OT - Best Holster - 1860 Army

[Old Savage]

In your opinion what is the best holster for the 1860 Army

[kimwcook]

I like the Slim Jim style. Never could see how the ole Army flap holster would work for me. Good protection, but you'd need to practice a lot to get proficient drawing it.

[Griff]

"Best" covers a lot of ground: looks, ruggedness, historical accuracy, retention, ease of draw, concealability, among other attributes. I'm partial to a well-made "Slim Jim" in a crossdraw configuration for all but concealability. See El Paso Saddlery's 1849 "Californian" Holster.

[Old Savage]

Griff, with your recommendation that is the route I think I will go - I like the look.

[Ysabel Kid]

I like the Slim Jim style. Never could see how the ole Army flap holster would work for me. Good protection, but you'd need to practice a lot to get proficient drawing it.

Just depends on how fast you may need to pull it out. I'm partial to the butt-forward cavalry-twist draw on an 1860, but that's just me...

OS - Griff nailed it - just depends on what you are going to do with it.

[Old Savage]

Just a way to carry it YK - no need for fast draw for me.

[Ysabel Kid]

Just a way to carry it YK - no need for fast draw for me.

Fred - The cavalry flap holster with a nice "US" (or "CSA" ) on the flap is very traditional, offers great protection, and looks darn good!

[Tennessee Hayre]

I purchased a really nice leather holster for a great price from RUGER, and cut the bottom out of it . Now all of my ball and cap revolvers as well as the good old .44 mag fit great. The holster was designed for a single action revolver and the 1860 army fits close enough. That would be for open top holsters. I don't know how you feel about it but I don't like a holster that can hold water. Thats why I cut the bottom out of everyone I own.

[Old Savage]

Here is one I did that to and it works for all these pistols and a K22. It is a Hunter model 4500-4 - too short for the 1860 by a couple of inches.

[Tennessee Hayre]

Hey Old Savage, aaa, I have a .357 mag model 19-4 S&W that looks just like yours. I purchased it in 1982 at the Rod and Gun Club in Germany.

[O.S.O.K.]

Here's my 1860 holster (shown with my Uberti 1851 Navy - this one is a Conferderate States model (the best kind IMHO) but is available in "Yankee" too left or right side. Of course, historically they were worn butt forward. This is from Cabelas and they have the matching belts, ball pouches and cylinder holders too if you want. Prices are very reasonable.



I will second El Passo Sadlery too - I have a holster on order from them right now - a gift for a friend.

[Ysabel Kid]

Here's my 1860 holster (shown with my Uberti 1851 Navy - this one is a Conferderate States model (the best kind IMHO) but is available in "Yankee" too left or right side. Of course, historically they were worn butt forward. This is from Cabelas and they have the matching belts, ball pouches and cylinder holders too if you want. Prices are very reasonable.



I will second El Passo Sadlery too - I have a holster on order from them right now - a gift for a friend.

Wearing it "butt-forward" like that was referred to as a "cavalry twist" draw. Not a true cross-draw holster; it was meant to be used by the strong hand, but available to the weak hand should the strong hand be incapacitated.

I'm with O.S.O.K. - the "CS" just looks better than the "US" on these!

I think I would form-fit the holster using the method kimwcook described in his recent holster series. You'd have a real winner then Fred!

[Buck Elliott]

The "best" holster for your needs will be the one that does all the things you want & need it to do, while riding in the most comfortable, unobtrusive-yet-accessible position.

You CAN get used to just about anything, but shouldn't HAVE to... Try various modes of carry, and figger out what works best FOR YOU...

Face it: you WILL wind up with a box (or two...) of discarded leather goods before you're through...