Doug M.
Member
Sometimes I note that some folks need to grump about unsatisfactory products of all types, and I am not above some pretty harsh feedback to those I think deserve it. This post will be a lot different.
Some time back, I bought a 945-1 (or -2, too lazy to get up and look) compact here. Not a good fiscal choice, but it appealed to me. As a lefty, a good factory ambi safety was important. I shot it a bit, and while a good performer, the sights did not work for my eyes. I sent the slide to Bill (BMCM) and we chatted up something that turned out well.
Since I tend to not have any handgun I can't carry for serious, I looked into some leather. While the pistol looks like a compact 1911, it was a little thicker in some dimensions and the factory holster I bought did not quite work. I started looking into some form of custom leather and did some significant internet research. I got turned down or was unable to find what I wanted a couple of times.
Roughly two months ago, I saw something on Lobo Gunleather's site that with some modifications might work. I was looking for something in the nature of a belt slide, but worn between the belt and trousers for a little more support and concealment. If you don't try, you will never know, so I made a phone call.
The nice lady who answered the phone connected me to a man who apparently thought my idea was workable, with some insights about design. Part of the idea was to make it not so precisely boned because the pistol is a bit thicker than a compact 1911 would be, although similar. We chatted, we agreed, and I was told ... mid-June. Not bad, so I pretended to be patient.
Earlier than expected, I got a package in the mail yesterday. Nicely made, stout leather, nice attention to detail. All good, but the real question was how it worked. As I got ready for work, I tested the belt slots with one of my Mean Gene belts, which are stout. The fit was just great - as if they were designed with each other in mind. The fit of the pistol was also about as good as one could expect since the design was over the phone and to some extent based on SWAG. Nice, but not so tight that it was a pain.
The tricky part that no one can predict is what happened in terms of fitting my trouser belt loops. I have seen some who will move the loops, but that is not my skill set and I was hoping for the best. So I plodded on, and ... darned near perfect. I had the holster made with a slide guard, which turned out to be a good idea. I snugged down the belt, inserted the pistol, and looked in the mirror. Good retention and concealment. Pretty comfortable, although moving the belt loops a little would reduce the contact of the slide with my hip bones.
Summary: this could not have been better designed and made if I had driven to their shop and been fitted right there. Fine quality; great workmanship, very fair price, and it just plain works. A huge thumbs up.
Some time back, I bought a 945-1 (or -2, too lazy to get up and look) compact here. Not a good fiscal choice, but it appealed to me. As a lefty, a good factory ambi safety was important. I shot it a bit, and while a good performer, the sights did not work for my eyes. I sent the slide to Bill (BMCM) and we chatted up something that turned out well.
Since I tend to not have any handgun I can't carry for serious, I looked into some leather. While the pistol looks like a compact 1911, it was a little thicker in some dimensions and the factory holster I bought did not quite work. I started looking into some form of custom leather and did some significant internet research. I got turned down or was unable to find what I wanted a couple of times.
Roughly two months ago, I saw something on Lobo Gunleather's site that with some modifications might work. I was looking for something in the nature of a belt slide, but worn between the belt and trousers for a little more support and concealment. If you don't try, you will never know, so I made a phone call.
The nice lady who answered the phone connected me to a man who apparently thought my idea was workable, with some insights about design. Part of the idea was to make it not so precisely boned because the pistol is a bit thicker than a compact 1911 would be, although similar. We chatted, we agreed, and I was told ... mid-June. Not bad, so I pretended to be patient.
Earlier than expected, I got a package in the mail yesterday. Nicely made, stout leather, nice attention to detail. All good, but the real question was how it worked. As I got ready for work, I tested the belt slots with one of my Mean Gene belts, which are stout. The fit was just great - as if they were designed with each other in mind. The fit of the pistol was also about as good as one could expect since the design was over the phone and to some extent based on SWAG. Nice, but not so tight that it was a pain.
The tricky part that no one can predict is what happened in terms of fitting my trouser belt loops. I have seen some who will move the loops, but that is not my skill set and I was hoping for the best. So I plodded on, and ... darned near perfect. I had the holster made with a slide guard, which turned out to be a good idea. I snugged down the belt, inserted the pistol, and looked in the mirror. Good retention and concealment. Pretty comfortable, although moving the belt loops a little would reduce the contact of the slide with my hip bones.
Summary: this could not have been better designed and made if I had driven to their shop and been fitted right there. Fine quality; great workmanship, very fair price, and it just plain works. A huge thumbs up.
Last edited:
.
