I look around and note with alarm that at present I actually possess four holsters for the Taurus Tracker – and I’m still looking for the ‘right’ one.
Several pics below the fold:
This pancake convertible was the first acquired specifically for the Tracker, a gift from a generous reader. As a conventional strong-side pancake, I can’t use it at all. The gun is just way too big for a pancake so it’s not a comfortable carry and it’s not like I have to go to that much trouble to conceal it. And I’ve so bunged up my rotator cuffs, especially on the right side, that my arm won’t make that motion without grunting pain.
Worn crossdraw, it may actually be my most comfortable holster in terms of shoulder and arm pain; but it’s so obtrusive that I bang it on stuff and feel like a complete dork. Open carry is one thing: “Look at me! I’m carrying a big gun!” is something else entirely. But I still wear it crossdraw sometimes, on days when I know I’ll be completely alone and my shoulders are hurting. Also I like this best if I know I’m going into the nuthin’ because it combines lots of protection with a quick, comfortable draw.
I got this thumbbreak locally. It may be my all-around favorite. It’s made by a local guy who does really nice work, no? It carries very comfortably, but belt retention isn’t perfect and again with the shoulders – not as bad as the pancake but it’s a little too high for a fast or comfortable draw. I’m most likely to wear this into town.
This is what’s left of the Fobus I cut down for my old 431. I cut it down more for the Tracker because the more aggressive front sight kept hanging up in the sight channel. Originally this was just a temporary expedient until I could get a better one, but in terms of actually drawing the gun strong-side this is the fastest and most comfortable holster of the bunch. The gun hangs lower and away from my body.
One other thing I like about Fobus holsters? Look…
Maybe everybody knows this, but I discovered it quite by accident. If your pants happen to have a belt loop in the right spot you can pull the belt halfway out of the holster, loop it around the loop, then back into the holster. That locks the holster to your pants, no sliding around at all.
Of course as chopped up as it is, this particular Fobus doesn’t do anything at all to protect the gun. But I have one for my Makarov that I just love.
At the beginning of every winter, it seems, I start thinking about a separate gunbelt I can wear outside my coat. A few weeks later I give it up as a bad idea, but this winter I came closest to getting it right.
Most modern holsters aren’t made to work with a separate belt. They ride too high and the center of gravity’s all wrong. I thought this one might work because it rides so low, and in that sense it did. Unfortunately the holster itself is floppy junk and I couldn’t ever draw the gun one-handed. Again, back to looking like a dork, but now with more dysfunction. Really, the best solution I found to wearing the revolver with a winter coat was to use the crossdraw.
Four holsters, four near misses. I have sworn upon the graves of my ancestors that I will not go back to being one of those guys with drawers full of unused holsters. For one thing, I can’t afford the hobby. But I am still looking for the perfect holster for my new EDC gun.
I’d think that for a “carry a lot, shoot a little” revolver such as you have a full-flap holster might make a good choice. Three makers I can name offhand are El Paso Saddlery, Triple K, and Simply Rugged.
I can offer only sympathy. I got a good deal a while back on a Comp-Tac Minotaur, but in practice, the IWB behind the hip just doesn’t work for me, in part, because my strong-side shoulder isn’t in the best of condition. The draw stroke was one of the most awkward feeling manuevers I think I’ve ever attempted. I should try cross-draw.
Have you checked into the various “shoulder holsters” that are actually “high-ride cross-draw” designs that carry the gun on your “front abdomen surface” instead of actually back in your armpit? Can be worn concealed or not, as desired. Would depend on your activity and weather, I suppose. They work OK for large, scoped hunting revolvers, so I’d at least look into them for that relatively small Tracker.
I was going to suggest Uncle Mike’s horizontal shoulder holster which works well with pistols, but with a large cylindered revolver, maybe not so much. Maybe a ‘tanker’ carry – I think Simply Rugged makes one specifically for Alaskan fishermen who want a large bored revolver handy for bear control. Chesty Puller I think it was called.
http://www.simplyrugged.com/ecommerce/Chesty-Puller-Suspension-System.cfm?item_id=160&parent=672
Good luck finding your holster.
So, IF you want to let that pancake go to a good home, I can help you unload it. I have a tracker and as well I’ve been looking for the right holster, but I dont have the shoulder issues you do.
If interested, let me know, just give me a reasonable price to get it out of your box.
Also fwiw, i have a bianchi that I dont love (http://www.amazon.com/Bianchi-Thumbsnap-Holster-Ruger-Gp100/dp/B0000C52W8) as it rides too far out from the body for strong side carry with out hitting it every time you move your arm. Which may help you eliminate that guy before you start 🙂
Yes, along the lines of the Chesty Puller . . .
http://www.cabelas.com/product/shooting/shooting-accessories/holsters-belts%7C/pc/104792580/c/104769180/sc/104388480/diamond-d-leather-guide-s-choice-8482-leather-chest-holster/2044480.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fholsters-belts%2F_%2FN-1100233%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104388480%3FWT.srch%3D1%26WT.tsrc%3DPPC%26rid%3D20%26WT.mc_id%3DMICROSOFT%257CSho_Holsters_Shoulder%252BHolster%252B%25233%257CUSA%26WT.z_mc_id1%3D43700006030531206%26gclid%3DCInpiqjR6MsCFYqmNwodQ6cCJA%26gclsrc%3Dds
Hope that will open.
Simply Rugged makes a Chesty Puller harness for this very pancake – which they also made. It’s…just the dumbest looking thing, and I can’t imagine getting caught wearing it. Who carries a revolver like that?
“Who carries a revolver like that?”
Probably people who discover IT WORKS FOR THEM.
Of course I’m not current on the latest spring fashions in your neighborhood.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Ever consider a good old-fashioned cowboy holster? I might have a source for cheap-to-free, if so.
Firecracker, the thought has certainly crossed my mind, at least for wearing around the gulch.