Fun problem to have...

THinckley · 2025-10-02T08:39:24-0400

Stopped by my gunsmith's yesterday for no real reason, other than to BS and check on a couple of projects. One of the guys had ordered a dual holster gun belt that was too small for him. Turns out it fits me perfectly, so he gave it to me. Now the problem. I do not have a "matched pair" in any of my OM Blackhawks. Guess I need to decide which one I want to pair up!

Holsters are for 6 1/2" barrels or shorter, 7 1/2" hang out the bottom, so likely contenders are:
.44Mag Flattop (not a real fan of shooting magnum rounds out of this though)

.357Mag Flattop (I think this is my current favorite)

.357Mag 3-screw

Or none of the above and I look for a shorter .45Colt. I do not have any Vaqueros, and not real sure I want to add them to the collection...

Higgy Baby · 2025-10-02T08:55:27-0400

Cowboy.....gunslinger........Hah!
I can just see me trying to do a quick draw and shooting myself in the foot.

jayhdavis · 2025-10-02T09:00:49-0400

THinckley said:
Stopped by my gunsmith's yesterday for no real reason, other than to BS and check on a couple of projects. One of the guys had ordered a dual holster gun belt that was too small for him. Turns out it fits me perfectly, so he gave it to me. Now the problem. I do not have a "matched pair" in any of my OM Blackhawks. Guess I need to decide which one I want to pair up!

Holsters are for 6 1/2" barrels or shorter, 7 1/2" hang out the bottom, so likely contenders are:
.44Mag Flattop (not a real fan of shooting magnum rounds out of this though)
View attachment 273680

The 44 has character.

Skyhunter308 · 2025-10-02T09:53:24-0400

What cartridge are the loops on the holsters belt sized to? .44? .45? .357?
Adjusting them to properly fit could be a royal PIA - doable, but still somewhat of a PIA.

Also, don't be trying the "fast draw" thing with "live" ammunition. It takes LOTS of practice to perfect that activity. I remember back in '73 or '74 while working with an orthopedic surgeon, we had two individuals in a six-month time span shoot themselves in the lower leg (both instances resulted in broken legs requiring extensive reconstructive surgery) while "perfecting" their quick draw techniques. Not that caliber really mattered, but both gunslingers were shooting .357 magnums loaded with JHP ammo.

THinckley · 2025-10-02T10:47:13-0400

Skyhunter308 said:
What cartridge are the loops on the holsters belt sized to? .44? .45? .357?
Adjusting them to properly fit could be a royal PIA - doable, but still somewhat of a PIA.

Also, don't be trying the "fast draw" thing with "live" ammunition. It takes LOTS of practice to perfect that activity. I remember back in '73 or '74 while working with an orthopedic surgeon, we had two individuals in a six-month time span shoot themselves in the lower leg (both instances resulted in broken legs requiring extensive reconstructive surgery) while "perfecting" their quick draw techniques. Not that caliber really mattered, but bot gunslingers were shooting .357 magnums loaded with JHP ammo.

I will absolutely not be trying fast draw with anything!! But I will check the cartridge loops.

FloridaYankee · 2025-10-02T11:34:33-0400

Definitely not a "problem". An Oppurtunity. Go for a nice psir of .45s.

Corndog · 2025-10-02T11:55:07-0400

maddmatter1970 · 2025-10-02T11:57:20-0400

I have a pair of super wranglers .... well one is currently my dads.

Someday I may try my hand at rootin tootin

Rand O’Merik · 2025-10-02T17:39:24-0400

You can Yosemite Sam it all you like, but you still don’t have that lever gun. That’s like all toot and no root! 🤣

Corndog · 2025-10-02T11:57:48-0400

@Bonk had a pair of case hardened Vaqueros in the classifieds a while ago. Consecutive serial numbers.

THinckley · 2025-10-02T12:10:22-0400

I saw those, 7 1/2" barrels. Little long for the rig.

needsmostuff · 2025-10-02T12:40:01-0400

Well, where is the picture of "the rig".

THinckley · 2025-10-02T13:26:33-0400

oldag · 2025-10-02T13:41:11-0400

Buy 'em all.

Great looking rig.

wproct · 2025-10-02T16:56:27-0400

I can't help you because I don't use holsters, but your pick as your favorite handgun would be my pick as well.

FloridaYankee · 2025-10-02T18:43:52-0400

And that lever gun can't be one of those "tactical space cowboy" jobs either. Only a pistol caliber Winchester, Marlin/Ruger or Henry will do. See what oppurtunities a holster rig brings with it. 🤭

JoshT · 2025-10-02T22:48:57-0400

THinckley said:
Or none of the above and I look for a shorter .45Colt. I do not have any Vaqueros, and not real sure I want to add them to the collection...

I say this one, just because it's a somewhat valid excuse to add another to the collection. Got a holster, now you need a gun to fill it. I've bought/built for less valid reasons. Don't know how many spare AR parts have grown into full guns, parts that I'd previously removed when upgrading other guns.

Drycreek3189 · 2025-10-03T13:52:24-0400

Daaayuuum, he went all out on that buscadero holster rig ! A pair of Vaqueros in any caliber that fits the loops would be nice.

PS, I don’t own any Vaqueros either.

Chuckwagon524 · 2025-10-04T18:36:40-0400

I say go .357/.38 spl or .45 LC. My step father used to do cowboy shooting thing. He loaded light loads of 45LC an they were fun to plink. 357 and 38 is easy to find.

BRM · 2025-10-04T19:03:13-0400

I’d go with the shorter barrel because it may let you clear leather just a little quicker … in case you get called out.

I have a single gun rig for my Roughrider - don’t practice quick draws with live ammo. I wouldn’t last long in the Old West. Have fun and enjoy!

Pilgrim · 2025-10-04T22:20:03-0400

Add a 357 Bisley for a different touch!

THinckley · 2025-10-05T06:23:26-0400

I don't like Bisleys. They don't feel natural to me and my aim point is low.

Fun problem to have...

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