Wolfe 21 said:
As to your coversions, how do you like them. I am really trying to find a '51 navy conversion without the ejector rod/housing as that seems to me to be the best combination of looks and function. I've heard the '51 is like an extension of your arm when you hold it, but never fired one. Also, which shoulder rig you runnin'? I've seen holiday, a version of wha would be called a tankers holster (m7) made for revolvers, a more concealled option resting back under the arm and what would be my choice for competition is the skeletonized speed rig (unsure of name) used in some western movies. Basically just a shelf for the barrel and a leather wrapped spring steel band around the cylinder.
First, realize that the '71-'72 Open Tops are not "a conversion" although they do resemble them. This was a "made in the factory" pistol and not retrofitting a cap and ball pistol to fire cartridge rounds. There is a slight difference.
My Open Tops shoot dead point of aim. I don't own any other pistol which is as accurate -- single action or modern/semi-auto. I've been awed by how well they shoot. Shortly after purchasing them, I benched them to see how they would shoot. I did so at 10 yards, shooting a steel target that I'd placed an "X" on in the middle with some soapstone. My first three rounds all touched and the splatter covered the intersection of the "X." Suffice it to say that they shoot more accurately than I can.
If I miss a SASS target, it ain't my guns.
Mine were manufactured by Uberti and imported by Taylors & Co. They are a bit unique in that they have octagon barrels in 4 3/4". I've seen some others (even some by Taylors), but they all had round barrels. I like them for the look, the accuracy, and they don't look like everyone else's. Like I said, I like to be different.
I shoot duelist in SASS (one handed). Unlike many others in that category, I only shoot right handed (I have arthritis in my left thumb so much that I cannot cock the pistol effectively). This set-up caters to my own needs/wants. The Navy grips fit my hand fairly well, but us one-handed shooters usually grip the pistol higher because of the one-handed cocking required. SASS is all about speed and accuracy. Although the normal duelist shooter will never be as quick as the normal two handed shooter, I'm getting faster all the time.
My shoulder rig was made locally by a local leather guy and good friend. It is a combination of my own imagination, my leather making friend, and some design inspirations by the shoulder rigs available through other makers. In SASS, you carry two holsters. I'm a fan of the "old school" look, so I took to the Slim Jim design (especially since I shoot the Open Tops). Therefore, he made me a right strong holster in a Slim Jim. Then, he made the shoulder holster a Slim Jim in design and we "designed" a strapping system from the various types sold to "hook me up." The shoulder holster is lined, but the right strong is not. The holster rides just below my left pectoral muscle and not under my arm. That's a SASS consideration because I must turn to draw the pistol in order to keep from breaking the 170 degree rule. By being on my torso, in front and not under the arm, I only need to rotate my upper body a bit (and not my hips like cross-draw shooters). This helps some on the speed side of the house. My shotgun shells are on my pistol belt located at 9:00 to 11:00. Because of the curve of the hip, the first two sets of shells (the two sets most used btw) are very easy to retrieve. I have to reach a little further than guys who carry their shells on a shotgun belt at their navel-level, but to everything there is a trade-off.
All of this is specifically for SASS and the purpose to which I intend to use my rig. If I were a "real" cowboy back in the old west, would I do it the same? Probably not, but it would depend upon a bunch of stuff. My suggestion on the leather side of the house is to find a local leather maker near you (if possible) and collaborate on something that is uniquely designed for your intended purpose -- if you don't find anything that's available on the open market that suits you or your needs. I know I can say that it's been a great and fun experience designing this thing and making it work. I try to remember it's about the journey and not necessarily the destination.
Good Luck!
