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I had been looking for a custom kydex holster for belt use on the range. Something simple.
I looked all over the place, and found that seemingly every brand is put together with too much hardware - way too much in some cases.
I saw holsters with belt loops held on with screws, which in my mind is a disaster waiting to happen. "Yes sir, the belt loop is still attached to my belt, but the holster pouch must have fallen off earlier - I will re-trace my steps."
I saw holsters with rivets that looked like they could hold the steel plates on the Titanic in place. And not just a few. I mean in some cases, it seemed like there were a dozen or more.
I saw holsters that are put together out of a multiplicity of parts, gadgets, nuts, bolts, and "clamp on" adjustable belt loops that resemble buckles on nylon belts.
Now, I see holsters with kydex fronts attached to leather backings the size of one of those 64 ounce Porterhouse steaks you get free if you eat yourself to death. And then they are fastened to the belt with spring clips, which are, again, a disaster looking for a place to happen. Often, the entire holster comes off with the pistol when a bad clip slips right off the belt.
Then I ran across the web site for PJ Holster, and I looked and saw elegant simplicity.
Kydex holsters made with one piece of kydex folded over, sort of in the manner of simple leather holsters of years past - the Heiser 457 or the Tom Threepersons comes to mind. What a refreshing idea!
I sent an e-mail and the owner himself answered - the same day. I found out that prices are unbelievably reasonable, that delivery times are short, there are no waiting lines, monthly quota cut-offs or any other non-sense.
Paul Giannaula, the owner of PJ Holster, is an honest man who will go out of his way to make the customer happy. Got a custom request? No problem. Got a gun not on his list? If there is a mold for it, he will buy the mold and make the holster for you. When he qoutes a delivery in just a matter of weeks (as opposed to the months quoted by others), he means it.
It reminds me of the days when you called Don Hume to get a Threepersons or a Jordan, and you could talk to Don Hume! I remember once getting the number for Don Hume in Miami, Oklahoma from information (remember how we used to do that?), and when he answered, I found out after a few minutes that I had dialed his home, as opposed to the leathergoods company that bears his name. That is what you get with Mr. Giannaula - straight talk, fair waiting times and excellent pricing.
A PJ Holster arrives in a simple padded postal envelope with a business card. No small print warnings or BS warranties with so much fine print they mean nothing. Workmanship is excellent and every one I have gotten is a perfect fit. So far, they seem to come adjusted by the tension screw to the perfect balance between a quick draw and plenty of security.
One of the nicest things with Paul's holsters is his fold over belt loop. It folds over and has a J lip at the bottom so it will not come off when the pistol is drawn. The loop is an integral part of the one sheet of kydex folded to make the holster and belt loop.
Paul offers outside waistband and inside waistband with this same fold over loop design. Again, it is secure, but easy to put on and take off. He also offers, for those who might like it, a J hook belt loop that fits behind the belt and loops underneath the belt, so it is more discreet. I have never liked that design of belt loop as the weight of the pistol is on the pants instead of the belt, and if the pistol is too heavy, it pulls the pants down behind the belt. Paul is aware of this and warns of it on his website.
Paul makes a unique tuckable design. I have not tried it, but it looks promising as it is not horribly thick, like most such designs.
Paul makes magazine pouches as well, and perhaps other items.
I have not been this enthusiastic about holsters since I got my first custom holster from Ken Null of Resaca, Georgia more than two decades ago. Prior to that, it had been "off the shelf" or "out of the catalog" holsters molded for groups or "charts" of similarly sized pistols.
Thus, if you are looking for something other than a good horsehide holster from Ken Null, I strongly recommend Paul Giannaula of PJ Holster. I have not been disappointed. I urge you to check out his web site:
PJ Holster LLC | Simple, Practical, Affordable Holsters.
You can ask Paul questions by sending e-mail to this address:
[email protected]
Shawn McCarver
NOTE: Photos added 12-31-2012
I looked all over the place, and found that seemingly every brand is put together with too much hardware - way too much in some cases.
I saw holsters with belt loops held on with screws, which in my mind is a disaster waiting to happen. "Yes sir, the belt loop is still attached to my belt, but the holster pouch must have fallen off earlier - I will re-trace my steps."
I saw holsters with rivets that looked like they could hold the steel plates on the Titanic in place. And not just a few. I mean in some cases, it seemed like there were a dozen or more.
I saw holsters that are put together out of a multiplicity of parts, gadgets, nuts, bolts, and "clamp on" adjustable belt loops that resemble buckles on nylon belts.
Now, I see holsters with kydex fronts attached to leather backings the size of one of those 64 ounce Porterhouse steaks you get free if you eat yourself to death. And then they are fastened to the belt with spring clips, which are, again, a disaster looking for a place to happen. Often, the entire holster comes off with the pistol when a bad clip slips right off the belt.
Then I ran across the web site for PJ Holster, and I looked and saw elegant simplicity.
Kydex holsters made with one piece of kydex folded over, sort of in the manner of simple leather holsters of years past - the Heiser 457 or the Tom Threepersons comes to mind. What a refreshing idea!
I sent an e-mail and the owner himself answered - the same day. I found out that prices are unbelievably reasonable, that delivery times are short, there are no waiting lines, monthly quota cut-offs or any other non-sense.
Paul Giannaula, the owner of PJ Holster, is an honest man who will go out of his way to make the customer happy. Got a custom request? No problem. Got a gun not on his list? If there is a mold for it, he will buy the mold and make the holster for you. When he qoutes a delivery in just a matter of weeks (as opposed to the months quoted by others), he means it.
It reminds me of the days when you called Don Hume to get a Threepersons or a Jordan, and you could talk to Don Hume! I remember once getting the number for Don Hume in Miami, Oklahoma from information (remember how we used to do that?), and when he answered, I found out after a few minutes that I had dialed his home, as opposed to the leathergoods company that bears his name. That is what you get with Mr. Giannaula - straight talk, fair waiting times and excellent pricing.
A PJ Holster arrives in a simple padded postal envelope with a business card. No small print warnings or BS warranties with so much fine print they mean nothing. Workmanship is excellent and every one I have gotten is a perfect fit. So far, they seem to come adjusted by the tension screw to the perfect balance between a quick draw and plenty of security.
One of the nicest things with Paul's holsters is his fold over belt loop. It folds over and has a J lip at the bottom so it will not come off when the pistol is drawn. The loop is an integral part of the one sheet of kydex folded to make the holster and belt loop.
Paul offers outside waistband and inside waistband with this same fold over loop design. Again, it is secure, but easy to put on and take off. He also offers, for those who might like it, a J hook belt loop that fits behind the belt and loops underneath the belt, so it is more discreet. I have never liked that design of belt loop as the weight of the pistol is on the pants instead of the belt, and if the pistol is too heavy, it pulls the pants down behind the belt. Paul is aware of this and warns of it on his website.
Paul makes a unique tuckable design. I have not tried it, but it looks promising as it is not horribly thick, like most such designs.
Paul makes magazine pouches as well, and perhaps other items.
I have not been this enthusiastic about holsters since I got my first custom holster from Ken Null of Resaca, Georgia more than two decades ago. Prior to that, it had been "off the shelf" or "out of the catalog" holsters molded for groups or "charts" of similarly sized pistols.
Thus, if you are looking for something other than a good horsehide holster from Ken Null, I strongly recommend Paul Giannaula of PJ Holster. I have not been disappointed. I urge you to check out his web site:
PJ Holster LLC | Simple, Practical, Affordable Holsters.
You can ask Paul questions by sending e-mail to this address:
[email protected]
Shawn McCarver
NOTE: Photos added 12-31-2012
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