What kind of gun do you carry while on horse back.

Gulfcowboy · February 3, 2021, 08:35 PM

I've been doing a fair bit of horse back riding lately, and Ive been considering doing some long trail riding. Being that alot of horse trails are in remote areas id probably want to take a firearm. I was wondering if anyone here carrys while horse back riding. If so, what do you carry. I'd probably end up carry my marlin 336 in 30-30, or maybe a handgun. Some handgun options I had in mind are s&w 686 4in, cimmeron frontier 45colt 4in, or a comander 1911.The horse im riding is gun broke. Thought I'd mention that as well.Thanks for any input given.

Hawg · February 3, 2021, 09:59 PM

It's been a long time since I owned horses but most of the times I carried a gun it was a 30-30 Winchester. As far as handguns goes it was whatever I felt like carrying that I had a cross draw holster for.

Pistoler0 · February 4, 2021, 02:22 PM

On my steel horse (Suzuki) I carry my Glock, concealed shoulder carry. Too uncomfortable for appendix (although I've carried in a belly band while riding a bicycle).

But shoulder carry would work for concealing that 1911 on horse-back, no? (provided you want to hide it).

I shudder at the thought of AIWB on horse back!

rc · February 4, 2021, 02:54 PM

686 in a good holster sounds like a good choice unless you want to hunt. Then go with the rifle.

44 Dave · February 4, 2021, 07:29 PM

Use to carry '73 Winchester in my scabbard 7 1/2" colt in cross draw flap holster. Some times we squirrel hunted with sxs shot guns, the horses didn't mind the b.p. muzzle loading shot guns.

STORM2 · February 4, 2021, 09:37 PM

I wish I needed to make that decision. I’m envious but glad I don’t have the critter cost. Remember if it flys, floats, or ...well you know, rent it.

mulespurs · February 7, 2021, 08:46 PM

I like my ruger blackhawk flattop 45 convertible in 45 acp.

Safe for me and effective, and it looks traditional.

eastbank · February 8, 2021, 07:50 AM

A GOOD SHOULDER HOLESTER, with a four inch 624 in 44 spl in it.

5whiskey · February 9, 2021, 02:40 AM

NMA in a cross draw. Or a ‘51 navy. These are fine horse pistols.

eflyguy · February 9, 2021, 06:49 AM

No reply in a week, so thinking more trolling, but...

What threat are you looking to defend against? As you're in South Texas, I'm thinking drug or human trafficking? In that case, I'd probably choose a 5.56 or similar semi-auto with a bright reflex sight.

If wildlife, I don't think you get bear down there? You won't see a cat until it's almost on you, so a hefty pistol at chest height would be my choice. A pretty 1911 if you like showing it off at the barn, or a more practical, larger capacity, modern version if you're into function.

**4V50 Gary** · February 10, 2021, 11:21 AM

Shoulder holster. Easier on the hip and when you have to squat, you're piece is in the same place.

BTW, I don't have a horse. Chasseur a pied here.

reinert · February 10, 2021, 02:20 PM

I would imagine if you're only talking about riding in Texas, a 30-30 might be all you'd need for a rifle. (?) And maybe a .357 mag. revolver if you'd want to pack both? Do you reload ammunition? You could come up with with a good, more than adequate loading for both of those guns. What's the biggest threat you'd deal with where you like riding? Hogs? Cats? Awful people? Just a wonderment as a suggestion here.

I live in Wyoming, and 30 years ago my wife and I had our own horses and spent a lot of mountain time and miles trail riding with a great group of friends. I always had my Ruger NMB .41 R.M. with me on those trips, too, to "Have it and not need it..." But the sobering reason I also had a handgun with me, was in case I had to shoot a horse. Thank God I never had to do that. Most everyone in the group had some sort of firearm with them, too. Never worried about being under-gunned on those rides...

My wife and I still spend time camping and hiking in the big bear country of our state, and what I have with me on those trips is my old Ruger pistol, and also a M94 Marlin carbine in that same .41 mag caliber. I have what I consider a stout, adequate handload to deal with a "situation" in bear country. If used, and hope to God I'll never need to, the shot (s?) would no doubt be a moving target at around 10-15 feet, maybe less. Other than that "many times imagined" scenario, neither of my .41s would need be used on those outings. And since I'm not a' horseback anymore, it'd be a very rare thing indeed if I packed both those guns at the same time. They're on hand for a situation, generally, as separate applications.

Good luck on the trail, Gulfcowboy.

Pathfinder45 · February 11, 2021, 02:51 AM

The 30-30 or the Cimmaron. Forget about the others.

February 3, 2021, 08:35 PM	#1
Gulfcowboy Member Join Date: January 27, 2019 Location: South Texas Posts: 96	What kind of gun do you carry while on horse back. I've been doing a fair bit of horse back riding lately, and Ive been considering doing some long trail riding. Being that alot of horse trails are in remote areas id probably want to take a firearm. I was wondering if anyone here carrys while horse back riding. If so, what do you carry. I'd probably end up carry my marlin 336 in 30-30, or maybe a handgun. Some handgun options I had in mind are s&w 686 4in, cimmeron frontier 45colt 4in, or a comander 1911.The horse im riding is gun broke. Thought I'd mention that as well.Thanks for any input given.

February 4, 2021, 02:22 PM	#3
Pistoler0 Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2019 Location: Conifer, CO Posts: 632	On my steel horse (Suzuki) I carry my Glock, concealed shoulder carry. Too uncomfortable for appendix (although I've carried in a belly band while riding a bicycle). But shoulder carry would work for concealing that 1911 on horse-back, no? (provided you want to hide it). I shudder at the thought of AIWB on horse back! __________________ Life is simply an inter-temporal problem of constrained optimization. Last edited by Pistoler0; February 4, 2021 at 02:27 PM.

February 7, 2021, 08:46 PM	#7
mulespurs Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2012 Posts: 115	My choice I like my ruger blackhawk flattop 45 convertible in 45 acp. Safe for me and effective, and it looks traditional.

February 9, 2021, 02:40 AM	#9
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,652	NMA in a cross draw. Or a ‘51 navy. These are fine horse pistols. __________________ Support the NRA-ILA Auction, ends 03/09/2018 https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=593946

February 10, 2021, 11:21 AM	#11
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	Shoulder holster. Easier on the hip and when you have to squat, you're piece is in the same place. BTW, I don't have a horse. Chasseur a pied here. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

February 3, 2021, 09:59 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	It's been a long time since I owned horses but most of the times I carried a gun it was a 30-30 Winchester. As far as handguns goes it was whatever I felt like carrying that I had a cross draw holster for.

February 4, 2021, 02:54 PM	#4
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,763	686 in a good holster sounds like a good choice unless you want to hunt. Then go with the rifle.

February 4, 2021, 07:29 PM	#5
44 Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2013 Posts: 584	Use to carry '73 Winchester in my scabbard 7 1/2" colt in cross draw flap holster. Some times we squirrel hunted with sxs shot guns, the horses didn't mind the b.p. muzzle loading shot guns.

February 4, 2021, 09:37 PM	#6
STORM2 Member Join Date: January 23, 2021 Location: Texas Posts: 75	I wish I needed to make that decision. I’m envious but glad I don’t have the critter cost. Remember if it flys, floats, or ...well you know, rent it.

February 8, 2021, 07:50 AM	#8
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	A GOOD SHOULDER HOLESTER, with a four inch 624 in 44 spl in it.

February 9, 2021, 06:49 AM	#10
eflyguy Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2021 Posts: 335	No reply in a week, so thinking more trolling, but... What threat are you looking to defend against? As you're in South Texas, I'm thinking drug or human trafficking? In that case, I'd probably choose a 5.56 or similar semi-auto with a bright reflex sight. If wildlife, I don't think you get bear down there? You won't see a cat until it's almost on you, so a hefty pistol at chest height would be my choice. A pretty 1911 if you like showing it off at the barn, or a more practical, larger capacity, modern version if you're into function.

February 10, 2021, 02:20 PM	#12
reinert Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 646	I would imagine if you're only talking about riding in Texas, a 30-30 might be all you'd need for a rifle. (?) And maybe a .357 mag. revolver if you'd want to pack both? Do you reload ammunition? You could come up with with a good, more than adequate loading for both of those guns. What's the biggest threat you'd deal with where you like riding? Hogs? Cats? Awful people? Just a wonderment as a suggestion here. I live in Wyoming, and 30 years ago my wife and I had our own horses and spent a lot of mountain time and miles trail riding with a great group of friends. I always had my Ruger NMB .41 R.M. with me on those trips, too, to "Have it and not need it..." But the sobering reason I also had a handgun with me, was in case I had to shoot a horse. Thank God I never had to do that. Most everyone in the group had some sort of firearm with them, too. Never worried about being under-gunned on those rides... My wife and I still spend time camping and hiking in the big bear country of our state, and what I have with me on those trips is my old Ruger pistol, and also a M94 Marlin carbine in that same .41 mag caliber. I have what I consider a stout, adequate handload to deal with a "situation" in bear country. If used, and hope to God I'll never need to, the shot (s?) would no doubt be a moving target at around 10-15 feet, maybe less. Other than that "many times imagined" scenario, neither of my .41s would need be used on those outings. And since I'm not a' horseback anymore, it'd be a very rare thing indeed if I packed both those guns at the same time. They're on hand for a situation, generally, as separate applications. Good luck on the trail, Gulfcowboy.

February 11, 2021, 02:51 AM	#13
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	The 30-30 or the Cimmaron. Forget about the others.