List your favorite holsters and why they are your favorite. How do you rate them for durability, finish wear, and protection from the elements? I am a newbie and dont want to beat the heck outta my new beloved Smiths.

My favorites are two Jackass Big Game shoulder holsters for 6" and 8 3/8" N frame S&W's if there tucked under your arm your guns aren't going to get beat up. They are very well done and they are sold by Galco now I havent checked I guess they still sell the Big Game outfits the harness is very well done. If you want a belt holster I dont know what to get maybe something with a flap. Jeff

All my leather is Del Fatti and Alessi....but then, I'm a bit of a holster snob.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Thanks Jeff. I'll check em out.



ETA: Sipowics, I have never heard of those I'll check those out too.

Milt Sparks Versa-Max II

The offerings of the now defunct Safety Speed Company if you're looking for leather. I don't use Kydex. If you want non leather, then Eagle or a similar specialty maker.

Dang another one I have never heard of. I'll check it out too.

Those Fatti holsters are gorgeous but a lil too pricey for me I have champange tastes and beer budget. But definitely going on the bucket list.

Bianchi, El Paso and Bullman. All top quality leather, if given even modest care they will last longer than you will! I have been useing some Bianchi's for over thirty years and still good to go.

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Stay safe people!

I have seen those on ebay but have never heard of them are they good holsters? Nothing like good ol American made leather.

Pancake from John O'Rourke.
http://www.gun-holsters.com/holsters.html

Fits like a glove, stays tight even working in the yard, and hides an L frame under a T shirt.
Custom made it for me just a little longer for no extra charge to boot!

Munster

I love my IWB from Side Guard Holsters, he is a member here and for my holster it was 66$ shipped, it feels great no pinching or rubbing fits the gun PERFECT and causes no wear so far and the finish looks great! plan on doing a review in a few days

Good stuff guys.

I look forward to the review and pics. Getting alot of good bookmarks here.

check out my review of sideguard holsters IWB in the concealed carry section it has the pics in it as well

Andrew's Custom Leather
Andrews Custom Leather

These are the Saddle Style with no thumb break. Fit is exact, no break in required.

642 & 696



696



642 w? speed loader pouch

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

My favorite holster was custom made a number of years ago for my 696 by a guy named DiGuardi (or something similar) in Campbell, California. It is well made. It is lined with elk suede. He has since retired. I wouldn't mind having other holsters made by him, but unfortunately that's impossible.

Wow good lookin leather guys!!


I am gonna go check out your review CrazyK.

For concealed carry, I like this FIST inside-the-pants holster. The body of the holster is very thin Kydex, and the belt loops are leather. For my K-frame 2.5" magnums, it's just the ticket. It retains the gun securely, adds almost no width to the gun itself, and simply disappears under a tail-out shirt.

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

My favorite is one no longer available - a Berns-Martin Lightning Triple Draw. I bought mine in 1962 after my first tour in what was then called the Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC), along with a Chiefs Special. I had realized that the elderly Colt Detective Specials and flimsey issue leather scabbards were not what I wanted to carry. The Berns-Martin survived three tours in Vietnam, spanning the period 1968 to 1975. It's name came from the three ways it could be worn, as a shoulder holster, with the cloth rig furnished, or without the rig either right side up, or upside down. I eventually gave both to my oldest son who has them in a safe deposit box somewhere. A few years ago someone was making Berns-Martin clamshell holsters again, but I never actually saw one. The best holsters, IMHO, now available, are Milt Sparks, but they take six months or so, at last inquiry to deliver. I use both inside and outside the waist Milt Sparks holsters for my Browning Hi-Powers. They do what holsters are supposed to, secure the gun until one needs it, and then present it in the best possible way.

RKO

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Laguna Technology Corporation

Kramer horsehide. I have an OWB for an N frame 4 inch and an IWB for a 3913. I'll never need to replace these holsters.

My favorite is also not available, for competition shooting I use only the Fast-trac angle lock holsters that were made by Ernie Hill. My second choice would be the CR Speed revolver holsters. I have used Blade Tech when I was shooting IDPA.

I always liked a thumb break style like federal man. I never liked the old swivel holsters or flap holsters they first issued me in the early 60s. I have had those swivel break at least once. Many years ago the motor officers wore them in LA. I always wore the least leather and accesories that I could get away with. I also used to wear a river rig special ordered from Don Hume. For comfort considerations I wore rigs that were higher on the belt than most of the other guys. Rather than carry a holster for my radio, I hand carried my pac set. I only tried IWB a few times and didnt like it. I tried cross draw, it was just okay, I didnt stay with it. I tried and have several paddle holsters, but for some reason I dont like them much. Maybe its because I have found that I need a full size uniform gun belt to keep my pants up. The paddle holsters that I am talking about arent for a uniform belt. Your tastes will change with your weight!!

Right now my favorite is the CQC/S (Close Quarter Covert w/ Snap) by the late Lou Alessi. Lou's daughter Alexandra is continuing the business at Alessi Gun Holsters .

The CQC/S is an outside-the-waistband holster with a oneway snap on either end rather than fixed belt loops. The loops make it easy to put on or remove without unfastening the belt. The leather's molded tightly enough that no retention strap is needed, and it carries equally well concealed or openly when hunting or woods roaming.

I have an Alessi CQC/S for my P7 and it's great...easy on/of like a paddle but way more concealable......here's my Del Fatti LP for my 442...

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

For my 19-4 snubby it is the Lobo Enhanced Pancake, rides hi and tight to the body, holds the weapon securely without it being too tight....Lobo is not in business any longer or I would order the same rig for my 1911 Commander

They sure are still in business and the owner (Ray) is a forum member here.

Lobo Gun Leather - Home

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On the Oak Savannah

bianchi accumold, still tight, OWB. excellant comfort and rentention. bianchi nylon shoulder holster, comfortable, rent., seems like it is never going to loosen up a little. extra mag. carrier. jackass holster. ^^^^ above replys, a personnel choice for comfort, quality, 40+ yrs. i check the holster barrels at any LGS i stop at. have seen several over the years but when i go back w/ money, they are gone.

Milt Sparks, Alessi, Ken Null, Kramer, 5 Shot leather, all make excellent products. Well designed, well executed.

All will wear well over time. They are all smaller outfits, and expensive.

Of the larger manufacturers, Done Hume offers a great value. Well designed holsters, very well made, very affordable. The FBI has used Don Hume extensively.

If you're new to all this, Don Hume is a good place to start.

Whatever you choose, figure on obtaining belt and spare ammo carrier from the same maker. Don't skimp on the belt, it's a key part of the system.

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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan

My favorite holster was made by the late Mr. David Newcomb. It protects my K38 and it is very stylish.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

My favorite is a Summer Heat IWB holster crafted by one of our own, Lefty (oldflatfoot), at Bell Charter Oak holsters. His holsters fit like a glove and are a work of art. My 637 is carried daily in one. Check him out in the Smith & Wesson Forun Vendors section.
Dave

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mr mom
Fire Chief, Retired

rgrizzleleather is my favorite guy on the interwebs!

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Still just a kid at heart

Started carrying a handgun as a LE in the mid 1970s and as mentioned in another front page thread two companies tended to dominate the LE market in this part of the country.

My choice was Safariland through out my time in uniform. Their lined version and construction of the holster was appealing.Now I am issued a plastic (yuck) paddle.

Off duty and before LE I have used a wide variety of holsters. Now the most common is a Galco pocket holster, also use a Galco ankle glove, a Milt Sparks Summer Special and occasionally a Ken Null.

I have way too many vintage and classic holsters that I use from time to time. S. D. Myres, & A. W. Brill are two of my favorite early makers. El Paso Saddlery, and many other little known makers catch my fancy.

You should remember that before that contraption called an automobile came along there was a leather/harness shop in every burg in America just like your local auto parts store today. Many thousands of makers across the country and some made holsters, and some didn't, some were very good, and some not so.

One new custom maker that is extremly good is an outfit run by Karla Van Horn called Purdy Gear, very impressive.

Several of the makers here on the Forum produce stuff that looks as good as some of the old masters in their images. I have not had the opportunity to coon finger any of it yet,but will someday, Good Lord willing.

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LEX ET ORDO

Tom Threepersons from EPS:
A western rig:


My hunting rig (OM Vaquero in 45):


My current BBQ rig:


For CCW, I use a Galco IWB with a Colt Commander.

My new BBQ rig (ordered but not done yet) is a 5.5" First Generation SAA in 41 long Colt, Nickeled, with real Pearls and fire-blued screws. Belt will be a western floral carved which I will background die. Picks will come.

My favorites are all horsehide....often a Kramer #3, horsehide fits REALLY well, wears like iron, is quite comfortable but not cheap....

Randy

Back in "The Day" I used "Berns-Martin" on duty and "Lewis Police Special" off duty/plains clothes.
I always considered the "Lewis Police Special" the best ever off duty/plains clothes holster.
I now like/use Lobo Dual Carry Pancake holsters which I consider the best ever.

I didn't have to think more than a 1/2 second - A Kramer Leather Horsehide Belt Scabbard, 1 1/4" belt and ammo pouch also in Horsehide.

Kramer's holster looks and functions as good today as it did 10 years ago when I bought it. No snaps, no screws, no springs, no velcro, no thumb straps to wear out, break, or slow you down. Just pure function and reliability. The Horsehide REALLY outperforms Cowhide all day long - sorry Elsie.

Without exception it is the longest used holster I've ever had in my 30+ years of CCW.

Rumors of my retirement are a bit premature. Still turning out a couple of thousand per year. Moving into a new building in a few months.

I like different ones.....but, I have several Bianchi 111 Cyclones because I like a crossdraw carry and the Bianchi's are good quality. Don't like that they are now made in Mexico, but they still are the best for what I want.


Don

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Laus Deo! <><

I am a fan of your products. I am pleased you are still in business. I will be placing an order for my 1911 very soon.

I like Galco holsters best for off the shelf ones.

My favorite holsters though are Big Magnum Carry holsters made by Haugen Leather. They are well built pancake holsters for my K, L and N frame snubs. He's backed up a long way last I heard unfortunately. They carry big heavy revolvers up high and comfortable.

I'm partial to the ones made by our fellow forum members. I won't call names for fear of leaving someone out, but we have some great talent among us.

That's a pretty big can of worms you opened. What do you want to do with the gun, hunt or concealed carry? I hunt with two big N frames and I use a Bianchi Cyclone and a Simply Rugged. But my carry holsters are from Lobo; an improved pancake for a N frame, a pancake for a K, and a scabbard type for a gun that won't be named here. All are extremely comfortable, well made, and take care of the gun. He makes a Threeperson if you want field carry and can probably do about anything you want.

Lobo Gun Leather Holsters. No need to look anywhere else!

Mine is by Wright Leather Works and I like the way it looks, along with the perfect fit and great retention. It rides comfortably and close to the body. I wear it on their solid one piece 1/4" x 1/12" bull hide belt.

My faves are the one I had made at the Running W Saddle shop about 14 years ago--and my stone mint WWII Walther P 38 soft shell holster.

I've got several 111s that have given over 30 years of service as field holsters...... great on a ATV ( or horse).

Concealed carry Sparks Summer Special or Executive Companions since the late 80s and early 90s.. If one ever wears out I might try a newer model....LOL

Kramers. I have one for a K-frame 2.5" an N-frame 3", both belt scabbards. The N-frame fits with a 27-2 3.5" or a 29-4 3" full-lug. Also an IWB for a 1911 (not shown). No snaps, great retention, perfect fit. Not the only good holster shown here, but one of them. Easy, one-handed re-holstering too even with the IWB.

Attached Images

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	M29 & Kramer 004.JPG (125.0 KB, 65 views)

Simply Rugged for my woods carry guns, Rob is a good guy to deal with. Kramer paddle in horsehide for my 1911, also good folks and close enough for me to visit their shop. Deep concealment for my 3" 1911 is a Gaco Miami Classic, the gun jus disappears. My EDC is a 442, and it sits in a cheapo Uncle Mikes in my pocket.

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Even older, even crankier....

A member of the PistolTalk Gun Forum CrashInBlack, is an amazing leathersmith (if that's a really word ). A while back I asked him for a 1911 holster made of leather but as tough as kydex. I was really specific about what I wanted too. I wanted it to have no thumb strap but have retention on the trigger guard just like an uncle mike's or a fobus holster if possible. I also wanted the skin side of the leather to be extended high enough to protect the wearer from the hammer and beavertail.

Well he made it better than I imagined. Just awesome work!!

There are two layers of leather with a layer of rawhide in between then the gun then two more layers of leather with another layer of rawhide in between. And yet the holster is still easily concealed. Its tough as nails and you can hold the holster with the gun in it upside down while shaking and the gun won't fall out, yet on a draw it clicks right out (that's right it CLICKS in and out like a plastic holster).

The day I received it:





Two years and countless uses later:







I like this rig so much that I had him make another with an extended piece of leather on the opposite side as well to protect the adjustable sights on some of my 1911s. He gave me the mag pouch for free:







He also made me this horse hide and sting-ray leather holster for my Turnbull Case-hardened 45 ACP S&W model 22

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NRA Certified Instructor

I ordered this from Wright Leather in mahogany color, its a hybrid that can be carried both inside or outside waistband by just adding or removing the clips. Worn between 3-5, guess it could be worn 11-2 also . Some great looking and functional holsters displayed here.

I have a beautiful S&W Model 27-2 factory engraved by Robert Burt. At the annual NRA Meeting in Nashville I ordered this El Paso Saddlery Tom Threepersons carved holster for it. It was not cheap but a thing of beauty is a joy forever. Please excuse the poor picture.

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Gun Safety is no accident.