diff --git a/src/iuse_actor.cpp b/src/iuse_actor.cpp
index 7bc6b7605700a..8594c832bdde4 100644
--- a/src/iuse_actor.cpp
+++ b/src/iuse_actor.cpp
@@ -2566,13 +2566,21 @@ int holster_actor::use( player &p, item &it, bool, const tripoint & ) const
         return string_format( _( "Draw %s" ), elem.display_name() );
     } );
 
+    item *internal_item = nullptr;
     if( opts.size() > 1 ) {
-        const int ret = uilist( string_format( _( "Use %s" ), it.tname() ), opts );
+        int ret = uilist( string_format( _( "Use %s" ), it.tname() ), opts );
         if( ret < 0 ) {
             pos = -2;
         } else {
             pos += ret;
+            if( opts.size() != it.contents.size() ) {
+                ret--;
+            }
+            auto iter = std::next( it.contents.begin(), ret );
+            internal_item = &*iter;
         }
+    } else {
+        internal_item = &it.contents.front();
     }
 
     if( pos < -1 ) {
@@ -2583,13 +2591,13 @@ int holster_actor::use( player &p, item &it, bool, const tripoint & ) const
     if( pos >= 0 ) {
         // worn holsters ignore penalty effects (e.g. GRABBED) when determining number of moves to consume
         if( p.is_worn( it ) ) {
-            p.wield_contents( it, pos, false, draw_cost );
+            p.wield_contents( it, internal_item, false, draw_cost );
         } else {
-            p.wield_contents( it, pos );
+            p.wield_contents( it, internal_item );
         }
 
     } else {
-        auto loc = game_menus::inv::holster( p, it );
+        item_location loc = game_menus::inv::holster( p, it );
 
         if( !loc ) {
             p.add_msg_if_player( _( "Never mind." ) );
diff --git a/src/player.cpp b/src/player.cpp
index b197d4d7a293c..f4442dbf39833 100644
--- a/src/player.cpp
+++ b/src/player.cpp
@@ -6300,32 +6300,35 @@ std::string player::weapname( unsigned int truncate ) const
     }
 }
 
-bool player::wield_contents( item &container, int pos, bool penalties, int base_cost )
+bool player::wield_contents( item &container, item *internal_item, bool penalties, int base_cost )
 {
     // if index not specified and container has multiple items then ask the player to choose one
-    if( pos < 0 ) {
+    if( internal_item == nullptr ) {
         std::vector<std::string> opts;
         std::transform( container.contents.begin(), container.contents.end(),
         std::back_inserter( opts ), []( const item & elem ) {
             return elem.display_name();
         } );
         if( opts.size() > 1 ) {
-            pos = uilist( _( "Wield what?" ), opts );
+            int pos = uilist( _( "Wield what?" ), opts );
             if( pos < 0 ) {
                 return false;
             }
         } else {
-            pos = 0;
+            internal_item = &container.contents.front();
         }
     }
 
-    if( pos >= static_cast<int>( container.contents.size() ) ) {
+    const bool has = std::any_of( container.contents.begin(),
+    container.contents.end(), [internal_item]( const item & it ) {
+        return internal_item == &it;
+    } );
+    if( !has ) {
         debugmsg( "Tried to wield non-existent item from container (player::wield_contents)" );
         return false;
     }
 
-    auto target = std::next( container.contents.begin(), pos );
-    const auto ret = can_wield( *target );
+    const ret_val<bool> ret = can_wield( *internal_item );
     if( !ret.success() ) {
         add_msg_if_player( m_info, "%s", ret.c_str() );
         return false;
@@ -6340,8 +6343,10 @@ bool player::wield_contents( item &container, int pos, bool penalties, int base_
         inv.unsort();
     }
 
-    weapon = std::move( *target );
-    container.contents.erase( target );
+    weapon = std::move( *internal_item );
+    container.contents.remove_if( [internal_item]( const item & it ) {
+        return internal_item == &it;
+    } );
     container.on_contents_changed();
 
     inv.update_invlet( weapon );
diff --git a/src/player.h b/src/player.h
index f00d97b9904d7..2d0fa3cefec51 100644
--- a/src/player.h
+++ b/src/player.h
@@ -813,7 +813,7 @@ class player : public Character
          * @param penalties Whether item volume and temporary effects (e.g. GRABBED, DOWNED) should be considered.
          * @param base_cost Cost due to storage type.
          */
-        bool wield_contents( item &container, int pos = 0, bool penalties = true,
+        bool wield_contents( item &container, item *internal_item = nullptr, bool penalties = true,
                              int base_cost = INVENTORY_HANDLING_PENALTY );
         /**
          * Stores an item inside another consuming moves proportional to weapon skill and volume