8.23.10

The gun rigs we used at Gunsite’s Single Action Defensive Pistol class were unlike anything that Roy Rogers or Paladin buckled on.

Even though I am a fan of B Western buscaderos and low-slung Arvo Ojala fast-draw holsters, they are impractical for real-life defensive use. The purpose of packing a handgun for self-protection is to carry it inconspicuously but still be able to get it into action quickly. That translates into carrying a single-action high and close to your body.

The single action’s bulk and a lack of readily available inside-the-waistband (IWB) holsters dictates that outside-the-waistband (OWB) rigs must be used. Although there are some minimalist SA designs by holster makers such as Erik Little, and a few synthetics like Uncle Mike’s Sidekick rigs, most of us used our own leather holsters that reflected modified yet practical western themes.

For much of my range shooting, I used two single-action holsters from Alaskan craftsmen, the super-secure Simply Rugged Sourdough from Rob Leahy and a handsomely carved Keith-style holster from Rick Gittlein, which accommodated the high front sight ramp of my .44 Blackhawk Flat Top.

For all-day carry and going through some of the more adventurous Live Fire Outdoor Tactical Simulator courses, my ultimate choices were the Walt Marston Fast Draw rig and the Hacker Hi-Ride, which I designed specifically for the class with Jim Lockwood of Legends in Leather. The Marston rig effortlessly distributed the weight of my New Vaquero without fatigue, and the front bullet loops aided in fast reloading. The Hacker Hi-Ride has a deeply scalloped front which aids in fast presentation of the single-action and was so unobtrusive, at one point I wore my gun into town, forgetting I had it on (luckily, Arizona is an “open carry” state).