Alaskan Holster!?!?!?!

[Mainsail]

Check out Ruger's site:

I did look there, I saw nothing that will attach to a backpack. Did I miss something?

1) I own the Uncle Mikes Vesrion. It works just fine, but rides a little high.

Which one are you looking at? I poured over their website and didn’t find anything that will attach to my pack.

2) The Galco version is actually pretty nice. It is a bit pricey, but very well made and reliable.

Somebody mentioned the Galco, but a buckle like this

is not going to fit through the belt loop.

 

[Mainsail]

Shot the Alaskan this weekend, WOW! What a fun revolver! Recoil was noticable but not bad at all.

Still need a holster though...

 

[AStone]

WOW! What a fun revolver!

Dang it man, stop it! You're going to make me want one!



I just got my SW 686 last weekend, too. Haven't taken it to the range yet ... maybe tomorrow, but (busy week) conceivably not until next week.

Anyway, I've handled (not shot) an Alaskan. They're impressive machines.

I already love my .357, even though I haven't shot it yet (only dry firing), but it's going to make an excellent big brother to my SW 642 (.38 spl). But I can see an Alaskan in .454C making IT a big brother some day.

Nice to hear the recoil isn't too stout...

By the way, while you were out shooting, yet another "big handgun holster thread has emerged. You might check it out. Admittedly, it's about holsters for revolvers with 6" to 8" barrels, and doesn't apply to the Alaskan per se, but still ... there may be some useful info.

I'm still collecting info about holsters for my 4", and will post here eventually ...

 

[counterman6]

I got a beautiful holster from Bob Mernickle for my .44 Alaskan.

 

[Mainsail]

OK, this seems to fit the bill so I ordered one last night. I'll post a report after I've played around with it.

 

[3sixbits]

I had the same problem but with my 5" S&W 44mag. I had a custom chest holster built for me by a saddle shop in Eagle River AK (now out of business). It's a copy of the world war II and Vietnam era holster issued to aircrews, and tankers. If I see the clips on Iraq right, it looks like it's still in use. The one in the above post looks like it would work. I find this to be the only solution that works for me with chest waders, backpack, heavy winter parka, or what ever the gear of the season requires. The one difference I see is my holster allows the grip to be positioned for either hand removal. I cannot begin to tell you how well this has worked for me!

 

[Cosmoline]

That one looks interesting. I'll be anxious to hear the field report.

 

[carebear]

What are you gonna do if you have to ditch the pack in an emergency?

Or, more likely, when you get to camp and take the thing off?

Carry two holsters or extra straps or something?

Admittedly I still look at it from a "dump your ruck and run for the helo" perspective but even now when out in the woods my trail time is going to be roughly equal to my "pack off" time.

 

[AStone]

CB, I'm not sure I understand your point, but it seems like you may be interpreting the holster system as being attached to the pack (?).

As far as I can tell from images on their web site, it's not. The holster system straps are independent from the pack straps.

Sorry if I'm misinterpreting your point.

Nem

 

[carebear]

I'll look again.

From the picture of the most recent chest holster, I thought it was clipped to the pack straps. If it isn't clipped to the straps, it appears functionally identical to the AlaskaSportsman Holster, the person is just wearing the shoulder strap on top of the packstraps, which could be done with any shoulder or chest rig.

I was more referring to having the holster mounted to the pack's waistband. If the pack goes the gun goes with it. If you take the pack off, you have to remount the holster on your regular belt or (if it is clipped to the straps somehow) you have to replace the pack's straps with some you can wear sans pack.

Does that make sense?

I'm thinking of my time in the service, my knife and sidearm were on descenders off my rigger belt, not attached to my ruck or deuce gear in case I had to ditch those for mobility or if they got hung up on something in an emergency. I was never "unarmed" that way.

 

[AStone]

Does that make sense?

Yes, totally.

And if it is attached to the pack, then I agree: it's not a viable solution for what I have in mind.

Ideally, if I'm going to wear a chest holster, I want the system to be independent of the pack so I can take the later off without removing the holster, in part because, like you, I'll need the system as much without pack as with pack.

Like I said, I may be wrong, but from looking at all images on their site, it seems independent of pack.

 

[carebear]

I agree it is separate (I actually went to the site).

With the QD clips it looks easy to unsnap the shoulder straps and reattach after taking off the pack. Having straps over both shoulders will spread the weight better probably.

Looks like a good pick.

To do that with my AKSportsman I'd have to add a QD to the shoulder strap, not a big deal. The AKSpt will fit on a 2.5" belt as a belt holster when you take off the straps, whch is nice.

 

[AStone]

Calling Mainsail ...

OK, this seems to fit the bill so I ordered one last night.
I'll post a report after I've played around with it.

Any report yet?

Did it work?

 

[Mainsail]

Any report yet?

Did it work?

Sorry for the long delay! Yes, it seems to work quite well. You can sorta see it in this picture:


I had one minor issue with the loss of one of the two screws that hold the holster to the mount, it managed to loosen and fall into the snow. They sent me a new (and better) set right away and I don’t think that will happen again.

The cant is adjustable so you can position the gun straight up or even straight to the side, which is where mine is set now. The weight is noticeable but not irritating. So far (one hike) I’m pretty pleased with it and would recommend it. The proprietors are some of the best people you will ever deal with.

 

[AStone]

This is an encouraging report, M'sail. Thanks. I've been holding off buying anything until I review all the potentials (and until my finances improve ).

It's a bit hard to see in that photo. It looks more exposed than I'd expected. Is there a front cover that's open or something?

If you get some time and want to post some close ups of it being worn with your other gear (especially backpack), that would be great.

I'm particularly curious about how it interacts with your pack straps. I'm assuming you wear it "under" your pack, that is, so that it stays on when the pack comes off.

Nem

 

[AStone]

This is an encouraging report, M'sail. Thanks. I've been holding off buying anything until I review all the potentials (and until my finances improve ).

It's a bit hard to see in that photo. It looks more exposed than I'd expected. Is there a front cover that's open or something?

If you get some time and want to post some close ups of it being worn with your other gear (especially backpack), that would be great.

I'm particularly curious about how it interacts with your pack straps. I'm assuming you wear it "under" your pack, that is, so that it stays on when the pack comes off.

Nem

PS: is that a hatchet/ax on your left side?
If so, how do you carry it? (Straps?).
I'm considering adding a tomahawk to the tool kit,
and am exploring carry options (scroll down) for it.

 

[20nickels]

Mainsail,
I too have been eyeballing these holsters from Westwoods Landing. Sorry too have just found this thread, It was the 1st company I thought of when I saw your holster need. What are your impressionjs of it. I was wanting one for it's many belt configs, but mainly for the option of a drop-leg tactical style for a revolver.

 

[Mainsail]

I think you’re seeing the backpack belt strap hanging there on the left side. The holster has a hold-down strap that attaches to the belt at mid-point, so I had to offset the buckle to one side to clip it on, which leaves a lot of extra belt.

It attaches at the top using two cinch clips that will grab and hold on to any webbing. You could clip them to the pack’s carry handle if you wanted, but I have it clipped to the top of the shoulder straps. There are quick release buckles on the two upper straps as well, which makes it easier when you want to get your pack off.

I don’t understand the question about a front cover. The holster is closed at the bottom where the business end of the gun goes. It does not have a flap like a military holster, just a strap with a snap to keep it from falling out.

Tomahawk? I can’t see any use for one, it would just be dead weight.

I'll try to get some better pictures this weekend.

 

[AStone]

There are quick release buckles on the two upper straps as well, which makes it easier when you want to get your pack off.

OK, so that tells me that you're running the holster straps over the pack shoulder straps instead of under them. That makes sense, I guess: running them under the pack straps could cause discomfort. Still, it's too bad you have to take off the holster to remove the pack. I'm still hoping to find a system that doesn't require that.

In fact, 20nickel's idea could work.

I was wanting one for it's many belt configs, but mainly for the option of a drop-leg tactical style for a revolver.

I've considered some kind of tactical holster for my SW 686 that would offer belt support, but allow the revolver/holster to drop below the pack's waist belt for obvious reasons. That would also allow very fast access to the revolver. But I couldn't find a tactical holster that works with revolvers. Now, on closer look here, I see that it can be configured for a tactical leg carry. Hmm. That could work.

I don’t understand the question about a front cover. The holster is closed at the bottom where the business end of the gun goes. It does not have a flap like a military holster, just a strap with a snap to keep it from falling out.

OK, I've figured out what the problem was. It was an illusion that was confusing me. If you look at the image on this page, the the revolver forward of the grips and hammer is entirely enclosed.

But looking at your image in post 39, from that distance (i.e, it's not a close up), on first glance, it looks like the revolver is exposed all the way to the barrel. I just pulled the image out into a photo viewer so I could magnify. I see now that what I'm seeing is NOT the revolver action and barrel but the holster outline. It was just confusing.

So, in other words: never mind about that part.

Tomahawk? I can’t see any use for one, it would just be dead weight.

Au contraire! Try telling that to native Americans and American soldiers in most wars.

T'hawks are all in one tools. Chopping wood, clearing brush, trenching, removing obstacles, driving tent stakes into hard or frozen ground (with a 'hawk that has a surface for it) ... and - for those with some training - they make excellent CQ fighting weapons, and even better when combined with a long knife.

Here's the one I'm going to get.

 

[Mainsail]

Still, it's too bad you have to take off the holster to remove the pack. I'm still hoping to find a system that doesn't require that.

You don't have to take off the holster to remove the pack. You only need to unhook one of the two QDs and it'll swing to the side, then you can unfasten your pack. You just leave one shoulder strap and the bottom strap connected.

I'll try to get some better pictures this weekend.

 

[azredhawk44]

Guys:

The cowboy-ish buscadero loop holster, with or without cartridge loops in the belt, gets this job done really easily.

The holster and gun will hang about 2" below your waist, putting the pistol butt about the same level as your pants front pockets. Typical backpack waistbelts actually wrap around the waist near the kidneys, above the hips. This leaves ample room for a conventional strong-side draw.

I have carried my 5.5" redhawk this way for years on hikes. I am lightening up the load now with a new 4" redhawk and a belt that has no cartridge loops.

You can ditch the pack easily if needed (fall in the river, animal attack, whatever) and the gun is still on your person.

 

[AStone]

You only need to unhook one of the two QDs and it'll swing to the side,
then you can unfasten your pack.

Ahhh, OK. I get it.

The cowboy-ish buscadero loop holster, with or without cartridge loops in the belt...

Redhawk, that sounds ideal.

I just googled "buscadero loop holster" and found a ton of hits. Haven't looked yet.

Any maker and model recommendations would be great.

Nem

 

[azredhawk44]

Redhawk, that sounds ideal.

I just googled "buscadero loop holster" and found a ton of hits. Haven't looked yet.

Any maker and model recommendations would be great.

Nem

My rig came from Hunter holster company and with smart online shopping I got set up for about $90 total, belt and holster. I have a 25-loop cartridge belt with a holster for my 5.5" Redhawk.

I just bought the 4" redhawk so funds are scarce right now, but I will be buying the loopless belt and a new holster soon.

 

[AStone]

My rig came from Hunter holster company...

Redhawk, do you have a model number, or can you check their site to get me one?

I've looked for "buscadero loop holster" on there, but can't find it.
I'm just not sure what I'm looking for.

Their model 1160 is the closest description I saw - "(1160) Bandoleer style holster for 8 3/8" Smith and Wesson 500. Constructed of top grain vegetable tanned leather. $123.00" - but the image doesn't look like what I was expecting. The belt in that image looks more like a shoulder rig.

I was expecting something more like this.

Any help?

Thanks.

 

[AStone]

Or this one:

The Hunter - A Buscadero style rig with a drop belt design.
The holster is looped through the low fitting drop belt and secure with a strap.