Open top holsters SUCK. Flap holsters RULE. Convince me I'm wrong.

[Ugly Sauce]

I went up North yesterday to escape the world for a while, do my mountain man thing, and chill. Did some exploring and pre-season scouting. Tried to get into some unknown territory, to me, but failed. Blocked by brush that could not be defeated without an axe and machete, boggy marsh, deep stream channels...I failed! But I gave it a good try, got wet, busted brush, how long can that kind of fun last? !!!

Anyhow, I took my Rossi .357 92SR, (I have removed the totally useless saddle ring) loaded with 200 grain hard cast bullets over lots of WW296 for bear, (and had a bear encounter, 20 yards, man that rifle came up all by it's self, nice handling rifle...yeah...it's a Winchester...kind of) and my S&W "Airlite" .22 long rifle for small game should I wind up having an unexpected stay in the wilderness.

So....I've always been very disappointed with open top holsters. For that kind of brush busting/trekking/woods bumming, the pistol just gets so dusty and dirty, leaves, pine and fir needles and twigs all find their way into and on the pistol. Accordingly, I always use flap holsters. But, I can't find the flap holster that goes to my Airlite for some reason, so I put it in a Uncle Mike's I had laying around. I can find old holsters laying around, but not one I use.

Get back late at night, put the guns on the kitchen table. Next morning go to clean the guns, and there is the biggest GLOB of fir pitch and needle right on, over, and around the hammer of the Airlite. Dang. I had the pistol on my left, canteen on my right, and as it rides pretty high on the belt, and being under my left arm, I thought it would be pretty protected. Not.

So, open top holsters...they suck. Flap holsters...yeah, they rule.

 

[uzimon]

They're good for the mean streets though

 

[.308 Norma]

Accordingly, I always use flap holsters. But, I can't find the flap holster that goes to my Airlite

Have you checked with these guys?
https://www.barsonyholsters.com/revolver-flap-holsters/
I sure like my Barsony brand flap holster for my "fishin' gun" (my little Glock 44). The holster protects my gun well, my gun is secure, and the holster itself was relatively inexpensive.
I don't care much for the noisy Velcro, but that's the way it goes. If I was carrying the gun for something serious like self protection against man or beast, I wouldn't be carrying a .22LR anyway, and I sure wouldn't be carrying it in a noisy, slow access flap holster. But my "fishin' gun" is just for fun - like shooting at impromptu targets when the fish aren't biting.

 

[Rubone]

Made for Ruger by Bianchi for 7-1/2" single actions...

 

[Ugly Sauce]

For sure, in the human jungle I don't use flaps. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I especially like the one in Uzimons's pic, and have some like that. Yesterday I had the Airlite strictly for small game, emergency survival, should I need it. Probably would have been better off just wrapping it in a hankie and putting it in the bottom of the pack. I have a great flap holster for it, had it camping with me a month ago, now I can't find it. Do'h. Dang it. Regardless, I would prefer to have any sidearm on my...side, rather than in the pack.

Sometimes for such adventures I do the opposite, carry a heavy caliber side arm, and then a lightweight single shot .22 rifle. But the Rossi wanted to go, and it carries and handles so nice, how could I refuse? however, all my heavy caliber six-guns ride in flap holsters. I don't think they are much slower than an open top, either one you have to detach a strap, and I'll take a clean, oily ready to rock revolver over one that might jam up with leaves, twigs, or big globs of pitch where they don't belong when I'm face to face with Mr. Bear. !!!

I will check out the "barsonyholsters".

 

[Ugly Sauce]

View attachment 1016551
Made for Ruger by Bianchi for 7-1/2" single actions...

That's nice. I like the latch. Bianchi makes great stuff. One of my favorites is a Bianchi "Black Widow" that I have for my Charter Arms Bulldog. Have had that for since forever, with no signs of wearing out. Has lots of "character" now for sure, and is well sweat-stained.

 

[Blacksmoke]

I love my Model 1912 "cavalry" holster for a Colt 1911.

I had a security job many decades ago with a Colt Official Police and a flap holster. It looked decorous as Hell on a Sam Brown rig. Not great for urgent deployment.

I bought a Colt Cobra (1964) which came with a flap holster. Some Game Warden used to carry it.

 

[CDW4ME]

Concealed carry with open top holster for the win.
Its okay if you disagree with me, I can't force you to be right.

 

[Zerodefect]

With a backpack, a leather bino case, with a kydex insert is great. Its easy to mold your own kydex.

Most backpackers are fools. It's best to stay concealed on the trail.

No backpack, IWB works fine and stays cleanish.

 

[trackskippy]

For general use field holsters, I agree with you, a good flap holster with "full" coverage is the way to go. Finding a good one can be a bit of a challenge too sometimes.

I always liked the German leather versions (assuming you have a gu that fits), especially the "box" type. The British web versions are good too. The web versions for the High Powers are pretty adaptable to other guns, you just may have to forgo using the spare mag pocket with some guns.

Next best thing I think are the GI type "Tankers", but they are a bit of a distant second.

View attachment 1016551
Made for Ruger by Bianchi for 7-1/2" single actions...

I have one of those as well, but for a 4-5/8" gun. Bianchi did a great job on them.

 

[Anchorite]

This is one reason kit bags - like Hill People Gear - are both popular, and a smart decision for your gear.

 

[Risky buisness]

I feel similarly about for real using holsters, and have since the 80s. Several experiences taught me that if your carrying a handgun out side it should be in a fashion that it wont get frozen into the holster or as the op mentioned glued in by pine pitch etc. As I go about my daily life working out doors I even modified my original thoughts from a large Smith to a more convenient M 19-5 , 2 1/2" carried cross draw style in a full coverage handmade flap set up for work around the ranch, and now some 35 years later, still do at my new homestead.
I found a nice chest rig several years ago, that worked very well for me, allowing much more real estate on a belt and worked with a day pack too.
The company is diamond W holsters located in Wasilla Alaska, I believe. They produce great holsters, mag carrier, speed load pouches, holsters for semi autos and revolvers with a detachable flap system. First rate gear.

 

[mcb]

I going to buck the trend. I tried a flap holster and hated it for wood/tractor/UTV carry. I am an open top, without retention holster guy; no flaps, no straps, keep it simple. The holster must have enough friction to retain the handgun even if I turn it upside down. It must have enough body that I can draw and re-holster the handgun one handed, never know what that other hand might be doing. A little dirt, leaves, and water is not going to hurt my handgun.

Yesterday I plowed and fertilized 3.5 acres of food plots and trimmed back some trees from the edges and the old Webley Mk VI rode along in an open top holster. It was filthy, covered in dust and debris by the end of the day, a quick wipe off when I got home made it all better.



Bet the guy in 1916 that assembly that Webley never though that over a 100 years later it would be riding a John Deere through middle Tennessee...

 

[UncleEd]

What would Indiana Jones say about all this?

 

[mcb]

What would Indiana Jones say about all this?

I love Indiana Jones but in this one regard I hate him. Try Googling to find a Webley Mk VI holster that is not an Indiana Jones flap holster replica is nearly impossible.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Well, you wouldn’t take a Dodge Charger out mud riding, or would you? Saying one holster sucks and the other rules is kind of silly. Just like anything else, you need the right equipment for whatever you are doing.
Flap holster serve their purpose and are great when protecting the gun is more important then fast access.
I carried a Beretta M9 in a flap holster for a few year and the gun was well protected.
But there aren’t as many options in flap holster as open top holsters. This is due to the fact that most people don’t use flap holsters. I have a few flap holsters but I also have more open top holsters.
The key is to pick the right equipment for the intended purpose.

 

[Mosin77]

I wholeheartedly agree. For a practical civilian open carry (or military for that matter) a flap of some kind is far preferable to an open holster. The open holster might arguably be quicker on the draw and perhaps a bit more eye catching or intimidating (?) and so preferable for a policeman on relatively clean city streets, but when carrying a revolver or pistol as a practical field tool I’d much rather have it protected.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Concealed carry with open top holster for the win.
Its okay if you disagree with me, I can't force you to be right.

No, I agree. For concealed carry I'd not use a flap holster. ! I'm talking about wilderness, rough country, hiking or hunting into areas where most would never trek. Places that might require an "unexpected stay" for a number of reasons. Brush so thick it might take an hour to go 300 yards. Stuff like that.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I going to buck the trend. I tried a flap holster and hated it for wood/tractor/UTV carry. I am an open top, without retention holster guy; no flaps, no straps, keep it simple. The holster must have enough friction to retain the handgun even if I turn it upside down. It must have enough body that I can draw and re-holster the handgun one handed, never know what that other hand might be doing. A little dirt, leaves, and water is not going to hurt my handgun.

Yesterday I plowed and fertilized 3.5 acres of food plots and trimmed back some trees from the edges and the old Webley Mk VI rode along in an open top holster. It was filthy, covered in dust and debris by the end of the day, a quick wipe off when I got home made it all better.

View attachment 1016711

Bet the guy in 1916 that assembly that Webley never though that over a 100 years later it would be riding a John Deere through middle Tennessee...

Wow, I thought I was the only one who ever carried a Webley into the back-country. Mostly because it's so cool to just take it out of the holster and admire it. For sure a Webley is going to take more abuse than that little, delicate Air Lite I have.

 

[mcb]

Wow, I thought I was the only one who ever carried a Webley into the back-country. Mostly because it's so cool to just take it out of the holster and admire it. For sure a Webley is going to take more abuse than that little, delicate Air Lite I have. View attachment 1016745

Nice looking Webley, the finish is in much better condition than mine.

 

[Rule3]

https://www.barsonyholsters.com/revolver-flap-holsters/

 

[Ugly Sauce]

With a backpack, a leather bino case, with a kydex insert is great. Its easy to mold your own kydex.

Most backpackers are fools. It's best to stay concealed on the trail.

No backpack, IWB works fine and stays cleanish.

I don't understand: "most backpackers are fools"

I was a serious, dedicated back packer for many years, usually in the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana and Idaho, the Bob Marshal wilderness and stuff like that. Everyone, just about, had a "big" gun as that is all Grizzley country. Pretty hard to conceal, and no reason to. There were some peace and love types that didn't carry, walking down the trail and yelling "hey bear" all the time. But there was no one that would hike miles into that country planning to do anyone harm. That would only be a hazard to their own health, and way too much effort on their part.

You must be referring to trails like the Pacific trail, or the Apalacian (how do ya spell it?) trail where there are short sections between towns, easy trail, and creepy people do get on it looking for trouble or prey. I would call that citified, civilized back-packing. In that case, and in that kind of country, one could carry a smaller concealed gun, if one was concerned that someone might try to grab it. No thanks, I'll stick to the wild country and the Grizz, over creepy people in tame and civilized country.

Also, unless you are alone, I don't think the creep is going to jump you, when your partners are standing there armed. If one is alone, you could be right, on those types of trail. But again, in the wild country, you just won't run into the "bad guy". I suppose it's possible, I supposed it may have happened, but really you don't need to hide a side arm, and anything concealable would not be of much use in wild country. Small game perhaps. ?

Did I misunderstand your post?

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Nice looking Webley, the finish is in much better condition than mine.

She's a beauty. Originally an Australian issued revolver, has the Australian acceptance marks on it.

 

[Rule3]

I don't understand: "most backpackers are fools"

I was a serious, dedicated back packer for many years, usually in the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana and Idaho, the Bob Marshal wilderness and stuff like that. Everyone, just about, had a "big" gun as that is all Grizzley country. Pretty hard to conceal, and no reason to. There were some peace and love types that didn't carry, walking down the trail and yelling "hey bear" all the time. But there was no one that would hike miles into that country planning to do anyone harm. That would only be a hazard to their own health, and way too much effort on their part.

You must be referring to trails like the Pacific trail, or the Apalacian (how do ya spell it?) trail where there are short sections between towns, easy trail, and creepy people do get on it looking for trouble or prey. I would call that citified, civilized back-packing. In that case, and in that kind of country, one could carry a smaller concealed gun, if one was concerned that someone might try to grab it. No thanks, I'll stick to the wild country and the Grizz, over creepy people in tame and civilized country.

Also, unless you are alone, I don't think the creep is going to jump you, when your partners are standing there armed. If one is alone, you could be right, on those types of trail. But again, in the wild country, you just won't run into the "bad guy". I suppose it's possible, I supposed it may have happened, but really you don't need to hide a side arm, and anything concealable would not be of much use in wild country. Small game perhaps. ?

Did I misunderstand your post?

The Appalachian Trail is not a cake walk. The problem is crossing so many States, the legalities of having a firearm especially a handgun, one is sure to be arrested. Yes there have been some crazy things happens. but based on the total people it is pretty darn small.

There are many many remote areas, especially if you wander off the foot paths.

2193.1 MILES
Total Length of the A.T.
14 STATES
Number the A.T. Traverses
464,500′
Approximate Gain/Loss in Elevation
3+ MILLION
Visitors Each Year

https://appalachiantrail.org/explore/

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Well true. Some people get lost on it and die. I did mean to mention the legality of hiking through so many states and jurisdictions with a firearm. For sure, the Bitterroots of Montana never sees even a fraction of 3+million visitors. !!! I've been on back-packs where we never saw three people in a 9-day period.

Just saying, in the Bitterroots or the Bob Marshal, absolutely no reason not to carry the .44, (or .45, or 10mm, or whatever) and many reasons I'd not want to be without one. No one cares, and no one wants to do one harm.