"Self defense" does not always refer to self defense against people where I live. While I have Ruger SP101s and 12 gauge shotguns for the escaped convict, serial killer, outlaw biker gang, meth user, or international terrorist who might drop by, when woods walking, scouting for an upcoming hunt, shed collecting, and/or pretty much any activity that would occur in state and national forests within walking distance I carry one of my Freedom Arms 45 Colt Model 97s. When participating in any of the latter activities, concealment, quick draw, and rapid reloading are less valuable than carry comfort, ability to fire very powerful* ammunition and shotshells having useful payloads. Carried in a 7x Leather cross-draw holster-cartridge carrier rig, the entire Model 97 system disappears from consciousness until needed . . . I assume.
Since threats of which to be concerned include bears, mountain lions, and perhaps feral dogs, I am unaware of any carry rig better suited for the circumstances.
*"Extremely" powerful would begin with ammunition capable of Mastodon stopping - that is, cartridges routinely available for Freedom Arms Model 83s, S&W "X" frames, and other revolvers. "Very" powerful ammunition in my instances means ammunition that emulates some boutique ammunition available for 44 Magnum revolvers.
