Hey guys, got a couple of questions here.

1. I plan on getting a shoulder holster for my blackhawk (4 5/8) if I can find one, since a hip holster on a long hunt could srtart to get old I would think. How do those of you that use a shoulder holster for your single action carry your extra rounds?

2. Although I have had a blackhawk and super in the past I never shot them to the point that I was practicing the fast reloading. any tips on reloading a single in a timely manner?

I usually carry a S&W 357 but thought I would mix it up a bit.

On another note, how uncomfortable is it to carry a revolver on a hip holster?

thanks!

Red

I usually carry handguns in a crossdraw rig with a well-fitted wide belt. My main outdoor sidearm is a Ruger OM Blackhawk in .41Magnum. I've carried this revolver for a long time this way and never had a problem. The rig is by Thad Rybka. I use a bandoleer type holster when I carry an Encore, Contender, or scoped revolver. Shoulder holsters get in the way of the straps on my pack or camelback when I'm hiking in to a remote area.

If you must have a shoulder holster; Uncle Mike's, Bianchi, and I believe Safariland have lightweight nylon vertiical types and Bianchi has their bandoleer type "hush" system. There's an awful lot to choose from.

I think I am going to try a crossdraw rig, I have a vertical holster for my 357 and don't really like carrying it that way, it just isn't comfortable, I don't care if it puts the weight in a better place, just damn uncomfortable. not to mention a pain in the butt to adjust.

Red

For the past few years, I've hunted w/ a .44 Bisley. I use a verticle rig that also stays snapped to my belt on the bottom- that way it doesn't flop around. It's an Uncle Mike's.

I always carried my extra rounds in my pocket- never have used any though; so reloading isn't an issue; especially quick reloading.

Ron

I carry my M29 in a shoulder holster, it's comfortable and keeps it out of the weather. A speedloader for extra rounds .There is no fast way to reload a single action !!

Take a look at the holsters from Simply Rugged of Alaska. He makes a copy of the Roy Baker Pancake. I have used one of the original Roy Baker Pancakes for carrying a 6" S&W .41 Magnum and it is very comfortable.

Last year I carried a 4 5/8" .41 Magnum Blackhawk and used one of the Bianchi 1L holsters. It carried just fine...get youself a good 1 3/4" belt and I think you will find it is not all that uncomfortable. To me shoulder rigs are a pain...

Bob

I don't like the Uncle mikes sholder holsters. The straps slip around and get twisted in the plastic thingy.... IF you ever get it on right, you don't want to take it off because you'll just have to fight with it again.

I do have a nice Bianci sholder holster that is very comfortable and easy to use. The back side of it says #X-2100 S&W 44 "Phantom"
It has a clam shell spring that grips the gun and holds it in place even with the trigger gaurd strap undone. You can do jumping jacks and the pistol won't slip out!
It is very comfortable to wear all day.
I use it for all my single actions.
My Raging Bull has a scope on it, so I have an Uncle mikes thing that I mostly leave in the truck.
For a belt holster, I found these guys on www.gunbroker.com EJH that make an excellent holster for not much money. (Really, go there and type in a search for EJH Holster)
I got a cross draw 7 1/2" for my BFR 475, and a strong side 5 1/2 for my short Black hawks.
I have a tall home made front blade on my 4 5/8" 45 and it rubbed a little, but I tried it with my son's 45 Blackhawk and it fit like a glove. It was such a perfect fit, it was like I shipped the gun to them and they made a pressure mold for just that gun! I gave that one to my son.
They also do custom work, so I'll have to get another one but with an extra 1/4" or so for my tall front sight.

I just keep extra rounds in a pocket to reload with. I haven't tried speed reloading with a single action, but I did read an article once that sounded interesting.
You open the loading gate and roll the cylinder around till it lines up, then stroke the ejector rod and then slip a live round in that hole and roll the cylinder around to the next and keep going unloading and loading one at a time. That way if you get interupted, you still have some chambers full.
I guess if you practiced it might work. maybe hold the gun in your left hand cradled in your palm with the index finger on the ejector rod and cycle the cylinder around with the other fingers while your right hand gets new shells and loads them?
I suppose it would be easier if the empties fell out on their own.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=53556034
Here is a link to their stuff. They also make 1 3/4" belts and Dog Bone slides with cartrige loops.