Anyone have experience with an Askins type holster? How close to the body does it hold, and does it keep the grip in tighter?

Compared to a pancake?

Thanks,
Munster

Depends. I've carried a Commander quite a bit in a old Bianchi Askins Avenger, in years past. I like the design pretty well; very comfortable, and almost as concealable as a pancake. A true Askins Avenger carries higher than most pancake designs, but doesn't keep the grip quite as tight to the ribs, DEPENDING on your body build and where you carry, between 3:00 and 4:30 or so. What I like most about the design over pancakes is that it is narrower and doesn't take up as much belt space.

The Askins Avenger has been my favorite all-around holster for 25+ years. As 38-44 said, it doesn't hold the gun as close to the body as some high rides do but it is still very concealable and comfortable.

Ray's Leather is making a copy of this holster called the Sable. Unlike Bianchi it is available for revolvers also. Triple K I believe is also making a copy.

I have them for Commander, Government Model, Glock 17, 19 and 21, S&W 6906 and a Beretta 92 that fits my CZ 52 like it was made for it. All are original Bianchi made holsters except for the Glock 17 which is a Triple K and the 21 which is a Ray's. Friends have Ray's for their Glock 19, 1911 GM and Kahr P9.

Bob

Munster: I have the Ray's Shado version in 4" K and 2" J for sale if you're interested. Both are like new.

I carry my Sig 226 in a Bianchi Askins Avenger holster.
Rides high but is very comfortable and holds the pistol very well.

I have both a Sparks and Alessi version and they are some of my favorite OWB rigs.

They are fine holsters provided, as mentioned, you aren't looking for a closely held in pistol.

I wore one for years before deciding I prefer the my pistols riding as closely to me as possible in either IWB or pancake holsters.

My favorite holster is a variant of the Askins design, the Galco Avenger. There are others such as:

Milt Sparks BN55
Dillon LTD (Right handers only)
Bianchi Askins Avenger

Also, CQC has a "Compact Askins," but I haven't worked with any CQC holsters...yet! I prefer the straight cant versions and I've found this holster style to provide enough concealment that I've been able to carry a full size Beretta under a Hawaiian shirt.

... sprey

I have used the Bianchi Askins Avenger extensively with the 1911, some with the Commander, a little with the P7M8, and a little with the Beretta 84. In all cases the holster worked well for me IF the belt fits the holster well. Any slop and the holster tended to "flop", for me.

Doc

Thanks for the info guys. I didn't realize that many versions were being made still.

Thanks for the offer Photoman, I'm looking for a different pistol.

Munster

I know it's a little thing, but all of these holsters are copies of the late Bruce Nelson's "Practical" holster. As far as I know, only Milt Sparks and Wild Bill's give any credit to Nelson for the design.

FWIW, Milt Sparks' "Summer Special" and its miriad copies are also Bruce Nelson's design, although Milt added the steel-reinforced top for easier re-holstering.

Buck

Super and Photo: Looking at Ray's website, it looks like the Sable is the most faithful copy of the old Bianchi Askins, and the price is unbelieveably reasonable. How is the leather quality from Ray's? Truthfully, the old Bianchis weren't made of great leather, but their design worked a little better for me than the Sparks 55BN (for "Bruce Nelson," as noted by Haggis), even though the quality of the Sparks leather is vastly superior to Bianchi's.

Photoman44,
Please e-mail me (see profile)concerning your Shado holsters. I may be interested in both.

Thanks,
Joel

I have three of the Ray's Sable style holsters.

Yes they are very much of the askin style.

I have one for my mod 66 2 1/2" and it holds the
gun nice and close,and the black leather holds
up very well.

I like it so much i purchased one for my 1911 and a sig p239.
Great holster for the money in my opinion.

Thanks, bluesteel! I think I'll just order one and try it out.