What purpose do lanyard loops serve?

[kwikrnu]

I was curious why some handguns have them. My 327 has one and I know the 337 has one. Do people use them for lanyards?

I was curious because I have a couple with loops for lanyards. Thanks.

 

[The Clever Set]

One purpose of the lanyard is to keep the gun from becoming lost or damaged if it falls out of the holster. It also helps keep the pistol from being taken by an unauthorized person.

 

[perpster]

AFAIK they were originally for cavalry and then later horse and motorcycle cops so that if they lost their grip or needed their hands quicly they wouldn't lose the gun. Same for a rough ride or potholes -- keeps the gun from going overboard from an open or loose holster.

Now, why they are on the ultralight J frames I'm not sure. Perhaps you can attach a lifeline to it so that the gun keeps you afloat until you get rescued.

 

[Bob R]

You know when you have to do you business in a public restroom and there is no flat surface to lay your gun on?

This used to be a major problem at the S&W factory, where to put the gun? In your pulled down clothing? On the floor? Leave it in the holster and let it pull over and touch the floor? Not to mention being visible to all those people looking under the stall to see if it is occupied!

Well almost all of the stalls have a coat hook, and that was noticed by J. Harold, one of the esteemed gun designers at the factory. As he was just looking through the SCS&W for inspiration on how to make the old new again, and had just gotten to the picture of the .45 Hand Ejector U. S. Army - Model 1917 he had a flash of brilliance.

Coat hook, lanyard loop, what a perfect match.

Although not pushed as a selling point for lanyard loop equipped guns it has since become a welcome relief for those owners as they no longer have the dilemma of where to put their gun as they do their daily business.

And now you know.

bob

 

[gunsmith11]

wear a shoulder holster,,problem solved in the potty room

 

[john traveler]

I like the late, great Col Jeff Cooper's response to query of what a lanyard and loop were for. He said that if you weapon was taken from you, the lanyard gives a convenient place to yank it back.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

They also leave an extra nice and deep dent, in the event that you feel the need to pistol whip your assailant.

 

[perpster]

Actually, according to Mypoedia, they are there because the Lanyard Guild lobbied for legislation requiring lanyard pins on gun frames. This was to save the children (and the lanyard industry, which was concerned about where the buggy whip industry was heading).

 

[Dale53]

I have done a lot of back packing in bear country. In a small back packing tent or three walled shelter, a lanyard looped around your wrist will keep the pistol or revolver from getting "lost" in your bedding (I prefer revolvers in this context for obvious reasons, but a pistol with a loaded magazine but none in the chamber can work well, also).

FWIW
Dale53

 

[jkc]

When recreating over water, where the gun may be irretrievably lost, I sometimes put my pistol on a lanyard...

 

[peyton]

Yep, go out on a float trip and get your boat turned over by a submerged tree!! I came up sputtering and my gun was not in the holster but the idiot strap tied on to the gun kept it on me. I will use a lanyard retention strap onto the back of my belt.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Tie it to your horse. You own a horse don't you?

Yea, I don't have a horse either so I tie mine to the lawn mower....

 

[bgrafsr]

You guys make me chuckle, another reason I like this forum so much.

 

[m1gunner]

Tie it to your horse. You own a horse don't you?

.

Say you are in bear country. Your 500 Bear Killer gun is tied to your horse. Suddenly a bear jumps out of the bushes and spooks your horse.

You get dumped off your mount, and that nag departs for the next county with your artillery.

At least the bear won't get hurt....................................

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

You do not tie it to your horse. You tie it to yourself.

My two cents

 

[Muley Gil]

"Tie it to your horse. You own a horse don't you?"

Nope, got something better.

A mule!

 

[cgt4570]

I have several guns with lanyard rings. I use them when riding my 4-wheeler. (kinda like a modern horse?).

I've also experimented with wearing one of my SC/TI AirLites around my neck when walking or jogging in the neiborhood.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

"Tie it to your horse. You own a horse don't you?"

Nope, got something better.

A mule!

Hey Mulie,

What kind of reception you gettin' with that dish?

 

[tripledipper]

I have a son's Model 10 which had the lanyard installed by NYPD gunsmiths only after he got into Highway and had to qualify on Harleys.

 

[Texas Star]

The obvious use for a lanyard is to retain the gun if it falls in a boat or from a tree stand in deer hunting, or when climbing a steep mountain. Someone already mentioned finding the gun in the dark, in your bedding.

But the RCMP still wear them on state occasions and the rig does look nice (and traditional) with the white lanyard. I think they still use the old flap holsters then, too.

Do any Canadian members know for sure?