I don't think anyone is arguing the merits of one holster over another. Some folks just want the ORIGINAL design of Dirty Harry holster for their handguns. For me, I don't even plan on shooting my Dirty Harry 6 1/2 inch Model 29. So the holster and the gun will BOTH be for display purposes.

Now for a quickie update on the re-release of the Dirty Harry rig. I talked to Shelley at Blocker holsters today via e-mail. The news is GOOD!!! I can't give any more details than that, but I can say it WILL be produced. There are a few questions I asked Shelley concerning which barrel length will be released, and how initial orders will be placed, etc. When I get her reply, I will let everyone know more details.

Dep

Even if they did a short run for a 4" my Mountain Gun would love you forever

Okay....here's the official poop from Shelley:

E-mail #1:

Mike,

Don just gave me the go ahead to take orders. At this time, only for the SW 29. The price will be $285.00 plus shipping. I guesstimate that it would be about 6 - 8 weeks for production. Don is leaving for Albuquerque today and I leave the 20th. We will both be back on the 27th.

He decided to leave the harness as is. Even though it's not a good fit. This weekend I might buy the Dirty Harry DVD's so we can watch them while in Albuquerque.

Thanks
Shelley

My reply:

Hi Shelley,
Sounds great! I think everyone responded they would want the holster exactly the way Clint Eastwood had it. Price sounds great. I think it will be a great seller. Some guys (like me) have the Model 29 like Harry's gun just to have one like in the movie. I also have stainless versions that I actually shoot. What barrel lengths will it be made in? I assume 6 1/2 because that is the original length used in the movie. How do we go about doing the preorders? Do you want people to e-mail you or will it be advertised on the website? The best movie to get a good view of the holster is the first one..."Dirty Harry". I'll hold off on letting the guys on the forum know what's going on 'till I get your reply.

Yours,
Mike Bonomo
P.S. Please put me down for one in 6 1/2 inch barrel size


And Shelley's reply last night:

My Firearm catalog is not listing the barrel lengths. So, I'm not going to be specific. The 6.5" and up are not a problem. Anything under 5" could be because of the tension screw in the holster. Best way to order would be to call me. 800-650-9742. FYI, I will be out 6/20 to 6/27. No one else in the shop will know what's up. Also, no rush since Don will not be back until then. I will request a 50% deposit, but not full payment, since completion time is questionable.

Time for me to go home. Catch ya later!

Shelley
--------------------------------

I'm going to call and get my order in on Monday. The comment about getting the harness right is understandable. I have a X15 I modified because I didn't feel comfortable with the elastic strap. I picked up a Bianchi leather harness I adapted to the X15 holster. I also used a Galco tie down to complete the set-up. It took some time to get it all adjusted just right but it was worth it. I can carry my N frames comfortably all day. Even my Ruger 45 Redhawk, which is very heavy, rides comfortably in it.

The only issue I have with it is the ease of adjusting the harness. It uses those leather screws with the backing to adjust the straps. If it had buckles it would be much easier to adjust.

One trick I did learn in this endeavor is the set up needs to be adjusted while you are wearing it. Taking it off and making changes then putting it back on is hit and miss.

Thanks a million Deputy for getting this rolling. I appreciate it. A sharp salute to you.

I will try and get a pic of the holster. Not sure there are any finished products yet.

Well, I have my name on the list and my deposit down.

I talked to Shelley and they have the holster part of the rig completed. Still working on the harness. So no pic yet.

Placed my order this morning for 6 1/2 inch.

__________________
Big bang, much smash'em.

How many people have ordered? I'm in line to get one. I hope all the effort Deputy put into this wasn't for so little.

No one else?

I apologize for my earlier error. The Original Jackass Leather Company Was NOT the genesis of the "Dirty Harry" rig. It was the original "Miami Vice" later known as the "Miami Classic." From the pictures that I have seen on this thread, the original was closer to the Bianci X-15 shoulder holster and suspension setup.

I currently possess the Explorer rig shoulder holster mated with their proprietary SS2 harness system.

It can be mated with other shoulder harness systems manufactured by Galco.

I prefer the one with the heavier straps (SS2) so that I could comfortably tote my "N" frame S&W's (Model 27 with 6 1/2" barrel, Model 610 with a 6 1/2" barrel and a Model 657 with a 6" barrel) all day long underneath a specially tailored set of sport coats.

I did this so that I wouldn't look as if I were nurturing a ferret under my armpit! This foregoing permits me to carry a full-sized revolver with the illusion of concealability. Since I "live" in sport coats while 'off duty' I am assured that the harness won't "telegraph" the revolver's presence when least desired.

Sorry for my mistake. This is why I edited my post's original contents.

Thank you.

Scott

Hey Guys!

Hope to have some "Dirty Harry" holsters by the end of the month. Don't want to step on any toes so will be calling it something else. Something like "Lucky" or "The MMD". Any suggestions??? I've received 3 orders so far.

Cannot resist educating Gunfan. Galco did not make the original Miami Vice holster. Ted Blocker did. This is why they had to change the name to Miami Classic. They never made the holster for the Bren Ten. See you are in Vancouver. We are in Tigard. Why don't you come on down and see me and I can also show you the Lucky or MMD prototype.

Good shooting!
Brassy Shell

How about the DHO -- Dirty Harry Original? Or DHS -- Dirty Harry Special?

Once you get some pics up, the orders should come rolling in ... drum roll please!

How about the HCH - Harry Callahan Holster.

I had visited your shop when it was in Clackamas and in Tigard! I am preparing to go to Kansas to test/interview to work at the El Dorado Correctional Facility. El Dorado, Kansas.

I have admired your leather accoutrements since the early 1970's (when my father was working for the Corvallis post office. Corvallis, Oregon.) Being raised in the Willamette Valley, I remember quite a bit about your history.

I'm a friend of Royd Jackson (The Gun Broker) for over 23 years now. Remember him? He was your next-door-neighbor in Clackamas, Oregon.

We'll talk before I leave town.

Scott

"The Magnum Classic Holster." That way when you offer a version for a 3" or 4" L-frame for me , the name will still work (vs using the name "The .44 Magnum Classic Holster").

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"Team Billy Jack" for a CA CCW

My vote for a name is the FLP.

"Feel Lucky? Punk!

LOL...I second that!!!

Has anyone received one of these yet?

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Big bang, much smash'em.

I will be calling Shelley this month to place my order. I know I know...I should have been FIRST on the list I just had a bunch of financial issues that popped up and couldn't spare the cash.

I talked to Shelly a few weeks ago and she said they were backed up with work. They thought the Dirty Harry Holster would be shipped soon but that was a few weeks ago and no holsters yet.

Thanks for the update Arisin!!!

Thanks for the update. I hadn't heard anything since placing my order and was getting anxious.

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Big bang, much smash'em.

Can someone post a pic when they get one? Thanks.

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jj

Has anyone recieved a holster yet??

I haven't. It's been so long on this I just wrote it off.

Talked with Shelley today. The Dirty Harry holster is number 3 on the list and they are looking at January. They apparently had some huge government orders that kept them busy.

Arisin Wind, thanks for the info!! Is there an email address for Shelley? If you don't want to post it just email it to me. Thank you!!

This is exciting.

I can't wait to see your rig when you receive it.

I bought a leather shoulder holster for a Model 29-2 (or maybe -3) from an estate 7 or 8 years ago which closely resembles the Dirty Harry rig.

I am going home to check it out and will post about it if it's interesting.

This is the e-mail address in her profile - [email protected]

I've just been calling her using 800-650-9742. She usually answers the phone.

I think this model should be called: "44 Magnum"

__________________
To be a rock and not to roll

Post some pics and tell us about it!!

My vote on a name would be for calling it "The Callahan"

So, if I follow correctly:

The holster used in the movie was probably a Bucheimer.

Bucheimer later became Lawman Leather, which eventually became Cattle Baron Leather Company.

Later, another company, Cathey Leather, produced the holster.

Is that about right?

Has anyone heard anything new??

Has anyone heard anything about the shoulder holster from Shelly? It's like a year now.

I sent an e-mail last week to her and didn't get a reply.

I would be interested in a holster also. If and when you get a hold of her. Just email me with info or post here. Thanks for your effort.

Got an e-mail from Shelly:

"Have honestly, planned to have it completed by now, but time just seems to
slip by. In January, Don tried to remove another finger, so he was unable
to accomplish much for a while. Trade shows and me having the flu did not
help. Now most of our crew is out with the flu.

I've made Don swear, that he will have it ready before the end of March.
Regards,

Shelley Brown
Ted Blocker Holsters"


Hopefully soon.

I'm interested in a price and a photo. I prefer leather in my shoulder holsters. And while the nylon kind is readily available, I'd rather not.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

The price originally quoted last year was $285 + shipping. (See page 8 of this thread.) No pictures yet so far as I know. I think they are still working on a prototype.

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Big bang, much smash'em.

When I get one I'll post pics if they haven't already been posted.

Any updates on the project??

Regards,

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Ranger325

I e-mailed Shelley twice in the last couple of weeks and did not receive a reply. I got read receipts on the e-mails. I think with the length of time this has gone on with no results it's not something to count on.

Well, it's been awhile but today Ted Blocker Holsters came through and delivered the Dirty Harry holster we've been talking about for about a year. Mine was delivered at lunchtime so here's my initial impressions.


I've been using shoulder holsters for a long time. I started with the Bianchi X15. It is a nice shoulder holster but that elastic strap just doesn't seem to have the "umph" after awhile to keep a heavy N frame in place. I currently use a modified X15 rig. The holster is the X15, the straps are the leather set for the X16 and the tie down is something I picked up somewhere. It works nice but since it used those screws to hold the straps together adjusting it was a bear. Once I got it adjusted it wore real nice. The leather straps held the gun comfortably all day long.
However, if I ever needed to adjust it because of a change in attire, it's back to undoing those screws.
When I saw pictures of the holster Harry Callahan used I saw some possibilities in a comfortable, easy to adjust holster.



My first thought taking the Ted Blocker holster out of the box was wow, it's light. The leather isn't the thicker kind found on Bianchi. It's a thinner lighter leather like I used to see on holsters back in the day. The stitching was perfect all the way around, the straps cut cleanly, the buckles securely fastened.



The part that secures the holster to the belt is long giving the holster some leeway when the wearer changes position such as sitting. The snap is not one of the “pull dot” types but a heavy duty regular snap held in place by a leather retainer. I’ve had several other holsters have this snap go bad. Bianchi replaces the snap for free, but only replaces the push part since the other half is embedded in the leather. This works for awhile but soon the snaps will easily come free. I’ve gone so far as to JB Weld the snap closed so I have to thread my belt through the holster. The snap stays shut but it’s not easy on easy off. The set up on Ted Blockers holster seems it will work a long time since the pressure is off the snap.



So, how does it wear? I slipped the holster on, fastened the holster to my belt, turned to the buckled straps and adjusted them, slipped my M29 in the holster, and that was it. It felt right in about a minute. I wore the holster for about an hour and didn’t have any issues with it. It rode comfortably, holding the revolver securely. I was able to easily pull the M29 from the holster without any hang ups or snagging. Putting it in took a little effort but the tension screw may help that. About the tension screw. That was the only problem I’ve seen on the holster so far. The head was buggered up.

The real test of any holster is to wear it in the environment where it will be used. I haven’t had a chance at that but in the short time I did wear the holster it was comfortable and secure. Once I’ve worn it a day or so I’ll report back.

So, what’s the bottomline? Ted Blocker has done a fine job. The workmanship is high quality, the design, even though it isn’t his, seems to work. Am I happy I bought one? Yep. For anyone looking for a quality product, look at the Ted Blocker Dirt Harry holster.

Arisin Wind: Excellent review!!!! Sounds like Ted Blocker has a winner with this one. I'm glad you finally received yours. One thing I had a problem with on the previous incarnation of this holster was adjusting it. ALL adjustments were done by undoing leather thongs and then re-threading them. Only the threading was so complex you could never get it back to normal. It ended up all lumpy and looked like ****. I like that buckle adjustment setup. Was your Model 29 a 6 inch or 4 inch? And thanks again for the great review.
Dep

How is the turn around time now? Price?

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jj

Well I'm new to the site so I hadn't seen this thread before. I have a nice Bianchi shoulder holster for my model 29-3 with the 8 3/8 barrel. Not the exact same as Harry had but still very similar and very comfortable. It is a quick clip so the pistol slides straight out rather then pulling it up. I'll post some pictures if I get a chance. Of course I also have a shoulder holster for my 500 with the 8 3/8 barrel .

Deputy

My M29 is a 6 incher. Fits in the holster perfectly. The holster also fits my Ruger Redhawk 5.5 inch. Kind of surprised me.

Interesting thread. They looked familiar.
I just dug through my holster box and found a near new 4" Cattle Baron Dirty Harry #444 I stashed after I bought it new. I think I used it once. Which auctions are getting the best pricing?
Thanks

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PC semiauto collector