Was wondering how everyone carries their Thompson or Striker in the field, and what type of sling or holster?

SAVAGESHOOTER,,MOST OF THE TIME I JUST ''CARRY'' MY CONTENDER,,
SOMETIMES I USE T/C'S QUICK SLING,,
I HAVENT SEEN THOSE IN THE CATALOG FOR A WHILE..
BUCKWEET

Always use a Sling. I usually make all my slings from nylon webbing to suit how long I want the Pistol to hang.I prefer the handgun hand across my body on my left side.This seems to work best for me with longer barrels and if I have a bypod attached.

I like a holster, and have tried both the T/C Cordura and Uncle Mike's Bandolier Cordura holster. I much prefer the bandolier style, as it allows the gun to set a little lower so it doesn't interfere with my left arm as much. Both are available from E.A.Brown:

http://www.eabco.com/tcacc.html

I haven't attached sling posts to my grip/forend, so haven't tried a sling yet.

Best regards, Bill

Ditto on the Bandolier,

Typically having everything but the kitchen sink on during the cold weather, I like just being able to throw the whole rig over my shoulder quickly.

Plus the measure of protection with the actual holster with flap.

Regards

In the past I have always used an uncle mikes cordura holster. I have both the shoulder and bandolier styles. I like them both and would reccomend either.
I have wondered if a sling would be a better option and have ordered a sling offered by virgin valley. It should be here shortly. I will post an opinion on that after I have a chance to use it.
Regards
Rick

I started off years ago with an Uncle Mikes shoulder holster for a 10" scoped TC. Never was real comfortable, especially when sitting. I've switched to sling carry, grip bolt has a swivel stud and my barrels all have a band. I think a sling is the only way to go with a 15" Encore.

Greg

I just carried it the first year. Then I bought the leather holster from Foxridge Outfitters for the 10" scoped pistol. I find it to be better when climbing in & out of the tree stand. I also like to keep it holstered while sitting on the stand. It does get in the way when sitting on the ground though.
Rich Jake

Savageshooter, I've always used a sling to carry my Contenders and Striker and have been very pleased. W/ the Contenders, I like the SSK sling swivel studs for and aft, along w/ Pachmayr forend and grip. Unfortunately, SSK has discontinued production of the swivel studs..... NT, I've been able to find 2 sets on the internet over the past 9 months. The Uncle Mike's set's not nearly as well built as SSK's. I really like the handgun sling Cricker referred to. Previously, I've used various rifle slings as well as Pachmayr's handgun sling, but the one at VVCG is by far and away my favorite. (http://www.virginvalleyguns.com/slings.cfm) Gary T.

I second Greg K, I like the Big Shot/Push Pull grip with a stud on the rear and a band on the barrel. You can throw that baby over your back and climb a tree stand faster than a scared monkey.

savageshooter, I've tried the bandolier on my contenders and I didn't like it. It rubbed me raw when I wore a t-shirt. I now use a hip holster only as it keeps the gun close, It doesn't flop around when I lean over under limbs, and it puts the weight on my hips instead of my back which is much nicer at the end of the day. I think mine came from pistol packaging(?)I have a camo cordura one that works well also. mvm PS. Sometimes I just like to cradle it in my arm like a newborn babe..... I know I'm sick...but You guys know EXACTLY what I mean(hehe).

[ 08-14-2002, 06:45: Message edited by: pshooter ]

A lot of great info! Thanks! The barrel band swivel stud sounds like a good idea, but the only one I could find was at Fox Ridge, which looks kinda weak. Any thoughts on that? Also, looking at my standard grip cap, it's a thin little piece of plastic with teeny little screws holding it on. Doesn't look very sturdy there either. I'm the kind of person that likes everything built twice as strong as it needs to be. Any suggestions?

Not much to offer in the way of preferences but I can add to the problem. Here on the Navajo Indian Rez it is illegal to carry a handgun out in the open. I have an Arizona concealed weapons permit so my only option is to "conceal" my scoped 14" Contender in a shoulder holster underneath a long jacket/coat. This system does not work well in the summer when even a T-shirt is too hot! I usually travel in the more remote areas (which are almost everywhere) and rarely encounter any other people so merely carry it in the open like a rifle. I always have a current Navajo Nation hunting license as well. If there is a problem, I'll deal with it when it develops.

I use a side bag. It was designed to be a soft-sided cooler for duck hunters. Well, it's vinyl camo with padded sides, and a long strap that can go over shoulder or cross-chest.

I use it as a possibles bag, and to keep my contender in. Sometimes I keep the butt of the pistol exposed for easy access. Works great. And it gives me a place for a little water bottle, snacks, paper towels, matches, extra knife, etc.

So... neither sling or holster- I use a Possibles Bag!

Pete

Savageshooter, I wish you better luck w/ the barrel band than what I experienced. I could NEVER get mine to stay put! Called JD asking him to permanently attaching a sling stud to the barrel, but he instead suggested his swivel studs. Another option would be to use a wide wood forearm grip and attach a separate sling swivel stud to it; I've got an Encore forend like this from Bullberry and it works well. You're right about the "less than substantial" grip cap; it doesn't engender a lot of confindence to install a sling swivel stud to it. I've heard of folks making their own metal grip cap and attaching a swivel stud to it. Also read of someone making a wooden base that was permanently attached to the bottom of the rear grip; a swivel stud was then attached to the front of the grip extension. (http://www.handgunhunt.com/noframes/tech/t4/index.html) All of the above ideas refer to the Contender. W/ the Striker, it's very easy to install a swivel stud yourself on the forend. The Striker instructions tell you to install the rear swivel stud at the bottom of the handgrip. I chose to install mine horizontally at the extreme rear of the stock itself, just below and behind the cocking indicator. If you install it here, be careful the swivel stud does not interfere w/ the trigger linkage. It's much easier to install (even for a "clutz" like myself) than it is to describe. Gary T.

[ 08-16-2002, 07:00: Message edited by: Gary T ]

Gary

Here's a barrel band that should stay put:
http://www.gentrycustom.com/barrelbands.html

I had one of these installed on a Virgin Valley barrel, expensive but nice.
Greg

For the past 6 years, I've used a bandolier that is seen in the Fox Ridge catalog. It's made by Pistol-Packaging. They have a web site by the same name. Very nice.