whats more comfortable a Drop or a straight?

Soundtrackzz · August 5, 2009, 10:00 PM

Hey guys i just bought my first belt and holster. The holster is great but im sending the belt back because its too small. It is a straight belt but im considering reordering a drop belt because the holster slid around alot on the straight belt. does anyone else have this problem?

Hawg · August 5, 2009, 10:16 PM

Get the holster where you want it to stay and put a Chicago screw in it.

kflach · August 13, 2009, 04:14 PM

What are "drop" and "straight" belts. I've read those terms but never seen 'em explained.

mykeal · August 13, 2009, 06:31 PM

A straight belt is just what it sounds like: the sides are parallel the entire length of the belt. A drop belt has a place where the belt goes over the hip that is substantially wider on the bottom side. It has a slot in it for the holster flap that usually goes over and around the belt; it allows the holster to hang lower than it normally would if hung from a straight belt.

Hawg · August 13, 2009, 07:57 PM

Straight.

Dropped or as it's more popularly known Buscadero rig.

The Buscadero is a Hollyweird invention from the 1950's

kflach · August 14, 2009, 01:50 PM

Thanks!

It looks like the dropped would be better if you've got a long barrel. However, it also sounds like it wouldn't be acceptable if you're going for historical accuracy.

Hawg · August 14, 2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

It looks like the dropped would be better if you've got a long barrel. However, it also sounds like it wouldn't be acceptable if you're going for historical accuracy.

No they're not historically accurate. Neither are cut down or fast draw holsters. The holsters in the top pic are historically accurate Mexican double loop.

Old Grump · August 14, 2009, 04:15 PM

I like historical and some of my favorite guns are from the 1865 to 1905 era but walking around, especially in the woods I prefer comfortable so the Buscadero rig is my first choice for every day use.

Noz · August 15, 2009, 08:57 AM

I prefer a holster that rides high on my belt rather than a buscadero that is banging against my leg. The high ride is not a quick to get into action with a long barrel gun but it sure is more comfortable.

williamfeldmann · August 17, 2009, 10:22 AM

My dad gave me a gift certificate for Christmas so I just had this setup built by Circle KB. I use long barrel ROA and wanted a nice custom setup for all the riding, hunting, and for competition.

It utilizes a straight belt with traditional double loop holsters. I had them drop the gun about 2 inches from where a tradtional holster would put the gun to give me a bit lower carry for comfort. You can see that the gun butt is at the belt rather than above. Since I usually use the cap and ball cylinders and can't really quickly reload in the field even with conversion cylinders, I had them leave off the bullet loops.

The holsters are lower cut in the front to accomodate my adjustable sight ROA without hitting the rear sight. I had tie downs and hammer straps added (no additional cost).

Hawg · August 18, 2009, 12:15 PM

williamfeldmann, you must be left handed. I noticed you have the belt threaded backwards.

CraigC · August 18, 2009, 01:05 PM

Straight belt for me, with the holster high and back on my right hip with a slight forward cant.

kflach · August 18, 2009, 01:24 PM

Can you just scoot a holster to the opposite side of the belt to make it "cross-draw" (assuming it doesn't have any kind of tilt to it)?

mykeal · August 18, 2009, 07:23 PM

Cross draw, aka weak side carry, holsters are not the same as strong side holsters worn backwards. The angle that the gun comes out of the weak side holster when drawn by the strong hand is very different than the angle that it takes when drawn from the strong side by the strong hand. A weak side carry holster needs to be angled, or 'tilted', away from the vertical by a larger amount than a strong side carry holster.

Hawg · August 18, 2009, 11:03 PM

What mykeal said.

williamfeldmann · August 19, 2009, 09:41 AM

Hawg,

I am impressed that you caught that. I am not left handed, but I prefer my belt strung that direction.

When I wear a sidearm as a second gun, I typically wear it on my left strong side. Comes from my time in the Air Force. It easier to draw a sidearm with my left while still firing my rifle with my right. As such I am pretty decent with my left strong handing, almost as good as with my right.

I wish my local club would do gunfighter stages, but they don't.

Buck Conner · August 27, 2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

The Buscadero is a Hollyweird invention from the 1950's

Here's Tom Mix wearing a Buscadero from a movie made in 1926, another straight rig from a movie made in 1911. His career in movies ran from 1910 to 1935.

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Take your choice they are all period correct. Will try and fix size of 1st picture.

Hawg · August 27, 2009, 05:33 PM

They're still a Hollyweird invention. They weren't worn in the old west.

lexington1 · September 6, 2009, 12:49 PM

The straight holsters are more historically correct and are more practical for everyday wear. For range use (and spagetti Western use) the drop down rigs are more comfortable.

August 5, 2009, 10:00 PM	#1
Soundtrackzz Member Join Date: August 28, 2008 Posts: 26	whats more comfortable a Drop or a straight? Hey guys i just bought my first belt and holster. The holster is great but im sending the belt back because its too small. It is a straight belt but im considering reordering a drop belt because the holster slid around alot on the straight belt. does anyone else have this problem?

August 14, 2009, 04:15 PM	#8
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	I like historical and some of my favorite guns are from the 1865 to 1905 era but walking around, especially in the woods I prefer comfortable so the Buscadero rig is my first choice for every day use. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

August 5, 2009, 10:16 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	Get the holster where you want it to stay and put a Chicago screw in it.

August 13, 2009, 04:14 PM	#3
kflach Registration in progress Join Date: July 15, 2009 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 99	What are "drop" and "straight" belts. I've read those terms but never seen 'em explained.

August 13, 2009, 06:31 PM	#4
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	A straight belt is just what it sounds like: the sides are parallel the entire length of the belt. A drop belt has a place where the belt goes over the hip that is substantially wider on the bottom side. It has a slot in it for the holster flap that usually goes over and around the belt; it allows the holster to hang lower than it normally would if hung from a straight belt.

August 13, 2009, 07:57 PM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	Straight. Dropped or as it's more popularly known Buscadero rig. The Buscadero is a Hollyweird invention from the 1950's

August 14, 2009, 01:50 PM	#6
kflach Registration in progress Join Date: July 15, 2009 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 99	Thanks! It looks like the dropped would be better if you've got a long barrel. However, it also sounds like it wouldn't be acceptable if you're going for historical accuracy.

August 15, 2009, 08:57 AM	#9
Noz Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Posts: 643	I prefer a holster that rides high on my belt rather than a buscadero that is banging against my leg. The high ride is not a quick to get into action with a long barrel gun but it sure is more comfortable.

August 18, 2009, 12:15 PM	#11
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	williamfeldmann, you must be left handed. I noticed you have the belt threaded backwards.

August 18, 2009, 01:05 PM	#12
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	Straight belt for me, with the holster high and back on my right hip with a slight forward cant.

August 18, 2009, 01:24 PM	#13
kflach Registration in progress Join Date: July 15, 2009 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 99	Can you just scoot a holster to the opposite side of the belt to make it "cross-draw" (assuming it doesn't have any kind of tilt to it)?

August 18, 2009, 07:23 PM	#14
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Cross draw, aka weak side carry, holsters are not the same as strong side holsters worn backwards. The angle that the gun comes out of the weak side holster when drawn by the strong hand is very different than the angle that it takes when drawn from the strong side by the strong hand. A weak side carry holster needs to be angled, or 'tilted', away from the vertical by a larger amount than a strong side carry holster.

August 18, 2009, 11:03 PM	#15
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	What mykeal said.

August 19, 2009, 09:41 AM	#16
williamfeldmann Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Posts: 60	Hawg, I am impressed that you caught that. I am not left handed, but I prefer my belt strung that direction. When I wear a sidearm as a second gun, I typically wear it on my left strong side. Comes from my time in the Air Force. It easier to draw a sidearm with my left while still firing my rifle with my right. As such I am pretty decent with my left strong handing, almost as good as with my right. I wish my local club would do gunfighter stages, but they don't.

August 27, 2009, 05:33 PM	#18
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	They're still a Hollyweird invention. They weren't worn in the old west.

September 6, 2009, 12:49 PM	#19
lexington1 Member Join Date: February 27, 2008 Posts: 41	The straight holsters are more historically correct and are more practical for everyday wear. For range use (and spagetti Western use) the drop down rigs are more comfortable.