Covert Carry: From England

Scorpion520AZ · #1 08-12-2017, 04:24 PM

I was putting on my all-time favorite IWB rig this morning when a few young bucks began asking the "old man"(me) about it. You know that old saying, "Time flies...", well, I realized I'd been using this rig for 25+ years.

In light of that, I thought I'd share its success, and also give credit to the master holster maker who built this rig. That'd be Andy Arratoonian of HorseShoe Leather Products, England. Andy has forgotten more about true "covert carry", than most of today's YouTube generation will ever know.

All I can say is this rig carries a full-size pistol like it isn't there. You can position the pistol literally anywhere you want it. It's also not belt dependent. All I've ever done is wipe it down inside and out with a silicone cloth once in awhile.

I don't know how much longer Andy intends to build holsters, but if his products interest you, get'em while you can. He's one of the few old school masters left out there.

Age and illness may have slowed Andy down, but in his words he intends to "go down swinging".

Anyway, Andy, Thank-you buddy. Great work. You are the Master.

Holsters for Handguns, Firearms and Concealment at holsters.org

crazyphil · #2 08-12-2017, 04:34 PM

You are right. Andy deserves a lot of credit for the holsters he has made
over the years. Last time I dealt with him he only made holsters for
pistols. No revolvers. Here is an IWB he made for me and my SIG P220.

Scorpion520AZ · #3 08-13-2017, 11:29 AM

Here's another one of Andy's holsters he built for me 25+years ago. This one is OWB, HorseHide. Don't let the thin profile fool you. This holster is rigid and devours full size pistols for breakfast.

The sight channel is generous and solid. The most significant testament to this holster is it's retention. It clamps firmly down on the pistol today just as snug as it did 25 years ago. Running, bending, lifting, working, the pistol remains locked in the holster. No buttons, No levers, No Clicks, No unnatural draw motion, just a holster built by a master craftsman.

The holster is contoured perfectly to be worn at 3 o'clock, but also carries well at 4 o'clock. Take special note of how all those years ago Andy built his full-size sweat guard for comfort while still providing a full combat grip. When you need your pistol, this holster is FAST.

This holster has seen a lot of rough use, exposed to all kinds of inclement weather. The only maintenance I've ever done was wiping it down inside and out with a drop of Hoppes #9 on a clean cloth.

Andy's work is truly as good as it gets.
Holsters for Handguns, Firearms and Concealment at holsters.org

rednichols · #4 08-13-2017, 11:51 PM

To be fair, most of the credit for how well that holster works belongs to Roy Baker. Even the sight channel is a byproduct of a simple "pancake's" construction. The rest of us simply jumped onto a good idea whose time had come (shame for Roy that he didn't have a good patent). Andy initially designed around it in the same way that Hume and Safariland did: the slot was only on the backside panel, and not stitched around.

The craftsmanship you like is all Andy's, though :-).

Scorpion520AZ · #5 08-14-2017, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rednichols

To be fair, most of the credit for how well that holster works belongs to Roy Baker. Even the sight channel is a byproduct of a simple "pancake's" construction. The rest of us simply jumped onto a good idea whose time had come (shame for Roy that he didn't have a good patent). Andy initially designed around it in the same way that Hume and Safariland did: the slot was only on the backside panel, and not stitched around.

The craftsmanship you like is all Andy's, though :-).

Wow, Red Nichols himself responding to my post.

Hello Red, I'm WELL aware of who you are, your history, your designs (back when Bianchi was the best in the world), and your solo work. Your knowledge and opinion on fine holsters is without peer. Your input is most appreciated.