I need Holster Advice (Back Country and Alaska Residents especially)

Friends,

I've about had it feeling ill-prepared on my own property, so I bought a 4.25" Stainless Colt Anaconda Kodiak 44mag this morning.

Well, a mountain lion was sighted last year very close to my home, and it ultimately was stalking a bow hunter 30 miles from here a month later. The DNR found that the bowhunter shot it in self defense after a thorough investigation.

Last year, 366 days ago to be precise, there was a small bear on my garbage can. No big deal, I yelled at it, it ran, problem solved. However, this morning a very large black bear was 4' from my front door and when I screamed at it, it would not leave. No problem, I'll wait and he can stroll off...except my dog bolted past me and was going to get into it with the bear. All went well, I got the dog under control and it was no big deal this time. But we do take our bird dog on off-leash walks 3-5x a day (wearing an e-collar) and I'm thinking that an aggressive bear could create a real problem for my family, particularly if my dog is with us. (she hates bears and growls and louts merely by the scent of bear...instinctively even before she saw one)

But there are too many dangerous animals around here to not have a revolver for self defense purposes if all other options for deterrence/avoidance fail.

So now to my question: What holster should I get for this firearm? It will sit in a holster on a coat hook 90% of the time. If my wife is tending our large garden and orchard without me, it might be slung on a fencepost near her. For dog walks, we might throw it over our shoulder just to have it handy.

What kind of holster arrangement should I get for being carried in frequently, but hung on pegs in near proximity frequently?

I really like the Diamond D Leather chest holster. I use that on a fairly regular basis. They are comfortable and when not in use I can sling it over the back of a chair.
Fish

These look cool too if you prefer a kydex option

I carry my 4”smith 29 in a bianchi 5BH. The holster carry’s the gun high enough, with some forward cant, that I can comfortably sit in the seat of a truck or tractor.
A separate gun belt would make it easy to take off and hang on a post while at the blackberry patch, but certainly easy enough to carry on the hip as well.
PS. My newfound hobby has been casting bullets and hand loading for a number of sixguns. If you’re interested, I’ll share any loads or send a sample of bullets to try.

I did some internet digging and couldn't find what I was envisioning anywhere?

I was thinking a wide leather strap that forms a loop, nicely padded, that you put over your head. Your left shoulder/arm goes through it, the handgun sits under the left armpit. Not the three-point attachment type that are common, but just sort of a sling bag style.

I was thinking I'd modify it so the e-collar receiver is attached to it, just below the holster, so every time a dog is being walked off-leash the kit is ready.

I thought of this from all the old westerns where the cowboys grab their belt and holster and just throw it around their neck to be quick about things. I would have thought that this would exist, but it must be uncomfortable if any bending over to do work is occurring, or the revolver would slosh about I suppose?

I was more thinking the one-size fits everyone in the family, all seasons, regardless of the amount of clothing being worn.

It sounds like you’re looking for more of a traditional shoulder holster that has a loop. Galco and many fine makers for those.

I’d recommend Justine at Mile High Supply for a custom rig that would also incorporate the dog clicker, she does outstanding work

Another recommendation for the diamond d, simply rugged also makes a nice rig.

The 1942 Tanker Holster by El Paso Saddlery seems close to what you describe. Good luck!

I always wore a Diamond D chest rig, slung almost belt buckle low so it wouldn’t interfere with chest rigged binos. Kinda like outside your gear appendix carry. Ruger Alaskan, 44 mag.

Diamond D chest holster

Another vote for Diamond D guides choice chest holster. I have one for my 2.75" S&W 69. It is just an awesome holster. The strap that goes around back is easily adjustable for different clothing layers and or sizes of people.

I use a Kenai chest rig by gunfighters Inc.

I have one for my .44, that’s my Alaska fishing gun, and one for a S&W .22 revolver, that’s my Alabama hog finisher and snake gun.

I tried carrying a 12 ga to fish with but I kept setting the darn thing down. Not much use if a bear jumps you and the gun is 20 yards away.

Another vote for Diamond D

I have four Diamond D rigs for my various bear guns. The newest one is for my 4" Kodiak. I have worn one of them everyday for many years. Outstanding quality.



Here it is with my little 10rd King Cobra .22lr

I can envision what your concept and though I can not remember where Ive seen the attached photo is getting close…
Don’t overthink it….a quality holster with a dedicated belt would work…even a sling bag/pack could easily, safely and securely “carry” your revolver. It would provide room for extra things such as the collars, transmitters,etc etc. and would conceal your arm in “plain sight”

The Diamond D Guides Choice chest holster made in Alaska is indeed an excellent choice. I bought one and liked it so much that I bought another. But in all honesty I don’t wear a chest holster all that often. Don’t get me wrong, these are amazingly well made holsters and an outstanding choice for hunting and fishing, but it’s quite obvious to other people and that’s not always the way I want to be seen. My absolute favorite holster is the Wilderness Tactical Safepacker. I have several in different sizes, from “mini9” to “large grip revolver” and carry these mostly with a shoulder strap. This looks something like a camera pouch to the casual passerby. The flap with buckle and velcro design keeps the gun quite secure and well protected from the elements while allowing for a surprisingly fast draw with a bit of practice. I feel that the biggest threat on the trail is and will always be other people, generally far and away more so than wild animals. Plus I can go from town to trail as seamlessly as possible. For this reason I prefer to maintain a sort of “gray man” posture, presenting as neither predator nor prey. The Safepacker is perfect for this. It’s the easiest thing to throw on over whatever you may be wearing, from business attire to pajamas, and check out the property. And again it’s very much at the ready without looking at all intimidating. I once went to check a noise on the porch at night. Turned out to be a pair of Alaska State Troopers searching for an armed suspect in my neighborhood. I shudder to think about what could have happened if I had stepped outside with a plainly visible weapon, but venture to guess that I may not be typing this now; the situation was quickly diffused and the officers went about their work and I went back inside the house. Pictured is my oldest version, having served me faithfully for at least 15 years, in which I daily carry my 1911 pistol.

rookhawk said:

Friends,

I've about had it feeling ill-prepared on my own property, so I bought a 4.25" Stainless Colt Anaconda Kodiak 44mag this morning.


What kind of holster arrangement should I get for being carried in frequently, but hung on pegs in near proximity frequently?

Click to expand...

One choice is a chest rig from Diamond D. Many of us in Fairbanks use those.

In Fairbanks we also have a few people experienced making proper Kydex chest rigs for bear purposes with four quick adjustment points which makes it much easier to adjust size-wise when changing to a thicker coat and a few other adjustment points on the holster so you can decide the cant for your draw. Diamond Ds take more time to adjust the straps and the holster isn't adjustable. I have both types, but use my Kydex ones these days. It will be easier to attach a knife sheath to a Kydex rig. And if you want speed loaders on the strap, it is nice to have Kydex tube ones (quicker access) than leather or soft material with snap covers.

Both the Diamond D and the Kydex (if made correctly) are comfortable to wear.

My Diamond D has both the flap and a lash I can put over the hammer of my revolver if I think I need it. If I don't use the flap, I use the lash.


The maker for my Kydex rigs (S&W 686, Ruger GP 100, and a Glock in .357 SIG) has retired, but maybe some of the Anchorage people on the list can recommend a maker there.