A couple of years ago I got word that the coyotes in our neighborhood had gotten bolder and potentially more dangerous. One actually made a pass at a neighbor, as he walked between sheds in his immediate curtilage. In response, I issued a new standing order that our folks would walk about armed. It led to a bunch of changes. KYHillChick and I both got our CCW’s, just so we didn’t have to worry about unloading and stowing when we went into town. A bunch of pistols and rifles started getting out of the closet more.

One of the pieces I carry is a 357 Magnum Ruger Blackhawk. It was the first pistol I bought for myself. I’m comfortable with it. I can hit things with it. It is fairly cheap to feed. The problem I had was how to carry it. I had a couple of holsters left over from backpacking, but those usually went on the kidney harness of my pack. I’m a suspender kind of guy– no butt, so a regular gunbelt would slide right off. A G.I. web harness worked, but that’s a lot of hardware to tote.

I was almost sold on a bandolier-style holster, but I realized all the ones out there were meant for crossdraw, and what I was hoping for was having the piece on my right hip. Over the winter, I bought a Crossfire Elite Versa Holster, but I found out the straps were not long enough for my long torso, and what I’d bought myself was more like a under-the-armpit holster. That’s when I started to tinker.

What I’ve done is take the Versa-Holster and lengthened it, and added a leg strap. Thje result is a a holster than carries at just the right height for a fast draw, but it is supported with a shoulder strap instead of a belt. I have added a small ammo pouch in back for a few spare rounds and some possibles. It works like a charm. I went for a hike on Saturday, and everything worked just as I had imagined.

My question to y’all is this: why is it that no one else ever slung a pistol like this? What am I missing? Surely there was another buttless wonder out there who could not wear a belt. For a guy who wears either jeans and suspenders or bibs, this is IT.

A word on the possibles bag:

I ordered a 2-pocket bag from Amazon:

Rothco 2 pocket Ammo Pouch

I have never had good luck with ammo loops; I always end up with a couple rounds missing.  The idea with this rig was that I would carry extra rounds in an appropriate MTM plastic ammo wallet. That goes in the lower, front pocket. Fast reloading? Forget it. If I have not resolved things in 5 rounds, the situation is finished anyway.  So I attached the bag in the least convenient spot, on the back. I have to unhitch the leg strap to get at the ammo and possibles. However, I want to go the rest of my life not having to resort to my possibles on a hike.

The upper pouch is roomy. It swallowed up my normal possibles and kept going:

lockblade,  compass, whistle, lighter,  and tinder.

Shaman, a compass on 200 acres?  We’re between the Ohio and Licking rivers.  There are occasions where fog can come in and drop visibility to 10 feet. I’ve navigated 25 miles of open water with a hand compass in fog, but there have been times I needed a compass to get back to the house from the back of the property. Nowadays, the smart phone is a good primary, but I want a backup.

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