As for wolf traps, mad_mike nailed it. And while the Sleepy Creek 4.
5 will certainly hold a wolf, it is much smaller than the Alaska 9 and Koro. The latter 2 are serious iron. You indeed get what you pay for, when buying wolf traps.

I'm pretty thrilled with my new purchase. Bear protection for the trapline, and any other time I am "out there amongst them." The Toklat edition seems to be pretty difficult to come by. This one is the .454/.45 with 5 inch barrel. I was pretty surprised to find one locally. Sometimes the small town local gun shops can be "the bomb." And, I feel like I got a pretty smoking hot deal. Got both types of ammo - the .45 long colt for warm up exercises; the 300 grain Hornady in .454 for "bear medicine." I don't have a snowmobile to get away like the guys did who ran into a bear last week. I will have to make my stand.





Now I need to find a good holster. Anybody got any good recommendations? Also, anybody have this gun and have advice on loads and use?

Hopefully when the bears see me coming, it will be them looking like this - instead of the other way around!




A guest of mine took this photo a couple of years ago, on the beach over at Halo Bay. I thought it was pretty funny he caught one mid-turd and shared it with me.

Halo bay. That turd might have Timothy DNA in it.

I'd go with the Diamond D chest holster. For a big heavy piece like that I've found a chest holster will be most likely for me to actually have it on me. I've got one for my .44.

Timothy - the grass? I never been there...

Treadwell.

X2 on the chest holster

Thanks for the tip. I looked at these last night. Good reviews. I am going to order one. Expensive though.

IF anybody is looking for one of these holsters - make sure you call them directly. The website would lead you to believe that they make them piece-meal, by order, and that they are "currently 8 weeks out" - but that is on SOME HOLSTERS, not all. I just called. Taylor was very helpful, and I was super happy to find out that they have the right-hand draw Ruger Toklat Holster in stock! So I will have one by middle of next week. I will only have to find another option for carrying this gun one time when I go check traps this weekend.

There's no way I'm leaving it home, and it won't fit in my pocketsees. Don't want it buried in a backpack. Might fit in my waste band. Hmmm...

I bet WH still doesn't know what you mean!! Timothy Treadwell...........the guy who got eaten by the bears he loved so much. Got his GF killed too! Must be quite the tourist draw for Halo Bay!
mt
Is Diamond D the lady is wasilla?

For holsters my go to is Razco.com
I have a ruger 44 chest rig that is da bomb.
Justin, the owner, is a local Juneau kid that moved his shop to Montana, and has fought for our freedom.
I have several of his kydex holsters....they rock!

Yes, Timothy Treadwell. The consummate fool of , "bears love us, as we love them. You just have to understand them".
Grizzly Maze.

Yup that one went over my head! I watched that documentary a long, long time ago. Forgot his name. I thought he was funning with ME!!!

Guys like AV and White. They are men of few words, I'm finding. Sometimes they just don't give me quite enough information. OR, maybe I'm just slow :-)

Diamond D in Wasilla. The lady that answered the phone was named Taylor or Tayler? She acted like she might own it, but she might also just work there and be pretty proud of it. Both are good. She was helpful.

I didn't research the holsters much. But I will check out these other ones folks are mentioning. There are more handgun purchases to come!

Yep !

Taylor owns it. See her in Fbks at Gun shows. Good product, I have one. She is interesting to talk to. Cabelas sells her holsters.
mt

You know what's crazy is I have been working up here at my house for a week - all the while keeping my eyes on the seas. It has been calm for the past week. Outstanding, really.

My day off to go check my wolf line is Saturday. And wouldn't you know it - there is suddenly GAIL FORCE WINDS forecast for our part of the world. This is really uncanny, but it is a pattern.

The old me might have pushed it. The new me, not so much. The weather can kiss my grits. I have a slim chance for Sunday - otherwise, they gotta keep soaking till at least Tuesday. But the waiting is really driving me freaking nuts. Ok, that's being overly dramatic, but I think about it all the time! Super excited to go check and see what has happened. And feeling a little cooped up here...

The sea is raging and I cannot trap, but, having fun with my new holster from Diamond D. The thing was expensive, but I am pleased with their service and heck, I ordered this thing Wednesday and I got it Friday. That is pretty outstanding.

This thing is SUPER TIGHT. There is no way that gun is coming out. In fact, it will be the opposite problem I gotta be able to "clear leather" before the bear gets me! Right now, it is tight and stiff. But there are adjustments for that. I will have to get in the habit of "loosening it" when I am amongst the bears just like the cowboys did when they got into a dangerous situation.

Here's hoping I can trap and carry it on me tomorrow!

Do enough hiking, it will loosen right up.

I think so. That, and it has an adjustment screw on the side, next to the trigger guard area. Super good quality and I like it.

Beautiful.I agree,that will loosen up with time.I believe that a quality holster is not expensive but necessary.

Well - unfortunately I have nothing to report. I really had some great expectations for the last check, but, no evidence of anything having been through. Only birds and one measly coyote. It's been a few weeks since any wolf sign. I am really really due!

Didn't take any pictures either. Just slipped in quiet like. Checked everything from the sides. Re-baited. And out.

I had a small window of opportunity, and I took it. Got away with it too. But man has it been ugly and windy here for a stretch!

This is where a guy could get a little discouraged and fold up, but I'm just a little too tenacious for that. Will persist...

Trick for fitting "custom" leather holsters to your gun:

Wet a paper towel with rubbing alcohol. Use it to dampen the inside of your holster. Don't get crazy here - just dampen the inside - don't saturate all the way through the leather. Wrap your handgun in plastic (ziploc freezer bag is the right thickness) and snap it in your holster. Leave it in there to dry overnight. Now, take the plastic out of there and your holster will fit just right. It will fit it like a glove. Snug but just the right amount of friction for slick drawing and holstering. Try it -you'll like it