Do-it-Yourself 4" Revolver Vertical CCW Holster

[Cosmoline]

I've been on a long and difficult quest to find a shoulder holster that will conceal a 4" K-Frame size .357. The problem is this. The barrel is too long long for a standard horizontal rig. Galco makes them, but they poke out and aren't really for CCW. Vertical rigs are primarily designed for hunting handguns or at least aren't too easy to conceal. Again, Galco's vertical rig is very nicely-made but is too thick and hangs too low to conceal.

What's needed is something that brings the revolver up deeper under the arm and holds it further back, so the handle pokes out perhaps half an inch or so from the arm. Null makes an excellent upside-down rig, but it is primarily designed for deep concealment of J-Frame size revolvers and small frame semis. 4" revolvers of K-frame size and larger tend to ride rough and cut off the blood.

I recently had a crazy idea that actually seeems to be working. I took the straps from a KL Null shoulder holster and merged it with a modified Uncle Mikes IWB holster for a 4" revolver. I removed the plastic clip from the IWB holster and carefully made two cuts through the fabric holster. Two horizontal cuts about 1/2" wide, one on the front right and one on the back left, did the trick. I then ran the straps from the Null through these cuts and presto, I had an excellent vertical CCW rig. Extraction is somewhat slower than with a horizontal rig, but concealment is far, far better. And it rides better than the upside-down rig with a revolver of this size.

The same trick should also work with Miami-style Galco straps.

 

[mountaindrew]

Could I get you to post pics? I would love to build such a rig as I am handy with a sewing machine and black webbing (from making camping stuff) and I am too cheap to buy a shoulder holster of any kind. I am looking for a way to carry a longer barreled revolver while backpacking.

 

[S_O_Laban]

I too would be interested in this. Excellent post, I pack a 4" K-frame and finding any type of holster is a little harder becuase their isn't nearly as much available as there is for 3" and down wheel guns.

I wish they would start making airweight K/L-frames

 

[Cosmoline]

I'll try to get some pics posted shortly. I've done a few days of test wearing with a 4" Security Six and it's working great so far.

 

[S_O_Laban]

How's this project going.... inquiring minds want to know

 

[Cosmoline]

Thanks for the reminder. I'm going to borrow my friend's camera tonight and get some shots. It's still carrying quite well though I suspect I will need to bolster the Mike's holster at the strap slots or they'll start to tear over time.

 

[Cosmoline]

I'm making further refinements after noticing some shoulder aches after walking around town today. I am going to alter the connection points for the straps on the holster so that the "forward" connector, closest to the chest, rides under the grip of the revolver not over it, and flip the back one to take up its position. I am also running the right side belt hook around on itself so it forms a loop over my right shoulder. This should help improve overall balance. I'll post some pics once I have it finalized. Looks very promising though.

 

[S_O_Laban]

Thanks for the update, I'm interested in this project

 

[mountaindrew]

Any Progress on this, Cosmoline?

 

[BluesBear]

I don't know if they still do but Safariland used to make their upside down shoulder holster for a 4" k-frame.

 

[Cosmoline]

Galco solved the problem for me! It turns out the recent demand for CCW holsters for pilots prompted them to start producing a wider range of vertical shoulder rigs that would conceal better than "hunting" type rigs and prevent the problem of flashing the grip to the world or having the barrel poke out the back.

Here's what I've come up with:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=153401&highlight=Null

I've recently started hanging a sheathed Puukko knife off the right side sling and that helps balance it. It's also cool to have a knife handy and concealed.

Granted, this is for my SP-101 as I traded off my 4" revolvers. But these new Galco verticals would work well for a 4" K-Frame as well. They solve the problem of too much barrel or stock sticking out one end or the other, but are safer and more secure than the old upside down rigs.

They do make these new holsters for K Frame 4" revolvers:

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterG3.asp?ProductID=2926&GunID=94

"After a number of helicopter pilots in LE Air units briefed us on their special needs, we turned our attention early in '04 to designing a new Vertical Shoulder Holster System. We combined features from our Miami Classic Holster with a traditional vertical shoulder holster into a system that’s perfect for 21st century in-flight LE and Emergency Personnel. It allows comfortable carry, and can be worn exposed over a flight suit in emergency room settings without alarming civilians with an exposed horizontal muzzle."