Comfortable Holster for a 4" Redhawk?

S

Shep

New member
I'd really appreciate some advice. I bought a good quality Simply Rugged pancake-style holster for CC use, but it's too stiff for comfort and ease of re-holstering, and it prints through anything other than a coat.

I've looked at Bianchi, Blackhawk, and Galco holsters and didn't see one that looks like it would work, so I'd really appreciate advice, especially from someone who regularly carries a Redhawk or similar revolver in the field. (open carry is frowned on, so I have to cover it with a shirt or vest)

Thanks!
 
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There is no good way to wear a Redhawk on your waist. Shoulder holsters are almost as bad because they will weigh you down on one side. The only good way I have found to wear a RH is cross chest carry.

That wont help you with CC, I know. It would work in wintertime!
 
For "in the field" a good chest holster works well with revolvers; however, cc is a bit more difficult, but it is doable. I currently use this rig:
http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Chest_Holsters.php

Another option, for the comfort aspect, is carrying cross draw. I did this for many years with 4" and 6" .44 Mags. This allows for actually sitting down without having the barrel catch on something (like whatever you are sitting on) and shoving your holster and belt upwards.

You aren't packing a LCP here. It is going to be heavier and more difficult to cc, but again it is doable; just takes some clothing adjustment and really wanting to do it. Remember that patterns and oversized is your friend, especially with bigger revolvers.
 
There isn't any real options for concealing a Redhawk easily or comfortabely.
I carry mine in a Diamond D Guides Choice and can conceal it to some degree under raingear or an over sized fleece jacket.

Of course I live in a climate that really isn't comfortable to be out in anytime of the year without some sort of outer garment for warmth or rain protection.

The Guides Choice is really an easy-access field holster and when I'm carrying my Redhawk, I'm not concerned with concealment and wearing it under a jacket is more to keep it dry rather than hidden.

You should move it off to the side or take it off before eating tacos though. :D
 
Let me ask you guys about the Guides Choice. Can you draw one handed with it? I have a similar holster of another make and while it carries the weight well, its a two handed affair to draw. Eventually I will put a tie down on it, but I have other guns needing holsters too so the GC may be it. (depending on what you say)
 
I can draw either one or two handed with mine. Granted, it does take a bit more effort to draw one handed; mine is for a 6" barrel so it makes for a longer draw. When drawing one handed the entire rig moves several inches across my chest before the "slack" is taken out enough to allow for drawing. However, I do have mine set up so that it rides more akin to a hybrid high cross draw/center chest than a truly centered chest holster.

Where this holster shines is that it keeps the weight more centered and as out of the way as possible for a larger revolver. It also does not "interfere" with other shoulder carry items; think pack, rifle sling.

Also activities such as canoeing where one is needing more of a "full range of motion" are much easier than with a more traditional shoulder holster; the revolver is out of the way with the chest holster, not so much with a traditional shoulder holster.

It can be used as a cc rig, to a limited degree. Big plaid shirt over it will pass cursory inspection, but not serious scrutiny; and forget about the "hug test".

Several pounds of metal riding on the front of your chest out of the way as best as can be expected with little impact to your range of motion and other "gear" and more comfortable than any other option that I have found holster is what it is.
YMMV
 
Suspected as much. Mine's even worse because I have a 7.5" barrel to draw. It has a nice spot for drilling for a pc of rawhide though. Does the GC holster have a place to add a tie down? If it does I may give one a try because it'd be cheaper than something similar from Elpaso Saddlery.
 
I carry my 7.5" Super Blackhawk in an Uncle Mike's sidekick (seriously), carried crossdraw. I don't try to conceal it, but it conceals well under a heavy jacket.

cam+14.jpg


I'm wearing it in that picture. I'm the fat man in the brown jacket.
 
For concealing a big revolver, I've always found and Askins style holster to conceal nicely because the trailing loop helps tuck the butt in close so that it doesn't print (the cylinder bulges out a bit more, but I always found the butt harder to conceal than the cylinder). El Paso makes a nice one which they call the "Double Agent" because it can be worn either strongside or crossdraw. My dad finds the aforementioned El Paso to work well with his 4" S&W M29.

http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-74-11-double-agent-dual-position-holster.aspx
 
I use a DeSantis thumb break Scabbard Holster to carry my 4 inch Redhawk. It works ok for me.

But to be clear, a 4 inch RH is not a CC gun. I wear a long shirt over it and don't really care if it prints or not. As long as the barrel doesn't stick out or the grips aren't showing, it's concealed.

My other option is to put it in a Maxpedition type bag and carry it over the shoulder. Then it's really concealed but not as quick to draw.

Of course, anytime I see someone wearing a Maxpedition bag, I figure that there's a gun inside.
 
Let me ask you guys about the Guides Choice. Can you draw one handed with it?
Click to expand...

As long as I have it adjusted up kinda snug and loosened the tension screw a turn or so, I can draw one-handed just fine. With the tension tighen up a bit and the adjustments kinda loose I need to hang onto the holster to draw.

A lot of times when I'm out on the water, on a 4-wheeler or sno-go I wear it loose and the tension screw tight enough to keep it in the holster if I take a spill with the retention thong off. If I'm on foot I snug the chest strap up. Still trying to find the happy medium with the tension screw.

But my Redhawk is mostly a tent and sleeping bag gun.
 
The Simply Rugged needs some break in time I have found, due to the heavy leather. In addition, a Ruger Redhawk is just not a CC piece, there is no holster that will make it smaller and lighter.
 
It isn't the holster, it's the gun. You are trying to carry and conceal a large, heavy gun. First off, no matter the holster, you will have to dress around the gun. A t-shirt likely won't do it.

Second thing, a heavy gun like that requires a good leather gun belt to support the weight of the holster and gun. A good belt is the most important part of your rig.

Finally, every holster will be a bit uncomfortable. After all, you are carrying a large heavy gun on your hip. Holsters will break in and mold to your body with some wear.

I'd suggest using that Simply Rugged to break it in and see how it grows on you.
 
Thanks to Azak and all for your replies.

I ordered a Guides Choice from Diamond D. 'Got the notice that it shipped yesterday, so I'll soon be able to see how well it works for me.

And, I'll still use the Simply Rugged holster and continue to try to break it in.
 
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