The New York Reload....the truth at last!

Well, it was time. The truth should be said. I listened to gas bags here and elsewhere, magazines, internet forums, etc. You get the picture.

For the fact, I designed the New York Reload for auto and revolver. It has been copied by every poser who never had an original idea in their life. I did not make it for the popular film, "Face Off" but although they ripped me off for my original design, I'm happy for it's popularity as a result.

How it happened, Chic Gaylord and I had lunch one afternoon. We laid two pocket holsters side by side on a table, with two .38 S&W's we were packin'. The rest was history. That in short, is the story. The NY Reload was born. All the rest is BS via Hollywood.

Cheers;
Lefty

Interesting, do you have any pics? I always thought the New York Reload was just drawing a second handgun when your primary gun runs empty.

It is....his holster holds two guns back to back.

Lefty, When did Chic Gaylord leave us? His teachings, holster designs, and techniques still benefit those of us who carry and use handguns for serious use to this very day. Lefty, thank you for carrrying his holster designs forward. All my very best, Joe. {I carry Lefty's holsters everyday.}

New Jersey Reloads waiting sort of patiently for Drake v. Jeregian

Joe Kent said:

Lefty, When did Chic Gaylord leave us? His teachings, holster designs, and techniques still benefit those of us who carry and use handguns for serious use to this very day. Lefty, thank you for carrrying his holster designs forward. All my very best, Joe. {I carry Lefty's holsters everyday.}

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Joe;

Thanks for your kind remarks. Chic passed on June 8,1992. He was cremated and his remains buried in Cold Springs, NY, not far from West Point. When he suffered a stroke several years earlier, it was reported in the Village Voice newspaper that he had died in Roosevelt Hospital. "Rumours of my death were greatly exaggerated" he was fond of saying.

Lefty

Lefty.....Would you be kind enough to clear up something for me PLEASE....What holster design did the mysterious Paris Theadora design and who makes that holster now..Back in the 70's I bought a ASP for a Judge I was assigned to...It took forever and not a small amount of threats to get the prepaid pistol..I talked to Theadora via phone more than once. Though I wasn't happy with his excuses I did find him interesting and knowledgeable about holsters. The shoulder holster that had very little stitching was of interest..Somebody must have acquired some of his designs.....Just very curious...Thanks for the time...

Farmer17 said:

Interesting, do you have any pics? I always thought the New York Reload was just drawing a second handgun when your primary gun runs empty.

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Well, you are correct. The distinction though, is that the common parlance amongst NYPD and other NYC metropolitan law enforcement personnel back in the day, simply referred to any backup gun carried in reserve, in any fashion. We took the simple tactical concept to another level.






Cheers;
Lefty

george minze said:

Lefty.....Would you be kind enough to clear up something for me PLEASE....What holster design did the mysterious Paris Theadora design and who makes that holster now..Back in the 70's I bought a ASP for a Judge I was assigned to...It took forever and not a small amount of threats to get the prepaid pistol..I talked to Theadora via phone more than once. Though I wasn't happy with his excuses I did find him interesting and knowledgeable about holsters. The shoulder holster that had very little stitching was of interest..Somebody must have acquired some of his designs.....Just very curious...Thanks for the time...

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Paris Theodore (not Theodora) worked for Chic Gaylord as an apprentice holster maker. He copied Chic's designs shamelessly and took credit for them while operating SEVENTREES, when Chic became ill. Chic knew his mother and father who as I recall were theatrical performers or actors. Chic apparently became acquainted with them when he crafted all the flying rigging for Mary Martin (mother of Larry Hagman) in the Broadway production of Peter Pan. Theodore was a tool. Some claim he was an intelligence agency black bag spook, I doubt that. He was an opportunistic poser who capitalized on other's achievements. It would surprise many to learn the concept of the ASP version of the Model 39 may not have been his. There is much more to this entire story, for that you'll have to read the book, if I ever write it.

You should check Ken Null for similar, probably improved designs of shoulder rigs. I believe he worked with Theodore.

Cheers;
Lefty

It makes sense that an LEO would want more capacity than a non-LEO, so in the days when LEO's carried revolvers having a "New York reload" makes sense. I don't imagine many people actually carry a double holster routinely, but maybe that's just me.

I guess there is no limit to the scenarios that one could imagine that would require greater and greater number of rounds to handle the threat, but as Yankee Marshall so rationally discusses in his video "Is 5 rounds enough?", for most of us a second gun, or for that matter, extra ammunition is overkill. There is something comforting about having a semi with a 15 round magazine, but in truth carrying a single j-frame with 5 rounds will most likely be more than most of us will ever actually need.

Bell Charter Oak Holsters said:

Paris Theodore (not Theodora) worked for Chic Gaylord as an apprentice holster maker. He copied Chic's designs shamelessly and took credit for them while operating SEVENTREES, when Chic became ill. Chic knew his mother and father who as I recall were theatrical performers or actors. Chic apparently became acquainted with them when he crafted all the flying rigging for Mary Martin (mother of Larry Hagman) in the Broadway production of Peter Pan. Theodore was a tool. Some claim he was an intelligence agency black bag spook, I doubt that. He was an opportunistic poser who capitalized on other's achievements. It would surprise many to learn the concept of the ASP version of the Model 39 may not have been his. There is much more to this entire story, for that you'll have to read the book, if I ever write it.

You should check Ken Null for similar, probably improved designs of shoulder rigs. I believe he worked with Theodore.

Cheers;
Lefty

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Thanks for the info. I figured you would have the scoop. At my age you had better write the book soon. I have been retired for 13 years now. Lived trough one bad plane crash and one shooting..Have not taken real good care of the body...I think S&W out did the ASP with the 3915 and 39++ the double action only model. ..I never could really understand the sights (guttersnips) I think on the ASP anyway...Thanks for taking the time....George

attn to everyone in particular

As a former New Yorker (NYC), I find it interesting how much of the theory and practice of carry and defensive pistolcraft evolved in NYC, one of the most anti-gun places around. I read Chic's book years ago and wonder if it is still available.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

hangnoose, I personally have been carrying handguns for better than 45 years, and while I have at times carried 2 , until Lefty brought out and named his design "New York Reload" I had never seen a holster purpose built for carrying 2 guns. What info do you have to support your {likely not the first} comment? Not once have I heard or read of any one person coming up with the term New York reload, and point of fact I have never heard or read anything to indicate Lefty claiming he originated the term. While he certainly doesn't need me to defend him, there can be no doubt that he crafts a hell of a good product, and designed and implemented a purpose built holster to carry in one rig 2 guns,aka New York Reload,and ,yes, the quality of his holsters speaks for themselves! Joe Kent.

hangnoose, of course it did not start there, no one claimed that it did. Gunmen have been carrying more than one gun since they were invented, just the name, New York Reload, stuck in common use as to mean carrying more than one gun, usually by cops, but certainly not limited to them. Lefty, Bell Charter Oak, designed a purpose built holster and named it with a name that everyone would know the meaning. A great design,well executed and super marketing, a win win deal.

Bell Charter Oak Holsters said:

Well, you are correct. The distinction though, is that the common parlance amongst NYPD and other NYC metropolitan law enforcement personnel back in the day, simply referred to any backup gun carried in reserve, in any fashion. We took the simple tactical concept to another level.

Cheers;
Lefty

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Lefty:

Can you please advise how/where the holsters are supposed to be worn? I was always told there were one of two ways to wear the holster: 1) small of back, and 2) with the first pistol slightly in front of the strong-side hip, with the idea that the second handgun would be drawn by the firing hand using a "twist" or "cavalry" draw.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Dave

vito said:

It makes sense that an LEO would want more capacity than a non-LEO, so in the days when LEO's carried revolvers having a "New York reload" makes sense. I don't imagine many people actually carry a double holster routinely, but maybe that's just me.

I guess there is no limit to the scenarios that one could imagine that would require greater and greater number of rounds to handle the threat, but as Yankee Marshall so rationally discusses in his video "Is 5 rounds enough?", for most of us a second gun, or for that matter, extra ammunition is overkill. There is something comforting about having a semi with a 15 round magazine, but in truth carrying a single j-frame with 5 rounds will most likely be more than most of us will ever actually need.

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I don't disagree with your observation, generally. However, I have sold so many of these holsters, for so many, many years, to non law enforcement people and policemen alike, I have to tell you that your observation is a bit off the track. You apparently fail to understand that there are many non police, non military people who are just as concerned with their protection from harm. If anyone is foolish enough to imagine that one gun is always enough, even a hi cap auto with a spare mag, then he is an ***. See you at the wake and Inspectors funeral, again, later. Police departments have regulated a minimum of 2 spare mags for uniform troops for many years. I made these for Glocks, one for Gaston Glock, one for his son David. I presented them at the SHOTSHOW in Atlanta several years ago. They were not refused or rebuked. I don't care much how large your magazine capacity might be, when it's empty your done, you now have a club, good luck.

Carry a back up gun.....especially if your a policeman......good advice for a non police person in harms way.....and generally good advice for most prepared to protect those they love and what they hold dear. The Lord gave you 2 hands.......now you know why!

BTW..."that's just you" Best of luck!

Cheers;
Lefty

kaaskop49 said:

.....I read Chic's book years ago and wonder if it is still available.....

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Some originals and reprints here: chic gaylord - AbeBooks

Onomea said:

Some originals and reprints here: chic gaylord - AbeBooks

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I think they're still available from Paladin Press (the 3rd. edition) call them at 800-392-2400 to find out cause I'm not sure. They may be all sold out?

Cheers;
Lefty

Ever since I saw the holster in "Face-off" for nickel 1911s I wanted one for the "cool" factor alone. However it is a pretty practical way to carry two guns on your belt, and I would probably be more inclined to spend my fun money on one of those than a bar-b-que gun belt. How about a black New York Reload holster for two polished-stainless CZ-75s.

Double-O-Dave said:

Lefty:

Can you please advise how/where the holsters are supposed to be worn? I was always told there were one of two ways to wear the holster: 1) small of back, and 2) with the first pistol slightly in front of the strong-side hip, with the idea that the second handgun would be drawn by the firing hand using a "twist" or "cavalry" draw.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Dave

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Hi Dave;

A very good and notworthy question. This design was NOT intended to be worn in the small of the back position. We spent years telling our customers that the optimum position was the centerline hip allowing one to draw strongside (rear) and crossdraw (weakhand).....then along came that film...the rest is history. Why is "small of back" a bad position? The chance of spinal cord injury from a rear impact collision, a severe fall or any other scenario should be enough for one to pause over any great concealment such positioning might offer. But worse yet, drawing the weapon with the muzzle pointed at your body....especially X2 with a cocked and locked 1911 auto, let alone a revolver....wow, that's stupid. Who wants to die of stupidity?

We sent out paperwork advising not to use the holster in the small of back position, but I don't think many listened. Finally, I tired of preaching to the choir, we couldn't combat the image made by the films popularity although that holster was different. People will do as they choose inevitably, despite the best advice to the contrary. It was never intended to be used that way, only in a silly movie with a similar holster I did not make, where no one really ever gets dead from being stupid. I can't control what folks do with one of my holsters after I make them. That's their call. If they want to pretend to be a commando after 2 beers, don't blame the beer brewer.

Cheers;
Lefty