Carrying Guns Horseback

For those of you who have horses, how do you carry your guns while horseback?

I once was wearing my 7 1/2" .45 Ruger in a low slung "cowboy" holster. I was leading a pack burro and it kept cutting back and forth behind me, from one side to the other. At one point I looked down and the lead rope had wiped the hammer to full cock. There was the Ruger, loaded with hot 260 gr. Keith SWC's pointed directly at the back of my right leg. I never wore that rig again while in the saddle.

After that I went to using a shoulder holster for the 7 1/2" Ruger or the 7 1/2" Freedom Arms 454 . I found the shoulder holster to be very comfortable for all day wear ... unless your nag starts acting up. Trying to stay in the saddle of buckin' horse with a big single action sixgun in a shoulder holster can be pretty demanding. You can get split lips and loose teeth from it. BUT .. I never had that problem though I have heard of it happening.

I also liked carrying the 4 3/4" 45 single action in a strong side holster, high on the belt near my back pocket. I wasn't quite sitting on it and it was up out of the way should anything go wrong.

I carried the leverguns in a scabbard on the left side of the horse, muzzle down and butt up in front of my left knee. Sort of a modified North West Carry. It kept the gun where I could pull it quickly and was secure if the horse got to jumping around.

Riding down the trail one deer season I came to a small creek that the horse had to sorta jump over ... not a full jump but more than just stepping across. There in the trail lay a Marlin 30-30. I picked it up and laid it across my lap and rode on down the trail. Soon I came upon several guys on horseback and one was the local Baptist preacher. His scabbard was on the right side of the horse, carried horizontally with the butt to the rear. It was empty. We talked a bit about where the deer were and then I said, "The Lord gave me a new rifle." and held up the Marlin. One of the guys asked "How did He do that?" and I told him it was just laying in the trail, waiting on me. About then the Baptist preacher looked down at his scabbard!

Carried like that the rifle must be tied in or it will pop right out.

Always interesting to hear how folks carry their guns. We all have the "right" way!