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  #1  
Old 07-03-2010, 06:47 AM
oldman45 oldman45 is offline
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Default Bought another holster

I have a closet full of holsters, neatly arranged in shoe holder bags attached to the walls. Yet I also want more to are better fitting, better looking or more comfortable. Some of my holsters were upper priced and now hang unused or seldom used.

Two weeks ago, I was at a bi weekly eating meeting I attend with people in other agencies. It was noticed that three of us had the same type holster, from the same small custom maker that is located about 50 miles from here. One of the guys had bought from him recently and I wondered if the guy would make one the way I wanted for a new gun I was carrying so I called the place for the first time (my other holster from there was gotten in a bulk order placed by purchasing).

This guy answered the phone and we must have talked for a half hour about the job, guns and leather. I explained what I wanted, a pancake holster with smooth finish, lined, a retention strap that would snap easily when new and hold the gun secure while allowing for easy access and having both a forward tilt and vertical position slots. And it must fit a 5" S&W 1911.

I received it Wednesday by mail. The first time I placed it on the belt, it felt like I had been wearing it forever. It fit snug without being uncomfortable. As I placed the gun inside, it fit great and there was no movement once secured but was easily drawn without drag. I sat in my car and it does not rub into the back of the seat as did all my other side holsters. I love it.

The best of all was the price. Just $45, made to my specs and shipped to my home in eight days after ordering.

Now for the worst part, I like this one so much I am going to order others for different guns as well as getting this one in tan.

I feel another the purchase of new shoe holder bag is in my future.
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  #2  
Old 07-03-2010, 08:41 AM
Maddog 521 Maddog 521 is offline
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You are going to tell us. Aren't you?
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  #3  
Old 07-03-2010, 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Maddog 521 View Post
You are going to tell us. Aren't you?
And show us too.
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Old 07-03-2010, 11:08 AM
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Yeah let us know who this is. I'm looking for a nice holster for my P6 and 5903 now that won't break the bank.
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Old 07-03-2010, 12:47 PM
Jellybean Jellybean is offline
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Your story sort of reminds me of me. Except all my holsters are in plastic tubs now. I had found a custom holster maker that lived about 20 mins. away, we would talk for hours every time I went there, even if I wasn't looking for a holster. But he made me just what I wanted and every one was perfect. He made me a nice duty style holster for my .41 mag. Desert Eagle and only charged me $54 for it, and I think the double mag pouch was $20. I mentioned the prices were pretty cheap and he said he just wanted the chance to do it to see if he can. They worked great. Another time I needed a mag pouch for a training class I was going to and time was sort of short. He hurriedly made one, but the leather had cracked on the flaps and he felt bad about it and wanted to make me another one. I told him there wasn't enough time and you really couldn't see the cracks unless you looked real close, so he gave it to me for no charge. Unfortunately he retired before I wanted the ultimate holster made and so I never got it.

Anyway, what this is all about is, one thing that can turn a good gun into a great gun is a good holster that is made just for you. If you can find a good custom leathersmith don't let him go.
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Old 07-03-2010, 01:17 PM
gregintenn gregintenn is offline
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I make holsters, and I can tell you that the ultimate compliment is when someone orders the second and third one!!!
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Old 07-03-2010, 01:19 PM
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Quote:
If you can find a good custom leathersmith don't let him go.
And find out IF he WANTS all the biz that an Internet Endorsement can (and probably will) bring him.
Many a craftsman has gone out of business due to being overwhelmed by orders!
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Old 07-03-2010, 05:18 PM
oldman45 oldman45 is offline
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Here are four photos. One from each direction and side to show how thin it is.

I love it and will have the man make a few more for me this coming week.
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File Type: jpg DSC_2475.JPG (110.7 KB, 63 views)
File Type: jpg DSC_2476.JPG (103.8 KB, 62 views)
File Type: jpg DSC_2477.JPG (101.3 KB, 61 views)
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  #9  
Old 07-03-2010, 10:03 PM
Jellybean Jellybean is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeadAye View Post
And find out IF he WANTS all the biz that an Internet Endorsement can (and probably will) bring him.
Many a craftsman has gone out of business due to being overwhelmed by orders!
I never thought about that, but then I never knew internet forums, of any kind, even existed until after I retired. Before that I was usually too busy, or tired, to look.

I'd thought about asking him a few times if he would take me on as an apprentice, but I was usually too busy for that too.
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Old 07-03-2010, 10:51 PM
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bronco45 bronco45 is offline
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Looks like an original "Roy Baker" Pancake model. I have a few of those for revolvers and they are a good piece of leather. Hard to ge them reholstered with one hand though.
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  #11  
Old 07-04-2010, 06:53 AM
oldman45 oldman45 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bronco45 View Post
Looks like an original "Roy Baker" Pancake model. I have a few of those for revolvers and they are a good piece of leather. Hard to ge them reholstered with one hand though.
There were two concerns I had from previous experience. One was the strap snap. Never before had I bought a holster that the strap would fasten firmly until the holster had been stretched enough. The second was being able to holster the gun single handedly due to my having a bad shoulder and a severed rotator cuff.

This holster keeps the gun firmly in place while allowing the strap to fasten using only my right hand and it did so from the first time I put it on.

I can holster the gun using only one hand but I open it with a finger as I begin placing the barrel in the holster and then it drops right in. Due to my fat gut, I have to wear belts pretty tight and any holster is covered by a love handle so I use a finger to open the holster to get the gun started but the use of another hand with this holster has not been required.
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Old 07-04-2010, 01:23 PM
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Next time you speak with him, ask if he wants a S&W Forum endorsement, and any orders that may come his way from it. I think there are several on here who would like his name and contact info, myself included
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  #13  
Old 07-04-2010, 03:28 PM
oldman45 oldman45 is offline
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Originally Posted by H Richard View Post
Next time you speak with him, ask if he wants a S&W Forum endorsement, and any orders that may come his way from it. I think there are several on here who would like his name and contact info, myself included
I sent you a pm on this.
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