[Nightcrawler]

Hello everybody. Can anyone recommend a good vertical shoulder holster for field carry? I'm not looking for a concealment piece (though it it'll do double duty that's fine). I'm looking for something to wear over my jacket/vest/etc. when I'm out in the wilderness.

The gun in question is my S&W 629 Classic .44 Magnum. It's an N-Frame double-action revolver with a 5" full underlug barrel.

A belt holster won't work for what I'm looking for, nor will a chest holster. Also, I'm looking for a holster harness that either has a strap across the back or tie downs on both sides. I don't want the holster or the support side to sag, flop around, or hang down if I lean forward.

I'm looking for something with good retention that requires only one hand to draw. Spring-tension with a safety strap or a thumb-break will do.

Any suggestions? I've found something that might work at Andrews Custom Leather (http://www.andrewsleather.com/) (the "Springbreak Rig"), but it's very expensive. The Bianchi X-15 (http://www.copsplus.com/prodnum2807.php)might work also, though they don't make it for my exact model of gun (though anything that'll fit a 5" Anaconda will work; might be too lose though. Don't know if the 6" 629 ones are cleared for the underlug.) Galco's vertical shoulder holster lacks the strong side tie-down.

Can anyone make suggestions? I'm willing to pay for a quality rig but don't want to go broke on it either. Kydex and Nylon are fine, so long as they're not cheap. I'm shying away from the Uncle Mike's for that reason, though Blackhawk (http://www.blackhawk.com/product1.asp?P=40VH&C=C2127) of all places offers one that might work. Similarly, I could convert my West Woods Landing (http://www.wwlholsters.com)holster into a shoulder rig if I wanted, but I'm looking for something that's designed to be a shoulder rig so it'll work better.

Thanks in advance for any help! :)

[Mad Magyar]

http://www.epsaddlery.com/c-25-shoulder-holsters.aspx

[dfariswheel]

Bianchi also makes the excellent shoulder holsters that work as both a field and concealable holster.

They offer the nylon 4601:
http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=4601

And the time-tested X-15:
http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=X15

These are top quality holsters at a lower price than the custom made stuff.
Best of all, most gun shops stock Bianchi leather and can order one for you.

[SAWBONES]

Lou Alessi's Fieldmaster.
Top of the line, without question.

You can "make do" with any of the above and several others, but you cannot do better than Lou's work. Brief review here: http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/shr.htm

[highorder]

The Bianchi X15 is a fantastic holster, and there should be a fit for your wheelgun.

[Nightcrawler]

Where does one order a Lou Alessi holster? He doesn't seem to have a website that I can find.

[OLD DOMENION]

Go to www.ebay.com and type in Bianchi Holsters.
You must bid but, they are still cheaper than retail.

[Fisherman_48768]

Check out the Chesty Puller http://www.simplyrugged.com/leather_goods/index.html

[Nightcrawler]

I appreciate the input. A chest holster of any sort won't work, I'm afraid. I need the gun under the arm and out of the way.

I like the Lou Alessi rig. Looks like if I want one for a New Year's present for 2009 I'd better order it now, though. :o

[Impax]

Try these two places for the Alessi bodyguard. At lightning arms you will have to call them to see if they have it in stock.
http://www.rfholsters.com/rfholsters/
http://www.lightningarms.com/products.htm

[oklahoma caveman]

they arent top of the line. think $$$. but uncle mike makes a decent shoulder holster

[Autolycus]

Try this place for Alessi Holsters. (http://www.rfholsters.com/rfholsters/)

[makarovnik]

www.gungear.com

[The Lone Haranguer]

The Bianchi X-15 (http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=X15) has been around forever. It is not shown specifically for a five-inch barrel. Just get the one for the six- or 6 1/2-inch and live with the extra length.

[Nightcrawler]

Just get the one for the six- or 6 1/2-inch and live with the extra length

My only concern is that those won't fit my revolver, which has a full underlug barrel (standard 6.5" S&W barrels have a partial underlug). They advertise on for a 4"-5" Anaconda. The Anaconda has a slightly larger frame than the S&W and a full underlug also.

Looking at that size chart, though, I see the holsters aren't custom fit for a certain gun. I think size 04 would fit my gun.

I'd love to get the Alessi, but I'm not sure how I'm going to like the shoulder holster yet for the purpose I have in mind for it. Better to experiment with a less expensive Bianchi than spend the two hundred bucks, wait a year, get the Alessi, and decide against the VSH.

Thanks for the help, everybody! :D

[The Lone Haranguer]

I don't believe the extra thickness of the full-underlug barrel would be a problem on that holster. It is made more to form a "smooth pocket" than specifically molded to every nook and cranny of the gun.

[Seiko]

A few have already said it but Alessi is the way to go.

[marsofold]

Get a lightly used Bianchi X15 on eBay for around $35...

[doubleh]

Cabela's has an under the arm rig for about $70. Think it is a Triple K. I'll have one here sometime this week and can report on it.

[PILMAN]

Will this Alessi shoulder rig hold a H&K USP .45 fullsize?