How Hard Is It To Carry That Big Revolver All Day Afield?

[munk]

All you guys and (gals) who carry the large hunting or self defense revolvers, especially in the fields, desert, woodlands and mountains, how do you like carrying it?

I personally take my 4" 58 or 57 with me most of the time. Or the 45 Colt BlkHk in 4 5/8th" barrel. I've carried the Rugers, both red and black, in 5.5" and 7.5", and if I was going far the smaller barrel got the job.

I've never tried a shoulder holster, I'm sheepishly admitting. (Except once for hunting)

Are the big guns carryable? Can you go all day afield with a Ruger Super Redhawk on you? Does a shoulder holster allow this?

Just thought I'd ask. I'm 48 and have a few ruptured disks in my back. It aint getting easier. But the longer barrels are a lot of fun, and I hate to leave them at home.


munk

 

[rbernie]

I used to do a lot of backcountry packing (2+ weeks out @ 15-25 miles per day, with everything I needed on my back) with a 7 1/2" RH. I found that a vertical shoulder holster was the only way that I could carry and not have the holster interfere with my pack straps and such. I used the Uncle Mikes' generic shoulder rig. It worked OK, but I had to be careful or I'd get a bit of chafing along my ribs from the nylon pressing against my damp-from-sweat cotton shirt and rubbing it around all day. Given that I had anywhere from 45-60lbs on my back, the weight of the RH wasn't really all that noticable. I carried a tube of A&D oinment and used it to dress any chafing - it worked like a champ and I never found myself wishing that I *didn't* have the RH with me...

While it was easier and more comfortable to put the holster on the hip strap for the pack, the drawback to that was that I'd not have the weapon on me whenever I shed my pack. Given this, I was willing to put up with a little chafing from time to time.

 

[LHB1]

Hi Munk,
For the last few years I have hunted deer, wild hogs, and turkey with a S&W M629 Classic, 6.5" barrel, and Leupold 2X scope. Carrying this rig in the shoulder holster I designed and made has not been a problem. I find it just as convenient as carrying the 5" S&W M629, 5" Kimber .45 ACP pistol, or 4" S&W M629 gun. Actually carrying the scoped 629 pistol is a LOT EASIER than lugging a rifle around. Just my .02. YMMV

Results: two deer and two wild hogs. Missed a super turkey at 15-20 yds when I tried to shoot thru "tall grass" and hit him in the chest to avoid messing up the head for mounting. He was MAGNIFICENT! To my chagrin, it was "short grass" on top of a wide earth berm (old contour ridge row to prevent erosion). Even the 250 grain .44 Mag slug wouldn't penetrate 2-3 feet of solid packed hard earth. Should have shot him in the head after all. A bird in the hand would have been better than a bird in the brush.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

ps: I will be 66 in 3 weeks and am considered by most people to be a small man.

 

[munk]

LHB1 and rbernie;

Do you guys think it would be any different to carry a 7.5 Super Redhawk vs a 9.5" in a shoulder holster?



munk

 

[LHB1]

Munk,
Weightwise it probably wouldn't be much difference BUT unless you are very tall, the 9.5" barrel gun may hang so low that it hits the chair/seat when you sit down. I am about 5' 9" if I stand straight and the 6.5" barrel S&W is about the longest gun I can carry without it contacting surface when sitting down.
Hold the gun under your arm and if either the 7.5" OR the 9.5" gun touches when you sit, then you may have to opt for a holster mounted at .45 degree angle across front of body (similar to Uncle Mike's?). You may prefer this arrangement anyway.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[munk]

Good point. I'm 5'11"
And climbing in rocks or over logs- you need clearence.



munk

 

[Dr.Rob]

I carry a 7.5 inch Vaquero 44 in a cross-draw cavalry style holster... with 18 spare rounds cenetered across the back of the belt. Behind my holster is a 5.5 inch cold steel tanto that I use as a hunting knife, and on the oopsite side of the belt is a leather sheathed Wyoming knife and a small pouch with a spare 4 shot magazine for a Savage 116 30-06 and an orange bandanna.

(I'd rather keep the really heavy stuff on my belt rather than in my pockets).

Atthe end of the day the small of your back can feel 'tight' but its easily remedied by balancing the load on all sides... carrying my rifle in my right hand seems to help too.

I felt the same way carrying a Colt New Service cross-draw on a web belt. I carried my spare rifle ammo and a Ka-Bar derectly opposite the holster.

I've never liked carrying a 'big' pistol strong-side.

 

[munk]

That's funny. When I carry over 4" barrel length I usually go to the cross draw. If I don't have anything to balance it with, ( like an excellent Himalayan Imports 18" WWll khukuri) I'll sometimes switch sides half way through to give the other muscles a chance to complain.


My interest in this thread is centered loosely around the thought I'll pick up a Ruger 480 9.5" some day. Never went that long with a barrel unless it was a single shot.
I figure I can cut the barrel down to 6" when I'm done if it doesn't work out. Doesn't cost much to have a gunsmith silver solder the rear sight back on.


munk

 

[Vern Humphrey]

A long time ago, I got used to carrying a Randall Model 14 bowie knife and a Colt 357 (6" barrel) in a hip holster on the strong side. My next tour in Viet Nam, as a company commander, I carried an M1911A1 and the same bowie on the right side.

Nowadays, I carry a Colt New Service (.45 Colt, 7 1/2" barrel) or a Ruger Blackhawk (.45 Colt, 7 1/2" barrel) the same way. Of course, I'm as often on horseback as I am afoot.

 

[Guns_and_Labs]

I've carried my S&W 629 6.5" in a shoulder holster many times, quite easily. It's not really noticeable once it's adjusted. I also have a Freedom Arms 7.5" in a cross draw, but I don't like it much. It sticks out and interferes with my arms swinging while walking. Both of these are for when the handgun is my primary weapon and I'm hunting.

For walking, and any kind of backpacking/hunting, though, I carry a 4" S&W in a crossdraw around in front of my hip -- lately the scandium 329 -- in the field.

None are concealed carry, of course.

 

[P95Carry]

This rig is ideal for long term carry when out - it was bought so as to take either 9" SRH with red dots - or the Raging Bull.

In the pics it is lower than would be worn normally - but gives some idea. Once properly adjusted it works very well.

 

[medmo]

I use web bear with a 782 harness when I'm going to be out on foot with pistol. I mostly use this set up when handgun javalina hunting where I cover a lot of area glassing and moving. The suspenders connect to the cartridge belt and and distribute the weight correctly and comfortably.

http://www.mooremilitaria.com/782 Gear 1.JPG

 

[Majic]

It's a lot easier than toting a 9 to 10lb rifle/scope combo all day in the field. A couple of pounds on the belt is next to nothing or you really need to get in shape.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I carry a pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 629 for a couple hours; longer than that, however, and I leave the big gun home and pack a J frame .357 magnum: the old back's not getting any younger.

 

[Sam]

I don't have any Rugers, but regularly carr a variety of N Frame Smiths and New Service Colts.

IF I have a ruck then I use a Bianchi X15 shoulder rig that I have had for years. Fits them all and works like a charm.
No ruck?, Bianchi 5H.

No troubles with either, sometimes balance with ammo or canteen but not real important either way.
Sam

 

[Ben Shepherd]

A "bandolier"(think crossdraw and ammo bandolier combined) style works VERY well with mobile canons I've found.
Nothing hanging off my hips to impede movement or cause sore spots, no holster snagging on underbrush. I carry several big rugers this way quite often.

A QUALITY(such as a Mernickel) rig built to fit you can work very good as well, but they aren't cheap.

I've found "off-the-shelf" rigs just don't work for me with a big/heavy gun when you're out for an all day hunt.

 

[Dr.Rob]

My dad used one of those 'papoose' style cross the chest rigs like P-95 used... he packed a Ruger SBH and carried the spare ammo in a 'wallet' I think both are nylon and made by Uncle Mike's.

A "Sam Browne" rig with an over the sholder strap would certainly relieve the stress of packing a big scoped pistol, or long barreled contender/Super Blackhawk etc.

When I'm on horseback I add a lanyard to my New Service and hang it around my neck. I tried using the epaulet of my shirt but it just seemed to be in the way all the time.

 

[P95Carry]

''Mil-Tech'' is the make of that one of mine Rob ... but daresay an Uncle Mikes would be very similar - same material I'd guess.