Pards
As the topic says, it's time I get myself some gun leather. As a first timer, I don't want to spend a bunch of money buying something I think I'll like, only to find out I don't when I start using it. I notice that The Old Trading Post has a bunch of inexpensive rigs, so am leaning toward buying from there.
Here's some stuff about me that might help people to help me.
I'm short, hence my alias. I have a length of pull around 11 1/2". I have a brace of 7 1/2" 1873 Uberti Cattleman. I was thinking about going for a drop holster/Buscadero type rig to give my short arms more room to clear the leather when drawing. I fear high rider styles will have me drawing up to my armpits.
I can't make up my mind if I want two strong sides, or a strong side + cross draw rig. I'd like to try duelist/gunfighter sometime, but without having tried it, I don't know if it's something I'll do in the longer term. From what I've read, a crossdraw rig can be a little faster for the single handed shooter, as you can be reholstering the crossdraw while drawing the strong side. Like a lot of folks, I'm mostly about enjoying the day out and friendly competition while competing with myself. Pulling together all the tiny little speed advantages here and there isn't the most important thing to me, but getting the greatest flexibility out of my equipment is. That has me leaning toward a double strong side rig.
I'm guessing there's not much to know about shotshell belts? A lot of pards seem to have loops for 8 shells (4 pairs). Is it worth looking for more than that? Should I just think about a slide to go over my gun belt, or is a separate belt worth the investment?
All advice warmly welcomed.