Sick and tired of the elitist snobbery

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336A

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This is not focused directly at this forum but what I have encountered all over the place. Over the last several years I've spent a considerable sum of money on holsters and belts as most have. It is my hope that this post can save others like myself a lot of trouble and money. I'm so sick and tired of all of the generalized elitist statements that get thrown around as if it's the De-facto honest to goodness truth.

I'm talking about all the generalized statements like "so and so pancake holster is the best CCW holster on the market", or "there is nothin' better than a thick leather gun belt". I found that these statements may be true if your like the vast majority of the population in this country and are large of frame/build, but not for smaller framed individuals. I bought a pancake holster from a very well known and regarded maker based off all of the good reviews here and else where for a 4" S&W M10. I got the holster and was deeply upset when I found it wasn't suitable for my slim frame/build. When worn there is huge space between my body and the back belt slot on the holster, so big I can slip three fingers in between my body and the holster, unacceptable. Now I have a holster that I can't even use and I'm out all of that money for what is supposed to be a great holster.

The J frame version of the aforementioned holster however worked quite well when coupled with my 5.11 belt. Not to long ago I thought it was time to upgrade to a leather belt built specifically for the purpose. After some shopping around and comparisons I made my choice and ponied up. I was very disappointed yet again when I found that the J frame pancake holster and the leather belt had the same problem as the larger pancake holster.

Also I couldn't use the leather belt with my BDU trousers that I use for hunting. When trying to wear the belt with the BDU's I can't get the portion of the belt by the buckle through the first belt loop in order to cinch the belt down tight enough. Yet the maker says that it works well with BDU's, maybe for him and his large frame but not for me. On the other hand I have no problems with my military styled cargo belt that all of the elitists flat out say just won't work period, dot end of story.

If your a slim/athletically built individual like myself don't be fooled by all of the snobbery. Yes leather looks nice but it may not work well for you as I found out myself. Sometimes as in my case the more cost effective wilderness tactical and 5.11 type belts may be better for you. Also don't be fooled by pancakes holsters, as you may end up in the same situation I now find myself. The buy once cry once mantra certainly don't work for me. I bought and I'm still crying for all of the money I spent on equipment that don't work that all the snobs said was the only way to go.
 
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Say what? What does any of this have to do with "elitist mentality"?

When you ask for advice you get the answer that worked best for the individual you asked. How are we to know what actually fits you? Hell, all I know about you is that you're 336A and a US Veteran ....and apparently slim/athletic built. I'm not even sure what slim and athletic built is? Is that 120 lbs and 6ft tall? Or is it 180 lbs and 5'11? I'm 6'1 and around 200lbs. I'm not fat but I'm no marathon runner. I consider myself athletic!

Yes you will spend a bunch of money before you find what works best FOR YOU! That's how it goes, no one individual will have the same likes and comfort level as you and your comfort level won't be the same as mine. People talk about buying a J frame for pocket or appendix carry. Meanwhile I can't fathom how they find that comfortable. ....guess how I realized it wasn't for me? ....like you, I bought, I tried and it didn't work. It is what it is.

Everyone here has a closet full of holsters and belts that didn't work. And unless you know a place that let's you borrow the items for a week to try it will always be this way until you find what works best for you. I have a drawer full of OWB holsters until I realized I prefer IWB hybrid holsters. Hell, I even bought guns that turned out not to work for me. They sounded good and for the 2 min at the gunshop they felt good but then real life happens and somewhere in that it didn't work like I envisioned it would.

Maybe you'd like a disclaimer with all the advice? Something like. ...."This is a great product and works as advertised. I couldn't be happier BUT I'm not you and your comfort level may vary"

Don't ask for advice or experience next time but at the same time don't give any either cause the same thing can happen with your input.
 
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carry is so individual its maddening. I catch heat ALL the time for my over use of kydex holsters. "you're not gonna put THAT in a plastic holster are you?!" my answer is simply, "you do it your way, i'll do it mine..." I choose to use a the wilderness instructor type belt and love Raven Concealments kydex stuff. I spend a bit more, but I know after many years what works for me and I'm comfortable with, no matter cost. durability, ease of maintaining, and continuity are the rules for me...
 
Opinions are like backsides...............

..............everyone has one.

When ever I post an answer to someone's question I try to always include two things.

#1 IMO which means, in my opinion
#2 Everyone has to ultimately find what works for them and usually the only way to do so is to try the item. Trial and error. If it don't work, sell it in the classified and try something else.

Of course the above is just my opinion! :D
 
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Is there some sort of snobby, elitist cabal of big fat people I wasn't aware of? ;)

I have an athletic build and most of what I buy works. It goes with the territory that not everything will because one size certainly doesn't fit all.

OP, I'm sympathetic to your frustration, but not sure where the sense of persecution is coming from. We all try out set-ups; what works we keep, what doesn't we sell or give to someone who can use it. No point lingering on what fails when we can enjoy what works.

If you're truly dealing with people who can't appreciate how individual a complete carry set-up is, physically and psychologically, and that "different strokes for different folks" is a fundamental truth, time to find a new crowd. ;)
 
I really don't understand why you would label someone as a "snob" or "elitist" simply for expressing a personal opinion as to what works best for THEM. You have done pretty much the same thing although you do specify that your choices are for slim,athletically-built individuals. Most any company will tout their product as "the best" out there,but that's called advertising. In most cases,I call it bovine droppings. Well,not really,but I've only got one strike left before being given a 3-day vacation,so I have to be really careful. :)
f.t.
 
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You've been here since 2005....... I know in that period I've commented on holsters and belts.......at least a hundred times...... I've also tried to mention the "Big Box-O-Holsters" I've accumulated over the years.... finding the right holsters for me...........

I've got holsters that work on my Bianchi B12 leather belt but not on my Wilderness Tactical Frequent Flyer 5 stitch belt...... or is it the other way around.

Making matters worse is that most of the Belt, holsters and grips are only available on line. All you have is a picture..... and not always for your gun....

I'm beta testing something for someone right now..... if I'd only had a picture I'd say it's GTG....... using it over the past few days I've suggested a few tweaks......I "think" might make it better.... will they?.... I hope. Heck not even sure they are "practical" suggestions.....

I share your RANT....... if you have a solution ..... please share.
 
So. Im sick of elitists on forums but.for entirely different reasons than you. It seems more like you need to contact your makers. Mine is hating some of the attitudes on here. Youre mad at a belt and holster
 
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm0mGCAFZ6Q[/ame]
 
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336A said:
Over the last several years I've spent a considerable sum of money on holsters and belts as most have.
Click to expand...

If "most" have done something, how is it elitist? Do you think that most have us have spent such "considerable sums" because we're wealthy eccentrics? No, it's because we are in the same boat as you, simply trying to find what works for US. I have friends who swear by the Askins Avenger style holster for the 1911. I personally can't stand them. I only came to that conclusion after buying and trying a few. I find the Galco Side Snap holster to be the most comfortable and concealable holster for me to wear. Have a close friend who wouldn't wear one if you gave it to him and paid him to use it. Why? Because he has tried a couple and they just don't work for him. Someone here used to have the signature line of "If two of us are identical, one of us is unnecessary." That pretty much sums it up.
 
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Lighten up, Francis! If it wasn't for elitest snobs like myself who buy myriad guns, holsters, belts, grips, scopes, etc., there would be a whole lot less to look for at gun shows and on the Internet classifieds. Even if the aforementioned items worked great when purchased, preferences, waistlines and needs change. Finding the right set up is half the adventure.
 
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OK, I'm not seeing Elitist per se . But reading in between the lines at what I think would be the OP's legit issues :

Holsters are highly personal to everyones exact body contour ( not just general 'build" ). Most extremely so with IWB .

I stick with my opinion that as a class , pancake style holsters are great holsters, and highly forgiving of working with wide variety of people. But there are differences. Differences in ride height, and angle. And as the OP found out to his chigrin , differences in how far the leather extends fore and aft of the actual firearm. And the stiffness.

I am outspoken in favoring the Genuine Roy Baker Magnolia AR holsters. Compared to most of the subsequent copies, the Bakers ride somewhat lower, and have more pronounced foreward (aka FBI) tilt. Despit the lower ride, the closely cut leather, they are actually more concealable along the lower edge than most . And used medium thickness leather, somewhat more flexible than most. Somthing along these lines might serve the OP better. FIST Holster offers their pancake-ish holster in standard, and "Close Cut" versions, that have the belt slots closer together.

The El Paso #77 comes very close to the ride height and angle of the Roy Baker, and has fairly close spacing on the belt slots, but the leather is stiffer than the Baker's.

One of the design tradeoffs of belts is the stiffness. *Generally* stiff is considered a Good Thing, but the OP's experience does point out that there are potentail downsides of TOO stiff. The proveral " Top of the line Gunbelt on purpose , mfg by holster makers " are typically dual layer, and overall quite thick. An alternative for the OP to consider is instead , a single thickness solid leather of medium to medium-heavy thickness. More flexible to confor to different body contours, they might need replacement after 3 or 4yrs instead of 20yrs, but YMMV , decide on priority of tradeoffs. In addition to holstermakers, such belts are also available from custom leatherworkers generally, saddle and tack makers, and higher end western wear. I get most of my belts from the leatherworker at my semi-nearby farmer's market. ( A VN Vet, he understands guns, and that a % of his belts are meant for carry.) To me a good balance of thickness and good value .
 
Not sure how someone saying their holster, gun, ammo or anything as as being the "Best" constitutes snobbery or elitism.

It constitutes over exaggeration, but nothing more than that.

Snobbery / elitism is someone implying your stupid for buying something that they would not. Like "you're an idiot for buying a Glock because my $3,000 1911 is better".
 
Life is so full of surprises-
Like this thread, just as a example.
When I saw the title I could hardly wait to read it.
It looks like one which would closed so fast!
Then I read it's a complaint about folks hawking holsters.
If I do a thread about elitist snobbery, it won't say anything about holsters!
 
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