Holster Lessons Learned Expensively

[Kframerbluvr]

Lot's to argue/agree with here. Great thoughts OP. The only thing I may add is the quality of the belt that carries the holster. I have found for me, the stiffer the better and I spare no expense when it comes to gunbelts.


BTW P229, just bought a M11-A1 and really enjoying that pistol.

Another amen to a good belt. I have two Wild Bill's Concealment double thickness bull hide belts I bought a few years ago when I was transferred to IA. A great belt can make an inexpensive holster, such as the Glock polymer sport combat holster, work well. This is my current off duty rig. Thin, strong, light, doesn't squeak, and budget friendly. The corresponding Glock mag pouch works great as well

 

[BAM-BAM]

I just want to take a minute to thank all those guys over the years that have traded in guns and included an "all but brand new holster" in the deal .... and also thank those local gunshop owners..... who then sell them at pennies on the dollar..........Bianchi, Sparks and many others

My "big box-of-Holsters" has a lot of great stuff......some for guns I don't have now or may never have......

Let me just add something to the thought of the OP.....and a comment Red made...... today it's harder than ever to see,feel let alone try a holster before buying......it's hard to judge size, ride and cant from a single online picture...... which is why we have our "big -box-of Holsters" ...... trial and error...... is expensive.

The AA always appealed to me.....but most put the butt in my arm pit not just above the belt.......and the butt wanted to ride away from my body like a 1950s TV gunfights rig........... but try learning that from a on line picture!!!!!!!


Red if you read this ....just saw a 1911 holster you made for a friend in Tenn........sweet!!!!!!!

 

[vireya]

anyone have any experience with Alabama holsters? I was looking at the IWB for my Smith 642 cuz a friend just bot a pocket from them and loves his

 

[Road Rat]

I like Askin holsters. In fact, I own more of them than any other. I have one Aker Askins with a snap. The rest are Galco Avengers.

I must agree on the "Avenger" style holster; BUT, I dislike those that have an "adjustment screw" on them! Makes me wonder if they used a proper model for the mold!!!!

Mine are all made for me and they hold the firearm very tight without having to be "adjusted". JMHO

 

[josywales]

... All at a fraction of the cost of new. Some of them turned out to be highly useful and some not (like the time I accidentally bought a left hand holster)... /QUOTE]

Your back might thank you for that "accident". I bought a 3953 and it came with a nice LH holster. As a RH shooter, I now carry all the time with that LH holster. RH holsters don't jive with my truck and/or my back. Now we can argue all day about tactics, speed to engage, etc. But none of that means anything if the gun isn't on me. Maybe I need a chiropractor or a different truck, but for now, the gun has to be on my left side.

That's one upside to buying used, etc. Sometimes you try something you wouldn't normally.

I actually bought a gunbelt used. Poor fellow grew out of it before he even wore it! Upside to me not overindulging I guess. I can get away with regular belts, but a gun belt takes that slack out of the draw and I don't think anyone can argue that.

 

[josywales]

Another thought comes to mind. Where are you guys trying on all of these holsters? I have never found a good selection locally. So it's read about a holster on a forum, find it online, pay cost and shipping, and hope it works out. I think that's how most of us fill up cabinets of "stuff". It's also why I find I'll just settle for a holster and not shop myself to death.

Now, a holster for the Mrs has proven to be an odyssey. Not sure how that one will end...

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I've been carrying handguns for over 40 years, myself, in what Uncle Sam issued me, what I bought, what my agency issued, and what I received as presents. Some holsters were good, some were not, eg. the "one size fits all 4 inch service revolvers" Uncle Mikes Duty Holster issued with my S&W 686. (Seriously!)

Almost all of my off-duty carry these days is in (mostly older) Don Hume JIT Slides for S&W J-Frames and K-Frames and under un-tucked Hawaiian shirts in the summer and vests/jackets/coats in the winter. I still have some Bucheimer and Safety Speed holsters, but they don't get much use and some of them are a bit too worn to sit right. The JIT Slides have their limitations, but they work well concealed.

I keep thinking I'll get a custom BBQ rig someday, but that day never seems to come around when I have the money...

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

If I agreed with your thoughts on never buying holsters because of the way they "Looked". I would never have owned The David Keith, Doc B, or the Lobos I own. For me that would indeed be a sad day. I wear many carved holsters daily, as I have shown before. They never look quite RIGHT to me until after about a year of rough wearing. That's one thing I've noticed when people show their holsters, they look new. Don't you ever wear them? In the cold, in the hot, in the rain? I am beginning to believe other posters comments about whether or not people actually carry and use guns daily? David Keith will be proud of the way his rig he did for me looks in a few months. Lobo just finished one to my specs and believe me it will get used. They are both beautiful also. Carry every step..Shoot every day.

 

[Chubbo]

Basket weave Magazine pouch

Hi, All:
I have been looking for a Colt Magazine pouch to match a Holster &,Belt rig. they are in russet colored basket weave leather. The pouch is for a Colt .38 Super magazine. I have got to old, at 85 yrs. to attend the gun shows, and I'v lost most of my ability to surf the internet like I used to, So after reading this thread, with all of the comments by the experts on gun leather, I'v decided to impose on you folks to help me find a source where I could find, and buy a Magazine pouch of the type I I,m looking for. I would like it to be a flap covered type for a single Mag. in a Russet color, done in Basket Weave to match my belt, and holster. Some of my clip pouches have a metal clip on the back, and that would be alright, but it could be leather loops for a 2" belt also. I have not been able to find Pouches in the right color, or the basket weave pattern, listed by the old makers, such as Bianchi, Safariland, Bucheimer, or any of the old makers. They all used to make them, but not anymore. Pardon my spelling, as I'v lost that skill also. Anyone Help? Thanks. I'll try to post a picture of the rig, but doubt if I can.
Chubbo http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=250965&stc=1&d=1474415296