I finally did the last "modifications" my carry gun needed to be perfect for ME.

I've seen some discussion recently about related topics, such as the one thread about how much folks spend "customizing" a gun to their needs, or all the leather holster threads. So maybe this will help someone else out, without them learning by trial and error.

My carry gun is a 1972 Python 2.5" barrel. Has a highly tuned action and now all the equipment needed to make it a real "combat" weapon. Well, as much as a revolver can be, according to some.

I am starting this thread here because it has to do with my new holster, but includes other accessories I want to share as well.

My last "mod" was installing a front sight with colored insert. I had originally tried to paint my OEM sight, and used a layer of Testors white, then 2 coats of fluorescent yellow, then a top coat of finger nail polish. This worked well, but would never fully cure. When placed in my previous Bianchi Accumold holster, there was pressure on the sight post which smashed the painted surface.

A month or so before that, I was collaborating with a friend from TN who works on Colts and is doing good things in the community. I got some of his reproduction Python stocks and he gave me a free front sight with insert for the 4" barrel or longer guns. These were repops he made, and were excellent. So after the painting failed, I messaged him and asked if he had any of the .1" sights for the snubbies. He still had original OEM red insert sights for the snubbies and sent me one.

The red color was better than the orange. The original orange ones are very mellow and not bright at all. The red is actually better. Still, I wanted a fluorescent insert, so I removed the red insert and set about creating a brighter orange one. This was after I realized fluorescent yellow wasn't the best. I used EasyCast epoxy and let some Testors fluorescent orange paint dry, then pulverized it into powder. This worked pretty good and got the insert brighter than it ever could be using the paint as liquid dye. I know this because I tried to tint the epoxy with the paint still liquid, gave the same mellow orange color of factory inserts.

To go with the colored front, I installed a 2 dot rear accro sight blade. It was from a sight set I acquired from DFW years ago. It was a 2 dot white rear accro blade with a front white dot patridge post. I would have used both on my snubby, as I like the patridge better, but it's the .125" size for 4" or longer barrels. I didn't want to modify the front one to fit, so I just used the rear blade.

The pic below shows a factory orange insert .125" sight on the right & my created orange insert .100" sight on the left. Not perfect, but not to shabby either. Don't mind all the RenWax on the gun, it was before I buffed it off.

I installed that yesterday finally, this after receiving my new holster. I've been wanting a good leather holster for some time now, but never wanted to pay the required cost. I just don't like $100+ price tag for something that doesn't totally meet my needs, which most companies' designs don't.

My previous holster was a cheap Bianchi Accumold I got on ebay for $20, new. It almost served my purpose, gave pretty good frame coverage, medium high ride, and was concealable albeit the "body retention" of it was lacking due to design. Also the retention snap design prevented a belt from being threaded, so I had to modify that. For the price, not bad though and I lived with it for a couple years.

With Christmas coming, and family wanting to know what I want, I immediately considered a new holster. My previous thoughts were a Galco Combat Master, Desantis thumbreak speed scabbard, Lobo pancake, or Simply Rugged pancake. As those are the designs that meet my needs.

Originally I had the Galco and Desantis picked out, because they were the only ones made in a normal production capacity and had pictures of what they looked like. Although the prices were always $70-$95. So that's when I started looking at more custom makers.

Does anybody know how hard it is to find a suitable conceal holster for a Python? It's not easy.

Most custom makers don't even offer the option for a Python, and that's even if they have a style that meets my needs. The only two places that made a style suiting me, for anything close to a reasonable price, was Lobo and Simply Rugged.

Lobo didn't seem to give as much coverage as a Galco or Desanits. Simply Rugged gave excellent frame coverage/protection. However, both would have been about $100+ after I did some needed add-ons. I didn't really consider the Simply Rugged offering to be worth that amount, as they were just too basic and not even molded. Plus, if I didn't like a custom made holster, then what do I do with it?

Continuing my online search, I came across the Desantis thumbreak speed scabbard on Amazon for $43 free prime shipping now. They offered some kind of discount up to $10, so I put the holster in my cart. Proceeded to check out and the discount was $6, not sure for what though. Checked my Amazon card cash rewards and I had $20. That brought the price down to $19 with free 2 day shipping. I bought it immediately, as there were only 5 left in stock.

Once I got the holster, it was everything I dreamed it would be, and it did exactly what I wanted it to. The build is quality and the molding is excellent for the gun. Even has a sight channel to prevent snag, which would have helped with my sight painting project. Gives the perfect ride and nice tight body hold. The only time it prints is if you bend over, then the gun continues pointing straight up while you upper body is horizontal towards the ground. Other than that, completely concealable and would never know it's there. Easy to reach, break the snap, and draw. Although still a little tight in the drawing department as of now due to not being broken in yet.

Curious about the leather they use and where they source it, I sent Desantis an email. They responded stating they use quality top grain leather sourced from the US and construct the holsters in the US. I now feel even better with my purchase.

Price doesn't always equal quality. I'd be hard pressed to turn this Desantis holster down, even for the actual $43 cost, compared to any other custom maker at $150.

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I've wanted to share these for awhile, but haven't.

Considering the price of grips/stocks currently, these particular Nills were actually pretty affordable, only $175 from a US distributor.

Yet again, I had to go with these stocks because EVERYONE else doesn't make for the Python, doesn't make what I need, or has lack luster fit. The main stocks available are factory repops which aren't good for duty use. I tried long and hard to find a suitable "combat" type grip for my Python with no success and many returned purchases.

So when I found these, I was excited. Even gave the round butt nature a snubby should have. So I coughed up the money for them.

Once received, they were amazing quality. Reading the instructions was comical and I didn't quite believe it at first with their "removal" procedure. Let's just say they were correct, you need a putty knife and rubber mallet to separate them.

Won't go too in-depth, but everything about these grips are quality. They are the most exact fitting stocks I have ever come across and am amazed they got this fit on a mass produced production gun. The wood is walnut, supposed to be regular walnut, but looking at their website and seeing the different grades they offer, I would say this walnut is closer to "select" grade.

If you are a shooter and want grips "designed" to enhance shooting, then I can't recommend Nills enough. Just look at the pictures. They are even made from a solid block and book matched.

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Not a bad looking gun, for a Colt!

Judging by the very last picture in your initial post, an absolutely stellar combination of person, pistol, grips, holster, belt. "A place for everything, and everything in its place". Well done :-).

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

For a Colt!!! LOL.

Hey, I honestly WISH I wasn't so anal about action design, as I would much rather acquire S&Ws and the price tag they bring, versus Colts. I just love that V spring action though. This Python has an amazing 7# DA pull. Purely tuned for combat.

I really appreciate the sentiment there Red. I am very OCD with stuff, but my cheapness usually gets the best of me. That's why it has taken me this long to gather all the best accessories for my intended purpose. This holster was long time coming and I've been wearing it everywhere the last few days to break it in some.

The Remington whistle you see is actually attached to a lanyard around my neck, that also has the transmitter for my dog's e-collars. So that isn't a belt attachment of any sorts.

My gun belt in that picture is a Bullhide gun belt. It is just a basic single piece of thick leather approaching 1/4" thick. Pretty much the exact same thing as the $30 gun belt in that resurrected thread.

I didn't comment in that thread, as somebody else said what I was going to, but I will comment here.

I got that belt for $40, as it was a clearance item from Bullhide. They accept returns and then mark them down. So instead of paying retail, I just found a suitable one in clearance.

It's a great belt, but no matter how great it is, it's a single piece of leather that WILL relax and sag over time no matter what. Mine has already sagged a tiny bit over the couple years I have had it.

Depending on how hard it is used, I would expect about 5yrs or more out of it. When this one dies or doesn't function properly anymore, I plan to get one that has the steel/polymer insert between 2 separate layers of leather. Those ones should never wear out or sag at all.

Beautiful carry piece!

Am I the only one who doesn't see any pictures?

You know, I've tried many holsters & nothing fits better than DeSantis thumb break OWB holsters... I have one just like that but for my 4" model 10-8 police trade that I carry on occasion. Also for my kahr k9 & S&W 642

You might have been looking whenever I was doing some editing of the first post and somehow deleted everything below the sight insert pictures.

It has since been redone.

I'm super impressed with the fit of this Desantis. Almost like it was molded to an actual Python.

I've looked at a lot of different holster maker's wares, and they all differ from each other. Trying to find one that has every little detail just how you want it is hard, and none of them want to "mod" anything.

For the price and money, it's hard to not consider options like this Desantis versus something more custom but $100 higher.

We'll see how long it stands the test of time and use.

You know, this may just be the textbook definition of irony: you describe yourself as cheap in a thread about your EDC of a Python.

Rather than cheap, perhaps you're ............... frugal?

Wow what a beauty. Where did you get the Nills from? I got a Korth Mongoose and hate the Hogue’s that are on it. Want to get a set of Nills that should have been on it in the first place. Thanks.

Colt ?, a revolver ?, a leather pancake holster with thumb break ? Trying to turn back defensive combat handgunnery 30 years ? Have you not heard that only a high capacity, plastic semi auto in a plastic holster, carried IWB is the only way to go ? LOL. Thanks for showing me that I'm not the last dinosaur.

iPac, good thread. Thanks for taking the time to post it.

Man, that's a pretty carry piece!

Very nice setup, just one thing missing... a carrier for a reload of ammo.

Awesome carry gun and rig! Thanks for sharing the pics!

Haha, that is ironic isn't it? Well, I guess it's "sort of" ironic, depending on who you talk to.

For instance, I don't think current Python prices reflect the actual "value" and "quality" they are. In my reality outlook, Pythons are worth no more than a slight premium over a comparable, same age S&W model. A bunch of internet manipulation and conjecture ruined that in just 3yrs.

However, I did pay a pretty penny to get this gun, and it was bought LNIB with all papers including original receipt, for the specific purpose of being my EDC.

So I didn't cheap out on the gun, but don't feel it's worth what I paid. Had to do what I had to do if I wanted to own one, after all, everyone else seems content with the ridiculous prices. If there was another V spring action option for a snubnosed 357mag, I would have much rather got that if it meant saving money, but there are no other options, unless I go to 4" barrel.

Either way, I am frugal, and the high price paid for the gun is then made up for it by being "cheap" elsewhere.

Nills are produced and sold in Germany, and you can order directly from them. However, there are 2 US distributors that I know of here in the states that carry a limited stock. If they don't have a certain model, they can order it.

It's better to use the US distributors because they actually sell their Nills about 15% under factory cost. I got mine from Dominion Hobby, but there is another outfit called MacTec that also sells Nills.

There's not a lot of Colt options, but more S&W options. I'm sure they make for the new Korths too. I agree, Korths should come with Nills from the factory, period.

I am aware of that. In fact, there was just a thread recently where someone was suggesting a Glock 45acp was the better option versus a 1911 because you could carry 43 rounds of ammo for the same weight as 14? in a 1911.

Needless to say, either of those options weigh less than my rig with a speedloader, at almost 3#.

I suppose my choice is worthless then?

According to the days of old, there were many combat pros efficient with a revolver. In fact, I have a few books from those guys and that's where I draw my "combat" training techniques from. Such as Sykes, Fairbairns, Applegate, etc.

I can probably shoot that old steel better than most can handle a plastic, or any semi.

Don't think you're a dinosaur, but if it makes you feel better I'm nowhere near being considered a dinosaur, and I carry a revolver. In fact, I'm hoping my age allows me to see the return of very affordable revolver prices as demographics change in the long term.

I don't have a carrier for speedloaders, but just throw one in my left pocket. I have another speedloader, but don't feel I need more than 12rds. If i did, I wouldn't mind having a nice leather dual speedloader carrier for the belt.

After all, I'm not LEO or go looking to apprehend suspects. Maybe I should join the new plastic wave and start carrying 43rds with me?

Nice setup. How do you carry spare ammo?

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Metro Man

Nice; I'm an advocate of everyone carrying what works for them...my Dad was a Colt fan with a 6" New Service in .357 and a 2" first model Detective Special......

In my case, on the revolver side, it is a 3" 66 with action job and Craig Spegel Boot grips in a Milt Sparks Summer Special....................

Never could find grips that worked for me with the Colts I tried in the 80s .... a couple of Detective Specials and a 4" Colt Diamondback........not as many options back then.

I do have one set of Nills grips on a Sig 220..... they are great.


For speedloaders I like the "Split six" by Bianchi/Safariland.

You may have saved some $ on the holster, NOT on the gun which is beautiful BTW. I hope you get it back & in decent condition in the event you ever use it for S/D. Aside from having to use goodyears, I like the ability to see the ser # without some ham handed person needing to remove the grips to see them.

iPac, I carry one reload in a Galco strip/2x2x2 carrier. I don't want to be waiting for the Cops with an empty gun.

I usually just carry a single 6rd speedloader. Actually have two but only carry the one.

My area isn't too bad when it comes to violence/risk, so I don't fear needing a ton of ammo, high round counts, or ever really needing to rely on my carry piece. So carrying what I love and enjoy doesn't bother me. Plus, if it saves my or my family's life, it was worth every penny.

However, if I was to go somewhere more dangerous I have a PX4 Storm compact to carry. Easily replaceable.

Dinosaur, you say? Next Friday, my official retirement date, I shall turning my issued S&W Model 686-6 and start open carrying this S&W Model 65-1 in the pictured Bianchi #5BHL 38/357 S&W. Spare ammo will be carried in Bianchi Speed Strips in tan basketweave dump pouches. Dinosaur in deed!


Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

Really a nice job on that Python iPac.
I like your holster choice too.
I have had and do have several DeSantis, but I prefer the
Speed Scabbard. Like yours but no strap. Don't need one
for concealed carry.

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In Omnia Paratus

Great job on setting up you EDC revolver to meet “your” needs. Most people don’t even know what their needs are and determine them by trial and error. OK, I’ll admit I have been guilty of this as well. That’s why Forums like this are so good.

I really like those grips. From they back they look to have the “Coke Bottle” shape. Do they feel as comfortable as they look great?

Any body know of other grips shaped like these.

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I invest in Lead and Copper!

oh yeah, close up of that V-spring brings back memories...now to the range and practice the dreaded stacking double action trigger.

I have a smooth holster that look like yours,I like the look of this one better.

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Life is short,live it fully.