Dirty Harry Shoulder Holster

The price originally quoted last year was $285 + shipping. (See page 8 of this thread.) No pictures yet so far as I know. I think they are still working on a prototype.

When I get one I'll post pics if they haven't already been posted.

Any updates on the project??

Regards,

I e-mailed Shelley twice in the last couple of weeks and did not receive a reply. I got read receipts on the e-mails. I think with the length of time this has gone on with no results it's not something to count on.

Well, it's been awhile but today Ted Blocker Holsters came through and delivered the Dirty Harry holster we've been talking about for about a year. Mine was delivered at lunchtime so here's my initial impressions.


I've been using shoulder holsters for a long time. I started with the Bianchi X15. It is a nice shoulder holster but that elastic strap just doesn't seem to have the "umph" after awhile to keep a heavy N frame in place. I currently use a modified X15 rig. The holster is the X15, the straps are the leather set for the X16 and the tie down is something I picked up somewhere. It works nice but since it used those screws to hold the straps together adjusting it was a bear. Once I got it adjusted it wore real nice. The leather straps held the gun comfortably all day long.
However, if I ever needed to adjust it because of a change in attire, it's back to undoing those screws.
When I saw pictures of the holster Harry Callahan used I saw some possibilities in a comfortable, easy to adjust holster.



My first thought taking the Ted Blocker holster out of the box was wow, it's light. The leather isn't the thicker kind found on Bianchi. It's a thinner lighter leather like I used to see on holsters back in the day. The stitching was perfect all the way around, the straps cut cleanly, the buckles securely fastened.



The part that secures the holster to the belt is long giving the holster some leeway when the wearer changes position such as sitting. The snap is not one of the “pull dot” types but a heavy duty regular snap held in place by a leather retainer. I’ve had several other holsters have this snap go bad. Bianchi replaces the snap for free, but only replaces the push part since the other half is embedded in the leather. This works for awhile but soon the snaps will easily come free. I’ve gone so far as to JB Weld the snap closed so I have to thread my belt through the holster. The snap stays shut but it’s not easy on easy off. The set up on Ted Blockers holster seems it will work a long time since the pressure is off the snap.



So, how does it wear? I slipped the holster on, fastened the holster to my belt, turned to the buckled straps and adjusted them, slipped my M29 in the holster, and that was it. It felt right in about a minute. I wore the holster for about an hour and didn’t have any issues with it. It rode comfortably, holding the revolver securely. I was able to easily pull the M29 from the holster without any hang ups or snagging. Putting it in took a little effort but the tension screw may help that. About the tension screw. That was the only problem I’ve seen on the holster so far. The head was buggered up.

The real test of any holster is to wear it in the environment where it will be used. I haven’t had a chance at that but in the short time I did wear the holster it was comfortable and secure. Once I’ve worn it a day or so I’ll report back.

So, what’s the bottomline? Ted Blocker has done a fine job. The workmanship is high quality, the design, even though it isn’t his, seems to work. Am I happy I bought one? Yep. For anyone looking for a quality product, look at the Ted Blocker Dirt Harry holster.

Arisin Wind: Excellent review!!!! Sounds like Ted Blocker has a winner with this one. I'm glad you finally received yours. One thing I had a problem with on the previous incarnation of this holster was adjusting it. ALL adjustments were done by undoing leather thongs and then re-threading them. Only the threading was so complex you could never get it back to normal. It ended up all lumpy and looked like crap. I like that buckle adjustment setup. Was your Model 29 a 6 inch or 4 inch? And thanks again for the great review.
Dep

How is the turn around time now? Price?

Well I'm new to the site so I hadn't seen this thread before. I have a nice Bianchi shoulder holster for my model 29-3 with the 8 3/8 barrel. Not the exact same as Harry had but still very similar and very comfortable. It is a quick clip so the pistol slides straight out rather then pulling it up. I'll post some pictures if I get a chance. Of course I also have a shoulder holster for my 500 with the 8 3/8 barrel .

Originally posted by Deputy:
Arisin Wind: Excellent review!!!! Sounds like Ted Blocker has a winner with this one. I'm glad you finally received yours. One thing I had a problem with on the previous incarnation of this holster was adjusting it. ALL adjustments were done by undoing leather thongs and then re-threading them. Only the threading was so complex you could never get it back to normal. It ended up all lumpy and looked like crap. I like that buckle adjustment setup. Was your Model 29 a 6 inch or 4 inch? And thanks again for the great review.

Dep

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Deputy

My M29 is a 6 incher. Fits in the holster perfectly. The holster also fits my Ruger Redhawk 5.5 inch. Kind of surprised me.

Interesting thread. They looked familiar.
I just dug through my holster box and found a near new 4" Cattle Baron Dirty Harry #444 I stashed after I bought it new. I think I used it once. Which auctions are getting the best pricing?
Thanks

Originally posted by Arisin Wind:

Deputy

My M29 is a 6 incher. Fits in the holster perfectly. The holster also fits my Ruger Redhawk 5.5 inch. Kind of surprised me.

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Excellent. I'll be using mine in a 6 inch too.

Arisin Wind,

I didn't see the holster listed on Ted Blocker's web site. How much was it, and how can I order one?

Thanks.

Originally posted by jmorrell:
Arisin Wind,

I didn't see the holster listed on Ted Blocker's web site. How much was it, and how can I order one?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

Try contacting them at: [email protected]

I've just been calling her using 800-650-9742. She usually answers the phone.

The cost was just shy of $300 which included shipping.

Thanks much for the info, Arisin Wind. Some of my tax rebate might be going for one to hold my 629 Classic DX.

I spoke with Hugh at Ted Blocker's a couple of days ago. He advised they have several more of the holsters "in production" with anticipated shipping next week. I've had my order in since late last June.

Well I've had the holster for a week now and had a chance to try it out some. So I put it on, slipped my revolver in it and put my jacket on. With my jacket on I noticed the junction where the straps lace together wasn't sitting flat. I removed the rig and examined the straps. I undid the laces and adjusted the strap - rotating the end about 90 degrees. I took the opportunity to adjust the shoulder straps as well so the holster rode a little higher - more under my arm. With everything put together I put the rig on along with my jacket. Now the straps were laying flat.



I wore the rig for a day. The holster was comfortable riding close to the body. It carried the revolver snugly though I was a little uncomfortable not having the retention strap I was used to on my other shoulder rigs.

When you first get it don't be afraid to adjust it so it fits. I had to change the orientation of the way the back strap met the shoulder strap to make it lay flat.

It's a real good holster. The folks at Ted Blocker did a fine job.

Received my holster on Tuesday. It shows the usual Ted Blocker quality and attention to detail. I put the DVD's for "Dirty Harry" and "Magnum Force" on then paused and zoomed in when the shoulder rig was shown. It appears to be an exceptional duplication of the screen prop.

I did not encounter the strap problem that Arisin Wind reported but seem to have something similar on the other side.
The initial adjustments were easy and straight forward. I'm sure, as it is used, there will be additional adjustments to be made. Definitely worth the wait.

If memory serves, he did not use HKS speed loaders - I just can't remember the brand, but I have one somewhere.

Harry Callahan preferred the now defunct "Rapid Revolver Reloader" made by:

Dade Screw Machine Products
2319 NW 7th Avenue
Miami FL
(305) 573-5050

Has anyone purchased one of these shoulder holsters from Ted Blocker Holsters recently? Just wondering if they are still in production or if it was just a small production run made for those here on this forum who were interested initially. If anyone else has purchased one I would love to hear your feelings on this holster. It looks marvelous and beautifully made.

Also, could a 4" 686 fit in this holster or is it just for 6-6.5" revolvers?

Thanks