Carrying firearm while nugget shooting In Arizona?

[Callred1975]

I’m moving to Arizona and had planned on carrying my revolver while nugget shooting. I’ve seen others do this on YouTube, but I’m curious if the firearms ever affect the detectors? Would it be smarter to just keep it nearby to avoid interference with the detector? For those that do carry while detecting, do you find carrying on the hip or in a shoulder rig more comfortable?

Lastly, I’ll be carrying a Smith & Wesson 686 Performance Center 357 mag and I need a durable, comfortable, holster that will protect the weapon from getting banged up. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

 

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[cyzak]

Definitely shoulder holster look into Craft Holsters I believe they have one for your model and they are all leather.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I carry either my Springfield XDS .45 or my Ruger 410-.45 Judge 99% of the time including when I am detecting and they never affected my detector.

 

[Goodyguy]

Just dont boot carry and you should be fine, in the field I always open carry my S&W 357 Magnum on the hip cowboy style. (wont pull your pants down that way because of the separate belt) A double action revolver is faster when you need it and no worry of it jamming due to dirt.

If any wild animal or two legged varmint attacks, you dont have time to fumble.
Arizona has Coyote, Javelina, Mountain Lion/Cougar/Puma, bear, and wolf, that could attack if threatened or rabid.

Most will stay away but attacks can and do happen. (rarely)
As far as dangerous little creatures go, snakes, gila monsters, scorpions, etc. just leave them alone.


Here is my next holster for concealed carry of my 9mm for everyday, town, and big city use...........

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

You will be satisfied with this one. Wear it cross draw and you will not even notice it’s there. I would suggest putting some lock tight on the screws, because they will eventually work their way loose. The strong side carry is a little high for my taste, but I always carry cross draw so it does not interfere with my digging.

https://www.galcogunleather.com/dao_8_4_1073.html

The alternative is to get a left handed holster (if your right handed) and carry behind your back.
That is also very comfortable and is easily drawn.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Just dont boot carry and you'll be fine, in the field I always open carry my S&W 357 Magnum on the hip cowboy style.
A double action revolver is faster when you need it and no worry of it jamming due to dirt.

If any wild animal attacks, you dont have time to fumble.
Arizona has coyote, Javelina, cougar, Wolf, and Jaguar that can attack if threatened or rabid.

Most will stay away but attacks can and do happen. (rarely)
As far as dangerous little creatures go, snakes, gila monsters, scorpions, etc. just leave them alone.


Here is my next holster for concealed carry of my 9mm for everyday, town, and big city use...........

Just don’t try and draw while your sitting down in your vehicle. I had to look up the Javelina to see what the heck that was....those are some serious teeth! Also do you really have jaguar? I thought those were limited to Florida and were endangered?

 

[Goodyguy]

Just don’t try and draw while your sitting down in your vehicle. I had to look up the Javelina to see what the heck that was....those are some serious teeth! Also do you really have jaguar? I thought those were limited to Florida and were endangered?

I take it off when driving and yes Jaguar and even leopards have been spotted in Arizona according to google, so far I have not seen one in person which may or may not be a good thing since they and other dangerous cats here in AZ attack from the rear.

GG~

 

[Johnnybravo300]

I would recommend craft holsters but just had problems with them and had to send the product back. Dont go with craft holsters.
It takes them months to make holsters and months more when they build it wrong. It doesnt seem like they know what they are doing. We ordered from them way back in november and are just now getting it resolved and it's almost february.
We ended up with a subpar product even after sending it back but the holster will work so we will keep it. I wont order from them again.

 

[Callred1975]

That does look nice. My only concern is the model 686 I have has some unusual characteristics that make it difficult to find a non-custom made holster that fits properly. Mine has a 5 inch barrel and a speed release thumb piece. Most 686’s have either a 4 or 6 inch barrel and the speed release thumb piece is too strange looking to explain (look at a picture online). I had actually ordered a really nice holster from Craft Holsters that the sales rep said would work, but a few days later, they contacted me and said the mold they use for the 686 leather holsters wouldn’t match up right with what I have.

.....after reading what Johnnybravo wrote, I’m glad the Craft holster didn’t work out.

 

[Johnnybravo300]

View attachment 1795453 View attachment 1795454

You can see the 1st craft holster I ordered. The barrel and front sight post hangs out the end.
The holster they returned to me doesnt even cover the trigger or trigger guard. It's like a gun fighter style and my wife is no gun fighter.
Not much consistency.

I wonder if maybe they dont have the correct molds so they just guess? The company is based somewhere in Russia or Slovakia or somewhere like that.
We tried the holster the other day and it holds and rides ok, just doesnt look very custom haha. Looks like it's for a different gun altogether.
I told my wife we will send it back if she doesnt like it but she says it's fine and feels fine.
If it were for me i would send it back but shes not as picky as I am about that stuff.

 

[Callred1975]

I’m in agreement with you Johnny. Harder and harder to find quality products nowadays.

I always buy American when I can, but the problem is Americans aren’t building things any more. We import everything.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

I've had a CCW for years, yet I've never carried.

Once I "achieved" my CCW, reality spoke very loudly to me = I'd kill someone?

Ya gotta think about the reality of that. Vietnam and Cambodian vet - I did kill several. I WILL NEVER get over that, I see it and remember it to this day. Taking a life really does suck. Till the day I die = I pray for my soul

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Call Galco..they made a specific holster for my dad that they didn’t carry. Price was same as the rest of their holsters. It’s a good American company.

 

[Johnnybravo300]

I thought craft holsters was an american company but I dont think they are haha.
It's a hassle to deal with this crap but hopefully it helps someone else out.
I also should say the other two holster were perfect so it wasnt all bad.
The leather crossdraw holster we got was very nice and fit perfectly.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

I've had a CCW for years, yet I've never carried.

Once I "achieved" my CCW, reality spoke very loudly to me = I'd kill someone?

Ya gotta think about the reality of that. Vietnam and Cambodian vet - I did kill several. I WILL NEVER get over that, I see it and remember it to this day. Taking a life really does suck. Till the day I die = I pray for my soul

Thank you for your service, I'm thankful we live in a country where you have the choice to not carry or own firearms.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

This funky looking thing? I'd just take it off and replace it with a normal release. Can't be all that expensive.
Pretty much any revolver holster is going to have a strap the goes over the hammer..is it going to activate the cylinder release?

5" is an odd length. I'd want to ensure the barrel and sights were covered.
I bet you can get one made no problem.

 

[Clay Diggins]

Any metal on your body will affect the ground balance and consequently the depth of your detector. Your metal detector works both up and down from the coil. If you don't believe your firearm affects your metal detector just air test by waving your gun 3 foot above the coil. If you don't get a signal you are unlikely to get gold with your settings.

I do sometimes carry when prospecting. On those occasions I've put my holster to the back to minimize signal. The only reason I carry is for two legged varmits. Otherwise the dangers that you can encounter here are unlikely to be solved with a gun.

There are no wild wolves in Arizona. All the Arizona wolves were introduced from captivity recently. Most die shortly afterwards. There are two known wolf attacks in Arizona, the most recent one was in 1875.

There are no Leopards in the western hemisphere. They are native to Africa and India.

There are no Jaguars living in Arizona. More than 10 years ago there was a lone male jaguar living just north of the Mexican border in Arizona but fish and game killed that one. The only known Jaguar attack was in a zoo - the victim apologized.

There are no deaths from Javelina or Coyotes in the history of Arizona. Attacks are so rare as to be anecdotal.

There are three deaths attributed to bear attacks in Arizona in the last 100+ years. Two of those were attacks by pet bears.

Eight people have died from snake bite in Arizona in the last 100 years. Most people that are bitten by rattlesnakes have been drinking and are bit on the hand or face - don't play with the rattlesnakes and you will be fine.

By far the leading causes of death by animals in Arizona are from domestic dog attacks and bees.

Virtually all of the deaths from nature in Arizona are from dehydration, heat exposure and falls. Take plenty of water and drink it. Have a way to get out of the sun when it heats up. Use a GPS so you can find your vehicle. Take spare tires, tools, fluids and parts when driving off road. Let people that care know exactly where you are going and when you will return. Walk carefully and don't get yourself into a situation where you can fall or be trapped or injured by falling rock.

Carry if you wish. Open and concealed carry in Arizona requires no permit or license. That's nice.

Heavy Pans

 

[cyzak]

Just dont boot carry and you'll be fine, in the field I always open carry my S&W 357 Magnum on the hip cowboy style. (wont pull your pants down that way because of the separate belt) A double action revolver is faster when you need it and no worry of it jamming due to dirt.

If any wild animal attacks, you dont have time to fumble.
Arizona has coyote, Javelina, cougar, Wolf, and Jaguar that can attack if threatened or rabid.

Most will stay away but attacks can and do happen. (rarely)
As far as dangerous little creatures go, snakes, gila monsters, scorpions, etc. just leave them alone.


Here is my next holster for concealed carry of my 9mm for everyday, town, and big city use...........

I like it. I am a big fan of the Kimber Pro carry 2 series.

 

[releventchair]

I’m moving to Arizona and had planned on carrying my revolver while nugget shooting. I’ve seen others do this on YouTube, but I’m curious if the firearms ever affect the detectors? Would it be smarter to just keep it nearby to avoid interference with the detector? For those that do carry while detecting, do you find carrying on the hip or in a shoulder rig more comfortable?

Lastly, I’ll be carrying a Smith & Wesson 686 Performance Center 357 mag and I need a durable, comfortable, holster that will protect the weapon from getting banged up. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

Test it out for yourself.
See if you can create interference.

I waist carry a snubbie up front to one side in a wheelchair.
The pistol is less likely to create interference than the chair. But I get by just fine.

For a longer barrel , I prefer a tanker style holster. El Paso Saddlery made mine for a five inch barreled .357.
You'd probably want to trim the longest strap after adjustment , I used wire ties instead and folded it.
Treating/maintaining leather and dealing with sweat salts would factor in AZ. too ,most likely.

Really though , you just got to test and tune your rigs compatibility.

I try to maintain situational awareness to rear and blindsides , but am more comfortable with a pistol up front. Just in case another old lady sneaks up on me. Hey , it happened! No malicious intent , but she heard a cuss word anyways after I jumped a foot in the air...

 

[Guardrailnickel]

In PA. I carry a Glock 19. One time I was trapped in the bed of my truck by two German shepherd's. After a bunch of yelling and barking, I picked up an ax from the bed of my truck. They figured it out and abandoned ship. Dogs don't understand a gun, but they understand what a stick looks like. While I could have just shot them, I didn't want to kill a domestic dog.

My holster gets pushed back on my right hip so it can still be grabbed in a hurry. The biggest concern for me is two legged scum.