Anyone have a link/referral to any place still making the original dirty harry holster for 6.5".. 44 Mag N-frame? Thanks

There is an outfit still making and marketing the original Dirty Harry Shoulder Holster. Be aware, however, that a character named Jerry Ardolino is still behind the company and he has taken many people to the cleaners who ordered and paid for a holster and never got one or their money back.

The company is now called ruffianointernational and an internet search of that name will take you to the website.

Be aware that if you buy a holster, you are required to pay up front and the delivery time is weeks or months, but most likely never. A search of this forum's archives may provide a lot of information.

The company was previously called Lawman Leather but they have moved from state to state so I am not sure where they are now. Last I heard they were somewhere in Texas, but even their website never showed an actual address.

Let us know what happens if you take a chance and place an order. It would be interesting to hear a recent experience with the company. I was one of the few that got one of the Dirty Harry holsters after months of waiting and haranguing with Ardolino on the telephone. He is a real piece of work. Good luck!

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FBINA, 204th Session

Bianchi X15 vertical shoulder holster.

The Bianchi X15 is one of the better shoulder holsters available. I'd recommend that one over taking a chance with anything Ardolino is associated with.

While the X15 is a fine holster, its design is not at all similar to the Dirty Harry model. That said, if you buy a Bianchi from a reputable dealer you will likely receive what you order in a very timely manner. Not so with the ruffiano outfit.

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FBINA, 204th Session

Thnx, it looks pretty close and available on Amazon of all places, definitely would rather give Bezos my dough then this other guy as described by previous posts

There was quite a discussion about the original holster marketed back when the movies were popular. The spring wire that held the holster around the revolver was just a heavy gauge wire, no temper and would deform readily. Not a good product.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

I placed an order with ruffianointernational and prepaid. The holster was shipped and arrived in excellent condition. It is exactly what I was looking for. Ordered October 2021, received January 2022.

Be aware according to a renowned holster maker there is no spring in that holster, only a peice of wire. No retention provided.

Yes, absolutely true. Not a spring but a length of untempered spring wire. Carry a big ol' .44 Mag in one of the current production at your peril. I took one apart after my own 'revolver' (a lighter aluminium casting used for holster making) fell out of it during a 'snap test' that is the standard for spring shoulder holsters.

The company whinged a lot about my review but did not every deny or refute that the wire was being bent inside the holster, and therefor (also proven by testing) not a tempered spring. The preformed wire forms were very difficult to insert since its earliest production by E.E. Clark in the late 1930s.

The models shown in the Dirty Harry films were by a different company, called Bucheimer-Clark. The replicas are a different designe that ultimately was catalogued by B-C in the late 1970s but had real springs in them.

So if you like the look, buy vintage with the Bucheimer-Clark / Valencia markings ONLY. These have genuine spring action inside them and the ones I have tested from that era, recently, have retained their spring action. Called the No. 15 since the 1930s at Clark Holster.

1 marks (4).jpg

The original for the film, early 1970s:

15-26 (1).jpg

The late '70s version:

15E (1).jpg

Notice the obvious difference from the outside is the second layer of leather showing there; on the originals it is inside the holster instead, with an adjustment screw on the outside.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

rednichols:

Have you noticed that ruffianointernational.com has the name "Red Nichols Holsters" listed at the bottom left of the home page on their website? The link goes nowhere, by the way.

Just FYI.

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FBINA, 204th Session

I ordered the Dirty Harry from Ardolino many years ago when he was being accused and crucified on this forum. I had a phone conversation with him so my holster could be made to fit my chest size. He was very helpful, and the holster arrived almost to the day he promised. And, unlike what Red Nichols recently posted in his blog, mine has a proper spring which keeps the holster closed and which provides retention. I stress that I am not saying this to disagree with anyone who has had a bad experience with Mr. Ardolino. I am merely describing my good experience with him. Thank you.

Ah. That was while the son was assailing my knowledge and character, because of my blog post that was Unsafe at Any Speed. Eventually I thought my tale had run its course and removed it regardless (when my blog post came up second only to their own site!) and that company then removed its own whinge. But my name is still there on that site :-).

I did retain a copy of my blog post, and their whinge. Theirs was edifying, apparently I "don't know nothin' about makin' no holsters" to misquote Gone with the Wind.

There is an allusion in one of the pieces of press about Lawman Leather that they were having a lot of trouble inserting the spring at one time. This suggests to me that there are Dirty Harry holsters out there with real springs in them (!) but the current ones do not; mine was acquired from the family a couple years ago and they provided lots of opprobrium but no evidence they'd fixed the situation; which was laying a curved piece of spring wire between the layers of leather, then folding the assembly and calling it 'good enough' without the wire being tempered.

Piano wire, once formed, m/b heated again to a certain temp for a certain time for it to STAY that way and peform as a spring. Of course that is quite impossible when it's already laminated inside the leather layers, the temp is super high and not only beyond most household ovens but beyond the leather itself.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Don't sugar coat it, give it to us straight

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

A.E. Nelson Leather makes some nice old style shoulder holsters. One is very much like the Lawrence No. 7.

I see this is a bit of an old thread, but I wanted to say, I have one of the "Original Dirty Harry" holsters marked "296" from Lawman Leather, Inc that I have had since about 1982. I have had no problems with the spring or retention of my 6" S&W Model 29. Still works like it should. It just needs a little TLC with some good leather dressing every now and then!

Found this Wild Guns Leather Review: Dirty harry shoulder holster - ComplaintsBoard.com

Also, there's Ruffiano Holsters and there's Wildguns Leather which seem to be run by the same principals.

Shame. I always wanted a "Dirty Harry" holster but I'm paying $300 for one.

That's my go to brand for N frame shoulder holsters.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

I never understood the design of leaving the cylinder exposed were it could get scratched.Does anyone know why this was done ,what am I overlooking.

I ordered a Magnum Citizen holster from ruffiano international and received it in a timely fashion a couple of years ago. Granted, it wasn't a "Dirty Harry" shoulder holster for a Model 29, but it was a Magnum Citizen for my semi auto CZ and Tanfoglio pistols. One holster fits a wide variety of my CZ and Tanfo guns. In my opinion the holster is VERY good quality and I have no complaints whatsoever. I also own one of ruffiano's s.t.u. holsters. Love it too. Both holsters are built on the same basic retention system as the Dirty Harry holster. They are comfortable and durable. As long as one is not doing handstands or landing on their head after jumping off of a cliff head first, they won't have to worry about their gun falling out either. Yeah, I read some of the other postings below. If people are having trouble with getting their holsters, it might be due to covid and material supply issues. Every other industry I'm depending on is messed up from both of them.

It certainly isn't the Dirty Harry, but if the Safariland 101 shoulder holster is still in production, grab one. Mine is old and has surgical elastic for retention instead of a spring, but it retained the contents during some unintentional acrobatics way back when.

I just wanted to post some pictures of some of my pistols in a Magnum Citizen holster that was made for a Glock 17. It's my favorite carry holster when I'm wearing a semi light jacket. But it fits a wide array of semi-automatic pistols.

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I have two of the right handed Ruffiano Dirty Harry holsters. The spring holds the pistol secure. The craftsmanship is high quality. I have recently ordered a left handed one. My opinion is James is a good guy and I would gladly purchase from him.

Thanks
Doc

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Quoted from the online Urban Dictionary:

A schill is "a plant or stooge put in place to boost the credibility of some other person/organization without disclosing that they are from or have a close relationship with that person/organization."

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FBINA, 204th Session

@rbmac52 If you are referring to me I have no associations other than being a satisfied customer. I was told about this thread and figured I would chime in. Each person can have their own opinion. I had wanted an Original style Dirty Harry holster with the stamps for years and found Ruffiano. I have provided my honest opinion and a few pictures of my actual holsters.

Thanks,
Doc

I gave your post a 'like' :-). You're certainly entitled to an opinion as an owner/user.

Be aware that there are lay opinions adn expert opinions, though. Nothing wrong with the workmanship in the leather of Lawman products but there is something wrong with at least the current versions in which the spring is just a bent wire and is not tempered.

This is an incredible safety hazard for weapon security as compared with the tempered springs in EVERY OTHER spring shoulder holster made/used/sold since 1930.

The company also uses what's called a corrected grain (sanded and painted at the tannery) vs the full grain with aniline finish used by the company's predecessors such as Bianchi, Bucheimer-Clark and many more shoulder holster makers of good reputation.

IMHO of course.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Thank you @RedNichols for the information. As I use the holsters more I will continue to provide honest feedback whether positive or negative on the functionality, strength and durability.

Doc

I’ve seen Shills in Vegas.
They were usually attractive and wearing low cut dresses.
Not that I paid any attention to that kind of stuff,
But after all I am a trained observer.
None of them ever attempted to sell me a holster.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I came across this thread last night and decided that I have to speak out in Defense of James Ruffiano and the 6.5" "Dirty Harry" Holster that he manufactures. First, a little background... I did over 20 years on the street in the NYPD, been carrying S&W wheel-guns and semi auto's the whole time. A few years back I came into the possession of a pre Hillary-hole 629 Classic that I couldn't resist, and felt a strong desire to lug it around from time to time. Like most cops from my era, the proper way to do this is to pay homage to inspector Callahan and wear it in a shoulder rig under a sport coat. I consulted DR. Google and found Mr Ruffiano's website. After a few emails and conversations with James, decided to order the Original "Dirty Harry holster". James was a pleasure to deal with and delivered the holster earlier than I expected and the product was perfect. I really did not think I would carry my 629 that often but the holster is so comfortable and conceals so well, that I have carried it quite a bit. I have never had any issues with the spring failing or the firearm coming loose. In fact, the holster performs so well, I am considering ordering the "Magnum Citizen" holster for my Glock 19 and making that my EDC this fall/winter since I do a ton of driving and this holster is so comfortable when worn while driving. IMHO, James is a great guy who is extremely responsive, I had spoken with him on several occasions before making my purchase and never had any difficulty reaching him. I have seen some negative posts about this product, but my street sense always says - believe only half of what you see and none of what you hear. I spoke with the man on the phone, ordered the holster and I am very happy with the product. He stands behind it, and I will do business with him again.

Its good to hear satisfied customers sharing their positive experiences with the holster company. Perhaps things are better now.

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FBINA, 204th Session

Just joined, to make this one post? Better look again, plenty of evidence that the holster does not contain a true spring; only a wire that holds the leather shut. I took mine apart to learn why and see from the family's writings that they found it too difficult to insert the tempered spring for safe retention, so chose to lay the wire inside before assembly and THEN bend it. Ruffiano and Co. have been given plenty of opportunities to deny this finding, or better yet to correct the defect in the holster, and have done neither. To date.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

rednichols, I recall seeing a version of this holster manufactured by CATHEY ENTERPRISES for the US Military. In black leather for 4" K-frame. I never came across one in hand to inspect it though. Was this a quality product with spring? Worth looking for?
It had a NSN# 1095-00-120-8972. I found in another forum that it was designed originally by Bucheimer?

So my experience with this purchase: "bad" and returned it, it is apparently made in Canada and says by Bianchi leather...I am thinking it uses Bianchi leather maybe but is not a real Bianchi & is a knockoff, I have had Bianchi before and they were pretty top end. Seems good quality however leather wise, including a soft leather lining but came with all the leather scrunched up in a bag that will never get really straight again and the strap is elastic cross chest, just cheap materials with no belt loop. I think the all leather ones are likely better. Probably the most uncomfortable thing I have ever tried wearing. The biggest issue was the spring, so tight you could barely get it in and if you did it is clear it will damage the finish on the gun. So in the end Bezos is a rip off! avoid this one on Amazon. I think I will wait for a original for sale somewhere. Lots of positives about Ruffiano but lots of negatives too. Guess that's the issue with online sales, you just never know. It was $180 CA.

@Red, FYI, I have been a member of this forum since 2018.

I did see that. ONE POST in all that time, and made in support of the Ardolino family. I'm not suspicious by nature, quite the opposite. But in the case of Ardolino writings I look askance at every player.

For another post in this thread: the original Clark shoulder holster dates back to the late 1930s and carries a patent pending then issued, from 1929:

1938 stamp w screw.jpg

Yes there was a Cathey version, because Cathey among others was building to the USAF milspec. If one cared to do it one could find the milspec and see what it says about the spring. This is the original Clark style with the tension screw and the leather spring cover on the INSIDE of the holster pocket while the post 1976 version as made with the Lawman name has the leather cover on the OUTSIDE where any additional grip it provided is lost, and the tensions screw omitted (ditto).

15 usaf (1).jpg

George Cathey made Lawman holsters for Ardolino, after the Bucheimer-Clark version made for him became unavailable. B-C was out of business, effectively, by 1980 and Cathey was out of business by 1990. The Lawman versions appear to have been relaunched earlier this century, made by the Ardolino family who are neither leatherworkers nor gunleather designers. Any company worth its salt has a trained designer on board.

I have two more examples of the original Clarks soon to arrive; caught up in a delay from America for more than a year. Both have the tension screw.

Look, I didn't set out to embarass the Lawman people. I noted to my fellow holstorians that Lewis Holster, a competitor of Clark's that was within walking distance of it, made nearly identical products except its shoulder holsters; which used the vertical springs we modern types associate with the Bianchi X-15. I wanted to know why, and theorized that Lewis did so for better retention. Why guess, so I bought the older Clarks and expected the Lawman to be the fairest comparison because it w/b brand new.

It was a shock to discover no spring. I've been designing and building spring holsters to compete with the Clarks and Bucheimer and Hoyts and Bucheimer-Clarks of old who were Bianchi's competitors during my time there. Never occurred to me anyone, such as Lawman, weren't tempering their springs. And the .44 Mag is HEAVY. And is marketed as the 'original' Dirty Harry holster -- but is not because the films' holster have a spring in them (disassembled on of those, too) and the Lawman holsters of today have no spring in them.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

The Dirty Harry holster maker has a channel on youtube and has posted a video about this subject. Kind of long, but wow...
Dirty Harry Shoulder Holster | Holstory Gunleather of the Twentieth Century | Ardolino | ep.1 - YouTube

A LETTER WAS SENT BY ARDOLINO TO NICHOLS , A PDF LINK WAS POSTED BY NICHOLS. THIS IS THE LINK TO THAT PDF. I MADE SOME INQUIRIES AND APPARENTLY, NICHOLS COULDN'T RESPOND TO THE LETTER. I LOOKED AT IT AND ARDOLINO DOES HAVE A LOT OF FACTS AND MENTIONS THINGS THAT SHOOTERS WHO WERE AROUND IN THE 1970'S AND 80'S WOULD KNOW. OTHER FACTS THAT ONLY INSIDERS COULD KNOW. AND THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT SURPRISED ME ABOUT ARDOLINO, NO, HE IS NOT ALL SHOW. THE MAN HAS A VERY LONG AND WELL-FOUNDED HISTORY IN THE FIREARMS INDUSTRY.

https://wixmp-f7e6bed9711bae26e60319...9hHvIPzooh6Z_g

With regard to the Smith Wesson forum thread from about 2009 and shortly after; the controversial one. That whole issue started because some hobbyist decided to get the Ted Blocker co. to try to make a Dirty Harry. Ardolino heard about it, ordered one from Ted Blocker, saw just what a comical , sub-standard holster it was and put the Blocker company on notice. They agreed to cease production immediately. Ardolino then went on this forum, introduced himself and politely explained the situation. He was responded to by members in a very hostile manner. Apparantly, the bloggers hadn't heard of Ardolino which shows they had not been paying attention. Ardolino responded back in kind. Ardolino was barred from that mix of misinformed people due to his responding hard, but intelligently to strange accusations that were purely made to antagonize. Apparantly, the answers were too hot for the bloggers. He even did an Internet radio show on American Heroes, offering holsters for 1.00 to bloggers calling in with their real names- not fakes. There were no callers. No takers(?) Something wrong there.

A forum member , Shawn McCarver, lawyer and judge in MO. wrote, that he got his holster and that it is a very fine product and the thread should be ended.

Red Nichols may have fantasies about Cathey Enterprises, but as far as what Cathey Enterprises had to do with Ardolino or his Dirty Harry holster, the facts are: The gun writers Jerry Ahern & Sharon Ahern were the people who introduced Jerry Ardolino to George Cathey. Cathey made Ardolino's holsters under his direction then for only about a year, stole royalties, made odd versions etc. to where Ardolino sued Cathey and won technically as Cathey settled for a large amount. Ardolino had obtained a writ of sequestration in Bexar County and retrieved his dies. That was in 1992. Cathy had settled with Ardolino when they met in the Mason County ,Texas courthouse as he knew Ardolino would prevail in court; because Ardolino had all of the hard evidence of Cathey and his people stealing royalties and making old 15L models with the Original Dirty Harry trademark. George Cathey passed away not too long after.

These are facts, not fiction!

Ardolino's argument is not with me, but with physics. He even argues that the lighter aluminium molds used by gunleather makers come out more EASILY than the heavy steel real revolvers. He's got i backwards.

Here's a simple explanation of the forces at work in the real world, when a revolver is carried in a spring shoulder holster:

Inertia and Mass

That's all from me on this thread, given that it's been handed over to shills with a single post each. For full info, my PSA (public service announcement) is on my blog (not allowed to post a link here for you all).

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Hi,,
I’m new to the site. Your question about looking for a site to order a Dirty Harry Holster,,, I have ordered mine from Ruffiano International.
Bucheimer | Holsters | Bucheimer Clark | Since 1884 | Dirty Harry Holster
I have found the workmanship and quality to be excellent! I found the company while searching online for the Dirty Harry Holster.
I called the phone number and spoke with James. We chatted for quite some time and afterward, I ordered my first of 6 holsters! Number 1 was for my Colt Trooper MKii 6 “.(same holster you would want for your S&W 29 6 1/2”. . James made for me the Dirty Harry! He explained that these holsters were made to order and I would need to wait a bit to receive it. I was excited to get this holster and didn’t mind the wait. We communicated as necessary. When it showed up it was worth that time spent waiting to get it! I was truly impressed! The more I wear the holster the better
I like it! No better way to carry for me. My collection of Ruffiano shoulder holsters is something I am proud to own! I think you will be too! My holster for my S&W 36, 3” is the latest that I purchased. Again just as awesome as the others that include, 2 STU’s that I also find to be a great holster choice when I don’t have a belt on. James also made me holsters for my 1911’s as well. I am now waiting for my latest purchase of a Dirty Harry Holster for my S&W 29-2, 8 3/8” ! Can’t wait to get it and I recently spoke with James and should receive it in the next couple of weeks! In my opinion (and I have 5 of Ruffiano’s holsters currently and waiting for number 6) these are the best holsters money can buy! Yes it’s my opinion but I have spent my hard earned money with James because his workmanship and quality are second to none! Can’t wait to get the next one for the big dog cannon! Give James a call and see what you think!

I recently tried ordering just leather from E-bay to make longer straps for my old “Dirty Harry” holster. What happened was, when I first got this holster I was 25yo and weighed about 150#. Back then, I adjusted the holster strap to my skinny body and cut the excess leather on the straps. Going forward 40 years, I decided to get out the old “Dirty Harry” holster and go shoot my 6” S&W29-2, but now 25# heavier, I needed longer straps. The leather I got from E-bay was ok, but it just wasn’t of the quality for that holster. I forgot what company made this holster. So I looked on the holster, saw “Lawman Leather” and did a quick search on the internet and found Lawman Leather. I didn’t even know it still existed. I called the number to see if I could order just the leather straps. I spoke to some guy named Jerry. He was very nice and was able to supply me with just the straps I wanted. The straps were made to order, so they had to be cut and tied, which took some time, but overall it was done in a few days. They were beautiful and I was able to fit my larger girth with no problem. I couldn’t be happier with the product or the great service.

By the way, and just an FYI for anyone that has read this far - I join a forum so I can get access to information and upon occasion (rarely) ask a question or comment. The reason I don’t like doing this is simple - usually I don’t get an answer or someone makes an unnecessary comment. And I usually can find the information I want without having to post.

When I’m reading a thread as soon as I see it got hijacked and is off topic I stop reading it, or if the thread turns into a bashing of someone.

So some members on this forum think they are entitled to be judge, jury and executioner of someone because they have a certain number of posts?

Aren’t personal attacks a violation of the rules of this forum? Rule #3. So, they indirectly attack a new member’s post by posting a definition of a word that they think is the poster. Since they like to look up words in the dictionary, here are a few more words –

Pompous-
• having or showing the attitude of people who speak and behave in a very formal and serious way because they believe that they are better, smarter, or more important than other people

Condenscending-
• displaying a patronizingly superior attitude.
• exhibiting an attitude of superiority; patronizing; -- used of behavior or attitude.
• assuming a tone of superiority, or a patronizing attitude.

Arrogant-
• exaggerating or disposed to exaggerate one's own worth or importance often by an overbearing manner showing an offensive attitude of superiority

So now on Post #2, I have violated Rule #3….

A whole string of new members posting on this one thread.
Interesting. 😏

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

Interesting indeed. The OP's question was asked and answered. This thread created far too much conflict, for an item that isn't even sold on this board.

We're done here.

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"I also cook."