carrying the percussion handgun

I have 4 questions:

What kind of holster do you use for carrying around your percussion handgun, particularly a revolver? Like a cowboy style flap holster or pancake...etc?

Do you load all 6 cylinders if you have "in-between" notches to lower the hammer on?

Do you care if any part of the muzzle/barrel sticks out beyond the holster?

What kind of retention, if any, does the holster use?
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I am trying to figure the best way to wear a 5" bbl 1858 Rem style .44 when in the woods, hunting and ranching. Thanks

I am not a PC or HC person but I carry most of mine in full flap over holster long enough to cover the full length of the barrel. This maybe an HC holster but I like the looks of them. Also it gives the revolver some extra protection from the elements. I do not carry all six loaded when in the woods. Even though there are the notches, the old center fire saying "load one, skip one, load four" is a good idea. You only need to load five and rest the hammer on the empty chamber. I also use the "cap keepers" when afield. I hope this helps and I'm sure others will answer with the way they do it.

A 5 inch Remington carries well in a strong side holster with a hammer loop. You might also like a civil war era 'civilian' half flap holster. I like a flap or open holster for a longer barrel, and I like a holster that is 'snug' to the revolver, with a hole at the bottom to let dirt out, but no part of the gun hanging out. I like the back of the holster top folded over for a belt loop on an open holster, but not too loose, You need to ride it high and be able to get your gun out quick, not gunfighter fast, but quick enough to take care of business. Load 5 in a six-shooter unless your going in the woods or into a fight. Don't get killed for lack of shooting back, and back up your pistol with a good blade. Your knife will not run out of bullets.

I load a spare Cylinder as usual and then use a little hot glue over a cork wad. Then a touch on each cap to keep them in place. Keeps things very waterproof when outdoors.
Works for me.
SM

My ROA has a NMA/1860 Slim Jim holster. It was too small so I wet it, wrapped the ROA in plastic, and stretched it. It’s a very snug fit and has to really be shaken violently upside to get it to drop out. The end of the barrel does not protrude and I wouldn’t want it to, but like that it’s open.

I’ve been contemplating a carry holster for my 5.5” NMA. I’ll be watching this thread to see what all comes up.

I use both a repro army flap holster and the strap style holsters. I usually load just 5. We don’t have bears or wild hogs in our area so that may make a difference. I’ve usually carried mine as back up when deer hunting. Revolvers are also legal for deer in Kansas.

One time, while deer hunting, I came back to camp at the end of the day only to find my Ruger Old Army on my belt in an open top holster was at full cock. Soon afterward I acquired a full flap holster for it. Carrying a single shot pistol would be even more problematic requiring something like a 'horse holster'.

I forgot to mention I carry with all 6 and the safety notch engaged on both. Hogs are a plentiful here. Mountain lions too, but I’m not as concerned about them.

My Ruger sits down in the holster so the hammer is about impossible to snatch.

Rifleman1776 said:

One time, while deer hunting, I came back to camp at the end of the day only to find my Ruger Old Army on my belt in an open top holster was at full cock. Soon afterward I acquired a full flap holster for it. Carrying a single shot pistol would be even more problematic requiring something like a 'horse holster'.

Click to expand...

Very sage advice.

My cap & ball Remingtons and my Colts are carried in strong side Cabela holsters. The Uberti Cattleman is in a cross draw custom holster. My Pietta G&G is carried in a cross draw California Slim Jim holster. Extra rounds, paper cartridges, are carried in WWII Russian ammo pouches along with a few accessaries for maintenance if needed.
DL

Here’s my ROA held upside down. No way the hammer is getting cocked or the pistol can fall out.

My Tranter is a 5 shot and all are loaded, as it has a safety bar that is Only disengaged when the trigger is pulled. V safe set-up.
I use either a Webley service holster, (1917) or a newer "Longhorn" from the first year they were made.
It fits the longhorn very well, and is V secure.

Should have said above, that the Webley service holster is full flap.

rodwha said:

Here’s my ROA held upside down. No way the hammer is getting cocked or the pistol can fall out.

Click to expand...

Good. I like that.

I use the leather loop to secure the hammer. It may not be entirely period correct, but it keeps the hammer secure. With the open top Colts, the hammer rests on an empty cylinder.



I had wrapped my revolver in plastic wrap and soaked the leather to form the leather to the revolver.


I made a welt to add thickness to the holster and give a better shape and fit.

"Do you load all 6 cylinders if you have "in-between" notches to lower the hammer on"

I always carried mine with one empty chamber but not long ago I learned on this forum about the notch between the nipples. Always something new to learn. So, I'll probably start loading all six and use the notch.

"Do you care if any part of the muzzle/barrel sticks out beyond the holster?"

NO! there is a danger of jamming the muzzle into the dirt if you sit down on the ground!

"What kind of retention, if any, does the holster use?"

None but I'm going to add a loop to the belt holster below.

"I am trying to figure the best way to wear a 5" bbl 1858 Rem style .44 when in the woods, hunting and ranching. Thanks"

I like a shoulder holster. More secure and it gets in the way less.

Here are the two that I use for an 1860. Both made by myself. but you can probably tell that!

A holster that will let your shooter slide up and down, to cock the hammer, is only one twitch away from needing a new knee cap.
That would ruin my day a little.
"to find my Ruger Old Army on my belt in an open top holster was at full cock. "

I like carrying in a cross draw or on the left side then I'm hunting with a rifle. I usually carry my pouch on the right hand side, so the holstered revolver goes on the left side. It also seems to be easier to tuck out of the way when sitting.

Slim Jim, strong side hip. Load five. Prefer to have the muzzle covered. Don't use hammer loops and have never had a problem, but am considering adding them - this thread is not the first time I have heard of a single action revolver becoming cocked in the holster.

That being said about hammer cocking, all my holsters have a retention strap of some kind. Either across the trigger guard or attached to the hammer spur to prevent loss or cocking.
DL