Belt Holster for 2" M15 Revolver???

[Rich B.]

I collect turn-of-the-century handguns but recently bought a S&W Model 15-2 with 2" barrel. I'd like to get a belt holster for it, but I know nothing about holsters or even where to find what I want. I tried Bianchi/Safariland but they had no listing for this revolver.

In previous years, Adams Leatherworks has made me holsters for my Star BM but Eric Adams no longer answers email or takes orders.

Here's what I'm looking for -

- High ride
- Open bottom
- ! 1/2"/1 3/4" belt loops
- No thumb break/snap
- Right side draw
- No embellishments
- Forward cant

PhotoShop dubbed pic attached.

Anyone have any recommendations???

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

 

[P&R Fan]

I carry mine in some OWB holster I bought years ago.
Check out LOBO Gunleather. Ray, the owner is a Forum member. Turn around time is quick and prices are really good.
Jim

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

I've bought holsters from members Snubbyfan and Eaglestroker and both do great work. They could make you a holster like you are wanting.

I've not bought anything from them but both have very good reputations and nice looking work, members LOBO gun leather and Bell Charter Oak custom holsters could also.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I don't have any OWB holsters by them but I like the work of Side Guard Holsters.

 

[Rich B.]

Gentlemen, Thank You!

I have contacted several of the above recommendations and am discussing the details with them.

Hopefully, I will be able to post a pic in a few months showing the finished holster.

 

[Rich B.]

I guess I spoke too soon...

I sent out email descriptions & that pic above to six leathermakers; three have now disavowed themselves from any interest in a 'one-off'.

Basically, they have their styles and aren't interested. What I want isn't like anything they offer.

I suppose that's to be expected. I'll keep my eyes open on eBay. There may be an old detective holster I can cut & adapt.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Don't know whether that reinforcement is needed, but I'm happy with my pancake from O'Rourke, and I'm sure that Lobo would do just as well, based on the pancake he made for my 1917 reproduction.

 

[CelticSire]

Contact David Bullard in Azle, TX. Here is a link to his revolver holster line.

S&W Revolver

 

[snubbyfan]

Here's some of the pics I was tryin' to send ya.
It'd extend out the bottom and part of the trigger guard'd be exposed.

This color.

Adding a reinforcement'd be no problem.

Since all I do is custom, I can make it pretty much any way you like.

 

[Rich B.]

Gentlemen, my Thanks! again for all your help! My email list has expanded to about 12-13 leatherworkers.

Unfortunately, the usual response to my email has been "Browse our web site!". I have yet to find a site that actually acknowledges that S&W made a 2" barreled model 15. Adjustable sight, square butt, 38 Special.

The attached pic is of my Star BM in the holster which I like, and the K frame 2" Model 15-2 that I now favor. I know everyone has their own preferences about holsters, but I like this style.

There is a vendor on eBay selling a Galco for a Model 19. It's not what I want, but I may be able to slice the stitching, cut out the parts I don't want, and have a shoe shop restitch it for me.

It'll be ragged, but if it works, I can live with it.

If not, Tandy makes a small leather change purse with a drawstring top and leather thong lace-up sides. It has a pretty bead design on the front.

Thanks again for the emails, PMs, and posts! I appreciate it!

 

[crazyphil]

Take a look at El Paso Saddlery's #88 Street Combat model. It looks much like your photo. I have a couple of them and they are very good quality.

 

[Rich B.]

Thanks Phil, I'll take a look.

The style holster I illustrated in post #1 above isn't even my first choice; it's one I thought would be simpler to identify & find. My favorite is the holster pictured below. It was made by a small leathermaker in the late 70's/80's, when i first got into handguns. The maker stamped his holsters 'JGA' and advertised in the back of the gunshop softcover books like "The Gun Digest Book Of Pistolsmithing". It was designed for the Colt Commander, but I carried (and still do) a Colt Gold Cup in it. I like the open top & bottom, forward cant, steel "U" in top reinforcement, and novel belt loops. A couple years after buying this one I wrote back (no Internet then) and requested a second one. To my disappointment, I got a letter back from the son saying the old leatherworker had passed on and the rights to that holster had been sold to 'a big holster maker'.

The big holstermaker must have just trashed the rights because I've never seen one like it. Some makers copied one aspect or another, but the tension screw/rubber piece still seems to be unique.

Everyone has a fondness for what they prefer in holsters, and that's great. I do too. Right now I'm fond of the holster I pictured in post #1 - but for a S&W Model 15 w/2" barrel - which actually does exist!!! Honest!!! And I *can* read a scale/ruler!!! Really!!!

Thanks again to all who responded!!!

 

[NCW Ray]

Would the Gould & Goodrich Yaqui Slide work?

 

[crazyphil]

Rich that last photo you posted was designed by the legendary holster designer Bruce Nelson in the 1960s. Milt Sparks offered it, and I think they still do, as 55BN (for Bruce Nelson). I believe Bianchi called it the Askins Avenger. Many of the makers offer that style. I'm sure a custom maker would make exactly what you want.

 

[crazyphil]

PS Rich. I mentioned a have a couple of El Paso Saddlery #88 Street Combats. One of them is for my model 10 with 2" barrel so I know they can and do make them to fit your revolver. Blackhawk also makes the Askins style (same as Bruce Nelson style) with a tension adjustment screw. Unfortunately I don't think they make for the model 10 2" Good luck.

 

[crazyphil]

Another PS Rich: Ray at Lobo Gunleather makes that design and calls it the enhanced Askins. He could probably add the tension screw if you wanted it.

 

[ContinentalOp]

While I don't have experience with them, I've heard good things about Privateer holsters. They offer 3 different Avenger-style holsters and will make them for a 2" K-frame.

Privateer Leather

 

[mustangman]

In previous years, Adams Leatherworks has made me holsters for my Star BM but Eric Adams no longer answers email or takes orders.

This seems rather odd. I just e-mailed Eric the middle of last month giving him and up date on a holster and mag pouch he made for me last August. Just went to his website and he shows a lead time of 8-10 weeks, with no mention of not taking anymore orders.
I sincerely hope what you state is not true, as Eric was great to deal with in my holster design and purchase. I required a cross draw, pancake which he didn't offer, and had never done, but said he would make it happen.
He did, and at no additional cost. The final product fit my needs and exceeded my expectations.

UPDATE - Don't know the nature of OPs dealings with Adams Leather Works, but just received a reply to my inquiry from Eric. He still answers e-mails, and takes orders for new holsters and assorted leather products.

 

[poordevil]

El Paso Saddalery makes pancake style holsters similar to that, that you may like. Their work is very fine indeed

 

[Rich B.]

This seems rather odd...
UPDATE - Don't know the nature of OPs dealings with Adams Leather Works, but just received a reply to my inquiry from Eric.

So did I. It may well have been your email that prompted him to answer mine. I had originally emailed him on 11/25/14; last time he responded was 11/26/14. He didn't have a S&W revolver 'blue gun' but would try to find one. He finally got back to me on 3/31/15.

I've bought two holsters from Eric; both the same style (the one in post#1) but R&L. The M1911 holster came from "JGA", but I long ago forgot his name.

I'm not much of a holster person. I carried a S&W Model 14 4" 38 Spl for ~5 years in AFRES, and a M1911A1 [occasionally] for one year in the Marines. Most of the time as a civilian I just stuck whatever I had in my belt.