Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution

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tom2

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I have discovered that the old Uncle Mike's holster's such as the nylon Sidekick have a flaw that people should be aware of. The actual nylon holster itself is sturdy and seems high quality. The problem is that the plastic belt loop is made of something that deteriorates over time and will at some point break and fall apart. Becomes brittle. This could result in the holster coming off your belt if it is under any stress. I got one with the plastic belt slide totally gone, and one that I checked and with just a little pulling like as if you were putting it on your belt, cracked and broke. If you had the means to sew on a leather belt loop it would extend the usefulness of the otherwise decent holsters. One is a nice camo holster I had for a Smith 422 and sadly it is out of commission till some fix can be done.
 
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I had the same thing happen with one and a Ruger Bearcat. I know the little Bearcat wasn't too heavy for the holster :) The plastic belt loop just broke free on me.
 
I understand exactly what part you are talking about, but I think these holsters are best handled like a Bic lighter. A very handy little item that is extremely low in cost — and designed to be discarded after it’s moderate life span.
 
That has happened to me as well. The belt loop just ages or something and deteriorates over time.
 
I agree with all above. Had one break(the plastic) and drop on the ground. BUT I have several OLD UM's holsters that have the nylon welt on the back and they have been used by me for over 25 years.........I think the newer ones are made in China. UM replaced mine that broke and I suggested to them to go back to the nylon welt(belt loops).....Probably fell on deaf ears.
 
Another update. I just got a Safariland nylon holster out of the original pouch that I had bought some years ago and never used. It also had plastic gun retention straps made of about the same stuff as the UM holster parts. Otherwise it is mint unused, I was checking it out since I moved. The plastic parts had a greasy sticky film on them. I was cleaning that and the gun retention snap-strap broke off. So for me now I think the rule is no more holsters with pure plastic parts, I don't have any trust now. The nylon fabric body is perfect though. Sticking to leather I guess. I better check all my old non-leather.
 
Have you taken the holster to a shoe repair shop and asked if a canvas or leather loop could be stitched to it?

The few supples needed to repair a holster in that way could be found at a Hobby Lobby or Tandy Leather.
 
ColbyBruce said:
Have you taken the holster to a shoe repair shop and asked if a canvas or leather loop could be stitched to it?

The few supples needed to repair a holster in that way could be found at a Hobby Lobby or Tandy Leather.
Click to expand...



Repair an Uncle Mike holster? Throwing good money after bad. They're dung the day the leave the factory. The best way to repair an Uncle Mike holster is to flip it in the trash and get a quality one.
 
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