[corncob]

Concealment is not important, but comfort is. So is access standing up and sitting down, and keeping dust (and sweat?) out of the action. The gun is a Ruger Single Six, if that matters.

[Vern Humphrey]

Make you own holster. I make virtually all my holsters.

For a single action revolver, I simply lie the gun down on a folded, stiff piece of paper, with the barrel and frame top near and parallel to the fold, then trace around the gun, keeping a half inch or so from the gun. Next, I like to draw a straight line from the trigger guard to the muzzle, about a half inch from the outline of the gun -- this defines the final shape of the cutout.

I like to make it deep enough to completely cover the trigger guard and most of the hammer. When the gun is in the holster, you can barely see the back of the trigger guard bow and the tip of the hammer spur.

Then when you cut it out, remember to leave a generous flap on the inside for the belt loop.

Play with your paper model and be sure it's what you want. Then transfer it to leather by tracing around it. I buy "shoulders" from Tandy -- they often have a huge piece of good quality leather dirt cheap.

Stain the leather first, then glue the belt loop in position with contact cement. Stitch it firmly down. I like to trace the pattern of the stitching with a blunt tool like a screwdriver, and carefully space the stitching, then drill the needle holes. Stitch all the way around twice, so there are no gaps between stitches.

Then cut the welt. This is a piece of leather following the original contour, and glued between the outer pieces of the holster. Follow the original outline with the stitching and the straight line from trigger guard to muzzle -- this will make a handsome holster that you can be proud of.

Wet the leather with alcohol, and force the gun in. If you've done right, it will be a struggle. Work it a bit, and let the leather dry. I like to warm it when it drys and rub in Sno Seal -- this waterproofs the leather and protects the gun, as well as making it a bit easier to holster and draw the gun.

This holster worn on a wide, stiff belt will ride high, with the butt of the gun above the top edge of the belt. You'll find it accessable in almost any postion.

You can add a strap, if you wish -- but I find my guns stay firmly in the holster even when my horses and I have "disagreements."

[Rockstar]

I've found bush hogs to be pretty easy prey for me and my G21. I just use my el-cheapo Uncle Mike's OWB.

[Rob1035]

or does he mean for carrying while operating a Bush Hog....or is it a Brush Hog and I'm confused? :confused:

[HSMITH]

A thumb break shoulder holster is a great way to bop around in the woods. The weight is much more easily carried by your shoulders than it is on your hips. If you like belt holsters one with a flap that completely encloses the gun is a good way to go.

[corncob]

Yes, I meant "operating a Bush Hog." The shoulder holster idea sounds interesting. I wonder if I can find one with a flap.

[Vern Humphrey]

The weight is much more easily carried by your shoulders than it is on your hips.

There's a reason why quality backpacks and modern Army rucksacks have wide hip belts -- because it's the hips that are designed to carry weight, not the shoulders.

[1911 guy]

If it were me, I'd go with a cavalry style holster with a flap to keep junk from getting into the holster and handgun. Imagine hogging damp grass/weeds/etc. all day and having that pilling up in your holster. I'd also try to find the cheapest one I could, because it could be pitched and replaced without a heart attack when it gets cut, gouged, drenched in hydraulic oil, all the other stuff that happens on a farm and working with tractors and the stuff made for them. Had a bull calf take a leak all over a GP100 and the holster it was in. He apparently didn't like getting "pinched". Can't say as I blame him! :eek:

[corncob]

Thanks for the replies, guys. What initiated this thread, by the way, was wearing my carry piece--a series I Kimber in an IWB while bush hogging last summer. I had to resort to a pan of warm soapy water to get the red clay dust out of the innerds.

[vgodenwa]

1911 guy has a point, but I don't try to wear a belt gun working on tractors.
I use a 642 in the pocket doing any kind of heavy labor, and a cross draw holster for the bush hog. It works as well on tractors as it does in cars.
The guns do get dusty if it hasn't rained, so I use Glocks or single actions and just blow/brush them off about once a week.
Von Odenwald

[45crittergitter]

Fanny pack worn in front works for me.

[chestnut ridge]

Ditto for the fanny pack. get the biggest camo version. pay attention
to the zipper hardware. the dust and grit seem to wear out the sliding
part of the zipper. i get one with two sliders; then when the first wears,
i use the second.
also good place for cell phone, extra ammo and other items that normally
wear holes in your pocket.

[patrol120]

Military Tanker/Aircewman Chest Holter. Best holster Ive ever used for outdoor duty. I alos think the Bianchi UM84 System also has the rig up for a chest holster.