Poor Man's Dirty Harry Holster

Arisin Wind · Oct 5, 2011

I was cleaning up and found a shoulder holster in the bottom of a box. It was a Bianchi X2100 that had seen better days. The harness was chewed up, someone drilled holes in the yoke and the holster was filthy. I started to toss it then thought "why not?" I cleaned the holster with leather conditioner, replaced the yoke with a spare I had, and made a harness like the Dirty Harry holsters. While cleaning the holster I saw the stitching on the front and thought it was incomplete. So, I broke out an X-acto knife and cut a hole in the center of the stitching. I cleaned the cut out up, dyed the holster, waxed it and put it all together. The result - a poor man's Dirty Harry Holster.

Here's some pics of it with my M66 truck gun.

papajohn428 · Oct 5, 2011

This post made me grin!

I recently found a badly abused X2100 in a box full of junk at a LGS for $12, brought it home, and tried it on. The elastic was shot, but once I cinched it up tight it seemed to fit pretty well, and I stuck a tired old four-inch M-64 in it to get it used to holding a gun again, the internal spring was pretty well bent out of shape, and was WAY too tight. But after a few days it was a little better, and I spent a day driving around with the combo under my vest. I had a speedloader in each side pocket, and I felt totally secure. No miscreants arose that needed shooting, but I realized that I had total confidence in the rig I was wearing.

Back when I wore a PD badge, our Chief "suggested" that we all carry something substantial off-duty, my choice was a 686 in a similar rig. I may be packing a lowly 38 these days, but I feel no less protected. I shoot better with a 38 K-frame these days anyway.

You have done an admirable thing by restoring a nice rig like that. Well done! It was nice when it was new.............now it has STYLE.

chief38 · Oct 6, 2011

Nice clean up job! Wish you had both the before & after photo's!

I just cleaned up 4 of my Dad's holsters that I inherited back in March after his passing. Not as nice as yours, but I did restore them to respectability and serviceability once again.

I tried a bunch of shoulder holsters over the years but could just never warm up to them. I constantly found myself being pulled, pinched or just uncomfortable wearing them. I still have a few for my 1911, a 4" K Frame and a 2" Chief's Special. They do not get used anymore but they do kind of look cool hanging in the closet.

Again.........beautiful restoration job!

Chief38

Arisin Wind · Oct 6, 2011

I should have taken some "before" pictures but didn't think about it until after I saw how nice it came out.

mg357 · Oct 6, 2011

Very nice holster rig you did a really great job cleaning it up.

Eaglestroker · Oct 12, 2011

I'd say you did a mighty fine job with that! I know a gentleman that does a lot of leather restorations, I myself don't have the patience and prefer to use it as a template and/or start from scratch.

Bassleg · Oct 13, 2011

The only thing wrong with that rig is it's right-handed nice job.

Arisin Wind · Oct 13, 2011

Eaglestroker said:
I'd say you did a mighty fine job with that! I know a gentleman that does a lot of leather restorations, I myself don't have the patience and prefer to use it as a template and/or start from scratch.

I've thought about making a holster from scratch. That may be next on my list

TACC1 · Oct 13, 2011

I'm a really big fan of restorations; leather, firearms, or furniture.
You people have brought new life to gear that wasn't ready to be
trashed. Nice work!! TACC1

MarineSgtjimh · Oct 21, 2011

chief38 said:
Nice clean up job! Wish you had both the before & after photo's!

I just cleaned up 4 of my Dad's holsters that I inherited back in March after his passing. Not as nice as yours, but I did restore them to respectability and serviceability once again.

I tried a bunch of shoulder holsters over the years but could just never warm up to them. I constantly found myself being pulled, pinched or just uncomfortable wearing them. I still have a few for my 1911, a 4" K Frame and a 2" Chief's Special. They do not get used anymore but they do kind of look cool hanging in the closet.

Again.........beautiful restoration job!

Chief38

If you run out of room, I can take the 1911 holster off of your hands. I have a naked girl that needs some clothes.. Semper Fi

old bear · Oct 21, 2011

Arisin Wind, you did great job on that holster and have every reason to be proud of the way it turned out.

Arisin Wind · Oct 24, 2011

Thank you. It's become my go to holster lately. I've been wearing it around the property and even conceal carry. The 4 inch M66 rides real nice in it.

Poor Man's Dirty Harry Holster

Arisin Wind

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papajohn428

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chief38

Arisin Wind

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mg357

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Eaglestroker

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Bassleg

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Arisin Wind

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TACC1

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MarineSgtjimh

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old bear

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