The story I remember is that Jeff Cooper discovered the "Yaqui"
Slide while working in Mexico. When He returned He took the
idea to Milt Sparks. Milt produced and sold "Yaqui" Slides for
years.

At left is my 1911 Series 80 Colt's Gold Cup in an inexpensive
slide from Tripple K.

2nd from left is my Beretta 92 in another Tripple K Slide.

3rd from left is my SIG P220 in a Cactus League Slide from
Dillon.

4th from left is my Glock Model 22C in an Aker Slide with
tension adjustments.

Far right are Taurus Model 85 and S&W Model 60 in JIT Slides
from Hume.

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In Omnia Paratus

Due to my awesome body build (pear shape) using the "Slide" sitting down or sitting and moving around parts of my body pushes on the exposed barrel or slide causing the weapon to come up and drop out of the holster.

*** I also never cared for the barrel or slide to be unprotected as it is with a full length holster body.

I've used a "jack" slide & the yaqui slide. Perfect for my Colt Officers model. I liked the freedom of them especially when in the house after removing the handgun. You hardly notice you have a holster on. Then just drop it in and go when on the move. There is a proper way to wear the yaqui slide, threading the belt through the pants "belt loop" then back through the cut out. Much better support.

A partridge front sight is no good. It catches on the leather when making a draw.

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JIM
NRA Pistol Instr

I have been known to wear a Slide style, this is a Tauga my 1911 is riding in,

In addition to what you said, I'd be worried about the front sight snagging on the holster, hindering your draw.

Galco also makes them. I have one for the Colt Government Model and one for the Glock. Haven't worn them much, but haven't had a pistol fall out of them either.

I've got a variation that includes a retainer strap. Works pretty well. The big advantage is that it works with the frame size, not the barrel length.

It seems there are guns its really hard to find a holster to fit. Like a 696. The slide form just works. Same for my short barrel M24.

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Dick Burg

I have a Galco Yaqui Slide almost identical to the one you show the Glock in. If you look at pictures of Jeff Cooper using the Yaqui slide the Aker/Galco type is correct. The rest you show are belt slides, but not Yaquis.. The JIT is similar in design to the old ASKINs holster Bianci made.

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Support your Police, & NRA

I also use a Galco Yaqui slide with my Colt Defender and 3" Kimber Ultra Carry. The shorties work best for me - no push out.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

Not sure what constitutes a Yaqui slide but here's a cut from a 1940 S.D. Myres catalog showing a cross-draw belt slide made only for the Colt Government Model.

Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

The difference between a true Yaqui and other slides is as follows: The true Yaqui has a separate abbreviated (the barrel is exposed) holster body attached to a slide-on belt loop. In addition, the belt loop of the Yaqui has a cut out in the center of the belt tunnel next to the body to accommodate the width of a pants belt loop so as to allow the gun belt to be threaded through the holster and the pants loop making the rig very secure so the holster does not move when the weapon is presented.

If the pieces of leather which form the holster pocket are also part of the belt loop, then it is not a true Yaqui Slide.

The pictures are from a Guns article located here:

Exclusive: This Yaqui Slide Holster Should Be... | Guns Magazine.com

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turnerriver:

That is a great picture from the 1940 S.D. Myres catalog! It just goes to show that there is not much we can think of now that hasn't been tried already.

It is very difficult for me to tell if that holster is simply a single piece of leather with belt loops at each end, or if it is two pieces stitched back to back to form a pocket.

If it is the former, then it is the forerunner of the Bianchi "Foldaway."

If it is the latter, then it is more akin to what we are used to calling a slide type of holster these days.

In any event, the fact that it is cross draw caught my eye. Although the Yaqui Slide as worn and popularized by Jeff Cooper was a strong side with "FBI cant," at least one maker, Langlois, has made a true Yaqui slide in cross draw as a special order for a customer who spends much time in his car (not me).

Shawn

Picture of cross draw Yaqui is here:

No Lawyers - Only Guns and Money: Cross-draw Yaqui Holster

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In this photo, the pistol on the left is wearing a Galco yaqui slide holster.

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IMG_0739.jpg (85.8 KB, 110 views)

Hume claimed to have developed the two piece "Agent 9" belt slide holster for the Illinois State Police. I saw a notorious detective captain carrying one in about 1968.

My impression has been that belt slides before that were one piece of leather with the belt being the back of the holster pouch.

i own an early Milt Sparks variant (Idaho City marking) for my w german Sig Sauer P230SL. the previous owner was kind enough to include a type written narrative with the sale that shared info regarding the holster's history.

I carried a Model 39 in that same slide way back in the early 70s. I still have it around somewhere. Wish I still had the 39.

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Georgia On My Mind

It is not just pear shaped anatomy that can push the pistol up and out. Whilst I was young and still relatively skinny the side of my car's bucket seat pushed my 36 up far enough that when I stepped out I heard the clang of excellent condition bluing hitting the steel deck of a ferry. To enhance your gun dropping experience they add generous amounts of coarse sand to the deck paint. The man in the car ahead of me looked back and forth between me and his note pad writing furiously. There were no cell phones, only Maxwell Smart's shoe phone, so his full report to somebody was delayed. I picked up my 36, shoved it in a POCKET, went upstairs and enjoyed the scenery. I never heard a word about it but despite that you can have your belt slide and Yaquis. NEVER again.

Now, I like that. And look at what they sold for! I wouldn't mind stumbling across something like that, but it'd have to fit on a 1.75-inch belt, cause that's all I wear now.

I have to admit, though, I'm having a hard time envisioning how a full size 1911 fits in that style...how it fits in the holster. Doesn't look to be much room in it, if that cutout is for the trigger. Be interesting to know its dimensions.

I actually have a Yaqui on order from EPS right now, but it isn't a crossdraw and it isn't for a 1911. And the EPS version doesn't use belt slots...uses a holster-wide loop (I call 'em tunnel loops) and tension screws.

My late father used to make a slide for every single pistol/revolver he ever purchased... he even made them for my cap guns... always 2 pieces of leather... would cut the leather during commercials... glue and wet mold that evening... then usually would stitch it watching TV the next night... then die the leather the next... maybe 2 hours of effort in them... they are a great way to start making holsters if you are interested in trying... I still have a few... wish I had them all...

I often carry my KelTec PMR 30 in a Galco Yaqui slide when working around the ranch. It is light to complement the KelTec and keeps the handgun close to my body. It does expose the barrel and on one occasion the light pipe in fiber optic front sight was broken. Easy replacement. If I know I'm going to do heavy work instead of just riding the tractor, I will carry in a full flap holster that provides more protection.

I'd like to see someone recreate that slide from John's post (#10).

Ha!!

I'm going to dig around in my holster box tomorrow, I'll bet I have one that not too many guys have!!! My first trip to Russia, May, 1998 at the invitation of a Russian police friend of mine in Moscow. Back then I had been collecting Russian and east block firearms. We were riding around in Moscow, going from one place that he was showing me to another. I see this belt slide type holster laying on the back seat of the unmarked police car we were in. Marked "ПМ" or in English, it would be PM. I asked him if that was for П********сто********ет Макарова? (Pistolet Makarova?) or as we call it a Makarov Pistol. He says yes, and knowing that I have one back in the states, gives it to me. I still have it somewhere, but have never used it, as I have never actually carried the Makarov. I shoot it some, but don't really carry it.

I'll try to find and photograph that belt slide holster... It's got to be one of a kind here in the states.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I stupidly sold a Galco paddle slide holster. I just need to buy another.

Super Nice pics. A half century ago I bought one of the early S&W Model 39 pistols when going into plain clothes. The mandated fire arm at that time was a Colt or S&W 38 Special 4 inch or 5 inch. Never cared for the revolvers. So, went to the Model 39 and bought Yaqui holster. Can't recall where I bought it buy talk about
a perfect holster when wearing a suit! I've always had a Yaqui holster among others ever since. I presently have the DeSantis paddle Yaqui only because I like to wear it at the 9 O'clock location and threading through all those loops? That said, the slide
models place the grip closer.
I never had a problem with the slide being below the holster. And as was mentioned, when unholstering when coming home that Yaqui holster isn't even noticeable. Actually, most private citizens don't even recognize it as a holster with no pistol in it.
One of my all time favorite holsters and shouldn't cost a lot either.
Poli Viejo

In my State Narc days I loved to carry my High power in the black Safari Land slide holster and a black mag holder under my suit for Court testimony. It looked like a Texas Ranger Bar-b-q rig.

Got you a lot of stares and instant respect.

Not a fan personally and think it's a love it or hate it kind of thing with Yaqui Slides.