HunterCustoms, good lookin' rig...and it would appear that that holster and Smith would be far enough back to keep out of your off-leg. Why not carry on the belt?....Just wondering...and I'd say that the keeper strap for the Smith would be a necessity, eh?.... I tried a cross draw holster, worn high on the belt, at about the appendix position, but soon found that it banged the heck out of my forearm while reining...went back to the traditional right side, butt to the rear as a result...Rod
I too, spend an inordinate amount of time (according to my wife), on one of our horses. And unless going on a cross country trail ride with neighbors, I'm always armed with something. For the most part it's a single action...I like the Rugers, but do have two long barreled Colt SAA's as well.
During deer season, I usually rig a rifle scabbard, under my off side stirrup leather, butt to the front; and a long barreled .38-55 calls that rig home for nearly three months each fall. It's not unusual to walk up on our local deer while mounted and to get a shot that would not ordinarily present itself. And yes, before you ask, I dismount before shooting. All of our stock is used to gunfire here on the farm, and my sons and I have shot off our horses while mounted for many years. The trick is to never shoot forward as the muzzle blast is just as annoying to them as it is to us. For clipping thistle tops, there are few methods that are more fun out to say, 15 feet.
For the most part, while mounted, I use a thong or strap to secure the gun, and while we make all of our holsters tight enough to preclude either, they're an added level of insurance if we're thrown. I like the open top, Tom Threepersons style of rig that's been around since the early days out west.
It's a wonderful throwback to a simpler time, when we're mounted, and armed...brings the lives of our forefathers into focus so some extent, and allows us to appreciate the lives they lived.
Here's a pic of my favorite rig...gotta get some pics of Smoky with the rifle slung and one of the boys up top.
Best Regards, Rod
I too, spend an inordinate amount of time (according to my wife), on one of our horses. And unless going on a cross country trail ride with neighbors, I'm always armed with something. For the most part it's a single action...I like the Rugers, but do have two long barreled Colt SAA's as well.
During deer season, I usually rig a rifle scabbard, under my off side stirrup leather, butt to the front; and a long barreled .38-55 calls that rig home for nearly three months each fall. It's not unusual to walk up on our local deer while mounted and to get a shot that would not ordinarily present itself. And yes, before you ask, I dismount before shooting. All of our stock is used to gunfire here on the farm, and my sons and I have shot off our horses while mounted for many years. The trick is to never shoot forward as the muzzle blast is just as annoying to them as it is to us. For clipping thistle tops, there are few methods that are more fun out to say, 15 feet.
For the most part, while mounted, I use a thong or strap to secure the gun, and while we make all of our holsters tight enough to preclude either, they're an added level of insurance if we're thrown. I like the open top, Tom Threepersons style of rig that's been around since the early days out west.
It's a wonderful throwback to a simpler time, when we're mounted, and armed...brings the lives of our forefathers into focus so some extent, and allows us to appreciate the lives they lived.
Here's a pic of my favorite rig...gotta get some pics of Smoky with the rifle slung and one of the boys up top.
Best Regards, Rod
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