Like fine leather, quality handguns have a special meaning to its owner. Let’s be honest, these superb hunting handguns aren’t cheap. When we pack them around all day or for several days, they need to be safe and secure in a respectful home. First and foremost, holsters should keep the firearm safe. There are not many things more frightening than a loaded handgun falling out of a holster. Safety should always be our utmost concern. Secondly, the comforting factor is another high priority. Nobody enjoys aches and pains after packing a handgun around all day. The holster should be like a well broken-in pair of boots, comforting all day and for as many days as you wear one. Since we are all made differently, what works well for one person may or may not be a charm for another. The specific activity may also have a bearing on the type of holster that bests suits our situation not to mention our personal likes. Some hunters chase hounds while others may ride horses, drive around in their UTV, walk to deer stands, climb mountains, climb tree stands or participate in a laundry list of other circumstances. Whatever the need, comfort is always welcome and necessary. Lastly, the aesthetics have an appeal or put another way, the cool factor. With so many fine holsters on the market, it’s possible to have your cake and eat it with all the toppings you can pile on. You could easily write a book on the current supply of quality holsters available. Unfortunately I am not able to adequately list all the fine leather-stretchers who produce quality gun leather. I can however, share my experience with several holsters I have had the pleasure of wearing in the field. Obviously there are many other options out there but here are a few I’ve carried one or more of my hunting handguns in a safe and comfortable fashion. The Northwest Hunter Rig from Barranti Leather makes carrying a large, scoped revolver simple, easy and comfortable. Rybka Thad Rybka doesn’t have a website but he’s been making fine holsters for as long as I care to remember. I’ve been wearing his rough-out, cross-draw holsters for at least 30 now. From Africa to Alaska, Thad Rybka’s holsters have been on my side carrying some form of sixgun. These practical holsters provide a safe, comfortable way to carry a revolver for days without fatigue. The somewhat radical cross-draw design allows you to bend over, sneaking through the brush, and perform a multitude of tasks without interference. You can also get in and out of vehicles, climb on a horse, or climb the ladder to your tree stand without issue. Mine have been worn countless days in Africa and elsewhere. I’ll probably give them to a younger hunter when I hang up the handguns for good. Believe it or not, the rough-out feature looks as good today as when I first bought them 30 years ago. 7X Leather 7X Leather (www.7xleather.com) offer a neat chest holster. I’ve been carrying a scoped Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in one of Wes Daem’s well-designed, across-the-chest rigs during deer hunting excursions. The holster can be made to fit a variety of handguns including every frame of S&W or Ruger. Plus, Freedom Arms Model 83 or a 1911 can also be accommodated. Both gun and scope ride inside the leather. This holster can be utilized and still wear your backpack and binos. On a recent deer hunt I carried the big Ruger up and down elevated deer blinds with no problem. The holster rides close to your chest with weight distributed evenly. The design is most comfortable and allows for quick acquisition of firearm if needed. It quickly adjusts from T-shirt to large coat if necessary. The chest holster comes with a 6-round cartridge slide, leather maintenance cream and workmanship guaranteed for life! There is even a pouch for your 51 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM
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