JWS3
Yes, quality holsters (like anything else of quality) are expensive, but I wasted tons of money on typical Gun Store brand holsters before finding the real advantage of a high quality custom made one. Had I realized this in the beginning, I would have saved enough to but more guns
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I carried and still carry every day - sometimes for up to 15 or 16 hours at a time and I need to have a reliable and comfortable holster, and like most items that are of high quality, the holsters I've purchased from Bruce Nelson in the late 80's are still in perfect order. In fact they have held up better over 25 years than most of the GS brand holster have after only a few months.
The two holster makers that have more than passed the test of time with me are B. Nelson and Kramer. Not saying there are not other good makers, but these are the two I have settled on.
Milt Sparks still makes some of Nelson's designs, and Mitch Rosen has a great track record also.
It's funny how holsters have progressed over the last 30 years or so. When I first started carrying, most of the holsters out there were just "pouches" with a strap or snap for retention. Now days the better ones are form fitted and hand boned which retains the gun without the use of straps, snaps, latches etc. and still allows for a fast and smooth draw. Bruce Nelson is the one I credit for introducing me to this concept. At first I was very leery of carrying a loaded gun without snaps or straps, but after buying my first Nelson holster I was sold on the concept!
Regards,
Chief38