Howdy folks,

Figured I would show you all my new EPS rig, haven't seen much at all as far as recent reviews so I'll take a shot at it.

As a background, I was given my Grandfathers S&W K-38 Combat Masterpiece right about the time I graduated from college. It's one of those shooters you always wanted to get handed down to you, right before he passed away I even have a picture of the two of us and he has this in his hands. So although it is quite worn, it still is special to me.

The man also happened to be very into westerns, a trait I picked up as a kid watching all the John Wayne movies with him at the farmhouse in the past. So I felt it was about time I did a little tribute and ordered the #44 Outfit from EPS. Is it the exact holster setup the Duke had on all of those old westerns?? Well, no. But its about as close and you are going to come these days and I'm sure there are other makers that have the same pattern. It was close enough in my book anyways Also edit to add, wierd but their website states this was the rig used in JW's last movie the Shootist. That would be incorrect and someone could chime in on who that maker was. This rig however would be closer to the normal one you saw in the rest of his westerns, which is really the reason I wanted it.



This is the one I went with:

http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-14-50-4...-and-belt.aspx

To get the details and time frame down, I went with the 46" standard roughout belt and holster without any of the fancy stuff. Cost me $219.50 out the door and shipped. Ordered on 3/22/2014, this arrived 5/30/14, meaning the plain jane setup took 69 days or 2 months and 8 days from start to finish. THIS is important to note because prior to this, on 3/07/2014 I also ordered a new original holster and money belt setup with STAMPING for a new Colt SAA and this has not shown up yet. Just saying it as a note, you order any fancy stuff it will take longer. That reminds me I need to call and ask for an ETA on that!

Overall fit and finish is great, the holster fits the K-38 tight as it should for a new piece of leather. Took it out to the range over the weekend and the rig felt as normal as putting on a pair of jeans, which is good. I believe the term is 'set it and forget it', or as that old commercial goes

The belt definitely is lighter weight cuts of leather, which makes it more flexible. This is only in comparison to my older rig, which if you are in the market for a low cost rig that is still atleast built on the North American continent, its hard to beat the price on this Buscadero rig: http://leathertownusa.com/gun-holste...Single-Holster . The mexican rig isnt bad for what it is honestly, but man it takes some breaking in!

Anyways, overall glad I bought it. If you can wait a year plus to pick up that new colt, you can definitely wait for a rig from EPS.

Thanks for reading!

Stinkyrat

what a beautiful rig and a wonderful tribute to your grandfather. thanks for sharing. lee

EPS is just about my favorite! Well done!!! Almost all of my cowboy action leather comes from EPS as well as most of my modern concealment leather. They are excellent! Good for you!

***GRJ***

Very nice rig. That Combat Masterpiece looks great in it.

Very nice!

I'm a recent El Paso 'convert.' I've had almost every brand imaginable but this El Paso puts them all to shame:



Here's my EPS Crosshair holding my Colt Series 70 Reissue. Great carry holster. Great carry gun.

Stinky, that's really nice. Every time you strap it on you will have good memories. You do realize you will be making new memories also.

That's one of my favorite EPS rigs. Excellent choice! This is also one of my favorites with a little bunkhouse decoration added (really). Got it from a rancher in Idaho a few years back.



He had this newer model Heiser for sale at the same time,but wanted waaaaay too much for it.



f.t.

__________________
South Carolina-God's country

That's an interesting belt with just the top stitched. I take it that they fold the leather with the smooth side inside and then stitch the top. Never seen one done that way.
Very nice belt and holster.

Bama, its their rough-out money belt. Basically as you described so you can throw your coins or money in the open end of it. Threw an 1896 Morgan inside for kicks and it worked just fine. The other belt I purchased is the 3" size, should be easier to stuff things into that over the standard size.

Stinkyrat

FWIW: In "The Shootist" John Wayne's SA rode in a Hunter holster. As you will recall he had two engraved, ivory handled revolvers. The "spare" was tucked into his waistband.

Stinky,

That's a nice rig. Good to know on the wait times.

EPS is as good as it gets in my opinion.



Travis

That's a really nice set up you have. I'm with you on the fancy floral designs etc. It looks nice, but I don't need it. I really like how EPS folds over the lining to the outside for a very nice color contrast. Here's an EPS "Threepersons" design for my 4516 and my 5906 (5906 shown in pic).

Loeman that looks great! I do have another setup coming for the colt and it will have border stamping, but thats about it. For the cost of the carvings, I would be super pissed the first time I scratched the work on it Speaking of which, received notice that rig will be here on Wednesday, I'll have to post up about it when it arrives.

Till then, I found this set of pictures in a book I have titled "The Peacemakers"... stampings Black Jack Ketchum's rig appear to be familiar..







Hasn't changed much throughout the years.. kinda awesome when you can buy the same leather from the same company that was around in the late 1800's.. Not trying to be a cheerleader for EPS by any means But that is kinda cool!

Stinkyrat

Did I mention I'm not a cheerleader for EPS??

This guy just showed up in the mail today for the Airweight... So far so good!



Stinkyrat

Nice to see some El Paso Saddlery work here....

I ordered an IWB holster from them, a couple months ago, for my Ruger Birdshead 45ACP, and can't wait to carry that beast inside the waistband!

Not many companies will make you an IWB for a single action revolver!