as a gift for his 43C!
bronco45
Member
Have many of the old Lobo products from twenty years ago, whenever Ray went commercial. And I still use them. My Colt Cobras and Taurus 856 and Kimber K6 and K6xs all work in the same IWB and the enhanced pancake that were originally made for a Colt DS.
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