What's the thought on Kramer Holsters? I never heard of anybody using them.

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Carpe Diem

I’ve used 3 IWB for P220, Glock 20, and P239 and OWB for a 4” N-frame. Great leather.

I've been using a Horsehide Left-hand Pocket Holster for about 20 years with complete satisfaction. May not be exactly what you wanted to know, but my experience should speak to the quality of the product.

Kramer Horsehide Pocket Holster with S&W 638-2
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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

I got a horsehide Kramer from Dillon for my 520 (made for a Mountain gun, same barrel profile). Pefect fit, very stiff. First rate.

Here's a Kramer "Vertical". It is horsehide. Thin & light but very tough.
Maintains it's stiffness very well.

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In Omnia Paratus

Prior to retirement, I carried my Springfield Pro LR in a Kramer Model 2 inside waist-band holster while off-duty. I still carry it occasionally.

This holster was well-made and was very comfortable for me as it held the weapon close and distributed it weight well. It was a tad expensive but I did not mind paying for quality.

If you purchase their products, I believe that you will be satisfied.

HTH

JPJ

I picked up a Kramer horsehide for my 642 at a gun show a few years ago. It was in the holster box on a table marked $5.00. Great holster

I have a horsehide paddle for HiPower that has been used on and off for 25 years. I bought it from the original owner and carried my Browning in it for maybe 10 years after that. Still looks/fits like new. Kramer belts used to be the belt-to-beat before about 100 makers fighred out we would buy good belts to carry guns with.

Thanks everyone. I ordered a Kramer horse hide MSP paddle holster for my Shield 45. Hope its a good one. 6-7 weeks out they told me. I want to mention a good word on Kramer Sales person I gave my order too. I was buying this holster online and everything was going good except it wouldn't believe my Sign in password. So I e-mailed them and told them what was happening thinking Id try again after new years day. Even though the shop was closed this week a few hours later I got a call from a Kramer sales lady. She said she couldn't figure out the problem I was having and somebody will check it out later. She said she would be glad to take my order. Well we talked about the holster I wanted to buy and she said the horsehide was there best selling and nicest leather. It will last a long time. They take there holster making very serious. she took my order and said if there's any problem let them know. I know sales people talk like that but I felt she personally meant what she said. That is the difference to me. I like good service and a person that believes in the product she represents. Again you can tell.

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Carpe Diem

Have used Kramer holsters, all in horsehide, for the past twenty years, primarily Greg's #3 IWB for the 1911 and SIG 228 and 229R as well as his vertical scabbard for the 1911, model 625, pre-B CZ-75 and SIG 228 and 229R. Have never been disappointed in Kramer holsters, belts or mag pouches. First rate quality at a damn fair price for the years of service you get out of them. I don't know how they manage to make such good quality gear for such a price considering how well they perform, honestly, but God bless them for it!

I have Kramer holsters for almost all of my "serious" carry guns; they are exceptional! You will not be disappointed. Their craftsmanship of horsehide is amazing!

Very high quality and very comfortable to wear. Definitely worth the money and the wait.

I have had several Kramer holsters over the years. Two of my favorite EDC for my Colt Commander is Kramer vertical scabbard and the crossdraw. I only have a photo on hand of the vertical scabbard. They are both horsehide.

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On the Oak Savannah

Kramer holsters I have noticed have no retention strap. Looks to be pinched or tension fitted between the form fitted leather. Does this over time wear down the firearm finish?

Nice group of pictures.

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Carpe Diem

No doubt about it, Kramer makes a top quality product. I've used one of their J frame pocket holster almost every day for more than a decade and it's still in fine shape. I picked up a couple second hand back-ups cheap, but I doubt I'll ever wear the first one out.

The MSP paddle holsters are very comfortable and well made, but they do add a fair amount of bulk. I rarely use mine and then only with a loose fitting cover garment. The main advantage to the paddles is the ease of putting them on and taking them off without undoing your belt.

As good as they are, I'm not sure I'd recommend a MSP paddle for a Shield 45. It's a fairly thin pistol and you might find an IWB holster easier to conceal and end up using it more. Depending on your size and attire, a pocket might work work too. Kramer is very accommodating if you decide to change your order

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"I also cook."

Thank you for letting me know a few things about the MSP holster I'm buying. I'm a heavy set person and iswb holsters make my pistols rub and I thought the coarse grip would work out with the MSP holster version. I will take note of what you said. Thanks again.

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Carpe Diem

Very Nice!

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Carpe Diem

Nice collection. Cant wait for my holster.

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Carpe Diem

The Kramer brand is highly regarded, and indeed horsehide can give a stiffer, long-lasting result (the benchmark though is hundred year old cowhide holsters of the Old West that are still pristine).

Be aware that the texturing on the outside of this particular Kramer holster, is caused by the rubber pads it was pressed between, when the holster is very wet (the pores in the rubber spread open under the pressure). I don't see it on any of the other Kramer images so they appear to have worked out that particular 'bug' in their process.

Just don't let 'em tell you these are 'hand moulded' or 'hand boned', when confronted with this kind of evidence :-).

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The Holstorian

I have not noticed any extra wear on my firearms from a Kramer, but I carry with a variety of holsters - not one specific all of the time. FWIW, I have all types and prices of holsters, and they all wear somewhere because they all have some type of retention.

I haven't seen any type of unusual lines or markings on my holster like the one pictured. There are barely grain lines, and certainly nothing like above. I'm not sure if Kramer suggests they are hand-made or not; I couldn't see anything on their website. Regardless, I have several nice/exotic "hand-moulded" holsters, and I would stack Kramer against them any day.

I'm 66 years old and boy a holster is not anything I thought it was. What a learning curve. I haven't had handguns all that long. My son got me into them. I did train on the 45acp in the army though. I like them.

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Carpe Diem

I have a Kramer pocket holster for a small Glock (26/27/33) that I have used for well over 15 years as I recall, and it is just as functional as it was the day I bought it. (I don't consider cosmetics and would have to go look at it to be sure, but I don't think it shows any real sign of wear.) I have 3 of the MSP paddles - one for a USP45, one for a 4" N frame, and one for a 4" K frame. All work great, and at least for me, conceal far better than one would expect with the relatively large firearms.

Holster utility for most people is pretty individual and may require some experimentation and have a learning curve; I think you will find that most shooters have a collection of holsters that did not do what they wanted as well as hoped, or did not work for particular uses. With that said, and accepting that an OWB holster is not going to be a concealable as IWB or pocket, I think you will find the MSP paddle to be satisfactory for many purposes and a purchase you won't regret.

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NHI, 10-8.

Mr Lee: I have been using a OWB vertical horsehide Kramer nearly since the first Sigma F 40 came out. I have been upside down in 2 auto accidents and the Sigma stayed put. There are a few rub marks on gun and holster, but both are more than 20 years old. Be Safe,

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I BACK OUR BLUE

IMHO Kramer's Horsehide Holsters are the best available - at any price! I've had my Rig (holster, belt and cartridge carrier) for about 13 years now and it still looks and performs like new. Lighter, stiffer, tougher and better than Cowhide and I do not have any straps, snaps, velcro, screws, springs etc. to be a hinderance or wear out - proper boning and fitting is the secret. All I do is use some Kiwi shoe polish once a year and it's back to looking like new. The holster allows a fast draw however it has excellent retention - even upside down. I could not recommend it more! A little expensive but worth every single penny for EDC / CCW.

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I bought my first Kramer horsehide IWB rig when Greg was just starting out for my 4506. Picked up one for my 1911 when I switched to that platform. I carried it everyday for almost 10 years before I got on the job and had to switch over to a plastic pistol. If I start carrying a 1911 again I will put it back into service. Great holster.

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Plastic has no soul

I have several Kramer holsters. Because the horsehide doesn't collapse on Kramer IWB holsters, I have been using one holster and just leaving it on my pants. I had a Horsehide IWB #2 made for my model 69 2 3/4 and when out and about {I live in the woods} I wear the 69 in it. Because that hand cannon would be a little much in a house, when I come in , I just take the 69 out and drop in a 638. If I go somewhere that I can't have a gun, I just empty the holster. Rides around just like another pocket.

Well I see this almost 5 year old thread is still being read! Since I posted #26 above, I purchased (shortly after that post) a complete rig in Kramer's Horsehide for my Sig P365 which has been my EDC for 4 years now.

Once again, if there is any better than Kramer's Horsehide - I've never seen it!

Indeed....5 years later and I have two more Kramers to fit my P7 & p7M13, along with some single and double mag pouches.

I'm still a believer, and the one that I pictured in 2017 still looks as good as it did then.

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On the Oak Savannah

These Kramer Horsehide Leather Holsters and accessories still look brand new. There are some that say I never use them - lol! They get used every week - but never show wear or loose retention properties (nature's kydex)! A little Lincoln or Kiwi shoe polish once a year and they are good to go.

HINT: When using the shoe polish, a little goes a long way. After brushing real well, make SURE you get all the excess off with one of those yellow microfiber rags from Costco (or similar) so you don't get any on your shirt, jacket or skin.