I bought a Ruger Blackhawk hunter w/scope and I am balking at buying a huge awkward holster that will be uncomfortable to wear.

Do any of you have slings on your pistol? Is this a feasible option? Or am I just plain wrong.

Please give me thoughts, ideas,opinions and photos if you would like.

Thanks in advance for your input.

I use a Uncle mikes cross draw shoulder rig for my SRH (unscoped) and find it comfortable for extended use. I carry the gun at least a month a year whether hiking, fishing, camping or hunting.

To me putting a sling on a revolver is just wrong, I can see it getting tied up and in the way and the gun swinging around and poking you this way and that, not to mention the scope getting slammed into stuff.

I have a sling on a 10" FA and a Mag-Na=Port Stalker. I enjoy carrying these revolvers with a sling. You can go to M-N-P's website for photos. It is a very practical manner to carry a longer barreled revolver.

When I hunt with my 10" contender I take a piece of parachute cord and make a noose on each end. One end goes over the barrel and one over the bottom of the grip. The grip is wider at the bottom than at the top. This keeps the noose from slipping off. I've also left the front sight on for the same reason even though the gun wears a scope. Works like a charm.

I use a GunMate across-the-chest holster when carrying my F/A 555 6" when it is wearing its 2x Leupold scope. It is very comfortable and smooth to draw from. You can even wear a day pack without in getting in the way.
The only time I have used a sling on a handgun is on my XP 100, and it works great for that application.
I'm curious what is your Blackhawks barrel lenght?

Thanks for all the input. This year is my first time using a pistol for deer.

I have 7.5" barrel w/1.5-4 Burris scope. Plan on using some factory Federal 300gr cast bullets. I enjoy shooting the pistol and look forward to punching a big hole in a deer.

SD: I hunted about 10 years ago with an SBH 10 1/2-inch stainless with Leupold 2X. I used an Uncle Mike's split band for the front and had a smith drill and tap the butt of the grip for the other end, then fitted an Uncle Mike's sling. This was a very practical outfit and I carried it up and down some wretchedly steep lava rims in Eastern Oregon with perfect comfort.

I hunt with a Dan Wesson that I put a sling on, it's the way to for me. Makes it nice to get up and down from tree stands. When I still hunt I take the sling off put it in my pocket and hang on to the gun. I always have a pair of binoculars hanging around my next so I didn't like the holster deal, Good Luck on what ever you get!

Unlike with long gun a fella can't do much about controlling where a pistol is pointed if its hanging on the end of two straps. If you cinch it tight enough not to flop around it's almost certainly pointed at some part of one of your favorite people. When I'm pistol hunting on purpose I frequently leave it in a gun rug in my daypack until I get set up in the blind or stand.

I've had sling swivel studs installed on a number of scoped Ruger and FA hunting revolvers in the period of time ranging from 10 to 15 years ago. I seldom carry a revolver that way today, because I believe that it is much better protected in a bandoleer- style shoulder holster from mud, dust, etc.

I carry a rucksack/daypack when I hunt, so the slinged revolver goes on top of the pack; same for the scoped Contenders. To date, I've not had problems with muzzle control and if rain begins, it can be placed inside the pack. All in all, still my preferred way to carry a long-barreled revolver.

I have taken Uncle Mike's nylon holsters and split the top enough to allow the revovlers to fit in it. I have sewn a leather cover over one to protect the scope.

Had a friend with a S&W M629 10" with a sling installed. He was stalking an elk in brush and somehow the sling caught on a branch, he had his finger in the trigger guards and the gun FIRED. No one was injured as he was alone.
He now takes the sling OFF when he's actively on game.

Just wanted to pass on the story for safety reasons.

FN in MT

Thanks for all the input.

Went with a barrel band up front and sling swivel on the bottom of the grip.

So far I really like it. Carries well, on an empty chamber of course.

Time will tell.

FN, what was he doing with the gun cocked? No way it would have fired double action on a stalk unless he was running. He should not have had his finger on the trigger anyway.

I have a sling on my T/c useing 15 and 14 inch
barrels. It's the best way for that.