Smith & Wesson Forum

Advertise With Us Search
Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > General Topics > Gun Leather & Carry Gear

Notices

Gun Leather & Carry Gear All Holster and Gun Leather Topics


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-08-2021, 08:00 AM
tom2 tom2 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OHIO
Posts: 171
Likes: 1
Liked 90 Times in 59 Posts
Default Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution

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.

Last edited by tom2; 09-08-2021 at 08:03 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #2  
Old 09-08-2021, 08:28 AM
diyj98 diyj98 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: WV
Posts: 2,439
Likes: 409
Liked 2,851 Times in 1,266 Posts
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-08-2021, 08:31 AM
Sevens Sevens is offline
Member
Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution  
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ohio
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 9,476
Liked 14,862 Times in 5,053 Posts
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #4  
Old 09-08-2021, 01:24 PM
gerhard1 gerhard1 is offline
Member
Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: oklahoma
Posts: 581
Likes: 325
Liked 1,039 Times in 315 Posts
Default

That has happened to me as well. The belt loop just ages or something and deteriorates over time.
__________________
Let's be careful out there
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-08-2021, 04:56 PM
Mike, SC Hunter Mike, SC Hunter is offline
Member
Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution  
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: In The Woods Of S.C.
Posts: 8,921
Likes: 14,075
Liked 13,775 Times in 4,993 Posts
Default

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.
__________________
S&W Accumulator
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-08-2021, 05:09 PM
cracker57 cracker57 is online now
Member
Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 818
Likes: 874
Liked 962 Times in 350 Posts
Default

sorry fellows, I look at uncle mikes as tupperware or fruit of the loom holsters.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #7  
Old 09-28-2021, 07:39 PM
tom2 tom2 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OHIO
Posts: 171
Likes: 1
Liked 90 Times in 59 Posts
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-28-2021, 07:49 PM
ColbyBruce ColbyBruce is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 7,886
Likes: 3,802
Liked 11,745 Times in 3,665 Posts
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-28-2021, 10:13 PM
Univibe Univibe is offline
Banned
Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution Uncle Mike's vintage holster caution  
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: TX
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 10
Liked 2,152 Times in 854 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ColbyBruce View Post
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.


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.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Governor and Uncle Mike holster SRS308 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 3 01-07-2015 08:31 AM
Uncle Mike's Reflex Holster ShortStroke Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 6 05-19-2013 09:48 PM
New Uncle Mike's hip holster size 6 wyatte Accessories/Misc - For Sale or Trade 0 02-02-2013 01:03 PM
Anyone use an Uncle Mike's Flap Holster? surfdog76 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 10 04-30-2009 04:36 AM
Uncle Mike's Holster boykinlp Concealed Carry & Self Defense 6 02-11-2009 08:28 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:06 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)