Here's one of those "no such thing as a dumb question" questions.
When carrying your sidearm afield on a sling, do you carry muzzle forward or backward and why.
The reason I ask is last fall I created an uncomfortable situation for another hunter (and myself) when he pointed out my slung muzzle forward Contender pointing in his direction.
This was my first time in the woods with the gun slung so unfamiliarity or inattention to blame. I know, NO EXCUSE, and I make none.

Down. On mine anyway. But I attach them a little differently than most.

I would think your only truly safe way would be finding a way to carry it down as S4s4u mentioned, up would be your next bet.

Traveling through anything thick I would hate to have the gun pointed forward or backward .

I personally have never liked the idea of carrying the T/C SS's with a sling, for the reasons all mentioned above; plus there is no protection for the pistol should the weather turn adverse or you do a real stalk through rough cover or on hands and knees or even belly crawling; which I have done a lot of.

Many years ago I came up with a simple solution that works for me, and I wrote an article on it for THE SIXGUNNER. I had a friend model it for me for my article. It is simply a soft canvas case that I added shoulder straps to. Absolutely protects the pistol and hides the muzzle; "out of sight, out of mind."

I'm very careful with Contenders because of the hammer and light trigger especially when around others. I usually carry it muzzle forward and down towards the ground.

Unloaded

I carried mine in a covered bandolier style holster from Uncle Mikes. Unloaded with the hammer selector in the middle position. The way the holster rode the barrel was down and slightly to the rear. Of all the ways I have seen to carry a Contender in the field I think I like Gregg's idea best.

This is the main reason I chose to go with a revolver over a single shot. I loved the idea of hunting/shooting a single shot, but hated the thought of carrying one compared to the ease of a revolver.

I like Ernie's thought the best so far.

Sometimes I use a sling, while at other times I carry it in my pack, while at other times it is in my hands. All depends on the circumstances.

i carry with gun against my back which leaves the muzzle pointing down and kinda forward to right alittle...or if walking with bunch of people just carry it cradled in arms like a rifle/shotgun pointing upwards

This can be one of those "interesting" things with the folks with whom you hunt. I had a similar thing happen with a bowhunting buddy who is not gun saavy. In my case, it was with a 1911 in a Miami Classic shoulder holster. For those not familiar, the gun is carried cocked and locked, horizontal, and there is a thumb break snap that goes over the firing pin location. Absolutely no way for the gun to fire in the holster. He was pretty freaked out by the muzzle pointing all over the place while doing chores in camp.

Same setup with long time shooting buds hunting, and I mentioned it to them, and all they said was we know you know what you are doing, and are not worried about it.

As Earnie pointed out, unloaded in the op situation is certainly the safest. But I have also at times, and usually do when walking a trail with folks is have the discussion when rolling out, and many times I will show them the status of the unloaded gun, or show them (with a lever gun) that it is loaded, but the hammer is in half or half with safety. Still practice muzzle control while hiking, but some times things get tricky with 3 folks on the same trail. Bottom line for me is that a couple of quick seconds of discussion can put everyone at ease, even if it is just to confirm everyone is unloaded.

Craig

Uncle Mike's Bandolera Holster. Single shot or wheel.

Encores and contenders go in a bandolier holster. 2 weeks ago I picked up a LEATHER T.C. bandolier holster from a guy for a $10.00 bill.

I thank everyone for their responses so far.
At the risk of sounding ungrateful, the question was forward or back, not sling or holster, although I do kinda like Gregg's idea.

racksmasher: I picked up a TC leather bandolier holster when I first got my Contender and thought it was a piece of crap.

Ernie: "unloaded" yes.

archr,
When slinging a SP, I will run both front and back, and both my right and left side. Unloaded though.
You can pull a sling up tight to your body and crawl exceptionally well too-Unloaded of course.

Like I said, I sling mine different than most. It also helps steady the shot.

I'm kinda liking that Rod. Problem is my gun is stainless with the all synthetic grip. Not sure it would accept the upper sling stud. Also, does that upper stud bite your hand at all with heavy recoilers ?

s4s4u I like that style.....might just do the same. Heck,I will do the same!

always carried mine muzzle forward. Also spend 95%+ of my huntng time alone.

Never had a problem with it and recoil. I've never had the synth grips so I am not sure how well they would hold a stud. The sling is quicly adjustable and when carrying I snug it up to my armpit, but with a quick tug on the adjuster you are ready to rock.

I have the Pistol Packaging Bandito Belt rig and it works great as well. But the sling is also a shooting aid, and when shooting off-hand I adjust the length so that it offers slight resistance, it helps considerably with the "wiggles".

Rod: 2 things. What is the name of the sling you use?

This is what I'm using: http://www.eabco.com/store/products/JSI_Mountain_Climber_Handgun_Sling-134-0.html.

Also, when you say "I adjust the length so that it offers slight resistance" is that with elbows locked or slightly bent ?

I use this:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/341407/butler-creek-utility-sling-72-x-1-nylon-black
or:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/548658/...?cm_vc=wishList
They are essentially the same, but for a few inches in length. You need a long strap to make the loop, about 6' + or -.

I never lock my elbows when shooting, need some hinge there. You can add or relax the pressure with your arms, but the main thing is to be consistant from shot to shot.