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'Upside Down' Shoulder Holster

8215 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  canebrake
A number of years ago I bought an 'Upside Down' designed leather shoulder holster (from Holsters Unlimited, Liverpool, long since gone) as I remember it was for a 2.5 inch S&W M66 revolver.....Well I currently have a Ruger SP101 .38spl. which when abroad I carry, usually when doing tracking excercises, and to cut a long story short I thought for me a holster of this design might suit. I could use other forms of carry but I would like another to keep my strong side free in undergrowth etc.

I appreciate that things have moved on a little and revolvers are not as popular in some quarters as they once where but I would appreciate it if you guys knew of a holster manufacturer over there that still carries this design?
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Thanks but, I have a Galco Pancake holster for this revolver but Galco don't make one of these shoulder holsters. The revolver is hung inverted with the butt and backstrap toward the ground, upside down.

The weapon is retained in the holster by the leather behind the trigger guard and an elasticated material stitched effectively across the top strap locking the revolver in place by the trigger guard.
"upsidedown Shoulder Holster"

BORRIS


Ron L here = SERESURPLUS



I know the design holster that your refering to! It's a Bianchi, I don't recall the model #! I had one as well and used to carry a S&W model 36, and or 37 in it! Not sure than Bianchi still makes it, or ever did to fit the Ruger 101? Remember Rugers revolvers are different in size and contour than many S&W and Colts which many of these older holsters were made for! I'd try e-mailing Bianchi and see and if they do still make it, get it direct from them, otherwise try E-Bay and gamble it will fit your revolver? These were not cheap, as the last price I paid years ago, I mean more than 25 years ago was over $50.00 USD! Good luck and let us know how that comes out?
Thanks Ron I'll let you know how I get on, I have a holster for a detective Special and it fit (although not as snug as I would like), but your right if it's not right then there could easily be problems, your revolver falling out and clattering along the floor being just one!

Cheers
upsidown shoulder holster

I think that the houlster that you are talking about is the same one that was worn by Steve MC Queen in the movie BULLIT that he made in the 1960's I don't recall what company made that holster it could of been Safariland, I am almost certain that they made that type of holster at the time and has since disscontinued it , try the Bianchi catalog they may still make it
I think that the houlster that you are talking about is the same one that was worn by Steve MC Queen in the movie BULLIT that he made in the 1960's I don't recall what company made that holster it could of been Safariland, I am almost certain that they made that type of holster at the time and has since disscontinued it , try the Bianchi catalog they may still make it




Thanks I found, Rusty Sherrick in the US, exactly what I was looking for.......:)
Try Andy at Horseshoe Leather;
http://www.holsters.org/index.htm
I have to advise you that I read a story in a recent issue of handgunner magazine ( I think).

These type holsters were really big for awhile after Steve McQueen made them popular. Alot of law enforcement agencies were actually using them.

One detective was wearing this rig and was surprised to see that his revolver was cocked when he took his sport jacket off. He basically freaked out at the fact that his revolver was now cocked and pointed directly into his armpit. His fellow detectives helped to safely get the gun out of the holster and rendered safe.

The determination was that when he was in his car the movements he made while steering actually was enough to cock the hammer on his revolver. In a sitting position, the revolver was low enough to be snagged on the belt/belt loops of his pants. The holster did not have anything that would prohibit the cylinder from rotating, so the hammer was allowed to be cocked with minimal force.

Unless this problem was fixed, I think these type holsters might be dangerous.

Let me know. I imagine they would have fixed the problem, or they wouldn't be offering these holsters anymore.
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upside down holster

SGT MILLER I guess that the only way to fix that problem was to only use revolvers that were spurless with the hammers removed, that would be the only senceable way to carry the gun If someone way really obcsessed in using that type of holster wouldn't you say so SGT.;)
Here is another one in this style from Nevada Gun Leather

https://www.sagunleather.com/cart/shopexd.asp?id=128

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As I think I mentioned I carried a M36 for a while on duty as a UK police officer, the holster was by Holsters Unlimited (from Liverpool now defunct). Never had a problem, or even heard of one with the design, and out equipment was multi issued and took a beating. I liked it so much at the time I bought one for a M66 that I had (sold with the gun, you know how that goes!).

Canebrake: Thanks I know Andy very well and have a lot of his stuff which has seen me safe over the years. Andy no longer makes holsters for revolvers and if you want to treat yourself I wouldn't wait, he's about to retire to the sun, I have just ordered my last double magazine pouches from him.......:)
As I think I mentioned I carried a M36 for a while on duty as a UK police officer, the holster was by Holsters Unlimited (from Liverpool now defunct). Never had a problem, or even heard of one with the design, and out equipment was multi issued and took a beating. I liked it so much at the time I bought one for a M66 that I had (sold with the gun, you know how that goes!).

Canebrake: Thanks I know Andy very well and have a lot of his stuff which has seen me safe over the years. Andy no longer makes holsters for revolvers and if you want to treat yourself I wouldn't wait, he's about to retire to the sun, I have just ordered my last double magazine pouches from him.......:)
Boris, Thanks for the heads-up on Andy. I better jump on that model 28 I've been putin' off!

cb :D
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