After being on the receiving end of a road rage incident, I
decided I need a good driver's holster. Wearing my OWB at
3 to 4 O'Clock just doesn't work when the seat belt is hooked
up.

A cursery review of driver's holster features helped me zero
in on horizontal cross-draw, worn up front for easy access,
and I liked the idea of the pull through snap.

The pull through snap was probably created by Chic Gaylord
for his Thunderbolt Treasury holster. In his catalog he said:
"the security snap was over the hammer and as the gun was
drawn this forced the snap open". On the left below is a photo
of Chic's Thunderbolt.

Paris Theodore, who did business as Seventrees, made an
almost exact copy of the Thunderbolt, and called it the Scorpion.
Shown, 2nd from left.

Although Paris probably got the idea for the pull through snap
from Gaylord, he was probably first to create a horizontal cross
draw holster, with a pull through snap, that he called a Vampire.
Shown 3rd from left.

The life of Seventrees was fairly short, and when they went
out of business the patterns were picked up by Ken Null. I
have 3 of Ken's holsters and they are all top quality, made
of horsehide.

Ken's Vampire, or VAM as it was called by Paris and now also
by Ken, had all the features I was looking for, but I didn't
know if, or how, the pull through snap would work with the
concealed hammer on my S&W 642-1. S&WChad showed me
how it will work, and Ken confirmed it.

I ordered the VAM by email. Ken told me I could have it in
two weeks or less. It was in my mailbox just 12 days after
the order. It is simply amazing to me that a master holster
maker, of Ken's reputation, can get his holsters out in such
a short time when others have waiting lists of three to six months.

The front of the VAM is shown, 4th from left, on a Culver belt,
in the location it will be worn.

The back of the VAM is shown 5th from left.

After an exhaustive search for the best driver's holster, I
believe I found it. At least for me.

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__________________
In Omnia Paratus

Didn't some else make a similar design that had a quick on/off wrap around band that snapped around the belt in place of the fixed belt tunnel? It seems like I saw it in one of the older gun magazines around the mid 80's, targeted for the personal protection/bodyguard market.

For 20 plus years, while driving long distances, I wear this little old Hunter cross draw ( door side) with either a Chiefs Special or CA Undercover. Comfortable and easily accessible.

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John

Yours is a very well-told outline of the holstory of the Car holster.

Paris' version carried at a somewhat different angle than your new Null. I'm expecting that Ken has been responsive to the market in making the change over what w/b about 50 years now.

1 rivet (3).jpg

1968 cuts (4).jpg

To the credit of both Paris Theodore and Bob Angell who was designer to both Paris and to Chic, the VAM is not a copy of any known Gaylord design.

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The Holstorian

I really like that Vampire model.

There is a clip on one done by Mitch Rosen and Andrews Leather looks to have one with snap on style.

I use the Big Gulp holster, aka cup holder. Then back to my OWB when I get out of the truck.

Being left handed sometimes has benefits. I find that I can easily wear full size pistols (1911, Hi-Power, N-frame, etc.) cross draw without the seat belt or door getting in the way.

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Only a cold warrior

This is not a car holster, it is an automobile holster. You strapped it right on the steering column. Definitely old school.

Regards,

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turnerriver

That would work well in my 67 and 72 chevy’s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here is a Andrews Carjacker for the Beretta 92 series.

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Nice holster. I’m glad you’re happy with it Phil!

As you probably know, Ken’s pull through snap is a little different from the type Alessi used in the past. With the Alessi’s, you just gave the gun a good tug. With Ken’s VAM, I’ve found it best to give the gun a brisk twist while drawing.

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"I also cook."

Thank you Chad. I'm sure it's an individual thing. I had a practice session
this morning. I just grabbed those little boot grips and jerked up and
foreward and it popped open as advertised about a dozen draws. I will
be happy after at least a hundred draws with no failures.

__________________
In Omnia Paratus

I was reading, in the SEARCH area, an old thread titled: My new (old)
non reg magnum carry piece!!! by haris1 June 28, 2014. In post #18
by Bell Charter Oak, Lefty Lewis confirmed my belief that Chic Gaylord's
Treasury Thunderbolt, with the pull through snap, was long before either
Paris or Ken Null used it.

__________________
In Omnia Paratus

This is one mission I think a horizontal shoulder rig does well. Cue the Miami Vice theme, but the gun is not trapped against the seat or console on the strongside or under the lap belt crossdraw.

I’m not a big fan of adopting a holster that is good at just one thing. If driving is a big part of your day and you are pretty much always wearing a cover garment, a shoulder holster is a good way to go - vertical or horizontal, depending on the handgun in question.

However, my preference when driving my usual daily amount is to use one of the gun magnets that are available that can be mounted under the dash. I probably would not go this route with a Glock but it works well with a cocked and locked 1911, a DA/SA pistol or a DA revolver.

Mine is in the console.

The real beauty of a cross draw is you can draw the pistol with either hand.

That was something that I was going to post originally, but some of the "safety nazis" would be quick to point out that you can't do so without "flagging" yourself. However, in a life or death situation, and if that strong (left) hand is out of action, this is preferable to the alternative.

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Only a cold warrior

Thank you for this information. I knew I hadn't dreamed this up. I really like the looks of the Andrews version.

I like a Barton Special with a neutral cant for driving. I have a couple of Myres and several that Doc Barranti built for me. I can slip one in the left side while driving, and the easily shift to the right when I get out of the vehicle.

Sent from my SM-S506DL using Tapatalk

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Regards,
Bruce

I don’t see why it needs to be over thinking a car gun. Simple appendix carry will work fine. If anything goes down you should immediately undo your seat belt anyway. I always undo mine about a block before arriving anywhere...but that’s training from pulling up to a call in the radio car.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Phil, old school (that's us) Bucheimer Defender B137-24 crossdraw for an N frame.
With a 625-6 45acp mountain gun. Boot grips are from Craig Spegel. Probably the lightest "steel" N frame.
Tim

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N frame heaven.

CrazyPhil i think you should sit a while with that pistol/holster rig in the location you show it before you attempt a road trip with it. I believe you will find the holster will be digging into your lower regions in a most uncomfortable area rather quickly. Position the holster off to the left side at about 1030 and i think you will me much happier. I can sit with a carry gun in that location all day and even by the time i get to my destination it is so comfortable i often have forgotten it is there. And i don't mean forgotten as if i can't remember i'm carrying but rather i've forgotten that it was ever uncomfortable. I don't do a lot of driving like i used to but every time i set out my carry gun is located at about the 1000-1030 position.

Im with you. Too many people overthink the simple stuff on here.

Crossdraw? OWB? Appendix? I just like to keep it simple. Why make life harder? It's hard enough already.

Heres MY vehicle rig. Seat belt on? Seatbelt off? No problemo.

AND.... I can still use the cupholders!

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Exact one from Andrews, I used for 20 years for my 669. vehicle surveillance and now driving with road rage rising.

Go to HAWG Holsters, he has a clip that you clip your holster to and then his clip can be inserted into a seatbelt clip.. Obviously only works when you don't have a front seat passenger.. Just keep a hat over the pistol and it's concealed...

Seeing the AR made me think of the time I’m out in Nebraska with a bunch of guys pheasant Hunting.
We’re out in cornfields all around in a Mercury Station Wagon.
The Driver has his Over-Under open, loaded stuck between Seat and Console.
The other Shotguns are in the rear of the Merc.
All of a sudden, Pheasants launching on both sides of the road.
OMG! We jump out and run to the rear of the car.
The Glass is closed!
Instead of lowering the glass, the driver jumped out with his 12 Ga and started blasting away.
So we watched him drop Pheasants!

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

The best set up I found for driving is an ankle holster or a shoulder holster but never a waist band holster. Also keep the gun in center console when not able to carry on my body while driving.

My seat belt runs along across the front of my body right at my belt line. It seems carrying a rig like the OP’s would put the grip under the seat belt and that the seat belt would push the whole rig uncomfortably into my midsection. Not too sure how a left hand draw would work conveniently. These are probably meant to be more of a set of questions than comments, as I have not researched this particular carry position.

Although it is a common practice, I’m not a fan of carrying different guns in different places in different holsters. KISS. First, I avoid having to administratively handle guns and holsters more than necessary when out and about. I always want to carry on my body. I always want to be able to draw with either hand. I always want the gun secured so it cannot fly around the car in a wreck.

AIWB does all that for me, EDC position in Kydex with a little foam padding. Nothing to change getting in/out of the vehicle. Works with seat belt on or off. Always concealed and secure. Grip is above the belt line and the seat belt. Spare mag at 10 o’clock. Knife at 11.

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I have always carried OWB with the gun about 3:30 position. Did it as a patrol cop, as a detective, and now as John Q Citizen. Never had an issue drawing while having the seat belt in use.

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GOA FL Dir. & Nat. Spokesman

Up in my #1 post I said that Seventrees Scorpion is an almost exact copy
of Chic Gaylord's Thunderbolt. One significant difference was the block of
leather Chic put in the bottom part of the belt loop. Designed to keep the
holster from tipping or sagging outward.

__________________
In Omnia Paratus